Malignant Monday: Blame Mars

NEW DELHI: Serial blasts in Mumbai,fall of the BSP-BJP government in Uttar Pradesh, fire on the Howrah-PatnaShatabdi Express, and derailment of a goods train in Assam - all in the courseof a couple of hours.And astrologers say this can just be thebeginning of an unstable phase for the country, especially the northernhalf.A particular combination of planets - Rahu, Saturn, Moon, Mars- in adverse placements is likely to heat up things with the government takingwrong decisions and the public reacting violently to inflammatory rumours. Marswill create violent situations, while the moon will stokeemotions.According to experts, the main culprit is Mars. Mars iscoming close to Earth after 60,000 years. While this may exciteastronomers, astrologers say it doesn’t bode too well."To makematters worse, Rahu is placed in Taurus which is the ascendant of India. Rahu inthe ascendant is not considered auspicious. It is entering Aries on August 29that is likely to complicate matters further. Also, Mars, that portendsviolence, wars, bloodshed and combats, is retrograde at present. Things willstart improving only when the retrograde ends on September 20," said R LKanthan, a renowned Delhi-based astrologer.Astrologers also say thatthe blasts in Mumbai were a result of the ill-effects of Mars and Rahu comingtogether. "Rahu is traditionally associated with fire and sudden explosions.Also explosives and gunpowder are associated with Rahu," said Pandit MahendraMishra.But things will be back to normal only after December 6 whenMars enters Pisces, it is at present in Aquarius, another malefic position."Overall instability will be the outcome. Leaders should avoid taking any majordecisions during this period as they may end up inciting the public," saidKanthan.Pt Satish Sharma agreed. "Rahu is placed in Taurus atmoment, which is the fourth house from Aquarius where Earth and Mars are placedat the moment. The fourth house is the house of the public. Also on August 28,Earth, Mars and Sun will be aligned in one line," he said. This may cause arsonand riots."Jupiter usually nullifies the ill-effect of theseplanets, but at present it is debilitated being in the house of Leo. Also in thehoroscope of India, Rahu and Earth are placed in the 10th house (house ofauthority, government) from Taurus. The ill-effect may prevent the governmentfrom controlling people effectively," said Sharma. This may be particularly truefor northern India that is affected by Saturn. "The Mayawatigovernment''s fall in Uttar Pradesh is a result of the mixed affect of Rahu andSaturn. The BSP symbol, elephant, is also connected to Rahu," said Sharma.