Visible Effect

Recently, we have experienced natural disasters on a scale that boggles the mind. The cyclone in Myanmar on May 3 killed approximately 22,000 people and left 2 million homeless. The 7.8 magnitude earthquake in China on May 12 left 50,000 dead and 15 million homeless. For the average person, it is difficult to come to terms with such an enormity of destruction. Many people who are searching for answers are having a hard time finding them.

April 28

Let us turn to the heavens and see what insight it may provide. From a Vedic Astrological point of view. Mars moved into the sign of Cancer, the sign of his greatest threat and danger, on April 28, just five days before the cyclone leveled Myanmar. Mars is considered to be debilitated in the sign of Cancer, which only increases his potential to create havoc and destruction in our world.

Mars, a planet affiliated with the fire element, is the instigator of natural disasters. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, accidents, carnage, injury and death are Mars’ s calling cards under this stellar influence.

May 3

The cyclone in Myanmar killed approximately 22,000 people and left 2 million homeless.

May 5

On May 5, the destructive fire-brand, Ketu, otherwise known as the Dragon’s Tail, also joined Mars in the sign of Cancer. These two planets when associated have a destructive force, which is second to none. Together, they can fan the flames of fury and frenzy down here on earth. This date is only two days after the Myanmar cyclone. But Ketu’s proximity to Mars and Saturn at that time was enough to throw a few flaming arrows into the mix. And thus, we experienced the devastating Myanmar cyclone.

May 12

By the time May 12 rolled around, the Moon, the loving heart of our solar system, also unwittingly entered the sign of Cancer, only to find the two schoolyard bullies, Mars and Ketu, waiting in ambush for her. And this brought us the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in China.

June 13

A month later, Taliban militants attacked the main prison in southern Afghanistan on June 13. They exploded a car bomb at the main gate in a multi-pronged assault that freed hundreds of militant prisoners. Officials said that all the prisoners had escaped.

In the US, there was extensive flooding in the mid-west and fires were once again consuming Northern California.

June 14

An earthquake of 7.2 magnitude struck northern Japan.

June 15

Major flooding in northern China leaves millions homeless. Mars continues to pass through the sign of Cancer until he moved into exact conjunction with the planet Ketu on June 15. This only exacerbated an already precarious situation.

June 18

On June 18, the Moon will be full and begin the day in Scorpio, her weakest position. Earthquakes are very common around the full or the new moon. Further problems can be expected.

June 21

Finally, at long last, Mars will exit the sign of Cancer and move forward into Leo. This may provide some temporary relief but not for long. For the great oppressor, Saturn, is slowly carving a tortuous route and casting his long shadows through the sign of Leo. So Mars changes his gangland affiliation from Ketu to Saturn, from the frying pan into the fire.

July 10

On July 10, Mars will be in exact conjunction with Saturn and we can expect more danger and difficulty on the world stage. Around this date, fires, eruptions or explosions look likely. A government, a dictator or a repressive regime may be toppled. A person in a high position of public trust may be discovered to be corrupt.

The Invisible Cause

Our beautiful home, our earth, is constantly subjected to a continued assault from her inhabitants. Emotionally, she is expected to absorb our anger, frustration, resentment, criticism, blame and guilt, whether it is aimed at ourselves or others. Our mistreatment of our brothers and sisters has a direct effect on our mother herself, the earth. Well, how much can she take? The earth, like your average human, can only take so much. And then she must release the pain and various negative energies she has absorbed over time. She must release the anger, resentment, criticism and guilt. And this is what is actually taking place on a subtler plane when natural disasters occur. It is, in effect, a karmic correction. Karmic means “what goes around comes around.” There is no getting away with anything in this world. All actions and negative behaviors will come back to haunt us at some point in time. This is true individually and collectively. This is why such events as the cyclone in Myanmar and the earthquake in China take place. If we want to avoid such death and destruction in future, then we must change the way we treat others. We must evolve from greed and predation toward others to kindness and compassion toward all. Then perhaps, we can reduce the occurrence and consequence of such horrific disasters.