USA Presidential Elections, Rahu Dasha & Jupiter Saturn Conjunction

I generally refrain from one-sided national or global astrological predictions. While Jyotish is a formidable tool for predicting future trends, I believe this kind of astrology creates unnecessary fear and anxiety fueling negativity or false hope in our collective consciousness. Furthermore, it diminishes this ancient knowledge’s primary role––as a Vedic spiritual science of transformation through self-knowledge.

Having said that, I am re-sharing this video that I made in 2018 to answer many of the broad questions you all have about the unprecedented (Rahu) events of the last 3-4 years, and the more recent experience of “I can’t believe this is happening” (eighth house Rahu) in the horoscope of the United States.

As the video shows, a Vedic horoscope made for the date and time when the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, gives the USA a Rahu Dasha Rahu Bhukti birth. On September 28, 2015, we once again cycled back to Rahu Dasha (third Rahu Dasha since the birth of the nation).  

Rahu is an out-cast, radical and audacious planet that defies status quo, tradition, conventional laws, and customs (for good, or ill). In addition, Rahu Dasha also activates Ketu in the horoscope (placed in the opposite sign), which means that polarization and the danger of falling into extremes heighten during the planetary periods of both these nodes.

Within every Mahadasha ( main planetary period) there are also Bhukti’s or Antar Dasha (sub planetary periods), where the other planets in the horoscope get to exert their influence. On June 18, 2018, the US horoscope changed Bhukti from Rahu Rahu to Rahu Jupiter. Jupiter is an idealistic planet, he pertains to divine laws that cannot be negotiated or altered: for example, the ten commandments, Yama and Niyamas, or in contemporary times the judicial system and the constitution. We have seen unprecedented pressure on the courts to adjudicate disputes over the last two years, especially the results of the November elections. Fortunately, under Jupiter’s influence, the courts have so far prevailed.

In November 2020, the US horoscope changed Bhukti again from Rahu Jupiter to Rahu Saturn. Saturn is a more pragmatic planet that believes in human and not divine laws that can be twisted and negotiated to suit the situation. In other words, the justice system may not be able to hold up under the pressure much longer as Jupiter's period departs, and Saturn’s aura overtakes the US horoscope. Fortunately, Saturn will be transiting his own sign of Capricorn during the duration of the Rahu Saturn Dasha/Bhukti. Saturn’s transit in his own sign brings out the best in him, especially as it pertains to financial stability and endurance to survive under pressure. In the US horoscope, Saturn is in the hard working sign of Virgo that deals with chronic disease and infirmity––Saturn placed here is willing to take on this burden.

By now most of you have heard about the great Saturn and Jupiter conjunction of 2020 in Sidereal Capricorn (Aquarius for those of you who follow Western Astrology). This conjunction by itself is not such a rare occurrence––roughly every 20 years these two planets fall into the same Zodiac sign and every 60 years in Capricorn. What is so unique about this event is that on Dec 21st, 2020 these two planets will appear separated by just 6.1 arc minutes, which is roughly the thickness of a dime held at arm’s length. As the two bright lights merge, some are calling this the “Christmas Star”, which will be visible to the naked eye. The last time these two planets came this close was 800 years ago and the next time will be in 2080. In addition, this rare event is happening on the day of the winter solstice, making it astrologically and astronomically very significant.

In Jyotish, when any two planets come within a degree of each it is referred to as a “planetary war”, which only one planet can win. In this case, the Vedic Astrology rules for planetary war tell us that Saturn wins, as he holds more power over Jupiter being in his own sign, where Jupiter is debilitated. Still, Jupiter is a very generous planet, even a little help from him can go a long way. So, I think that Jupiter’s close influence on Saturn until Feb-March will help uplift Saturn enough to get us through a peaceful transition to a new government in early 2021.

Once Jupiter leaves Capricorn in April, Saturn will be on his own to navigate the US Rahu Saturn dasha/bhukti, which will last until Sept 2023. Both Rahu and Saturn are planets of fear: Rahu disseminates unknown and unsubstantiated doubts and fears (ie. conspiracy theories, the boogyman etc. fake news ) that haunt us, and Saturn sows real and practical fear of survival, such as paying our bills and putting food on the table that hold back our soaring spirit. Any time Rahu and Saturn combine, whether in a horoscope, dasha/bhukti or transit, fear gets accentuated, so we can expect dread, doubt and uncertainty to continue over next few years.

The horoscopes of the leaders of a nation have a great deal to tell us about the collective psyche of the people at the time they elect them. President elect Biden’s horoscope shows the coming influence of Saturn, as he is in dasha sandhi, or transition from one Mahadasha to another: namely, exalted Jupiter in the ninth house in Cancer dasha is finishing and Saturn dasha in the seventh house in the earth sign of Taurus begins in September 2022.

Regardless of the other planets influencing Rahu, his Mahadasha is 18 years long, and we are only four years in. Watch the video and get to know him, as he is here to stay for a while, and fasten your seat belts and be prepared for the bumpy ride. And before you start packing your bags to move to Canada, remember that like all the planets Rahu has a role to play in our lives––the entropy and chaos he produces takes us out of our comfort zone giving us as well as a nation state an opportunity for radical transformation. This is why Rahu Mahadasha is always followed by the great benefic guru, mentor, and guide, Jupiter.

Going beyond the US horoscope, the merger of Saturn and Jupiter after 800 years is certainly an indication in the heavens that we are entering a new era, as the energies of the two planets that drive our destiny unite. A microscopic virus has brought some of the mightiest nations to its knees and for the first time in human history we can no longer stay separated by nation, culture or race.

Astronomer Jackie Faherty, at the American Museum of Natural History in New York put everything in perspective when he told Scientific American, “We get caught up in things that happen over the small given amount of time that a human life exists under, but astronomy encompasses a timeframe so much more than that…in the face of everything that is going on, you can find perspective in astronomical timeframes.”