Comments on Global Predictions for the last month

In May undesirable world events are likely to be due to manifestations of Pluto-Saturn ninefold opposition (May 17-23), Uranus-Rahu ninefold quincunx (May 22-31), and Pluto-Mars and Neptune-Mars direct quincunxes.  However, the first half of the month is likely to enjoy positive energy of Uranus-Jupiter, Jupiter-Mars, and Uranus-Mars auspicious trines and Pluto-Neptune ninefold trines. While the positive news will be reflected in world economic expansion, continued research and technological advances in high-tech, bio-tech, and medicine fields, and in world political stability, the negative world events, especially during the latter half of the month, will include natural and man-made calamities, political tensions among world leaders, suicide bombings and escalated activities of terrorism in Middle East (Iraq, Israel and Palestine) and a possible skirmish between India and Pakistan on security related issues. 

The countries that are likely to make headline news are:  Iraq, Iran, Israel, Palestine, India, Pakistan, Russia, China, and USA.

• United States of America:    

President Bush and his administration:  

On April 24 president Bush began his next major cycle, the seventeen year cycle of Mercury.  During this cycle he will be predominantly influenced by Mercury, Venus, Pluto, and Ketu as they fall in the constellation of Mercury at the time of his birth.

During the first three weeks of May, the transit of Mars in the eighth house of his ninefold chart means he will continue to face obstacles and get frustrated as he realizes his inadequacy to effectively govern the country. Also, during the second half of the month Mercury will transit through the seventh house of his ninefold chart. As a result, he will have difficulty in dealing with his subordinates as well as political leaders of the international community. During the last week, Jupiter squares his natal Pluto, and therefore, during that week he should stay low key as he is likely to make mistakes in making policy decisions on domestic issues.

Immigration and Haditha killings in Iraq are some of the examples where president Bush has been on defensive.

The Country:

While Uranus-Mars (May 6 -10) regular trine is positive for the country from international reputation, prestige, economy and technological progress standpoint, the Uranus-Rahu ninefold quincunx will certainly dominate the news about friction between European countries and USA, national security, mismanagement of domestic programs, and government's inability to govern the nation. 

May 28: Frist backs search of congressman's office

May 28: Murtha: New scandal worse than Abu Ghraib

May 28: Senator vows probe into Iraq civilian deaths

For republicans, Pluto-Saturn ninefold opposition (May 17-23) will not bode well in maintaining distance between the party and the Bush White House. Direct confrontation between the White House and senior party leaders is likely.

In general, for democrats, the entire month is favorable. Especially the second week of the month may prove to be real positive. 

·        Russia:  The third week of the month is likely to be very challenging for Russia and for the Putin administration in particular. During May 15-19 period a possibility of eruption of new crisis situation and/or a man-made or natural calamity is very high.  However, the favorable influence of Pluto-Neptune ninefold trine and Neptune-Saturn ninefold sextile will reflect in country's economic growth and success in international politics during the month except the third week.

·        Europe:  While the positive influence of Neptune-Saturn ninefold trine (May 21-28) will be reflected in political stability and economic expansion, Saturn-Jupiter (May 15-17) and Uranus-Rahu (May 24-31) ninefold quincunxes are likely to become responsible for social crisis and for increased disagreement with USA on several economy and security related issues respectively.

·        China, Japan, and Pacific-rim countries:  Except for the third week of the month the month looks to be positive for China from economical and social progress standpoint. During the third week either natural or man-made calamity or social crisis is likely. The economic growth for China, Japan and the entire pacific-rim region will continue to grow at an enviable pace.

·        Middle East:  Violence and suicide bombings in Iraq and in Palestine-Israel regions will continue to dominate the news during May 15-31 period.

May 14: Blasts kill 30 in Baghdad

May 20: Iraq gets new government as bombs kill 24

May 21: Iraq vows "maximum force" as bombs kill 19

May 24: Istanbul airport hit by blaze in cargo area: TV

May 25: More Violence Hits Iraq as Bush, Blair Prepare to Meet

May 28: Iraqi PM fails to name new officials

May 28: Violence flares on Lebanon-Israel border

May 29: Unrest grips Kabul after US truck crash

May 29: Bombs kill dozens in Iraq, leaders wrangle

May 29: Two CBS journalists killed in Iraq attack

·        Religion:  The first half of the month seems positive for religious activities all around the world. It's during the second half some of the religious authorities will come under pressure to deliver the promises they have made or deal with a sudden and unexpected religion or morality based crisis.

·        Natural and Man-made Calamities:  Neptune-Mars and Pluto-Mars direct quincunxes, Pluto-Saturn ninefold opposition, and Uranus-Rahu ninefold quincunx will be responsible for both the natural and man-made disasters during May. The notable events will likely to occur during May 15 - 31.

May 4: Bomb kills nine near Baghdad courthouse

May 16: Heavy Rains Continue to Flood New England

May 24: Istanbul airport hit by blaze in cargo area: TV

May 28: More than 4,600 dead in Indonesian quake

May 28: Violence flares on Lebanon-Israel border

May 29: Bombs kill dozens in Iraq, leaders wrangle

      Earthquakes:  Although it's a low probability month for earthquakes to occur, based on our evolving earthquake prediction model, the possibility of  occurrence(s) of an earthquake(s) of magnitude 7 or higher during May 2-4, May 7-8, and on May 18 can not be ruled out.

May 3: A magnitude 8.0 earthquake IN TONGA has occurred at: 20.03S 174.23W Depth 16km Wed May 3 15:26:35 2006 UTC

May 16: A magnitude 7.4 earthquake IN THE KERMADEC ISLANDS REGION has occurred at: 31.56S 179.30W Depth 149km Tue May 16 10:39:23 2006 UTC

May 26: A magnitude 6.2 earthquake IN JAVA, INDONESIA has occurred at:  8.01S 110.29E Depth 17km Fri May 26 22:54:01 2006 UTC

Earthquakes of higher than magnitude 7 were predicted for May to occur on May 2-4, May 7-8, and May 18.   Well, the one with the highest magnitude (8.0) for the month did occur on May 3.  The next one, of magnitude 7.4, occurred on May 16, not on May 18.  Interesting observation for this month's earthquakes: The earthquakes of magnitude 7 or higher did not really cause any human casualties (perhaps because both occurred over water and in remote areas of the world), but the one in Indonesia, which occurred on May 26 of magnitude 6.2, took over 5000 lives.  This seems to indicate that the destruction of wealth and loss of lives is not always proportional to strength of the quake.

     While man-made calamities may manifest themselves in terrorism, unrest, violence, accidents, and air crashes, the natural calamities are likely to include extreme weather conditions such as severe cold winters, and equally intensive droughts, hurricanes or typhoons, thunderstorms, earthquakes and fires.

Comments on the last month's  World Financial Markets predictions

World financial markets for May will begin with a bullish tone for about first 10 days, turn mixed till almost half way into the month followed by mixed to bearish period of about six days, and then during the last week of the month will become bearish.

It must be noted that the basis for the following predictions mainly includes the influence of the planets Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars along with the slower moving modern planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. For the ninefold analysis, the fast moving planets like Mercury, Venus, Sun, and Moon can also influence the outcome of the world markets. However, these influences, although usually insignificant, are difficult to account for as the analysis then becomes too complex to make market predictions.  Therefore, should it become necessary to account for the influence of fast moving planets the timely advanced updates whenever appropriate will be provided.

May 1-10: Bullish

May 11-16: Mixed

May 17-20: Mixed to Bearish

May 21: Mixed

May 22-31: Bearish

Except few days during the last week of the month, the world financial markets seem to follow the predictions pretty close throughout the month.