Now that the Mars has become direct in its motion, expect a turnaround and improvement in economical and global trades, less fluctuations in world financial markets, and diminished rate of destruction of wealth due to natural calamities or man made accidents. Although the political and social turmoil in Pakistan will continue, it is going to lose its momentum, and soon a stable but temporary political picture will emerge. 

Feb 21:  Pakistani parties vow to form govern

Important planetary configurations for February are: Uranus-Saturn ninefold square (Feb 1-5), Uranus-Rahu ninefold opposition (Feb 17-23), Pluto-Rahu ninefold quincunx (Feb 20-28),  Neptune-Ketu ninefold trine (Feb 5-11) and Mars-Rahu trine (Feb 20-27).  In addition, there are two eclipses; a weak solar (Feb 7), and a medium lunar (Feb 21).

The Uranus-Saturn ninefold square is likely to become responsible for the increased US involvement in the Middle-East region and (for) unfortunate incidents that might include both man-made and natural calamities in the Middle-East and/or in the United States. Uranus-Rahu ninefold opposition will be reflected in a possible severe political crisis in the United States as well as one in Europe. Pluto-Rahu ninefold quincunx will be the cause for suicide bombings and terrorism related activities, mainly in the Middle-East. 

However, the Neptune-Ketu ninefold trine and Mars-Rahu auspicious trine will be responsible for the political stability around the world. The positive influence of these trines will also be reflected in world economic growth and advances in technology and science. 

The countries that are likely to make headline news will be: Unites States, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Israel, Palestine and Europe.

• United States of America:    

President Bush and his administration:  

President Bush's most operating and the currently dominating planets, Ketu (South lunar node) and Pluto will continue to transit though the 7th house of his ninefold progressive chart until February 12. Therefore, at least until February 12, he will continue to have difficulties in carrying out his agenda, and he will continue to face serious problems in dealing with his own administration with regard to domestic as well as international matters.

During the February his Uranus quincunxes his natal Moon. As a result, his decision making process will be hindered, and that will be reflected in his failures and frustration in governing the country. In addition, Rahu quincunxes his natal Saturn making it even more difficult in getting things done.

Finally, one of his important operating planets, Mercury, which is currently retrograde (until Feb 19) will oppose his natal  Mercury and Pluto.  Mercury being in the third house of his progressive chart he is likely to experience tremendous mental and emotional strain during the middle part of the month.

The Country:

The Uranus-Saturn ninefold square will become responsible for the increased US involvement in the Middle-East region, and also for unfortunate incidents that include both man-made and natural calamities in the United States. Uranus-Rahu ninefold opposition is likely to manifest into a possible severe political crisis. 

Neptune-Ketu ninefold trine and Mars-Rahu auspicious trine will be responsible for a better economical situation and advances in technology and science.

The friction between the democrats and republicans, particularly between the conservatives and liberals, is likely to intensify during the first week of the month.  

·        Russia:  The Neptune-Ketu ninefold trine is positive for Russia and the Putin administration during the second week of the month to carryout their agenda and implementing the desired domestic policies.

·        Europe:  The Neptune-Rahu ninefold sextile will certainly be positive for European Union during the second week of the month from economic progress standpoint. The Euro will continue to rise against US dollar and other international currencies. However, the Uranus-Rahu ninefold opposition (Feb 17-23) may become responsible for natural and man-made disasters during the third week of the month.

·        China, Japan, and Pacific-rim countries:  For China the second week seems to be positive. The economic progress is likely to remain stagnant. Neptune-Ketu trine will manifest in the form of a social prosperity and happiness. For Japan and for Pacific-rim countries, from economic standpoint, overall February looks to be a relatively positive month.

·        Middle East:  The Uranus-Rahu ninefold opposition will be responsible for continued violence and terrorism in Middle-East (Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Pakistan region) during February 17 - 23.

Feb 16: Bomb kills 37 on last day of Pakistan vote campaign

Feb 17: Suicide bomber kills 80 in Afghanistan

·        Religion:  In general, religious activities around the world will likely to be normal with no significant negative news. 

·        Natural and Man-made Calamities:  The likely notable dates are: February 1-5, and 17-26.

Feb 1: Female bombers kill 72 at Baghdad pet markets

Feb 5: Tornadoes sweep U.S. South, 48 dead

Feb 17: Suicide bomber kills 80 in Afghanistan

Feb 20:  JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) -- A major earthquake shook western Indonesia on Wednesday afternoon, killing at least three and injuring 25 others, officials in the country told CNN. The magnitude 7.5 quake's epicenter was about 195 miles (315 km), south-southeast of Banda Aceh, on the Indonesian island of Simeulue, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

Feb 22: Venezuela plane crash kills 46

      Earthquakes: Based on our earthquake prediction model, the earthquake(s) of magnitude 7 or higher, if occur, are likely to occur on February 15-18, 20, and 22-25.

     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 February will begin with a mixed tone, then turn bullish, then bearish and ends the month with a mixed tone.

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.

February 1-5: Mixed

February 6-14: Bullish

February 15-16: Mixed

February 17-18: Bearish

February 19-29: Mixed

Except for a few days, the world financial markets followed the predictions pretty closely through this month.