MY SPIRITUAL WISDOM

Tomorrow (Jan 27, 2009) Mars will transit to Capricorn, its exalted (highest) point in astrology. This transition in India's 9th house Indicates matters related to army, police, sports, business & trade partnerships with other nations may find new direction. Mars was transiting in the 8th (obstacles) house since Dec 20, 2008, hence, was not favorable. Financial markets may also turn positive due to the conjunction of Jupiter, Sun, Mars, Rahu and Mercury. Mars signifies youthful energy, action and aggression, therefore, o n the negative side, unwanted expenses, accidents, incidents of agitations and violence may also occur due to this planetary formation. Mars will transit in this sign till 8th March.

In retro-spective : Outgoing US president Mr. George Bush is leaving his country in a state of utter confusion, crisis and financial mess. The world at large is still unsure of the purpose and higher righteousness of the wars he fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. Eco-perspective: On a broader perspective, during the eight years of Bush Administration, the accumulated debt of the US economy had gone up to $10 trillion, virtually doubled when compared to the start of his Presidency (Excluding the $700 billion bailout package ) Secondly, The IMF has estimated that for the financial year 2008-09, the year-on-year growth of the US economy is expected to be around 0.52 per cent as against the previous estimate of 1.6 per cent. It is now broadly agreed that the the budget deficit is expected to cross the 1 trillion for the current year. Third but not the last or least: Nobel laureate Paul Krugman expects the economy to slump with unemployment rate hitting 8 per cent; it is 6.5 per cent c

Astrologically , every year around 14 January (Makar Sankranti) Sun transits into practical Capricorn (Makar Rashi in Hindi). It is the day when the Sun, a symbol of brightness, knowledge and wisdom, begins to enter into the northern hemisphere, bringing to an end the dark, cold days of winter, and ushering in the spring season. This is a great time to reflect upon the past and make plans for your future as the Sun illumines a pathway toward the achievement of your goals. The earthy and practical drive of this sign presents an opportunity for you to make ambitions plans and really do something with them! Just like Capricorn's symbol the mountain goat, it is time to climb to the top. According to the Hindu rituals, on the day of Uttarayani(from this day onwards lord Sun becomes 'Uttarayan' as it starts moving to the north) it is said that from this day, which signals a change of season, the migratory birds start returning to the hills. Makar Sankranti is one

Once, a big group of monkeys decided to improve their life as they were not doing well in comparison to their cousins (!), human beings. As humans have pleased God especially by fasting, they decided to fast too, although it was not easy for them. So, very next day they begin their fast. It was a group fast and all need to abide by rules to get the accumulative benefit. After half an hour of fasting they started feeling uneasiness in their tummy. After all they were not accustomed to such a thing. When the squirming in the stomach became unbearable, the leader suggested," We should go close to banana trees. We will be saving our time to go there at the time of breaking fast. Within minutes everyone was there! After one long hour of fasting, the fidgeting in their stomach was at peak. One intelligent monkey suggested that we should collect all the bananas now and thus we would not be working hard in the evening, at the time of breaking fast.

The Government of India has finally announced a two lakh crore rupees mixed stimulus package to revive the slowing economy. Heavenly bodies indicate the cheer might not last long enough, as there are indications of financial markets turning bearish in the near term. There might also be some other problems related to global importance erupting all of a sudden. On the 8 Jan Moon will be aspected (Dristi) by retrograde (moving backward) Saturn and debilitated (Weak) Jupiter in Taurus. Surprisingly,the digits in the date add up to two (8+1+2+0+0+9 =2+0) the number ruled by Moon. Number eight is ruled by Saturn, who's aspect is considered too troublesome. For example Saturn (signifies iron, steel, engineering, basic service & labor industry) is in apposition (aspecting) to Venus (signifies automobile) since Dec 28, 2008 . The Auto-Rickshaw strike in Kolkata, following the implementation of High court order to ban commercial vehicles registered before Jan 1, 1993 , from the City and