44th US President Mr Barack Obama takes charge

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 currently, but beware , Mr Bush inherited a 3.6 per cent figure . This kind of a spurt in unemployment will severely make a dent in consumer confidence, which has already touched an all-time low. It must be noted that consumer expenditure contributes to about 70 per cent of the US GDP. USA is a $14 trillion economy and, hence just a 10 per cent drop in its GDP could have a grave impact on the global economy due to the sheer size of the economy.

Current Perspective: No doubt America has been severely hit by the ongoing recession caused by the sub-prime crisis, but the country is still the dominant force in international trade and industry and every time America catches cold the rest of the world sneezes; no wonder back here in India too, many of us are anxious about its future.

Therefore it may be prudent to look into the future, without getting caught up in the past. In order to make the best predictions about the new President Mr. Barack Hussein Obama ( who takes charge on January 20, 2009) Let’s peep into the future through Divine Eye and draw an astro perspective whether he will lead us to a better tomorrow.

Numerology Perspective: Mr Barack Obama-Date of birth – August 4, 1961, Time of birth 19.24 hrs; Place of birth – Honululu, Hawaii, USA.

Number four (4th August) is his fate number that indicates unexpected ups and downs, and moreover the number ruled by Rahu indicates he has immense ability of surprising people by doing things differently. No wonder, he has changed the history of US by becoming the 44^th US president who is not a white skin. Number 22 (4) (total additions in his birth-date) a master number is his destiny number, no wonder Mr Barack Obama is a master of crisis management and probably that is why the Divine (citizens are children of God, isn't it?) chose him to lead America at the time when the world is going through acute financial crisis. Obama, a thinker of much nuance and speaker of great clarity and eloquence has galvanized a nation with his words alone.

I am sure not many would be thinking of what God is indicating through numbers and heavenly bodies. Its good to see Mr Obama takes charge on 20.1.2009 as the additions of all digits add up to number FIVE, America's destiny (4+7+1+7+7+6) number. Tuesday is named after the red planet 'Mars' (Mangal) which is the lagna (ascendant) lord of New President (read more on this below)

Human perspective: As per his zodiac sign, the new president is a quick thinker who is self-critical in the extreme. Mr Obama is hard on himself, and that hardness is unconsciously passed on to the people around him. He carries a great deal of potential. He is emotional by nature and dreams big all the time. His mind has the great ability to pick up hundreds of ideas every moment from the universe. He is quite open, yet very secretive at times: in other words he has the potential to keep things under wraps. Mr Obama is very creative by nature and has a good flow of energies towards the people with whom he interacts on a daily basis. Very practical and focused, Mr.Obama carries the potential to go all the way to bring benign changes to his country. Aura-wise he is a good soul and carries higher colors that are only seen on highly elevated souls.

As per the Astro chart given under, Health-wise he has issues with his stomach & shoulders and carries a weak immune system.

Astro perspective: At the time of Barack Obama’s birth Scorpio lagna was rising on the eastern horizon and planetary configuration was as such: Saturn -Jupiter conjunct in Capricorn, Ketu -Aquarius, Moon – Taurus, Venus in Gemini, Sun Mercury – Cancer and Mars- Rahu in Leo.

The chart above completely supports the great personality Mr Obama is destined to be!!! . He is not from a privileged background or a political family and his rapid ascent in national politics is not result of backroom wheeling-and-dealing, but of the power of ideas and he simply worked hard!!! .He worked as a community organiser in Chicago in the 1980s, and then graduated from Harvard Law School, where he was editor of the Harvard Law Review for a while. He worked as a professor at the University of Chicago Law School for a few years, and wrote an acclaimed memoir. Given that background, you'd have expected him to stay in academics and write more books, but he saw a different calling for himself It might have been idealism that motivated him to join politics, but he also possessed the pragmatic street-smartness without which you can't rise in that profession. He networked superbly in the local political scene and built a base for himself..

Mars, the lord of Ascendant is beautifully placed in the 10th house (Leo) along with Rahu, which represents profession (Karma). This placement of planets in the royal sign Leo (signifies state, kings and government affairs) promises one could be a head of the State. The other planets also contribute in the same way as lagna lord has projected on the chart.

For example, Mr Obama’s political career took off during Rahu-Mars period exactly as per the chart indication . He was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1996, succeeding State Senator Alice Palmer as Senator from Illinois's 13th District. Number 13th adds to 4, No wonder number four brings great success for him. Also, the placement of 10th house lord, Sun and Mercury (11th lord, house of gains) in the (9th) house of luck promises a powerful “Buddhaditya Rajayoga” This Rajayoga bestows divine grace (luck) to the person indicating boldness, great intellect, diplomacy and foresightedness.

The other two most important planets, Saturn, the tough disciplinarian & task manager (signifies justice, law, masses etc) and Jupiter (Higher Knowledge, Wisdom), the greatest divine Adviser, were placed in the 3rd house, house of courage, (public relations) , communication and siblings. Both these planets were retrograde and were involved in a mutual aspect with Sun and Mercury indicating success wouldn’t not come easily to him-no wonder he has to fight tooth and nail till the end in whatever he does. however, the placement of Saturn in the third house (own house) bestows great power on him to reach at the top. Also his conjunction with Jupiter and mutual aspect of Sun & Mercury on this house indicates he would have interest in law and would have excellent oratory & administrative skills and risk taking ability.

Placement of 9th lord (luck & fortune) Moon (mind & emotions) in the 7th house (signifies spouse and partnerships) in practical earthy sign -Taurus, indicating deep love and good marital life and gains from spouse and partnerships. Moon signifies gains through women, Mr Obama has an exalted Moon in his horoscope, not surprising he gets great support from women.
Also Venus, the lord of (material or mundane success, women etc) 7th & 12th houses is placed in the 8th house (secretes, hidden gains or losses, obstacles and death) indicating gains through women (spouse). So going by the chart and what he has already gained through women, he will continue to gain from his wife-Mrs Mitchell Obama and Mrs Hilary Clinton as they may play a crucial role as he embarks upon the great journey ahead.

Future Perspective: Mr Obama comes on the national scene when USA is tired of the Iraq war and the growing partisanship in politics, and the country is ready for a change. Not to worry, he is passing through a golden period (Maha Dasa –1997-2013) of Jupiter in his chart. The major period of the most benign planet in Vedic astrology will continue during his entire first term. His win over his party rival Hilary Clinton came during his Jupiter -Sun minor period followed by historical win over Mr McCain came due to his Rajyog period of Jupiter-Moon. Moon is exalted in his chart-needless to say, the planets indicate he can bring prosperity to America. Mr Obama will go through Jupiter–Rahu period from Feb 2011 to July 2013 which indicate lots of ups and downs during this time. He will have to be extra careful during this time about his family, health and life. Otherwise, over all, his chart indicates good success.

Indo Perspective: Obama's horoscope matches very well with India's chart. India's 7th house (partnerships) is his first house and his 7th house is India's first house. This indicates the cooperation between these two great countries will increase tremendously; most importantly, the association will be very beneficial. So don't be surprised if he makes it a point (or situation demands) to visit Indian sub-continent (his one of the very first visits as president) in the near term.

On the other side, the astro chart of Pakistan indicates, Mr Obama would maintain friendship and may go out of his way to sort out issues. Pakistan is ruled by fiery Aries "Mars" (signifies army) while new the US President is ruled by deep and sensitive watery Scorpio- Mars. Scorpion Mars does not like harsh criticism, arguments or forced to do things-never mess around Scorpion's, they can be deadly otherwise. therefore in my opinion, despite the inherent compulsions (economic or otherwise) adverse issues with Pakistan may come on the surface and situation may become worst which will be very problematic for him.

India will pass Sun-Rahu period during Mr Obama's Jupiter Rahu phase indicates deep involvement between the two countries in near term, could be a very tough time. Mr Bush strategically kept Pak and Kashmir issue off the table during his term, which helped India focus on other important issues. Let us see how things unfold on that front during Mr Obama's regime.

Therefore, we all know the road ahead for him will be quite painful but the good thing about his fortune is that he has majority both in Senate and the Congress. He can take hard decisions to bring back stability to the crumbling financial market. The entire world is counting on you Mr President. We Wish you great success, Sir for whatever good you do for the humanity!