This part of the 2016 Predictions series will focus on the main players of the Middle East. I consider these "players" to be Iran, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.
Iran
Spring Equinox, 2016, Iran
Transit Neptune is in opposition with natal Saturn in Iran's 6th house (drawn in red below). Transit Uranus is forming a Trine to natal Neptune in Iran's 9th house (drawn in dark green below). The Pluto Square Pluto transit (drawn in brown) is weak, but still is in the process of formation. 2017 will be the year for Pluto Square Pluto, which suggests major changes in areas related to "foreign policy or foreign treaties" (natal Pluto in Iran's 7th house).
Interpretation
The Pluto Square Pluto transit (in formation for 2016) indicates a potential crisis may be forming between "the ruling party or president" (transit Pluto in the 10th house) and "foreign policy areas or treaties" (natal Pluto in the 7th house). This is a weak transit, but this time frame may offer clues pertaining to crisis and foreign policy status changes (or presidential status changes) that may dominate Iran in 2017.
Neptune Opposition Saturn may indicate "deception" or "disappointment" in areas pertaining to "hospitals, military personnel, or government personnel." But also note that transit Neptune in the 12th house can expose traitors, opportunists, or government extremists with the Opposition to Saturn. This is probable since the 12th house rules "intelligence gathering, secret enemies of the government, and terrorist situations" and Saturn rules "restrictions, limitations, and reality."
Summer Solstice, 2016, Iran
The Neptune Opposition Saturn transit continues (drawn in dark brown below), while the Pluto Square Pluto transit becomes weaker (dark green, below). Transit Mars (in Iran's 8th house) forms a square to Iran's natal Mercury in the 10th house. This is drawn in red below. The Moon is high in the sky (near the Midheaven) and in conjunction with natal Venus in the 10th house (drawn in light green below).
Interpretation
Exposure of and dealing with government fraud or government problems (especially regarding health care or the military) may be an issue at this time. There is potential for conflict among government members and government workers with this transit, especially in secretive areas such as intelligence and espionage. Banking and finance issues may also be in the news and also having an effect that "generates debate or arguments" (Transit Mars in the 8th house Square natal Mercury in the 10th house).
Uranus Trine Neptune indicates a "surprising change in appearance" (with transit Uranus in the 1st house of "general appearance") creating "harmony" (Trine) in "areas of confusion or deception regarding international law, religious philosophy, and international relationships" (natal Neptune in the 9th house). This may define a surprising appearance-change related to foreign policy, especially if nuclear-type topics are involved (since Uranus rules nuclear energy and weaponry). Overall, this transit may define a surprising change in foreign policy with others that may shock or surprise a lot of people.
Mars Square Mercury is a media-reported conflict transit. This event may be a conflict concerning the citizens and government. Because Mars is in the 8th house, this may concern banking or financial-related areas. Activities of the elite may also be under fire with this transit.
Fall Equinox, 2016, Iran
The Neptune Square Saturn transit (taking place in the sky at this time) forms a T-square with Iran's natal Saturn in the 6th house (drawn in light green below). This is continued "government restrictions" (Saturn in the 6th house) in some way, or a "disruption via authority" involving "hospitals, chemical-type business, intelligence-gatherers behind the scenes, enemies of the government" (Neptune in Pisces in the 12th house).
Interpretation
There may be some sort of exposure of something dishonest with transit Neptune in the natal 12th house (and in the sign of Pisces). Transit Neptune forms an Opposition with natal Saturn. This may indicate "intrusion of authority over something dishonest," and may also indicate "limitation of government services, possibly in military, health care, or hospital areas." The key phrase with this event is "uncovering something dishonest or deceptive" in Neptune areas.
Israel
Spring Equinox, 2016, Israel
The 2016 square taking place between Saturn and Neptune continues with Israel's chart now. The square has a focus on Israel's natal Mercury placement ("communications, media") in the 8th house ("banking, insurance, tax collectors, activities of the elite"). As discussed, this square may indicate uncovering fraud since Neptune / Mercury (drawn in red below) can be defined as "deceptive communication" (a.k.a. lie). With Saturn now a part of this square, this usually implies "government restrictions" or "intrusions into areas of information and interruption of communications." Also note the fortunate transit of Mercury Square Jupiter, with natal Jupiter in the 2nd house. Combined with the Saturn Trine Saturn transit (drawn in dark green below) indicates a "housecleaning of government" in someway (and not necessarily violent or shocking).
Interpretation
There is probability for "good news financially" (Mercury Square Jupiter, drawn in light green below) at this time.
But also note that there may also be an uncovering of "something dishonest" and "speculative in nature" (transit Neptune Square natal Mercury (with Neptune in the 5th house)). This Square may also indicate "conflict" over "secret information" (natal Mercury in the 8th house). This Mercury placement may also represent information related to financial-based 8th house areas (i.e. banking, insurance, tax collecting, finance, activities of the elite).
Summer Solstice, 2016, Israel
The Saturn Square Neptune transit in the sky (drawn in light green below) is now within 2 degrees of T-square formation at this time. Mars opposition Sun (drawn in red below) may be a temper tantrum over a "foreign policy issue involving security" (natal Sun in the 7th house). Moon Opposition Venus (drawn in dark green below) indicates "hard choices" (Opposition) to be made regarding "public communications" (transit Moon in the 3rd house) and with "international friends" (natal Venus in the 9th house).
Interpretation
The government may be involved in "censorship" or "restricted access to information" at this time. This may be due to the result in "uncovering of very serious lies" and "disruption of communications that are secretive in nature." An act of aggression in some way is possible with Mars Opposition Sun, otherwise this may only be a Mars "temper-tantrum" (vocal or otherwise) over "foreign policy that is crucial to the health of the state" (Sun in 7th house).
"Dishonest financial or secretive information" (especially government-oriented) may be the main theme with this Saturn-Neptune-Mercury event, but another factor may be information about "something dishonest."
Fall Equinox, 2016, Israel
Natal Mercury is in Israel's 8th house and is in Trine with natal Neptune in the 12th house. This is a harmonious energy combination with descriptions that include a "religious service" or "hospital" (natal Neptune in the 12th) in balance with "financial information; financial contracts, and secretive information" (natal Mercury in the 8th).
Enter the transit of the square between Saturn and Neptune, of which Saturn / Neptune has a simple definition of "restriction of deception." And this is applied to the natal Mercury position in the 8th house of "banking, insurance, finance, tax collecting, secret information, and activities of the elite."
Interpretation
Transit Mars Conjunct Jupiter indicates a possibility for more good news financially (similar to Spring Equinox), possibly involving the "military budget" or "the nation's labor bank accounts" (Mars Conjunct Jupiter in the 2nd house).
There is a possibility for uncovering something fraudulent under the Saturn Square Neptune transit, and it may involve "money, finance, or secretive information" (and conspiracies that may arise from such areas described, such as theft or fraud). It may be government-related, or it may not be government-related.
Just remember this bumper sticker seen on Ron Paul's desk:
Saudi Arabia
Spring Equinox, 2016, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's natal 10th house position of Jupiter / Neptune appears to represent "the profitable chemical-type business" with "government connections." Transit Neptune / Venus ("deceptive organization, deceptive friendship") is in Saudi Arabia's 4th house ("the main building" or "opposing political party") and in Opposition with the natal Jupiter / Neptune conjunction in the 10th house.
Saudi Arabia gets the return of its Uranus, which is an 84 year cycle. Note that the placement of Uranus (in the natal fifth house of speculation) defines "speculative activities with friends and associates who are very unusual and different from most." Uranus can represent "the gadfly" and "the humanitarian," or "someone different from all others." But Uranus can also represent "the gunfighter" and "a person involved with danger or surprises." And yes, gunfighters were considered to be terrorists in their hey-day, especially in the old U.S. west (and if they were on the wrong side in a financial conquest).
Interpretation
This time-frame could indicate "deceptive relations" or "disappointment" with "the profitable chemical-type business" as well as "potential deception by opposing members in the current political process" (represented by the Neptune / Venus transit in the 4th house of the opposing political party).
This may be an important point of time for Saudi Arabia in regards to the "profitable chemical-type business" (a.k.a. oil, black gold, Texas tea)."Financial speculation" is defined for Neptune / Jupiter transits in almost all definitions of transits. This definitely points at speculation involving "the profitable chemical-type business," and it may be huge in some way (up or down). This may be a good time to watch the volume in oil trading (since huge volume surges usually indicate turning points in some markets).
The Uranus Conjunct Uranus transit may indicate more activity involving "financial speculation" (especially computer-oriented, since Uranus rules computers) OR "activities involving revolutionary-types of people who may be involved in surprising or dangerous activities." This is especially true since Uranus rules "gun-slingers," and these men were considered terrorists in their day by those on the winning side of a financial conquest. But yes, these same terrorists were also heroes to others (i.e. people on the losing side in a game of financial conquest).
Summer Solstice, 2016, Saudi Arabia
The natal square of Uranus (in Saudi Arabia's 5th house) with Pluto (in Saudi Arabia's 9th house) gets caught with transits by Mars entering the 1st house (and applying "harmoniously" (Trine) to natal Pluto in the 9th house), and Uranus Square Pluto is still "hot" at this time. This is drawn in light green below.
Interpretation
There may be some "shocks" regarding international law / philosophy and Saudi Arabia at this time. This doesn't mean a "house-cleaning" is going to take place. Natal Pluto in the 9th house can represent "crisis with international philosophy or law," but it can also represent "important connections of power related to international philosophy or law." This could indicate a conflict or debate with an important international power connection.
The problem with Uranus Square transits is that they usually provide "conflicts" (Square) "in a surprising manner" (Uranus). And in this case, this Square is applying to "areas or connections related to international philosophy or law" (Pluto in the 9th house). This would be a risky time for Saudi Arabia to be in involvement with activities or aspects of international affairs that may cause crisis, since Uranus is so unpredictable.
Fall Equinox, 2016, Saudi Arabia
The Uranus Square Pluto transit continues (drawn in red below). The combination of Pluto Quincux Venus (drawn in dark green) and Jupiter Square Moon (drawn in brown) both take place almost exactly and shortly before the Equinox.
Interpretation
The "general public" (Moon) may "luck out" in some way (Jupiter) as a result of a "conflict" (Square). "International relations" (Venus in the 9th house) may come under "slight tension" (Quincux) and potential "crisis or transformation" to take place as a result (Pluto). This may be a foreign policy "plus" for the people of Saudi Arabia in some way.
Uranus Conjunct Uranus in the natal 5th house is still hot. This continues to give probable "gun-slinger activity" (a.k.a. terrorist-type situations present or related) or "financial speculation via computers." Because Pluto is in transit of Saudi Arabia's 2nd house ("financial resources, liquid assets, the nation's banking accounts"), Saudi Arabia may become more conservative and seek to avoid financial crisis at this point in time
Thanks for reading.
Love to all,
Malcolm
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