I was asked several months ago by a newspaper group and a TV show to make “predictions” about 2009 and what it holds for South Africa.
I noted then that the New South Africa's chart (calculated for midnight of the 27th of April 1994, Pretoria) has Jupiter in the 10th House, and this can translate as “a public image of righteousness and moral rectitude”, or a “principled career”. Whatever South Africa enjoys along the lines of a good reputation internationally is probably a manifestation of this facet of the chart (of course there are other considerations and factors in the New South Africa's chart, some of which are rather more abrasive).
I also observed that Transiting Jupiter is this year passing through the New South Africa's 1st House, and on the face of it one would be tempted to assume that this is a wonderful development. It is typically indicative of much growth and even an enhanced degree of integrity and a heightened concern with morality, philosophy and even religion.
There is a “but”, however...
According to Vedic astrology Jupiter spends much of this year in the sign Capricorn (whereas the Tropical Zodiac used in western astrology places Jupiter in Aquarius during 2009), and Capricorn happens to be the worst possible sign Jupiter can occupy, and this would significantly erode and taint the benign and wise attributes of Jupiter. One could argue that Capricorn is far too materialistic for Jupiter's essential nature to thrive there. Capricorn is associated with business and politics; the core arenas of worldly ambition.
So, during the television interview I mentioned that South Africa may well be more prominent than usual on the world stage during 2009, and the county's moral and even religious attributes and attitudes will be a prominent issue. I did warn though, on the basis of Jupiter's Transit through South Africa's 1st House being in the sign Capricorn, that business and politics aren't easily reconciled with morality and religious wisdom, and that our country would need to be mindful of this since it could undermine the potential benefits of Jupiter's prominent position in this cycle.
South Africa's barring of the Dalai Lama from attending a planned Peace Conference, quite obviously in deference to Chinese wishes to block the Dalai Lama at every opportunity, seems to me a rather clear manifestation of this warning. It's furthermore interesting to me that “COPE”, South Africa's most promising new political party, is headed by a pastor, and there has also lately been some controversy over politicians using churches to deliver their political messages (or should we say propaganda?). Jacob Zuma's recent “sermon” at the Rhema church led to dozens of people walking out in indignation....
