Impact of Coronavirus On Economy & Job Market: An Astrological Perspective

If at all there was a cosmic blueprint for the occurrence of a catastrophe, we are just experiencing one right now. Such has been the sequence of events since November 2019 that it can make for a thrilling script of a fiction movie. Consider this: On November 5, 2019, Jupiter transited Sagittarius sign and joined Saturn and Ketu, thereby getting severely afflicted.

In Indian vedic astrology, Jupiter, commonly called Guru, is a planet of expansion. It also denotes religion, knowledge and education. It was around that time only when we witnessed unrest among the student community, in the form of protests in Jawahar Lal Nehru University (JNU) over fee hike which quickly snowballed into a major controversy. In December, we saw yet another controversy when violence erupted in the area around Jamia Millia Islamia University during an anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protest march. All of this created an atmosphere of mistrust and hatred in the country, all due to an afflicted Jupiter (knowledge and education) and its conjunction with Ketu (religion).

But this was just the tip of the iceberg. On December 26, a solar eclipse took place in Sagittarius sign. It is worth looking at this unique planetary configuration (Chart 1).

Chart 1: Solar Eclipse on December 26, 2019, 10:43 hours, Delhi
As you would see, at the time of the eclipse, Ketu was in conjunction with as many as five planets. Ketu is a karaka for ‘sookshma jeeva’ and signifies virus and bacteria. Saturn signifies a mass epidemic and fear among public, while Jupiter is jeeva or life force. All three were badly afflicted due to this eclipse. This is when the Covid-19 virus started taking a destructive form.

At this point, the damage caused by the virus could have still been limited. But it spread like wild fire when Saturn left Sagittarius sign on January 24, 2020 and entered Capricorn, a phenomenon described as Saturn’s homecoming. In history, Saturn’s transit in its own sign, Capricorn, has special significance since it brings far reaching politico-economic changes, accompanied by panic among public, effects of which are felt for decades. The last time Saturn was in Capricorn (December 1991 to November 1993) it changed the world order completely with the dissolution of Soviet Union. This period was also characterised by numerous uprisings, civil wars and ethnic conflicts across the world. For India, this was a period of the great economic crisis, ethnic conflicts in Nagaland, demolition of Babri Masjid, earthquake in Uttarkashi and serial bomb blasts in Bombay and earthquake in Latur (Maharashtra), to name a few.

At a global and national level, Saturn becomes doubly powerful to bestow negative results when it combines with Mars and can contribute to mass scale tragedies. Now, as per the ‘cosmic script’, on March 22, Mars also moved to Capricorn and joined Saturn. This was the day when ‘Junta Curfew’ was observed in India. Another significant development happened on March 29, when Jupiter (life force) also moved to Capricorn, and became severely crippled to give good results as it got hemmed between Saturn and Mars. Since then, the infected cases have actually shot up across the world. And guess why the lockdown in India has now been extended till May 3? It is because Mars, which signify destruction and violence, moves out of Capricorn on May 4, which is expected to provide strength to Jupiter (life force) as a protective force.  

Impact on global economy
At a mundane level, Jupiter signifies wellbeing, finance and banking, education and human resources. From March 29, 2020 to April 5, 2021, Jupiter will be in Capricorn sign, along with Saturn. This will be the period when economic tremors could be felt across the world, including India.

The last time Jupiter was in Capricorn, its debilitation sign, was from December 9, 2008 to December 19, 2009. This was the time when the subprime mortgage crisis rocked the world after Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy in September 2008. Post this; the world economy plunged to a new low.

The crisis was the worst U.S. economic disaster since the Great Depression.  According to media reports, the stock market plummeted in the United States, wiping out nearly $8 trillion in value between late 2007 and 2009. Unemployment climbed, peaking at 10 percent in October 2009. Americans lost $9.8 trillion in wealth as their home values plummeted and their retirement accounts vaporized.

According to Moody’s Analytics, in all, the Great Recession led to a loss of more than $2 trillion in global economic growth, or a drop of nearly 4 percent, between the pre-recession peak in the second quarter of 2008 and the low hit in the first quarter of 2009. According to reports, the hemorrhaging of American jobs accelerated at a record pace at the end of 2008, bringing the year's total job losses to 2.6 million or the highest level in more than six decades post World War II.

There were strong astrological reasons for this grim scenario. Between December 9, 2008 to December 19, 2009, Jupiter was in Capricorn sign along with Rahu. Its dispositor, Saturn was in Leo, which is its inimical sign. All of this reduced the auspiciousness of Jupiter to do well, and lead to a banking and financial crisis. Judging from Kal Purush Kuundali (which is the common horoscope for the entire world), these inauspicious combinations occurred in the 4th house, which denotes real estate. No wonder, the real estate sector was the worst affected post the financial meltdown.

Coming to 2020, there is enough astrological evidence to suggest that this time, when Jupiter has come back to Capricorn, the impact on economy could be much bigger, deeper and wider. One, not only will Jupiter be afflicted by Saturn; it will also be debilitated, i.e. in its weakest position. However, it must be pointed here that the impact will most strongly be felt on global economy, especially that of USA and Europe. For USA, Capricorn sign falls in its 6th House of its horoscope, indicating problems with neighbours, impact on health infrastructure, financial solvency, increase in debts, increase in litigations and new labour relations. Also, not to forget, with transit of Saturn in Capricorn, it marks onset of ‘Sadhe-Sati’ (period of sudden changes and turmoil) for USA since its Moon is placed in Aquarius sign.

Impact on India
The period from 2008-09 also saw India’s growth rate witnessing a sharp decline from 7.8 percent in first half of 2008-09 to 5.8 percent in first half of 2008-09. This time, in 2020-21, the Indian economy will see a slowdown in the short term; will revive strongly post November 2020.  However, there are strong indications of unrest on account of job cuts since a weak Jupiter in the zodiac is detrimental for job retention prospects.

Chart 2: Foundation horoscope of India (August 15, 1947, 00:00 Hours, Delhi)
 

An analysis of India’s horoscope reveals that the impact will largely be felt on industries such as transport, tourism, and telecommunication, Information Technology, Media, Advertisement and Public Relations. In addition, there could be reforms in the judicial system, new policy formations and innovative Human Resource practices. There could also be religious unrest. However, manufacturing and real estate industry will prosper and India could make a strong mark in the manufacturing sector.

Based on astrological parameters, the following stages can be chalked out for India’s growth in the short term:

Phase-I (May 04-15):  As soon as Mars moves out of Capricorn on 4th May, there could be partial opening up of businesses and additional relaxations could be provided to run commercial activities. Between May 10-15, the stock market could see a new high as both Saturn and Jupiter move into retrograde motion.

Phase-II (May 16 to June 25): A retrograde Jupiter is good news for the economy as its power to bring auspicious results goes up. However, this will be one of the most critical periods as far as decision-making is concerned. World leaders will be required to take some hard decisions to revive the economy and save businesses. This will be the time for introspection and review of existing policies. This period could see an upswing in job losses across industries.

Phase-II (June 26 to September 10): On June 30, a retrograde Jupiter moves back to its own sign, Sagittarius, and will gain further strength. In this position, it will be posited alongside Ketu and will be aspecting Rahu which will reduce the negativity of these two planets.  Due to this configuration, a financial stimulus could be provided by the Indian government to revive the economy. This is the period when both Jupiter and Saturn will continue to be in retrograde motion signifying continued changes in existing laws and policies relating to jobs, businesses and health infrastructure.

However, between August 16 to end of September, Mars will move to Aries sign and both Saturn and Mars will be jointly aspecting Cancer and Libra sign which may lead to reorganisation of existing businesses, industries and some tremors may also be felt in the economy, also impacting the stock movement in the process.

Phase-IV (September 11 to November 20): On September 13, Jupiter will become direct which means all new policies institutionalised earlier will now start showing results. Another major change will be movement of Rahu and Ketu on September 23. Rahu will move to Taurus and Ketu to Scorpio sign. From now on, we will see a significant improvement in all spheres of life. There could be strong political developments across the world.