This global events report for January 2017 correlates major international events and developments with their markers in specified astrological charts or the sky.
Events as reported by reputable news services.
January 1: 39 people are massacred by a lone gunman in a night club in Turkey. IS claims responsibility for the senseless slaughter. Mars was conjunction Neptune in the sky.
On January 2, 2017 in the Aquarian Age chart progressed Moon sesquisquare birth chart Mercury reached peak power and it stimulated progressed Mercury opposition birth chart Mars. The controversial announcements, angry-words, disputes, rows and provocation can all be traced to this aspect. In the US Aquarian Age chart progressed Moon is in house 3 and birth chart Mercury is in house 7 (international relations, the other country and enemies) and progressed Mercury is in house 12 (clandestine activity, secret enemies, spies and the CIA).
On December 28, 2016 in the Aquarian Age chart progressed Moon moved to form a trine aspect with birth chart Neptune. It reaches peak power on January 27, 2017 so January is under the influence of deceptive and foggy Neptune and it’s very hard to work out what’s really going on and denial is being used deliberately to create confusion. In the US Aquarian Age chart progressed Moon is in house 3 and birth chart Neptune is in house 11 (Congress).
In the US Aquarian Age chart the Sun and Mercury are in house 7 (relations with other countries and open enemies) and progressed Sun and progressed Mercury are in house 12 (undercover operations, covert activity, crime, the CIA and the FBI). And progressed Mars – the planet of rows and fights – is in house 10 (the President); so after January 20 it looks like Donald Trump, with Mars conjunction the ascendant in his chart, will be in the thick of it fighting the CIA, the US Congress, the United Nations and China. A quick glance at his progressed chart reveals that house 12 is very active. And in the US chart progressed ascendant in house 7 opposition birth chart Mars in house 1 won’t reach its end date till July 2017.
Major developments in these rows and disputes will occur in late February or early March 2017. On February 27 Mars is conjunction Uranus in the sky.
January 6: A declassified U.S. intelligence report claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a comprehensive cyber campaign to sabotage the U.S. presidential campaign against Hillary Clinton. Progressed Mars was semisextile Uranus – planet of sensational disclosures – in the Mars cycle.
With Mars conjunction Neptune in the sky on January 1, 2017 the top news stories involved acts of violence, shooting deaths, accidents and fires. But the rows that erupted between countries and the provocative statements their leaders, and leaders in waiting, made were of far greater import.
A US commando dies and three others are wounded in a deadly dawn raid on al Qaeda in southern Yemen. 2017 Mars cycle transition phase event.
On December 23 United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 condemning Israeli settlement of the Palestine territories is passed 14-0 after the US abstains from voting. And on December 24 Israel refuses to accept the resolution calling it ‘biased and shameful’. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows retaliatory steps. On December 25 Netanyahu summons the US ambassador accusing its closest ally of engineering the vote – a charge Washington denies. Then on December 28 the row escalates when John Kerry says that Israel’s building of settlements on occupied land is jeopardizing Middle East peace. A furious Netanyahu condemned Kerry’s speech as ‘biased’, unbalanced and ‘obsessively focused” on settlements. And on twitter, Donald Trump, told Netanyahu to ‘stay strong’. On January 7 Israel announces it will withhold $6 million from its annual United Nations dues.
On December 29 US President Barack Obama announces a coordinated series of punishments against Russia over hacking allegations, expelling dozens of diplomats and naming intelligence operatives. This story goes back to June 14, 2017 when The Washington Post reported that Russian hackers penetrated the computer network of the Democratic National Committee. Donald Trump later dismissed the allegations as ‘ridiculous’. Then on January 5 the US intelligence chief, James Clapper, said ‘he had a very high level of confidence that Russia hacked Democratic Party institutions and operatives, as well as disseminating propaganda and fake news’ aimed at the November 8 election. He said Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the hack of Democratic Party emails, but stopped short of saying it was ‘an act of war’.
At the same time Donald Trump has been provoking China and North Korea has been provoking America. And while the atmosphere has had a distinct Mars-Neptune vibration it’s the high-discord progressed Mercury-birth chart Mars opposition aspect in the Aquarian Age chart that started on November 14, 2016 that’s influencing the proceedings.
January 7: At least 43 people are killed when a fuel truck (Neptune) explodes (Mars) in the Syrian town of Azaz, near the border with Turkey. Progressed Mars – planet of explosions – was sextile Pluto in the Mars cycle.
January 8: A truck rams into a group of Israeli soldiers in a deliberate attack killing 4 and wounding 21. PM Benjamin Netanyahu blames Islamic State. Progressed Mars was sextile Pluto in the Mars cycle.
January 10: In Afghanistan at least 38 people are killed and 80 wounded in twin bombings (Mars) near the parliament in the capital, Kabul. Progressed Mars was parallel Uranus in Mars cycle.
The Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway is officially completed, creating a rail link between Djibouti and Ethiopia. Progressed Mars was parallel Uranus in the Mars cycle. Mars is the planet of construction.
January 12: NATO deploys 3,000 US troops in Poland in response to Russian military exercises near its border and its intervention in the Ukraine. Russia condemns the move as a ‘threat to national interests and security’. Mars was conjunction Neptune in the sky and parallel Uranus in Mars cycle.
January 15: In Paris, France a summit begins to restart the peace negotiations (Mercury) between Israel and Palestine but a breakthrough seems unlikely as neither country sent representatives. Progressed Mars was semisquare Mercury in the Mars cycle.
January 16: Three hundred US marines (Mars) arrive in Norway for a six months deployment. They’re the first foreign troops in Norway since World War 2 (Mars). Progressed Mars was semisquare Mercury in Mars cycle.
January 17: More than 100 people (Moon) are killed (Mars) when a Nigerian Air Force jet mistakenly bombs (Mercury-Mars) a camp for displaced persons in Borneo State. Progressed Mars was parallel Moon and semisquare Mercury in Mars cycle.
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh declares a 90 day state of emergency (Mars) a day before his mandate ends. Mars was square Saturn in the sky.
January 18: An avalanche (Saturn), following a series of strong earthquakes (Saturn) in central Italy, ploughs into a luxury mountain hotel killing 3 people. 30 guests and hotel staff are missing, feared dead. Mars was square Saturn in the sky.
In Etah, India at least 15 children are killed (Mars) and 45 injured when a school bus collides (Mars) with a truck. Mars was square Saturn in the sky.
January 19: Senegalese troops (Mars) enter the Gambia as a military operation (Mars) to end Hahya Jammeh’s 22-year rule begins. Adama Barrow is sworn in as the Gambia’s new President. Mars was square Saturn in the sky.
In Tehran, Iran 30 firefighters (Mars) are killed when the Plasco Building (Saturn) collapses (Saturn) after a fire (Mars). Mars was square Saturn in the sky.
January 20: ISIL militants destroy (Mars) part of Palmyra’s ancient Rome theatre (Saturn). Mars was square Saturn in the sky.
In Melbourne, Australia five people are killed (Mars) and 35 injured when a car ploughs into pedestrians in the city’s CBD. Mars was square Saturn in the sky.
In Verona, Italy a bus carrying Hungarian students crashes (Mars) with at least 18 people dead and 50 injured. Mars was square Saturn in the sky.
Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. Protestors in Washington smash windows, burn cars and clash with police (Mars). 217 were arrested. Mars was square Saturn and Uranus was parallel Neptune in the sky.
January 21: There are worldwide anti-Trump protests as people march in opposition to the President’s agenda and rhetoric. There are 408 marches in the US and 168 in 60 other countries. A crowd of over 500,000 marched in Washington DC. Uranus was parallel Neptune in the sky and progressed Moon was trine birth chart Neptune in the Aquarian Age chart.
Donald Trump visits CIA headquarters to thank the intelligence community and during a speech criticizes the media saying: ‘As you know I have a running war with the media, they are among the most dishonest human beings on Earth…’ Progressed Sun in the Sun cycle was parallel birthchart Mars (war); progressed Mars was square birth chart Mercury (the media) in Trump’s progressed chart; and progressed Mercury in house 12 (the CIA) was opposition birth chart Mars in the US Aquarian Age chart.
Military intervention is averted when former President Yahya Jammeh leaves the Gambia for Equatorial Guinea. Mars was square Saturn in the sky.
January 22: At least 39 people are killed and dozens injured when a train derails in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Mars, planet of accidents, was square Saturn in the sky.
Severe weather – storms and tornadoes – kill at least 18 people in southern US with many more injured. Mars was square Saturn in the sky.
Chile declares a state of emergency (Mars) and requests international assistance to help deal with forest fires (Mars). Mars was square Saturn in the sky.
Severe storms in Tahiti, French Polynesia affect over 4,000 people with 800 homes flooded or destroyed. Mars was square Saturn in the sky.
January 23: Donald Trump issues executive orders to withdraw (Saturn) the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (Jupiter). Transit Jupiter (trade) was inconjunct ascendant in the US Jupiter cycle; progressed Jupiter was square birth chart Saturn in Trump’s progressed chart; and progressed Mercury in house 10 (the President) was sesquisquare birth chart Jupiter in the US progressed chart.
January 24: Donald Trump believes that millions of Americans voted illegally in the US election based on ‘studies of evidence’. But any notion of widespread voter fraud has been widely rejected. Progressed Moon was trine birth chart Neptune (fraud, deception and fake news) in the Aquarian Age chart.
The Supreme Court (Jupiter) of the United Kingdom rules that the Government of the United Kingdom may not begin the formal Brexit process until Parliament votes in approval of the move. Progressed Jupiter (7S37) in Britain’s Jupiter cycle was parallel birthchart MC (7S31).
Israel approves the construction (Mars) of 2,500 more new settlement homes in the West Bank, the most in years. Mars was square Saturn in the sky.
California Governor Jerry Brown declares a state of emergency (Mars) in 50 counties, as winter storms kill four and cause millions of dollars in damage (Saturn). Mars was square Saturn in the sky.
January 25: Donald Trump signs an executive order to build (Mars) a wall (Saturn) along the US –Mexico border stating that Mexico will pay for the wall. Mars was square Saturn (walls) in the sky.
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto rejects the idea and tells his nation that Mexico will not pay for the wall. Mars was square Saturn in the sky.
Donald Trump announces that he intends to seek an investigation into possible voter fraud. Progressed Moon was trine birth chart Neptune in the Aquarian Age chart.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average breaks 20,000 for the first time. Progressed Moon was trine birth chart Neptune (share markets and investors) in the Aquarian Age chart.
Severe storms in Tahiti, French Polynesia affect over 4,000 people with 800 homes flooded or destroyed. Mars was square Saturn in the sky.
January 26: Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto cancels a scheduled meeting with Donald Trump citing his plan to build a border wall between the two countries and Trump calls for a 20% tax on Mexican imports to pay for the wall. 2017 Mars cycle transition phase event.
January 27: President Trump signs an executive order at 4.42pm limiting refugees and immigration from seven Muslim countries including Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. 2017 Mars cycle transition phase event.
Trump meets with British PM Theresa May and reaffirms US commitment to NATO. 2017 Mars cycle transition phase event.
Think tank 38 North releases new satellite imagery that indicates that North Korea has resumed operation at it Yongbyon Nuclear Research center in North Pyongan province. 2017 Mars cycle transition phase event.
Vice President Mike Pence gives a speech at a March for life promising to end the tax-payer status of abortion providers. 2017 Mars cycle transition phase event.
The clothing retailer Wet Seal announces the closing of all 148 of its stores after filing for bankruptcy in 2015. 2017 Mars cycle transition phase event and progressed Venus (clothing) was conjunction progressed Saturn (bankruptcy) in the Aquarian Age chart.
More international help arrives in Chile to help the country fight the worst wildfire in its modern history. The series of fast-spreading fires are being fanned by strong winds, high temperatures and a prolonged drought. One town, Santa Olga, has been destroyed by the blaze. 2017 Mars cycle transition phase event.
Pakistan’s media regulator bans high-profile television host, Aamir Liaquat Hussaint, after accusing him of hate speech that could put lives at risk. 2017 Mars cycle transition phase event.
January 28: UK Prime Minister Theresa May and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sign a £100 million dollar defense deal to build new fighter jets. 2017 Mars cycle transition phase event.
Chaos and confusion at US airports as Trump’s ban on Muslim refugees takes effect. Progressed Moon was trine birth chart Neptune (confusion, refugees and airports) in the Aquarian Age chart.
President Trump’s executive order sparks outrage and protests and hits a roadblock when a federal court judge grants emergency stay to temporarily allow people who landed in the US with a valid visa to remain. 2017 Mars cycle transition phase event.
Iran says it will block US citizens from entering the country. 2017 Mars cycle transition phase event.
Thousands of academics in the US sign a letter calling on Trump to reconsider his executive order banning Muslim refugees traveling to America. Progressed Mercury was opposition birth chart Mars in the Aquarian Age chart.
An Italian court orders former PM Silvio Berlusconi to stand trial on April 4 on charges of allegedly bribing witnesses with €10 million in order to silence them over accusations he paid for sex with young women. 2017 Mars cycle transition phase event.
January 29: Fury (Mars) in response to Trump’s executive order curbing immigration from seven predominately Muslim countries sparks global outrage as several countries including long-standing American allies criticize the measures as discriminatory and divisive. 2017 Mars cycle transition phase event.
In America thousands of protestors (Uranus) converge on airports (Neptune) and public spaces in Washington, New York, Miami, Los Angeles and Austin. Uranus was parallel Neptune in the sky and progressed Moon was trine birth chart Neptune in the Aquarian Age chart.
Six people are killed and eight wounded when gunmen open fire at a Quebec City mosque during Sunday night prayers. 2017 Mars cycle transition phase event.
At least three suspected militants are killed by Russian security forces in a firefight in Khasavyurt, Dagestan. 2017 Mars cycle transition phase event.
January 30: The acting Attorney General of the United States, Sally Yates, (Venus) is fired (Mars) after ordering employees of the United States Department of Justice not to enforce the President’s ban due to personal doubts about its legality. 2017 Mars cycle transition phase event – Mars is conjunction Venus in the chart.
Scores of American diplomats prepare a formal ‘dissent order’ to register their objections (Mercury) to Friday’s executive order curbing immigration (Saturn) from seven Muslim majority countries. Progressed Saturn was semisquare Mercury in the Saturn cycle.
In eastern Ukraine fighting between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatists intensifies with 8 Ukrainian soldiers killed and 26 wounded. Power and water have been cut off to thousands of civilians on the front line. 2017 Mars cycle transition phase event.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte suspends on the war on drugs to focus resources on ridding ‘corrupt’ officers from the Philippine National Police. 2017 Mars cycle transition phase event.
January 31: The UN Security Council (Saturn) warns of a ‘dangerous deterioration’ in eastern Ukraine and called on warring sides to halt the violence. Fighting in Avdiivka has left thousands of residents without water or power in freezing conditions (Saturn). Progressed Saturn was semisquare Mercury in the Saturn cycle.
The UN Security Council (Saturn) schedules ‘urgent consultations’ to discuss (Mercury) Iran’s apparent weekend test launch of a medium-range ballistic missile. Progressed Saturn was semisquare Mercury in the Saturn cycle.
European Council President Donald Tusk warns that ‘worrying declarations’ (Saturn-Mercury) from US President Donald Trump are among the challenges faced by the EU. Progressed Saturn was semisquare Mercury in the Saturn cycle.
Astrology for Aquarius – sharing our knowledge
