Cautious Saturn takes over the skies

The Sensex closed above 20,000 for the first time since 2008 as investors continued to find value in Indian equities. The Sensex gained more than 2% on the week closing at 20,045 while the Nifty finished at 6018. Although we are now on the backside of the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction, there still seems to be no shortage of optimism here.

I thought we might see a little more downside after the early part of the week, but generally, this bullish result was not hugely surprising. As expected, the early week was very positive as the Sun-Jupiter aspect delivered its euphoria on schedule as the indices rose over 2%. Investors then took some profits for the next two days as the anticipated fallout after this aspect took hold. Friday’s gain was somewhat puzzling, however, coming as it did so close to a normally bearish Mars-Saturn influence.

Last week, I wondered if the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction on September 18 might correspond with the top of the market as all that Jovian optimism peaked towards its natural apex. While it’s harder to be precise with slower-moving planets like Jupiter, I would have to admit that there has been some damage done to that assumption.

Nonetheless, most of the gains occurred just a day or two after the conjunction and on an entirely predictable triggering aspect from the Sun. The next source of planetary energy will come from Saturn, the planet of caution and pessimism, so that increases the likelihood of some kind contraction in prices. Saturn will form a tense square aspect with weird and unpredictable Ketu on Monday, September 27, and that is a potential game changer for this rally. We will have to see how much effect this shift in energy from Jupiter to Saturn will have.

This week begins with the aforementioned aspect between malefics Saturn and Ketu on Monday. According to astrological theory, when two negative planets form such an angle, there is a greater likelihood of a negative outcome. When these planets are slow-moving planets as we have here, we often need to allow a greater margin of time error. So while the effects should be negative, I am less certain that we will see this negative energy spark an immediate decline. It may therefore require a third planet to join the pattern in order to release Saturn’s bearish energy. The Sun may well fulfill that role at the end of the week as it conjoins Saturn on Friday. The new month may well usher in a new market dynamic.

Crude oil rebounded above $76 last week as it reversed its recent woes. This was in keeping with expectations given the favourable planetary climate. However, this bounce may not last long, however, as the Sun moves towards its conjunction with Saturn on Friday.

As concerns over the dollar deepened, gold futures advanced again last week closing just under $1,300 an ounce. The early week strength closely reflected the optimism contained in the Sun-Jupiter aspect. Prices have generally advanced along with the approach of the Jupiter-Uranus. This week’s Sun-Saturn conjunction may undermine some of bullion’s ebullience, especially towards the end of the week.

The writer is a neo-Vedic astrologer specialising in predictive astrology. He runs the website www.modernvedicastrology.com