October is one of the tough months of 2009.   Jupiter is with Rahu and already debilitated,  Mars becomes debilitated on 5 October where it joins Ketu. There is a Mars Ketu conjunction at 01.31am GMT on 9 Oct and the opposition of Rahu and Jupiter in Capricorn is similar to the one that took place in 11 September 2001.   This is the first time these factors have come into play after 2001. Whereas the 2001 Mars Ketu was in the fiery sign of Sagittarius and close to an eclipse point, this configuration sees the Mars at its weakest. Yet we cannot ignore the negative potential of the Mars Ketu and Jupiter Rahu standoff. Mars is the significator of power and military- this indicates weakness or lax attitude in the defence forces but it can also indicate weakness for the insurgents and terrorist organisations too. I feel while we must remain extra cautious during this conjunction we can also expect a breakthrough in the fight of terror during this time.

Also Mars is in Cancer, in a water sign and I feel this can lead to a natural disaster in the seas or near water. At the time of writing (30 Sept 09) there has been Tsunamis in Samoa and Tonga. There may be danger of more. Mars is the significator of earth and this can show a weakness of the earth and this can lead to earth quakes. Mars remains debilitated for till May 2010 but I feel the main intensity is now and then around 20 December when it goes retrograde.

October continues to show weakness as Venus becomes debilitated on 9 October and remains so till 3 November, then Sun gets debilitated on 17 October, followed by Moon on 20 to 23 October. Between 20 to 23 October, 5 planets will be debilitated at one time. Creating problems for Aries, Taurus, Cancer, Leo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Pisces, they need to watch out. Only Gemini, Virgo, Capricorn and Aquarius will escape this. But when there is such a celestial phenomenon, then all will some aspect of its effect to rub off on them, though some will deal with it better than others. This shows the world at its weakest. This is not a dangerous transit but it can be undermining and destablizing. Global markets, property prices, gold, oil may react to this and find the markets prices tending to go downwards. As there is general weakness around, thing may react contrary to expectation. The last Mars Ketu conjunction in June 2008 was the time oil prices were at their highest and now Oil prices appear down. There may be an oil crisis that may impact them around this time.

Moon is the first to break out of these debilitations on 23 October, followed by Venus on 3  November, then Sun on 16 Nov and then Jupiter on 21 Dec. Mars continues in debilitation right up to 25 May 2010. This is unusual for it and affects Aries and Scorpio the most. These signs need to take extra care of themselves. Usually debilitation of planets cause some kind of loss during its time, so one should be prepared for it. It is good time to check health and not allow life to deplete you. Great time to do remedial measures by doing charity, doing service for the poor and needy and other similar activities.   Prayers to the planetary deity will be helpful too. Mars planetary deity is Kartikeya.

Nimishia Khatri adds this about the Mars Ketu Conjunction

This will be the second conjunction of Mars and Ketu in Cancer after 36 years (last year they were conjunct on 17th June at 27 º 26' in the Ashlesha nakshatra). This year Mars and Ketu will be conjunct on 9th October at 2º 4' in Punarvasu nakshatra. Cancer is the sign of Mars' debilitation but is not as close to it's maximum debilitation point as it was last year. Mars is by nature a warrior and an energetic planet which enjoys challenges and Ketu is about the spiritual path and attaining moksha through burning the karma of your past lives. Despite the apparent difference in their natures Ketu is considered to be a co-ruler of Scorpio along with Mars and is known to behave like Mars when placed in Scorpio Ketu's sign of exaltation. Depending on the houses in a chart that a conjunction of Mars and Ketu takes place they can bring up past life issues very suddenly and it is usually best to keep a low profile particularly on the day of the conjunction. This is particularly the case if you have planets near this conjunction in Cancer or have your lagna or Moon in Aries or Scorpio

As Mars will be in Cancer until May, on a global level we may expect a sudden event which will trigger a deep global recession. In the UK house this is likely to begin with a decline house prices as Mars the karaka for land and property is debilitated and is in the 11th house from Saturn indicates slow or delayed profit. This is will in turn effect the economy and lead to a long recession.

To watch for

Rahu Ketu move into the Sagittarius Gemini Axis from 17 Nov 2009. Mars continues its long debilitation.

Festivals in September 2009