Hurricane Prediction and Vedic Astrology

      Weather prediction using Vedic astrological  chart analysis can provide important and life-saving information well  in advance of impending storms or cyclonic activity.  However, to date,  scant information or research is available to the astrologer, which  would offer useful planetary markers or specific combinations, to  utilize when attempting to assess or predict cyclone or hurricane  (tropical cyclone) activity.  This topic should be taken seriously and  formal research into the onset, progression and consequent prediction of  hurricane activity would be welcome. 

    Hurricane prediction  is a very difficult science since there are many variables that  influence the number and severity of hurricanes.  For 2010, NOAA  (National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration, U.S.) predicts “a 70%  chance of 14 to 23 storms this season, with 8 to 14 growing into  hurricane strength, and 3 – 5 storms considered “major hurricanes.” A  “major hurricane” is defined as a hurricane with winds over 111 mph.   This forecast is far from exact, in terms of predictive accuracy,  considering the tools that meteorologists have at their disposal.   Even  with this large amount of latitude, NOAA stated that there is a 30%  chance that the actual number of storms formed will fall outside of this  estimated range.  Previous predictions made in May (preceding the  actual hurricane season) have been accurate only 40% of the time.   Astrologers would be ostracized for producing such poor predictive  performance!

    The following manuscript presents some  weather-related logical astrological constructs, “food for thought” and  observations, which may prove useful to consider when predicting the  potential landfall of hurricanes. To illustrate these ideas, the charts  of “Hurricanes Katrina and Andrew,” will be analyzed.   Moreover, the  predictive outlook for future hurricane development over the next 4-year  span (2010-2013), is included to demonstrate the application of the  astrological constructs proposed.

BASIC HURRICANE DEFINITION:

     A “hurricane” is defined as a tropical storm with winds that have  reached a constant speed in excess of 74 mph.  The hurricane consists of  outer concentric bands of heavy rain and winds, and movement is in a  counter-clockwise direction, around a calm center (“the eye of the  storm”). The eye of the storm is usually 20-30 miles wide and may extend  over 400 miles, depending on the size of the hurricane.  The  destructive force of a hurricane is due to both extreme wind and  torrential rains, often resulting in massive flooding and property  damage due to flying debris transformed into projectiles.  Tornados are  often associated with hurricanes as well, exacerbating the total damage  to life and property.

    The following atmospheric conditions  must be present for the development of a hurricane: (1) Developing  Low-Pressure system; (2) Warm temperatures over the Ocean; (3) Moist  environment (high humidity) and; (4) Tropical wind patterns over the  equator.  

    The formal hurricane season begins June 1st of  every year and ends November 30th.   However, the majority of major  hurricanes occur from mid-August through September, generally the  hottest time of the year in the Atlantic basin.  

THE SAFFIR/SIMPSON SCALE:     Hurricanes are rated on the following scale, based on wind speed.   The higher the category, the greater the amount of expected destruction  to life and property:  
Category    Winds (mph)            Damage to Property and Life

 74-95             Minimal to Moderate (Trees down, flying debris, power outages, flooding)
 96-110         Moderate  (Roofs blown off houses, loss of life, window breakage)
111-130        Extensive (Mass injury/death, collapse of buildings, lack of water/power)
131-155        Extreme (Massive damage/injuries/deaths, damage to major structures)    
 >156            CATASTROPHICPLANETARY & ELEMENTAL INFLUENCES ON WEATHER:

     The planets have distinct associations with different weather  modalities.  The Sun and Mars are associated with sunshine, heat and  higher temperatures.  Mars is also associated with fast moving, sudden,  acute, violent weather conditions.  Mercury is associated with wind and  dryness (air).  The Moon, Venus and Jupiter are associated with  dampness/rain and when in excess, flooding.  Aside from obstructions,  Saturn is associated with cold, dry climate, which is antithetical to  hurricane development. Rahu and Ketu are associated with storms in  general, lightning, unexpected events, fog and clouds (obscurity).  Rahu  is often involved in stirring up problems and whipping up the winds.   Ketu can be destructive in its own style.  The natural counter-clockwise  hurricane movement aligns itself with the Rahu/Ketu axis, which tends  to go against convention and usually moves in retrograde motion.

     Therefore, it may be hypothesized that under wet, stormy conditions,  such as during a hurricane, the Moon, Venus and or Jupiter will be  involved in various salient combinations as to promote excessive  rainfall.  Windstorms will likely involve Mercury in the equation.   While Mars, Rahu and Ketu will be linked through their association with  violent, cloudy, electrical storms.  Saturn may actually play a role  inhibiting storm formation, due to its dry, colder association.

     Clearly, a hurricane is an event involving a complex organization of  wind and water.  Since the hurricane is largely dependent upon warm  ocean temperatures for its origin and the warm waters serve as fuel for  its continued development, Mars is likely to play an active role in the  propagation, level of destructiveness and speed of a given storm.    The  fact that the hurricane is a violent, driving, churning, destructive  force brings to mind an image of an angry Mars, at war with other  planets.   Perhaps the mutual aspects involving Saturn and Mars are  likely to be an important indicator of impending storms during a given  summer.  Mars hates nothing more than being slowed down and thwarted by  Saturn.

    It’s interesting to note that the majority of major  hurricanes occur when the Sun is transiting through Leo (mid-August –  mid-September), it’s own strong fire sign.  This is the height of the  summer, when the temperatures peak in the tropics.  However, during  certain years, Mars and the Sun are conjunct and these periods may bring  a heightened level of heat as compared to other summers.  We might also  expect Mars and the Sun to be in relatively strong positions during  hurricanes.   It would be interesting to determine statistically,  whether a greater number of hurricanes occur during such powerful  Mars-Sun transits. 

HURRICANE KATRINA:  EXAMPLE ONE

     According to a report by NOAA, the year 2005 set the record for the  most U.S. major hurricane strikes in history since records were kept in  1851.  For example, on August 29, 2005, at 6:10 A.M. CDT, hurricane  Katrina, a major Category 5 storm, struck New Orleans, Louisiana.   Katrina is one of the five most deadly and costliest storms ever to have  hit the United States, causing over 1800 deaths and over $81 billion in  property damage throughout several states.  

    Examination of  the planetary transits during August 2005 indicates that Saturn was in  Cancer (Pushya), a water sign, and Mars was in Aries (Bharani), a fire  sign.  In this particular case, both Saturn and Mars were aspecting each  other, with Mars in the stronger position.  Examination of this chart  reveals a Leo lagna (Magha) with a prominent, powerful Sun also in  Magha. One of Magha’s significations is associated with death, since it  promotes the shakti to leave the body and to mourn.

     A strong  Sun and Mars reflect the high temperatures which were present, as 2005  was one of the hottest summers on record.   Mars is particularly strong  in the 9th house of Aries, in Bharani nakshatra, which is associated  with Yama, the god of death.  Mars is aggravated by Saturn’s aspect,  supporting (at least in this particular example), the above hypothesis  regarding Mars’ influence with hurricane propagation and destruction.   In the Navamsa, Mars and Saturn are conjunct in the 6th house in Swati  nakshatra, associated with scattering by the winds, in the 6th house of  accidents. 

    Moreover, in the Rasi chart, the Moon at that  moment was in Gemini at 14 degrees, Ardra nakshatra, which is symbolized  by the teardrop and is ruled by Rudra (form of Lord Shiva), the howling  god of storms.  Ardra is defined as, “the moist one,” referring to  rains, storms, and crying.  Considering all of the 27 nakshatras,  perhaps Ardra stands out as the most prominent nakshatra directly  associated with storms and hurricanes.  Gemini is also an air sign, so  we might expect some prominent placement of the Moon in one of the air  signs under hurricane conditions.  It is interesting to note that yet  again, under Hurricane Andrew (1992), another devastating category 5  hurricane, the Moon was also in Ardra and conjunct Ketu, when the storm  made landfall in Homestead, FL (chart described in detail below).

     In the Katrina chart, Mercury is seriously afflicted in the 12th house  (loss) in the water sign Cancer, conjunct Saturn and receiving the  aspect of Mars.  Mercury is also the dispositor of the Moon (in a  difficult parivartina yoga with the Moon) and is in the challenging  nakshatra of Ashlesha, associated with destruction, but through  poisoning or being trapped.   Through Mercury and the Moon, this chart  depicts suffering through winds and flooding, respectively.  Many of the  victims of the storm were left homeless to fend for themselves in the  midst of enormous flooding from storm surges and broken levees.  Help  was not available.  The ruler of the 7th house (partners), Saturn, is  afflicted in the 12th house and unavailable to provide any assistance.   Pain, sickness, suffering and being trapped engulfed the entire city.   Sick patients died while being trapped in hospitals, which were  flooded.  Saturn does not perform well in water signs. 

    Ketu  is tightly conjunct debilitated Venus and Jupiter and all three planets  receive the aspect of Saturn.   Venus and Jupiter are associated with  rain and both are afflicted in this chart, and possess little power to  offer much assistance.  The conjunction of Jupiter and Venus are known  to cause excessiveness in some area of the chart.  In terms of weather,  one might expect excessive moisture (rain). The combination of Jupiter  and Venus might also be an important signature for hurricane formation,  as both planets promote excessive rains and consequent flooding.

     Ketu’s involvement figures prominently as it is exactly conjunct to  the degree with debilitated Venus, creating obstruction, chaos,  confusion, lack of organization and an unusual situation, completely  unexpected.   The majority of the population did not anticipate the  storm to go in that exact location and few individuals expected the  levees to be breeched by rising waters.  When the Rahu/Ketu axis is  involved in an event, expect the unexpected. 

    In this chart,  the Venus/Ketu conjunction is in Hasta nakshatra, which is associated  with achieving one’s desires and “placing it in your hands.”  In this  case, the Hasta planets are terribly afflicted, indicating the inability  to achieve one’s desires and the lack of success in overcoming the  storm’s influence.  

    Finally, analysis of the Navamsa reveals  the Saturn/Mars conjunction in the 6th house, (discussed above) and a  highly afflicted Venus as lagnesh of the Navamsa.  Venus is in Cancer,  conjunct Ketu, with the Sun and aspected by Saturn, re-emphasizing the  affliction by water that was revealed in the main Rasi chart.  

SATURN’S TRANSITING INFLUENCE:

     Attention should always be paid to Saturn’s current transiting  position.  Over a 15-year period, I have reliably observed that Saturn’s  transiting zodiac sign accurately reflects problematic weather  patterns, according to that specific element in which Saturn is  transiting.   When Saturn transits through a water sign, expect more  problems with flooding, rains and major storms.  When Saturn transits  through a fire sign, expect more than normal droughts, high  temperatures, dryness, and fires.  Saturn transiting through an air sign  brings more tornados, hurricanes, spreads wildfires and indicates  damaging wind-driven events.  Saturn transiting through an earth sign  brings colder winters and dry conditions.  However, Saturn is also  influenced by other transiting planets, so these weather conditions are  general observations.  Other concurrent planetary transits must be  considered, during any given month, to understand the total weather  picture.

    Saturn’s movement through an earth sign is likely to  bring more earthquakes and volcanoes, as we are currently witnessing in  2010 and previously in 2009, while Saturn transits through the earth  sign Virgo.  The Saturn/Mars tandem is likely to bring more serious  problems, particularly when they conjunct.  This exact Mars/Saturn  transit is going to take place near 7 degrees Virgo on August 1, 2010,  when Venus also enters Virgo at zero degrees.  The Moon will be in  Revati (in a difficult sarpa drekkana), receiving the aspects of Saturn  and Mars on that day.  The Sun will be in Cancer, getting ready to go  into Ashlesha.  This appears to be an astrological signature for a  hurricane, major storm or possibly major earthquake, volcano (or all of  the above).   By the time this manuscript goes to press, this date will  have already passed and the prediction may be evaluated in terms of its  own merits.   

NAKSHATRAS AND HURRICANES:

     Nakshatras provide the astrologer with great detail about any given  situation, when the meanings, symbols, deities and shaktis are taken  into account and applied to a specific event.  Analysis of the 27  nakshatras as applied to weather, offer some interesting observations.   Of all 27 nakshatras, Ardra stands out as the most prominent for  indicating rains, storms, windy conditions, change of weather and  flooding.  Other nakshatras that might play an important role in storms  include Bharani, Krittika, Ashlesha, Magha, Swati, Jyeshtha, Mula, Purva  Ashadha, Shatabhisha, Purva Bhadra, Uttara Bhadra and Revati.  Of this  group, notice that Ardra, Swati and Shatabhisha are all found in air  signs, all are ruled by Rahu, and associated with change, difficulties,  destruction, controversy, unconventionality, independence and intensity  of energies---all reasonable descriptors for hurricanes. 

    For  example, Swati (6º40 – 20º00 Libra) means “independence” and has the  symbol of a young sprout swaying in the wind.  Its shakti is to scatter  its energies like the wind.   Swati is ruled by Vayu (the powerful god  of the wind).  Without strong wind, no hurricane could exist.  Another  example involves Uttara Bhadra (3º20’ – 16º40’ Pisces), whose shakti is  the power to bring rain and whose basis above is the raining of the  clouds.  Excessive rainfall (low pressure system) always accompanies the  hurricane. 

    Planets transiting through water signs and air  signs are likely to be particularly vulnerable.   For water signs,  Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, Purva Bhadra, Uttara Bhadra and Revati are likely to  be culprits due to their meanings, associations and symbols connected  to some level of transformation or destruction.  For the air signs,  Ardra, Swati and Shatabhisha are likely to be prominent for the same  reason.  Bharani, Krittika, Magha, Mula, Purva Bhadra, Uttara Bhadra and  Revati are associated with death, endings and/or destruction, all  prominent trademarks of hurricanes.  Purva Ashadha’s deity is Apas,  deified water, refers to churning the oceans. 

HURRICANE ANDREW:  EXAMPLE TWO  

     On August 24, 1992 at 5:05 A.M. EDT, Homestead, Florida, a devastating  hurricane of massive proportions, made landfall in South Florida,  wrecking havoc, causing enormous injury, loss of life and property  damage.

    According to Ed Rappaport, the former director of the  National Hurricane Center, “Hurricane Andrew was a ferocious Cape Verde  hurricane that wrought unprecedented economic devastation along a path  through the northwestern Bahamas, the southern Florida peninsula, and  south-central Louisiana. Damage in the United States is estimated to be  near 25 billion, making Andrew the most expensive natural disaster in  U.S. history (as of 1992).  The tropical cyclone struck southern Dade  County, Florida, especially hard, with violent winds and storm surges  characteristic of a category 5 hurricane on the Saffir/Simpson Hurricane  Scale… In Dade County alone, the forces of Andrew resulted in 15 deaths  and up to one-quarter million people left temporarily homeless. An  additional 25 lives were lost in Dade County from the indirect effects  of Andrew. The direct loss of life seems remarkably low considering the  destruction caused by this hurricane.”

    Examination of this  chart reveals Cancer lagna (Pushya) with Mercury in the 1st house in  Ashlesha.  The Moon, as lagnesh, is in the dusthana 12th house, in Ardra  conjunct Ketu.  Notice the lagna is a water sign and that the Moon is  in Ardra, two putative hurricane markers proposed. The fact that the  Moon is also the lagnesh makes the Moon’s influence particularly  potent.  The lagna is further weakened by an aspect from Saturn situated  in the 7th house.   So, the situation is disturbing and portends  trouble.  

    The Moon and Mercury form parivartina yoga between  the 1st and 12th house placements, which is also problematic.  Mercury  in Ashlesha in the prominent 1st house is indicative of further  difficulties, complex problems and issues caused by wind (Mercury) and  flooding (Moon in Ardra).  Mercury receives the malefic aspect of Saturn  as well.  Saturn serves as a malefic influence to Cancer rising due to  its 8th house rulership and natural malefic status.  

    The  strong Sun in Leo and unafflicted Mars in the 11th house supports the  hypothesis that strong Sun and Mars combinations may be prominent in  hurricane charts, as proposed earlier.   The Sun is fortified by its  benefic association with Jupiter and Venus, which are tightly conjunct.   In this case, the Sun is strengthened substantially and is in Magha  (one of the possible hurricane nakshatras).  Mars’ aspect to the Sun  raises the overall temperature and refers to the summer heat that was in  force at the time.  In this example, Mars in the 11th house is strong  and is also the raja yogakaraka planet for Cancer rising.  So, it is  quite capable of producing intense, rash, violent results.    

     The tight planetary war between Jupiter and Venus within 1 degree in  Leo is also noteworthy.  Since both planets rule water, their tight  association may refer to intense, excessive rainfall and flooding.   Combine this with Moon in Ardra in the 12th house (of loss), conjunct  Ketu, and the chart reveals just how serious this situation was.  

     In the Navamsa, note the lagna is in Swati and Venus is in the 3rd  house, in Mula, receiving the harsh aspect of the Sun (in Ardra).  The  Moon is in Shatabhisha aspected by Mars.  The Navamsa duplicates several  of the hurricane signatures proposed.

     However, in the case  of this hurricane Andrew chart, Saturn and Mars are not directly  aspecting each other, as they did in hurricane Katrina’s chart.  But,  they do form a close tajika trine aspect.  Each hurricane has its own  unique qualities, and these are likely to be reflected in each chart.   Some hurricanes bring much more rain than others.  They all have the  same common denominator features by definition.  However, some  hurricanes produce heavier flooding than others, while some veer off the  predicted course, and others become more serious wind events, with less  rainfall.  Therefore, the charts should ultimately reflect the unique  character of each storm.  

HURRICANE DEVELOPMENT & LANDFALL OVER THE NEXT 4 YEARS (2010 – 2013):  PREDICTIONS
 

     To review, the hypothetical factors being considered for potential  hurricane landfall include some combination of the following elements:  (1) Strong Sun and Mars (2) Saturn in a Water or Air Sign  (3) Saturn  conjunct or aspecting Mars  (4) Affliction to Mercury (5) Ketu/Rahu  involvement (6) Venus and Jupiter transiting through a water sign and/or  Jupiter or Venus afflicted; and (7) Planetary involvement of the  specified nakshatra list described earlier.

    The current  summer of 2010 appears very strong for the likelihood of several (more  than the normal average) major hurricanes to form and make landfall for  the following reasons: (1) Mars and Saturn will be conjunct in Virgo  afflicting each other;  (2) Sun will be strong in Leo for 1 month (mid  August to mid Sept.); (3) Rahu and Ketu are transiting through Ardra;  (4) Mercury will be relatively weak, afflicted or retrograde in August;   (5) Venus will be debilitated and harmed by its conjunction with Saturn  and Mars in Virgo during the summer; and (6) Jupiter is transiting  through Pisces, a water sign and will receive the harmful aspects of  both Saturn and Mars, while turning retrograde in July.   A greater than  normal number of major hurricanes is therefore predicted to develop and  make landfall in the United States.

    The summer of 2011 does  not appear to be as prominent a year for hurricane development and  landfall for the following reasons: (1) Mars will be transiting through  weaker signs and not as powerful. (2) Saturn continues to transit  through Virgo, but will not conjunct with Mars and several other planets  concurrently; (3) Ketu will have shifted out of Ardra and moved to  Mrigashira in Taurus; and (4) Jupiter will be transiting through Aries, a  fire sign.

(One caveat, Saturn will closely aspect Moon &  Mars in Ardra (Gemini) on 8/24/2011, which may indicate hurricane  development on or near that date. Mercury will be weak in Ashlesha,  retrograde on that date also.)  However, statistically, it appears that  there will be fewer than normal major hurricanes during 2011.

     Overall, the summer of 2012 appears very strong for hurricane  formation, particularly on 8/13-8/14/2012, when Saturn and Mars will be  conjunct at zero degrees Libra and the Moon and Venus will be conjunct  in Ardra.  Jupiter will be conjunct Ketu, 8th from Mars/Saturn and 12th  from Moon/Venus.  The Sun will be in Ashlesha on that date with Mercury  in Pushya (aspected by Saturn).  Two other notable dates for possible  hurricane formation include 9/7/2012 and 10/7/2012.   On September 7th,  Mars and Saturn continue to conjunct in Libra, and Mars will aspect  Ketu/the Moon/Jupiter in Taurus.  Meanwhile, Venus will transit through  Pushya (water sign) and receive a close Saturn aspect.  The Sun will be  strong in Leo and Mercury will be combust.  On October 7th, Saturn (in  Chitra) now conjuncts Mercury (in Swati), while Mars is strong in  Scorpio, conjuncts Rahu and aspects a retrograde Jupiter/Ketu.  Mars  also aspects the Ardra Moon in force on that date. October is generally  very late for hurricane formation, so this would be an unusual  occurrence.

    The summer of 2012 has many of the putative  hurricane signatures proposed: Mars/Saturn conjunction, then Mars  becoming stronger, Mars conjunct Rahu in a water sign, Scorpio, Jupiter  retrograde with Ketu, Venus afflicted while transiting through a water  sign and Mercury afflicted.  Nakshatra involvement prominently includes  Ardra, Ashlesha, Magha and Swati during that time.

    Overall,  the summer of 2013 also appears strong for hurricane development and  landfall.  In July, there will be a major constellation of planets  joining together in Gemini.  On July 7th Mars, Jupiter, the Moon, Sun  and retrograde Mercury will all be transiting through Gemini.  On that  date, Jupiter and the Moon will be in Ardra, while Mars is not far  behind in Mrigashira. Rahu will aspect the Gemini group of planets as  well.   Saturn continues to transit through Libra (Swati) and will join  with Rahu, while aspecting Venus in Ashlesha.  In 2013, Jupiter will  transit through an air sign and the Guru Mangala yoga is notable in  July.  The winds may be particularly damaging this year due to the  constellation of combust, afflicted planets in Gemini.

CONCLUSIONS & FUTURE RESEARCH:  

     The majority of points proposed in this manuscript are derived from  observations, logic and integrating astrological constructs.  All of  them should be held to the litmus test by conducting future research on  the topic, to determine which of the constructs are accurate for  predicting hurricanes.  Such research should include examination of at  least 50 - 100 previous hurricanes, to determine if these planetary  markers are statistically significant for predicting hurricanes.  It may  well turn out that several different chart patterns emerge due to the  different natures of individual storms.  Some markers are likely to be  more important and ubiquitous than others.  

    Another research  focal point involves examination of the years in which a greater number  of major hurricanes struck the U.S. vs. years in which few major  hurricanes formed.  It would be particularly interesting to see whether  Saturn’s transit played an influential role in promoting or inhibiting  major hurricane development.  Some of the worst years for major  hurricane strikes were during 1950 (8 strikes), and in 1961 and 2005 (7  major strikes each).  The period between 1962 – 1994 produced zero major  hurricanes, so this would be an interesting period to examine as well.

     For now, during the summer of 2010, it will be quite interesting to  monitor the hurricane season since Mars and the Sun will be conjunct in  Leo, followed by the Mars-Saturn conjunction in late July.   Venus will  be quite afflicted, in debilitation and conjunct Mars and Saturn as  well.  Jupiter will aspect Venus which might exacerbate flooding. NOAA  predicts 2010 to be one of the worst years for major hurricanes to  strike the United States.  The astrological correlates seem to agree  with NOAA this year.  Perhaps that concordance will make for a robust  hurricane season.