SPRING OF 2004

Haluk Akcam - March 20, 2004

From observational point of view, the springtime of the year 2004 is presenting spectacular events. Most of all, two bright comets will appear simultaneously, named C/2002 T7 (LINEAR) and C/2001 Q4 (NEAT). Next striking event is the transit of Venus on June 08. Also, two eclipses will occur during the same season: Partial solar eclipse on April 19, and total lunar eclipse on May 04. In addition, Mars and Venus will be occulted by the Moon, on March 26 and May 21. Meanwhile, a triple shadow event of Galilean satellites will be observed on March 28. Also, triple configuration of Moon - Mars - Saturn will appear on May 22, and Moon - Venus - Mars on April 23. Another powerful configuration is the Jupiter - Sun - Uranus T-cross during the end of May. There are also several meteor showers joining to the whole parade: Virginids on April 12, Lyrids on April 22, a-Scorpiids on April 28, e-Aquarids on May 05, a-Scorpiids on May 12, and Ophiuchids on June 10.

In this article, we will examine the astrological meanings of these phenomena. Yet, the astronomical data provided for this purpose are precise enough for sky gazers, as well as for amateur astronomers, and can be utilized also for observational purposes. The search period derived from the positions and the magnitudes of both comets is limited to March 22 - June 12, although astronomical length of Spring is from March 20 06:49 UT to June 21 00:57 UT. Significantly, the Vernal Equinox of 2004 is inaugurated by the New Moon on March 20, 22:41 UT. 

The most important event of this year is perhaps the appearance of two bright comets, almost simultaneously. First, 2002T7 will be hardly noticed right after the first New Moon of Spring, about ten degrees above it, and will continue to get the attention of the multitudes until it becomes invisible to the naked eye in the middle of June. The next comet is 2001Q4, which is expected to be visible during the late of March, but with extremely southern declination, and thus will be first observed only from the southern hemisphere. Yet, this one will be also visible to the whole world after a while, and swiftly move up to northern declinations, until it disappears in the third week of June.

As the designations suggest, both comets are recently discovered ones. Estimated ephemerides of C/2001 Q4 and C/2002 T7 for the epoch of date are prepared both for observational and astrological purposes, which you can find here. A synchronized ephemeris is also prepared for both comets, based on the ecliptic plane, which may be used by astrologers with safety, until a precise one will be available after the passage of the comets. The parameter Grade, which is introduced by TETRAKTYS is for the inversely proportional value of astrological importance of the position of the related body.

2001Q4 as expected above Moon on May 25.

Since the ephemerides are based on several hundred observational data, a slight deviation from the estimated positions, and fractional deviation with magnitudes for future observations is expectable. But, the error limits of computed values are not sensible to astrological evaluations.

Numerically, astrological importance of the comets are based on their proximity to the ecliptic plane and on their magnitudes. Each year, there are innumerable comets crossing the ecliptic. But due to their faint magnitudes, the astrological value of such comets are practically nil.

2001Q4 as expected to cross the ecliptic, close to Saturn Mars, and Venus, on May 15.

In our computations, we do not give much attention to the comets with a grade higher than 5.0, which is a parameter relative to the magnitude and the ecliptic latitude of the comet, as defined in our ephemeris files. Another parameter is the angular distance between the comet and the body in question. For individual charts, angular distances are measured for the bodies of the radix, and also as the elevation of the comet based on the horizontal and vertical planes of the radix. Again, the elevation or the altitude of the comet must be evaluated with the magnitude of the comet, in the same manner, in order to ascertain the astrological importance of the comet for the planes, or for the Ascendant and the Medium Coeli points of the classical astrology.

In this sense, if the Sun of an individual chart is in question, we may easily estimate that the importance of the comet 2001Q4 is valid only for those who were born between July 18 and August 09, namely with a Sun 26° Cancer - 08° Leo, by allowing a maximum distance of 10°, and the impact should be noticed between May 12 and 18. Applying the same procedure for 2002T7, we obtain these immediate results for the individuals: Born between March 12 and April 01, with a Sun 22° Pisces - 12° Aries, and effected between March 22 and May 09.

In case of other bodies of the radix, such quick estimations are not possible due to their latitudinal differences. Because, the Sun has practically zero latitude. In case of the horizontal and vertical planes, the crossing epoch of the comet is regarded as the culminating moment, and must be computed separately for each individual, with regard to magnitude.

The graph on the right is showing the ecliptic positions of the both comets between March 22 and June 12, with relative magnitudes depicted as circles. Path of 2001 Q4 is more vertical than 2002 T7, and thus the area of effectiveness is more narrow.

Since the path of 2001 Q4 is extended mostly below -60° ecliptic latitude, the effect indicated by this comet will not be important for individuals who were born in places with latitudes above 30°N and below 30°S.

Another significant result can be deducted after comparing the planetary positions, as shown below, with the paths of the comets: 

For the same period, the latitudes of the bodies are not exceeding 06°S-09°N belt. But, the comets seem to cross this tiny belt with high speeds, and thus confining their importance to a very limited range.

Practically, the Sun of an individual will be placed on the ecliptic line, depicted here with thick light gray line. Thus, the angular distance between the comet and the Sun that can be placed anywhere on this line, can be estimated very easily. Again, same estimation is valid also for other bodies of any radix. Because, latitudes of bodies cannot exceed ±10° even during retrograde motions (Venus, for example), with the exception of Pluto, which may reach up to 18°.

[gray dots are for the eclipses]

Consequently, if an astrologer speaks - for instance - about the influence of the comet 2001Q4 on Taureans, the value of this assumption will be practically nil. Therefore, all predictions based on flat ecliptic astrology will be proven once again ridiculous after the passage of these comets!

Estimated total magnitudes, and grade values for both comets are shown on the right, distinguishable easily by assigned colors. These are the highest possible magnitudes, with H₁ = 3.5 for 2001Q4, and H₁ = 4.0 for 2002T7, as proposed in MPC-50914. BDL suggests 3.69 and 4.55, respectively, which means a little fainter magnitudes.

Between mid of April and end of May, both comets will be bright enough for the naked eye. But the possible minimal angular distance (58°) between them will be observed on May 31, with magnitudes 2.8 for 2002T7, and 3.1 for 2001Q4. Brightest will be 2001Q4 on May 07 with m=0.92, and 2002T7 on May 18 with m=0.27.

Yet, these two bright comets cannot be seen close to any large bodies. Notable proximities (d<30°) for Q4 are: 25° to Saturn on May 13, and 16° to Moon on May 25. For T7: 9° to Sun on March 24, 9° to Moon on April 17, 25° to Uranus on April 25, and 16° to Mercury on May 10.

In lore, it is presumed that comets presage history-making events; but operating through individuals whose birth coincides with their appearance. When two comets appear at the same time, the message conveyed must be more intensified. But, what is the message? My opinion is that comets are only significant markers of the time, indicating that something is about to occur, which may change the course of events. But the nature of the cause should be implied by other celestial phenomena, which are taking place at the time of the appearance of the comet.

To understand the message, we should then examine the other phenomena, for the period whilst these comets are visible to the naked eye:

                           m < 5                   m < 3                 m < 1
        2002T7     March 21 to June 14     April 12 to June 01     May 09 to May 23
        2001Q4     March 28 to June 24     April 17 to May 30      May 04 to May 10

                           g < 5                   g < 3                 g < 1
        2002T7     March 22 to June 11     April 12 to May 28      May 10 to May 16
        2001Q4     April 29 to June 12     May 04   to May 26           (none)
        

In addition, there are special cases derived from the mutual positions of these comets, such as synchronized risings or settings, or placement of one on the great meridian while the other is rising or setting. For this purpose, you will find an orientation ephemeris here to examine the possible positions for specific geographical latitudes. A quick glance at the graph below will give an idea of such possibilities:

When both comets are on the horizon line, either rising or setting, the corresponding geographical latitudes are shown by h=0 curve. As an example; a place with ±40° latitude will observe such an event on April 29 and May 21.

 When 2001Q4 is on the great meridian circle and 2002T7 is on the horizon line, the corresponding geographical latitudes are shown by Q4+T7 curve. For example; from the same place, such an event will be observed on April 30, May 13, and May 18.

When 2002T7 is on the great meridian circle and 2001Q4 is on the horizon line, the corresponding geographical latitudes are shown by T7+Q4 curve. For example; from the same place, such an event will be observed on May 7, May 13, May 19, and June 11.  

These special cases correspond to the true conjunctions with local Medium Coeli or Imum Coeli, and Ascendant or Descendant, the notations loosely applied in ecliptic based astrology, which we never prefer to use in spherical astrology, due to ill-definitions of these terms. At the bottom of the graph, the visible brightness scale is given for both comets.

Angular distances between the comets and the solar system bodies are also important in analyzing the message conveyed by these markers. Below are the graphic presentations of the angular distances between March 22 and June 12:

C/2001 Q4 will be forming an angle between 60° and 120° to solar system bodies in March, due to its low declination. The comet is in quadrate with Venus on March 22, and with Moon on March 25.

Moon is in quadrate again on April 08, and Pluto on April 09. Mars on April 20. Venus on April 22. Saturn on April 22. Moon again on April 25/26, but not exactly. Neptune on April 26. Uranus on April 27. Jupiter on April 28. Both comets are in quadrate on April 29/30.

But, afterwards, quadrates are getting lesser: Moon on May 02. Mercury on May 05. Both comets on May 16/17. Moon again on May 17. Mercury again on May 25. Moon on June 01.

The message of Q4 seems quite disturbing during the last ten days of April. But the only yet slightly disturbing one in fact is the composition of Jupiter and Uranus quadrates on April 27/28. But, since the declination of 2001 Q4 at the epoch is too low, the importance is negligible.

Tabular data of angular distances are presented here for C/2001-Q4, and C/2002-T7, at intervals of 12 hours.

As the graph on the left shows, C/2002 T7 angular distance distribution seems more homogeneous.

Moon is receiving a quadrate on March 28, April 10, and April 24. Then both comets are shaping a quadrate on April 29/30. Moon again on May 08. Saturn on May 09. Booth comets again in quadrate on May 16/17. Neptune on May 17. Uranus on May 19. Jupiter on May 19. Mercury slightly on June 01. Moon on June 01.

Moon-Saturn opposition on May 08 is not an ordinary one with a squeezed 2002T7 in the middle. This T-cross is a sign of sorrow, yet operates only for a few hours, and the impact will be local, or personal.

But, the Jupiter - 2002T7 - Uranus T-cross on May 19 is a powerful one, and operates as a prelude to Jupiter-Sun-Uranus T-cross, right after the New Moon.

Moon-Mercury opposition on June 01 is becoming important with the comet placed in the middle of them. But the impact is local or personal, and short in duration. It is a sign of emotional or mental tension.

Now, we may examine the time-related celestial phenomena, one by one, and evaluate the cometary positions accordingly:

After the New Moon on March 20 22:41 UT, the first notable event is the occultation of Mars by the crescent. It will take place on March 26, 00:15 UT (central), but mostly visible at high latitudes, as shown below:

Grazing seems possible only from Japan, Scandinavia, and northern England. Since corresponding special placement of the comets is possible only for 80°N, we may assume that this occultation may have a transient and weak meaning. But, the event will occur exactly between Aldebaran and Pleiades, while Uranus is forming a 90° angle to this occultation. Thus, we cannot ignore it at all, for such a combination denotes clearly a misfortune.

Glasgow (UK) will face it at 00:36 UT, while occulted Mars was setting. But beforehand, it will resemble an obvious symbol setting in the NW sky of the city, as a star left to a waxing crescent. Same combination is valid also for Dublin (Ireland) with 00:28 UT, and slightly for Oslo (Norway) with 00:06 UT. But, from Helsinki (Finland), the star and the crescent symbol will set on March 25 23:10 UT, and then the occultation becomes invisible. Yet, Reykjavik (Iceland) will only observe the event, possibly staying immune to any misfortune. Japan, on the other hand, will not be a target of the occultation, and also the star and the crescent cannot be set appropriately for this country.

We may assume then that an area centered with Glasgow and Dublin will be the primary target of this configuration. Since the configuration is from a category of disasters, caution will be advised to the inhabitants of these countries!

Geocentric ecliptic coordinates of Mars at the epoch are l = 63°00' (03° Gemini, Sun on May 23-24) and b = 01°07'N, with m = 1.4 for Mars and m = -8.7 for Moon.

Satellites of Jupiter are mostly ignored objects in classical astrology, although they fill many gaps in deciphering the whole scenery. There are several significant combinations formed by the Galilean satellites, indicating that certain events are about to occur on Earth, despite their short orbital periods. The scope of this article does not fit to give more information on the subject, but perhaps later.

A jovian shadow event takes place when the shadow of a satellite of Jupiter ( practically any of the four Galileans) is cast on the planet. Since the orbital periods of Galilean satellites are short (Ganymede 7.2 days, Callisto 16.7 days, Io 1.8 days, and Europa 3.6 days), a single shadow event occurs frequently. But a triple shadow event cannot be seen that much.

On the left is shown the triple shadow event, performed by Ganymede, Callisto, and Io, the first three largest satellites of Jupiter, which will take place on March 28 between 08:03 and 08:16 UT.

The last triple shadow event was on November 11, 1997, and the next one will be on October 12, 2013.

At the epoch, geocentric ecliptic coordinates of retrograde Jupiter are l = 161°01' and b = 01°25'N, with m = -2.4, which means 11° Virgo, or Sun on Sept. 3-4.

 From the classic astrological point of view, Jupiter on March 28 is not very important, because there are no significant aspects, except a wide (6.5°) Jupiter-Mars-Uranus T-cross. But, when this event is combined with special placements, we obtain meaningful results:

Culminating Jupiter at the epoch does not specify any place in the Pacific Ocean. But, when Jupiter transits lower meridian, Moon rises, and Pluto sets for the cross-point of Israel, Palestine, and Jordan, namely Jerusalem. As usual, this region of the Middle East will become more sensitive. Ongoing atrocities orchestrated by the Israelis may develop further under this configuration, involving mass murders, due to the positions of Moon and Pluto. Because, speckled Jupiter mostly denotes shameful operations, fitting to the crimes of Israeli state.

Again, when Jupiter transits the lower meridian, Saturn rises for Sinop (Turkey). Municipal elections will be held on this day, in Turkey. Since Saturn is conjoined with the Moon while receiving the quadrate of the Sun, the productivity of the elected mayors will be very disappointing, and their reputations may be endangered due to speckled Jupiter.

On the 19th of April at 13:34 UT, a partial solar eclipse will be observed from south of Africa, and Antarctica. But, it is not supported by any other celestial phenomena. The drawing on the right is presenting the part of the Earth whence the event can be observed.

Geocentric ecliptic coordinates at the epoch are l = 29°50' (30° Aries) for Sun.

At the epoch, Saturn culminates at Madagascar. Venus culminates, Jupiter rises, and Uranus sets in Congo, Zaire, and neighboring countries. At Port Elizabeth (South Africa), Mars culminates, Jupiter rises, and Uranus sets. The latter is not an ignorable configuration, and probably indicating a real trouble for South African government.

On the 23rd of April, a wide triple conjunction of Moon-Venus-Mars opposing to Pluto will occur. Minimum separation for Moon-Venus is at 10:48 UT (01°26'), and minimum for Moon-Mars is at 20:09 UT (02°12').

 Geocentric linearity (as depicted on the left) is at 12:43 UT (05°40'). Magnitudes are 1.6 for Mars, -4.5 for Venus, and -7.8 for Moon. Moon-Pluto maximum separation is at 19:55 UT (167°40').

When this polarity is placed on the great meridian circle, Pluto culminates, Uranus rises with 2002T7, and Jupiter sets for about nine hours, from about 45°-50°N latitude of NW states of US to NE of China, including north of Japan. Triplet culminates when Jupiter rises and Uranus sets with 2002T7 at south America, Chile and Argentina. The former one, at the northern hemisphere, is not a good one, yet the configuration is not strong enough to bring devastating calamities. But, the southern one is moderately good.

Geocentric ecliptic longitudes are 17° Gemini for Venus, 21° Gemini for Mars, 22° Sagittarius for Pluto, and the Moon is between Venus and Mars.

On the 4th of May, there will be a total eclipse of the Moon, from 17:51 to 23:10 UT. Geocentric ecliptic coordinates of the Moon for the central eclipse are: l = 224°40' and b = 00°19'S.

Ecliptic longitude of the eclipsed Moon for the period, extends between 13°-16° Scorpio, which correspond to the Sun on November 5 to 9.

Visibility limits are shown here for a quick glance. It will be all visible from most parts of Africa, Middle East, Balkans, and Central Asia.

Greatest Eclipse at 20:30:14 UT will be on the meridian for 51°30'E, a longitude through Russia, Kazakhstan, Caspian Sea, Persia, and Saudia.

Neptune rises when the full eclipse culminates at Madagascar. The position of Neptune is important, because it will be on the mid-point of Sun-Moon opposition, and thus forming a Sun-Neptune-Moon T-cross, during the eclipse. This configuration will be strongly effective while Neptune is rising at 16°55'S latitude for African countries such as Mozambique, Rhodesia, Zambia, and Angola. This region will be the most vulnerable part of the world. Just before the eclipse, 2002T7 culminates and 2001Q4 rises for these countries. If we remember that the partial solar eclipse will be also operative at this part of the world, it is very likely that turbulence and chaos may ransack the whole region in May.

Eclipsed Moon will be rising, and Jupiter culminating at about 60°N latitude, a narrow band extending from St. Petersburg (Russia) to Helsinki (Finland), Stockholm (Sweden), Oslo (Norway), and Aberdeen (UK). Uranus will be opposed to Jupiter at the same time. For the same places, just before the eclipse begins, 2001Q4 will be rising and 2002T7 will be setting, simultaneously. This combination is a very tricky one, and may lead to blind optimism. During a lunar eclipse, when Jupiter-Uranus couple is on the meridian axis, and Moon-Sun couple is on the horizon, the citizens of corresponding countries suffer an unrest because of the lack of foresight of their governments.

Another important band is around the 50°-55°N latitudes, extending form 90°E to 10°E, throughout the eclipse time, when the Moon culminates and Mars, Saturn, and Venus set. At the beginning, this band is covering mostly western Russia including Moscow, then runs through Ukraine, and Poland, finally ends in the middle of Germany after passing Berlin. If an eclipsed Moon is culminating when Saturn and Mars is setting, the corresponding countries will be subject to social downfall and poverty. In this case, a temporary uncertainty is also coupled with the configuration due to the position of Neptune, which may lead to a financial crisis.

On the 21st of May, 12:10 UT (central), Venus will be occulted by the Moon. This event will be observable from allover Europe, NW of Africa, Middle East, western Asia, etc. as shown below. Geocentric ecliptic coordinates of retrograde Venus at the central epoch are; l = 85°53' and b = 03°22'N, which corresponds to Sun on June 16-17. During the occultation, Moon and Venus will be opposed to Pluto with 167°42' separation.

In general, countries roughly within the rectangular area of 20°W-50°E and 30°N-65°N, will observe a culminating occultation. Practically, from allover Europe, northern Middle East, and NW of Africa, the occultation operates on the great meridian. But, there is not a powerful configuration supporting this occultation. The only notable case is that the culminating occultation has Pluto on the meridian axis (lower culmination), but about 4° apart.

Countries at 38°-40°N latitudes will observe the simultaneous rising and setting of both comets, just about four hours before the occultation. On ecliptic based charts, 2002T7 may be seen in conjunction with the Moon and Venus. But, this is a fiction caused by the projection. Because, both bodies have a separation of 46°58', which is within the orb of semi-quadrate, and not a bit of conjunction, in reality!

Astrologically, this event is an indicator of a temporary financial crisis for the corresponding countries. Accordingly, the stock-markets in Europe will suffer, mostly in the eastern European countries.

At eastern China, just before the occultation, Venus and Moon demonstrates a star left to a waxing crescent symbol. It will be visible, but close to western horizon, and ready to set. The apparent magnitudes for the bodies are -4.4 for Venus, and -6.4 for the Moon, which means a very bright combination.

Close to the end of May, Mars will be in the vicinity of Saturn, with a minimum separation of 01°35' on May 25. But beforehand, the Moon will join to these planets on the 22nd of May, with 03°14' and 04°53' separations at 15:53 and 18:30 UT, respectively.

 The drawing on the left is showing this triple configuration. The orange colored star above Mars is e Gem, with 3.0 magnitude, and does not bear any importance.

Magnitudes of the bodies are -7.5 for Moon, 0.1 for Saturn, and 1.7 for Mars. The ecliptic longitude is around 100°-101°, which corresponds to 10°-11° Cancer, or Sun on July 1-3. The message for individual charts is to handle with care, for the configuration is not an easy one to cope with. It may bring a downfall or restrictions in general. Individuals who have an important body or point at this place in their radices, may suffer a loss, mostly at the end of May. On the other hand, it denotes gain through hardship and disciple for those who are strong in nature. Because, the constellation is fortified by Jupiter.

This triple conjunction does not specify any region of the world, but operates as a messenger of the forthcoming event (Jupiter-Sun-Uranus). The keyword of this message is hardship for the whole world.

On the 23rd of May, at 01:26 UT, angular separation of 2002T7 and a CMa (Sirius) will be 02°37', at its minimum. It may be an indication of unusual climate changes, and meteorological extremes, particularly around the equator zone.

Probably, this event will be the core of the whole sequence. Sun will form an exact quadrate to Uranus on May 27, and to Jupiter on May 31, when both planets are opposing to each other. The nearest maximum separation between Jupiter and Uranus is on May 12/13. Within an orb of 6°, this T-cross operates between May 24 and June 03. Sun will be at the mid-point of Jupiter/Uranus on May 29 07:16 UT, with l = 68°15' (8° Gemini).

The significance of this T-cross is that Sun will be placed on the Aldebaran-Antares axis, at the same time. Minimum separation between the Sun and Aldebaran is 05°28' on May 30, 22:57 UT. Maximum separation between the Sun and Antares is 180°-04°34' on May 30, 22:32 UT.

In general, those who were born between May 24 and June 03, will be subject to this T-cross. Same is valid for those born under 7°-9° of mutable signs, or those having luminaries or axial points at the same place.

The Moon joins to this configuration next to Jupiter. Within an orb of 6°, the T-cross will be strengthened by the Moon between 02:47 UT and 19:51 UT on May 27. A week later, another lunar emphasis will be seen between June 02 18:13 UT and Full Moon (13° Sagittarius) on June 03 at 04:20 UT. The Moon will be at the mid-point of Jupiter/Uranus on June 02, 21:15 UT, with l = 68°27' (8° Sagittarius).

Minimum separation between the Moon and Antares is 02°03' on June 02, 23:41 UT, and maximum separation between the Moon and Aldebaran is 180°-07°58' on June 02, 22:27 UT.

During the Full Moon on June 03, the Sun will be close to Venus, and the Moon will be close to Pluto. Maximum separation of the Venus-Pluto opposition is 180°-09°16' on June 08, 22:04 UT. Also during the entire T-cross, Mars and Saturn will be placed close to each other, with a minimum separation of 01°35' on May 25, 05:54 UT.

The Grand Cross formed by Moon - Uranus - Sun - Jupiter will be operative between June 02 18:13 UT and June 03 04:20 UT, right before the exact Full Moon, and rifle the 06°-14° region of mutables.

Astrological Significance of the Event

It is probably the key event of the whole train of phenomena. This T-cross was slightly noticeable in the mid of November, 2002. But the configuration was not emphasized at that time. The next case was a part of the grandiose quadruple conjunction in August 2003, of which you can find an examination here, in detail. Now, we get the final transformation of Jupiter/Uranus composition.

In general, when the Sun is squeezed by a Jupiter-Uranus opposition, the key-phrase of this configuration is "sudden expansion/release of a tension/strain", which usually manifests itself in chained rapid interactions. The combination with the Aldebaran-Antares axis denotes outbursts of energy in an intensive or violently exerted manner. Since the spatial angle (~ 15°-17°) of Jupiter/Uranus opposition plane is below the obliquity of the ecliptic, the subject of the matter will be certainly not of an intellectual type. Additionally, the highest point (a = 110° to 103°) of the same plane is marking exactly the Mars-Saturn conjunction, which means brutality, and mostly destructive or pernicious form of energy. Also, there are other supporting events such as the T-cross formed by Venus-Moon-Pluto on May 28.

The configuration is marking many regions of the world, but only important ones will be mentioned here. When Uranus culminates, Mars and Saturn rise for 49° - 55°N latitudes. Kiev (Ukraine) will be hit on May 24, 04:24 UT. Brussels (Belgium) will be hit on May 24, 06:09 UT. London (UK) will be hit on May 27, 06:15 UT. Warsaw (Poland) will be hit on May 29, 04:43 UT. Berlin (Germany) will be hit on May 29, 05:13 UT. Dublin (Ireland) will be hit on June 01, 06:20 UT. In short, northern Europe seems to be the victim, here.

When Pluto culminates, Uranus rises for 52°-54°N latitudes. This band is also indicating that northern Europe will be hit twice during the same time.

On the other hand, Neptune will be culminating when Sun is rising for Washington (DC) on May 30, 09:46 UT. Since the same configuration is valid for the whole period at 30°-43°N latitude band, Tel Aviv (Israel) will get the same benefit on May 25, 02:40 UT. This configuration works also for southern Europe, and for the whole Middle East: Baghdad (Iraq) on May 26, 01:58 UT. Athens (Greece) on May 29, 03:08 UT. Ankara (Turkey) on May 31, 02:24 UT. Madrid (Spain) on May 31, 04:50 UT. Rome (Italy) on June 02, 03:37 UT.

Yet, Full Moon will be culminating when Neptune is rising for London (UK) on June 02, 23:46 UT. The culminating Full Moon will be also a dilemma for countries, which are sharing the Caribbean Sea, when Uranus rises there on June 02, 04:20 UT.

There are several other places hit by the Jupiter-Sun-Uranus T-cross. But, the major target will be northern Europe.

On the 8th of June, a long-wanted astronomical event will be observed, namely the transit of Venus. The previous two were observed in December of 1874 and 1882, and the next one will be in June 2012. Venus transits currently recur at intervals of 8 + 105.5, and 8 + 121.5 years.

This transit on June 08, will occur between 05:13 and 11:26 UT. The greatest transit will be at 08:19:44 UT with 00°10'27" minimum separation, as shown on the right, with apparent orbits of both objects.

77°59' and 77°49' are the ecliptic longitudes of retrograde Venus for the beginning and the end of the transit (18° Gemini).

Between 09:55 and 10:57 UT, Sun-Venus culminate over South Africa at about 30°S latitude, when Jupiter is rising. This is a promising configuration, due to rising Jupiter, although Venus is in Cazimi category of combustion.

During the lower culmination of Venus transit, Pluto will culminate over the US/Canadian border, while Jupiter is setting, and Uranus and Moon are rising. It is a disturbing configuration, but the synchronicity is not exact enough to predict any major disasters accordingly. Yet, at the Pacific coast, Portland (OR), Seattle (WA), and Vancouver (BC) will be the primary targets of this loose but powerful configuration.   

On the other hand, the conjunction of Venus and the Sun is fortified through a beneficial trine formed by Neptune and partly by the Moon. When we get Neptune on the great meridian, Sun and Venus will be rising at the eastern part of the US/Canadian border. When the Moon is culminating, Sun and Venus will be rising at Miami (FL). At the beginning of the transit, Moon will be culminating while Sun and Venus are rising at Marrakech (Morocco), but Uranus will be culminating for the middle west African countries (Niger, Mali, and Mauritania). The same case with Uranus is also valid for Antilles, except Cuba.

Below is the visibility map of the transit. When the maps of Venus transit and Venus occultation are compared, both are showing that Europe, western part of former USSR, northern Middle East, and central Asia are the targets.

March 26 : Lunar occultation of Mars, forming a quadrate with Uranus.

March 28 : Triple shadow event of Galilean satellites. (no major aspects)   

April 02 : Moon conjunct Jupiter - Mars - Uranus strong T-cross.

April 06 : Moon-Saturn-Uranus G-trine.

April 08-09 : Moon-Uranus-Venus T-cross.

April 09 : Moon-Jupiter-Mars T-cross.

April 15 : Moon-Venus-Jupiter T-cross.

April 19 : Partial Solar Eclipse. (no major aspects)

April 23 : Perihelion of C/2002 T7.

April 23 : Moon-Venus-Mars triple conjunction opposed to Pluto.

April 28-29 : Moon-Mercury-Pluto G-trine.

April 29/30 : Quadrature between two comets.

April 29-30 : Moon conjunct Jupiter opposed to Uranus.

April 30 - May 01 : Venus-Moon-Pluto T-cross.

May 04 : Moon-Saturn-Uranus G-trine.

May 04 : Total Lunar Eclipse. Sun-Neptune-Moon T-cross. (FM)

May 06 : Jupiter-Moon-Uranus T-cross.

May 06 : C/2001 Q4 closest to Earth.

May 07 : C/2001 Q4 most brilliant. m = 0.92.

May 07 : Moon conjunct Pluto opposed to Venus.

May 08 : Moon-2002T7-Saturn T-cross.

May 12 : Moon conjunct Uranus opposed to Jupiter.

May 15 : Perihelion of C/2001 Q4.

May 16/17 : Quadrature between two comets.

May 18 : C/2002 T7 most brilliant. m = 0.27.

May 19 : C/2002 T7 closest to Earth.

May 19 : Jupiter-2002T7-Uranus T-cross.

May 19-20 : Jupiter-Moon-Uranus T-cross.

May 21 : Lunar occultation of Venus. (no major aspects)

May 22 : Moon-Mars-Saturn triple conjunction fortified by Uranus.

May 27 : Moon conjunct Jupiter - Sun - Uranus strong T-cross.

May 27-28 : Jupiter-Sun-Uranus T-cross.

May 28 : Venus-Moon-Pluto T-cross.

May 31 : Minimum separation between two comets.

June 01 : Moon-2002T7-Mercury T-cross.

June 02-03 : Moon-Jupiter-Sun T-cross. (FM)

June 03 : Moon conjunct Pluto opposed to Venus.

June 07 : Moon conjunct Neptune trine Sun conjunct Venus.

June 08 : Transit of Venus fortified by Neptune.

June 09 : Sun conjunct Venus - Moon - Pluto strong T-cross.

June 09-10 : Sun-Moon-Pluto T-cross.

Since the scope of this article is not to produce specific predictions, but prepare the appropriate relevant material for such an attempt, you may evaluate what is presented here to state your own prognostication, freely. But, it seems clear that between March 22 and June 12, for about twelve weeks, the world will surely have more important subjects to cope with rather than the two comets, or the transit of Venus. The material gathered here is indicating that we will not have peace in these twelve weeks.  Particularly, the above mentioned regions of the world are likely to suffer for a while. Europe, most of all, does not seem to be a quiet place. Yet, we must bear in mind that all these bit by bit scrapings are leading us to an inevitable bitter turn of the wheel, unfortunately. Therefore, it will be wise to monitor the world events with keen eye and stable mind.