Bejan Daruwalla: Ganesha says that India will be a superpower in the next five years

What does 2010 hold in store for us? Will it bring peace and cheer? Or will there be gloom and doom? Whose star will be on the ascendant, and whose on the decline?

As we start a new year, we decided to ask five leading seers to predict what lies in the year — and the decade — ahead. We went to leading astrologers Bejan Daruwalla and Marjorie Orr, famed numerologist Sanjay B. Jumaani and also tarot card readers Nilaanjana Chakraborty of Calcutta, who many Calcutta celebrities swear by, and Sonal Varma of Delhi, whose numerous clients include leading politicians and businessmen.

The voices are varied and the mood mixed. So let’s go crystal ball gazing:

Bejan Daruwalla

Ganesha says that India is well on its way to becoming a superpower in the next five years. That’s because India is ruled by Saturn according to Western astrology, and for the next two-and-a-half years, Saturn will be in the sign of Libra. In this period, Saturn will be very powerful and happy in Libra. And India will rise to the very top.

Ganesha also says that Rahul Gandhi will become prime minister in 2011. But he will pay a huge price for it emotionally.

Our only real rival on the global stage is China but China has been unfair to Tibet. And by the law of nature, sooner or later, what we do to others boomerangs on us.

Ganesha says that there will be a new, fairer and more equitable world order. Saturn in Libra also means that the poor, the downtrodden and the weak will find prosperity and peace. Saturn in Libra will also be in square formation with Pluto in Capricorn. The main result of this will be the end of tyranny and brute force around the world.

This is the Age of Aquarius. This means that in about four years, there will be a compromise between the terrorists and the rest of the world. But over the next one year, terrorists will be very active.

Daruwalla foresees Rahul Gandhi becoming India’s prime minister in 2011

January 2010 is very bad because Saturn and Pluto are in square or bad formation. Saturn means delay and death and Pluto means sudden. Because of this, there will be some trouble: fires, earthquakes, air accidents, attacks, and the death of national leaders around the world, especially of India and the US.

What does Ganesha predict for the Zodiac signs? Sun sign astrology can’t be complete for any one individual. But broadly:

Aquarius: The real Age of Aquarius starts from 2010 so they will make a fine beginning.

Pisces: 2010 is the year of Pisces, and it will bring great opportunities for them. But they should take care of their health.

Aries: Arians will do well but they should be very sweet to their spouses.

Taurus: They should take care of their health over the next two-and-a-half years.

Gemini: Lady Luck will shine on them and Geminis will have the best of everything in 2010.

Cancer: Cancerians will have inspiration and intuition but they will face problems with their parents and over property.

Leo: Leos will have money and they will travel this year.

Virgo: Better times are here for Virgos after a tough three years.

Libra: Librans will work very hard, though they will get their rewards. But they will face terrific psychological and personal problems.

Scorpio: Scorpios love to love. But women are expensive creatures, so husbands beware and lovers, take care.

Sagittarius: They will build property and they will be lucky with it too.

Capricorn: They can do well provided they’re not very demanding.

Marjorie Orr: We’re living in hugely troubled times, which will extend till about 2014

Marjorie Orr

2009 was the year of the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction, which is the astrological signature for high finance and bubbles that burst. There was also a Saturn opposition Uranus, which usually accompanies an economic downturn. It will continue through most of 2010 too.

But we’ve now moved towards the Saturn-in-Libra square Pluto-in-Capricorn. This has its first exact aspect in late January-February 2010, and again in August 10 through mid-2011. [Aspects are the angular relationships between planets as they orbit around the sun; square or 90 degrees is a bad formation.] This usually presages tough times, deprivation and a major war. The last time Saturn was in difficult aspect to Pluto was over 9/11, the war on Afghanistan, and when the US attacked Iraq.

I think Iran looks right in the firing line to pick up the worst of this aspect. At the very least, it will face an internal revolution of a major variety. Israel too looks to be in for a panicky, failure- ridden two years.

The other aspect this year will be Uranus in conjunction with Jupiter, which will bring sudden flashes of good luck and relief from tension. So it won’t be all doom and gloom. Jupiter is in Pisces and in Aries, and those two signs will do especially well in 2010.

Uranus is also moving out of Pisces into Aries — Uranus only changes sign every seven years. So the mood will shift to one that’s more excitable, impulsive and reckless. This also brings the massive Uranus square Pluto closer, which will not be in exact position till 2012.

Uranus-Pluto is all about revolution. In certain countries, it will bring coups and complete anarchy. In others, there will be major uprisings.

Saturn is moving into a bad formation with Pluto, which Orr feels presages tough times and a major war

We’re living in hugely troubled times, which will extend till about 2014. This is partly due to Pluto moving into Capricorn from 2008 till 2024. It only comes round every 250 years or so and astrologically, it’s about the deconstruction of old economic and government systems with the drive to replace them with better ones. In the long term, Pluto in Capricorn should bring better governance. But Saturn is blocking it till 2011 and Uranus is upsetting it till almost the middle of the decade.

Some countries like Iran will pick up the full force of the storm early. China will not escape unscathed, getting a sharp reality check from late 2010. The UK and the US will face major disruption from 2011 to 2014.

India won’t escape entirely either. But it will be better off than some countries. However, 2010 will bring its share of insecure moments for India with setbacks and perhaps, some violence. The setbacks come as Saturn squares Mars in the India chart in late March-early April and in late July.

The more difficult phase will be from late May to mid-August, when Uranus, then into Aries, will be squaring the India Mars, which is explosive, insecure and disruptive. This could have some connection with Pakistan.

On the whole, India will be more hopeful though it will have a few sinking moments of uncertainty in early October. The Sensex will be really panicked at points over the new year and again in July-August and November. But there will be definite highs as well and a resurgence of strong confidence at points in March-April.

Sanjay B Jumaani: Thumbs up to sectors like financial services, travel, law and the media Pix by Gajanan Dudhalkar

Sanjay B. Jumaani

Things can get only better for India in 2010. That’s because 2010 adds to 3, which is the number of Jupiter, the heavyweight planet of wealth and progress.

Three or Jupiter (prosperity), 6, which represents Venus (love, peace, luxury) and 9, which is Mars (energy), are a family of numbers. And since numerologically, India adds to 12 or 3, Bharat to 15 or 6, these three numbers have time and again been instrumental in the nation’s progress.

So India gained Independence in 1947, which equals 3, and August 15 equals 6. We won the cricket World Cup in 1983 (also 3), and 24 (2+4=6) years later, we won the Twenty 20 World Cup in 2007, which equals 9.

Now, 2010 gives us 3 again. Sectors like banking, financial services, travel, law and media will thrive. Those born on dates adding to a 3, 6 and 9 can expect to do well as can Pisceans and Sagittarians since they’re ruled by Jupiter. And those whose current age totals their birth number will also have a great year. Like Ranbir Kapoor (born on September 28) gave two commercial hits in his 28th year to climb to the next level in 2009.

At the same time, 2010, when compounded, gives us 21, which numerologically points to success after an uphill battle. This leads me to believe that the global economy may take a turn for the better in the second half of 2010 since Jupiter denotes wealth.

As for the decade, the years 2010, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2019 should be the best years with 2013 being a landmark year for progress.

Let’s not ignore the common man either. Based on your principal number (date of birth), here’s what’s in store for people born with numbers 1 to 9:

Number 1 (Sun; those born on the 1st, 10th, 19th and 28th of any month): Your ruler, the Sun, is dominant as is Jupiter. It can transform your meticulous thoughts into action, leading to material gains. Lucky months: February, July, August and December.

Number 2 (Moon; those born on 2nd, 11th, 20th and 29th): Confidence, contacts and calculations will help you spread your wings in 2010. Lucky months: May, June, July and August.

Number 3 (Jupiter; those born on 3rd, 12th, 21st and 30th): You will push yourself in whatever you undertake, and your zeal and enthusiasm will be amply rewarded. Lucky months: March, May, November and December.

Number 4 (Uranus; those born on 4th, 13th, 22nd and 31st): You may be ingenious, but you need to be more headstrong to sell your ideas. Lucky months: May, July, August and October.

Number 5 (Mercury; those born on 5th, 14th and 23rd): Financial hurdles, though far between, will be taken care of by Jupiter and your own painstaking efforts. Lucky months: May, June, September and December.

Jumaani says that 2010 will be a good year for those whose birth dates add to 9, like Priyanka Chopra

Number 6 (Venus; those born on the 6th, 15th and 24th): Jupiter will help you attain the luxuries you’re so fond of. Lucky months: March, May, October, November and December.

Number 7 (Neptune; those born on 7th, 16th and 25th): Jupiter can help you package your creative ideas. Follow your instincts. Lucky months: February, June, July and August.

Number 8 (Saturn; those born on 8th, 17th and 26th): Since 3 is your lucky number, 2010 should give you more than what you got last year. Lucky months: March, May, June, August and December.

Number 9 (Mars; those born on 9th, 18th and 27th): Mars, your ruler, complements Jupiter. So your unending stamina and energy could lead to material success. Lucky months: March, April, May, November and December.

Nilaanjana Chakraborty: A challenging year ahead for West Bengal

Nilaanjana Chakraborty

The year 2010 offers a mixed bag for India with a tilt in favour of the good stuff. The economy will rebound as more investments come into the country. A lot of what wasn’t accomplished in 2009 will be achieved in 2010.

There could be periods of stress and strife though and the country will need to implement health safeguards. India will also make a mark on the foreign affairs front, and gain victory over its internal and external enemies.

2010 also marks the beginning of a new decade, and India will emerge as a big power in this period. However, we need to be wary of neighbours like China.

The world at large will be in for some turbulent times in this decade. Pakistan will continue to be mired in turmoil and military strife. Violence and racial discrimination will be rampant, especially in countries like Australia, UK and France.

The global economy will witness an up trend from January 2010. There will be more jobs but inflation will soar in March-April. Space exploration and tourism will touch new horizons and new vaccines for diseases may be discovered too.

Marriage is on the cards for Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan in 2010, says Chakraborty

For West Bengal, however, 2010 is not a year for new beginnings as the state will face many challenges. Opposing forces from within will strike the state, which needs to stay alert to avoid violent attacks. It’s a time to be discreet and patient.

Buddhadeb Bhattacharya must take care of his mental and physical well-being. Mamata Banerjee will get even more intense but she must guard against speaking harshly as that could put her on the spot.

Among film stars, Shah Rukh Khan will have a difficult year and face financial losses. Both his films won’t do as well as expected. He should let Sourav Ganguly handle the Knight Riders’ affairs too. Indeed, 2010 will bring success and good fortune for Ganguly. You might see Dada playing a big role in different fields too.

It will be a quiet year for Aamir, and he might get frustrated if his efforts are not rewarded amply.

On the other hand, marriage is on the cards for Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan. And there may be some good news for Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan too. They will have a great year on the film front too.

Sonal Varma: The terrorist situation will remain a problem area

Sonal Varma

India should gain political power as a nation. We will also be better off financially than many other nations like us. There will be some betrayal though and talks with Pakistan will go off the rails.

There’s still a problem area on the terrorist front and if at all we avert an attack, it will be by sheer chance since we’re still not prepared to tackle these threats. But external threats will continue to pose more problems than any internal threats.

Financially, we will not be as affected by the recession as others. The job market will pick up but not to the extent that it should. The outsourcing sector will grow though so this is a good place to be, job-wise.

The Sensex is unlikely to touch 20,000, though it means that the downside will be limited too.

The Indian cricket team under M.S. Dhoni will have a mixed year

As for celebrities, of the three Khans — Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir — Aamir will have the best 2010. For Shah Rukh, it will be an average year and if at all there’s a hit, it will be an overseas hit. Salman’s position will dip drastically in the middle of the year but there will be a radical change in his approach to work in the last quarter. Hrithik Roshan will make a quiet start to the year but he will end it with a bang.

As for M.S. Dhoni, he will lose his stature though I won’t go as far as to say he will lose the captaincy. The Indian cricket team under him will be in top form in the middle of the year but it will end the year with a pathetic performance.

Coming to industry, all eyes are on the Mukesh Ambani versus Anil Ambani fight. I believe that there will be an out-of-court settlement between the two. Anil will be betrayed pretty badly but Mukesh will not gain as much from it as expected. They’ll end the year in a fairly balanced position.