I've been watching the live feeds non-stop and I cannot describe the emotions I have felt watching my beloved city, my home being attacked. But I am tired of feeling helpless, when I have my voice and hence this letter. I am a human being and a citizen of the world and I take the liberty to speak to you today as the voice of an Indian. Not because it means any more than terror anywhere else in the world. But because being born and having lived more than two-thirds of my life in Mumbai, has left a deep indelible sacred fingerprint on my soul and I know I can only speak of my experience. But make no mistake about it, you could replace every reference to India or Mumbai with 'your' country and city; the same disaster to ensue if the world and we human beings do not take united action now.
As one person being interviewed on the streets of Mumbai said -- the fire isn't raging at the Taj, its raging in here [the heart of every Mumbaikar.] How would you feel if you saw iconic symbol of your city destroyed; what if it also housed your favourite bookstore, where you bought your first astrology book [and many since] at the age of five go up in flames? If you can imagine that then you can feel a little bit like I do today. I know every Taurus is reeling with the thought. I may speak as an Indian today but we all know we fight a common enemy. It's just time to redefine who that is.
I am outraged, disgusted, sad and in poignant pain mixed with awe over what has happened. I say awe because I know God works in mysterious ways. The darkest hour is always before dawn and it had to be so, for change to happen; this was Pluto's last gasp in Sagittarius to make sure we got the message. It is clear that the people of Mumbai feel the same. It's one thing to be an astrologer and predict and see and know "intellectually" what can happen. But to watch it emerge and unfold as a stark reality is quite something else. I can now also "see" in a very real way that the time for change is now. This is Pluto in Capricorn all right, and if anyone wants to know what that means for all of us, please take a look at what is going on India. We are about to learn just how deep and twisted this rabbit hole of "terror" goes.
There is ONE voice that's rising strong and clear [New Moon in Sagittarius conjunct Mercury and Mars]. In every interview I have seen with citizens, survivors, celebrities, in the past 3 days. In fact they are the very words I used in my report the other day -- "Enough is ENOUGH." Yes, there is exasperation and rage about the terrorists, but the people are smart enough to realise this is a not only faceless, inhuman enemy but the failure of their own government that has led to this dark day. I know I risk alienating and offending some by my 'political incorrectness,' but quite frankly "politics" is "incorrect" by nature. I speak of the evil called "politics" not the poor people (you and me) who are caught up in the vile agenda of power hungry monsters. This is my truth, my voice and I stand by it.
The Pakistani ISI has been long known to have training camps for Islamic terrorist groups like the Lashkar e Tayiba. And I say this knowing full well that I have dear friends and readers from Pakistan. But how can I point fingers at another government when my members of my own country's government don't give a damn; revealing a complete lack of awareness of the gravity of the situation. "Mumbai is a big city and incidents like this happen" said RR Patil the deputy chief minister. It is shocking and offensive: the level of insolence and total disrespect for all the lives lost and the brave men of the army, NSG, commandos all those who gave and lost lives. As more than one person from ordinary people to prominent figures of Mumbai's society, said in no unequivocal terms, "If the politicians dared come to Mumbai they would be in for some very unpleasant surprises," to put it mildly.
Indians are not stupid. We know our politicians are corrupt. But this is true of politicians anywhere in the world, the 'first world' only does it in a more 'civilised' sterilised way. President Bush's speech although showing support, I'm sorry to say was just trite. Considering the mess his government has created to further their own political agenda leaves him with no credibility in my book. Mumbai (and India) has had a series of terror attacks, since 1993 with casualties much greater than the numbers today. But now, because it's a global thing and westerners lost their lives you pay attention? Please, spare me the rhetoric. And while I'm being honest, let me say I am equally to blame for often "tuning out" of politics, even if it is to save my sanity -- it is no excuse any more.
This is not about Hindu's and Muslim's either, which is exactly what the terrorists and politicians want to happen. If India and Pakistan are at war, they get to continue their operations with lesser disturbance and attention of both the military forces. And only the "people" will suffer yet again. Just like the political agenda that began this poison 60 years ago when the British divided the country using their "divide and rule" policy. The partition of India and Pakistan was one of the most devastating human migrations in history in the toll it took on human lives. It's not about countries. Pluto in Capricorn suggests we also need to redefine our understanding of boundaries. We are free human beings; we cannot allow ourselves not defined by the actions of a government we don't believe in. Politics is dirty business; anyone who doesn't know this already is in for a rude awakening.
This is not a religious war, and most people have been awake to this truth for a long time. Now the time has come to speak it and live it. This is not about Hindu's and Muslims in either country. India is home to the largest population of Muslims in any country in the world. I was born a Hindu, thought I was Catholic, until I learned I was just a child of God and I have dear friends who are Muslim. This is not about religion, this is about the politics that create desperation within a human being that drives them to cause this level of senseless death and destruction; and they haven't achieved anything -- not for themselves or their true needs, which aren't being met.
India is made of the heart and soul of its people. There is a often a seemingly lackadaisical attitude to life, or tendency towards complacency that perhaps stems from an ultimate resignation to fate or a feeling of "God will make it alright." But they are also fiercely emotional and sentimental people, and with a great deal of pride and integrity. You can see this in the Cancer Moon and Leo Sun of India's independence chart. The chart of the attacks dramatically and poignantly pierces India's Cancer Moon. The terrorist wanted to pierce our very hearts and souls; and they did, but instead of killing the peoples spirit it has only set free their determination. The terrorists failed miserably, as they are about to find out.
Nothing riles up Indians than emotions and this has woken up India's inherent spiritual consciousness. I think the world is about to see true patriotism -- that explodes from this lion-hearted nation. Not through the voice of some politician telling us "there are evil people out there." Yes there is exasperation and rage about the terrorists, but we Indian's are smart enough to realise this is not just a fight against a faceless, coward enemy, but it is the failure of their own government that has led them to this dark day.
People are not going to stand for this. Pluto is Capricorn and this corruption in government is going down. Uranus is direct, Neptune and Chiron are direct in Aquarius and a revolution has begun. You can be sure, as history has proved time and again, there is nothing more undefeatable than the heart, soul and resolve of a billion Indians who know how to instantly dissolve into One voice and One spirit when their beloved sacred freedom and spirit of their oneness is threatened. This is the country of the Quit India Movement, Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Lokmanya Tilak and countless other freedom fighters and revolutionaries; (extra)ordinary people who stepped up to the call of truth. "Truth alone triumphs."
On January 26 India celebrates Republic Day. This is also the day of the Aquarius New Moon eclipse that makes many important connections to India's astrological chart. A revolution of some sort seems imminent. This is also around the time President Obama takes oath. As a best case scenario the Indian government will rise to the occasion and present a united front on this global war on terror, and the international community responds with a greater collaboration. Just as much as there is corruption in government, there is a real chance for truth and justice to take a stand. There is plenty of hope for a revolution that allows us to do things very differently than we have done until now. We can see this change in America. Barack Obama is now President Elect because people wanted their voice heard. We are in a new era and need new rules in politics. He is a Leo and Leo's make natural leaders; he represents a core truth of the people [Neptune in Aquarius] and he works through his heart not ego [both Leo energies.]
We can't start overthrowing governments but we can keep a strict watch on them as citizens of a free world, who give a damn. We can also choose who we give power too. A democratic government is said to be: of the people, by the people, for the people. India is the largest democracy in the world and home to 1.2 billion people living all over the world. It is possible for a resounding voice to be heard if we speak together now. With Pluto changing signs and the Moon in extreme waning Scorpio at the time of the attacks it is likely this issue is going to stay focused within this region for a while.
But this is not just India's fight but a fight for humanity itself. Death knows no colour, boundaries or religion and it will strike again unless each and every person with some sense of purpose takes a stand. Neptune is in Aquarius conjunct Chiron and the North Node. A deep awareness is birthing dissolving the illusion of boundaries that divide us, pulling us into the future. This is not just astrology, this is real life. Our strength is in our oneness. Our enemy are not only deranged and misguided souls who chose to destroy life, but also those in power who protect them. Over this coming period, it is the duty of each of us to protect and claim our freedom. I may not have all the answers, but I intend to keep asking questions.
If you want to tell your story too about what you went through that horrific night and its aftermath, please do write in to citizen.speak@rediffmail.com
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