When will US Marines attack Taliban stronghold?

[Guest guest]

Hello list,

 

According to the following news story the US Marines in Afghanistan are waiting for their orders to attack a Taleban stronghold. This raises the question if the SAMVA USA chart can help us time such an event.

 

US troops close Taliban escape route before attack

 

 

 

 

AP – U.S. Marines patrol outside Marjah in Afghanistan's Helmand province on Thursday Feb. 11, 2010.

Associated Press – February 11, 2010 - 17 mins ago

 

NEAR MARJAH, Afghanistan – U.S. and Afghan soldiers linked up with Marines on the outskirts of the Taliban stronghold of Marjah on Thursday, sealing off escape routes and setting the stage for what is being described as the biggest offensive of the nine-year war. Taliban defenders repeatedly fired rockets and mortars at units poised in foxholes along the edge of the town, apparently trying to lure NATO forces into skirmishes before the big attack. "They're trying to draw us in," said Capt. Joshua Winfrey, 30, of Tulsa, Okla., commander of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines. Up to 1,000 militants are believed holed up in Marjah, a key Taliban logistics base and center of the lucrative opium poppy trade. But the biggest threats are likely to be the land mines and bombs hidden in the roads and fields of the farming community, 380 miles (610 kilometers) southwest of Kabul.

The precise date for the attack has been kept secret. U.S. officials have signaled for weeks they planned to seize Marjah, a town of about 80,000 people in Helmand province and the biggest community in southern Afghanistan under Taliban control.

http://news./s/ap/20100211/ap_on_re_as/as_afghanistan

 

 

In an effort to test the chart for timing such events, I look at two times in the near future - assuming the US Marines are not settling into a siege.

 

The first time that looks plausible for the US military to launch the offensive is when transit 1st lord Moon becomes opposite transit 10th lord Mars, with transit Mercury as 3rd lord of initiative near by. Transit 2nd lord Sun will still be in the 7th house. This time is around 8:40 am GMT February 12, 2010.

 

Another possible time is when 3rd lord Mercury becomes exactly opposite transit 10th lord Mars and transit 1st lord Moon becomes conjunct natal Sun as 2nd lord. Transit 2nd lord Sun will have moved into the 8th house. This time is around 10:50 am GMT February 13, 2010.

 

At this stage, I have not explored other possible times further down the line.

 

Let us see.

 

Thor

[Guest guest]

Hello list,

 

BBC is reporting that a major offensive by NATO forces began at 21:30 GMT on February 12, 2010.

 

Major Afghanistan offensive 'launched in Marjah'

23:30 GMT, Friday, 12 February 2010

Thousands of American and Afghan troops have launched the biggest offensive in Afghanistan since the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001, the US military says. Helicopter-borne US marines and Afghan troops are attacking the Taliban-held town of Marjah in Nad Ali district in a bid to re-establish government control. Nato says Marjah is home to the biggest community under insurgent control in the south and 400 to 1,000 militants. Many residents fled ahead of

Operation Moshtarak - meaning "together" in Dari…The assault was preceded by illumination flares, which were fired over the town at about 0200 (2130 GMT), the Associated Press reported. "The first wave of choppers has landed inside Marjah. The operation has begun," said Capt Joshua Winfrey, commander of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, which was at the forefront of the attack.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8513665.stm

 

This time, 9:30 pm GMT on Feburary 12, is about half way between the two times suggested as possibilities:

8:40 am GMT on February 12 or 10:50 am GMT February 13.

 

Importantly, while the event was not exactly timed, the suggestion for the offensive to take placed was due to the significant aspect for such an act at this time - the opposition aspect between transit Mercury, as lord of action, at 9° 35' Capricorn and transit Mars, the indicator of the military, at 10° 33' Rx Cancer. Moreover, both planets aspect natal Mercury at 12° 05' Capricorn. The Moon was at 16° 50' Capricorn and the Sun had just moved into the 8th house, at 0° 03' Aquarius, when the offensive began. The chart for this event is attached.

 

Thor

 

 

 

Cosmologer <cosmologersamva Sent: Thu, February 11, 2010 8:11:49 PM When will US Marines attack Taliban stronghold?

 

 

Hello list,

 

According to the following news story the US Marines in Afghanistan are waiting for their orders to attack a Taleban stronghold. This raises the question if the SAMVA USA chart can help us time such an event.

 

US troops close Taliban escape route before attack

 

 

 

 

AP – U.S. Marines patrol outside Marjah in Afghanistan's Helmand province on Thursday Feb. 11, 2010.

Associated Press – February 11, 2010 - 17 mins ago

 

NEAR MARJAH, Afghanistan – U.S. and Afghan soldiers linked up with Marines on the outskirts of the Taliban stronghold of Marjah on Thursday, sealing off escape routes and setting the stage for what is being described as the biggest offensive of the nine-year war. Taliban defenders repeatedly fired rockets and mortars at units poised in foxholes along the edge of the town, apparently trying to lure NATO forces into skirmishes before the big attack. "They're trying to draw us in," said Capt. Joshua Winfrey, 30, of Tulsa, Okla., commander of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines. Up to 1,000 militants are believed holed up in Marjah, a key Taliban logistics base and center of the lucrative opium poppy trade. But the biggest threats are likely to be the land mines and bombs hidden in the roads and fields of the farming community, 380 miles (610 kilometers) southwest of Kabul.

The precise date for the attack has been kept secret. U.S. officials have signaled for weeks they planned to seize Marjah, a town of about 80,000 people in Helmand province and the biggest community in southern Afghanistan under Taliban control.

http://news./s/ap/20100211/ap_on_re_as/as_afghanistan

 

 

In an effort to test the chart for timing such events, I look at two times in the near future - assuming the US Marines are not settling into a siege.

 

The first time that looks plausible for the US military to launch the offensive is when transit 1st lord Moon becomes opposite transit 10th lord Mars, with transit Mercury as 3rd lord of initiative near by. Transit 2nd lord Sun will still be in the 7th house. This time is around 8:40 am GMT February 12, 2010.

 

Another possible time is when 3rd lord Mercury becomes exactly opposite transit 10th lord Mars and transit 1st lord Moon becomes conjunct natal Sun as 2nd lord. Transit 2nd lord Sun will have moved into the 8th house. This time is around 10:50 am GMT February 13, 2010.

 

At this stage, I have not explored other possible times further down the line.

 

Let us see.

 

Thor

 

 

1 of 1 Photo(s)

[Guest guest]

Hello dear Vinod,

 

As mentioned before, it is hard to make predictions for phenomena that reflect influences from all over the world based on a single mundane chart. While we see how the conditions are likely to be in the country, we have to distinguish between an absolute interpretation and a relative one. How did the US fare given the difficult news coming out of Iran, Europe and China this week? The news was uniformly bad all week long, but US stocks did reasonably well for the remainder of the week - as predicted on Tuesday. In other words, relative to many other countries, the US clearly did well. In an absolute sense, the stocks even managed to gain ground during those three days, rising from 10,039 on Wednesday morning to end at 10,099 by Fridays close. So, based on either criteria, but especially the relative one, the stock market prediction fared well.

 

While not pinpoint accurate, the same can be said for the suggested timing for the launch of the offensive. While the media was already discussing the troop build up and preparations when the respective times were mentioned, the actual timing was uncertain. As it turned out, and as you note, the action was launched within a time frame consistent with relevant close transits-to-transit and transit-to-natal contacts in the chart as explained in the post.

 

Thor

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vinod Modi <modivinod62SAMVA Sent: Sat, February 13, 2010 1:11:48 AMRe: When will US Marines attack Taliban stronghold?

dear Thor,as you mentioned in your post attack was started on 12th of february as you had predicted, exactly true.your 2nd post was how the market will do today as mentioned that even though it quite highly negative by the end of the day it might change and it did close down by 45 points. was thinking same or different/.????Please elaborate when you can thank you vinod

On Fri, Feb 12, 2010 at 7:19 PM, Cosmologer <cosmologer wrote:

 

 

[Attachment(s) from Cosmologer included below]

 

Hello list,

 

BBC is reporting that a major offensive by NATO forces began at 21:30 GMT on February 12, 2010.

 

Major Afghanistan offensive 'launched in Marjah'

23:30 GMT, Friday, 12 February 2010

Thousands of American and Afghan troops have launched the biggest offensive in Afghanistan since the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001, the US military says. Helicopter-borne US marines and Afghan troops are attacking the Taliban-held town of Marjah in Nad Ali district in a bid to re-establish government control. Nato says Marjah is home to the biggest community under insurgent control in the south and 400 to 1,000 militants. Many residents fled ahead of Operation Moshtarak - meaning "together" in Dari…The assault was preceded by illumination flares, which were fired over the town at about 0200 (2130 GMT), the Associated Press reported. "The first wave of choppers has landed inside Marjah. The operation has begun," said Capt Joshua Winfrey, commander of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines,

which was at the forefront of the attack.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8513665.stm

 

This time, 9:30 pm GMT on Feburary 12, is about half way between the two times suggested as possibilities:

8:40 am GMT on February 12 or 10:50 am GMT February 13.

 

Importantly, while the event was not exactly timed, the suggestion for the offensive to take placed was due to the significant aspect for such an act at this time - the opposition aspect between transit Mercury, as lord of action, at 9° 35' Capricorn and transit Mars, the indicator of the military, at 10° 33' Rx Cancer. Moreover, both planets aspect natal Mercury at 12° 05' Capricorn. The Moon was at 16° 50' Capricorn and the Sun had just moved into the 8th house, at 0° 03' Aquarius, when the offensive began. The chart for this event is attached.

 

Thor

 

 

 

Cosmologer <cosmologersamva Sent: Thu, February 11, 2010 8:11:49 PM When will US Marines attack Taliban stronghold?

 

Hello list,

 

According to the following news story the US Marines in Afghanistan are waiting for their orders to attack a Taleban stronghold. This raises the question if the SAMVA USA chart can help us time such an event.

 

US troops close Taliban escape route before attack

 

 

 

 

AP – U.S. Marines patrol outside Marjah in Afghanistan's Helmand province on Thursday Feb. 11, 2010.

Associated Press – February 11, 2010 - 17 mins ago

 

NEAR MARJAH, Afghanistan – U.S. and Afghan soldiers linked up with Marines on the outskirts of the Taliban stronghold of Marjah on Thursday, sealing off escape routes and setting the stage for what is being described as the biggest offensive of the nine-year war. Taliban defenders repeatedly fired rockets and mortars at units poised in foxholes along the edge of the town, apparently trying to lure NATO forces into skirmishes before the big attack. "They're trying to draw us in," said Capt. Joshua Winfrey, 30, of Tulsa, Okla., commander of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines. Up to 1,000 militants are believed holed up in Marjah, a key Taliban logistics base and center of the lucrative opium poppy trade. But the biggest threats are likely to be the land mines and bombs hidden in the roads and fields of the farming community, 380 miles (610 kilometers) southwest of Kabul. The precise date for the attack has

been kept secret. U.S. officials have signaled for weeks they planned to seize Marjah, a town of about 80,000 people in Helmand province and the biggest community in southern Afghanistan under Taliban control.

http://news./s/ap/20100211/ap_on_re_as/as_afghanistan

 

 

In an effort to test the chart for timing such events, I look at two times in the near future - assuming the US Marines are not settling into a siege.

 

The first time that looks plausible for the US military to launch the offensive is when transit 1st lord Moon becomes opposite transit 10th lord Mars, with transit Mercury as 3rd lord of initiative near by. Transit 2nd lord Sun will still be in the 7th house. This time is around 8:40 am GMT February 12, 2010.

 

Another possible time is when 3rd lord Mercury becomes exactly opposite transit 10th lord Mars and transit 1st lord Moon becomes conjunct natal Sun as 2nd lord. Transit 2nd lord Sun will have moved into the 8th house. This time is around 10:50 am GMT February 13, 2010.

 

At this stage, I have not explored other possible times further down the line.

 

Let us see.

 

Thor

[Guest guest]

Hello Peter and list,

 

> Peter: "I would say NATO will not be successful since Mars is in Retrograde Motion".

 

First let me note that SA does not recognize retrograde motion as a seperate influence.

 

Second, this particular action was launched when transit Mars and transit Mercury were in mutual opposition in good houses, and while also aspecting natal Mercury in the SAMVA USA chart. That would tend to be an auspicious sign for the operation under study.

 

 

Nato hails major Afghan operation

00:16 GMT, Sunday, 14 February 2010

Nato forces in Afghanistan have hailed as a success the first phase of a major operation to oust the Taliban from two key districts of Helmand in the south. More than 15,000 US, UK and Afghan troops swept into Marjah and Nad Ali before dawn. UK and US officials said key day one objectives had been met. Two Nato deaths, including one Briton, have been confirmed. Afghan forces said 20 militants had been killed. Operation Moshtarak is the biggest attack since the Taliban fell in 2001.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8514397.stm

 

Third, like Churchill, however, we should make a distinction between a battle and a war. There may, indeed, be more difficulties ahead for the Nato forces. We may also look to the experience with the present war in Afghanistan, since it started in 2001 as well as the fact that the Taliban forces eluded and embarrassed the greater military might of Russia in the 1980s.

 

Fourth, in terms of what lies ahead, we may look to the strength of Mars, the indicator of the military for some clue. We find that it is debilitated and afflicted in transit at the present time but strong natally in the SAMVA USA chart. The natal strenght reflects the inherent military strength of the US. The transit problems of Mars suggest things are likely to remain difficult for the military while

a) natal Mars is afflicted by transit Saturn as 8th lord from December 2009 to February 2010

b) transit Mars debilitated in transit from approx. October 2009 to June 2010.

 

Fifth, we can note that the difficulty may change phases as Saturn is now in retrograde motion. As its aspect to Mars recedes, the difficulty for the indications of Mars is expected to decrease. Meanwhile, as Saturns aspect to natal Jupiter as 6th lord becomes closer, the difficulty for its indications are expected to increase. This would likely have implications for the US military given that the 6th house rules conflict. Moreover, as the natal strength of Mars is seen to be somewhat greater than that of Jupiter and Mars is an FB while Jupiter is an FM, the aspect to Jupiter may be more difficult. Once 8th lord Saturn goes stationary at 4° Virgo in May and June 2010, the difficulty is likely to manifest in terms of the war effort, as the 6th house rules conflict, as well as health and judicial matters. Adding to the strain at that time would be the transit of

Jupiter into early Pisces when it will be in opposition aspect to the stationary Saturn and aspecting its own placement. In July 2010 transit Jupiter will closely afflict natal Mars, but then go retrograde. We should recall that the 6th lord is the least malefic planet and the 8th lord the most malefic, so the difficulty, would be less for the indications of the military, focused on conflicutal matters. The opposition aspect of transit Jupiter with transit Saturn, in forward motion, will become exact at 8° Virgo-Pisces in mid August 2010.

 

Finally, as the news story highlights, the US-led Nato operation into town of Marjah, if anything, has been successfully completed.

 

Thor

 

Nato hails major Afghan operation

00:16 GMT, Sunday, 14 February 2010

Nato forces in Afghanistan have hailed as a success the first phase of a major operation to oust the Taliban from two key districts of Helmand in the south. More than 15,000 US, UK and Afghan troops swept into Marjah and Nad Ali before dawn. UK and US officials said key day one objectives had been met. Two Nato deaths, including one Briton, have been confirmed. Afghan forces said 20 militants had been killed. Operation Moshtarak is the biggest attack since the Taliban fell in 2001.

 

'Minimal interference'

Moshtarak - which means "together" in the local Dari language - is being led by 4,000 US Marines, supported by 4,000 British troops, a large Afghan force and Canadians, Danes and Estonians. The offensive began with waves of helicopters ferrying US Marines into Marjah. British troops then flew into Nad Ali district, to the north, followed by tanks and combat units. More than 1,000 British troops took part in trying to secure the Chah-e Anjir Triangle north-east of Marjah. Maj-Gen Gordon Messenger told a briefing in London there had been "sporadic fighting" and the Taliban were unable to "put up a coherent response". He said: "The key objectives have been secured and have been done so with minimal interference." However, one

British soldier, from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, was killed by an explosion in Nad Ali. Gen Messenger said that "low numbers" of insurgents had been killed during the attack. Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised the UK forces for their action. He said: "This day will be long remembered as the day when a new phase of the campaign to win the support of the people of Afghanistan was initiated. And I'm very proud of the exceptional role that British forces have played in that." A senior US official told the BBC in Washington that "it

seems that all of our objectives for day one have been met" adding that "this seems to have been achieved with minimum loss of life and minimum violence". But the official added: "We still believe there to be armed insurgents in the area and in waiting." Earlier, Lt Col Brian Christmas told the Associated Press there had been sustained gun battles in four parts of Marjah. AP reported Marjah residents as saying Taliban insurgents had fallen back into the centre of the town. A Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousef Ahmadi, spoke to a number of news agencies, saying insurgents were still resisting in Marjah and were engaged in hit-and-run tactics. Another Taliban spokesman, Mullah Mohammed, had earlier told ABC News that his men were pulling back to spare any civilian casualties. Mohammad Zazai, commander of Afghan troops in the operation, said that 20 militants had been

killed and 11 detained. It was estimated there were between 400 and 1,000 militants based in the region before Operation Moshtarak was launched. Nato's aim is to secure Marjah - a town of 80,000 - and surrounding areas as soon as possible and then bring in aid and public services.

 

Civilian support'

In Kabul, Nato civilian representative Mark Sedwill said the news of the Nato-led attack "appeared to be positive" although he stressed it was still early. He said it was vital to bring in "civilian support from the Afghan government" as soon as possible. Afghan Defence Minister Gen Rahim Wardak also said it was important to bring in local security forces quickly. He said there had been "sporadic resistance" and there was a threat from booby-traps left by the Taliban. "The area has been heavily mined, that's why we are moving so slowly," he said in Kabul. One canal bridge into Marjah was particularly heavily mined. US Marine ordnance units advanced through the town exploding bombs when located. One other Nato fatality - from small-arms fire - in

Operation Moshtarak was confirmed on Saturday, although no other details were given. Three US soldiers were also killed by an improvised explosive device in southern Afghanistan, Nato said, although was unclear if it was related to Moshtarak. Marjah has also long been regarded as a linchpin of the lucrative network for smuggling opium - the raw ingredient used to make heroin - harvested from Helmand's poppy fields. Nato had distributed leaflets in the area warning of the planned offensive in a bid to limit civilian casualties. The operation is part of an effort to secure a 320-km (200-mile) horseshoe-shaped string of towns that runs along the Helmand River, through Kandahar and on to the

Pakistani border.

 

ANALYSIS Frank Gardner, BBC News, Kandahar

- It was the largest helicopter-borne assault ever undertaken in Afghanistan and it was almost unopposed. Sixty coalition helicopters took off before dawn to insert thousands of US, British and Afghan troops. But the real challenge is following this military manoeuvre with lasting security for the residents of central Helmand.

- The Taliban and other insurgents have kept a relatively low profile during this offensive but intelligence officers here at operation headquarters in Kandahar believe they are likely to try to exploit any opportunity to reverse the gains made by Nato and the Afghan government forces.

- This operation is the first major test for President Obama's new strategy in Afghanistan. Its success or failure depends on whether it can be swiftly followed by security and good governance.

 

MARJAH: 'TALIBAN STRONGHOLD'

- Town and district about 40km (25 miles) south-west of Lashkar Gah

- Lies in Helmand's 'Green Zone' - an irrigated area of lush vegetation and farmland

- Last remaining major Taliban stronghold in southern Helmand

- Area considered a centre for assembling roadside bombs

- Key supply centre for opium poppies - lucrative revenue source for Taliban

- Estimates of Taliban numbers range up to 1,000

- Population of Marjah town put at 80,000 while the whole of Marjah district is thought to have 125,000

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8514397.stm

 

 

 

Peter P <peterannarborSAMVA Sent: Sun, February 14, 2010 2:35:20 AMRe: When will US Marines attack Taliban stronghold?

 

 

I would say NATO will not be successful since Mars is in Retrograde Motion.

 

 

 

Cosmologer <cosmologerSAMVA Sent: Fri, February 12, 2010 7:19:46 PMRe: When will US Marines attack Taliban stronghold? [1 Attachment]

 

 

Hello list,

 

BBC is reporting that a major offensive by NATO forces began at 21:30 GMT on February 12, 2010.

 

Major Afghanistan offensive 'launched in Marjah'

23:30 GMT, Friday, 12 February 2010

Thousands of American and Afghan troops have launched the biggest offensive in Afghanistan since the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001, the US military says. Helicopter-borne US marines and Afghan troops are attacking the Taliban-held town of Marjah in Nad Ali district in a bid to re-establish government control. Nato says Marjah is home to the biggest community under insurgent control in the south and 400 to 1,000 militants. Many residents fled ahead of Operation Moshtarak - meaning "together" in Dari…The assault was preceded by illumination flares, which were fired over the town at about 0200 (2130 GMT), the Associated Press reported. "The first wave of choppers has landed inside Marjah. The operation has begun," said Capt Joshua Winfrey, commander of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines,

which was at the forefront of the attack.

http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/south_ asia/8513665. stm

 

This time, 9:30 pm GMT on Feburary 12, is about half way between the two times suggested as possibilities:

8:40 am GMT on February 12 or 10:50 am GMT February 13.

 

Importantly, while the event was not exactly timed, the suggestion for the offensive to take placed was due to the significant aspect for such an act at this time - the opposition aspect between transit Mercury, as lord of action, at 9° 35' Capricorn and transit Mars, the indicator of the military, at 10° 33' Rx Cancer. Moreover, both planets aspect natal Mercury at 12° 05' Capricorn. The Moon was at 16° 50' Capricorn and the Sun had just moved into the 8th house, at 0° 03' Aquarius, when the offensive began. The chart for this event is attached.

 

Thor

 

 

 

Cosmologer <cosmologer >samva Thu, February 11, 2010 8:11:49 PM When will US Marines attack Taliban stronghold?

 

Hello list,

 

According to the following news story the US Marines in Afghanistan are waiting for their orders to attack a Taleban stronghold. This raises the question if the SAMVA USA chart can help us time such an event.

 

US troops close Taliban escape route before attack

 

 

 

 

AP – U.S. Marines patrol outside Marjah in Afghanistan' s Helmand province on Thursday Feb. 11, 2010.

Associated Press – February 11, 2010 - 17 mins ago

 

NEAR MARJAH, Afghanistan – U.S. and Afghan soldiers linked up with Marines on the outskirts of the Taliban stronghold of Marjah on Thursday, sealing off escape routes and setting the stage for what is being described as the biggest offensive of the nine-year war. Taliban defenders repeatedly fired rockets and mortars at units poised in foxholes along the edge of the town, apparently trying to lure NATO forces into skirmishes before the big attack. "They're trying to draw us in," said Capt. Joshua Winfrey, 30, of Tulsa, Okla., commander of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines. Up to 1,000 militants are believed holed up in Marjah, a key Taliban logistics base and center of the lucrative opium poppy trade. But the biggest threats are likely to be the land mines and bombs hidden in the roads and fields of the farming community, 380 miles (610 kilometers) southwest of Kabul. The precise date for the attack has been kept

secret. U.S. officials have signaled for weeks they planned to seize Marjah, a town of about 80,000 people in Helmand province and the biggest community in southern Afghanistan under Taliban control.

http://news. / s/ap/20100211/ ap_on_re_ as/as_afghanista n

 

 

In an effort to test the chart for timing such events, I look at two times in the near future - assuming the US Marines are not settling into a siege.

 

The first time that looks plausible for the US military to launch the offensive is when transit 1st lord Moon becomes opposite transit 10th lord Mars, with transit Mercury as 3rd lord of initiative near by. Transit 2nd lord Sun will still be in the 7th house. This time is around 8:40 am GMT February 12, 2010.

 

Another possible time is when 3rd lord Mercury becomes exactly opposite transit 10th lord Mars and transit 1st lord Moon becomes conjunct natal Sun as 2nd lord. Transit 2nd lord Sun will have moved into the 8th house. This time is around 10:50 am GMT February 13, 2010.

 

At this stage, I have not explored other possible times further down the line.

 

Let us see.

 

Thor

[Guest guest]

Hello list members,

 

Just over two weeks from commencing the operations, the US Marines and Afghan troops have cleared the former stronghold of Marjah.

 

Troops clear last pockets of resistance in Marjah

Associated Press _ February 28, 2010 – 1 hr 37 mins ago

MARJAH, Afghanistan – Marines and Afghan troops cleared the last major pocket of resistance in the former Taliban-ruled town of Marjah on Saturday — part of an offensive that is the run-up to a larger showdown this year in the most strategic part of Afghanistan's dangerous south. Although Marines say their work in Marjah isn't done, Afghans are bracing for a bigger, more comprehensive assault in neighboring Kandahar province, the birthplace of the Taliban where officials are talking to aid organizations about how to handle up to 10,000 people who could be displaced by fighting.

http://news./s/ap/20100228/ap_on_re_as/as_afghanistan

 

That said, the report also suggests major hurdles lie ahead. A major difficulty has been the ease with which the Taliban insurgents blend in with the local population. It seems all they need to do is drop their weapons to become indistinguishable from the (non-combatant)population. Moreover, the general public seems to be either unwilling or afraid to point such combatants out to the government troops.

 

Thor

 

 

 

Cosmologer <cosmologerSAMVA Sent: Sun, February 14, 2010 4:37:01 AMRe: When will US Marines attack Taliban stronghold?

 

Hello Peter and list,

 

> Peter: "I would say NATO will not be successful since Mars is in Retrograde Motion".

 

First let me note that SA does not recognize retrograde motion as a seperate influence.

 

Second, this particular action was launched when transit Mars and transit Mercury were in mutual opposition in good houses, and while also aspecting natal Mercury in the SAMVA USA chart. That would tend to be an auspicious sign for the operation under study.

 

 

Nato hails major Afghan operation

00:16 GMT, Sunday, 14 February 2010

Nato forces in Afghanistan have hailed as a success the first phase of a major operation to oust the Taliban from two key districts of Helmand in the south. More than 15,000 US, UK and Afghan troops swept into Marjah and Nad Ali before dawn. UK and US officials said key day one objectives had been met. Two Nato deaths, including one Briton, have been confirmed. Afghan forces said 20 militants had been killed. Operation Moshtarak is the biggest attack since the Taliban fell in 2001.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8514397.stm

 

Third, like Churchill, however, we should make a distinction between a battle and a war. There may, indeed, be more difficulties ahead for the Nato forces. We may also look to the experience with the present war in Afghanistan, since it started in 2001 as well as the fact that the Taliban forces eluded and embarrassed the greater military might of Russia in the 1980s.

 

Fourth, in terms of what lies ahead, we may look to the strength of Mars, the indicator of the military for some clue. We find that it is debilitated and afflicted in transit at the present time but strong natally in the SAMVA USA chart. The natal strenght reflects the inherent military strength of the US. The transit problems of Mars suggest things are likely to remain difficult for the military while

a) natal Mars is afflicted by transit Saturn as 8th lord from December 2009 to February 2010

b) transit Mars debilitated in transit from approx. October 2009 to June 2010.

 

Fifth, we can note that the difficulty may change phases as Saturn is now in retrograde motion. As its aspect to Mars recedes, the difficulty for the indications of Mars is expected to decrease. Meanwhile, as Saturns aspect to natal Jupiter as 6th lord becomes closer, the difficulty for its indications are expected to increase. This would likely have implications for the US military given that the 6th house rules conflict. Moreover, as the natal strength of Mars is seen to be somewhat greater than that of Jupiter and Mars is an FB while Jupiter is an FM, the aspect to Jupiter may be more difficult. Once 8th lord Saturn goes stationary at 4° Virgo in May and June 2010, the difficulty is likely to manifest in terms of the war effort, as the 6th house rules conflict, as well as health and judicial matters. Adding to the strain at that time would be the transit of

Jupiter into early Pisces when it will be in opposition aspect to the stationary Saturn and aspecting its own placement. In July 2010 transit Jupiter will closely afflict natal Mars, but then go retrograde. We should recall that the 6th lord is the least malefic planet and the 8th lord the most malefic, so the difficulty, would be less for the indications of the military, focused on conflicutal matters. The opposition aspect of transit Jupiter with transit Saturn, in forward motion, will become exact at 8° Virgo-Pisces in mid August 2010.

 

Finally, as the news story highlights, the US-led Nato operation into town of Marjah, if anything, has been successfully completed.

 

Thor

 

Nato hails major Afghan operation

00:16 GMT, Sunday, 14 February 2010

Nato forces in Afghanistan have hailed as a success the first phase of a major operation to oust the Taliban from two key districts of Helmand in the south. More than 15,000 US, UK and Afghan troops swept into Marjah and Nad Ali before dawn. UK and US officials said key day one objectives had been met. Two Nato deaths, including one Briton, have been confirmed. Afghan forces said 20 militants had been killed. Operation Moshtarak is the biggest attack since the Taliban fell in 2001.

 

'Minimal interference'

Moshtarak - which means "together" in the local Dari language - is being led by 4,000 US Marines, supported by 4,000 British troops, a large Afghan force and Canadians, Danes and Estonians. The offensive began with waves of helicopters ferrying US Marines into Marjah. British troops then flew into Nad Ali district, to the north, followed by tanks and combat units. More than 1,000 British troops took part in trying to secure the Chah-e Anjir Triangle north-east of Marjah. Maj-Gen Gordon Messenger told a briefing in London there had been "sporadic fighting" and the Taliban were unable to "put up a coherent response". He said: "The key objectives have been secured and have been done so with minimal interference." However, one British soldier, from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, was killed by an explosion in Nad Ali. Gen Messenger said that "low numbers" of

insurgents had been killed during the attack. Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised the UK forces for their action. He said: "This day will be long remembered as the day when a new phase of the campaign to win the support of the people of Afghanistan was initiated. And I'm very proud of the exceptional role that British forces have played in that." A senior US official told the BBC in Washington that "it seems that all of our objectives for day one have been met" adding that "this seems to have been achieved with minimum loss of life and minimum violence". But the official added: "We still believe there to be armed insurgents in the area and in waiting." Earlier, Lt Col Brian Christmas told the Associated Press there had been sustained gun battles in four parts of Marjah. AP reported Marjah residents as saying Taliban insurgents had fallen back into the centre

of the town. A Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousef Ahmadi, spoke to a number of news agencies, saying insurgents were still resisting in Marjah and were engaged in hit-and-run tactics. Another Taliban spokesman, Mullah Mohammed, had earlier told ABC News that his men were pulling back to spare any civilian casualties. Mohammad Zazai, commander of Afghan troops in the operation, said that 20 militants had been killed and 11 detained. It was estimated there were between 400 and 1,000 militants based in the region before Operation Moshtarak was launched. Nato's aim is to secure Marjah - a town of 80,000 - and surrounding areas as soon as possible and then bring in aid and public services.

 

Civilian support'

In Kabul , Nato civilian representative Mark Sedwill said the news of the Nato-led attack "appeared to be positive" although he stressed it was still early. He said it was vital to bring in "civilian support from the Afghan government" as soon as possible. Afghan Defence Minister Gen Rahim Wardak also said it was important to bring in local security forces quickly. He said there had been "sporadic resistance" and there was a threat from booby-traps left by the Taliban. "The area has been heavily mined, that's why we are moving so slowly," he said in Kabul . One canal bridge into Marjah was particularly heavily mined. US Marine ordnance units advanced through the town exploding bombs when located. One other Nato fatality - from small-arms fire - in Operation Moshtarak was confirmed on Saturday, although no other details were given. Three US soldiers were also killed by an improvised explosive device in

southern Afghanistan , Nato said, although was unclear if it was related to Moshtarak. Marjah has also long been regarded as a linchpin of the lucrative network for smuggling opium - the raw ingredient used to make heroin - harvested from Helmand 's poppy fields. Nato had distributed leaflets in the area warning of the planned offensive in a bid to limit civilian casualties. The operation is part of an effort to secure a 320-km (200-mile) horseshoe-shaped string of towns that runs along the Helmand River , through Kandahar and on to the Pakistani border.

 

ANALYSIS Frank Gardner, BBC News, Kandahar

- It was the largest helicopter-borne assault ever undertaken in Afghanistan and it was almost unopposed. Sixty coalition helicopters took off before dawn to insert thousands of US, British and Afghan troops. But the real challenge is following this military manoeuvre with lasting security for the residents of central Helmand .

- The Taliban and other insurgents have kept a relatively low profile during this offensive but intelligence officers here at operation headquarters in Kandahar believe they are likely to try to exploit any opportunity to reverse the gains made by Nato and the Afghan government forces.

- This operation is the first major test for President Obama's new strategy in Afghanistan . Its success or failure depends on whether it can be swiftly followed by security and good governance.

 

MARJAH: 'TALIBAN STRONGHOLD'

- Town and district about 40km (25 miles) south-west of Lashkar Gah

- Lies in Helmand 's 'Green Zone' - an irrigated area of lush vegetation and farmland

- Last remaining major Taliban stronghold in southern Helmand

- Area considered a centre for assembling roadside bombs

- Key supply centre for opium poppies - lucrative revenue source for Taliban

- Estimates of Taliban numbers range up to 1,000

- Population of Marjah town put at 80,000 while the whole of Marjah district is thought to have 125,000

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8514397.stm

 

 

 

Peter P <peterannarborSAMVA Sent: Sun, February 14, 2010 2:35:20 AMRe: When will US Marines attack Taliban stronghold?

 

 

I would say NATO will not be successful since Mars is in Retrograde Motion.

 

 

 

Cosmologer <cosmologerSAMVA Sent: Fri, February 12, 2010 7:19:46 PMRe: When will US Marines attack Taliban stronghold? [1 Attachment]

 

 

Hello list,

 

BBC is reporting that a major offensive by NATO forces began at 21:30 GMT on February 12, 2010.

 

Major Afghanistan offensive 'launched in Marjah'

23:30 GMT, Friday, 12 February 2010

Thousands of American and Afghan troops have launched the biggest offensive in Afghanistan since the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001, the US military says. Helicopter-borne US marines and Afghan troops are attacking the Taliban-held town of Marjah in Nad Ali district in a bid to re-establish government control. Nato says Marjah is home to the biggest community under insurgent control in the south and 400 to 1,000 militants. Many residents fled ahead of Operation Moshtarak - meaning "together" in Dari…The assault was preceded by illumination flares, which were fired over the town at about 0200 (2130 GMT), the Associated Press reported. "The first wave of choppers has landed inside Marjah. The operation has begun," said Capt Joshua Winfrey, commander of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines,

which was at the forefront of the attack.

http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/south_ asia/8513665. stm

 

This time, 9:30 pm GMT on Feburary 12, is about half way between the two times suggested as possibilities:

8:40 am GMT on February 12 or 10:50 am GMT February 13.

 

Importantly, while the event was not exactly timed, the suggestion for the offensive to take placed was due to the significant aspect for such an act at this time - the opposition aspect between transit Mercury, as lord of action, at 9° 35' Capricorn and transit Mars, the indicator of the military, at 10° 33' Rx Cancer. Moreover, both planets aspect natal Mercury at 12° 05' Capricorn. The Moon was at 16° 50' Capricorn and the Sun had just moved into the 8th house, at 0° 03' Aquarius, when the offensive began. The chart for this event is attached.

 

Thor

 

 

 

Cosmologer <cosmologer >samva Thu, February 11, 2010 8:11:49 PM When will US Marines attack Taliban stronghold?

 

Hello list,

 

According to the following news story the US Marines in Afghanistan are waiting for their orders to attack a Taleban stronghold. This raises the question if the SAMVA USA chart can help us time such an event.

 

US troops close Taliban escape route before attack

 

 

 

 

AP – U.S. Marines patrol outside Marjah in Afghanistan' s Helmand province on Thursday Feb. 11, 2010.

Associated Press – February 11, 2010 - 17 mins ago

 

NEAR MARJAH, Afghanistan – U.S. and Afghan soldiers linked up with Marines on the outskirts of the Taliban stronghold of Marjah on Thursday, sealing off escape routes and setting the stage for what is being described as the biggest offensive of the nine-year war. Taliban defenders repeatedly fired rockets and mortars at units poised in foxholes along the edge of the town, apparently trying to lure NATO forces into skirmishes before the big attack. "They're trying to draw us in," said Capt. Joshua Winfrey, 30, of Tulsa, Okla., commander of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines. Up to 1,000 militants are believed holed up in Marjah, a key Taliban logistics base and center of the lucrative opium poppy trade. But the biggest threats are likely to be the land mines and bombs hidden in the roads and fields of the farming community, 380 miles (610 kilometers) southwest of Kabul. The precise date for the attack has been kept

secret. U.S. officials have signaled for weeks they planned to seize Marjah, a town of about 80,000 people in Helmand province and the biggest community in southern Afghanistan under Taliban control.

http://news. / s/ap/20100211/ ap_on_re_ as/as_afghanista n

 

 

In an effort to test the chart for timing such events, I look at two times in the near future - assuming the US Marines are not settling into a siege.

 

The first time that looks plausible for the US military to launch the offensive is when transit 1st lord Moon becomes opposite transit 10th lord Mars, with transit Mercury as 3rd lord of initiative near by. Transit 2nd lord Sun will still be in the 7th house. This time is around 8:40 am GMT February 12, 2010.

 

Another possible time is when 3rd lord Mercury becomes exactly opposite transit 10th lord Mars and transit 1st lord Moon becomes conjunct natal Sun as 2nd lord. Transit 2nd lord Sun will have moved into the 8th house. This time is around 10:50 am GMT February 13, 2010.

 

At this stage, I have not explored other possible times further down the line.

 

Let us see.

 

Thor

[Guest guest]

Hello list,

 

Here is information to suggest the war to conquer Taliban stronghold is far from over.

 

Victory eludes key US-led operation in S. Afghanistan

DEBKAfile Special Report March 1, 2010, 9:36 PM (GMT+02:00)

More than two weeks into Operation Moshtarak (Together), the commanders of 15,000 US Marines, British and Afghan soldiers claim the first stage of their mission to wrest Marjah in the south Afghan province of Helmand from the Taliban has been accomplished and the Obama administration's new policy for Afghanistan has successfully passed its first test.British general Sir David Richards acclaimed this good run a turning point in the war on Taliban after two years during which the insurgents held the upper hand in the war. US commanders announced the international force was already looking at its next operation, the conquest of the important big town

of Kandahar City. But debkafile's military sources say that both painted the situation in Marjah in unreal colors; the US-led task force has not captured Marjah, a town of 80,000 souls, in its entirety. They are in control of the municipal government center and main police station, but have held back from going into the town's southern sector which remains in Taliban hands. From the town center, the NATO force mounts raids to loosen the Taliban's grip on the town's streets, squares and markets and try to secure its main road links.

http://www.debka.com/article/8622/

 

Thor

 

 

 

Cosmologer <cosmologerSAMVA Sent: Sun, February 28, 2010 10:53:40 AMRe: When will US Marines attack Taliban stronghold?

 

 

Hello list members,

 

Just over two weeks from commencing the operations, the US Marines and Afghan troops have cleared the former stronghold of Marjah.

 

Troops clear last pockets of resistance in Marjah

Associated Press _ February 28, 2010 – 1 hr 37 mins ago

MARJAH, Afghanistan – Marines and Afghan troops cleared the last major pocket of resistance in the former Taliban-ruled town of Marjah on Saturday — part of an offensive that is the run-up to a larger showdown this year in the most strategic part of Afghanistan's dangerous south. Although Marines say their work in Marjah isn't done, Afghans are bracing for a bigger, more comprehensive assault in neighboring Kandahar province, the birthplace of the Taliban where officials are talking to aid organizations about how to handle up to 10,000 people who could be displaced by fighting.

http://news./s/ap/20100228/ap_on_re_as/as_afghanistan

 

That said, the report also suggests major hurdles lie ahead. A major difficulty has been the ease with which the Taliban insurgents blend in with the local population. It seems all they need to do is drop their weapons to become indistinguishable from the (non-combatant)population. Moreover, the general public seems to be either unwilling or afraid to point such combatants out to the government troops.

 

Thor

 

 

 

Cosmologer <cosmologerSAMVA Sent: Sun, February 14, 2010 4:37:01 AMRe: When will US Marines attack Taliban stronghold?

 

Hello Peter and list,

 

> Peter: "I would say NATO will not be successful since Mars is in Retrograde Motion".

 

First let me note that SA does not recognize retrograde motion as a seperate influence.

 

Second, this particular action was launched when transit Mars and transit Mercury were in mutual opposition in good houses, and while also aspecting natal Mercury in the SAMVA USA chart. That would tend to be an auspicious sign for the operation under study.

 

 

Nato hails major Afghan operation

00:16 GMT, Sunday, 14 February 2010

Nato forces in Afghanistan have hailed as a success the first phase of a major operation to oust the Taliban from two key districts of Helmand in the south. More than 15,000 US, UK and Afghan troops swept into Marjah and Nad Ali before dawn. UK and US officials said key day one objectives had been met. Two Nato deaths, including one Briton, have been confirmed. Afghan forces said 20 militants had been killed. Operation Moshtarak is the biggest attack since the Taliban fell in 2001.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8514397.stm

 

Third, like Churchill, however, we should make a distinction between a battle and a war. There may, indeed, be more difficulties ahead for the Nato forces. We may also look to the experience with the present war in Afghanistan, since it started in 2001 as well as the fact that the Taliban forces eluded and embarrassed the greater military might of Russia in the 1980s.

 

Fourth, in terms of what lies ahead, we may look to the strength of Mars, the indicator of the military for some clue. We find that it is debilitated and afflicted in transit at the present time but strong natally in the SAMVA USA chart. The natal strenght reflects the inherent military strength of the US. The transit problems of Mars suggest things are likely to remain difficult for the military while

a) natal Mars is afflicted by transit Saturn as 8th lord from December 2009 to February 2010

b) transit Mars debilitated in transit from approx. October 2009 to June 2010.

 

Fifth, we can note that the difficulty may change phases as Saturn is now in retrograde motion. As its aspect to Mars recedes, the difficulty for the indications of Mars is expected to decrease. Meanwhile, as Saturns aspect to natal Jupiter as 6th lord becomes closer, the difficulty for its indications are expected to increase. This would likely have implications for the US military given that the 6th house rules conflict. Moreover, as the natal strength of Mars is seen to be somewhat greater than that of Jupiter and Mars is an FB while Jupiter is an FM, the aspect to Jupiter may be more difficult. Once 8th lord Saturn goes stationary at 4° Virgo in May and June 2010, the difficulty is likely to manifest in terms of the war effort, as the 6th house rules conflict, as well as health and judicial matters. Adding to the strain at that time would be the transit of

Jupiter into early Pisces when it will be in opposition aspect to the stationary Saturn and aspecting its own placement. In July 2010 transit Jupiter will closely afflict natal Mars, but then go retrograde. We should recall that the 6th lord is the least malefic planet and the 8th lord the most malefic, so the difficulty, would be less for the indications of the military, focused on conflicutal matters. The opposition aspect of transit Jupiter with transit Saturn, in forward motion, will become exact at 8° Virgo-Pisces in mid August 2010.

 

Finally, as the news story highlights, the US-led Nato operation into town of Marjah, if anything, has been successfully completed.

 

Thor

 

Nato hails major Afghan operation

00:16 GMT, Sunday, 14 February 2010

Nato forces in Afghanistan have hailed as a success the first phase of a major operation to oust the Taliban from two key districts of Helmand in the south. More than 15,000 US, UK and Afghan troops swept into Marjah and Nad Ali before dawn. UK and US officials said key day one objectives had been met. Two Nato deaths, including one Briton, have been confirmed. Afghan forces said 20 militants had been killed. Operation Moshtarak is the biggest attack since the Taliban fell in 2001.

 

'Minimal interference'

Moshtarak - which means "together" in the local Dari language - is being led by 4,000 US Marines, supported by 4,000 British troops, a large Afghan force and Canadians, Danes and Estonians. The offensive began with waves of helicopters ferrying US Marines into Marjah. British troops then flew into Nad Ali district, to the north, followed by tanks and combat units. More than 1,000 British troops took part in trying to secure the Chah-e Anjir Triangle north-east of Marjah. Maj-Gen Gordon Messenger told a briefing in London there had been "sporadic fighting" and the Taliban were unable to "put up a coherent response". He said: "The key objectives have been secured and have been done so with minimal interference." However, one British soldier, from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, was killed by an explosion in Nad Ali. Gen Messenger said that "low numbers" of

insurgents had been killed during the attack. Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised the UK forces for their action. He said: "This day will be long remembered as the day when a new phase of the campaign to win the support of the people of Afghanistan was initiated. And I'm very proud of the exceptional role that British forces have played in that." A senior US official told the BBC in Washington that "it seems that all of our objectives for day one have been met" adding that "this seems to have been achieved with minimum loss of life and minimum violence". But the official added: "We still believe there to be armed insurgents in the area and in waiting." Earlier, Lt Col Brian Christmas told the Associated Press there had been sustained gun battles in four parts of Marjah. AP reported Marjah residents as saying Taliban insurgents had fallen back into the centre

of the town. A Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousef Ahmadi, spoke to a number of news agencies, saying insurgents were still resisting in Marjah and were engaged in hit-and-run tactics. Another Taliban spokesman, Mullah Mohammed, had earlier told ABC News that his men were pulling back to spare any civilian casualties. Mohammad Zazai, commander of Afghan troops in the operation, said that 20 militants had been killed and 11 detained. It was estimated there were between 400 and 1,000 militants based in the region before Operation Moshtarak was launched. Nato's aim is to secure Marjah - a town of 80,000 - and surrounding areas as soon as possible and then bring in aid and public services.

 

Civilian support'

In Kabul , Nato civilian representative Mark Sedwill said the news of the Nato-led attack "appeared to be positive" although he stressed it was still early. He said it was vital to bring in "civilian support from the Afghan government" as soon as possible. Afghan Defence Minister Gen Rahim Wardak also said it was important to bring in local security forces quickly. He said there had been "sporadic resistance" and there was a threat from booby-traps left by the Taliban. "The area has been heavily mined, that's why we are moving so slowly," he said in Kabul . One canal bridge into Marjah was particularly heavily mined. US Marine ordnance units advanced through the town exploding bombs when located. One other Nato fatality - from small-arms fire - in Operation Moshtarak was confirmed on Saturday, although no other details were given. Three US soldiers were also killed by an improvised explosive device in

southern Afghanistan , Nato said, although was unclear if it was related to Moshtarak. Marjah has also long been regarded as a linchpin of the lucrative network for smuggling opium - the raw ingredient used to make heroin - harvested from Helmand 's poppy fields. Nato had distributed leaflets in the area warning of the planned offensive in a bid to limit civilian casualties. The operation is part of an effort to secure a 320-km (200-mile) horseshoe-shaped string of towns that runs along the Helmand River , through Kandahar and on to the Pakistani border.

 

ANALYSIS Frank Gardner, BBC News, Kandahar

- It was the largest helicopter-borne assault ever undertaken in Afghanistan and it was almost unopposed. Sixty coalition helicopters took off before dawn to insert thousands of US, British and Afghan troops. But the real challenge is following this military manoeuvre with lasting security for the residents of central Helmand .

- The Taliban and other insurgents have kept a relatively low profile during this offensive but intelligence officers here at operation headquarters in Kandahar believe they are likely to try to exploit any opportunity to reverse the gains made by Nato and the Afghan government forces.

- This operation is the first major test for President Obama's new strategy in Afghanistan . Its success or failure depends on whether it can be swiftly followed by security and good governance.

 

MARJAH: 'TALIBAN STRONGHOLD'

- Town and district about 40km (25 miles) south-west of Lashkar Gah

- Lies in Helmand 's 'Green Zone' - an irrigated area of lush vegetation and farmland

- Last remaining major Taliban stronghold in southern Helmand

- Area considered a centre for assembling roadside bombs

- Key supply centre for opium poppies - lucrative revenue source for Taliban

- Estimates of Taliban numbers range up to 1,000

- Population of Marjah town put at 80,000 while the whole of Marjah district is thought to have 125,000

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8514397.stm

 

 

 

Peter P <peterannarborSAMVA Sent: Sun, February 14, 2010 2:35:20 AMRe: When will US Marines attack Taliban stronghold?

 

 

I would say NATO will not be successful since Mars is in Retrograde Motion.

 

 

 

Cosmologer <cosmologerSAMVA Sent: Fri, February 12, 2010 7:19:46 PMRe: When will US Marines attack Taliban stronghold? [1 Attachment]

 

 

Hello list,

 

BBC is reporting that a major offensive by NATO forces began at 21:30 GMT on February 12, 2010.

 

Major Afghanistan offensive 'launched in Marjah'

23:30 GMT, Friday, 12 February 2010

Thousands of American and Afghan troops have launched the biggest offensive in Afghanistan since the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001, the US military says. Helicopter-borne US marines and Afghan troops are attacking the Taliban-held town of Marjah in Nad Ali district in a bid to re-establish government control. Nato says Marjah is home to the biggest community under insurgent control in the south and 400 to 1,000 militants. Many residents fled ahead of Operation Moshtarak - meaning "together" in Dari…The assault was preceded by illumination flares, which were fired over the town at about 0200 (2130 GMT), the Associated Press reported. "The first wave of choppers has landed inside Marjah. The operation has begun," said Capt Joshua Winfrey, commander of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines,

which was at the forefront of the attack.

http://news. bbc.co.uk/ 2/hi/south_ asia/8513665. stm

 

This time, 9:30 pm GMT on Feburary 12, is about half way between the two times suggested as possibilities:

8:40 am GMT on February 12 or 10:50 am GMT February 13.

 

Importantly, while the event was not exactly timed, the suggestion for the offensive to take placed was due to the significant aspect for such an act at this time - the opposition aspect between transit Mercury, as lord of action, at 9° 35' Capricorn and transit Mars, the indicator of the military, at 10° 33' Rx Cancer. Moreover, both planets aspect natal Mercury at 12° 05' Capricorn. The Moon was at 16° 50' Capricorn and the Sun had just moved into the 8th house, at 0° 03' Aquarius, when the offensive began. The chart for this event is attached.

 

Thor

 

 

 

Cosmologer <cosmologer >samva Thu, February 11, 2010 8:11:49 PM When will US Marines attack Taliban stronghold?

 

Hello list,

 

According to the following news story the US Marines in Afghanistan are waiting for their orders to attack a Taleban stronghold. This raises the question if the SAMVA USA chart can help us time such an event.

 

US troops close Taliban escape route before attack

 

 

 

 

AP – U.S. Marines patrol outside Marjah in Afghanistan' s Helmand province on Thursday Feb. 11, 2010.

Associated Press – February 11, 2010 - 17 mins ago

 

NEAR MARJAH, Afghanistan – U.S. and Afghan soldiers linked up with Marines on the outskirts of the Taliban stronghold of Marjah on Thursday, sealing off escape routes and setting the stage for what is being described as the biggest offensive of the nine-year war. Taliban defenders repeatedly fired rockets and mortars at units poised in foxholes along the edge of the town, apparently trying to lure NATO forces into skirmishes before the big attack. "They're trying to draw us in," said Capt. Joshua Winfrey, 30, of Tulsa, Okla., commander of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines. Up to 1,000 militants are believed holed up in Marjah, a key Taliban logistics base and center of the lucrative opium poppy trade. But the biggest threats are likely to be the land mines and bombs hidden in the roads and fields of the farming community, 380 miles (610 kilometers) southwest of Kabul. The precise date for the attack has been kept

secret. U.S. officials have signaled for weeks they planned to seize Marjah, a town of about 80,000 people in Helmand province and the biggest community in southern Afghanistan under Taliban control.

http://news. / s/ap/20100211/ ap_on_re_ as/as_afghanista n

 

 

In an effort to test the chart for timing such events, I look at two times in the near future - assuming the US Marines are not settling into a siege.

 

The first time that looks plausible for the US military to launch the offensive is when transit 1st lord Moon becomes opposite transit 10th lord Mars, with transit Mercury as 3rd lord of initiative near by. Transit 2nd lord Sun will still be in the 7th house. This time is around 8:40 am GMT February 12, 2010.

 

Another possible time is when 3rd lord Mercury becomes exactly opposite transit 10th lord Mars and transit 1st lord Moon becomes conjunct natal Sun as 2nd lord. Transit 2nd lord Sun will have moved into the 8th house. This time is around 10:50 am GMT February 13, 2010.

 

At this stage, I have not explored other possible times further down the line.

 

Let us see.

 

Thor