Temperature checks being done on employees who resumed work. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Neptune is posited alone in the 1st House of Sri Lanka’s national horoscope or the Mundane Map at the dawn of the Sinhala/Tamil New Year at 20.23 hours on April 13, 2020 exerting an unpleasant influence on the country. Neptune’s unpleasant influence could mean turning things upside down, say astrologers. 

Public health and general state of affairs in a chaotic situation
The 1st House in the horoscope of a country denotes the people, the general state of affairs in the country and in a general sense the public health. So, it is no wonder that the dawn of the National Year 2020 witnessed the public health and the general state of affairs in the country in a chaotic situation!

A sharp decline in revenue from exports
Mercury is placed in the 2nd House receiving the special aspect of Saturn in the 12th House.  The 2nd House has special reference to the financial condition of the nation. Mercury in the 2nd House if well aspected signifies gains in trade and commerce and increased revenue to the Exchequer. However, given an afflicted Mercury in this House, a sharp decline in revenue from exports is indicated.

Disruptions to communications and setback to newspaper industry
Uranus is posited in the 3rd  House receiving the special aspect of Mars.  This House rules, public transport including railways, telecommunications, postal service, newspapers and literary undertakings.  The malefic influence of Uranus in the 3rd House means serious disruptions to the entire communication system, public transport and a severe setback to the newspaper industry. However, there will be a marked improvement in the situation with Jupiter’s ingress into Sagittarius on June 30, 2020 from where it will cast its beneficial aspect on the 3rd House. 

Good weather, good harvests and progress in the agricultural sector
The 4th House rules the country’s land area in general as well as agriculture, crops, mines and minerals. Venus is occupying the 4th House and its placement in this House holds out generally good weather, good harvests and progress in the agricultural sector.

Closure of schools, cinemas and theatre halls
The 5th House in the country’s Mundane Map signifies schools, cinema and theatre halls. Rahu is posited in the 5th House. The New Year would witness the closure of schools and places for amusement. However, the situation will limp back to normal with Jupiter moving into Sagittarius on June 30 to cast a beneficial aspect over the 5th House.

Public health services and security forces under severe stress and strain
The 6th House rules the general condition of the working classes, public health, public service and security forces.  The direct aspect of three malefics, Mars, Saturn and Pluto over this House would bring the public health personnel, public service and security forces under severe stress and strain. A trying period for the working classes is also on the cards. The situation will change for the better by the end of June 2020.

No adverse impact on relations with foreign countries
There is no planet occupying the 7thHouse, but it comes under the special aspect of Mars from the 12th House.  This House represents the country’s relations with foreign countries and international affairs. Jupiter’s influence will counter the malefic effect of Mars’ aspect over the 7th  House when the planet moves into his own sign Sagittarius on June 30. Therefore, no circumstances that could bring about an adverse impact on the country’s relations with foreign countries are foreseen. On the contrary, a vast improvement in the relations with foreign countries for the immense benefit of the country is on the cards.

No marked increase in mortality rate
The 8th House rules deaths and mortality rate. The dawn of the New Year saw Mars casting his malefic aspect over the House, holding out a threat of mortalities from various causes. However, the situation will change for the better when Jupiter moves into Sagittarius by June 30 to cast a benevolent aspect over the House. 

No adverse impact on judiciary and religious institutions
The 9th House rules religion, clergy, law courts and legal matters. There will be no malefic planetary influence which could cause an adverse impact on the country’s judiciary and the religious institutions.

Smooth operation of governance, administration and law and order
The 10th House rules the Executive, Parliament, administration, foreign trade and law order. There is no planet occupying the 10th House and it comes under the direct beneficial aspect of Swakshetra Venus. This planetary position assures a smooth operation of the country’s system of governance and public administration with law and order well established.

Several changes in the Cabinet
The 11th House denotes legislature, legislation, state revenue, gains from foreign trade and future plans. A weak Moon is posited in this House with Ketu. Several changes in the Cabinet, bitter verbal exchanges in Parliamentary debates and a decline in state revenue are on the cards.

Heavy financial losses, high state expenditure, a sharp increase in foreign debt and group hospitalizations
The 12th House rules financial losses, public expenditures, mishaps, group hospitalizations and foreign debt. This is the House in Sri Lanka’s national horoscope worst affected. The dawn of the New Year saw three malefics, Mars, Saturn, Pluto and a debilitated and powerless Jupiter placed in the 12th House.  This malefic planetary combination holds out heavy financial losses, high state expenditure, a sharp increase in foreign debt and group hospitalizations. The situation will turn for the better by June 30, 2020.