Uranus in Gemini after 84 years, spells catastrophe: What history says and how signs can beware!
The reason? Uranus is entering the dual sign of Gemini today. The last time this happened was 84 years back. Now while from the perspective of theory, movement and readings this may be a cosmic nerds paradise, Uranus' very short but incredibly enduring history of entering Gemini is...disastrous to say the least. In astrological terms, the planet of Uranus represents revolution, innovation, individuality and sudden, often unforeseen changes. In the same breath, the very core theme of Gemini is its dual nature and a need for adaptability through communication. Geminis are a slick sign — and we mean this in the best way possible — but for this transit, which mind you is set to last 8 years — the energies of Uranus have completely overtaken that of Gemini's with the latter's core themes acting as more of a catalyst as oppsoed to the whole landscape.
Coming to what we can anticipate, Uranus has made sure each of its transits through Gemini have left an impact of massive global scale. Astrologer and psychic Evan Nathaniel Grim revisits April 1775, 1859, 1941 and 1942, which is when this exact transit had occurred in the past centuries. The first is when the battle between the British military and American colonists broke out, marking the beginning of the American Revolutionary War; the second aligned with some of the most consequential events in the lead up to the Civil War; and the third and fourth years marked US involvement in World War 2. Even historical events as mammoth as Pearl Harbour, took place at a time in 1941 when Uranus was retrograde in Taurus — months after its ingress in Gemini.
Now it is worth noting, that the United States of America's 'birth chart' carries the Uranus in Gemini placement in the 7th house of open enemies, putting many on edge as they await some major shift to come into play over the next few months. What it is, if anything, only time will tell.
2 signs to proceed with caution
While politics and war involvement, especially on the part of the United States, very well has the potential to disbalance any overarching sense of global peace, Uranus' movement through Gemini also has ramifications at a personal level, for two signs in particular. Evan asks those with any major placements in Gemini and/or Sagittarius, to sit up and take notice, because even as the other 10 signs flit in and out of transits, this transit will make sure that change really is the only constant for them. It's time to embrace the experimental, the unknown and even the provocative, making peace with ambiguity. Evan predicts both these signs to feel the first hit in the sector of relationships, though as they settle into the winds of change, unique ideas could alter the trajectory of their lives.
So is the world ready for this century's bout of Uranus in Gemini?
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Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Philadelphia; a city that reads between the lines
In a city best known for birthing American independence, it's easy to overlook the quieter revolution of the pen. But Philadelphia is not only the birthplace of a nation — it's also one of America's great literary cities. From Benjamin Franklin's printing presses to contemporary indie bookstores thriving in repurposed rowhouses, the City of Brotherly Love has long been a haven for writers, readers, and radical thinkers. The Philadelphia skyline (Photo by J. Ryan for the PHLCVB) Founded in 1682 by William Penn, an English Quaker and advocate of religious freedom, Philadelphia was the capital of the colonial era province of Pennsylvania. It went on to play a crucial role in the American Revolutionary War, serving as the first capital of the United States from May 10, 1775, to December 12, 1777. 'As the capital, Philadelphia soon became a literary nucleus. Local presses printed pamphlets, newspapers, and journals, fanning the flames of rebellion and civic thought,' says the guide taking us on a walking tour of Philly. In 1731, inventor and to-be statesman Benjamin Franklin founded the Library Company of Philadelphia, the first public library in the colonies. Free and open to the public, it is today known for its rare collection of books and art and often hosts exhibits and public programmes. A printer by trade, Franklin not only championed literacy but also published the influential Poor Richard's Almanack from 1732 to 1758. 'Published under the pseudonym of Richard Saunders, it contained all sorts of interesting information: the calendar, weather predictions, sayings, poems. recipes, trivia, advice, aphorisms, and proverbs,' the guide says. The Free Library of Philadelphia (Courtesy The Free Library of Philadelphia) Franklin considered his almanac a vehicle of instruction for common people who could not afford books. The print run for his 'literature for the masses' hit up to 10,000 per year. His one-liners, including 'Little strokes fell great oaks', 'Necessity never made a good bargain', and 'Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing', showcased his wit and wisdom -- and are quoted across the world till today. Franklin's contemporaries included writers like Thomas Paine, whose Common Sense, a 47-page pamphlet ignited the American independence movement, and Charles Brockden Brown, often considered the first American novelist. In the 19th century, the city nurtured literary giants such as Edgar Allan Poe, who was based here for six of his most productive years. It was while living at 7th and Spring Garden that he wrote The Tell-Tale Heart, The Fall of the House of Usher, and The Black Cat. The Poe House, now a National Historic Site, preserves the claustrophobic charm of his former residence, complete with a hauntingly bare cellar that could have inspired his darkest tales. Philadelphia was also home to Louisa May Alcott, who briefly lived here as a governess; and Walt Whitman, who spent his final years across the river in Camden, often crossing the Delaware for walks and literary salons. A plaque in Philadelphia's City Hall courtyard commemorates Whitman's influence, quoting his line: 'I loaf and invite my soul.' By the turn of the century, literary journals such as Lippincott's Monthly Magazine, headquartered in the city, were publishing rising stars like Oscar Wilde, who debuted The Picture of Dorian Gray in its pages in 1890. In the 20th century, Philadelphia continued to shape American literature through its universities and its grittier street-level narratives. Black writers, in particular, found their voices here, capturing the complexities of urban life, inequality, and Black identity. Philadelphia-born poet Sonia Sanchez became a leading figure in the Black Arts Movement, and her evocative verse has inspired generations of poets. She once described poetry as 'the soul's whisper,' a whisper that seems to echo in Philly's alleys and auditoriums alike. Novelists like John Edgar Wideman and Lorene Cary chronicled the experience of growing up Black in Philadelphia with works like Philadelphia Fire and Black Ice, blending memory and social commentary. Wideman's spare yet lyrical prose, influenced by jazz, gives the city's underbelly a powerful rhythm: 'He came out the alley with his hands up and the cop fired.' Philadelphia is also home to the literary quarterly American Poetry Review, which has brought voices like Adrienne Rich, WS Merwin, and Tracy K Smith to wider audiences. Literary landmarks The Free Library of Philadelphia, housed in a striking neoclassical building, is located on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. In April 2019, the building's first renovation since its construction in 1927 saw architects relocate six historic stacks to create 41,000 square feet of space for a modern business resource and innovation centre, an inclusive cultural and civic engagement space, and a welcoming teen centre. 'It frequently hosts literary and other events,' the guide says as we walk down the expansive road. The Rosenbach Museum and Library in Rittenhouse Square showcases some important literary treasures including the manuscript of James Joyce's Ulysses (Courtesy The Rosenbach Museum and Library) The Rosenbach Museum and Library in Rittenhouse Square showcases some important literary treasures: James Joyce's manuscript for Ulysses, 600 Lewis Carroll books, letters and rare photos; Shakespeare's 1664 folio; first editions of Don Quixote; William Blake's original drawings and books; portions of Charles Dickens' manuscripts; and notes for Bram Stoker's Dracula. The Black Writers Museum, the only US museum that spotlights Black literature, is located in Germantown and houses rare newspapers and documents, manuscripts, photographs first editions, signed books, and recordings. Then there's Historic Christ Church Burial Ground, where Franklin is buried. It's impossible to leave without placing a penny at the grave of the man who popularised his maxim: 'A penny saved is a penny earned.' A few blocks away is the house where Frances EW Harper, one of the first African American women to be published in the US, lived and worked as an abolitionist and writer. The bookshops of today Modern Philly showcases its past in its many cobblestone alleys, 18th-century buildings, and landmarks like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. But the historic façade co-exists with a restless, creative energy that reveals itself in its many murals and art galleries – and, of course, bookstores. Brickbat Books, a tiny store along Philadelphia's Fabric Row, stocks rare first editions and graphic novels. The creaky floors and quiet atmosphere make it a great place to book hunt. At House of Our Own, located in a two-storey Victorian townhouse near the University of Pennsylvania campus, students and the public have been scouring the shelves for new and used books for almost 50 years. Uncle Bobbie's Coffee & Books in Germantown, founded by scholar and activist Marc Lamont Hill, has become a hub for community-centred dialogue, offering an intentionally curated selection of books centering Black and marginalised voices. The hip neighbourhood of Fishtown has Ulises, a contemporary store stocking a fine range of artist-driven books and magazines, and offering performance art and indie film screenings. In Queen Village, Headhouse Books offers a quiet refuge of literary fiction, art books, and philosophical tomes, along with author events that feel more like intimate salons than formal readings. Harriett's Bookshop, named for historical heroine Harriett Tubman, celebrates women authors, artists, and activists (Courtesy Harriett's Bookshop) Further north, The Book Trader near Independence Mall stacks thousands of used books from floor to ceiling in narrow aisles — an organised chaos where you can stumble upon a vintage Vonnegut next to a well-loved Baldwin. As the name suggests, Harriett's Bookshop, named for historical heroine Harriett Tubman, celebrates women authors, artists, and activists. The Head & The Hand, meanwhile, supports local and emerging writers, and allows you to share your love for books with a 'date night' in the bookshop. And for those seeking genre delight, Partners and Son, a comic and graphic novel-focused shop in Olde Kensington, blends visual storytelling with literary depth. Philadelphia's neighbourhoods also host small press readings, poetry nights, zine fairs, and seasonal book festivals. Not to be missed is the Philadelphia Bookstore Crawl, a yearly celebration of the city's vibrant bookstore scene, held at the end of every August (August 23 this year). There's no specific trail; just a list of participating bookshops and numerous events like book signings, author talks, little giveaways, and discounted books. In many ways, Philadelphia is a city that reads between the lines. From the 18th-century writings of Benjamin Franklin to the contemporary voices emerging from community centres and coffeehouse stages, Philadelphia offers a layered and living literary tradition. The city's book culture is not confined to museums or monuments — it continues to evolve in libraries, bookstores, and the habits of readers and writers who call the city home. Teja Lele is an independent editor and writes on books, travel and lifestyle.
Scroll.in
14 hours ago
- Scroll.in
Translated fiction: An anthology of short stories by Bengali Muslim writers
'The five pir saints of the river, Badar, Badar!' The boatmen put up the sails of seven boats from the mahajan's godown of garan wood at Shyamganj as soon as the tide ebbed in the river Hooghly. The mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters of thirty men stood wiping their eyes and kept gazing till the boats disappeared at the river bend of Naldanri. Arjun Kayal was from the Sundarbans; solidly built, as if hewn from a rock. His eyes were round like marbles and bloodshot. He arrived three days ago to fetch the boats. He was the sedo, the guide to Sagar Island and the forests. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather – that is, all his forefathers – had spent their lives battling tigers, cultivating forests, acting as guides to the mangrove dealers, or guiding the boatmen of the main river. His great-grandfather was no mean robber. A convicted murderer, he had been sentenced to life at the beginning of British rule. The government had packed him off to the Sundarbans with a bunch of labourers sent to clear the forested islands by luring him with release. They did this with many others. Who would otherwise come here to give up their lives to the tigers! The released prisoners quenched the fire in their blood making friends with the beasts. Did you think settlements formed in the Sundarbans out of the blue? Did the wild ferocity in the blood of the settlers of the Sundarbans come from nothing? 'We belong to a line of robbers, murderers and criminals', said Arjun Kayal, 'This jungle is our mother. We tame her by worshipping her. When my father, sedo Ahir Kayal, entered the forest after invoking the goddess, tigers would fall at his feet like tame little cats!' Everyone listened to Arjun Kayal. Torab Rafadan, the mahajan, smirked as he leaned against some pillows on a mattress inside the covering of the boat, a cigarette in his hand. Next to him was his cash box. An all-wave radioset. A double rifle. A box of cartridges. A five-celled flashlight. A few dry batteries. Lalu Khansama's cooking area was on the other side – utensils, rice, lentils, flour, spices, coal, pot of tamarind, two earthen barrels of fresh water kept in the hold. Buckets, saws, choppers, and what not! The sedo offered his prayers to the mighty Dakshin Rai, the protector of the Sundarbans. Then he worshipped Badar Ghazi and Maslandari Pir of Ghoramara Island with his votive offerings. Meanwhile, Torab Rafadan met with the coast guards at their office. He had to show them the forest permit. And his gun license. Everyone knew and respected Torab. The mahajan spent a few packs of cigarettes too on them. The coast guards said, 'Don't chop the trees in the conserved area, and don't kill the animals there. Share with us some honey, deer meat, and turtle eggs as you leave. How many of your men are going this time? Give us their names and addresses. Thirty men? On six large boats? And another small boat too? These boats can hold goods weighing a few thousand tonnes! Be careful now, Torab saheb, don't lose another couple of your men like the last time. The tigers are a nuisance this year as well. In which part of the forest are you going to cut down the garan trees this time? Is it on the island between the rivers Gosaba and Harinbhanga? Alright, we'll row over and pay a visit one night. Will you cook some deer for us?' Torab Rafadan caressed his beard and smiled. He was a man of money. He owned a two-storeyed brick house. He had nearly seventy acres of land in his own name, and in the names of his wife and children. He had two guns, and owned a perfume shop at Hogg Market in Calcutta. The perfumery was managed by his elder son, a college dropout. His second son was at university, and his two daughters went to college. He had a godown of rice and timber, with two husking machines. He was worth a few lakhs. High-ranking government officials, police inspectors, even ministers knew him. Even with all this prosperity, he had not quit the rather difficult business of dealing in mangrove timber, which had first brought him fortune. After all, all that he had inherited from his father was a tin hut and a boat. He'd been going into the forests twice a year for two decades now. In all these years, tigers, snakes, crocodiles or cholera caused by drinking saline water had killed about twenty-five men of his fleet. Torab was unaffected by these events. These voyages and such indulgence of the forest had become his addiction. He'd killed many tigers with his gun. The fiercest of the sedos and the baulis, who collected honey from the deep forest, feared and respected him. Torab spoke very little. Solemn, as moneyed men should be. This time they had to sail the fleet from Frazerganj without considering the tides. The boats sailed along the bank, tossed about like the fragile skins of plantain flowers by the vicious roar of the sea. Towering columns of black clouds appeared in the sky, signs of the approaching monsoon. To these men, life was but a speck of dust in the background of the infinite sea. How helpless were they before sublime nature! The mahajan showed everyone their location by pointing at a map of the 24 Parganas district. They also kept an eye on the compass. At dusk, the fleet anchored at the river bend, deep inside the forest. The river was narrow, yet the current of the tide was immense, with a continuous splashing sound of the waves crashing against the boats. Pan-paira, bats, shamuk khol, manik-jor, jol dahuk flew through the forests as dusk approached. The jungle resonated with bird calls. The kalbaishakhi storm was followed by heavy rain. The green forest grew shadowy and was gradually engulfed in darkness. Innumerable crocodiles of different sizes lay on the riverbank. Snakes cut through the water like blades. The rain stopped after a while. The darkness was deep. The new recruits hugged each other, shivering and groaning in fear. What if a snake or a crocodile climbed up the stern? Lights shone dimly in the boats. The waves roared incessantly. They had to wrap up in blankets even on a Baishakh night. Torab Rafadan had loaded his double rifle with cartridges and was now writing in his account book. Baghdad radio station was airing a poignant reading of the holy Qur'an in a melodious voice. All the sleeping men had sharp swords, spears, lances and scythes lying beside them. Thirty men in six boats were sleeping, entrusting their lives to the mahajan's gun and his bravery. Everyone was exhausted by the week's labour. If ever the wise and seasoned mahajan nodded off, then the morning attendance would show one man less on the team. Arjun Kayal said, 'You know, Torab, all these bastards lying on the boat are asleep. Sher Ali is slumbering with his mouth wide open! Wasn't his mother crying her heart out? The scrawny boy of sixteen that he is! The tiger took his father last year. And yet the boy is fast asleep! This is what hunger does to you.' Arjun Kayal addressed everyone with the familiar 'tui'. This was common to the people of the Sundarbans. Arjun was Muslim. Rafadan flashed his five-celled torch. Trees stood deeply enmeshed in the jungle. The vines were thick; prickly bushes and shrubs of fanimansha, hental, harkoch, tekantal, banjhama, lankashirey, mansha, bajbaran, pan-shiuli, jaldumur, myaramara, seyankul and baichi everywhere. Rabbits, white and soft like cows' ears, ran away hopping, scared by the light. A few ran into the water in bewilderment. Crocodiles slapped their tails on the damp sand bank, as if in agony from the sharp fins of aar-tyangra piercing their jaws. The sounds of the Sundarbans at midnight were terrible. The sound of the crashing waves, the deep bass tune of the crickets all over the forest, occasional screeches of jungle fowl, the call of jackals and civet cats, the twittering of birds, the shrieks of monkeys, the roar of tigers, the clacking of monitor lizards, the distant howl of an attacked animal – it was terrifying, bloodcurdling altogether! It was impossible to perfectly describe everything in the forests here; the grass, vines, trees, beasts, insects, snakes, crocodiles, mud, roots, thorns, water, fishes, sky, clouds, tides, diseases, climate – it needed a few years' labour, and would fill up more pages than the Mahabharata. The creator of this unwritten epic was the supreme Lord Himself, who had endowed the Sundarbans – the 'beautiful forests' – with beauty and terror! How could a person cherish this horrific beauty with his limited senses! How much did the mahajan know even with his twenty years of experience! Even to him this endless forest was ever new! Ever fierce and turbulent! Excerpted with permission from 'The Merchant of Sagar Island', Abdul Jabbar, translated by Sarmistha Dutta Gupta and Shambhobi Ghosh in Stayed Back, Stayed On: Short Stories by Bengali Muslim Writers, edited by Epsita Halder, Orient Black Swan.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Time of India
Indian radar triggered F-35 emergency lockdown? YouTuber's viral video explains why UK's stealth fighter jet remains stuck in Kerala
A British F-35B fighter jet has been lying grounded at a civilian airport in Kerala for nearly two weeks, following an emergency landing. The jet, part of the UK's participation in 'Operation High Mast,' reportedly landed due to weather-related issues, low fuel, and technical glitches. However, YouTuber Amit Sengupta has contested this narrative, claiming the aircraft's presence could be the result of something far more serious. F-35 fighter jet left out in the rain According to a viral vidoe by Sengupta, the F-35B, considered one of the world's most advanced stealth aircraft, is stuck exposed to Kerala's monsoon. 'Even broken furniture and old scooters in a gully gets fixed faster than this,' he said in the video. Why is Lockheed Martin involved? The situation has escalated with news that a 40-member team from the UK, including engineers from Lockheed Martin, the jet's original manufacturer, is being dispatched. Sengupta raised a question: 'Why do you need people from Lockheed Martin, original equipment manufacturer? That only means one thing… either the jet is locked and you need people from OEM who are authorised and trained to handle it or maybe unlock it.' He suggests that the jet's lockdown might not be a routine technical glitch, but possibly a deeper issue involving encrypted software, firmware, or stealth components that only the manufacturer can access. Landing in India wasn't random, claims YouTuber Sengupta challenges the idea that bad weather or fuel shortage forced the jet to land in India. He notes that British naval aircraft usually operate in groups with multiple landing and support options at sea. He argues that if this F-35B still landed in India, a non-NATO country, it likely wasn't a matter of choice by the pilot. Live Events You Might Also Like: 'Abhi theek karta hoon': As most advanced F-35 fighter jet stays grounded in Kerala for 19 days, memers mock US, UK repair efforts 'The F-35B landed at a Kerala civilian airport, not even at the adjacent air force station located right next to it,' Sengupta pointed out. He claims this is because the jet's system may have overridden manual controls and chosen the nearest safe civilian runway as part of its emergency landing protocol. Did India's radar system lock the stealth jet? The Indian Air Force officially stated: 'The aircraft was detected and identified by the Indian Air Force's IACCCS network and was cleared for recovery.' IACCCS stands for Integrated Air Command and Control System, India's high-level defence network for monitoring aerial threats." Sengupta believes this radar detection may have been the trigger. 'As soon as the jet entered a certain range, India's IACCCS detected and logged onto it using radar and electronic warfare systems. That lock triggered a self-defense response inside the F-35B, possibly a firmware-based system lock or cyber interference.' A failed spy attempt? In the final part of his analysis, Sengupta makes a more controversial claim: that the F-35B's mission was never routine. Instead, he suggests the UK may have been testing India's radar defences under the cover of a joint exercise. 'So basically in the name of joint exercise, Britain used one of its F-35B to test or probe India's air defense network.' You Might Also Like: 'Tukde-Tukde': Stuck F-35B fighter jet in Kerala to be now flown back into pieces as 40-member engineering team fails to repair He claims the stealth jet may have been used to map India's radar coverage and electronic response patterns. But India's early detection system possibly responded in a way that forced the F-35 into lockdown. 'It probably thought it could sneak in, sniff around, and slip out unnoticed, but then it got grounded.' Stuck F-35: The unanswered questions The presence of Lockheed Martin engineers, the unusual choice of a civilian landing site, and the length of time the jet has remained grounded have all raised serious questions. If the UK's most advanced jet requires manufacturer-level intervention, it could point to either a highly complex malfunction, or, as Sengupta suggests, the possibility of India's defence system forcing an emergency lockdown. As of now, neither the British Ministry of Defence nor Indian authorities have offered a detailed explanation beyond the original statement. The jet remains in Kerala, as does speculation around why it landed, why it hasn't left, and what really happened in India's airspace. You Might Also Like: 'India focusing on...': Top defence ministry official reveals what India is planning for 5th-gen fighter jets
