Unlike March, this is a less dramatic month. We are now integrating all the changes. We experience a prelude of Jupiter in Sagittarius, as well as the beginning of retrograde periods for both Jupiter and Saturn. By mid-April, we will have the Sun and Venus in exaltation, pouring in some optimism and fresh new beginnings.
New Moon in Pisces, in Revati nakshatra, on April 5
After the full moon in Virgo on the vernal equinox, March 21, the Moon begins to wane, passing through the gamut of planets that are currently occupying Taurus, Sagittarius and Aquarius and finally coming to join the Sun in Pisces.
Sun and Moon will connect at 21 degrees Pisces on April 5 at 10 am UTC, in the final nakshatra of the zodiac, Revati. Since both Pisces and Revati mark an ending, which also implies an imminent beginning, we may observe culminations that point toward impending new phases. With that in mind, this new Moon may be a good time to let go of that which has been completed or that which is no longer serving a relevant purpose as you gear up for ushering in a new phase.
The lord of Pisces, Jupiter, moved into his own sign of Sagittarius for a brief spell starting March 29, giving some strength to Jupiter but with many conditions. Jupiter will be aspected by many difficult planetary energies; he joins Saturn and Ketu in Sagittarius and receives the aspect of Mars from Taurus and Rahu from Gemini. The nakshatra ruler of Revati, Mercury, is moving toward its debilitation but enjoys some moments in Aquarius with Venus, and is also receiving the aspect of Saturn and Rahu.
After the new Moon, as the Moon waxes, the positive, helpful influence of Jupiter should aid in regaining our balance, assessing our resources and making plans for future growth. It may be difficult to maintain an attitude of positivity due to Rahu and Mars, which propel us to move faster, and Saturn and Ketu, which tell us to stop everything and reconsider.
Jupiter Retrograde April 10 – August 11
Jupiter spends April in the gandanta zone. Jupiter is zig-zagging through the difficult territory that bridges the signs of Scorpio and Sagittarius. Jupiter begins a retrograde cycle at 0°14′ Sagittarius on April 10 and returns to the depths of Scorpio in late April, where he remains until November 4, 2019.
On April 22, retrograde Jupiter returns to Scorpio, where he is quite capable of expressing his power of positivity. Even though Scorpio forces us to work through complex, karmic energy, this will actually be a better place for Jupiter to remain throughout the summer, which will be marked by the retrograde Saturn and Ketu conjunction that will last from May – September.
In Scorpio, Jupiter will be free from malefic energy – direct influence of Saturn, Ketu and Rahu— allowing him to work his goodness and shed the light where it needs to be. This also creates a parivartana, or exchange of signs, between Ketu and Jupiter. Jupiter is the lord of Sagittarius, where Ketu currently transits, and Ketu is the co-lord of Scorpio, where Jupiter will be transiting till November.
Although the Saturn/Ketu conjunction seems especially daunting, as they are challenging influences associated with difficulty, obstacles, frustration, delays, separation, and loss, this exchange of signs between Jupiter and Ketu is the saving grace that will transform any upcoming challenges into channels toward growth and liberation. Another way of looking at this would be to frame any situations that cause sorrow, worry, fear or illness (Saturn indications) into avenues for spiritual transformation and growth (Ketu and Jupiter). The subtle exchange of energy created due to the connection of Ketu and Jupiter will help us to manage and deal with this difficult conjunction.
This position of Jupiter in Scorpio will be the saving grace in any upcoming situations of instability, much better than if Jupiter were to join with the Saturn/Ketu conjunction from May – September. Suddenly, the very intense and intimidating conjunction of Saturn and Ketu, which could end up moving and shaking in ways we have not experienced to date, becomes an amazing opportunity for evolutionary growth and change.
We stand to level up and gain incredible knowledge from the experiences that lie ahead. Gather your strength, calm your mind, and align with your heart. You are about to experience life in its dichotomy and its unity.
Mercury Enters Pisces April 11 till May 3
Talking about Jupiter is talking about the big picture, the grand plan, the great highway. Mercury is the one who handles the details and connections that keep the trains running. On April 11, Mercury returns to Pisces. Mercury tends to get bogged down in Pisces, which is Jupiter’s expansive and universal world, a place where the words and details that Mercury represents get lost in space.
Mercury moves through Pisces until early May, but only a short while after his entrance things improve quite a bit, as Venus joins Mercury on April 15. Venus is exalted in Pisces, which enhances the power of Venus to improve the debilitation of Mercury in Pisces. So Mercury can appreciate a little help from his friend. However much help Mercury receives, this is a good month for reviewing the big picture. It may be difficult to get to the real details until Mercury goes to Aries in May.
Sun Transits Aries April 14 – May 14
The Sun courageously moves through the end of one cycle and the beginning of another as he squeezes from Jupiter’s water sign into Mars’ fire sign, where he gains the state of exaltation for the month, here he is happy and positive.
In the northern hemisphere, we very much feel the quickening of spring growth when the Sun gets strong during its annual transit of Aries. This year, the Sun is not afflicted by any negative influences as it transits through Aries, which grants us clarity, courage and initiative to begin anew. Leo will experience the best of this transit, Aries and Scorpio also benefit.
As the month wears on, the Sun in Aries could be a source of steadiness in an otherwise shifting environment. When the Sun gets into Aries, he is also moving into an aspect from Jupiter, which is mixed because even though Jupiter is in his own sign of Sagittarius, he is retrograde and also retreating through the battlefield that lies between Scorpio and Sagittarius. This is a good time to truly align the course of action with the heart’s desire and take stock of personal well-being, as we may be facing some changing times ahead.
Venus in Pisces from April 15 till May 10
Venus moves from Aquarius into its exaltation state in Pisces on April 15. Venus and Mercury together are energetic and lead by Venus’ inspirational embrace of universal principles, Mercury works better to bring attention, clarity and energy into that bigger picture.
Venus transits Pisces till May 10, when it enters Aries to join the Sun. We can enjoy the exaltation of the Sun and Venus this month, and look forward to new beginnings, especially in relationships. As the planet of dharma and the self (Sun) and the planet of relationships and pleasure (Venus) come into exalted state, it could bring some clarity about relationships and taking action to rebalance self and other.
Full Moon in Libra, in the nakshatra of Chitra, on April 19
On April 19, around noon UTC, the Moon reaches its peak fullness at nearly 5° Libra, specifically Chitra nakshatra. This annual full Moon, when the Sun is exalted and the Moon is in Libra, is celebrated as Hanuman Jayanti, the birth of the well-loved Hanuman, champion devotee of the great dharmic Rama, the incorruptible king of legend.
With the strong Sun and bright Moon, we have the chance for seeing clearly, gathering our strength and setting forth in a new direction. This is a good planetary alignment that puts the Sun and Moon in harmonious relationship, as well as Mars, ruler of Chitra, and Venus, planetary ruler of Libra, who reflect the earthly masculine and feminine qualities.
Mars rules the sign of Aries, the sign which exalts the Sun, and will be occupying Taurus, Venus’ sign. Venus also rules Libra, where the full Moon is placed and is well positioned, exalted, in Pisces. Chitra nakshatra sits inside of Libra, but is ruled by Mars, showing us a place in the zodiac where the fiery strength of Mars is channelled through the creative field of Venus. This is a spectacular moment for artistic inspiration and vital creation.
These factors are supportive and positive, especially the energy of Mercury and Venus in Pisces, seeking to honour the endings and propelling the Sun forward.
Saturn Retrograde in Sagittarius April 30 – September 18
On April 30, Saturn comes to a halt and reverses his apparent direction in the late portion of Jupiter’s Sagittarius. Right at this spot, 27° Sagittarius, Saturn meets with the headless one, Ketu, the south node of the Moon, known as lord of obstacles, reversals and final liberation. Saturn turning retrograde will close the distance between Saturn and Ketu and they begin their long journey together, moving towards a tight embrace.
Saturn will continue retrograde motion through September 18, where he regains forward motion at 20° Sagittarius. Since Ketu naturally moves in retrograde motion, this puts these two planets hand-in-hand for the next 4.5 months, May through mid-September. This is a notable transit that will likely be felt by all, especially if you have natal planets falling in the last ten degrees of Sagittarius.
Retrograde effects are difficult to predict, but the principle of reversal is prominent. Ketu shows reversals and change in direction, wherever he is situated. Saturn in retrograde could give effects that are reverse from what we expect; laced with some delays. At any rate, we can expect a choppy terrain that is somewhat uncomfortable to traverse, unless of course, you have a surfboard, as then you may enjoy the thrills.
If we expect a gamut of delays, frustration, obstacles, and reversals in the upcoming months, we can prepare ourselves with added layers of patience and the positive expectation of becoming wiser as we navigate through the waters ahead. The exchange of signs between Jupiter and Ketu should be helpful, but the intention to activate that energy must come from within. Keep up the meditation, the studies, and the donations to charitable causes to tap into that Jupiter/Ketu flow.
