We have an intense month ahead of us, and it begins with the conjunction of the heavy-hitters, Mars and Saturn in Capricorn. Close by, Jupiter is approaching Pluto. Mercury and Rahu are still connecting in a parivartan yoga, and the month started with the Moon moving through the fierce nakshatra of Ardra, where Rahu currently resides. The Kaal Sarp yoga is in effect, bringing more fated events to the surface.
Mars joins Jupiter and Saturn in Capricorn from March 29 till May 4
We will be experiencing some collective intensity throughout April as the transiting combination of Mars, Jupiter and Saturn occupies Saturn’s earth sign, Capricorn.
The dry, isolated territory of Capricorn is of the earth element, ruled by Saturn, and is a great place to get work done. If you’re into a challenge, the satisfaction of reaching a summit after a gruelling and dangerous climb, or the strength and endurance after years of discipline, well then, Capricorn is the place.
Mars will be moving through Capricorn until May 4 and he enjoys time in Capricorn, as it is considered his sign of exaltation. Exaltation signs for a planet is where they feel that they can thrive, perform at their peak, as their ability to express their nature becomes refined. Mars is the planet of power and drive; he protects our bodies, health, and resources and shows how we are managing our power. Due to Saturn’s presence, we need to monitor how we express the fiery Mars energy, which could either be used to fuel or destroy, depending on how that energy is being used. From Capricorn, Mars aspects his own sign of Aries, as well as Cancer and Leo.
While Mars and Saturn are both well situated in Capricorn, they aren’t the greatest of friends. They begin April in a ‘planetary war’ with one another as they are occupying the same degree. Saturn, who tends to slow, limit and obstruct, combined with Mars, who tends to charge, deploy, and execute, we can feel many stop-and-go moments. We may have plans, resources and fuel but are unable to execute as we are obstructed by Saturn’s immense weight, fear, pain, anxiety, caution, and prudence.
Jupiter, the auspicious Guru, also entered Capricorn on March 29. While Capricorn is Mars’ exaltation, it is Jupiter’s debilitation. So, in essence this is forming what is known as the Neech-Bhang yoga, where Jupiter’s debilitation is modified by Mars presence. Jupiter here can guide Mars into making good choices so we can use this as a resource as we get through a difficult month.
On May 14, Jupiter enters a retrograde period. This actually improves Jupiter’s status in Capricorn. It is said that a planet when debilitated yet retrograde gives better results. Coupled with the fact that Saturn also begins a retrograde cycle on May 10 and Mars is no longer in the picture, this gives Jupiter room to grow. Retrograde Jupiter walks back into his own sign of Sagittarius on June 29, 2020. This brings him back to the nodal axis, Ketu in Sagittarius and Rahu in Gemini, but the good news is that the nodal axis is on the far end of the sign.
Mercury Transits Pisces from April 7 till 24
Mercury enters into Pisces in the early morning hours of April 7 as the Moon is waxing to its fullest point for the month. This may bring further challenges to the lines of communication as this is his sign of debilitation. Mercury is the planet that represents exchange, transactions, messages, communication, media, medicine, commerce, trade, and currency. Mercury is the merchant and the medic, the herald of economic currents.
The COVID-19 pandemic has overtaken the world in only three months. We could now point to the strength of Rahu at this current time, a planetary force for worldly chaos, unexpected scenarios, forces beyond individual control, and inspired innovation. Rahu currently sits in his sign of exaltation, Mercury’s air sign, Gemini, containing three nakshatras.
Rahu’s stretch in Ardra nakshatra runs from September 11, 2019 till May 20, 2020. Rahu spends about eight months in Ardra every eighteen years and in the past, we have experienced big events during this transit that affect the whole world in epic proportions.
The last time, in 2001, we saw the Twin Towers fall in NYC, and the ripple effects of those attacks on the world. In 1982, the AIDS epidemic was identified by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as it began to spread in the world. In 1945, WWII ended after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
And now, we are staying at home, trying desperately to solve the problem of a rapidly spreading, robust virus that is riding a wave of misinformation and conspiracy theories, very much in conformance with Rahu’s nature. The same energy of Rahu in Ardra that we can thank for the mutation and worldwide spread of a deadly virus is the same energy that would bring the scientists, doctors, researchers and medicine manufacturers to quickly come up with a defence against it. Mercury moving into Pisces could help us transition from catastrophe to recovery.
Mercury follows the Sun and Moon into Aries on April 24. This will reflect a burst of energy and enthusiasm just after the still point of the new Moon on April 22. As Mercury enters Aries, the Moon joins Venus in Taurus, its own sign of exaltation. Between April 24-26, when the waxing Moon is gracing Taurus, we may receive inspiration that improves our mood and perhaps even results in harmonious, creative effort.
Full Moon in Virgo on April 8 in the nakshatra of Chitra
At around 4 am UTC, on April 8, the Moon at 25º Virgo directly opposes the Sun at 25° Pisces. This may be a moment when we receive some light and clarity about our current situation. With both the Moon and Mercury positioned in the dual signs, who all communicate, this has both our informational mind (Mercury) and emotional mind (Moon) focused on how to learn and grow while in a situation that makes us feel stressed, isolated and afraid.
The Moon will be full in the sign of Virgo and within the nakshatra of Chitra, whose controlling planet is Mars and spans between Virgo and Libra. In Vedic tradition, this full Moon of Chaitra is celebrated as the birthday of Hanuman. Chitra nakshatra is controlled by Mars, whose higher vibrations of strength, devotion, and service are exemplified by Lord Hanuman.
Chitra nakshatra, with the influences of Mars, Mercury and Venus, is great for designing beautiful and functional items. This idea can be extended through all realms, not just art – each day, we craft solutions both tangible and intangible. We can expect ideas to flow through at this time as we work with what we have on hand.
Highs and Lows of Kaal Sarpa Yoga
Rahu, the untethered head, and Ketu, the headless body, are responsible for our eclipse cycles during the times when the Sun aligns with either side of the nodal axis.
In the array of the nine planets, there is an order: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, Ketu. The first two are the luminaries, representing light, and the last two are the nodes, the shadows that obscure that light. The middle five represent the five elements: Fire, Earth, Ether (or Space), Water, and Air respectively.
If you refer to the December 26 eclipse, the chart of that eclipse was shaped like an arrow. Rahu alone was in Gemini, in the nakshatra of Ardra. This is a very strong Rahu, exalted in Gemini and comfortable in the unsure territory of Ardra, which he himself controls. Ardra can cause sorrow; Rahu will be transiting through Ardra until May 20.
Since February 8, when Mars moved from Scorpio into Sagittarius, joining the nodal axis, all of the planets have been weighted on one side of the nodal axis arrayed in the formation called Kaal Sarp Yoga, which translates as ‘Serpent of Time Combination.’
Since then, it is the Moon alone that has been temporarily breaking the Kaal Sarp yoga by traversing out of the nodal axis for 15 days of the month. So, we have seen this pattern on and off since early February and it is the Sun that will finally break the pattern on July 16. During these times when the Moon joins all of the other planets on one side of the nodal axis, it may feel like we are being squeezed by the ‘great snake of time’ – in other words, we may feel helpless as events seem to be fated and out of our control, there is little choice and no escape.
Sun Transits Aries from April 13 till May 14
On April 13, the waning Moon moves past Ketu in Sagittarius, beginning another round of the Kaal Sarpa Yoga, which is in effect till April 28, when the Moon moves past Rahu in Gemini. With many countries around the globe enforcing ‘stay-at-home’ orders, the feeling of confinement may intensify as this combination colours the last two weeks of April.
Also on April 13, the Sun moves from Pisces to Aries for his one-month stint in his sign of exaltation. This crossing is significant as we are seeing the transit from the final zodiac sign to the first zodiac sign. It is also significant as the Sun controls the nakshatra of Uttara Ashada, where Mars, Jupiter, Pluto and Saturn are currently holding their stance, as this empowers these planets due to the connection with the exalted Sun.
As Sun reaches Aries, he is free from all aspects except that of exalted Mars from Capricorn. We can expect some serious dedication and power coming from Mars to back up new scenarios that we are building or the projects we must initiate during this time. We also have Mercury in Pisces and Venus in Taurus on either side cushioning the Sun. With Mars’ aspect on the bright Sun in its sign of exaltation, we are being asked to innovate, reboot and initiate.
New Moon in Aries on April 23 in the nakshatra of Ashwini
The exalted Sun is joined by the waning Moon on April 23 at 9 degrees of Aries at approx. 3 am UTC. As the Moon is waning, it squeezes through the Pisces-Aries gandanta, leaving us feeling exhausted and deflated. This is a good time for a pause.
Ashwini is the first nakshatra of the zodiac, settled in the first sign of the zodiac, Aries. Aries is a fire sign, the site of initiation, ruled by Mars and also aspected by Mars at this time. Ashwini is controlled by the planet Ketu, also a fiery presence and is named after the deities known as Ashwin Kumars, the Twin Horsemen, known for their extraordinary powers of healing.
With Mars’ aspect onto Aries, we can expect this exalted Mars to play an instrumental role in the process of diagnosis, treatment, surgeries, health care, research, and medicine. With his focus, strength, courage, purpose and vision as a basis at this juncture, we work alongside other energies that lead us toward the process of healing.
When we face the depths, we are brought to by illness, hardship and unmet needs, we are blessed to be able to turn to someone for aid and guidance. This new Moon may force us to stop and meditate on the question of how to ignite even more deeply stored reserves of power to keep us moving forward.
Venus in Taurus from March 28 till July 31
Brilliant Venus can be seen after sunset during this transit. This brilliance will increase as April unravels. Venus moved to her own earth sign of Taurus on March 28 and will spend a full four months there due to an upcoming retrograde cycle which will reduce our ability to view Venus as it comes close to the Sun and eventually emerges as the ‘morning star’ in the summer.
With the intimidating trio in Capricorn, unbridled Rahu riding through Ardra, and Ketu continuing to absorb and obstruct Jupiter’s Sagittarius, we are all looking for the helpers. Our best bets right now are led by Venus, strongly and brightly standing in Taurus, happy at home. Mercury and the Moon can also help, but they are easily distracted by others (Mercury) as well as by moods and phases (Moon).
Venus is the planet of social connection, material comfort, and sensual satisfaction. We all enjoy the Venus parts of life: sweet relationships, delicious food, natural beauty, comfortable dwellings, and luxuries. At this point, we are drawing on those things to feed us, stabilise us, and keep us healthy.
Overall, the weather pattern could seem rather static throughout April. There are some shifts coming in May that could make more of an impact, such as Rahu leaving Ardra on May 20 and Saturn, Jupiter and Venus all beginning retrograde cycles during the middle of May.
