April promises to be a lighter and easier month than March. The Rahu-Mars conjunction is beginning to fade away, and we have an optimistic, hopeful, transit of Jupiter changing signs to Aquarius, leaving behind its debilitated state.
Jupiter moves into Aquarius on April 5
The great and expansive Jupiter, who brings growth, knowledge, optimism, and wisdom, will change signs from Capricorn to Aquarius on April 5. This could be a noticeable shift that feels as if things are beginning to take off after a change of perspective reveals open channels.
Jupiter spends about one year in each sign on average. Sometimes a transit is interrupted by a retrograde cycle that casts a planet into the previous sign, splitting the transit. Such will be the case with Jupiter in Aquarius. From April 5 till September 14, 2021, Jupiter occupies Aquarius and while in retrograde motion returns to Capricorn. Jupiter resumes direct motion October 18 and returns to transit fully through Aquarius from November 20, 2021 till April 13, 2022. This is a total of ten months for Jupiter in Aquarius, split into two five month sections.
Aquarius, called ‘kumbha’ in Sanskrit, is a complicated sign having both Saturn (Shani) and Rahu as co-lords. Kumbha refers to a water pot, which is not far off from the western symbol of Aquarius as ‘water-bearer.’ Despite this association with water collection, Aquarius is an air sign, reflected in the windy nature of both Rahu and Saturn. Kumbha also personifies the pot that is used for pranayama practice, making this a very effective remedy if Jupiter is a functional malefic in your chart.
This is a strong Jupiter transit, as it does not share this space with anyone. Not sharing a sign with a very strong Saturn is enough that we may feel that Jupiter’s spaciousness is able to express. Jupiter in Aquarius supports philosophy, so this would be a good time to have all of those debates and discussions about difficult issues, whether on a personal or collective level. Aquarius symbolises the collection of the resources that we accrue over time, in the same way that a cold mountain lake holds the precious water that comes from rain. This may be a good placement for attempting to start new growth from older properties, products or projects.
From Aquarius, Jupiter will send its aspect to Libra, Gemini, and Leo, giving these signs a positive and expansive boost. One other thing to mention is those going through a Saturn dasha can also be positively impacted here as Jupiter moves thru Saturn’s mooltrikona sign, essentially a sign where the auspicious and positive qualities of the planet are expressed. This is especially relevant whilst Jupiter stays in the 0 to 20 degrees of Aquarius. In this video, I have spoken in greater detail about this transit:
Mars Transits Gemini from April 13 till June 1
Mars moving away from Rahu is another positive characteristic of April. We count on Mars for protection, power management, and resource acquisition. Due to Mars’ intense and fiery nature, many of us actually enjoy interacting with Mars when he’s not at his most potent. This is the case for the coming months with Mars transiting through Gemini, Mercury’s air sign and Cancer, the sign of the Moon that debilitates Mars.
When Jupiter has some amount of influence on Mars, that is considered a benefit, encouraging powerful Mars toward positive behaviour and actions. Here, Jupiter will have an influence as 1) it transits through the nakshatra of Dhanishta (whose controlling planet is Mars), so important to see what Mars signifies in your chart and keep an eye on its transit to see how it will manifest. And further, 2) in Gemini, it receives Jupiter’s fifth aspect, placing Mars in an excellent position to give positive results as not only will it receive the glare of Jupiter but it will also connect with Jupiter vis a vis nakshatra lordship.
This connection will only get stronger as Mars goes into Punarvasu in mid-May and is then in a sookshma parivartana yoga with Jupiter. So those going through Jupiter and Mars planetary dashas can look forward to some positive energy. And here we are talking about masculine energy, so it is an excellent time to put plans into action.
In Gemini, Mars can be great at building communication and distribution systems; using the logic, strategic power, and problem-solving ability of Mars in the flexible, communicative and airy environment of Mercury could go a long way in problem solving and implementing new systems.
The power and speed of Mars from Gemini will also be felt in the signs he aspects from there: Virgo, Sagittarius and Capricorn. Use this push to get yourself back in the saddle if you’ve jumped off for whatever reason. All signs point towards the stuck things loosening up.
Venus Transits Aries April 10 till May 4
On April 10, Venus moves out of its sign of exaltation. Due to Venus’ combustion with the Sun for most of the transit through Pisces, the connectivity we expect with a strong and vital Venus was interrupted. Venus goes into the sign of Aries, is much stronger, in a parivartana with Mars at this time, who is transiting Venus’ sign of Taurus. This parivartana – exchange of signs – as well as being become vargottama will boost its strength. The Sun follows Venus into Aries a few days later, but Venus’ momentum has been gained. By April 18, Venus moves out of the combust state making it much more functional and bringing a positive shift for relationships and money matters.
Mercury Transits Aries from April 16 till April 30
Mercury’s speed has also increased as he rushes out of debilitation in Pisces and into Aries, joining the Sun and Venus. This will be a quick transit, but powerful, as Mercury’s relationship with Mars (forming a parivartana yoga since by now, Mars is in Mercury’s sign of Gemini) during this two-week period could really give a boost to getting those new projects off of the ground or making moves that require ample energy.
With Mercury in Aries (Mars’ fire sign) and Mars in Gemini (Mercury’s air sign), this duo becomes rather potent as each of them benefits from the other in this short parivartana (exchange of signs.) This is a fine configuration for initiating projects that require movement, management of resources, shifting power, technical communication, market research and medical technology.
But for the first half of April, we see Mercury with water wings, slogging through Pisces with the Sun and Venus pairing. Jupiter’s water sign debilitates Mercury. As such, do not be surprised if the first part of April seems a bit foggy, communication-wise. It may be more comfortable spending quiet time focused inward, listening rather than speaking. But then, Mercury moves to Aries, which could change the mood suddenly.
New Moon in Pisces in the nakshatra of Revati on April 12
After Venus exits Pisces and just before the Sun moves to Aries, we experience the new Moon in Pisces, the final sign of the zodiac, on April 12. The nakshatra hosting this pairing is Revati, lorded by Mercury, and the final nakshatra in the wheel.
The universal environment indicated by Pisces helps us to dissolve and integrate what has come to term, preparing us for new beginnings by facilitating necessary endings. The new Moon is a turning point each month, and each year, the April new Moon that occurs in Pisces invites us to leave behind the stagnancy of winter and reinvigorate with the vitality that comes with spring.
The Sun and Moon join at 28° Pisces as the Sun sets on Sunday, April 12. Jupiter’s ruling planet, Pisces, is also 12th from this new moon situated in Aquarius and we have Saturn from Capricorn sending an aspect to this new moon. Again, this points to dissolution, endings, tying up loose ends. It can indicate slow progress and endings for some. But with Pisces currently flanked by Jupiter in Aquarius and Venus in Aries, this is a positive, supportive cushion for planting new seeds.
Sun Transits Aries from April 13 till May 14
The Sun enters into Mars’ fire sign of Aries, the sign of exaltation for the Sun, on April 13. Not only is it positive for the Sun to enjoy exaltation, but since mid-January the Sun has been under the cold pressure of Saturn, much like Jupiter has been.
The Sun spends a month in each sign: every year from mid-January to mid-March, the Sun transits Saturn’s signs of Capricorn and Aquarius, which corresponds to the deepest cut of winter in the northern hemisphere. This year, even the Pisces transit was affected by the aspect of Saturn from Capricorn, so we got an extra month where our glow was suppressed.
Saturn, Jupiter, Mars and Rahu are not in a position to aspect this righteous and strong Sun. This could help individuals to clear the cobwebs, make plans and get back on track with self-improvement, as well as encourage independent steps toward progress.
Full Moon in Libra in the nakshatra of Swati on April 27
The Moon becomes full at 12° Libra, opposing the exalted Sun in Aries, in the early morning hours of April 27. Libra is the air sign of Venus and the Moon sits in the nakshatra of Swati, whose controlling planet is Rahu and teaches us the value of flexibility and creativity in the face of the unpredictable and variable winds that blow regularly across the surface of our lives.
Both Aries and Libra are signs of ‘movable’ quality, implying that planets placed there help us to get things started. Libra is an air sign, which further highlights the mental, social and philosophical nature of the air signs that are currently being strengthened by Jupiter in Aquarius and Mars in Gemini.
This Moon is getting aspected by three benefics, Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter, as well as an aspect from Saturn. This is an excellent time for connecting with others. This can also be a fated time to meet someone, whomsoever you meet will be in your life for a long time. This is especially the case for those that have personal planets in Aries/Libra or Gemini.
Swati connects with Rahu here, and again, Rahu is transiting Venus’ sign of Taurus, so again this signifies relationships. Also, an excellent transit for money matters and new beginnings in either career or relationships. Swati is very strong for any matters related to business, socialising, relationships that add value to our lives. Because its’ strength lies in disbursing and scattering, things can happen very quickly. And you may be faced with many options this month – if you have any sort of pranayama practice, this will help you focus and be more decisive. Swati’s energy can only be contained through breathing exercises as we are talking about an air sign (Libra) connecting within Swati where Rahu is its controlling planet.
