Astral Weather for the Week of April 10-17, 2023

A Disseminating Moon, the Sun's Ingress into Aries, and Other Exciting Cosmic Events

Please note that this and all my other forecasts are based on the sidereal zodiac used in both Vedic and Western sidereal astrology, not the tropical system used by most Western and some Vedic astrologers. All the astrological charts below are calculated according to the sidereal zodiac and Lahiri Ayanamsa.

Disseminating Lunar Phase Leading Into the April 20 Solar Eclipse: A Time to Be Inwardly Focused

This week begins with the Moon in its disseminating/waning gibbous phase. This is typically a time when we start to move away from a more outward focus to one that is more inwardly turned. During the next ten days, the Moon will gradually lose light on its journey toward the New Moon/Solar Eclipse of April 20, which will be followed two weeks later by a lunar eclipse on May 5.

The eclipse season, as it’s called in astronomical terms, will be in place from April 6 and for about 35 days afterward. During this time, there may be a lot of churning, upheaval, and change in the world, and also possibly within our lives. So, it’s an important time to be mindful and stay steady, and avoid rocking the boat, so to speak. Please stay tuned for my articles on both upcoming eclipses which I hope to post soon.

April 13: Transiting Moon and Pluto Conjoin and Activate the United States Pluto

On April 13, the transiting Moon will conjoin transiting Pluto. At this time, Pluto is also transiting in conjunction with natal Pluto in the United States birth chart. This is known as the United States Pluto Return cycle, which is in place in 2023 and 2024.

As I have discussed in a previous article, the United States Pluto Return is a time of intensifying geo-political and geo-economic realignments; global threats and acts of war; battles over energy; intensifying cultural conflicts; and the declining state of mental and physical health in America. This is also a time of social, political, and economic revolution; commodity and currency concerns; the deepening debasement of fiat money; and the potential end of United States power and dollar hegemony.

The transiting Moon activates the Pluto Return conjunction each month, which is a trigger for new developments within the larger cycle. I think it’s important to pay attention and take note of what is being reported in the media around these monthly activations, as this will offer clues about what we can expect in the way of massive changes this year and next. I imagine that this week, we will hear a lot more news about the de-dollarization trend.

Sun’s Aries Ingress on Friday, April 14: Mesha Sankranti Enhances Our Vitality

On Friday, April 14, around 5:28 AM Eastern Time (9:28 AM UTC), the Sun will enter the Aries constellation, known as its Aries ingress. According to the Vedic tradition, this event is known as Mesha Sankranti, and also Sankramana. It’s celebrated as the Solar New Year in Vedic astrology and in many of the rich and varied cultural traditions of India.

The astrological horoscope for Mesha Sankranti is interpreted by mundane astrologers according to specific rules for forecasting the year ahead. You might want to read or revisit my article about the Vedic New Year chart of March 21, in which I discuss how this Mesha Sankranti chart interfaces with the Chaitra Shukla Pratipada chart.

In this previous article, I mentioned that the Mesha Sankranti chart is used for matters related to business, commerce, and government. Some areas of India use this for the New Year chart instead of the Chaitra Shukla Pratipada chart. Yet, even for those using the latter, the Mantri or Prime Minister of the Year is usually calculated according to the planetary lord of the day on which the Sun enters Aries.

Jupiter is the Minister of the Year for the United States chart, based on the fact that the Sun will move into Aries before sunrise in the United States capital, so according to Vedic astrology the day is still Thursday since a day goes from sunrise to sunrise. And Jupiter is the lord of Thursdays. Based on my analysis of Jupiter in both New Year charts (the ones for March 21 and April 14), as discussed previously, I foresee:

…ongoing chaos, power plays, hidden agendas, management issues, and ineffectiveness in the realm of problem solving, especially via the government and other powers that control the public sector. In mundane astrology, Jupiter rules finances, commerce, and banks. Its condition in both New Year charts is not surprising, given the pandemonium and catastrophe that is now occurring in the global economy…

In addition to the mundane astrology considerations related to the Sun’s Aries ingress, it is also an important day for everyone. This is because the Sun represents the Self, our soul purpose, path and life force. When the Sun rises in the constellation of Aries, where it will transit for the next month, it is once again embarking on its yearlong journey around the zodiac!

The Sun is exalted in Aries, where it gives some of its best results, thus manifesting potentially as new initiative, and more vitality, focus, drive, courage, strength, and clarity of thought. Mesha Sankranti is a wonderful day for prayers, new intentions and affirmations!

Sandhi Sun Occurs From 12 Hours Before Until 12 Hours After the Sun’s Aries Ingress: A Time to Be Mindful and Aware

From 12 hours before until 12 hours after the Sun’s Aries ingress, the Sun is in a sensitive transitional phase called sandhi, when it is on the cusp or edge between two signs. This is when we might “lose our way” temporarily. In this case, the Sun is also shifting through the gandanta, the edge between a water and fire sign (Pisces to Aries in this case). The gandanta represents some big transformational energy and also, possible emotional tension or upset.

According to classical Muhurta (Elective Astrology), we should avoid the Sun’s sandhi period for beginning a new action like starting a job or new program of study, making a significant purchase, setting out on a journey, establishing a new business venture, or getting engaged or married, etc. This is because the Sun is the soul of the world and the vitality of everything in life, and it needs to be strong when we set anything new into motion if we want that matter to have positive lasting results.

Mercury and Mars Remain in Mutual Reception While Mercury is also Conjunct Rahu and Uranus: Stormy Weather Literally and Figuratively

As I have shared before, Mercury is transiting in fiery Aries from March 31 to June 7. Additionally, Mercury and Mars are exchanging signs from March 31 until May 10. I wrote about this transit in a previous article. During this period, Mercury will retrograde from April 21 to May 14. (Please stay tuned for a future post about the retrograde cycle).

Mercury is further agitated because it is transiting in the sign of the eclipse and will be conjunct Rahu, the Moon’s North Node, on and off in April and May. These aspects can point to loads of free-floating anxiety, aggravation, aggression, stress, and unease; and, upheaval and breakdowns in mass media and interpersonal communications. There may also be toxic or clouded thinking; heightened criminality; travel and transportation issues; social unrest; stormy weather literally and metaphorically; and social and political turmoil.

On the plus side, Mercury will be within a five-degree effective orb of conjunction with Uranus beginning April 13, and then will move out of orb by April 29, and will come back within an effective orb of conjunction in late May. They will be exactly conjunct in early June. This aspect suggests the possibility for new insights and scientific, philosophical, or technological discoveries.

As you can see, we have a week of exciting events coming up. Some astrological shifts, such as the Sun moving into Aries, may bring us new energy and good feelings, while others may be more challenging for us. Are you especially excited or worried about any of these upcoming cosmic events? Let me know in the comments section!

Fill us with the Light.

Give us the strength to understand, and the eyes to see.

Teach us to walk the soft Earth as relatives to all that live. (Sioux Prayer)