Overview
On April 21 the planet Mercury enters into retrograde motion in sidereal Aries. This will last until it becomes direct again on May 15, during which time we may experience a range of common issues like communication breakdowns, unexpected delays, anxieties, frustrations, missing deadlines, unforeseen obstacles, and disappointment in daily chores. More details below.
Jupiter’s transit in Aries on April 21 is one of the major planetary events for the month, which is exciting news for the world. As Aries is a fire and cardinal sign ruled by Mars, Jupiter’s energy will play the role of an advisor to leaders of the world in almost every area of life. This means that we can expect a lot of changes and developments in world politics, world leaderships, material expansion, creating new norms in philosophy, judiciary systems, social justice, morality, and religion.
Meanwhile, Neptune’s transit in Pisces is also one of the significant planetary stories for 2023, which we discussed in detail below. This subtle and slow change in our collective moral and spiritual perceptions will be manifested in ways that we’ve never experienced before. It’s an era (the next 14 years) that will be remembered as the period of spiritual inspiration and transformation.
Lastly, there’s a Jupiter-Rahu conjunction happening in Aries, which is expected to be more intense within three degrees from May 17 to June 9, 2023. However, we may see a glimpse of what’s to come during the last week of April. It’s a possibility that there will be a severe religious or morality crisis and a shift in world power.
Retrograde Mercury (April 21 – May 15)
On April 21, the planet Mercury becomes retrograde in sidereal Aries. It will stay retrograde in Virgo all the time until it becomes direct on May 15. Typically, retrograde Mercury means anxieties, communication breakdowns, unexpected delays, frustrations, missing deadlines, unforeseen obstacles and disappointment in daily chores.
Retrograde Mercury in Aries means more frustrating periods for people in power, military personnel, soldiers, money managers, reformers, and leaders. This is not a good time to start a new project or venture, but rather reflect on what’s been done so far. This is the best time to cleanup that closet and do other chores that you have been postponing due to lack of time.
In addition, if you have dominating Mercury in your birth chart and if Mercury is currently your active planet, then you are more likely to experience pronounced effects of retrograde Mercury during this period with respect to matters signified by the house it’s currently transiting through in your Gochar (transit) chart. However, for those who have Pisces, Capricorn, Scorpio, Virgo, Cancer or Gemini as their ninefold ascendant are least likely to be affected during this period.
Justice and Morality — Jupiter’s transit in the sidereal zodiac sign Aries (April 21)
On April 21, Jupiter leaves sidereal Pisces and enters the next zodiac sign, Aries. Jupiter’s transit from one zodiac sign to the next occurs, on average, once a year. Aries being a fire and cardinal sign ruled by friendly Mars, Jupiter’s energy will be responsible in playing the role of an advisor to the leaders of the worlds in almost every area of life. Therefore, for the entire world, in general, it’s going to be an exciting time filled with justice and morality as Jupiter’s energy makes difference. Aries Jupiter deals with world politics, world leaderships, material expansion, creating new norms in philosophy, judiciary system, social justice, morality, and religion.
Jupiter stays in Aries until May 1, 2024. While in Aries, being a cardinal and fire sign ruled by Mars, Jupiter in Aries has a tendency to enhance power and leadership of those who have well placed and well -connected Mars and Jupiter in their birth charts while others likely to experience their power diminish. In general, transit of Jupiter in Aries is positive. Some factions around the world as well as individuals are likely to gain more power and authority in their respective fields. (It must be noted that despite Jupiter’s positive influence on power and authority, influence of other planets should be taken into consideration to assess the net effect). In addition, philosophers and social reformers will be shaping the future direction of human evolution.
Since Jupiter will be in conjunction within three degrees with the north lunar node Rahu during May 17 – June 9, 2023 in Aries, the possibilities of a severe religious or morality crisis as well as shift in world power are very likely. The world is entering a new era of human evolution, which will challenge the religious and morality-based norms that we hold today. As a result, we can expect to see a significant shift in the balance of power in world politics, which may lead to unprecedented crises. On the brighter side, this period will also provide a unique opportunity for contemporary philosophers, social reformers, and individuals with unique intelligence-based talents to thrive and influence people positively. So, if you’re one of those individuals, get ready to seize this moment and make a difference!
On individual levels, for those who have dominant Jupiter in their birth charts and have Pisces (money), Sagittarius (romance, creativity), Libra (marriage), Virgo (money), Leo(luck), Gemini (friends, recognition and money) as their natal ninefold ascendant are likely to experience a very positive period beginning April 21.
Authoritarian regimes facing more crises and loss of control?
After being retrograde, Neptune returned to Pisces on February 15 and continues to transit through Pisces for the following 14 years (till mid 2036). Neptune will certainly affect the matters related to Pisces in a significant way.
The most significant characteristics of Pisces are: Divine, fruitful, fertile, emotional, honest, outspoken, religious, spiritual, nonviolent, polite, modest, moody, affectionate, hermit, psychic, water, compassion, love, heart connection, non-verbal communication and introvert. These qualities complement very well with qualities of Neptune that include: spiritual, intuitive, divine, psychic, magical, highly emotional, moody, clairvoyant, inspiration, imaginative, love, compassionate and mystical.
As a result, a subtle and slow change in our collective moral and spiritual perceptions is certainly going to be manifested in the way we never experienced before. This era (next 14 years) will be remembered as the period of spiritual inspiration and transformation. Interestingly, this era also complements well with the era of Pluto’s transit in sidereal Capricorn (a sign ruled by spiritual Saturn) that runs in parallel during the same time. The way we used to deal with religions will no longer be our norms. Our moral codes will be greatly influenced by our collective spiritual experiences. During this unique era, a subtle yet effective transformation of world morality is expected to occur, which will take us to a new level of understanding. It is likely that norms solely based on spiritual experiences will start to dictate and guide our lives. This shift will have a profound impact on how we perceive the world and our place in it.
Pisces, being the sign for poets, musicians, singers, monks, religious leaders, spiritual leaders, nurses, nuns, social workers, caregivers, saints, psychics, actors, sailors and ship captains, these respective fields will go through significant transformations. These transformations will be reflected in the new norms of morality and ethics, expansion of our collective psychic abilities and mystical experiences keeping in line with steady progress in our ability to directly perceive truth. Also, creativity in areas of music will likely complement our spiritual progress.
The next 14 years will witness drastic changes and emerging new ideas in scientific and technological areas, leading to groundbreaking innovations and discoveries. However, for the first time, the focus will be on bridging the gap between science and morality. Research will explore spiritual healing, life-force related activities, and new sources of energy that do not harm the environment.
Recent news about harnessing energy from nuclear fission and reducing the use of fossil fuels will likely become a reality. Additionally, there will be a return to holistic and Ayurvedic practices, as well as alternative medicines. As we move forward, we can expect to see a more conscious approach to scientific and technological advancements that prioritize the well-being of both individuals and the planet.
On the downside, the religious leaders and social reformers may tend to form cults and spread cult like activities, rise in organized religion scandals, deceptive activities under the disguise of promise of spiritual experiences are likely to be on rise in certain parts of the world. The scandals of the secretive collaboration between the medical doctors and pharmaceutical industries will continue to be exposed. The increase usage of mind-altering drugs, disregard for social and to some extent moral responsibility, rise in mental disorders, and losing the touch with reality are some of the likely symptoms of the negative side of Neptune. One of the prominent impacts of the Piscean Neptune will be a significant decline of authoritarian regime’s influence around the world. Russia, China, and other authoritarian regimes will continue to lose their hold as they face the forces of our collective spiritual transformation.
On individual level for those who have water sign (Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces) as their ascendant in their natal ninefold (Navamansh) chart should get ready for a brand new and long lasting (14 years) cycle of change, especially a very pronounced cycle for those who have Neptune as a dominant planet in their birth charts. The changes that might occur would be very subtle and would deal with new or renewed interest in spirituality, openness, psychic abilities to perceive truth, divine experiences, transformed perceptions and beliefs, and the way of living.
Beginning of upheaval in
Social Media Industries?
On January 17, Saturn returned to the sidereal Aquarius and will stay in Aquarius until March 29, 2025.
What does Saturn in the sidereal Aquarius mean?
Aquarius being the air (intelligence) and fixed (perseverance) sign, Saturn’s energy will likely be strongly reflected in the scientific research that deal with information technology which help us collectively bring us together at a phenomenal rate leading to a new level of understanding of this world as a part of the process of our spiritual growth.
Thus, philanthropists, social reformers, philosophers, scientists, spiritual leaders (not religious leaders) and peace-makers will shape our world with better clarity and purpose.
On the downside, some of the prominent social media and internet related companies will likely to go under and become replaced with new companies as a part of Saturn/Pluto’s transformation process.
Those who have Saturn in Aquarius (Saturn return) in their natal charts have already been experiencing Saturn’s energy as their lives transformed to a new settings due to a drastic change (mostly) at mental and psychological levels. In my opinion, despite a painful period of frustration due to unexpected drastic changes in life, it’s going to be an exciting period for those who have dominant Saturn in their birth chart and have Aries, Taurus, Virgo and Sagittarius as their natal ninefold (Navamansha) ascendant.
Global Insights
The important challenging possibilities for April include:
April 17-21: Social or political unrest in Russia and/or China. Also, in the United State for the Republican Party and republicans it may prove to be prudent to stay on guard during this period.
The important auspicious possibilities for April include:
March 21 – April 9: An extraordinary time for technological discoveries and inventions. Expect some new important technological breakthroughs during the second half of the month. For the United States, in particular, this period is going to be remarkable.
April 6-12 and April 9-May 1: An expansion of religious activities all around the world with new vigor and energy as well as progress in technical fields (new innovations and discoveries). Conservatives will find ways to compromise with liberals on sticky issues. Democrats and Republicans will agree on more matters than the ones they disagree.
April 12-16: A favorable period for European economy. The Republican Party and republicans may also find themselves at a better place in politics.
April 17-22 and April 28 – May 10: An excellent period for economy. In addition, this period is great for progress in technical fields (new innovations and discoveries) and religious reconciliation.
The countries that are more likely to be affected during this month are: The United States, Europe, Russia, Ukraine, and China.
Planetary Energies for Individuals
Pluto-Saturn ninefold sextile (April 6-12)
If in your Gochar (transit) chart either Pluto or Saturn is active and if Pluto is favorably positioned with respect to Saturn in your natal chart expect a very favorable time during this period. Positive events will be related to the affairs signified by the houses these planets occupy or aspects. For example, if the seventh house is involved, expect a new and positive development in a relationship, or business partnership, or success in capturing the audience if you deal with masses. If eleventh house is involved, it may financially prove to be a very rewarding period.
Saturn-Rahu ninefold opposition (and Ketu-Saturn ninefold conjunction) (April 17-21)
The occurrence of the Saturn-Rahu ninefold opposition is not favorable for those who have such opposition in their birth charts. In addition, if the lunar node Rahu (or Ketu), or Saturn is active in your Gochar (transit) chart, then you might want to consider taking extra precautions in areas which are affected by these planets as indicated in your natal chart. Such people should avoid taking any kind of risk at any cost during this period. Such opposition can make things so miserable and difficult for you that you are never going to forget them in your life. Staying low key is certainly the way to go. Avoid any new ventures and postpone the matters that you want to begin till this period is passed.
Jagdish Maheshri
Professional Vedic Astrologer
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