ATTENTION CLIENTS: Appointments are now being scheduled for July 2024
ATTENTION CLIENTS: Appointments are now being scheduled for July 2024
April 2024 Outlook:
This month is very busy, ushering in many complex planetary changes and some dramatic shifts, reflecting endings, change, transition to a new awareness/reality, and challenges, along with renewal, the opportunity to increase or deepen spiritual awareness/understanding, and finding some sense of completion from past events or situations. I’ll attempt to dissect these planetary changes in this month’s newsletter, and we can explore this from different vantage points.
Total Solar Eclipse on April 8th in Pisces/Revati Nakshatra:
By now, the upcoming total solar eclipse on 4/8 has been front and center in the news headlines since it is a relatively rare astronomical phenomenon. The last solar eclipse that directly crossed over the U.S. in full dark totality was on 8-21-2017, almost 7 years ago. You might recall that Trump had just become president in 2016, and that 2017 solar eclipse bisected the U.S. in exactly the opposite diagonal direction as compared to this next solar eclipse path happening this month. Specifically, the 2017 solar eclipse path started from the northwest, in Oregon, crossing on a diagonal over the U.S. and finally ending in the southeast, in South Carolina. That solar eclipse took 2 minutes 40 seconds for completion.
In comparison, this April 8th total solar eclipse begins in Mexico, then enters Texas at the southwestern border, and then crosses Texas diagonally in the center of the state, continuing until it exits the northeast section of the U.S. after crossing part of Maine. In comparison, this 2024 total solar eclipse moves in exactly the opposite diagonal direction as the 2017 total solar eclipse path. What to make of this? In one perspective, the first bi-section formed in 2017, accompanied a more extreme political division and bipolarization of attitudes and priorities in the country which grew and expanded substantially since that time, and we continue to experience that today. Currently, this next total solar eclipse division will also bisect the country in half, but from the southwest to the northeast this time. Perhaps this reflects a reversal in direction of attitudes and priorities for the U.S. or a reversal in governmental policies from that of 2017? It also forms a completion covering all 4 directions, north, south, east and west. No doubt, the U.S.A. is now in the bullseye of this eclipse, which puts greater emphasis on the impact for this particular country.
This eclipse will last 4 minutes 28 seconds in totality, almost twice the duration of the last 2017 total solar eclipse, which was only 2 minutes 40 seconds. One perspective indicates that for every 1 minute that the total solar eclipse takes place, the impact of the eclipse point will be in force for 1 year. We might anticipate that every time a planet hits or transits to the exact eclipse point of 25 degrees Pisces/Revati nakshatra, over the next 4 years, then a significant, relevant event is likely to take place.
This total solar eclipse (New Moon at 25 degrees Pisces with Rahu), manifests as a darkening of the luminaries, the Sun and the Moon. Rahu is considered to be an enemy to both luminaries, as it casts its shadow, creating temporary darkness. For this reason, the new Moon is considered to be the weakest point during every month, with or without an eclipse taking place. Yet, at these weaker points, it can be a particularly positive and stronger time to be more introspective, deepening one’s consciousness, and ultimately gaining more understanding and insight. The weaker side of the new Moon or total eclipse manifests in the material side, in that it is harder to successfully start events and have them progress well and to ultimately succeed.
For these reasons, for a few days prior to the eclipse day and a day or two after it ends, it is best to do more introspection, meditate, slow down and don’t impose your expectations and desires, temporarily. In other words, try to be more “neutral” in your thinking and be more observant all around you. Insight and awareness can be increased and accessed more readily during such times. It’s worth paying attention to the types of people and events that seem to come into your path during the pre and post eclipse periods, which we are in now, at the beginning of April as we move up toward April 8th. It is also wise to look more deeply within and see how you are doing, what is resonating for you this month—the good, bad and the ugly. An eclipse of this magnitude can offer an awakening or awareness of some deep-seated issues or problems that have been harboring under the surface for a long time.
This April 8th eclipse takes place in Pisces, Revati nakshatra. Pisces is the 12th sign, representing endings, completion of the cycle, letting go/cleansing/releasing, charitable actions and death. Pisces is also associated with empathy, generosity, spiritual advancement, heightened intuition and seeing above the petty details in life, looking toward a more holistic experience. The last of all 27 nakshatras “Revati” is defined as “the wealthy”, so it has a connotation to finance, as well as nourishment/nutrition/food. Pushan is the deity for Revati, who protects the animal kingdom, especially cows. He is known for protecting those who travel in body and giving them help along the way, and also for those who are dying, helping the soul leave the body (such as in hospice).
Considering this major solar eclipse in Revati enters the U.S. at the border crossing of south Texas, the emphasis on immigration, traveling and trying to figure out the best way to manage immigration becomes a primary focal point for the next 4 years in the U.S. (whoever controls congress and the executive branch of government). The timing is crystal clear, as there is a major election on the horizon and this is a complicated, problematic area that the U.S. has not resolved and mostly ignored for many decades across many presidencies and administrations. Four years for the next president to work on this issue, and four years for this eclipse to manifest its message. The parallel is obvious.
The other major factor involved, is “wealth” and “prosperity” in all of its forms, including food, agriculture and nutrition. This eclipse points to problems in this domain, disparity, distribution restrictions, issues with the food supply itself, health and well-being, especially involving animals and how they are treated. Will the U.S. put more emphasis on treating animals with more respect that they deserve, and improve the natural world that feeds us, or will the U.S. ignore this responsibility and pay the price with severe shortages and diseases that will come from poor decisions and attitudes. This is a good month to review your own diet and nutritional needs on a personal scale. This is an important month to consider the needs of our animal friends and companions and to take more direct action to help the animals of all types.
Revati also connects to endings, and the transitions that humans go through over the life cycle. The death and dying process comes more into focus. Hospice, euthanasia as an option to end life, as well as how we treat the entire dying process comes back into focus. These areas require more direct attention and acknowledgment, even though they are often uncomfortable topics that many Americans ignore or avoid.
In the U.S. chart, this total solar eclipse is taking place across the 4/10 axis of that chart. Note that Saturn is in the 10th house at 24 degrees Virgo, opposite the eclipse point. So, Ketu and Saturn will be conjunct on this eclipse date. The 4th house governs land, real estate, home, including homelessness, vehicles, educational institutions (schools) and security. Expect that these specific areas will become a much bigger focal point over the next 4 years. The Saturn/Ketu influence is problematic for transportation as Saturn rules the 3rd house which governs roads, transportation and infrastructure. Note the recent bridge collapse in Baltimore, MD which happened in-between the recent lunar and upcoming solar eclipse.
With Saturn in the 10th house of the government, in the U.S. chart, and transiting Ketu on the eclipse forming a tight conjunction with Saturn, this points to pessimism, being stuck in old ways, ideas and patterns and being unwilling to change as is necessary to grow and evolve. It can be a limiting or constrictive, rigid, fundamentalist type of influence that permeates the different branches government. Both Saturn and Ketu are separative, detaching energies and at their higher levels, together, this can bring a deeper awareness to detach from ignorance and rigidness in approach to solving problems. Since the eclipse is influencing the U.S. Saturn, there is some sort of challenge focused on the higher branches of government to change its extremist rigid attitudes and direction and take a different, opposite path, just as this total solar eclipse is doing as compared to 2017.
Finally, this total eclipse is calling out for us to “awaken”, as the darkness grows, so does the desire to seek the “light.” The eclipse calls out for attention, “wake up,” “you have work to do,” “go deeper, look deeper,” there are problems here that are not resolved. This is a powerful window of opportunity for all of us to do so at the macro-scale and in the personal aspects of our lives.
Mercury turns retrograde on 4/1, enters Pisces and crosses the eclipse point:
More to dissect this month: Mercury turns retrograde in early Aries on 4/1 and enters Pisces on 4/9. Retrograde, debilitated Mercury in Pisces will then cross over the 25th degree Pisces eclipse point on 4/15. We can anticipate mix-ups, delays, confusion, new data breaches, Internet disruptions and any areas associated with communication to go haywire around 4/15. This is a problematic transit for all types of travel, especially over the water. 4/15 of course is the deadline date for tax returns to be filed in the U.S. I recommend filing as early as possible to avoid such potential problems. These problems could easily fall on the I.R.S. or other state tax departments. Mercury continues to retrograde in Pisces until 4/25, when it then turns direct at 22 degrees. Mercury will make a second pass and conjunct the eclipse point of 25 degrees Pisces again on 5/04. This time Mercury will be moving “direct” and it may reflect the timing of fixing or resolving a problem related to the previous Mercury retrograde pass on 4/15.
Venus gains strength in exalted Pisces:
On a more interesting, positive note, Venus entered its strongest, exalted sign position of Pisces on 3/31 and will transit there until 4/24. Venus will also transit over the 25th degree Pisces eclipse point on 4/20. Amidst all of the turmoil, this is a powerful and excellent transit for highly creative, insightful, visionary, brilliant awareness, especially joining with Mercury during this month. This is a configuration that Albert Einstein has in his Vedic chart. It is excellent for abstract thinking, inventiveness, thinking out of the box, artistic endeavors and it can improve problem-solving tasks that require innovative and unusual approaches. Again, the introspective side is favored and can bring solutions to problems that were never considered previously. We might hear about novel approaches to healing, or new inventions on the horizon. It is great to try to tap into this energy throughout April. While logic and linear approaches may not be working well this month, the more creative, abstract, right-brain style should be percolating nicely! This is also a favorable time for generous, charitable actions, helping animals, being empathic in relationships and getting some pleasure and enjoyment that may have been missing in March when Venus was quite afflicted.
Mars and Saturn conjunct and then separate:
Mars continues its challenging transit in Aquarius with Saturn, as was discussed in detail in last month’s newsletter. Mars and Saturn conjunct exactly at 20 degrees Aquarius, just having entered Purvabhadra (one of the primary death nakshatras) on 4/10 (that is 2 days after the total solar eclipse). There is likely to be another major transportation accident, possibly over the air during this period. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are also much more plausible in April. The tendency for extreme and devastating tornadic activity and severe storms increases in April. The greater tendency for terrorist acts is also present throughout the month. This is the peak of the Mars/Saturn transit and then Mars will separate and move away from Saturn. On 4/22, Mars enters Pisces, and the restrictive, delayed experience of the Mars/Saturn conjunction ends. Mars continues to transit through Pisces until 6/1 when Mars enters Aries, its own sign, and becomes stronger. Mars will cross the eclipse point of 25 degrees Pisces on 5/25. That last week of May will be challenging, as Mars and Rahu will be conjunct as well.