April begins with the Sun at the beginning of the nakshatra Revati. This is one of the more esoteric signs in the lunar constellations. Revati is the end of the task, the setting Sun after the long day, and mythologically associated with the Hindu Pralaya; a mythological destruction of the universe at the end of the cosmic cycle. Tasks or events/relationships may move towards a final stage and a sense of completion or end. All of this is to prepare for the new dawn when the Sun moves to Aries, initiating new karmas and setting the stage for new work to be accomplished in the our constant evolution. One of the most important attributes of Revati is its association with the deity Pushan, a solar deity given the image of a good sheperd guiding his flock to better lands. In the Greek Mythos this nakshatra is clearly under the influence of Hermes Psychompompos, the guide of souls. At the end of life, the completion of the task, Hermes guides souls from the banks of the otherworldly river of souls to the heavens of the gods based on how they have lived their lives. Likewise Revati gives the results of your work this last year and either weighs it against you or for you, setting the stage for further evolution or penance accordingly. In mundane astrology Revati is inauspicious for any kind of new beginning or entrepreneurial activities. Revati withdraws energy inwards and the Sun’s motion through it is best spent in reflection, learning the lessons of this last year. Mercury as the lord of Revati will be moving through Aries, adding fire to revati that it generally lacks and giving people the ability to forcibly end something that they have allowed to go on for too long.

Saturn will be trine to the Sun for most of the Sun’s movement through Revati, adding a kind of nostalgia to the transit through Revati, making us think about long-term relationships and life situations and determining whether these things still have a place in our life.

On the 13th of April the Sun will move into Ashwini and commence its journey through Aries, a great place to be for the Sun! Though Ashwini commences Aries, it is best to wait until next month when the Sun enters into Krittika before setting out on any big new journey in life. Ashwini is ruled by the divine physicians, and this is the time to apply any “medicines” that you may need if you have had to let go and end something in your life while the Sun moved through Revati. Ashwini is connected to horses, but not so much in riding them right now as in taking care of them and preparing them for the journey ahead. So check your resources, make your plans, and set goals for this next year during this time. Being ruled by Ketu and driven towards moksha (liberation), this lunar constellation is still very much introverted. Ashwini can be quite stressful for people who don’t handle change well or who become overwhelmed when they set goals and make new plans. The most auspicious days during this transit through ashwini will be the 17th and 18th, when the Moon gives a nice combinaiton alongside Jupiter to alleviate the sarpa yoga being caused by Rahu and Ketu. The same special aspect will form on the 26th of April, so these dates are good for planning important events, job interviews, etc.

Starting the 27th we will end the month with the Sun beginning its transit through Bharani, a lunar mansions associated with fertility, growth and development.  It is a good time for slowly setting into motion your plans for this next year, but due do its being ruled by Venus and Yama the god of death, it can bring out latent sicknesses, lack of discipline, or poisonous relationships and throw them in our face. Relationships and health are the main areas of life that Bharani affects people in on an individual level.

Rahu and Ketu are still locked in a bad sarpa (snake) yoga with Saturn and Mars contributing their harmful affects as well. Hence four malefics in kendras/angles to one another is quite bad for anyone whose ascendant, Sun or Moon  is placed in Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius. The saving grace is Jupiter staying in Leo to help alleviate the harshness of the combination. This combination effects governments and large-scale communities more than it does individuals, but it will still give a feeling of helplessness or restriction in the lives of people with the signs mentioned above playing a prominent role in their chart. In general such a sarpa yoga restricts karma and makes it unusually difficult to succeed for a while. One of the best remedies is to make offerings to Ganesh or to serve a Ganesh temple.  Wearing yellow sapphire or yellow beryl will also help alleviate problems due to finances from the sarpa yoga.

Specific Ascendants

Aries: Mercury transits over the ascendant giving blessings for intellectual pursuits, school projects, etc. By the end of the month the Sun, Venus and Mercury will all be crammed into Aries. Venus is not particularly happy in Aries and may cause relationships issues, while the Sun and Mercury both give good results for health, new endeavors, professions, etc. The placement of Mars in Scorpio fortifies the ascendant.

Taurus: One of the four signs being locked in by the sarpa yoga between Rahu, Ketu, Mars and Saturn. This will lead to frustrations and give a feeling of “hitting a wall” in life. Jupiter’s aspect can help avert such frustration by using social connections and relationships to help overcome trouble areas. Saturn and Mars in the 7th will likely obstruct relationships or lead to taboo situations or breaches of trust.

Gemini: The lord of the sign is Mercury, which will be moving through Aries in the 11th house throughout April. This is good for any kind of trade deals or business agreements, or for setting up alternate sources of income. Ketu in the 9th could obstruct educational pursuits, or it could drive one towards studying scripture and spiritual teachings.

Cancer: The month begins with Venus and the Sun in the 9th house, which is good for spiritual learning, practice and studying philosophy. It is also good for higher education. Once the Sun moves into Aries in April then opportunities may arise in business and career. Rahu/Ketu in the 2nd/8th houses will either cause health issues or make you health-conscious, both of which can be turned towards positive ends by encouraging you to make lifestyle changes.

Leo: Rahu and Ketu directly afflict Leo, but Jupiter luckily offsets a good bit of the negativity. There could be loss or restriction due to government, taxes, legal issues, etc. At the same time though, Jupiter may try to give status and elevation in professional positions, and Rahu could indicate that such changes are quick and unplanned for. The Sun in the 8th house at the beginning of the month could lead to sickness or personal loss, but by the end of the month the ascendant lord Sun will be very strong in Aries, giving a lot of strength to the ascendant, which in turn makes most endeavors much easier. It will certainly offset the malefic influence of the sarpa yoga.

Virgo: Sun and Venus in the 7th may bring a new relationship into your life, or help an existing relationship. The Sun in the 7th is about how our relationships effect our identity, but it is also good for forming business partnerships. Jupiter strong in the 12th could lead to expenditures or unexpected losses of income due to Rahu, but could just as easily lead to foreign travel depending on how Jupiter is placed in your natal chart.

Libra: Mercury, Sun and Venus will all be in the 7th house by the end of April. This combination favors business decisions more than it does personal relationships. The ascendant lord in the 7th house impels you to move forward in life. Mercury in the 7th alongside Sun is good for trade and business. Saturn and Mars in 2nd may bring troubles with family, and Ketu in the 5th can cause problems with your children, or lead to a disconnect with them. Rahu and Jupiter in the 11th is a good combination for trying to find alternate sources of income.

Scorpio: Saturn and Mars are both retrograde in Scorpio. This can lead to a lot of stress and a feeling of things going out of control, or especially a feeling of moving backwards in life. Mars luckily is strong in its own sign so it gives good initiating energy to start new things or work hard for the final push of a current project. With Saturn the lord of the 3rd and 4th hanging out in Scorpio for a long time to come, this year and next will focus a lot on finding purpose to life, developing new skills and trying to find a sense of happiness that is lasting.

Sagittarius: The lord of Sagittarius is retrograde alongside Rahu in the 9th house. This can bring in a lot of changes to your life philosophy and personal beliefs. Ketu in the 3rd is good for spiritual practice and austerities but can lead to issues with siblings. Mars strong in the 12th could lead to international travel, but the placement of Saturn means such travel will be due to necessity and not pleasure.

Capricorn: Ketu/Rahu in the 2nd/8th houses will bring out health issues and stress that has to be resolved, and such a transit is an excellent time to think a lot about health and lifestyle. Family relationships will be important for this next year as well, and any rifts in the family need to be healed during this time. Ketu in the second can lead to temptation to poison the body through bad diet, alcohol and substance abuse, so be weary of this and cling to Jupiter (guru, beliefs, spiritual path) to overcome such temptations.

Aquarius: Right along the Ketu/Rahu nodal axis, Aqaurius ascendants will be dealing with a lot of issues that revolve around self image and relationships. Saturn and Mars in the 10th will create a lot of work and exhaustion, so try to pace yourself. It is time to begin using skills you have developed, or put to use an education you have finished. Try to find a way out of the same old life situation.

Pisces: The Sun is moving through the final lunar mansion of Pisces at the beginning of April, and Venus is there as well. Venus in Pisces is an important combination for self expression through art of any kind. The Sun in Pisces will help revitalize the body and give a sense of purpose. Ketu in the 12th and Rahu in the 6th could lead to some persona loss or people turning against you. Ketu in the 12th could also lead to taboo or culturally unusual beliefs or experiences.