by Lina Elisabeth Preston 4 min read

This April is tumultuous and intense, with many important astrological events.

A total solar eclipse occurs on April 8, while Mercury's behavior is unpredictable and erratic. Mars and Saturn are together in Aquarius, and Jupiter stays close to Uranus. This is a month of significant change and transformation, but the second half can open new opportunities. 

Total Solar Eclipse in Pisces

Eclipses bring out hidden possibilities - for better or for worse. What emerges after an eclipse is powerful enough to alter our perspective on life; eclipses contribute to molding our destiny.

In Vedic astrology, the first new Moon in Pisces is celebrated as the Vedic New Lunar Year. This is a new cycle, and the astrological chart at this time sets the tone for the year. This year, the start of the New Lunar Year coincides with a total solar eclipse. According to this astrological chart, 2024 will be a turbulent and unstable year.

The Great American Solar Eclipse on April 8 occurs at 25 degrees Pisces in Revati Nakshatra. As the last nakshatra, it is a nakshatra of endings. The nakshatra that follows, Ashwini, the first nakshatra in Aries, represents a new dawn. 

This powerful eclipse shows that we are in a time of significant change and transformation. Read more in my article, Eclipses in 2024.

A Tumultuous Journey

Mercury is going through a lot during this time which makes his energy turbulent and unpredictable.

Mercury passed Gandanta from Pisces and moved into Aries on March 25. Mercury now begins his retrograde on April 1 at three degrees Aries. At the time of the solar eclipse, Mercury, barely in Aries, is both Gandanta and retrograde. The day after the solar eclipse on April 9, Mercury is Gandanta in the last degree of Pisces and is only three degrees from the Sun.

As Mercury continues to retrograde, he meets the newly eclipsed Sun in an exact conjunction on April 11 and meets Venus on April 18. 

Mercury crosses paths with Rahu when he stations and turns direct (April 23 - 27), which could also be turbulent. Mercury stays in Pisces until May 10.

Read more in my article, Mercury's Unique Journey in 2024.

A Telling Example of Mercury in Gandanta

Recently, there have been a few examples of the effects of Mercury in Gandanta.

For example, the Baltimore Bridge collapsed on Tuesday morning, March 26, right after the Lunar Eclipse in Virgo. Mercury was gandanta in Pisces while the Moon was eclipsed in Virgo.

A cargo ship lost its power while transitioning out of the harbor. The cargo ship lost control and crashed into the bridge, which collapsed.

The planet Mercury represents communication, business, transportation, and short journeys.

Gandanta is a place where loss of control can occur. Drowning is an example, and a blackout is another. The cusp between Pisces and Aries is a transition point. A Bridge is a connection between two different places.

Other Planets Passing the Gandanta

As the planets begin to leave Pisces and move into Aries, they pass through the eclipse point and Gandanta.

The Sun is Gandanta on April 12 and 13. However, after April 14 he is exalted and strong with his friend Jupiter for the remainder of the month.

Constructive or Destructive?

Mars joined Saturn in Aquarius on March 15, and their conjunction is exact on April 10. Saturn governs foundations, boundaries, and organization, while Mars represents energy.

Their conjunction is powerful. However, the question is: powerful for what?
Is it constructive or destructive? 

A destructive Mars / Saturn can destroy and tear down, while a constructive combination can build, rebuild, and defend. 

Due to the world's tension and stress, we will likely see anger, frustration, and demonstrations around this time.

Expansion

The end of the month is a lot more positive.

The Sun is comfortable in Aries after April 14. Jupiter stays very close to Uranus, which indicates an expansive shift in consciousness. The desire for freedom from restriction is strong in this sign of exuberant beginnings. Jupiter with Uranus can bring sudden opportunities, expansion. On the hand, Uranus also represents revolution and can bring rebellion.

In this very eventful month of the year, let us reflect on the importance of kindness. 

Kindness is the Light 
that dissolves all walls
between souls, families, and nations
– Paramahansa Yogananda

April 2024 Astrological Dates to Remember

  • March 31 - April 24 Venus in Pisces
  • April 1 - April 25 Mercury Retrograde
  • April 8-10 Mercury in Gandanta as Mercury retrogrades back into Pisces from Aries
  • April 8 Total Solar Eclipse in Pisces
  • April 9 - May 10 Mercury in Pisces
  • April 10 Mars / Saturn exact conjunction at 20°28 in Aq, Purva Bhadrapada
  • April 11 Mercury exact conjunct Sun 28 degrees Pisces
  • April 14 - May 14 Sun in Aries
  • April 18 Mercury R meets Venus at 23 degrees Pisces
  • April 18 - 30 Jupiter conjunct Uranus in Aries
  • April 22 - June 1 Mars in Pisces
  • April 24 - May 18 Venus in Aries

 

Blessings,
Lina

Lina Elisabeth Preston
Lina Elisabeth Preston

Lina Elisabeth Preston has been doing astrological consultations for 20 years. She is a certified Jyotish Visharada and member and practitioner with the Council of Vedic Astrology. Lina also works with vedic gemstones. A long time meditator and disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, Lina lives with her husband Binay at Ananda Village, a spiritual community in Northern California. Lina and Binay founded their business Northern Lights in 1990.



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