Monthly Global Predictions for April 2014

Date Posted: March 31, 2014

A total Lunar Eclipse…….

A total lunar eclipse occurs on April 15, approximately during the hours of 5:00 to 11:00 GMT.  This eclipse will be visible in the North and South American continents and pacific island regions including Hawaii.

This eclipse is important since the Sun and Moon will be within 2-3 degrees from Ketu and Rahu respectively, and therefore will last for a long time (4-6 hours). The eclipse will occur with the Southern or descending node Ketu, in the sidereal zodiac sign Aries and the ascending node Rahu in Libra . Consequently this eclipse, according to Vedic astrology, is likely to be unfavorable for those who have sidereal Aries or Libra rising or Aries or Libra as moon sign. 

For those who have the lunar nodes in conjunction with either Sun or Moon in their natal charts, should watch-out.  It’s not a good day!  Take extra precaution and avoid any sort of outdoor activity requiring you to get out of the house.

On world scene, the United Sates, Canada, South America, Mexico and Pacific island region including Hawaii, are likely to be affected with undesirable events. 

About the Malaysian Airline Flight 370………

With the north lunar node (Rahu) and the retrograde Mars within 5 degrees in sidereal Libra along with the exalted Saturn and Moon, we enter the Spring Equinox of 2014. The mysterious disappearance of the Malaysian flight 370 (Rahu + retrograde Mars in air sign Libra) on Saturday, March 8 (soon after Mars and Saturn turned retrograde) is intriguing.  The nature of the retrograde Mars, Rahu and the retrograde Saturn means a possible tragedy in air (accidents?).  Did the plane crashed over sea?  Considering the planetary picture, none of these planets connected to water sign…and therefore, it doesn’t seem likely that the plane crashed over waters. Did it crash over land?  Only if the mystery gets solved before the Mars become direct.  If the mystery is not solved by the time Mars becomes direct (May 20) then it’s possible that survivors of that flight (at least some of them) might be found.

Although the beginning of the Spring Equinox is a bit bumpy, the latter half of the Spring Season will likely to be filled with optimism as far the world events are concerned.  As for the Ukrainian crisis, I expect we are likely to witness a full blown crisis situation during June – Oct 2014 period, as was pointed out, as a probable period for such crisis in my 2014 annual prediction column.  On individual level, those who have a well placed Saturn and Jupiter are likely to enjoy this period with meaningful life experiences.  

Global Predictions……

The important challenging planetary configurations for April include the total lunar eclipse (as described above), the retrograde Mars (March 2 – May 20), the retrograde Saturn (March 3 – July 21), Pluto-Jupiter (April 12-26) and Uranus-Mars (April 20-25) oppositions, Saturn-Rahu (March 23 – April 21) and Uranus-Saturn (April 28 – May 5) ninefold quincunxes, Uranus-Jupiter (Feb 14 – May 6), Pluto-Uranus (April 3 – May 6) and Pluto-Mars (April 20-25) squares.

Retrograde Mars (March 2 – May 20)

From the planetary influence standpoint, one of the major events for the next 2-3 months is the retrograde Mars, and on average it occurs once every two years.  On March 2, Mars becomes retrograde in the sidereal zodiac sign Libra, via it’s retrograde motion it goes back in Virgo on March 26, and stays retrograde in Virgo till May 20. Astrologically speaking, what does the retrograde Mars mean? And what can we expect from the retrograde Mars?

In general, when a planet turns retrograde, the positive energy offered by that planet is expected to slowly diminish.  In case of Mars, being a planet of total independence, high ego and energy, and more impulsive nature, usually when retrograde, it make things worse with incredible speed. 

In particular, during this retrograde Mars period, artists, entertainers, judges, musicians, engineers, designers, accountants and business people are likely to be more affected than others.

Also, during this period, expect a political tension building among developed nations.  Destruction of wealth due to natural calamities or man made accidents are also very likely. Due to the presence of Rahu and Saturn in Libra, other possibilities include a sudden rise in terrorist activities, escalation in a warlike climate between Israelis and Palestinians, and increased covert activities among nations.

Retrograde Saturn (March 3 – July 21)

Saturn became retrograde on March 3 and is going to stay retrograde till July 21, 2014 in sidereal Libra.  On the world scene, generally, the projects that deal with expansion are likely to either stay on hold or experience sluggish progress.  In religious world, things are likely to move at frustratingly slow rate.  In the political arena what may seem like progress will turn out to be a disaster.

The Pluto-Jupiter opposition will become responsible for a unique transformation in the field of religion as the planet Pluto with its tremendous energy has a power of irreversibly transforming the field of religion and academics to a new level or setting with a new set of norms. This is an important planetary event for people who deal with religion, religious and academic institutes. 

The influence of Uranus-Mars opposition will be reflected in natural and man-made calamities all around the world, especially in the United States of America.

The Saturn-Rahu ninefold quincunx will be responsible for social and political unrest in Russia and/or China. In addition, in the United States for the Republican Party and the republican leaders it may prove to be prudent to stay on guard during this period.

The manifestation of the Uranus-Saturn ninefold quincunx will be reflected in rise in covert activities among nations, possibilities of natural as well as man-made calamities and political and social turmoil in places like Russia (Ukraine) and China.  Non-democratic countries are likely to see shift of power from one faction (or dictator) to another. Religious activities around the world will likely to appear more secretive than open. 

The Uranus-Jupiter square will become responsible for significant changes in religious, academic and to some extent social fields, especially in the United States. Initial reaction to the change might appear to be a bit confusing and perhaps chaotic, but the majority of us are going to embrace this new wave of change and are very likely to enjoy it. The religious norms will certainly be under pressure for changes and those changes will be reflected in modified norms.

The Pluto-Uranus square could bring a unique change in the way the current US administration deals with other nations with respect to its war against terrorism and other international issues, and also with its domestic matters. There will be a transformation of a political strategy that is likely to become responsible for a change in the current political agenda and foreign policy matters (especially in dealing with Russia) of the Obama administration as the planet Pluto with its tremendous energy has a power of irreversibly transforming the field of politics to a new level or setting with a new set of norms. 

The influence of Pluto-Mars square maybe reflected in natural and man-made calamities all around the world.

The auspicious planetary configurations for April include Pluto-Neptune (April 8-30) ninefold trine. This ninefold trine may turn out to be positive in either bringing some sort of resolution between Russia and the western countries with respect to the Ukrainian situation.  In addition, on technological front expect some positive breakthroughs in medical, high technology and biotechnology fields. 

The countries that are more likely to be affected during this month are:  Russia, Ukraine, China, United States, Europe and the Middle East (Syria, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan and Palestine-Israel regions).

  • United States of America:    

President Obama and his administration:  

Since March 26, 2014, President Obama’s operating planets will be Mercury and Moon. Mercury will remain in Aquarius till April 4, and enters Pisces and remains in Pisces till April 20 and then in Aries for the rest of the month. Therefore, in his progressive chart, Mercury will remain in the 7th house till April 4, in the 8th house till April 20, and then in the 9th house for the rest of the month. The 7th house Mercury will continue to be challenging for him for the first 4 days of the month. But then the favorable 8th house Mercury will be positive for him till April20 during which time he will manage to some extent restore his popularity. From then on for the rest of the month he will be trading waters. Overall for the next few months he will likely to be experiencing bumpy ride and likely to face more and more challenges than in the past, and perhaps find it very difficult to successfully deal with them.

The Country:

The Uranus-Jupiter square will certainly leave its mark as significant changes in religious, academic and to some extent social fields are likely to occur. The religious norms will certainly be under pressure for changes and those changes will be reflected in modified norms.

The Saturn-Rahu ninefold quincunx will be responsible new challenges that the Republican Party and the republican leaders must deal with. It may prove to be prudent to stay on guard for the Republican party during this period.

The Pluto-Uranus square could become responsible for remarkable and irreversible changes in the political landscape.  The new ways of dealing with the politics will emerge and become very visible for the both parties. 

·        Russia:  The Saturn-Rahu ninefold quincunx (March 22- April 21) will become responsible for rise in covert activities, increased military activities and social turmoil. In addition, during the entire month, the Pluto-Uranus square may become responsible for a beginning phase of a serious conflict between the United States and Russia. 

·        Europe:  The entire month looks to be challenging for the continent from political stability and economic uncertainty standpoint.  The rising conflict between Russia and European Union as well as Europe will be the cause for the sustained uncertainty. Also, the manifestation of Uranus-Jupiter square will be reflected in new challenges for the religious activities in Europe through the entire month.

·        China, Japan, and Pacific-rim countries:  During the first three weeks of the month social and political instability in China may dominate the news headlines, and during the last eight days of the month China is likely to experience rise in covert activities and increased conflict with her neighbors.

·        Middle East:  During the entire month the situation in the Middle-East will become more volatile and uncertain.  A new crisis is likely to emerge between the Israelis and her neighbors.  From religion standpoint,  religious leaders are likely come under pressure to reform some of the old norms that the region is accustomed to.

·        Religion:  The Uranus-Jupiter square will become responsible for significant changes in religious field, especially in the United States. Initial reaction to the change might appear to be a bit confusing and perhaps chaotic, but the majority of us are going to embrace this new wave of change and are very likely to enjoy it. The religious norms will certainly be under pressure for changes and those changes will be reflected in modified norms.  

·        Natural and Man-made Calamities:  The natural calamities like extreme weather conditions, wildfires, hurricanes, heavy rains, air crashes as well as man made accidents are very likely to occur during almost the entire month and more specifically during April 20-25.

      Earthquakes: Based on the earthquake prediction model II, the earthquake(s) of magnitude 7 or higher, if occur, are likely to occur on April 2-3, 5, 7, 14-18, 22, 26 and  30.

      While man-made calamities may manifest themselves in terrorism, unrest, violence, accidents, and air crashes, the natural calamities are likely to include extreme weather conditions such as severe cold winters, and equally intensive droughts, hurricanes or typhoons, thunderstorms, earthquakes and fires.