Date Posted: March 31, 2018

Although it’s very difficult to predict the influence of planets on a given individual without referring to his or her birth chart the following is intended only as a general guideline.  For confirmation, however, you must refer to your birth chart. Based on the assessment of planetary strengths or weaknesses in your birth chart, placement of planets in your current progressive regular and ninefold charts, and the current operating planetary cycles the following may or may not be applicable.  

Retrograde Mercury (March 23 – April 15) 

On March 23, the planet Mercury becomes retrograde in sidereal Pisces. It will stay retrograde in Pisces until April 15. Typically retrograde Mercury means anxieties, communication breakdowns, unexpected delays, frustrations, missing deadlines, unforeseen obstacles and disappointment in daily chores. Retrograde Mercury in Pisces means more frustrating periods for people who work in hospitals, charities, psychiatric wards, prisons, monks, spiritually inclined and peole with deep emotional issues or challenges. This is the time not to start a new project or venture, but rather reflect on what’s been done so far.  Also, 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 operating planet, then you are more likely to experience the pronounced effects of retrograde Mercury during this period with respect to matters signified by the house it’s currently transiting through in your progressive chart.

Rahu-Jupiter ninefold opposition (Ketu-Jupiter ninefold conjunction) (March 6 – April 17)

While Rahu-Jupiter ninefold opposition is likely to temporarily favor orthodox and ultra conservative religious authorities, it also is going to sow seed of self destruction for those authorities.  Some sort of religious upheaval or conflict is likely to surface during this period.  

For those who have favorable Rahu-Jupiter aspect in their birth charts are likely to see some positive changes occurring in their lives during this period.  However, for those who have lunar nodes squaring with the Jupiter are likely to face some rough times during this period.

On a collective level, besides its influence on religion as stated above, Rahu-Jupiter ninefold opposition may become responsible in slowing down social progress, humanitarian efforts, and charity work.  The morality, in general, is likely to take a backseat and religious scandals may come to the surface during this period.

Saturn-Rahu ninefold trine (Saturn-Ketu sextile)  (March 27 – April 3)

Saturn-Rahu ninefold trine is usually favorable for those who have lunar nodes favorably placed in their natal charts with respect to Saturn.  If such placing is connected to the first house, second house, ninth house, tenth house, or eleventh house then expect monetary as well as power gains, promotions and improved prestige in professional and social fields.  The ideas that you always wanted to pursue your desired goals but somehow could never get started….now is the time to follow that dream. You will distinctly notice and feel the positive energy flowing through you during this period.  It’s time to jump in and enjoy this period.

Pluto-Uranus ninefold quincunx (April 1-14)

At a collective level, the Pluto-Uranus ninefold quincunx could bring a unique change in the way the current US administration deals with other nations with respect to its war against terrorism agenda, and also with its domestic matters. There will be a transformation of a political strategy that might become responsible of a change in the current political agenda, and foreign policy matters of the Trump 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. Expect some serious issues that the Trump administration could get tangled with.

On an individual level, if in your birth chart Pluto makes a quincunx with Uranus, and if either of these planets is currently influencing your life via your current progressive chart, then you are very likely to be affected by this quincunx.  Depending on the houses these planets occupy in your birth chart, you are going to have a sudden and a totally new and a very unpleasant experience in that particular field. Be ready to face this unwanted experience. Stay alert and try not to start a new venture that requires taking risk. It’s like you are on a business trip or company assignment and you are immediately called off or caught in a situation that you find very difficult if not impossible to get out. 

Mars-Saturn Conjunction (April 1-3)

Mars-Saturn conjunction changes a perfectly normal and healthy situation in to the one with a lot of tension and friction. For those who have such conjunction in their birth charts, and if they have any one of these planets influencing them through the current progressive cycles certainly need to be on guard. Simply lay back and do nothing.  If you must involve in an unwanted situation, be extra careful and try to minimize the damage. Experiences like fire burns, rape, accidents, theft, loss of precious things, and monetary disasters are real possibilities.

On the world scene, a short term but very intensive friction between India and Pakistan is very likely. Terrorism and violence, especially in Israel-Palestine area will be on rise. Outbreak of an undesirable happening, and strong occurrences of both natural and man-made calamities are real possibilities.

Neptune-Rahu ninefold trine (and Neptune-Ketu ninefold sextile) (April 3-10)

Neptune-Rahu ninefold trine is going to be very auspicious and favorable for those who have these planets favorably placed in their natal charts.  Expect monetary as well as power gains, promotions and improved prestige in professional and social fields.  The ideas that you always wanted to pursue but somehow could never get started….now is the time to follow that dream. You will distinctly notice and feel the positive energy flowing through you during this period.  It’s time to jump in and enjoy this period.

On a collective level, religious activities all around the world are likely to expand with new vigor and energy, conservatives will have upper hand over the liberals, China and Russia are likely to see positive developments occurring in the social and economical fields.

Pluto-Jupiter Sextile (April 3-21)

This is an important planetary event for people who deal with religion, religious and academic institutes. This auspicious sextile could 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. 

In your birth chart if Jupiter and Pluto are either in conjunction or trine or in sextile, and if either of these planets is currently influencing your life via your current progressive chart, then you are perhaps standing on the thresh-hold of a new era that’s about to begin in your life. Depending on the houses these planets occupy in your birth chart, you are going to have a totally new and a very different experience in that particular field. Be ready to accept this new settings with new challenges as well as the rewards that come with them.

On a collective level, religious and academic and to some extent social fields are very likely to see changes coming in their respective fields. 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.

Mars-Rahu quincunx (April 5-8)

During this period Mars quincunxes Rahu.  Typically Mar’s quincunx with a lunar node is very unfavorable and unfortunate situation in general.  If you have such a quincunx or opposition in your birth chart, and if you have any one of these planets influencing you through your current progressive cycle then you need be very careful about the matters indicated by the respective houses in your birth chart.  Probably the best thing to do is to lay low key, not make any new commitment and avoid taking any sort of risk.  

On the world scene, during this period both natural and man-made calamities causing destruction and loss of lives, and perhaps a demise of an international level political leader are likely.

Uranus-Rahu ninefold quincunx  (April 10-15)

If in your birth chart Uranus is in the direct quincunx with the lunar node Rahu, and if any one of these two planets are influencing you now via your current progressive chart, then you might want to consider taking extra precautions in your professional and financial areas during this period and be prepared for unwanted surprises and obstacles.  This quincunx can become dangerous, and ruin your plans and bring about the unexpected disaster in every which way.  In short, during this period you have been tested. If you have very strong and positively placed lunar nodes and Uranus in your birth chart, then perhaps you need not worry.

On a collective level, the United States and in particular, the Republican Party is likely to run into some very difficult period. Also, USA and China may go through a crisis situation during this period.

Pluto-Rahu ninefold conjunction (Pluto-Ketu opposition) (April 11-22)

Pluto-Rahu ninefold conjunction is not favorable for those who have such conjunction or squares in their birth charts. In addition, if the lunar node Rahu (or Ketu), or Pluto is affecting your life via your current progressive chart, then you might want to consider taking extra precautions in the areas which are affected by these planets as shown in your natal chart.  Such people should avoid taking any kind of risk at any cost during this period.  Such conjunction 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. 

On a collective level, natural accidents and calamities to occur all around the world are likely.

Neptune-Saturn ninefold trine (April 17 – May 5)

If you have a well placed Neptune in your birth chart, and is in trine with Saturn, and if you are presently being influenced by any of these planets (Neptune or Saturn) through their current operating cycles, then you are likely to experience a very positive period in the areas signified by the houses these planets occupy in your birth chart. Strong intuitive power, very positive environment, and in general, feeling great about yourself and everything around you are some of the symptoms that you are likely to enjoy.

Collectively on a global scene, this period is very positive for Russia and China. In addition, most of the technological areas (especially biotech) are likely to make significant progress via inventions and discoveries. Spiritual and religious activities are likely to impart positive energy, creating a very healthy atmosphere around us.

Mars-Pluto Conjunction (April 23-27)

Typically this conjunction offers very sudden and extremely undesirable result with astonishing speed.  For those who have such conjunction in their birth charts, and if they have any one of these planets influencing them through the current progressive cycle need be extra careful. For those ones perhaps these might prove to be the worst five days of the year. Avoid making any new commitment and taking any new risk. Also, experiences like a sudden incident of fire, or an accident, or a financial misfortune are the doings of this conjunction.

On the world scene, escalation of terrorism and violence, especially in Israel-Palestine area are very likely. Also, sudden outbreak of an undesirable happening, and strong possibilities of both natural and man-made calamities are also likely. The countries that are most likely to be affected during these days will be the Pakistan, Afghanistan, Palestine and Israel.

Uranus-Saturn ninefold square (April 24 – May 2)

Saturn-Uranus ninefold square is unfavorable for you if you have such a square or opposition in your birth chart. In addition, if the planet Uranus or Saturn is affecting your life via your current progressive chart, then you might want to consider taking extra precautions in the areas which are affected by these planets as shown in your natal chart.  You should avoid taking any kind of risk at any cost during this period.  Such square or opposition can make things so miserable and difficult for you that most likely you are not going to forget them in your entire 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. 

On a collective level, the United States of America, Russia or China may experience a social or political turmoil at home as well as tensions rising between them.