Mars re-enters Cancer on April 2, bringing with it frustration and lack of direction, or at least a direct direction. With Saturn moving into Pisces, beginning the process of dissolving old structures, concerns mount around security and stability.

As Saturn conjoins the north node and Neptune, further concern about what is sustainable is likely. Discernment is crucial. While some dreams may come true at this point, some dreams are nightmares. Stay open as new possibilities begin to reveal themselves.

Mercury and Venus remain retrograde until the second week of the month; Mercury turns direct on April 7, followed by Venus on April 13. As problems get ironed out, practical steps can be taken in whatever had previously stalled. Yet their transits alongside the eclipse and Neptune further increase a sense of overwhelm, as if we are cast adrift in endless possibilities but with no real sense of how to progress. At least their direct motion brings a way forward.

Some dreams may crumble, but others can take shape at this time. Patience brings rewards—not by fulfilling every aspiration, but by finding peace around those that were never meant to be.

The Sun’s entry into Aries, its exaltation sign, is hot on the heels of a Full Moon on April 13. This signals a call to action. Yet, with ongoing upheavals, care is needed before taking the leap.

Saturn’s conjunction with Rahu in Pisces throughout the month adds further uncertainty, and anxiety, with Neptune keeping the details vague for now.

We end the month on a more positive note, as on April 29-30 we have Akshaya Tritiya, the auspicious ‘undiminished third lunar day’ when both the Sun and Moon are exalted. This year, we also have Venus exalted, exchanging signs with Jupiter in Taurus, which conjoins the Moon.

This offers a powerful moment to manifest our boldest dreams, despite the initial lack of clarity around the details. Whatever is begun on this day is said to have staying power. Use it to begin something new in your life you wish to last.

As things settle down into the end of April, we’re likely to be a bit more clear about what to do next, with the Sun in Aries giving us the confidence to take action. We must be mindful of overdoing it, of course, as Mars continues to transit Cancer through June 6.

April is a mixed bag of results because of the retrogrades and the after-effects of the eclipses, which get triggered into May by Mercury and Venus. Along with Mars’ weakness and the Sun’s strength, we’re at least feeling more confident about what we’re doing at this point, even if we don’t always feel motivated to just do it.

This is a powerful New Moon, marking a partial solar eclipse and the start of the New Lunar Year in the Vedic calendar—a time of profound reset. While it may feel chaotic at first, clarity will emerge in the coming weeks.

The eclipse coincides with major planetary shifts. Saturn changes signs and joins most other planets in Pisces, a sign of endings. The eclipse occurs in Uttara Bhādrapada, a nakshatra in deep Pisces associated with spiritual progress—Uttara meaning “latter” and bhādrapada meaning “auspicious steps.” It points us toward truth, though the eclipse itself both conceals and reveals.

With Neptune's influence, it may be difficult to discern truth or the right course of action. Eclipses are never ideal for major decisions, and Mercury and Venus are retrograde, adding to the uncertainty. Both will revisit the eclipse degree soon, delaying clarity further.

Despite the confusion, grounding ourselves in what is eternal can help us navigate the unknown. This may be a disruptive time, but it is also a transformative one—urging us into new territory while keeping us centred.

There are hopeful signs, too. This Lunar New Year is called Viśvāvasu, meaning “beneficial to all.” Still, the changes it calls for won’t be easy. The key is to remain open, trusting that all is unfolding as it should. On a deeper level, we see that nothing truly happens—everything simply is.

My guest in this episode is Michael Reed, an expert in working with the nakshatras (lunar mansions). He uses both tropical and sidereal calculations in distinct ways to gain deeper insights.

In our discussion, we explore the controversies surrounding his approach. Michael shares his intuitive understanding of the deities and myths associated with the nakshatras, explaining how he applies them and describes practical ways to support his clients.

For more information about Michael, visit https://michaelreedastrology.com/

The current Venus retrograde in Pisces acts as if debilitated, sending the stock market 'crashing'. What's up ahead seems even more interesting, as Mars joins the south node in sidereal Leo, respecting Saturn and Neptune in Pisces come June/July.

Based on the historical correlations, a Mars-Ketu conjunction raises a red flag for market instability. While this alone doesn’t guarantee a crash, it has historically coincided with major downturns: 1929, 1987, 1992, 2000, 2018, 2020, and 2021.

Further ahead, Saturn meets with Uranus and Ketu in Taurus by 2030, when we may see even bigger economic challenges and changes. Once Jupiter returns to Capricorn, where Pluto awaits, in 2032, if the economy hasn’t had a complete overhaul by then, it may have no choice but to change drastically at this point.​

Jupiter in Cancer by the end of 2025 is not as hopeful as it may appear. It only makes it to the first degree of the sign and then retrogrades back from its opposition to Pluto in Capricorn, which continues to dismantle the current 'world order'.

Whatever is initiated in 2025, we're only getting a peak into what is possible.

Join Gary O'Toole in conversation with the planets. Explore the depths of Vedic astrology, uncovering the hidden rhythms of time through sidereal transits. Tune in for insightful discussions on celestial cycles and their influence on our lives.

A total lunar eclipse occurs on March 14, followed by a partial solar eclipse on March 29, coinciding with the New Moon and the New Lunar Year.

With so much already happening, you might think a couple of eclipses won’t make much difference. Wrong! Eclipses bring major shifts, though their effects aren’t always immediate. Changes may be triggered before the eclipse, months later, or in ways we don’t anticipate—adding to their ‘fated’ feel.

As a result, March is a chaotic month. While you may not feel the turbulence personally, the world is undergoing intense change. Keep an open mind, and delay major decisions—you’ll likely face delays anyway, so you might as well embrace them.

If you make a choice and later have to backtrack—especially with Mercury and Venus retrograde—don’t be too hard on yourself. Eclipses create urgency, making us feel we must act to escape uncertainty.

This solar eclipse falls in Uttara Phalguni, ruled by Aryaman, the deity of agreements and commitments. But eclipses distort what they touch, so expect challenges in international treaties and personal commitments alike.

March ushers in significant change as planets gather in Pisces, culminating in a solar eclipse during the Lunar New Year by the end of the month. This period is transformative—while many shifts will be positive, they may first require letting go of what no longer serves us.Venus retrogrades from 2 March, complicating matters despite an extended period of exaltation. In retrograde, Venus can feel weakened, making it harder to maintain balance. We may find ourselves critiquing what we once accepted. On 12 March, the Sun aligns with Saturn, followed by a total lunar eclipse in Leo on 14 March. This marks a shift in leadership, paving the way for Ketu’s entry into Leo by late May. As Ketu conjoins Mars this summer, expect bold leadership moves and heightened intensity.Between the eclipses, Mercury retrogrades near Venus, creating further disruptions. Venus struggles to support a faltering Mercury, mirroring our challenges in expressing ideals practically. The mood may dip as we are forced to clarify or abandon impractical visions.The Sun meets Rahu on 18 March and Neptune on 20 March before closing the month with a partial solar eclipse on 29 March, setting the tone for the year ahead. This eclipse coincides with the Lunar New Year, Viśvāvasu, meaning “beneficial to all”—a hopeful sign despite the upheaval.In the background, Uranus enters Taurus on 18 March after nearly a decade in Aries, signalling major disruptions in the global economy and trade. Notably, President Trump launched new trade wars as Uranus stationed direct at Aries’ final degree—Aries represents war, while Taurus governs what we trade. Over the next seven years, Uranus will challenge what we once considered stable.Adding to the instability, Saturn enters Pisces for the first time in nearly 30 years, ushering in an era of truth and resilience testing. Many established structures may dissolve over the next three years before Saturn moves into Aries in 2027-2028.The world order is shifting dramatically. To navigate personal and collective changes, adjust your mindset and expectations. While Venus in Pisces inspires creative solutions to problems, Saturn in Pisces urges us to get real.We can make those dreams tangible or leave them behind for good.

The Moon aligns with the Sun in Aquarius, within the lunar mansion Śatabhiṣāj, which means "100 healers" or "100 demons." This duality reflects Aquarius’ complexity, embodying seemingly contradictory forces. At its core, the empty circle symbol represents a truth beyond ordinary perception.

Ruled by Varuna, the god of the sea, Śatabhiṣāj is linked to secrecy, the hidden realms, and cosmic enlightenment. In contrast to Leo, it is often called the "dark sun," emphasizing vision and awareness. As the Sun and Moon transit this sign, new insights may emerge, revealing what was previously unseen.

This New Moon may initially feel unsettling, but embracing reality—symbolized by its conjunction with Saturn—can help ground you in what’s true. It’s a time for mental and physical purification, as Aquarius governs thought processes that may be unsettled. While Rahu rules every New Moon, this one strongly resonates with the "dark lord," intensifying its themes.

With an eclipse season ahead—including a total lunar and solar eclipse—this period may carry heavy or dark undertones. However, it also offers an opportunity for transformation, turning darkness into light. The night before the dark Moon phase is Maha Shivaratri, a powerful time for introspection. Observing this through fasting, quiet reflection, or a new perspective can help you cultivate stillness at this time of great change.

Another month brings a Full Moon at the final degree of its sign—this time in sidereal Cancer and within the lunar mansion Āśleṣā. This phase highlights endings, resolutions, and the potential for extremes in weather and our emotional landscape.

Āśleṣā, meaning "embrace," reflects Cancer’s natural tendency for attachment. Ruled by a serpent and symbolized by a coiled snake, it evokes themes of hidden realms and occult knowledge. Once its grip is released, it holds immense spiritual and healing power. Problems begin when we get stuck.

Mercury, representing the intellect, is linked to this lunar mansion and often clings to certain thoughts and feelings, disrupting the natural flow. With Mercury ingressing Aquarius now also, you might fixate on specific ideas and lose perspective. While Āśleṣā can temporarily bind us, we eventually learn to let go of thoughts and connections that no longer serve us.

During this Full Moon in Cancer, as the Sun ingresses Aquarius, you may face issues related to attachment. Capricorn and Aquarius encourage a more detached approach, suggesting that setting healthy boundaries and recognizing where your mind tends to get stuck can help restore equilibrium.

As the Moon shifts into Leo, creating a space between attachment and detachment, you’re offered room to open up and find stillness—especially important during this Full Moon phase.

Mars, Saturn, and the Lunar Nodes rule Scorpio and Aquarius in tradition and Pluto and Uranus in modern times. These signs embody all the ‘malefics’ we wish to transcend, so we can envision a better future.

The latest podcast explores these signs' inner and outer journeys, including how they can get us caught in loops of time; as we are eager to progress (Aquarius) and create utopias, we inadvertently create dystopias (Scorpio).