Timeline Astrology

The Full Moon reaches its peak at the end of Libra, in the lunar mansion Viśākhā. This lunar mansion spans Libra and Scorpio, blending the softness of Venus with the intensity of Mars. Its name, meaning "two-branched," symbolises choice and duality—often linked to Libra’s scales. In the Vedic tradition, Viśākhā is also symbolised by a decorated archway, representing milestones and commitment.

Viśākhā inspires willpower, ambition, and the courage to pursue our goals. While it supports focused determination, it also allows for compromise. Ruled by Agni (fire) and Indra (king of the gods), it carries strong spiritual and transformative energy.

This Full Moon is ideal for spiritual practice, healing, and committing to a clear path. With the Sun exalted in Aries, decision-making is bold and confident, even if clarity takes time. Venus, also exalted in Pisces, encourages acceptance and helps us release what no longer serves us, especially as it moves past the recent eclipse degree.

As Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter align opposite the Moon, this lunation brings resolution and optimism, making it easier to choose a path and feel good about it.

Mercury moves out of debilitation by May 6, leaving Venus behind in Pisces. Venus’s exaltation can now be enjoyed without feeling overwhelmed by trying to work out all the details. Mercury in Pisces may have taken the sheen off an exalted Venus, possibly through things not working out as planned. Nothing like something going wrong to bring down the mood!

With the Sun now also exalted in Aries, we can begin to feel more confident in the direction our life is taking, with Mercury in Aries more determined to plan, while Venus in Pisces can enjoy the whole process.

On May 14, Jupiter leaves Taurus and enters Gemini, which is a major shift of focus and search for meaning. The downside of this is looking for meaning where we only find a lot of information, leaving us searching for something beyond ‘facts’.

With Saturn and Neptune in Pisces now moving into a square aspect to Jupiter in Gemini, the need for more information is likely to increase misinformation. Jupiter is moving swiftly through Gemini, increasing unproductive debates that skip over the details; something we must return to by the end of the year. Jupiter clears Gemini in just five months by October 18, before it returns to Gemini by December 6, bringing us back to the drawing board.

The Sun enters Taurus by May 13, with Mercury joining the Sun by May 23. This shows more potential for mental stability, just in time, as Rahu enters Aquarius and Ketu moves into Leo on May 14 (mean node) or May 29 (true node), depending on the lunar node calculation. Together with Jupiter in Gemini, lots of new information is likely to lead to a big shake-up.

The nodes moving signs are a big change in May, where unconscious drives dictate the trajectory behind the scenes. This signals global shifts and potential uprisings, as Rahu in Aquarius emphasises rebellions, while Ketu in Leo rejects authority. Jupiter in Gemini keeps an eye on Rahu in Aquarius, fuelling revolutions. Without hope for something better, revolutions do not happen. This comes via Jupiter’s ingress into Cancer by October, but it is only a brief glimpse into what is possible by next year, once Jupiter returns here in June 2026.

As all the visible planets align on one side of the lunar nodes through July, a yoga or combination called kālsarpa, more extremes are possible. This combination occurs every two weeks from the end of April, as and when the Moon joins the visible planets, creating more extreme imbalances. This shows a more divisive atmosphere and turnabouts we hadn’t planned, making everything feel slippery, more fated and unpredictable.

Jupiter’s aspect to Rahu asks us to disregard any media that presents untruths, especially while Rahu continues to overshadow Pisces with Saturn and Neptune, which get closer throughout the summer. Saturn remains closely tied to Rahu in Pisces throughout May, until it moves into Aquarius, further challenging our perceptions of what we think is possible or true.

Kālsarpa is likely to make everything feel impossible or a given, with no in-between or much balance when things go through such extremes.

On April 27, the Moon and Sun align at the cusp of two lunar mansions: Aśvinī and Bharaṇī, in the middle of sidereal Aries. This lunation, like recent ones, occurs on a threshold.

Aśvinī represents swift, instinctive action, while Bharaṇī brings restraint and focus. Aries contains both these tendencies: bold initiative and a struggle with self-discipline. This New Moon calls for mindfulness, especially as many planets gather in the 12th house from it, inviting reflection and surrender.

There are strong positive influences: the Sun and Venus are exalted, and the Moon will move into exaltation shortly after. Venus and Jupiter flank the New Moon, offering protection and grace. We need as much of this as possible for a New Moon in Aries, with Mars in Cancer opposing Pluto in Capricorn. This shows the potential for feelings of anger.

Three days after, on April 29 or 30 (depending on your location), Akshaya Tritiya occurs—the most auspicious day of the year, when both luminaries are strong. It’s a powerful time to start something new, with lasting potential.

Still, we must guard against self-deception. While the energy feels ripe for anything, not everything is aligned to happen. The key is to focus clearly on what matters and let go of what isn’t meant to be. This is Aries’ true challenge: surrendering what cannot be, while charging forward with what can.

Kishori joins me for a new series in our 'Maps of Consciousness'. Here, we explore the nakshatras or lunar mansions of Vedic astrology, which show the storyline of your life - from the very first lunar mansion at birth (Moon's position), through all the subsequent mansions and dashas (planetary periods) that time them.

We begin at the most appropriate place in any story - at the beginning. The first episode explores the concepts before we dive into each one of the 27 nakshatras in separate episodes.

Enjoy!

This Full Moon occurs at the last degree of Virgo and the Sun at the last degree of Pisces, on the edge of something great. It falls in the lunar mansion Citrā, ruled by the 'celestial architect' and symbolizing creativity, design, and the pursuit of an ideal life. Virgo plans perfection; Libra, which follows, reminds us to keep everything in balance.

Yet, it’s a complex lunation. Mercury, ruler of this Moon, is conjunct with Rahu and Neptune—blurring facts with fantasy. Emotions may feel heightened, and rational thinking may be elusive. Venus stations opposite the Full Moon, offering a turning point—potentially positive if we remain open. Meanwhile, as the Sun completes its Pisces journey, we may feel things ending and beginning simultaneously, stirring excitement and uncertainty.

Mars in Cancer aspects the Moon as it shifts into Libra, fueling passions. With much in flux, equilibrium may be difficult to maintain. Yet hope remains. Jupiter aspects the Moon from Taurus and exchanges signs with Venus in Pisces, encouraging harmony, healing, and productive dialogue despite the emotional intensity.

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A look at Saturn's transit through sidereal Pisces and its lunar mansion, including its conjunctions with Rahu and Neptune and its retrograde transit each year.

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/