Spring has finally sprung, and a new season has begun!
April marks not only the beginning of a new astrological year (as per the Vedic system), but it’s also the month in which the energies for this Universal Year 8 (2+0+2+4=8) are in full effect. So, I hope the first quarter of 2024 served you well because, in this new Universal forecast, I will share some insights with you about the second quarter of the year (ruled by Saturn), and how these new energies may impact us on a collective level.
Q2–2024 General Insights
Though at the start of 2024, we were still dealing with some of the carry-over energy of 2023, which was a Universal Year 7 (ruled by Ketu–the ‘planet’ of loss, detachment, and separation), I do hope that you managed to finally let go of that which no longer serves your highest good—be it a bad habit, negative mindset, an old ambition, job, career, project, business, relationship, friendship, or a place of living. But suppose you are still in the letting-go process, or you’re currently dealing with feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, stagnation, and uncertainty; In that case, the energies of April (Universal Month 3) and May (Universal Month 4) will accelerate things for all of us. Throughout these two months, you will see (through sudden signs, symbols, intuitive insights, external events, and opportunities) how to move forward in life. However, this sudden speed and change of energy that we will feel right in the heart of Spring, may not always be easy as these new changes and events may come with their own set of surprises, hiccups, hurdles, obstacles, and delays—especially around the new moon/total solar eclipse on April 8th, which will take place in the sign of Pisces. This is the last zodiac sign. And so, something in your life might suddenly end around that date or it just may be the beginning of the end in a particular area of your life. It can even take up to six months for these changes to develop, and hence you may see the final results towards the end of the year. Either in September when there’s a full moon/lunar eclipse in Pisces or in October, around the new moon/solar eclipse in Virgo.
But whatever happens now, don’t you worry. It’s nothing that you cannot handle, especially if you are grounded, emotionally mature, and mentally stable. Why do I mention this? Well, you may be faced with a challenge in which you have to make an important, yet final decision! For instance, if you were not able to let things go in the first quarter of 2024, then now you may be put in a situation in which you may have to give things up once and for all—either by choice or force. If this happens to be by force, then keep in mind that there’s nothing that you can do about it but surrender and go with the flow of the energies. Just know that whatever or whomever you have to let go of now, whatever wake-up call or realization you get, know that it’s all necessary so you can start a brand-new chapter and move towards building a life that is more stable, secure, and in alignment with your Life Path. After all, 2024 is a Universal Year 8, which is ruled by Saturn—the planet of karma, separation, boundaries, responsibilities, restrictions, limitations, time, maturity, work, stability, long-term goals, commitment, and material manifestation. Thus, whether we like it or not, karmic events are bound to happen—be it in our personal or professional lives.
Though this may be the year of Saturn, it doesn’t always mean the end of the world. From a Vedic astrological point of view, Saturn is currently in the sign of Aquarius. This is its office sign, so it can produce some great results here, but that doesn’t mean without any obstacles. Saturn is still a malefic, so it can create problems, frustrations, and delays on our way to success. Nonetheless, throughout April, May, and June, we still can get things done, and achieve some of our most cherished goals—provided we do things ethically, responsibly, slowly yet consistently, and in an organized fashion. Thus, whatever dreams, hopes, and wishes you have for yourself and/or your family, know that in 2024 you can take serious, practical steps to turn these into a reality and work toward building solid foundations for your future.
This Universal Year 8 is an opportune time to gain a lot on various levels. Just keep in mind that you may not gain more than what you put in and not more than what you deserve. And by that I mean; you always get what’s part of your karma. Everyone’s karma is different. Hence, what is meant for you will be manifested in your life (sometimes beyond your wildest dreams), and what isn’t meant for you won’t come to you, even if you’d give all you’ve got.
Having said that, let’s have a closer look at what April, May, and June have in store for us on a collective level and how you can best use the energy for each month to your advantage.
April 2024 (Universal Month 3–Ruled by Jupiter):
A Time for Sudden Insights and Unexpected Opportunities
April is a Universal Month 3, ruled by Jupiter—the planet of luck, hope, faith, optimism, wisdom, expansion, opportunity, wealth, education, spirituality, foreign travel, and creativity. This means that throughout the month, we may sense energies and experience events concerning the behavioral qualities of this planet.
We may gain sudden intuitive insights and inspiration for creative, spiritual, professional, or personal development. So pay attention to everything around you, every symbol and sign, even your dreams can be foretelling. Whatever you encounter and witness now can serve as a catalyst for change, and help you take that next step to move your life forward. Opportunities may come by suddenly, but remember that they may take longer to begin. Why?
First of all, on April 14th, the Sun will move into Aries, which represents the Vedic astrological time of new beginnings and breakthroughs. Secondly, Mercury (the planet of communication, intelligence, technology, practical skills, business, commerce, finance, travel, and transportation), will be retrograde from April 2nd to April 25th in both Aries (beginnings) and Pisces (endings). From April 2nd to 8th, Mercury will retrograde in Aries, and from April 9th to 25th, it will move into Pisces. So pretty much the entire month of April Mercury will be in a retrograde motion, taking into account its shadow period (two weeks before and after). Then from May 10th, Mercury will transit and return into Aries and stay in this sign until May 31st. This means that new beginnings may happen suddenly, but endings and completions may take some time. And the actual start of things may not go as quickly or as smoothly as you had hoped. For this, we have to wait until May.
The best advice I can give now is to follow the ‘Mercury retrograde rule’. What is that? Well, it’s pretty simple; do NOT act impulsively, or start anything new (unless you’re okay with a short-term agreement), make investments, take uncalculated risks, or buy any expensive stuff (e.g., electronics, clothes, shoes, furniture, or a house). Instead, do everything that starts with ‘RE’. For example, review, rethink, reconsider, reorganize, revisit, rewrite, recreate, remove, redo, relocate, reconnect, relax, rejuvenate, etc.
This month will ask us to redo, fix, and triple-check many things. For example, if a job interview comes along suddenly, you may have to go through several rounds before you get an offer, or you may find that the salary won’t be as much as you had hoped so you may have to go back and forth to come to a final agreement. If you applied for a visa (to study, work abroad, or permanent settlement), or are waiting to sign the lease of your new apartment, you may have to wait a little longer before things can be finalized. Money transactions, business deals, mail delivery, and foreign travel plans may get delayed or there may be technical glitches and bugs in various computer systems. Studies, courses, and projects can have some hiccups and problems as well.
Thus April is a time for careful planning, analyzing, problem-solving, and sorting out all kinds of paperwork, negotiations, contracts, and agreements which will require a lot of patience. Since Mercury’s retrograde motion can cause many miscommunications and misunderstandings, it’s also an excellent transit to review the way you communicate with yourself and others. Always think before you speak or write something, and make sure your message is clear and effective. This transit could cloud our thinking capacity and decision-making. So if you can, don’t sign or agree to anything this month. Please take your time to think things through. But if you must and you have no other choice, read the small print carefully or consult with someone you trust.
People from our past may suddenly pop up out of nowhere, so it’s a good time to reconnect with past relations—be it personal or professional. However, whomever you talk to, don’t believe everything they say. Don’t just take anyone for their word. Because with Mercury (aka trickster) in retrograde motion, people won’t say what they mean (or mean what they say) or they may suddenly change their mind about something. Then again, you may find that people may back out of an agreement or project that could work in your favor (or not). It all depends on how well the stars align for you on a personal level. Nonetheless, it’s a good month to gain a new perspective on people, places, and things and review everything carefully before moving ahead with your goals and plans in May. Whatever opportunity comes your way in April; do your due diligence, keep the faith, be optimistic, and play your cards right! Most importantly, don’t forget to relax.
Activities you can do now:
Work on creative projects, engage in spiritual practices, spend time with loved ones, reconnect with people from the past, read a book, write a blog or journal (or anything involving writing and publishing), revamp your website, reorganize your business, study for an exam, do research, improve your skill set, edit your CV/resume, interview for a job, schedule a visa interview, renew important documents, pay attention to details, adjust travel plans, relocate (to a foreign place), return to your place of birth or hometown, reorganize your home/office space (‘spring cleaning’), review long-term goals, take charge of financial matters, exercise, refresh your mind, take care of your health and wellbeing.
May 2024 (Universal Month 4–ruled by Rahu):
A Time For Renewal And Making Progress Toward Your Goals
May is a Universal Month 4, ruled by Rahu (aka North Node)–and symbolizes ambition, desires, attachment, materialism, excess, illusion, technology, unconventionality (anything unorthodox), expansion, foreign matters, and future goals. This means that throughout the month, we may sense energies and experience events concerning the behavioral qualities of this ‘planet’.
After an eventful Universal Month 3 that was predominately influenced by Jupiter and Mercury’s retrograde transit, we can now progress with our goals and plans successfully, especially after May 13th (right after Mercury’s post-shadow period). Things will slowly pick up speed again. Contracts, negotiations, business transactions, financial dealings, and agreements may be finalized now. So, if you’ve wanted to make fresh starts on things that were delayed or put on hold in April, you may see a positive outcome in May. Things will clear up. Any project or technology glitches that you struggled with during April will be solved or come to a completion.
On May 1st, Jupiter will move into Taurus and will stay here for one year, and on May 15th, the Sun will also move into the same sign, but just for one month. This represents a time of optimism, growth, expansion, stability, and security in terms of financial, business, health, career, relationships, and any home-related matters. So if you’ve wanted to move house (locally or internationally), travel overseas, get married, have children, expand your family, or start a new relationship, job, or business, then now is an excellent time to move forward with your plans. Or if you’ve always wanted to try out a new alternative health treatment, experiment with different types of foods, try out new technologies, enroll in an online course (to help you in your career goals), or just take on a new approach to life itself, then now you can forge ahead and make things happen.
Though May marks a productive time for forward movement, renewal, and new beginnings of all sorts, just make sure that the plans you have in mind and the goals you are moving forward with are realistic. Also, keep your desires in check. It’s okay to be ambitious now but refrain from becoming overambitious or overconfident. Try to be content with whatever results you get, even when things don’t go entirely as you had hoped. Why do I mention this? Because Rahu’s illusionary influence in this Universal Month 4 in a Universal Year 8 could cloud our judgment in terms of goal-setting, achievements, and material successes. Its energy could make you focus too much on outcomes instead of living in the present. Be mindful of this. In addition, learn to appreciate the lessons and the blessings—be they small or big—that come out of this new path you may begin now or the opportunity you may receive.
Activities you can do now:
Take new initiatives, work on creative projects, set long-term goals, make financial plans, set up a savings account, travel overseas, move homes, renovate or (re) decorate your home, upgrade your skills, enroll in a course or educational program, get certified, apply for a permit or license, do research, start a new job, launch or promote a business, expand or re-strategize a business, make changes to a website, reach out to old contacts, establish new professional contacts, get a medical checkup, commit to a new healthy and daily routine, experiment with new technologies, try out an alternative healing or beauty treatment, try different foods, improve your appearance, develop and grow your daily spiritual practice, spend time with loved ones.
June 2024 (Universal Month 5–ruled by Mercury):
A Time For Connection and Forward Movement
June is a Universal Month 5, ruled by Mercury–the planet that symbolizes communication, intelligence, (conscious) mind, technology, practical skills, business, commerce, finance, travel, and transportation. This means that throughout the month, we may sense energies and experience events concerning the behavioral qualities of this planet.
We may feel the carry-over energy of last month’s events. Thus, everything we experienced and started in May will continue throughout this month as well. Not only is this a Universal Month 5, but on June 15th, the Sun will move into Gemini. So we can say that the planet Mercury will heavily influence this month.
Now, with Mercury taking center stage, June can be defined as quite a busy yet productive time, in which we can get a lot of things done and make improvements in various areas of our lives. Our daily (work and health) routine, commute, and matters related to our communications, social circle (friends, co-workers, neighbors, siblings, cousins), and local environment/neighborhood will all come to the forefront. Business, financial, and work-related matters will require our attention as well. So, if there are any pending matters regarding contracts, negotiations, or any sort of (legal) documentation and paperwork, it is an excellent month to get these sorted out. If you want to move house, relocate, travel, explore a different area, or do something completely different than your everyday norm, it is good to do that too. This month is also an opportune time for writing, publishing, marketing, launching, and promoting any type of product/merchandise or service you may offer through a website, online store, or physical store. In case you started a short course last month to improve your skill set or worked on a home improvement project, you can wrap things up and see satisfying results. If you haven’t enrolled in any new courses, then it’s a great month to do so and refine, improve, and develop your skills for future employment.
June is a perfect month for networking and connecting with others, be it on a personal or professional level. For example, if you’re single and looking, you can meet a potential love interest. But if you’re already in a romantic, committed relationship, take this opportunity to spend more time and explore new things with your significant other. On a different note, if you just started a new job, you may spend more time with your new colleagues and learn new things about your role as part of a team. Or if your business is struggling and needs more clients, then take this time to improve your marketing strategies, and attend networking events catered to your industry. Who knows you may meet some important people who may open doors for you.
Though Mercury may not be in retrograde motion, it doesn’t mean we are free from disruption, chaos, and hiccups here and there. Life is still life, and we are in the year of Saturn, so some problems will still come to the surface that may test your patience – though it may not always be something major. Nonetheless, if you are faced with any problems, remember that things can be solved quickly, efficiently, and effectively; as long as you stay on top of things, implement careful planning, put your nose to the grindstone, and come up with innovative solutions. Then, everything will be alright.
Lastly, if you wish to start any new endeavor this month—be it a job, project, business, or education course—do it before June 29th. Why? Because on this date, Saturn will go retrograde for 4.5 months. This marks a time in which we will get a chance to slow down, finish our pending karma and any other unfinished business.
Activities you can do now:
Change your daily routine, improve your skills, enroll in a course, write a book or blog, study something new, work on creative projects, get certified, apply for a permit or license, sort out finances, sign contractual agreements, start a new job, launch a business, upgrade a website or computer, market or promote new products and/or services, reach out to old contacts, establish new professional or personal contacts, collaborate on new projects, build new partnerships or improving current ones, improve your appearance, begin a new exercise program, change homes, organize your home and office space, short-distance travel, or go on a weekend getaway.
Q2–2024 Summary
To sum things up; the second quarter of 2024 represents a time of sudden change, endings, opportunities, and new beginnings. It’s a time in which we will see old doors closing and new ones opening for us that will help us work towards a path that is more in alignment with who we are. The best way to deal with these sudden changes and events is to be patient with yourself and others and go with the flow of the universal energies.
As mentioned previously, as of April, the energies for the Universal Year 8 are in full effect, and these will last until September 2024 (after that the energies for 2025 will kick in and the old ones will fade away slowly). This means that, as of now, we have six months to put in the work and make things happen in this new chapter of our lives. So make the best of it!
On this final note, I wish you a fruitful Spring season!
Remember; Wherever you go, always follow your heart and intuition, but don’t forget to take your numerological brain with you. 😉
