Note: The close conjunction of Saturn and Ketu (April 5 — October 18) represents serious issues worldwide.
Recent Headlines:

• Instability Spreading in West Antarctic Ice Sheet
• 70 Million Americans Affected by Severe Weather
• Storms Brings Tornadoes, Hail and High Winds to Most of the U.S.
• Sudanese Women Violently Targeted For Protesting for Women’s Rights
• Thousands Of Women at 400 Rallies Across the US Protest Abortion Bans
• Ford to Cut 7,000 White-Collar Workers
• US Department of Homeland Security Warns that Chinese-made Drones are Stealing Data
• US Intercepts 4 Russian Bombers and 2 Fighter Jets off the Coast of Alaska
• UN Secretary General Warns of Extreme Weather Unless Countries Take Urgent Action to Curb Global Warning

Where the Vedic Astrology Planets are this Week

• Sun transits Taurus, from 07:40 to 13:26°. This connects leaders and the government with earthy projects. Sun is closely conjunct Mercury until May 26th. Aries, Libra and Aquarius rising sign persons, companies and countries should be careful and patient.
• Moon is waning and transits Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and into Pisces.
• Mars transits Gemini, from 10:26 to 14:18°.   Mars is outside the orb of other planets. This should be good for the military, police, athletes, executives, firefighters and buying property.
• Mercury transits Taurus, from 09:43 to 22:41°. This should be good for stocks, business, computers, finances, technology, communications and intellectual property. Mercury is closely conjunct Sun until May 26th. Virgo, Capricorn and Pisces rising sign persons, companies and countries should be careful and patient.
• Jupiter transits Scorpio, from 27:36 to 26:54°. Jupiter is weak in degrees until June 13th. Be patient with the law, religion, publishing, teaching, education, and advisory roles. Jupiter is in  retrograde motion until August 11^th.
• Venus transits Aries, from 15:21 to 22:39°. Venus is in positive degrees and is outside the orb of influence of other planets. This should be favorable for women, romance, luxuries, vehicles, medicine, legal matters, finance, entertainment, and the fine, healing and performing arts.
• Saturn transits Sagittarius, from 25:58 to 25:43°. This connects law, religion and education with the elderly, the poor and needy, immigrants, agriculture, manufacturing and working-class persons. Saturn is retrograde until Sept. 18^th and is closely conjunct Ketu for 28 weeks — April 5th to October 18th.

• Rahu and Ketu transit Gemini and Sagittarius, respectively, from 24:20 to 24:19°. This indicates significant stress for those persons with planets in “odd” signs (Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Aquarius) between 23 to 25 degrees – or whenever Rahu or Ketu are within 5 degrees of a person’s rising sign degree (in any house), or any planet (by aspect or conjunction).

The Impact of the Transit Planets for each “Rising Sign” (not “Sun Sign”)

• Aries: Focus on communications and independent projects. Expect a lift with your children, education and investments.  Speak up as an authority figure, but be vigilant to avoid disputes. Relationships are positive and forefront. Enjoy the arts and consider a day spa. Be vigilant with income and friendships through mid-Oct.
• Taurus:  Expect a lift with your children, education and investments. Property, vehicles and home life are positive and forefront. Take a leadership position. Enjoy status away from your birthplace, but be patient with expenses and separations. Manage debts, disputes, legal and health issues. Be vigilant at work through mid-Oct.
• Gemini: Connect entrepreneurial ventures with long-distance places – but expect expenses through mid-June. Make decisions and be courageous. Income and friendships are with you. Gain from women, children, education, luxuries and investments. Relationships remain vulnerable to debts and disputes through mid-Oct.
• Cancer:  Gain from large organizations and authority figures. Connect with friends in high places and with women at work. Spend more time at work than at home. Redecorate your workspace. Expect expenses and separations through June 23^rd. Be vigilant with money and marriage and to avoid accidents through mid-Oct.
• Leo: Take a leaderships position at work and connect with large organizations. You may get a raise, promotion, award or recognition. Focus on literature, technology and intellectual property. Gain from property and your own initiatives. Remain vigilant with marriage, partnerships and joint ventures through mid-Oct.
• Virgo:  Connect with father/religious figures and expect good fortune. There may be a journey through mid-June. An inheritance or windfall is possible. Focus on research. Be patient with setbacks with at work and with your family life. Make decisions and consider property matters. Manage debts, disputes, legal and health issues through mid-Oct.
• Libra: Focus on marriage, partnerships, and joint ventures. These are connected with religion, good fortune and journeys through June 23rd. Be patient with setbacks with income, insomnia, intimacy, friendships and older siblings. Protect your children, education, and investments through mid-Oct.
• Scorpio: Connect work, income and friendships with partnerships and joint ventures through mid-June. Expenses, insomnia and separations are likely through June 4^th. Be vigilant to manage debts, disputes, health and legal issues through June 23^rd. Property, vehicles and home life remain vulnerable through mid-Oct.
• Sagittarius: Be vigilant at work to manage conflicts and finances. Gain from children, education, investments and joint ventures. Take care with father/religious/authority figures through mid-June; these are vulnerable to debts, disputes or health issues. Your mind is highly creative. Be reclusive through mid-Oct.
• Capricorn: Work out of your home and on your home. Redecorate your living space. There may be both setbacks and progress with your children, education and investments. Make sure property and fixed assets are legal and insured to manage debts and disputes through June 23rd. Be patient with expenses and separations through mid-Oct.
• Aquarius: Expect good fortune with entrepreneurial ventures connected with children, education and investments. Your thinking is logical and courageous. Connect partnerships with family and property through mid-June, but be vigilant to avoid accidents at home or while driving. Protect your health and reputation through mid-Oct.
• Pisces: Connect relationships with communications and entrepreneurial ventures, but be vigilant to manage debts and disputes with same. Be patient with your status and family life. Work on property, vehicles, and home life. Focus on the fine, healing and performing arts. Be vigilant at work through mid-Oct.

About the author: David Hawthorne