This past winter has been rough -- both for events and circumstances in the world and our own personal experiences.

The March 22 VedicLeaks entry, however, predicted improving planetary weather starting this month -- April,

The dismal winter resulted from the blocking eclipses in March, mental Mercury in its fallen sign of Pisces until April 2 and the very tough energies from the ongoing Mars/Saturn conjunction (stress) and Rahu/Jupiter conjunction (conflict).

The below chart for today illustrates. Mercury is now well into Aries, where it is stronger.  Since this is a Mars-ruled sign, it's good for planning and logic.  Just resist Mars' aggressions in your thinking.

Saturn turned retrograde March 25, which reduces this great malefic's ability to do harm.  Later this month, on April 17, malefic warrior Mars will also go retrograde, again, making him less harmful.

Jupiter, the great benefic, has been weakly retrograde since January 8.  He will turn forward May 9, restoring his luck, fortune and wisdom.

So, the malefics are becoming less onerous and benefics (Mercury and Jupiter) more powerful.  Too, the U.S. chart improves with Jupiter coming into the planetary cycles (Dasas) lineup April 26.

Now, there will be a Mercury retrograde April 28 to May 22, but it's not a tough one for Mercury staying in Aries.  And the blue arrow shows Saturn's harmful aspect to Jupiter -- which is very close and will continue thus for the next couple of months.  Still, Jupiter turning forward May 9 must give him a boost to resist Saturn and Rahu.

Take advantage of these energetic shifts. Although the potent and ongoing Mars/Saturn and Rahu/Jupiter conjunctions continue through the spring and summer, their active energy can be harnessed to good effect --like a strong wind on a sailboat.  Yet, as sailing skill is required to successfully navigate high seas, this spring will require your best efforts and often test you

Political Predictions
For Trump, the January 20 VedicLeaks  entry predicted,

His Wisconsin primary loss yesterday is the most recent of many setbacks he's experienced since this tough cycle started March 7.  Notice this continues until May 7.

For Hillary Clinton, the February 29 VedicLeaks entry predicted,

The Wisconsin primary was a big blow to Hillary as well, especially since it was her sixth loss out of the last seven primaries.

With the U.S. chart now running its Second Progressive Age 18 year Rahu (head-of-the-dragon eclipse point) Dasa, fear-driven resistance and revolt against authority will continue to build until the establishment's wall of privilege comes tumbling down.  This fall's election could very well bring a progressive president.  And certainly with the Republican party in shambles, with no candidate offering progressive policies, the next president won't be riding an elephant.

Gas And Oil
The January 20 VedicLeaks also predicted,

The below chart from Gas Buddy shows the price recovery since mid February.  Note, however, this is just the beginning of Ketu signaling gas and oil price increases, for its bad position in Aquarius continues until September 2017.  If you're looking at a new SUV or truck this spring, think again.  I'm sticking with my 75 MPG Italian motor scooter.

The Celestial Wheel 2002-2016©

VedicLeaks 2016©
Doug Riemer

This VedicLeaks entry updates the last one -- on April 6. Like other direct email entries, it's posted on the web -- above Improving Planetary Weather.

Saturn turning retrograde on March 25, and then Mars doing the same April 17, reduced their ability to do harm, thereby relieving the stress these two planets in Scorpio bring.  Interestingly, as Saturn is form and structure and things under the earth, its weakening retrograde stimulates earth crust events.  But it wasn't until Mars' slowed down to change direction April 17 that his boosted violent energy hit Saturn hard, bringing three major earthquakes -- April 14 and 16 in Japan and April 16 in Ecuador.  See Ecuador and Japan earthquakes: Are they related?  The astrological answer to this question is yes, of course!

I had seen these harms to Saturn, a double indicator of earth crust events for ruling Capricorn, an earth sign.  However, because Venus and Mercury, the other planets ruling earth signs (Taurus and Virgo), were not afflicted, The Celestial Wheel did not predict any earth crust events.  But, just think of the damage earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes would have brought had these other earth sign rulers been also harmed then.

Interestingly, as Mars is machinery and equipment, several household gadgets broke mid April too -- printer power cord, outside thermometer, fountain lights, hair cutters...  My scooter gas gauge malfunctioned too, and I ran out of gas!  You, may have experienced similar breakdowns.

Coming into the summer, we can anticipate further, and even more damaging, earth crust events after Mars ends its retrograde June 30 and/or when Saturn ends its retrograde August 12.  Then, earth sign rulers Mercury and Venus will be both afflicted in Cancer and later Leo. Along with this, because Mars symbolizes storms, expect a busy and destructive hurricane season this summer.  Specific predictions on these will follow in future entries.

Still, remember that Jupiter, the great benefic, will end his weak retrograde May 9 -- and even though he will remain afflicted by Rahu and Saturn, his signification for luck must moderate harms by surging Saturn and Mars energies. Fortunately too, the U.S. will be running Jupiter it its Dasas (planetary cycles) April 26 to September 5.  Jupiter is protective.

The July Republican and Democratic part conventions -- 7/18 -- 21 and 7/25 -- 28 respectively -- will be a mess because Mars will be advancing again toward Saturn -- a direct attack -- and Venus and Mercury will be stuck in Cancer. That sign is the terrible eight house in the U.S. chart, the twelfth house of loss for Donald Trump and the tenth house of career for Hillary Clinton. This last may appear benign, but it's not because Clinton has malefics Mars and Saturn in Cancer.  Again, specific predictions will follow in future entries.  However, with Jupiter moving forward again and active in the U.S. chart, the conventions can end with good results.

For right now, understand that the planets are gradually improving this spring but that this summer will be fought with all kinds of natural and man-made destructive dramas.  This summer will be tumultuous in many ways -- but then, this is the U.S. chart Rahu Dasa, which although still new since last December, is already turning the world on its head to bring the Second Progressive Age.

Just remember, that Mercury turns retrograde tomorrow -- April 28 to May 22 -- which will bring its usual confusions and communications problems.  I've put off computer repairs until later this spring for that reason.  Of course, American politics will be even crazier then!

In closing, here's a positive reminder for this spring from the Improving Planetary Weather entry,

The Celestial Wheel 2002-2016©

VedicLeaks 2016©
Doug Riemer