Hi all

Welcome to those who are subscribers as well as those who are reading my newsletter for the first time. If you missed the March News and Views. Part 2 about the Lunar Eclipse, you can read it here conta.cc/3VVFTXB. Please excuse any typos or mistakes below. Feel free to notify me if you find any.

April is definitely one of the busiest months of the year astrologically. Mercury retrogrades from April 1-25, the total solar eclipse, which will be total throughout parts of the United States occurs on April 8, Mars and Saturn conjoin on April 10, and Jupiter-Uranus conjoin on April 21. In this newsletter we will talk about Mercury retrograde, and it will follow over the weekend with information about the solar eclipse and the Mars-Saturn conjunction. There is so much to write but I wanted to get this out especially since Mercury began its current retrograde journey on Monday April 1st. Scroll down to read about Mercury retrograde, which contributes to the current eclipse season since it is midway between the Lunar Eclipse of March 25 and the Solar Eclipse of April 8.

The total solar eclipse of April 8 will be completely total from Mazatlan, Mexico through parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Indiana, Ohio, Ontario, New York, Vermont, Maine, and Newfoundland. For the eclipse path go to earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/total-solar-eclipse-april8-24. Remember to wear eclipse glasses if you are watching the eclipse since the time that it is partial leading up to totality is dangerous for the eyes. If you cannot watch the eclipse live, you can watch it at www.nasa.gov. Remember this is a time to go inward and reflect and meditate.

Eclipses affect the world and you beyond just the two weeks in between eclipses. I want to thank all of you who attended my March-April 2024 eclipse webinar. You can still purchase this 2 1/2 hour webinar at www.ronniedreyer.com/schedule. 

I also want to thank all of you who registered and attended my Astro*Carto*Graphy lecture that I presented for the Milwaukee NCGR. They did a wonderful job organizing the lecture. If you wish to order this lecture I am offering it for the same price that NCGR charged for $20, which is well worth the more than 2-hour lecture. That price will be good through the solar eclipse of April 8th. You can order it through my website www.ronniedreyer.com/schedule.

I will be speaking about Those Magnificent Fixed Stars for the New Jersey NCGR on Friday April 26 at 7:00 pm. It is only $16 and if you cannot attend live, you will get the recording. I will show examples of charts in both Western and Indian systems. You can register here https://square.link/u/VXuNphQ7.. Scroll down for more information about upcoming classes and presentations.

Contents of this newsletter include: Mercury Retrograde; Horoscope Consultations; Upcoming classes and lectures; Celestial Events; Psychology of Astro*Carto*Graphy book.

Again, I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart who supported my Kickstarter campaign Venus Rising. I am diligently working on revising my book Venus: The Evolution of the Goddess and her Planet, which is out of print, but like all books still available on used book sites. The new book will have a different slant and will contain lots of new material, some of which were eliminated from the first book due to publisher's constraints. Thank you all again. If you missed the campaign and would like to donate I will be running it again.
This month's lunations occur with the New Moon Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024. 6:20 PM. Tropical 19° Aries 24'. Sidereal 25° Pisces 18' revatī; and the Full Moon on April 23, 2024, 11:48 PM. Tropical 4° Scorpio 17'. Sidereal. 10° Libra 12’ svāti (times are GMT). If you have any planets, points, or angles around those degrees (I would take a one-two degree orb) then whatever is represented by that planet, point or angle, will be prominent and important until the next lunation, meaning that if something in your chart is conjunct this month's New Moon Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024, it will be prominent until the next New Moon on May 8, 2024, and if something in your chart is conjunct this month's Full Moon on April 23, 2024, it will be prominent until the next Full Moon on May 23, 2024. The New Moon represents beginnings and can help you to institute a change you have been thinking about while the Full Moon is an accomplishment or culmination and gives the push to continue on that path.

If your birthday is between April 7-9, 2024, then the New Moon is in your solar return (varṣaphala) or close enough that it will be important for the year ahead until your next birthday, meaning a change is bound to happen, so work on that change. It could be a physical move, job change, relationship change, or simply working on yourself to integrate new patterns and habits into your life. Expect a great deal of transformative experiences that will make you want to change or take a step in a different direction. Take your time but do head in that direction, since otherwise it will happen to you whether you initiate it or not.

If your birthday is between April 22-24, then the Full Moon is in your solar return (varṣaphala) or close enough that it will be important for the year ahead until your next birthday, meaning that it may be year when things you have been working on will manifest, or feel like they are moving in the right direction, so continue with whatever is fulfilling you. (Scroll down for more Celestial Events.)

You can get notices from me through social media. Sign up through Facebook (facebook.com/ronnie.dreyer), Instagram (instagram.com/rgdreyer) and Twitter (twitter.com/ronniedreyer) though I am on Twitter less and less. And if you know someone who wants to subscribe to this newsletter they can go to my Website and sign up.

Please remember that by staying subscribed to this newsletter, in addition to monthly newsletters about planetary weather, you will also get separate newsletters about horoscope sales, classes, webinars, etc. like this one, so if you are not interested in learning astrology, but do want to read the news each month, please do not unsubscribe, just delete the advertisements when they arrive.

All good wishes
Ronnie
Mercury Retrograde April 1-25, 2024.
March 19, 2024. Mercury-Budha enters Retrograde Arc (Shadow). Tropical. 15° Aries 58’. Sidereal. 21° Pisces 52’. revatī
April 1, 2024. Mercury stations Retrograde (vakra). Tropical. 27° Aries 13’. Sidereal. 03° Aries 07’. aśvinī
April 11, 2024. Sun-Mercury Inferior Conjunction. Tropical. 22° Aries 32'. Sidereal. 28° Pisces 26’.  revatī
April 25, 2024. Mercury stations Direct. Tropical. 15° Aries 58’. Sidereal. 21° Pisces 52’. revatī
May 13, 2024. Mercury leaves Retrograde Arc (Shadow).  Tropical. 27° Aries 13’. Sidereal. 03° Aries 07’. aśvinī

I have written so much about Mercury Retrograde and went into the concept of its retrograde arc or shadow in the March newsletter so much of what is written below is adapted from that and other pieces about the retrograde since the meaning of Mercury retrograde does not change. The only thing that does change is which sign it is in, and where it will be in relationship to other planets in the sky and in your chart.
This retrograde cycle is especially noteworthy because it occurs exactly midway between the lunar eclipse of March 25 and the solar eclipse of April 8th. I have found that whenever a planet stations retrograde within a week of an eclipse, it coincides with natural disasters, meteorological events, more aggression in the world than usual, and other events like the Francis Scott Key bridge collapsing, or the terrorist attack of a concert hall in Russia just to name a few. These events often make the world take notice and require lots of rehabilitation and damage control. This goes for any retrograde planet, not just Mercury, but Mercury is the one that is occurring at the moment. In the last few weeks there have been events that seem to be more intense than the usual eclipse season and they may or may not be related to Mercury retrograde, but it may be one contributory factor.
Of course eclipse season by itself is intense, and the fact that the Mars-Saturn conjunction will be exact on April 10, two days after the total solar eclipse of April 8 has significance in itself, coupled with the fact that the inferior conjunction of the Sun and Mercury occurs on April 11. This conjunction always occurs midway between the retrograde and direct station and occurs when Mercury appears closest to the earth. It is considered in classical Jyotisa (Indian astrology) to be combust the Sun, meaning that everything Mercury represents is obliterated by the bright Sun. April 10-12 could be the most intense days of the retrograde period, when conflict may be at its height, because of the proximity to the Mars Saturn conjunction occurring on April 10th. Other cultures deem the exact conjunction to be cazimi, when the Sun and Mercury are 15 minutes apart, and instead of thinking about it as combust, it is thought to be the time when Mercury is in the heart of the Sun, and therefore at its strongest, rather than its weakest. When you look at it from the standpoint of combustion the Sun is on some level at its strongest since it is obliterating what is closest to it. The ability to reason things out and communicate is lessened and power and ego is at its strongest. At least that is how I learned it and observe it.
In any event, this Mercury retrograde cycle, may be more intense than it usually is, so be more aware that there is potentially more chaos around you. Communicate clearly, focus rather than disperse your energy, expect transportation and communication delays as usual, but you will just have to concentrate and maintain patience more than ever. Do not be reactive to what others do and say since everyone is feeling the same energies. In this retrograde cycle, as listed above, Mercury entered its retrograde arc (the term I prefer) or shadow, which is the degree of the eventual direct station, on March 19, 2024 at Tropical. 15° Aries 58’. Sidereal. 21° Pisces 52’. It leaves its retrograde arc when it passes the degree of the retrograde station on May 13, 2024 at Tropical. 27° Aries 13’. Sidereal. 03° Aries 07’. Like all planets when they retrograde they stay in one section of the zodiac longer than usual. Mercury usually goes through a sign in less than a month when it moves along its steady course, but with this retrograde Mercury it stays in the same sign for a little more than two months with the tropical zodiac, and between two signs in almost three months with the sidereal zodiac as follows.
According to the tropical zodiac, Mercury stays in Aries from March 10-May 15, 2024. According to the sidereal zodiac (Jyotisa) Mercury straddles Pisces and Aries between March 7-May 31, 2024 as follows: Direct Mercury enters Pisces March 7, 2024 and enters Aries March 25, 2024. Retrograde Mercury re-enters Pisces April 9, 2024, Mercury direct re-enters Aries on May 10, 2024, and enters Taurus May 31, 2024.
It is during this period that Mercury enters and leaves the retrograde arc and stations retrograde and direct, which you can see above in bold. The influence on the area of your chart where tropical Aries, or sidereal Pisces and Aries are located is very focused and requires us to pay attention since Mercury retrograde represents delays, technical difficulties, miscommunication and other annoying things that concern the area of the chart where tropical Aries, or sidereal Pisces and Aries are located. You are especially affected by Mercury retrograde (which you may think is inconsequential but really is not) when you see that it is in one sign for a little over two months or two signs for almost three months and you understand what that area of your chart represents. But you are especially affected during this retrograde arc between March 19 and May 13 if you have any planets, points, or angles, between tropical 15° Aries 58’-27° Aries 13’ and sidereal 21° Pisces 52’-03° Aries 07’. Remember that Mercury will cross those degrees three times, but if you have something within one degree of the station (the degree it goes retrograde or direct) Mercury will conjoin it twice, but when it conjoins the station, it will be there for a few days and feel especially intense.
During these times even little annoyances can interfere with our usual schedules, plans, and even emotions, so it is most important that you do any mental or physical exercise that helps you stay calm and focused. Do not get rattled by little things since you can easily turn something minor into something major. If you suspect your devices are acting funny, or slowing up, do not wait until they break down, but give them a check up. If a project gets delayed, then just call up your patience since getting flustered and impatient are not going to change the situation, but your attitude well. And if communication with someone close to you turns into a disagreement, just pull away and change the subject. Nothing gets resolved during Mercury retrograde.
Remember that if you keep on top of things, and tackle them before they occur, Mercury retrograde will not be that awful. Mercury Retrograde always brings the same general uneasiness, even though much of it is unwarranted. Sure, there will be the mild annoyances and disruptions, which may include communication snafus, scheduling conflicts, misunderstandings, and transportation slowdowns, and if you are prepared and figure these things are possible, they will not throw you off your center when they occur.
Think before you speak, do not overreact to what others say and do, and refrain from juggling your usual array of activities. Mercury multitasks well when it moves forward at a steady pace, and not when it appears to slow up, which is what retrogrades are all about. Retrogrades are a great time to look inward and revise and fix something you have previously worked on since once it goes direct you will be able to move forward with something new that you have incorporated in a project, relationship, move, or just with your own appearance, attitudes, and goals. Be quiet, meditate, and look inside. Be more alert than usual, develop more patience, and generally take things slower. Look inward and you will be able to problem solve. Retrogrades are always a time for reflection and revision. 
Horoscope Consultations
I am available for consultations and tutoring sessions via phone or video chat (I will send a link for gotomeeting, which is like zoom). I am no longer doing in-person consultations in New York City for the immediate future. I record the consultation with a digital recorder, and email you the mp3 and mp4 file, which you can easily download onto your computer or device. If you wish to gift a horoscope reading to someone, please make sure the person you are gifting would like to have one done before purchasing. If you would like to purchase a reading for yourself or someone else, please make payment at www.ronniedreyer.com/services. I do not have a scheduler at the moment, so I will reach out to you within 24-48 hours with available dates and times. I accept paypal, credit cards, venmo, or checking account on my website. There are installment payments available through paypal. If you prefer zelle, you can send payment to ronniegaledreyer@gmail.com. I am mostly booked between two and three weeks in advance. My next availability is Tuesday April 30. Appointments do go fast, so if you would like to book please keep that in mind. Please email me if you need clarification.
. Phone or Video Initial Consultation. $320 (up to 90 minutes with opportunity for questions after).
. Urgent Initial Reading. Phone or Video Initial Consultation. Appointment will be made within 5 days. $550. (Up to 90 minutes with opportunity for email questions after.)
. Phone or Video Update for the year ahead. $225 (60 minutes with opportunity for questions after). This reading is for those who have already consulted with me.
. Additional people you want to look at in the context of your reading. $40 for each additional chart.
. Compatibility reading for an hour. $225. (60 minutes with opportunity for questions after). This is NOT an individual reading but a look at the relationship and timing for the relationship.
. Choosing an Auspicious Date for an event. $225 for research and consultation.
. Astro*Carto*Graphy or locality readings or "Where in the World?" $225. (60 minutes with opportunity for questions after). Finding the right location and best timing for work, love, finances, health, etc. You must provide places that you are interested in.
. Combination of initial reading and Astro*Carto*Graphy reading. $375. (120 minutes with opportunity for questions after).
. Answering one specific question or examining one topic or area. $185. (60 minutes with opportunity for questions after). This is NOT a horary chart but an examination of only one specific area or question. Only for people who have had an initial reading. 
. One hour Tutoring sessions in Indian Astrology or Astro*Carto*Graphy. $100 for one session. $275 for 3 sessions.
Upcoming Classes and Presentations

Friday. April 26, 2024. 7:00-9:00 PM EDT. Those Magnificent Fixed Stars. Zoom presentation for Northern New Jersey NCGR Chapter. Register here https://square.link/u/VXuNphQ7. If you cannot attend live, you will get the recording. 
Let’s explore the astronomy and astrology of the fixed stars, whose remarkable appearance in the night sky determine their natal and mundane interpretation. We will see numerous examples of stars conjoining a planet or angle, and how transits to those degrees have a life-changing effect. Stars we will discuss include: Aldebaran, Regulus, Antares, Fomalhaut (the four Persian royal stars), Spica, Scheat, Algol, Betelgeuse, Sirius, Zosma, Vega, and others. These techniques work with Eastern and Western charts and is for all levels of expertise. 
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Thursday June 6-Sunday June 16, 2024. Jyotish Kumbha Mela. Annual Jyotisa conference that takes place at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam ashram in Saylorsburg PA. Registration information forthcoming.
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Past Lectures and Classes for Purchase

Monday. March 25, 2024. 6:30-8:30 PM CDT; 7:30-9:30 PM EDT. Secrets of Astro*Carto*Graphy Revealed. Zoom presentation for Milwaukee NCGR Chapter. Special sale. $20 until April 8th. Purchase at www.ronniedreyer.com/schedule
Using the late Jim Lewis’ concept of seeing where in the world natal planets are angular (we will review the concept of angularity), Ronnie will draw on years of working with Astro*Carto*Graphy maps and with Jim himself to show how to pinpoint locations that do and do not resonate with you. This could include places you want to live, friends and partners who come from a particular place, and good locations to start a business. In addition to seeing how each planet affects you when it is prominent, we will also ruminate on what “place” and “location” mean in our lives, and how our ability to connect globally has changed their meaning. Many case studies will give information and, at times, surprising results. $20. www.ronniedreyer.com/schedule
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Friday. March 22, 2024. 7:00-9:00 PM. EDT. March-April 2024 Eclipses. Fee: $50. To purchase: www.ronniedreyer.com/schedule.
Eclipses have always been the best predictors of events that affect you and the world at large. Focusing on current eclipses, we will
see how they activate your natal chart and impact the world. Eclipses are potent for several months before and after they occur
depending on the degrees they cross. Let's learn how to survive and thrive during these and all eclipses. Some topics are as
follows: The astronomy of these two eclipses. Where and when they are visible. The total solar eclipse on April 8th will be visible
throughout parts of the U.S. Charts of the two eclipses. Difference between Solar and Lunar. Difference between South Node (Ketu)
Eclipse (March 25th) and North Node (Rahu) Eclipse (April 8th); When they will or have been activated (Planets and Nodes hitting
the eclipse degree) Especially looking at the path of totality of the April 8th Solar Eclipse. Seeing where it is 75 and 100 percent visible. Pinpointing events past, present and future based on this; The Astro*Carto*Graphy of each eclipse ie. where in the world they are angular; Importance of Mercury Retrograde Station on April 1st and Mars conjunct Saturn on April 10th; What the Eclipse means for the world and individually; Explanation in Tropical and Sidereal (Indian) Astrology; 18 year Saros cycle of these eclipses in 1916, 1934, 1952, 1970, 1988, 2006, 2024; 19 year Metonic cycle of these eclipses and lunations in 1910, 1929, 1948, 1967, 1986, 2005, 2024; More, and time for Q and A.
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Intermediate and advanced Indian astrology classes resumed on Wednesday evenings on January 17 and January 24. Register at www.ronniedreyer.com/schedule with paypal, venmo, credit card. Or you can pay with zelle to ronniegaledreyer@gmail.com. Installment payments available online. If you cannot attend live classes, you will receive recordings the next day and email me privately if you have financial concerns. Email me if you are unsure if you are at the right level. You can still register even though they already have begun, since you will receive the recordings of previous classes.

Intermediate Jyotiṣa Classes 2024. Ten Wednesday evenings every other week (with some exceptions as seen below). January 17-May 29, 2024. 7:00-9:00 PM Eastern Time. (Syllabus and dates are open to change if necessary) $285. If you wish to purchase the recording of Fundamentals of Astrology you can do so at ronniedreyer.com/schedule and you will be up to date for Intermediate classes. Each class will provide examples of continuing interpretation and forecasting. • Class One. Wed. Jan 17. Review and continued interpretation and forecasting. Introduction to Upayes or Remedial measures. • Class Two. Wed. Jan. 31. Tithis and Naksatras in more detail. • Class Three. Thurs. Feb. 15. Continuation of Nakshatras. • Class Four. Wed. Feb. 28. Introduction to Navamsa. • Class Five. Wed. March 13. Continuation of Navamsa. More chart examples. • Class Six. Thurs. April 4. Planetary Combinations. • Class Seven. Wed. April 17. Atmakaraka. More yogas and more chart examples. • Class Eight. Wed. May 1. Advanced Yogas. • Class Nine. Wed. May 15. Practicum in interpretation and Forecasting. Part One. • Class Ten. Wed. May 29. Practicum in interpretation and Forecasting. Part Two. Includes: Supplemental reading and videos, discussion group in between classes. Classes include additional recordings that will prepare you for ACVA Level I Certification testing.
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Advanced Jyotiṣa Master Classes 2024
Six Wednesday evenings once a month. January 24, February 21, April 3, April 24, May 22, June 12. 7:00-9:00 PM Eastern Time (Syllabus and dates are open to change if necessary). $235. Everyone receives recordings and power point presentations the following day. You can register at www.ronniedreyer.com/schedule with paypal, venmo, credit card. Or you can pay with zelle to ronniegaledreyer@gmail.com. Installment payments available online. 
 
Deep dive into interpretation, forecasting, and consulting skills. Must know basic and intermediate Jyotisa. We will start out looking at current planetary weather, and move on to a chart in the news, or a chart you want to discuss. If topics come up that you want to know more about, I will record in between classes so you can listen in your own time and then apply in the next class. Participants are welcome to present but are not obliged to do that. Class will be interactive, and a place where you can practice your skills and bring issues that you want to discuss in interpretation, forecasting, and other consulting issues. Supplemental reading and videos, discussion group in between classes. This will also give you more practice if you want to take the ACVA (American College of Vedic Astrology) certification.
Celestial Events. March 2024

Lunations
April 8, 2024. New Moon Solar Eclipse. 18:20. Tropical 19° Aries 24'. Sidereal 25° Pisces 18' revatī
April 23, 2024. Full Moon. 23:48. Tropical 4° Scorpio 17'. Sidereal. 10° Libra 12’ svāti

Retrograde and Direct Stations
April 1, 2024. Mercury stations retrograde. Tropical. 27° Aries 13’. Sidereal. 03° Aries 07’. aśvinī
April 25, 2024. Mercury stations direct. Tropical. 15° Aries 58’. Sidereal. 21° Pisces 52’. revatī
Tropical Ingresses
April 5, 2024. Venus enters Aries.
April 19, 2024. Sun enters Taurus.
April 29, 2024. Venus enters Taurus.
April 30, 2024. Mars enters Aries.       

Sidereal Ingresses
April 9, 2024. Mercury retrograde re-enters Pisces.
April 13, 2024. Sun enters Aries.
April 23, 2024. Mars enters Pisces.
April 24, 2024. Venus enters Aries.
April 30, 2024. Jupiter enters Taurus.

The times above are all noted in GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) and the Krishnamurti Ayanāṃśa is used for sidereal calculations.
Psychology of Astro*Carto*Graphy book for sale

Purchase a copy of The Psychology of Astro*Carto*Graphy, by Jim Lewis with Kenneth Irving, priced at $24.95 including postage. The book, which was first released in 1997 was re-released in 2012 with added notes, and revisions and additions, including a new foreword and epilogue and larger print. The book was taken from Jim's notes, and was compiled, edited, and added to by Kenneth Irving after Jim's death in 1995. It is now published by Words and Things, a publishing venture by Kenneth Irving and myself. Allow 7-10 days for delivery. You can order copies from Amazon or from Ebay. Our name on ebay is loretta1272. To get certified in Astro*Carto*Graphy please go to www.continuumacg.net

www.ronniedreyer.com