On Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at 9:02:11 PM UTC (Universal Coordinated Time), and at 5:02:11 PM Eastern Daylight Time, the Sun enters the Aries constellation, known as the Sun’s Aries Ingress. This is according to the actual observable sidereal zodiac. According to the Vedic tradition, the Sun’s Aries ingress is known as Mesha Sankranti, and also Sankramana. It is celebrated as the solar new year in Vedic astrology and in many of the rich and varied cultural traditions of India. The astrological horoscope for Mesha Sankranti is read with specific rules by mundane astrologers in forecasting the year ahead.

The horoscope for Mesha Sankranti is a good one to use for matters related to business, commerce, and government. Some areas of India use this for the New Year chart instead of the lunar chart. Even for those using the latter, the Mantri or Prime Minister of the Year is usually calculated according to the planetary lord of the day on which the Sun enters Aries. In North and South America, Europe, and Africa, Mars is the Prime Minister of the Year, as the ingress occurs on a Tuesday, and the Vedic day extends from sunrise to sunrise. According to mundane astrology, when Mars is the Prime Minister, it is said to indicate “unrighteous kings [leaders], less trade, little rain, and trouble by weapons and fire.” Because the Vedic lunar new year chart does indicate copious rains, I think it will be mixed according to different regions. Mars is at the zero degree of Gemini in the ingress chart, in an exact harmonious sextile (3/11 aspect) to the Sun, which represents a good deal of positive, vital, creative, energetic, and enterprising energy to help propel us as we move forward into the new solar year, and especially for this next month ahead.

For each of us, regardless of our heritage and background, Mesha Sankranti is an important day as the Sun represents the Self, our soul purpose, path and life force, and when it rises in the constellation of Aries, where it will transit for the next month, it is once again embarking on its yearlong journey around the zodiac! The Sun is exalted in Aries, where it gives some of its best results, thus manifesting potentially as new initiatives, and more focus, drive, courage, strength, and clarity of thought. Mesha Sankranti is a wonderful day for prayers, new intentions and affirmations!