The Saturn/Rahu Conjunction: April 19, 2025

by James Kelleher April 02, 2025

In recent months, the world has been shaken by major geopolitical events: three wars—the conflict in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and now a global trade war. Tensions have escalated notably since Donald Trump took office, and astrologically, it all appears to be building to a crescendo in mid-April, when Saturn and Rahu form a conjunction.

In Vedic astrology, there are two ways to define a conjunction. The first occurs when two transiting planets occupy the same sign. Each sign spans 30 degrees, and even if the planets are at different degrees within that sign, their energies blend—a phenomenon called Yuti in Sanskrit, meaning "union." The second type is when two planets occupy the exact same degree in the same sign—this is called a precise or exact conjunction, or Sūkṣma Yuti. Rahu and Saturn will occupy the same sign from March 29 to April 29, 2025. While they are together in Pisces, they will produce a challenging influence that will be felt on many levels. On April 19, 2025, however, they will align at 2 degrees of Pisces, in Purvabhadra nakshatra. The most intense part of the conjunction is the day of the exact conjunction, as well as 30 days on either side of the conjunction.

This conjunction arrives on the heels of three major astrological events that recently took place on March 29, 2025: the Vedic New Year (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada), a solar eclipse, and Saturn’s transit into Pisces. With all these converging, we can expect a wide range of intense global developments in the next couple of months.

Planets in astrology are broadly categorized as benefic or malefic. Benefic planets tend to bring pleasant or constructive experiences, while malefics often generate challenges. Saturn and Rahu are both powerful malefics—think of them as rebellious troublemakers. When the two most intense malefic planets get together, they tend to stir the pot, igniting major geopolitical and environmental events.

That said, Saturn and Rahu are not purely negative. Each represents a broad spectrum of influences. Saturn symbolizes governments, leaders, authority, structure, pressure, discipline, perseverance, and limitations. Rahu signifies revolution, outsiders, refugees, extremists, technology, electricity, storms, and sudden, disruptive energy. When they are in a conjunction, they tend to favor technology, scientific breakthroughs, and hard work on the positive level. This particular conjunction is also a great time for the intensification of spiritual practices. It can produce breakthroughs and insights on a number of levels. On the negative side, Saturn/Rahu conjunctions are sometimes associated with earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, wars, racism, the rise of dictators, and fascism.

In many ways, they pull in opposite directions. Rahu pushes for rapid revolutionary change and boundless possibility. It thrives on disruption. Saturn, by contrast, values order, tradition, and stability. It moves slowly and deliberately, favoring tried-and-true methods. While Rahu symbolizes exponential technological advancement and a desire for no boundaries, Saturn reminds us that unchecked growth and lack of structure can lead to chaos. Politically, Saturn stands for institutions and established systems. Rahu represents forces that challenge the status quo, often recklessly. As the two converge, tensions rise, and we tend to see a rise in autocratic behavior, with leaders recklessly ignoring rules and laws as the clash between established order and revolutionary change intensifies.

Saturn and Rahu form a conjunction roughly every 11.5 years. If you look at historical events during these times, you'll notice a spike in dramatic developments. Environmentally, these periods often bring extreme weather: typhoons, dust storms, drought, extreme heat, and extreme cold. Geologically, they frequently produce earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. Geopolitically, they're marked by war, revolution, assassinations, protests, atrocities, human rights violations, mass migrations, xenophobia, racism, hate crimes, and anti-establishment uprisings.

Skeptics might argue that wars and disasters happen in every era. That’s true, but the periods of Saturn–Rahu conjunctions often involve a greater number and intensity of such events, and they are often events that make history.

Click here for a list showing the correlation between Saturn–Rahu conjunctions over the past 200 years, along with the significant events that occurred during their mutual transit of the same sign.

What Can You Do About It?

First, let's put this in perspective. Most of the Rahu/Saturn events that occur in the world in the next couple of months will not be anything new, but rather just a more intense expression of what we have been seeing in the news in recent months. Some events might be more surprising, like the Myanmar earthquake that took place on March 28th. In either case, don't let this article keep you up at night worrying. I'm writing this article, and I am not worrying or losing one bit of sleep! So take a deep breath and relax.

If you're in a country facing war, famine, or other crises tied to this conjunction, avoid the chaos if possible. Lie low, stay safe, and do your best to maintain a calm mind. The great majority of us live in places that allow us to witness the most challenging events of our times from a distance. The task, in either case, is to cultivate inner peace. That doesn’t mean you won’t act. If you feel compelled to help, then help. But don’t let your mind be disturbed. I know it seems counterintuitive that when something very dramatic and negative is happening, you could still be able to experience inner peace, but that is exactly what I am saying. It is definitely possible to stay calm, detached, and pleasantly peaceful while things around you seem chaotic.

That was what Gautama Buddha taught. He lived in a time when there was drought, famine, social inequity, political turmoil, wars, persecutions, and tremendous human suffering. He said that the solution was to drop your attachments and cultivate peace in your mind. Then whatever you decide to do will bring better results. Similarly, in the Vedic tradition, Krishna advised Arjuna on the battlefield, "Establish your mind in pure awareness, then act in accordance with your dharma." Or as one of my meditation teachers used to say, “See the work, do the work, avoid the misery.” Just because the world goes crazy doesn’t mean you have to lose your own center.

In the end, the best way to maintain a sense of balance and inner peace, while the world spins through cycles of chaos is to cultivate a calm and tranquil mind on a daily basis, especially through meditation. Meditation gives the mind and body a profound state of rest, even deeper than sleep! It helps you stay steady amidst the storms, decreases mental agitation, and supports both emotional well-being and physical health. Best of all, it’s easy to do, it feels good, and it doesn’t cost a thing. So why don’t more people do it? I have no clue! It’s one of the great mysteries of life!