Hi Friends,
We will be revisiting the past in a big way this month thanks to five planets in retrograde motion, but not all at the same time. As the month begins Venus and Jupiter continue their retrograde motion, on April 5th Saturn goes retrograde followed by Mercury on April 9th, and finally Pluto on April 20th. What does this all mean? Well, the energies of these planets are turned inward and become more subjective. We have to think more deeply about the energies involved: harmony, beauty and love (Venus), precision, stability and ethics (Saturn), communication and reasoning, (Mercury) our philosophy and beliefs (Jupiter), and transformation (Pluto). So, this is a good time to improve ourselves and to make major changes in our lives.

While the Sun continues to visit Aries, it is important that we are conscious of our actions, both individually and collectively. As Newton’s Third Law states, “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction”. Therefore, we need to be aware that the actions we choose to take will have results that match not only our deeds, but the intentions behind our deeds. The Universe brings forth magic and miracles not from our trying to force outcomes, but from our willingness to take action to create and bring forth our heart’s desires. The Universe will generously assist us on our journey, but it will not carry us…we must be willing to take steps forward, to take ownership for what we are creating. The Universe can only assist in creation when we trust its presence and allow it to provide us with our highest good.

On February 3rd relationship-oriented Venus moved into the assertive sign of Aries, but she went retrograde on March 4th beginning her forty two day retrograde period. Now this month she backtracks into Pisces for some unfinished business on April 2nd. The business of Venus moving retrograde in Pisces is that of reflecting on just what it is you need to be doing to reach that elusive state of Nirvana, wherein you are at peace with the world and have compassion for everyone. Since Venus also represents partnerships perhaps someone you had been spending time taking care of still needs your attention. Perhaps you just want to linger a while longer in your romantic dreams. Whatever you were contemplating and reminiscing about while Venus is in Pisces, this is a time to revisit it. When Venus turns direct on April 15th, you will be ready to move on with greater love for those you care about greatly.

There will be a need for extra effort on April 5th when Saturn the Lord of Karma goes retrograde. When Saturn goes retrograde it’s a time when karma is sorted out. Karma is a form of energy that is very real. Like Saturn, it is very closely bound to time. Past, present, and future blur into one. If you have been dreadful or avoided responsibility in the past, then at a certain predestined time, an event will occur to teach you a lesson. If you been organized and disciplined and follow the rules in the past, then at a predestined time, an event will occur to reward you for your good deeds. With Saturn in retrograde motion, the karma will relate to how accountable you have been in the past.

 

 

On April 9th communicator Mercury goes retrograde in Taurus. While Mercury is in Taurus we are in a period of focusing on the physical and practical side of life. The energy is slow and heavy, and so is the thinking process. As Mercury turns retrograde in this slow, heavy sign, we are really in for an even slower time - sort of like slow motion. It's like pulling teeth to get any of our ideas out in the open. Because of that, it's not a good time to be signing contracts or expecting people to hear what you say. The lesson here is that when there's too much old stuff and too much clutter around, it clutters up our minds too. Sometimes we need a period of giving our minds a rest. Dig in the garden; enjoy the simple pleasures of life and throw away years’ worth of clutter. You’ll be ready for improvement when Mercury goes direct on May 3rd.

We’ll be asked to find balance in our lives when the Libra Full Moon occurs on April 10th. A Full Moon is when the Sun is opposite the Moon which highlights opposing forces or polarities. These can include ego versus emotions, work versus home, or what you need versus what you want. Inner tension and external pressures can lead to personal conflict and crises that could drain your energy. The lunar qualities of emotions and instincts reach their peak at a Full Moon. Use your increased emotional strength and intuition to overcome any challenges. Subconscious awareness allows for an objective and balanced look at your personal relationships. You will clearly see any relationship dynamics or negative feelings causing disharmony. Emotional adjustments will be in order during this lunation because unpredictable Uranus and destructive Pluto will be in the picture.

After a month of exuberant Aries, we are ready to slow down and enjoy the soothing sensations as the Sun enters Taurus on April 19th. The seeds that were planted during Aries are starting to sprout. People are beginning to come out of their houses to enjoy the sunshine and putter in the garden. Get your hands dirty. Prune the roses. Smell the flowers, for they are about to be there. Taurus is a fixed earth sign that condenses and solidifies the fiery impulses generated during Aries. The energy of Taurus is receptive and feminine, steady, loyal, and determined. It waits for things rather than running after them. Taurus is ruled by Venus, the Goddess of Love. We’re not necessarily talking about spiritual love here, either. Venus likes her pleasures. Enjoy them while the Sun is Taurus.

The following day Pluto goes retrograde in Capricorn. Transiting Pluto retrograde is a time of reflection about power and control in your life. If people have been controlling or manipulating you then now is the time to let them go. If you have been too controlling of others or situations then it is time to let go. This is not a time for power tripping but a time for elimination. Fated events and repeating themes will reinforce which of your controlling habits, compulsions, addictions or prejudices must be eliminated. On the same time (April 20), Mercury retrogrades back into Aries. Remember that bit about lots of projects, lots of people wanting you to do more, and work, work, work! At a fast, fast, fast pace? Well, this is like an old movie rerun of what you just did. Since we're running our mouths and our brains backwards at this time, and maybe our legs too now, we get to clean up all the things we overlooked while we were so impulsively dashing about the first time through this sign.

 

 

Our minds will be supercharged on April 21st when Mars enters Gemini. Mars in the mutable air sign of Gemini brings a lot of energy and/or hostility to the world of words and thoughts. Mutable means changeable, flexible…and Gemini loves change. If curiosity ever killed a cat, it was a Gemini cat. Or maybe Gemini is a cat. At any rate, when the planet that symbolizes masculine strength and energy moves into this space, words will fly. You might have to run for cover and duck some of the time, for this cosmic alignment is certainly filled with a sharp wit and a restless nature.

This month’s New Moon will occur on April 26th in the steadfast sign of Taurus. This lunation is reminding us to plant practical seeds of intention and nurture them as they begin to take form. It doesn't matter whether we are growing plants in the garden or cultivating ideas in our fertile imaginations. However, we must set aside unrealistic dreams to focus on those that have the best chance of becoming real.

Last but not least, Venus makes her way back into fiery Aries on April 28th. After a brief backslide into Pisces, where our compassionate and empathetic selves have been reflecting and recouping, we are now ready to go for the gusto. Enough of this taking care of others! “What about Me?” is now the motto. Assertiveness comes to the forefront as Venus is now moving direct once again in Aries. We know what we want and have no qualms about asking for it and expecting to get it. During this period we are especially ready to party and find the love of our lives. We love the social scene and are in our glory flitting from here to there.
 

 

 

 

2017 Astrology Overview & Horoscopes