April 2011

In tribute:

Jose Arguelles, slipped away March 23, 2011 in complete peace after a short illness.

José Argüelles was the initiator of the Harmonic Convergence global peace meditation of 1987 and is the one who first introduced the date December 21, 2012 into mass consciousness with The Mayan Factor: Path Beyond Technology. Argüelles is also the founder of the annual Whole Earth Festival (1970) in California, and one of the originators of the Earth Day concept.
Watch a video of Jose Aguelles: On the Beam: Crossing the Rainbow Bridge – the Harmonic Convergence of 2012

or go here: http://www.greatmystery.org/video/JoseArguelles-Cancun.mp4

This video (one of his last public appearances) was recorded on his birthday, 25 Janaury 2010 at 2012 Tipping Point · The Prophets Conference Cancun (patience is required with the download – but it is well worth it!)

~~

April Forecast Overview:

Ending the cycle begun last spring, the last of three Jupiter/Saturn alignments (oppositions) occurred on March 28. When you think back, you can probably readily identify a particular circumstance, relationship, or issue that has put you through the paces. All this time, a critical platform was under construction. And now, here we are. Everything has been leading up to today’s hinging moment. In a face off against the regime, it is a fight to the death for Libyans; for Canadians, it is a history-making federal election to combat the regime of Prime Minster Steven Harper which has been found in contempt of parliament.

When Jupiter and Saturn hook-up by opposition, the past and the future collide. The consequences of the past catch up to the present and in so doing the edicts for the future are set in motion. The new moon in Aries, April 3, sets to fast task on the new program – perhaps with a vengeance. This new moon is accompanied by an alignment of Mars, newly in Aries, and Uranus. These two can be full of opportune and exciting synchronicity, but they can also be explosive, sudden, unexpected, shocking, extreme, and even violent. Would it surprise you to know that among its many correlations, radiation is attributed to planet Uranus? The day of Japan’s earthquake Uranus (the earthquake planet) was exiting Pisces (water element = tsunami) and entering Aries (heating and steaming, nuclear reactors.)

Adding even more to this intense new moon, note that we are also now into the throws of Mercury retrograde in Aries. The cycle occurs March 31 to April 23. As most of you will know, when Mercury is in retrograde, things do not go according to plan. Mercury in Aries retrograde can keep presenting new fires to battle and/or keep the conflict fresh and alive. As of this writing, the nuclear crisis in Japan brings more bad news. Expect the volatility in the world to continue, and perhaps to worsen before it gets better.

To some extent we are all living it on the razor’s edge. Each moment is flint for the next critical moment. Anything goes and it probably will.

Mercury retrograde in Aries is hot, rash, impulsive, reactive, and inflaming, so expect more headaches (literal and figurative), more aggression, conflict, arguments, and war. While Mercury in Aries turns up the heat, its true intention is to become more conscious and courageous, so that behaviour, ambitions, and responses can come into better alignment. Fresh perspective leads to new instincts, new desires, a new expression and a new creation. Apparently Germany’s solar power output supersedes Japan’s nuclear plants. Isn’t it about time we created a new reality? One way or another, Mercury in Aries’ call to arms is about taking the initiative to create the freedom and independence that is your birthright as a living, breathing contributor and co-creator. Mercury in Aries serves to help you sweeping away the debris so you can move forward in fresh new direction. Aries does it best in a simple, direct, and straightforward manner. Don’t make it overly complicated!

On the positive note, our consciousness is raised to a much higher level. It is a time of great awakening now, for the individual and the planet alike. You have great opportunity now – how are you going to use the tools you have been given?

Neptune dips into Pisces, its domicile, April 4 to Aug 4. It’s subtle but potent influence will dissolve barriers and stir that which has been brewing or stewing, but that has as of yet escaped full notice.

Pluto stations retrograde April 9 (to Sept 16). This subtle influence is one that sets the stage of for a karmic replay. It ignites a greater degree of separation, this in order to prompt greater perspective. On the same day, Mercury retrograde conjoins the sun. This is the peak point of Mercury’s cycle. As such the day is infused with great potency and potential. Expect a significant shift and a new consciousness to occur. Hopefully this will deliver a positive advance where it is needed the most. Two days later, Mars squares Pluto and Mercury retrograde aligns with the big planet, Jupiter. April 11 could be a decisive, catapulting, action filled day. Expect see a lot happen, all at once. As the full moon energizes April 17, Mars builds an opposition to Saturn (exact on April 18.) At this point, things are likely to be as polarized, pressurized, or as extreme as they can get. When Mars opposes Saturn (traditionally associated with war), it intensifies the battle against external forces or external authority. It is a force-the-envelope, stop at nothing, knock the wall down, or come to the end-of-the-road day.

As Mercury retrograde draws near to completion, the planet opposes Saturn. (Roughly, April 17 – 25.) We will be down to serious business and getting nearer to the end of the deadlines along this present time-line. Talks get serious, the pressure gets heavier, reality can be sobering or stark, options can become narrowed, limited, constrictive; patience, resources, energy, and emotions can run dry. Markets can fall flat. Delays, slow downs, hold-ups, etc. are also to be expected. When Mercury retrograde opposes Saturn, maximum effort is needed for the smallest of gains. Sound depressing? It can be, but it does not need to be. All planetary energies can manifest in a myriad of ways. This Mercury/Saturn hook-up could prove to be constructive and opportune. The aspect could slow the overly fast pace of one-after-another challenges, which in turn can provide the time to develop a bettered game plan. Let us hope that this is the case, not only for our private life journeys, but also there in the world. Used constructively, the challenges of the month lay the foundation for swifter resolution, accomplishment and conclusion.  Once past Mercury retrograde, we should all move onto the fast-track upswing.

April 3:   New Moon, 7:32 am (13 Aries)

April 17: Super Full Moon, 7:44 pm (27 Libra)

April 1: Mars enters Aries: 9:51 am

April 4: Neptune enters Pisces: 4:48 pm (to Aug 4)

April 9: Pluto stations retrograde: 1:49 pm (to Sept 16)

April 20: Sun enters Taurus: 3:18 am

April 20: Venus enters Aries: 9:06 pm

April 23: Mercury retrograde ends: 3:04 am

Dates to watch: April 1, 3, 6, 9, 11, 16 – 19, 23, 27, 30.

ARIES (March 21- April 19)

The Sun, Jupiter, Uranus, Mercury retrograde and now Mars – with such a high concentration in Aries, you can bet things are going to get very hot for you.  The new moon April 3 is particularly hard-wired for two reasons. First, it reanimates the recent Jupiter/Saturn opposition of March 28 and secondly, Mars, your ruler, is conjunct the electric jolt planet Uranus. While the stars are animating for all, start of this month is especially intense for those born March 20 – 22 and April 2 – 3.

A new two year initiative begins now. What fires up has been in the works for some time, but now you’ll really start to see it move along. Mercury retrograde in Aries may take you back a step or two, but don’t let it fool you. You are still motoring forward, and fast. Enterprising Mars will keep you especially busy and firing on all cylinders through May 10. Mercury retrograde does not plan to skirt around. Expect to stare straight into the headlights or to get re-educated on how a hand in the fire burns. There is a point to making things glaringly obvious, it’s not rocket science.

With Mars to boosts your physical energy and enthusiasm while Mercury does retrograde in Aries, you are likely to throw yourself into your exercise or health regimes with much greater zeal. Be careful not to overdo it though, (especially April 17 – 19), strains and such can happen fast. Incaution or added stress during Mercury retrograde can lead to headaches, inflammations, rashes, cuts, and bruises.  Impatience and instant gratification can get the better of you too. Remember this when spending or when diving into something that sets off your inner alarm bell. You’ll hear well enough, you just have to heed it.

Mercury retrograde is best used to get back in touch with yourself. Don’t let fleeting or outside pressures get to yourself. Carve an extra degree of separation from the immediacy of the moment. Allow ample time for creative exploration, for spiritual replenishment, self re-centering and the drumbeat of your own heart.

TAURUS (April 20 -May 20)

Five planets in Aries, including Mercury retrograde, puts you on psychic high alert. It can produce a sense that any time the other shoe is about to drop, or anxious expectation tinged with excitement can get the better of you. To be sure, there is much more at stake now. You know you stand on a sharp razor’s edge.

While Mars tours Aries (April 1 to May 10) you’ll be are exposed to more and you’ll have much more on the go (inwardly and outwardly) than is apparent. You are wise to keep whatever is going strong under-the-radar for now. Aim to minimize distractions, outside influences, and opinions so you can stay on target. Of course, you’ll have to navigate your way down a particularly fine line. There can be plenty of duality, confusion, or ambiguity coming at you – and festering within you too. Place yourself in observation rather than reaction mode, give yourself time to grieve or heal, and wait for clarity or answers to be revealed to you rather than force what isn’t coming naturally. It is in the moments when you force yourself to stand back, pause, and reflect that you are likely to discover or download exactly what you need to know. Mercury retrograde can give your body strong warning signals too. If a health condition persists or nags at you, get it check out. April 17 – 25, Mercury in opposition to Saturn suggests added pressure or build- up but it can also suggest a time of ripening and conclusion. You can face an important deadline or threshold crossing, especially re work or health. If you hit a wall, know that you are only temporarily stuck or stalled. As Mercury regains forward motion, so will you. April 21 – 25 can be hinging, determining and defining – and in no uncertain terms. Watch for an abrupt cut-off, conclusion, a sudden release, a significant ending, or a critical redirection.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21)

The new moon in Aries April 3 could be quite a kicker, thanks to Mars and Uranus. Keep your phone handy and expect the unexpected. In fact this first week of April is likely to find you racing through one thing after another. When you feel hot on something or someone, you can be amazing to watch in action. This is not the time to be a follower. It is the time to blaze new trails and to invent the trends as you go along. Newly found independence, a new goal, discovery, or potential can keep your excitement on the high wire.

As is typical of Mercury retrograde, you are likely to reconnect with faces and places. Some will seem exactly the same, some you will see are strikingly different than they were just a short time ago. You may be asked to reconsider a project, investment or involvement. If you can take it on for a temporary spell and it fires you up, why not. But know that as the month advances, you may not be as willing to burden or oblige yourself. Don’t make iron clad promises or sign on the dotted line during Mercury retrograde. You may not be able to walk away or back out when you want to without paying a high penalty. Should you stay or should you go? April 21 – 25 can bring you to a critical line in the sand.

CANCER (June 22-July 22)

A new chapter begins now. In fact, it has been brewing throughout the whole Jupiter/Saturn cycle, and perhaps even longer. Whether you are now forced by circumstances or whether you have chosen to move forward, in time you will come to see how truly pivotal and essential this moment has been.  The new moon in Aries April 3 can put you under added pressure or upset your apple cart in some unexpected way. It can be necessary for you to call a spade like it is, and/or to hold yourself or another more accountable. If you have second thoughts about a contract or commitment, ask yourself if you view it as a desire, necessary responsibility, or a burden. Their differences should be plain enough to see, but sometimes you need a review and reassessment cycle like Mercury retrograde to make it more obvious for you.

You probably know by now that Mercury retrograde is not the time to finalize contracts, to take on big expense, etc, unless it has already been in the works. If possible, keep non-committal, stay open-ended, or try to hold at least a little something in reserve until past April 23. If Mercury retrograde prompts a breakdown of relationship or reasoning, a de-railing or delay, it’s usually for a good reason. The key message is to stop, look, and listen in order to gain a fresh perspective. You could feel you have choice but to take something or someone on, to move quicker than you feel comfortable with, or you may feel forced to walk away. No matter what it looks like or feels like as it is happening it is a purposeful clearing away. Past the retrograde cycle will come fresh opportunity. In fact, mid May forward, you are likely to reach a steadier and more fruitful plateau.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

How much trust do you place in your beliefs, your creativity, or your intuition? Do you second guess how much you truly deserve? Do you think you overshoot or over-estimate? Are you disappointed in someone or something? The recent Jupiter/Saturn opposition testing cycle is reignited by the new moon April 3 and Mercury retrograde.  Five planets in Aries can be great rocket fuel, but Saturn makes you aware of the need for caution, tempering, and a bettered equilibrium. While a good deal of your attention is focused on the future, the stars want you to reconcile with yourself and with reality as it exists right now. Too, while Mercury is retrograde, plans can falter or alter, or you can be swept off in an altogether unexpected direction. If you are in accord with yourself and on track with the “lay of the land”, the next few weeks can be exceptionally opportune. There are high stakes and high risk involved, of course, but you know that’s a large part of the game. It seems you are in a gambling mood – and if you aren’t, you will be soon enough! In reality, life is always about the choices and gambles. Pay close attention to your intuition and stay true to it. Chiron, Neptune, Ceres, and Venus in Pisces suggest the moment is full of ripe potential.

Watch for the remaining uncertainty, confusion, or doubt to clear up as Venus advances into Aries, starting April 20 and Mercury retrograde completes (April 23). Mercury’s opposition to Saturn (April 18 – 25) can bring you to a finish-line, dead-line, decision, or conclusion of significance. If it has stalled or stopped and there’s still some beneficial life left in it, watch for it to resume once Mercury retrograde is out of the way. As the month ends and a new one begins, your direction forward should become more crystal clear.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Mercury retrograde can send you into a deep review of the choices you have made, the price you have paid, and how much you need to do now in order to reclaim and regain your previous ground. When you look honestly at yourself, you should come to see that it’s all been a necessary growth curve – and even if you don’t quite understand why it had to be so difficult, try to maintain a philosophical viewpoint rather than get stuck in the “why me” or blame game mode. Instead, take a look at yourself now. You should see a stark contrast between yester-you and now. Have you noticed your new boxing gloves? You’ll get to try them on for size while Mars tenants Aries (April 1 – May 10). Mercury retrograde (to April 23) can be particularly testing too, especially from the full moon April 17 to April 23 when Mercury opposes Saturn. (This aspect will hold for a few more days after the retrograde cycle.) Expect to feel under added pressure or added accountability, or to feel under attack by circumstances or perhaps a particular individual. A feisty new you is emerging, and this is exactly the goal of this month’s stars. Now is not the time to back-down or to give up on yourself. Face the challenge head-on. It is a moment to feel confident that opportunity is in bloom, even if you can’t see it yet.

On another note, while Mercury is retrograde, don’t jump the gun or race too far ahead of yourself. Saturn’s influence calls for you to pace yourself wisely. Patience, focus, self-consistency, and a balanced approach are your present task. Keep chipping away on your necessary priorities as best you can and look to the end of the month as a time when you can finally get out from under the rock and onto (much) higher ground.

LIBRA (Sept 22-Oct 22)

Mars in Aries, boosted by Uranus on the new moon, is sure to get things cooking, probably faster than you feel you are ready for. There can be excitement, there can be drama. The high concentration of Aries energies will urge you or force you to represent yourself in a brand new light. It is now absolutely essential that you prioritize your own needs first and foremost. In fact, the dictates of circumstances may not give you too much choice in this regard. After all, if you don’t look out for your best interests, why should anyone else? You are being gifted now with the opportunity to test drive a new you. With each success your inner strength will be honed. With each challenge or failure, your inner strength will be honed. Look at it as a win/win moment and choose to align with the new program so that you can thrive along instead of struggle or fight your way along. How, you may ask? Speak up and speak out as the moment arises. Find the courage to stay true to yourself always, even if it means you have to give up to get, or if you are forced to walk a singular path.

Mercury retrograde can put you back in touch, or take you through another go ‘round. It can re-stimulate a relationship or a relationship issue. It can also cause backtracking, delays, stalls, or stalemates. No matter what it delivers or how contradictory it seems, Mercury retrograde will help you to see your way clearer. This cycle will pull back the curtain so you can see how you have held yourself back or down.

The full moon in Libra, April 17, through the end of Mercury retrograde, April 23, will take matters as far as they are meant to go. If the proper seeds have been planted, it can be a time of completion, harvest, and fruition. If you have steered yourself off course, you could face a difficult parting or ending. Even so, know your next bests are already coming down the pike.

SCORPIO (Oct 23~Nov 22)

You can expect to feel even more driven than you usually do. For the most part, this is good news because an especially busy and demanding month lies ahead. You may feel particularly anxious to dive into a new project or program, and to bring yourself up to speed again with exercise and health matters too. With five planets currently in Aries, you are likely to rip into things like there is no tomorrow. Is it enthusiasm and passion, or inflamed emotions that spur you now? Perhaps both.

It is especially important to recognize that you can’t accomplish everything all at once. With so much fuel to burn, you are likely to be moving at a quicker pace than those around you. Don’t scatter your attention on a batch of things at the same time. Patience is a virtue! You’ll come to see that pacing yourself is a necessary evil.

You thrive on intensity and can be easily bored when you aren’t seeped in it, but in the month ahead, try to not to dismiss the small steps or small gains. They are just as important. On the other hand, follow the dictates of the day rather than go against the grain. If you have to pick it up and drop it, or it isn’t coming together well, tackle what demands or commands your attention and trust that whatever gets derailed will get sorted out in due course.

Mercury retrograde in Aries can be particularly challenging, so make sure you back up your work, double check your facts, figures, and instructions, and heed all warning signs with vehicles, equipment, health, and tempers. Interruptions, delays, and sidetracks are to be expected. A conflict can ensue with someone in particular. You may feel they are undermining you, going behind your back, blocking you, interfering, etc. If this happens, give them enough rope and watch what happens next. The full moon April 17 through end of the month can force the envelope, likely once and for all. Once you have dealt with and are finally moving forward, there will be no necessity to turn back again.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22~Dec21)

The end of the Jupiter/Saturn alignment moves you past a circumstance or challenge that has drawn added attention or consternation for about a year. While Mercury retrograde could get your riled all over again, it is high time for you to shift your focus off this target or block, and onto something fresh and new – namely what’s going on for you/inside of you. The new moon April 3 can springboard you or spur you in some dynamic and perhaps unexpected way. With so many planets in Aries, you can be quite impulsive, forceful, and singularly focused on want it and want it now, but various alignments with Saturn will call for you to rein yourself in and/or bide more time.

When love is hot, it can be over the top, but when it’s not, it can be harsh. You will need plenty of extra leg room, gift yourself with time to explore and conjure on your own. Mercury retrograde delivers an excellent time to dive into creative projects. Mars in Aries continues to May 10. Venus in Aries, beginning April 20 can spice it up, but first there is Mercury retrograde opposing serious Saturn to get through. April 16 through April 26, the stars bring circumstances to stage of ripening. It can be a time of successful completion or of lay it on the make-it or break-it line.

CAPRICORN (DEC 22~JAN 19)

You are about to plunge into a heavy duty month ahead. The alignment of Mars and Uranus on the new moon is likely to kick things off, perhaps unexpectedly so. You can feel like you don’t have a minute to waste, and this is so, especially with a new address, a home renovation, a new family circumstance, or a new career ambition to tackle. Mars in Aries keeps you especially driven and going at it hard until May 10. The weeks ahead can be especially emotionally igniting, challenging, or draining. Knowing this ahead of time should help you to brace and pace yourself better.

As Mercury tours retrograde, you’ll revisit the past in some key way. Off and on, there’s extra pressure to deal with. Mercury retrograde provides readier access to what’s been welling up inside you. Saturn serves to qualify what, who, where and when.

Expect to hit a rough patch with a particular family member, an authority figure or authority institution (the bank for example.) Cut-off points and deadlines can be hard on you too. You could reach a breaking point, run out of time, patience, empathy, or money in the days leading up to the full moon April 17. When it all gets to be too much for you to handle, disengage from the immediacy of the moment. It is in the pull back moments that you will gain the most strength. An added degree of separation (like it or not) will provide you with a fresh perspective and replenished vitality, which in turn will allow you to goat it again and/or to stand up for yourself better.

The last thing to say about Mercury retrograde is that it could deliver an “almost but not quite” there moment. Don’t allow yourself to be pressured into something if it doesn’t sit right with you. Back out instead.

Your perseverance should net a visible pay-off by month’s end. In the end, you’ll see your sweat and effort has been worth it.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20~Feb 18)

Something or someone new is about to get a hold of you, and when that happens, it will give you an incredible buzz. You may feel like someone finally opened a window and let you out.  Good ideas can fire out of you like there’s no tomorrow. You should find yourself especially quick on the ball. In fact, for the most part, you can find yourself a step ahead of the game. Mars, fresh into Aries, hooks up with Uranus on the new moon April 3. Something unexpected could set your wheels in motion. Please be extra careful when driving, cycling, etc. and pay added attention to the risk factor involved in all activities and actions.

Noting the dynamic Aries line-up, you can expect to be flying at it hard and fast in this first week of the month.  Even so, Saturn will add a sense of caution or call for you to temper your will, impulsiveness, actions, and responses. You may have a sense of an invisible ceiling. Is it real, is it false? You’ll have to judge for yourself whether this is the voice of reason, of self doubt, or a premonition to heed. Discernment is key.

Mercury retrograde can find you revisiting a previously shelved idea, investment, or relationship potential. You are best to wait to file applications until after Mercury retrograde is over. Too, a conflict with a friend, colleague or sibling could rear up again. You may find it is even more difficult to get your point across. You may need to push harder, but know when it is harming your position to do so. It is a fine balance. Make it a frequent practice to take a step back before you sprint forward.

While Mercury opposes Saturn (roughly April 17 through the 25^th) you may feel like you are getting nowhere fast. Answers, votes, or results during this period can more often slant to no rather than yes. As the month winds to a close and May begins, you should see that most of the hurdles or problems are swept out of the way and that you are making surprisingly quick progress.

PISCES (Feb 19~March 20)

The end of the testing Jupiter/Saturn opposition cycle has pushed you through an accelerated growth program. Over this past year you have learned how important to stand present for yourself – at every level. You’ve gained the strength of inner resolve and a more secure and mature outlook along the way. Venus (to April 20) Chiron, and Ceres in Pisces make the now a time of vital personal renewal. They set a ripe stage for a significant resurrection or resuming period, so by all means put your ambition to work and get yourself back into the game.

Mercury retrograde continues the process of self discovery and self communion. As you dig deeper on the inside, you could unearth a talent, capacity, or resource that you have long forgotten existed within you. There may be some unfinished emotional resolving to do too. Don’t stuff it, and be careful not to project it onto others. Instead, find a way to channel it constructively. Added financial or emotional strain is possible, especially in the days leading to the full moon and for a few days following. Mercury opposing Saturn can cause delays, limit your options, or minimize your success or satisfaction. Circumstances can force you to question and rethink. Take your time to feel your way along. Answers are likely to appear of their own volition. Divine timing has an intelligence and wisdom far beyond our full comprehension. When it is meant to come together for you, it will. Trust.

Remember to check out my weekly astrology forecasts, published on Thursdays at: straight.com (look under “lifestyles”)