April 2012 Forecast

April’s Monthly Overview:

The Saturn/Ceres opposition at month’s start pushes hot buttons to do with personal rights and freedoms, social standards, fairness, justice, hypocrisy, favoritism, boundaries, equitable distribution of resources, and relationship liabilities. Also under scrutiny: the system and how it works or doesn’t work; who’s really in charge/pulling the strings. Watch for both personal and external authority to be “put to the test”. Relationship polarizations and financial pressures can be especially challenging as the super moon rises full on Good Friday.

Advancing into Gemini on April 3, Venus takes an important step forward. Due to her upcoming retrograde cycle, May 15 to June 27, Venus will spend a little over four months on a specific information gathering and evaluating agenda. (Usually Venus spends only a few weeks transiting a sign.) The significance of this particular Venus cycle is due to a number of factors: her retrograde cycle, the karmic axis in the sign polarity of Gemini/Sagittarius, Venus’ current geographic latitude (out of bounds declination), and the upcoming occultation of Venus on June 5/6.  This last point is a major event. I’ll write more about the Venus occultation in future columns.)

Mercury retrograde officially ends on April 4, but resolution, decision making, and envisioning can still be uncertain guesswork through to the illuminating and reconciling super (high tide) full moon in Libra on April 6 and beyond. Mercury began retrograde in inflaming Aries on March 12, but dipped back into dissolving and exposing Pisces on March 23. By April 16, Mercury will re-enter Aries. By April 22, Mercury will form the final of three conjunctions with awakener Uranus. The first two Mercury/Uranus alignments were March 5 and March 18. Each of these “lightening strike” acceleration points have served to progressively inform, inspire, instigate, mobilize, disrupt, shatter illusion, break-down or revamp rationale.

Mars in Virgo completes retrograde on April 13. Since the end of January, Mars has been heating it up in order to draw more alert attention to the driving force behind the experiential steering wheel. In other words, Mars retrograde has been calling for more objective awareness. It calls for each of us to take a step back and into ourselves; to make an essential personal adjustment; to take the initiative to improve, repair, and heal from the inside out; to make productive use of our resources independent of and despite what is or is not occurring “out there”.

This personal regroup and consciousness-raising cycle is the key lead-in for the upcoming Venus retrograde cycle, May 13 to June 27.  Encompassing the first two eclipses of the year, a rare Venus/sun alignment, and the first of the seven monumental/life-altering Uranus/Pluto aspects to occur between 2012 – 2015, this Venus cycle brings us to a karmic intersection of major consequence. Expect to meet with your exceptional destiny in some striking way. In fact, look around you now. It’s already in the works

Ceres enters Taurus on April 9 and Pluto in Capricorn begins retrograde on April 10. Both seeding influences tap into the deeper recesses of soul, they correlate to shadow, reclamation, and re-empowerment mandates.  Mythological Ceres and Pluto (Hades) are siblings. Their current tenancy in complimentary earth signs (Taurus and Capricorn) allows for them to work together to manifest your/our evolutionary mandate in a mutually supportive way. With sharpened attentiveness, relentless dedication, and well-applied effort, the month can finish at a productive, steady, and generating plateau. Ceres trine Pluto provides us something of substance to work with and for. Together they make for a fertile planting season.

Full Moon: April 6: 12:19 pm   Libra (17 Libra 23)

New Moon: April 21: 0:18 am  Taurus (1Taurus 35)

April 3: Venus enters Gemini: 8:18 am

April 4: Mercury in Pisces stations direct (ends retrograde) 3:11 am (23 Pisces 51)

April 9: Ceres enters Taurus: 1:35 pm

April 10: Pluto in Capricorn stations retrograde (9:21 am) 9 Capricorn 34

April 13: Mars in Virgo stations direct (ends retrograde) 8:53 pm (3 Virgo 41)

April 16: Mercury enters Aries (3:42 pm)

April 19: Sun enters Taurus (9:12 am)

April 30: Vesta enters Taurus (9:46 am)

**Please note – all times listed are PST, please check your local listings

ARIES (MARCH 21 ~ APRIL 19)

If you haven’t gotten around to it yet, you will soon enough. The end of Mercury retrograde on April 4 switches the traffic light to “go”. Watch for the full moon in Libra on April 5 to bring relationship, financial, or legal matters to a head or an end. By the middle of the month, the next forward thrust switch will be hit. Look to the end of Mars retrograde on April 13 and Mercury’s sprint through Aries, April 16 to May 8, to stoke a new fire and/or get things cooking faster.

Through July 3, Mars in Virgo will continue to put the focus on work, health, pets, repairs, and improvement mandates. Do what you can, as you can. It all adds up. Again, you should find you can make swifter progress and better use of your time once the Mars retrograde cycle is finished.

April 16 to 23, Mercury supplies you with good fuel. Use this time to initiate, explore, create. April 22, Mercury and Uranus converse for the last of three meetings. Synchronicity is at its peak. Brain-storm, explore, connect, negotiate, discover, participate.

Beyond enhancing your social life, creativity, educational opportunity, and money making prospects, Venus in Gemini, April 3 through Aug 7, walks you through a multi-tiered staging cycle that sets you at both a past life and this life peak. Friendships, colleagues, agents, social networks, and/or siblings figure prominently in this karmic chapter. Déjà vu is a clue to the importance of the moment and/or chance encounters. New friends or interests can ignite a sense of familiarity. Dealings with siblings can have a sense of been here, done this before.

Ceres advance into Taurus on April 9, and Pluto’s switch to retrograde on April 10 can toss something added into the mix. April 9 through 15 can keep the striving alive, but as stated above, April 16 to 23 can be the time when things finally start to come together. By the end of the month and into the start of the next, Ceres in trine Pluto makes for an especially potent and productive seeding time. Working together rather than at cross purposes, they set an especially ripe evolutionary backdrop.

TAURUS (APRIL 20 ~ MAY 20)

Sidetracks and backtracks are to be expected when Mercury tours retrograde. As of April 3 when the cycle ends, you should have better luck regarding work, relationships, and health matters. While there may be yet a battle or two to face or to concede, the strong survives – and thrives. You’ll see what works best or where better advantage lies once both Mercury (April 3) and Mars (April 13) complete their retrograde cycles.

Before things smooth out, there’s the super full moon in Libra to get through. Occurring on Good Friday, April 6, a day off could be a saving grace, as work and health are two areas where this full moon can hit the hardest. Reliability, dependencies, one sided give and take, added expense, broken promises, or lack of good follow through can also be confronting issues. Too, a financial prospect or relationship could be short lived. If it is, don’t dwell on it. It paves the way for something better to come along.

Venus in Gemini, starting April 3, can put you into a better creative flow, especially where the juggling act is concerned. It can help you to diversify your knowledge and/or or to entertain more possibilities for yourself. Too, skills and resources that have sat on the shelf for awhile can now be dusted off and put to use again. Most importantly, Venus in Gemini helps you to hold a more reasonable conversation with yourself. Not only does Venus enhance financial, social, and romantic opportunity, she also enhances biological fertility too.

Ceres in Taurus, April 9 to June 23, takes you through a personal rebirth or resurrection cycle. Along with Venus in Gemini to enhance your prospects, it is a potent time to start a new you and a new life course.

For your sign, Mars in the complimentary earth sign of Virgo will hit its best stride from April 13 through July 2. Occupying one of the best positions in your chart, Mars can help you to create more personal, professional, and material success. Children are you best teachers. Best of all, Mars in Virgo can heal the heart and repair the soul.

The dynamic new moon on April 21 is energized by Ceres in Taurus and the last of the Mercury/Uranus alignments on April 22. You can expect new launches and discoveries to carry an especially vibrant life-force.

GEMINI (MAY 21 ~ JUNE 21)

Maintaining control is always a tricky manoeuvre when Mercury swims through Pisces. Thankfully, Mercury retrograde ends on April 4, but it doesn’t leave the sign of the fish until April 16. Added flexibility is required. Do your best to stay on track but also forgive yourself when you just can’t get there.

Having said that, life is about to hit the fast lane drive, thanks to the end of not only Mercury retrograde on April 4 and Mars retrograde on April 13, but also because of Venus. Due to her upcoming retrograde cycle, Venus will tenant Gemini from April 3 to Aug 7. Leading into to the Easter long weekend and the super full moon on Good Friday, Venus squares Neptune. It is an appropriate transit for religious observance or for taking time off. Then again, this transit flavours the super full moon in Libra. Something important can be exposed that sets a new precedent or priority into play.

Venus is an enhancer and a magnetizer. It will draw people and opportunity to you, so you can look forward to increased popularity and social mobility. Venus in Gemini will get you going more places and doing more things. Try not to spread yourself too thin! It is ideal for the launch of new financial enterprises, relationships, and for enhancing your social or public profile. A style makeover can do a lot for you. If your physical health regime has lagged, this transit can get you back on track.

With Venus in your sign, it’s nice to be on everyone’s pick list, but there may be times when you are overwhelmed by the need you/want you routine.  Especially while Mars in Virgo is retrograde, give and take may be an issue to address.

Mars in Virgo puts the spotlight on personal and home upgrades, family and real estate matters, health, and small business enterprises. It also occupies you with unfinished business, from this or lifetimes past.

The second half of the month can be quite generating and productive, thanks to a creative mix of Aries/Taurus planetary influences.

CANCER (JUNE 22 ~ JULY 22)

Mercury in Pisces can provide you with a fresh perspective on a long standing quandary, goal, or plan. Too, it can increase your options and possibilities. While it is good to expand into new realms, proceed with caution through this first week until the super full moon in Libra on April 6 sheds its full spectrum light. Legal or financial matters can reach a decisive or breaking point threshold. Be careful to read the fine print on purchases, contracts, lease, or loan agreements. Make sure expectations are well laid out and that everyone is clear on the outline of personal or professional agreements. You may be confronted by the fact that you can’t rely on the past, on the previous track record, or on someone in particular. You could feel targeted or treated unfairly by an authority figure. Know that while this full moon is riding you, you can’t get away with much, so make sure to keep it clean. If there’s a residue left behind, the sun’s opposition to Saturn on April 15 can bring this full moon matter to its completion.

Venus in Gemini, April 3 to Aug 7, gets it cooking behind the scenes. In fact, you may have several things on brew at the same time. This Venus placement can increase your intuition and enhances your creative flow. It is ideal time to develop writing or other creative projects, to study, to introduce new product lines or services, or to develop a new line of work. Keep your plans or aces close to your chest until they are more fully developed. Don’t jinx it by letting others offer their opinions, it can run away on you. Nobody has to know if you’ve started a new diet, wait until they notice there’s something new about you. Etcetera. This Venus cycle could start a secret crush or hatch a secret affair. Know what you are getting into!

Once Mars ends retrograde, you should find the kinks will work themselves out of the system better. Starting from the middle of the month, Mars in Virgo helps you to become more productive and industrious. Too, you’ll start to refine the way you communicate or forge relationship links. Through the beginning of July, it is a time to network, socialize, to get yourself better educated, and to clean up your act and your attitude where necessary. Upgrades your transportation or communication devices are likely to be necessary.

Mars now takes you through an important training exercise in the school of life. You’ll learn who and what is worthy, and what or who is a drain or waste. A particular relationship, with a sibling or friend can move through the paces. You may need them, or they may need you. In the second half of the month, you should get a better handle on what’s truly viable. Your efforts will also start to generate more visible results.

LEO (JULY 23 ~ AUG 22)

Have you recently felt that no matter what you do, it’s just a drop in the bucket – that your effort should have proved better results? Gaining ground is always trickier while Mercury tours retrograde, let alone Mars in retrograde too. Then again, if you have been able to face the limitations and have invested yourself in reworking them, then you’ve extracted the best the cycle has to offer. Mercury retrograde ends on April 4 and just a couple of days after Mars retrograde ends on April 13, Mercury will advance into Aries. (It does that on April 16.) By the middle of the month, you should feel you are starting to really get somewhere. Of course, Aries month and Venus in Gemini, starting on April 3, will have already set the wheels into faster motion.

The super full moon in Libra on April 6 can deliver news, social opportunity, or fire you up in some other striking way. Coinciding with Easter weekend, this full moon may simply signal a welcome long weekend break, the joy of getting together with loved ones or favourite folk, and/or a time to nourish your soul.

As the month progresses, it seems you will quickly acclimatize to a new work situation or career focus. You should find you can deal better with authority figures, banks and budgets. While Mars in Virgo suggests there are still holes or gaps to fill, the month end places you at a relatively steady plateau. At least you’ll better know what you are working with and why-for

VIRGO (AUG 23 ~ SEPT 22)

Feeling less enthused or less peppy? As Mars approaches an opposition to Neptune through mid month, you could feel your relationship or your physical motivation is running out of good steam. April can start with great uncertainty but by the end of the month and into next, the direction forward should come into much sharper view.

The stars are busy in the first week of the month. Venus entering Gemini on April 3 can compound matters. Even though Mercury retrograde ends on April 4, things can get even more confusing. The super full moon occurring on Good Friday, April 6 is meant to turn up the light so you can really see what it is that you are working with. When the full moon occurs in Libra, the scales swing to the extreme. You are likely to feel forced to juggle or to make accommodation more than seems fair. Expense or output can ramp up too. This full moon can slam you against wall or see you reach a breaking point. If it isn’t fully completed on the full moon, it could wrap up as the sun and Saturn oppose on April 15 or there about.

Watch Mercury’s advance into Aries on April 16 to set a new play in motion. The pace is fast through April 23. April 22 can bring the unexpected.

You’ll see more shape up once Ceres advance into Taurus, beginning April 9. This influence is a confidence builder and lucrative generator for your sign. Not only will you see more shape up for you, you’ll reach a steadier and more secure stride too, more so in the latter half of the month and beginning of next as it teams up (by trine aspect) with empowering Pluto.

Through middle of August, Venus in Gemini will provide you with a priority education where you need it the most. Don’t waste your time; get serious about career planning and/or job retraining. It’s the right time to revamp ambitions and goals, to uproot or relocate as necessary. Through Venus in Gemini’s first hand education, you will learn to enhance your communication skills so that you can better define your needs, rights, and boundaries. You’ll learn to make adjustments and to assert yourself where it serves you best. You’ll also learn what or who is worth taking on, and who or what is not.

LIBRA (SEPT 22 ~ OCT 22)

Knowing where it’s at, where you stand, or how to play it best – you can blame Mercury’s backtrack into Pisces for the added uncertainty or further unraveling. Take heart, you’ll be on the upswing soon enough. Watch for the super full moon in Libra on Good Friday to show you the ropes in no uncertain terms. Hot buttons can be pushed/polarizations can become even more inflamed, but if so, know the intention for this full moon prompt is for you to take definitive action and to put a stop to it.

Venus in Gemini, April 3 through Aug 7, takes you though a positive growth cycle. Over the next few months, you can greatly expand your knowledge and your experience. Venus in Gemini will introduce you to new possibilities for your future. You’ll find your social and professional popularity grows and that you have more advantages in your corner too. Watch for destiny to set a synchronistic platform. There can be more opportunity to travel, publish, perform, relocate, study, etc. Venus in Gemini will help you to frame a new future and to explore a new you. It’s about keeping your hands on the pulse, and about taking on new involvements.

April 15 can bring you to an end or solidification point. Sun and Saturn can signal an important threshold crossed re contractual agreements, partnerships, and legal matters. April 16 to 23, Mercury in Aries keeps it coming at you fast and strong.

Ceres in Taurus, April 9 to June 23, and Taurus month can help you find greater personal accord, financial and relationship security too. Family and real estate matters can move along better also.

SCORPIO (OCT 23~NOV 22)

Mercury’s backtrack into Pisces has either given you a reprieve or it has kept you swimming in the thick of it like the rest of us. The retrograde portion of the cycle ends on April 4, but continue to stay vigilant and to proceed with extra due diligence for just a little longer. The stars continue on a staging mandate through the super full moon on April 6. There’s also the sun’s opposition to Saturn on April 16, the end of Mars retrograde on April 16, and the final of three Mercury/Uranus alignments on April 22 to get through.

Mercury in Aries, April 16 to May 8, can thrust you back into work and/or work mode. Anything that was sidetracked or delayed can resume. Once Mars goes direct, you can find your efforts are more productive and that you are more effective with the clean up stage. You should find you are able to make better use of your resources and that you can forge better inroads with others too. Through the beginning of July, Mars will help you to refine or redefine the direction forward.

April 3 through Aug 8, Venus in Gemini puts added emphasis on a key investment, be it an ambition, relationship, project, or financial matter. Ceres in Taurus, April 9 to June 23, adds to the karmic potency of circumstances, especially relationship interfacing. People show up or leave for a reason. It’s all part of destiny’s divine plan. Toward the end of the month and into the start of next, Ceres in trine to Pluto can help you to gain steadier ground. This planetary pairing can provide more to work with and toward. It can enhance relationship security, customer loyalty, success in negotiations, legal matters, marketing or creative ventures and professional partnerships.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22~DEC 21)

While Aries stars put you on high charge, the retrograde cycles of Mercury and Mars may have kept parts of your life misfiring. While better progress can now be made, look to mid-month for fuller bounce back. Through April 15, Mercury in Pisces can keep you submerged. Mercury in Aries, April 16 to May 8 sees you laying new tracks. It also gets it all moving a lot faster.

Mars finishes its four month retrograde tour on April 13. Through July 3, Mars in Virgo will continue to keep you ambitious and goal driven. Whether necessity or desire forces you to stay on target, the result is the same. One way or another, the stars want to see you accomplish a lot in a compact period of time.

The full moon in Libra on April 6 can set up something entertaining or social to launch your long weekend. On the other hand, it can ignite a conflict over choices, and/or increase relationship or financial strain. You may feel obliged (or forced) to make good on a promise. Stick to integrity and do what’s right and fair, but also stay true to yourself. Don’t over compensate.

April 22, synchronicity and creativity are well ignited. On this day, Mercury conjoining Uranus sets creativity, ingenuity, and synchronicity into play. Make contact, scout, explore, stay ready for anything goes.

Venus in Gemini, April 3 to Aug 8, puts an added spotlight on key relationships and partnerships. Your social life, product visibility, public profile or involvement can increase significantly. It can be an ideal time to launch a second career or a new business. A new professional or personal relationship can begin, if so, you’ll feel a strong sense of déjà vu right from the get go.

CAPRICORN (DEC 22~JAN 19)

As Mars has been traveling in retrograde, a frictional momentum has been building steam. While the sun in Aries continues to stoke the engine, Mercury’s temporary backtrack into Pisces has watered down the intensity – somewhat. Don’t know how to proceed or what to expect next? You can blame Mercury retrograde for the confusion and uncertainty, but don’t expect it to go on for much longer. Mercury retrograde ends on April 4 and two days later comes a super full moon in Libra. Among the issues: contracts, commitments, professional versus personal, financial or relationship liabilities, enmeshments, respect, boundaries. Expect the scales to swing to an extreme again. This full moon calls for you to make it official and/or to define yourself in no uncertain terms. What are you willing to concede, what is a no-go for you? Are your needs being met? Are you being unfairly treated? Is there equal give and take? Is the responsibility or liability all one sided? What can you do to change it? Is it worth it or is it best to walk away?  As Mars works its way to the end of retrograde, it will engage with Neptune by opposition. It can be easy to project what isn’t there or to miss what’s right in front of you, but look to the sun’s opposition to Saturn on April 15 to provide a sharp contrast so that you can better your way clear. April 16 through 23, Mercury in Aries sets you on a faster get-go.

Ceres in Taurus, April 9 through June 23 is your great ally. This is a fertile and profitable influence, so it suggests that your investments can pay off well. Ceres in harmony to Pluto at month’s end suggests you have plenty going for you and that you are making the best of what you have to work with. When good seeds are planted at the right time, you can expect a great harvest.

AQUARIUS (JAN 20~FEB 18)

Venus in Gemini, beginning April 3 and the end of Mercury retrograde on April 4 will help you to regain the ground or momentum you have lost during the past couple of weeks.

As Good Friday’s super full moon rises, more of the bigger picture can colour itself in. Romance, creativity, future prospects, speculative ventures, and/or the spiritual quest rides at high tide. Of course, plenty of questions still remain. Do you have enough faith in yourself and your deserving? How about your faith in another, in the divine, or the divine order?  Do you have a good grip on reality or what it will take for you to get to where you envision you want to be? Trust and legal issues can move to the forefront too. Among the other possibilities for the full moon: important news, a large investment or purchase, a lucrative contract, a win or windfall, social, educational, publishing, or travel opportunity.

Due to its upcoming retrograde, Venus in Gemini will extend her benefits to you through Aug 7. You’ll find your ability to attract favourable circumstances and attention is enhanced. Venus in Gemini augments social, creative, educational, romantic and money-making opportunity.

April 16 to 23, Mercury in Aries can stoke lucrative fires, especially so on April 22 as Mercury aligns for the last of three alignments with Uranus, the synchronicity and “lights on” planet. Seize opportunity as it presents itself. A single moment could be the “it” moment. You could be surprised at how well things fall into place. The sun and Ceres in Taurus help you to lay solid tracks in the latter portion of the month. Feel confident to set long term financial or emotional commitments into place. Investment to enhance home, real estate, family well-being and your own self sufficiency is the best place to bank your resources.

PISCES (FEB 19~MARCH 20)

Mercury’s backtrack through Pisces has lead you to this rethink or start over moment. Venus in Gemini, beginning April 3, and the end of Mercury retrograde on April 4 calls for you to see it from a fresher perspective, to try another angle, option or route.

The super full moon on Good Friday can sharpen your viewfinder and help you to pinpoint what you could not see previously. On a jarring note, the full moon can show you where you may have been overly optimistic or where you have been deluding yourself. On the more positive end of things, a desire could be met, or at the least, it can show more viable promise.

You still have a bit further to go though. Venus in Gemini can keep you juggling or scrambling. As Mars in Virgo winds its way to the end of its retrograde cycle on April 13, it continues to draw opposition from Neptune. Second guessing, self doubt, dissipation of resources, energy drain, weakened immunity, or uncertain circumstances can continue through mid month.

Look to Mercury’s advance into Aries, April 16 to May 8 to refuel you and circumstances too. April 16 to 23 can be the most launching, generating, and advancing days of the month. Finishing out April and leading into May, a predominance in the solidifying element of earth places you at a more stable and surefooted plateau. You should find you have more to work with. Ceres aligned with Pluto set fertile conditions in place for this next important growth chapter.