Happy Easter! May you enjoy good quality time with family and/or with yourself today and always!
Please see the articles page for an in-depth look at the chart of Pope Francis the 1st.
April’s Monthly Overview:
April begins with the new Pope wasting no time. The stars urge you to do the same. Ceres in Cancer, beginning April 4 puts an added emphasis on self care, and also on protecting what is most important to you. Home and family require more from you too. On the literal and figurative levels, Ceres in Cancer is an ideal influence for tending to your garden.
April 6, Venus/Mars begin a new two year relationship cycle in the sign of Aries. Of course the most important relationship is the one you have with yourself. All other relationships build from here. Push the refresh button and see what show’s up. What instincts, urges, and desires pop up on your screen? They are your fresh page clues. Give them room to grow.
The vibrant Aries new moon on April 10 delivers an energy boost to Venus and Mars. This fired-up new moon signals an appropriate time to tackle a new personal initiative. The week of April 7 can be one of added pressure and “dangling carrots”. April 17 also deliver an energy thrust/boost. For our private lives, and in social, political, and economic arenas too, there’s a lot more than the usual at a stake.
Pluto in Capricorn begins retrograde on April 12. An outer planet’s retrograde cycle tends to be more subtle in influence than Mercury retrograde, but none the less, it holds great potency, especially at the time when the planet turns direction. An unleashing or unhinging influence, Pluto retrograde removes the barrier, resistance, wall, or justification. You can’t downplay reality. Take note that when resentments are unleashed the blame game can get ugly. While the call for accountability is appropriate, blame is most often a non productive distraction. It wastes too much time and energy on the wrong target.
Pluto in Capricorn and Saturn in Scorpio are in mutual reception, in other words they are in each other signs. Now through Jy, both planets travel retrograde. Pooling their formidable resources together, they now are now plunged deep into an industrious stress test and reformatting process. It is an essential time to strengthen from within, to refortify the base-line, or to start on a new construction project.
April 25 delivers the first of 3 spring eclipses. This first one is a lunar eclipse in Scorpio.
One door closes and another opens; the eclipse moon ends with Saturn in Scorpio, while the eclipse sun and Mars in Taurus fire up something new. When an eclipse tenants the Scorpio/Taurus axis, we face power-play, lay-it-all-on-the-line time. We are confronted with critical matters regarding survival, sustainability, finances (debt, taxes, investments, money markets/the economic climate, corporate mergers/acquisitions), joint or pooled resources, betrayal, abandonment, and trust. In our private life and out there in the world too, we witness prominent births, deaths and transitions. (Nelson Mandela’s chart is activated by the eclipse and also by Ceres, Pluto, and Jupiter.) Be reminded that eclipses keep stimulated over an extended time frame. Watch for eventfulness prior to and following the eclipse. (May 9 delivers a new moon/solar eclipse in Taurus, and May 24 brings a super full moon/lunar eclipse in Sagittarius.)
By April 15, the day Venus advances into Taurus, the Canadian Liberal Party will announce its official new leader. Capricorn Justin Trudeau, referred to on occasion as political royalty, has benefited from the transit of Jupiter, the king maker planet. (For those who don’t know much about Canadian politics, his flamboyant father, Pierre Trudeau was Canada’s Prime Minister 1968 – 1979, 1980 – 84. Saturn was in Scorpio at the end of his tenure as Prime Minister. His son now assumes party leadership with Saturn in this same sign.)
April is campaign crunch time for British Columbia’s premier, Christy Clark. The province will hold its general election on May 14. Christy Clark, a Scorpio, is currently on a losing battle with her opponent Taurus Adrian Dix, leader of the NDP party. Their synastry is quite interesting. Their suns are in exact opposition to one another at 6 degrees Scorpio/Taurus, almost exactly the degree of the April 25 eclipse (5:46 degrees Scorpio/Taurus.) Christy has Venus at 22 Sagittarius; Adrian’s Venus is 21 Gemini (another opposition.) Adrian was born at the time of a full moon in Scorpio and he has both Mercury (in retrograde) and Jupiter, the king maker planet, in Taurus and in tight aspect to his sun. (Mercury is 7 degrees, Jupiter is 3 degrees.) On the eclipse, Jupiter is stimulated by the energizing transit of Mars, signalling a new beginning. At the same time, the transit of Saturn opposes his Mercury, which is suggestive of a tough time for a colleague. Of course Adrian’s election will be another no surprise/no contest victory as he has maintained a large lead on Christy for some time now.
The first half of this month is a fired up time. The second half of the month is a situating or anchoring time. Get going sooner rather than later and by the end of the month you should have something of substance to work with. Don’t resist evolution, sign up instead.
April 10: New Moon: 2:35 am (21 Aries 41)
April 25: Lunar Eclipse/Full Moon: 12:57 pm (5 Scorpio 46)
April 4: Ceres into Cancer 3:14 pm (to late June)
April 12: Pluto turns retrograde 12:23 pm (to Sept 20)
April 13: Mercury into Aries 7:37 pm
April 15: Venus into Taurus 0:25 am
April 19: Sun into Taurus 3:03 pm
April 20: Mars into Taurus 4:48 am
April 24: Vesta in Cancer 5:46 am
**All times listed are PST
Dates to watch: April 6, 8 – 12, 13, 16, 17, 20 -25, 28 – 30
ARIES (March 21- April 19)
Looking for a fresh start? Here it is. Birthday month delivers an optimum time to reinvent the wheel and/or dive into something new. Venus and Mars in Aries begin a new two year relationship cycle on April 6. Of course, the most important relationship is the one you have with yourself. Try a new you on for size. You may or may not have noticed, but in actuality you’ve been developing a proto-type for quite some time now. Passion, creativity and drive get a big boost from the April 10 “can do” new moon. Strike out on your own, or take your best shot. You are likely to hit the ball right out of the park.
Pluto’s retrograde turn on April 12 shifts the reality base. You’ll now move past a long standing block. Mercury into Aries, April 13 – May 1, makes you quicker on the dial-it-up. In addition the concentration on financial matters, Venus in Taurus, April 15 to May 9, helps you to be more resourceful. You’ll get better value out of yourself and your activities. The advances of the sun (April 19) and Mars (April 19 to May 31) into Taurus help you to add substance to style and inspiration, to manifest better. You should start to see more tangible results.
As stated in the intro, the lunar eclipse on April 24 brings you to a critical one door closes, another opens threshold. One income source could end, another can begin. The eclipse can also bring you to the end of the road of a long standing debt, actual or karmic. It can be a time to confront someone who has been underhanded or undermining or to face the cold hard facts regarding something that is not working in your best interests. Expenses, taxes, disappointment, loss, heartbreak, or health matters may be unavoidable. On the other hand, if you’ve been focused on the right track all along, the lunar eclipse can be empowering, lucrative, opportune, and rewarding.
TAURUS (April 19 -May 20)
Four planets in Aries at month’s start are sure to light a fire under you. Yes, it is the time to chase the dream, to aspire higher, to give it your best shot. Venus, your ruler, is in Aries and engaging in a fresh dialogue with Mars, the yang to your yin. Along with a particularly energized new moon on May 10, Venus and Mars they set an exceptionally fertile stage for new initiatives. Pluto’s turn to retrograde on April 12 removes a barrier. Mercury’s advance into Aries on April 13 sparks fresh ideas.
The advances of both sun (April 19) and Mars (April 20) into Taurus boost you with even more get up and go. The full moon lunar eclipse on April 25 delivers a power-play time for finances, relationships, or health matters. Among the harsher possibilities for this eclipse, someone could pull the plug on you. It is especially important to watch where you place your trust. You could be betrayed or undermined by another. Even so, when push comes to shove, you are likely to find that you have more going for you than you have realized. The forces of change are formidable this month, but if you’ve stayed astute and ambitious earlier in the month, by the time it finishes you could find yourself gaining ground instead of losing it
GEMINI (May 21-June 21)
Thinking of branching out on your own socially or professionally – or going it alone relationship wise? Aries month is the time to do it. Don’t follow the trend, set one instead. It’s the time to be forward looking, pro-active, and cutting-edge. Four planets in Aries through the first half of the month are sure to dish up something new for you to aim for. Introduce yourself, explore, experiment. One thing will surely lead to another. Once Taurus month arrives on April 19, it will be time to shift gears and to get yourself better situated. April 22 through the end of the month can put you under more emotional, work, or financial pressure. Health matters (yours, your pet, an employee, co-worker, or someone close to you) can give you a run for it too. Whether it is scheduled or not, the lunar eclipse on April 24 can bring you to an end of the road. Repair work or upgrades can be especially costly, but once the money is spent, you are likely to admit it was very much worth it. If you find yourself on a sudden carpet pull, know something better is shaping up. You’ll know what it is soon enough. Keep the faith!
CANCER (June 22-July 22)
Everybody wants it yesterday. Four planets in Aries can drive you hard. If it isn’t coming at you from the outside, it’s heating up on the inside. Try not to buy into the added pressure. Face it one step at a time instead and try not to burn bridges unnecessarily.
It’s especially important to stay ambitious. Don’t waste your time, fill it full of productivity. The new moon on April 10 gives the new Mars/Venus cycle an extra boost. It signals an appropriate time to head in a new career direction, or to liberate yourself in some other way. A few hits and misses or trial and error can be part of the mix, but it is all part of the process of getting you to where you need to go.
April 22 through 30, you are likely to face big steps/decisions. You’ll work your way through a significant process, negotiation, or threshold crossing. The lunar eclipse on April 25 brings you to a definitive conclusion, answer, or finish line. A contract or commitment made can set you up for long term security or financial gain.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
It’s time to get something new off the ground. Fresh ideas and avenues are worth exploring. You’ll know right away what’s right/working for you. Do you have a message to deliver? The sun, Venus, Mars, and Uranus in Aries say it’s high time that you unleashed yourself on the world. A new website, marketing campaign, creative venture or study can be just the ticket. Relocation or travel could be another way to hit the refresh button.
If you don’t have a good sense of direction, don’t sweat it. Just start exploring – the universe will fuel the rest. One thing will quickly lead to another, especially in these first few weeks of April. The new moon on April 10 can light a fire under you, perhaps unexpectedly so. Mercury in Aries, starting April 13, mobilizes you further. The first half of the month is the time to scout around for something new, to get better educated and to try it all on for size. The second half of the month is the time to pick one and own it. The lunar eclipse April 25 brings you to a definitive finish line. One thing ends, another quickly begins. Extra debt or family pressure can be unavoidable. There can be difficult goodbyes or tough news. Whether it’s been in the works or is forced upon you, the eclipse can prompt a new home address or a new professional chapter. No matter what it looks like in the moment, change spells improvement. It paves a fertile pathway that will eventually lead you to greater stability.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
While you’ve been meeting with life, have you noticed how strong you have come? You are being chiselled into a better defined, more self-determined version of yourself. Starting a new cycle as of April 6, Venus and Mars aim to take that which is solidly based to the next stage. Even so, there can be a few push come to shove pressure points along the way (April 9, 10, 22, 28, 30). However, if it isn’t meant to be, it isn’t likely to withstand this month’s planetary stress test. The new moon April 10 can signal a cut-off point or take off point for relationships and financial matters.
Once Venus (April 15,) Sun (April 19) and Mars (April 20) advance into Taurus, you should gain a better sense of direction. The last ten days of the month bring to a significant goalpost, deadline, or finish-line. The lunar eclipse on April 25 can be especially emotional time of goodbyes, hellos, confrontations, or revelations. This can be a time of important, perhaps life altering news, reconnections, travel, or relocation opportunity. A financial turnaround or major expense is possible too. You can be directly or indirectly affected by the transitions of a sibling, friend, or colleague, or by something happening in the neighbourhood. Change is inevitable – embrace it.
LIBRA (SEPT 22-OCT 22)
Venus and Mars team up in Aries on April 6 to begin a new two year cycle. For the past couple of years, Uranus in Aries has been firing it up for you too. First things first, the stars have been assisting you to make an internal shift. It has been essential for you to regroup inwardly. Know it or not, you have been gaining on yourself. You are much more chiselled now. This month, the stars prompt you to take a test drive on a new lifestyle, social life or career path. Your creativity is on the refresh button too. See the fresh challenge as an opportunity to check in with yourself yet again.
You aren’t likely to be wasting much time in this first half of the month. When it fires up, it does so lightening quick. A brief meet-up or first look/see is likely to make an instant impact on you. Watch for Venus/Mars and Uranus to put new faces and potentials in your path. You’ll know right off the bat if there’s something in it for you or not.
The new moon on April 10 shoots a boost to Venus and Mars. Mercury advance into Aries on April 13 can put a key individual or opportunity front and center. Venus treks into Taurus April 15, the sun on April 19, and Mars on April 20. Along with the lunar eclipse on April 25, the second half of the month puts added emphasis on finances, especially debt management, taxes, joint matters, wills, and inheritances. The Scorpio lunar eclipse can prompt a major financial or emotional investment, commitment, or revamp. The eclipse can produce hidden or lucrative opportunity, or it can show you where you have been undermining yourself. An abrupt ending paves the way for something much better to come along. If you have an addiction, it’s time to face the music. If you are forced to borrow more, look at it as a means to an end. Make sure to stay practical and reign in unnecessary spending. To the positive, the eclipse suggests a fertile and lucrative growth period. Seeds planted can bear rich fruit. (Take good note, pregnancy prospects are heightened now too.)
SCORPIO (Oct 23~Nov 22)
It’s time for your spring clean-up and/or tune up. Your work, health, and self-improvement sector is lit up by Uranus, Sun, Venus, and Mars in Aries. As of April 13, Mercury will get there too. It can be time to look for a new job, or if you are self employed, to create more work for yourself. A creative project can keep your enthusiasm well lit. A new health kick looks good on you too. The new moon on April10 could fire up something new. The energy can be disruptive, so keep alert. Also, be forewarned that you may have to drop one thing for another.
As Pluto turns retrograde on April 12 you could find yourself feeling less certain, secure, or committed. This can be a temporary influence, or it can prompt you to press delete and to reboot all over again. The advances of Venus (April 15), Sun (April 19) and Mars (April 20) into Taurus puts added focus on lovers, competitors, business partners, or cheque writers. Regarding finances, relationships, social matters, health, and lifestyle choices, April 22, 28, 30 and the lunar eclipse on April 25 places you between a rock and a hard place. You can face an especially tough battle, with yourself or another. One door closes, another one has already opened.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 ~ Dec 21)
Start of the month finds you surpassing a road block and heading onto a personal, career, or creative fast track. Aries month is typically a time when you can expect to make better than average strides, so aim to strike it full force while your stars are hot to trot. If you’ve been wondering where your bravado or your sexy went, check again and you’ll see both are back in spades (not that either was ever truly snuffed out!) Venus and Mars in Aries fire up new love/lust life prospects too.
Give or take a day or so, the new moon on April 10 can tantalize you with something new, or distract you with something you’d rather ignore. Mercury in Aries, starting on April 13 will brings things into sharper view and provide you with a clear sense of direction. Once Venus (April 15), Sun (April 19) and Mars (April 20) advance into Taurus, you can find your work is cut out for you, but there’s also more to work with and for. As of April 19 when Taurus month takes over, you’ll find the pace slows down somewhat. It will be time to address survival and viability issues, to get better stabilized regarding health, work, and money. A more consistent daily routine will prove beneficial to your material, physical, and emotional wellbeing. It can increase your productivity, profitability, and results.
Financial, emotional, or health wise, the Scorpio lunar eclipse on April 25 can surprise you with something that you probably should have seen coming. To the plus, the eclipse can be empowering, encouraging or revealing. It can offer you a wealth of resource or support; it can open you up in some poignant way. Family or family matters are highlighted by this eclipse. Research, study, investigative projects, or exploratory talks are sure to bear lush fruit. On the more jarring side, the eclipse could produce a costly repair or loss. Be careful who you trust, think safety first, put preventative measures in place, guard your privacy, and change your passwords. Don’t downplay signals from your body or your heart. If work or creativity stalls out, it won’t for long.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22~Jan 19)
Start of the month finds you working through added pressure. Circumstances may have been dictating, but you seem to be gaining ground for yourself now. Positively, you can be especially motivated to personal improvements. Get back to the gym and get a head start on your summer sizzle. Tax month is also an appropriate time to review your monthly overhead and to tighten up where you can. More “me” time is essential too. Even short cut-out periods can be wonderfully revitalizing. In the long run, you’ll find you have more stamina if you can create a better balance between work and rest.
Home and family seems to be a buzz of activity in the first half of the month. A new address, a fresh coat of paint, etc. can perk you right up.
Do feel like there’s a new person growing inside of you? There is. Venus and Mars start a new two year relationship cycle as of April 6. Primarily it is one that gets you reacquainted with yourself all over again.
By mid month, Venus, (April 15), sun (April 20) and Mars (April 21) will advance into Taurus, shifting the attention from new initiatives to finish lines, deadlines, and goalposts. The lunar eclipse of April 25 can bring an end to a relationship (romantic, social or professional), goal, or financial track that hasn’t been cutting it for you well enough. On other hand, it can signify an end to a wait period, and deliver a time of achievement, results, recognition, and reward. A legal matter, debt, loan, or contract can see a well timed wrap-up too.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20 ~ Feb 18)
Start of the month is a good time to break a silence and/or to bust loose. Stop wondering, wishing, or worrying. Instead, dive in full tilt and give it your best shot. Someone or something new can have quite an effect on you. Fresh starts and new ventures are favoured, especially so as Venus and Mars start a new two year cycle on April 6. The new moon on April 10 adds extra fuel. If something proves to be beyond your reach, know that it is serves as a catalyst to keep you wanting, striving, and stretching yourself. Keep moving and eventually you’ll get be able to stake a claim on something that is truly right for you.
April 12, Pluto retrograde can remove a block or a doubt. Mercury into Aries, starting April 13 brings new things to think about and sparks a new conversation too. For the first half of the month, market yourself. Aim to add new clients or products, stay socially and physically active. In the second half of the month, it will be time to prioritize home, family, personal, and financial base-lines. The Scorpio lunar eclipse on April 25 could pepper the mix with a new residence, home life, or career direction. April 22, 25, 28 and 30 can keep the pressure on point. These dates can produce deadlines or cut-off points. Whether the eclipse influence is direct or indirect, you could feel forced or provoked by circumstance to take a stand or to make a significant career or personal life change. To the positive, the eclipse can be a time to sign a contract or mortgage, to renegotiate better terms with the bank or a lender.
PISCES (Feb 19 ~ March 20)
Four planets in Aries make for a feistier you and a fresh and fertile launch-it month. Lucrative financial opportunities await you. Starting April 6, Venus and Mars in Aries also strike flint on a new relationship cycle, starting with an upgraded relationship with yourself. Whether it is a new status or you are simply on a test drive with the new you, the single life can be exhilarating. Aries is all about freedom and independence, about putting your needs first, about doing it your way. Should a new love prospect appear, it is likely to be a refreshing change, perhaps even a radical departure from what you usually attract.
Venus, Mars, Sun, Uranus and Mercury in Aries spark your confidence and creativity through mid month. You should find yourself with plenty of ideas and energy to spare.
Make good use of this dynamic energy while it is in such ready supply. The stars punch it up, you should do the same. It is an ideal time to scout for a new job or clients, to launch a new product or a new business venture. As of mid month, Venus (April 15), Sun (April 19) and Mars (April 20) will trek into Taurus. If you’ve lit a good fire earlier in the month, you should find it starts to generate very well for you in the second half. Of course, Taurus can require that you push a little harder, especially so April 22, 25, 28, and 30. Some things and some people are worth the extra effort. The lunar eclipse on April 25 can bring important news or an announcement. Someone long distance or from your past can make contact. The eclipse may be staging to your future in some definitive way.