Skywatch for April

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APRIL 2006

As April begins, we are still feeling a bit of the fallout from the intense Aries New Moon/solar eclipse of March 29. Aries is ruled by Mars, the god of war, so the energy has been quite a bit more fiery than usual. Fire symbolizes aggression but it's more than that - it's also inspiration, energized creativity. It provides the fuel for us to accomplish our goals, it sets the wheels in motion. This Mars-y climate will become more pronounced over the first week in April as Mars approaches an exact opposition to Pluto (which just turned retrograde) on April 8. Mars represents our personal desires, and Pluto represents the will of our higher self. Pluto is that part of us which maintains a wider perspective and instigates transformation, even when we fight against it. When Mars and Pluto are in challenging aspect to each other like the opposition, our personal desires are burned in the fires of Pluto's urge for our achieving that which is for our highest good. This is not always what we want, but looking back we always see that what WE want may not have been the wisest choice.

During the Eclipse New Moon, Mercury (ideas) also began a trine (harmonious aspect) to Jupiter (expansion and opportunity) which has been traveling retrograde since March 4. When Jupiter is retrograde, we tend not to notice opportunities (Jupiter) that are presented to us and may feel like we have lost our faith and sense that life has meaning (Jupiter). With Mercury trine Jupiter, which will be in effect the first week of April, we will have greater access to new ideas and ways to communicate (Mercury) than before. This will help with the beginning of the new cycle that this New Moon is calling for.

The retrograde turn of Pluto is fairly significant; Pluto is retrograde for about five months every year or so. Pluto, being the god of the underworld, is like the cosmic street sweeper when retrograde. Any junk or trash that is lying about in the global consciousness will be stirred up and brought into public view before disposal. Pluto relishes in the revelation of secrets and also rules endings. During Pluto's retrograde period this year, anything that doesn't serve our higher purpose will be sloughed off, leaving us lighter and more easily able to move forward into our future.

Also during the first week, Saturn is "stationary direct," meaning it has slowed down to a crawl prior to its forward turn on April 5. Since Saturn turned retrograde on November 22, 2005, we have been forced to slow down and carefully examine all options before moving forward. Saturn rules discipline, delay and disappointment, and when retrograde all of this becomes internalized. Blinders are put on us so that we are unable to look at anything but the goal. During Saturn retrograde periods it is difficult to move forward, and impulsive behavior is kept in check.

Saturn's retrograde turn has been particularly difficult because of the opposition with Chiron. Chiron represents areas both within ourselves and in the global consciousness that are painful and wounded, and Saturn puts pressure on those wounds - forcing them into our awareness where they can be healed. The Chiron/Saturn opposition is producing a world "healing crisis" (see this article for more details, and Saturn while stationary applied constant pressure. When Saturn turns direct on April 5, we will begin to see more forward movement in the healing of these wounds that have gained center stage during this period.

Venus enters sensitive Pisces on April 5, leaving the more rational sign of Aquarius. In Pisces, Venus strives for the highest level of godly compassion. Empathy is the keyword for Venus in Pisces, and we will see an increased sensitivity to the needs of others.

Around April 10, Mercury, also in Pisces, will begin to form a t-square to the Mars/Pluto opposition, meaning it will square both Mars and Pluto. The square to Pluto will be exact on April 13 (also the Full Moon), with the square to Mars on April 18. Watch for arguments and confrontations during this period, as Mercury (communication) challenges the god of war (Mars) and is intensified by Pluto.

The Full Moon in Libra on April 13 will be all about relationships with others and achieving balance(Libra). This Full Moon harmonizes with the Mars/Pluto opposition, shining a light on any dark places to inspire resolution and illumination. Mercury's square to this system shows that there will be communication difficulties, but if all viewpoints are permitted to enter the circle resolution can take place.

Just hours after the Full Moon, Mars changes signs and enters the nurturing sign of Cancer. Mars is not able to find its full expression in Cancer, since Mars is expression of one's own will and desire, and Cancer is more concerned with caretaking of others. Mars in Cancer is caring and home-oriented, but if the aggressive urge is stifled it will leak out in passive aggressive behavior, or erupt in violence. Mercury will enter Aries a few days later, on the 16th, and this will bring out more overtly confrontational conversation. Mercury will square Mars on the 17th, and for a few days before and after there may be a heightened level of conflict. However, this will be stabilized by Saturn's trine to Mercury on the 19th which will begin its grounding effect a week or so before.

Venus conjuncts innovative Uranus on the 18th. Watch for unusual (Uranus) alliances (Venus) and strange bedfellows to show up for a day or two.

The Sun enters Taurus on April 20 at 1:26 am. A week later we have the New Moon in Taurus on the afternoon of April 27. Taurus is a fixed earth sign, and represents all the sensual pleasures that life on earth has to offer: good food, comfortable clothing, soft touch. New Moons represent beginnings, and this New Moon squares the Saturn/Chiron opposition which is applying (coming together) until it is exact in June. This New Moon will be a good time to honor the challenges and emotional crises we may be experiencing if the Saturn/Chiron opposition is affecting our own charts, while taking a step back and realize the perspective of a human being living on Planet Earth. Flowers are blooming, birds are singing. Farmers markets are open and we can take advantage of fresh fruits and vegetables. Taurus teaches that sometimes the simplest things are the ones that give us peace and serenity.April 2006 {Month}