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SKYWATCH FOR APRIL 2007 4/1
Mercury conj. Uranus & NN Major
aspects: As April begins, Pluto has just turned retrograde as it does every year, spending about five months in retrograde motion (meaning it appears to move backwards from our perspective here on earth). Pluto is in charge of breaking down old structures that no longer serve us and facilitating their rebuilding, a process that can be difficult and painful or exhilarating and liberating. Pluto is not stressed this year by any significant transits, so overall the process should be easier than most unless Pluto is running over a sensitive point in your own chart. (Many of the baby boomer generation with Pluto in Leo are experiencing transits of Saturn over their natal Pluto point. Some astrologers dismiss the effects of a transit to Pluto as being "generational" because Pluto moves so slowly and a transit such as the one from Saturn to Pluto will affect a large number of people at one time. While this is true, it doesn't negate the powerful effect that Pluto has in the individual chart where it is constantly forcing confrontation in a particular area of our life as described by the house in the chart in which Pluto lives, and any aspects to Pluto in our chart which describe the way we face our darkest demons and overcome them. This transit of Saturn to Pluto that many of us have been experiencing over the past couple of years as Saturn has traveled through Leo has the effect of restructuring (Saturn) our power base (Pluto), something which requires a concentration of energy and resources. Like all Saturn transits we can feel tremendous restriction and limitation during these periods, but Saturn rewards us when we work hard at the task at hand, which in this case is releasing and rebuilding.) Pluto's retrograde turn also means that it will again conjunct the Galactic Center, an event which remains a mystery but which may have significance for us as a species (follow the link for more information). Historical parallels suggest that each time Pluto has crossed the Galactic Center (from our perspective on earth) there has been a major shift in focus and fate. As April begins, the waning opposition of Saturn and Neptune may still be of some effect, creating tension between the urge to create and build form and structure (Saturn) and the urge to dissolve and transcend form and structure (Neptune). Saturn wants us to live a reality-based existence; Neptune wants us to transcend the material world and experience divine bliss. The key to managing any stressful planetary combination is to link the two energies and allow both to have expression in your life. Linking practicality with mysticism is a key right now and through July when the final opposition dance takes place. Also still in effect are a series of Jupiter aspects: Jupiter's square to Uranus occurred last month but it is still in effect and will continue through the month as Jupiter (adventure, theology, optimism) turns retrograde to pass back towards the square to Uranus (radical change, destruction of the status quo). You can see where a challenging combination of these two planets can be quite combustible - this is religious (Jupiter) revolution (Uranus) in its purest form. The urge for change is quite strong, particularly for those of us with planets in the mutable signs (Pisces, Sagittarius, Gemini and Virgo) that are directly affected. Smoothing this revolutionary fervor are harmonious aspects of Jupiter to both Saturn and Neptune, which opens up doors (Jupiter) to the dichotomy that the Saturn/Neptune opposition presents us. Jupiter is the planet of ideas and philosophy, and during this phase it helps us to better integrate the struggle between form and spirit that Saturn/Neptune presents. Now - on to the details of April. Mercury is conjunct Uranus on the first day of April, giving us a unique ability to conceptualize (Mercury) in a radically different way (Uranus). This opens the door to the Full Moon in Libra on April 2. During a Full Moon the Sun opposes the Moon, and the lunar instincts overpower the conscious mind. With the Full Moon in Libra, our focus is on relationships and harmony between people. There is a striving for balance and a need for beauty as well. Despite the urge for partnership of the Libra Full Moon, the combination of Mercury and Uranus demands space and the ability to hold one's own ideas and this is amplified by a square of Mercury to Jupiter. There is an opportunity here to breathe fresh air (Jupiter) into our relationships (Venus) and marriages and to celebrate our individuality (Uranus). Venus is square Saturn today, indicating a tendency towards isolation as Venus's efforts to connect are rebuffed by cool Saturn. But the Full Moon trines Chiron, showing the opportunity for healing (Chiron) of any difficulties that arise over the next few days, and Mercury is leading into a sextile to Venus which will open doors of understanding between people. On April 4 we have a harmonious aspect between Mars and Pluto, a combination which confers greater physical energy as well as an ability to link our personal desires (Mars) with the will of our higher self (Pluto). This is the ultimate aspect for manifestation, and intentions that are created today will be highly favored. With Mercury square to Jupiter, there is some danger of mental (Mercury) laziness (Jupiter) which could inhibit our success, and a square of Venus to Neptune, both highly creative planets, shows that we could find ourselves indulging in fantasy rather than creating useful goals. Jupiter turns retrograde on April 5, at which point three planets (Pluto, Saturn and Jupiter) will be in retrograde motion. We are likely to begin to see a stalling in the forward motion of some of our plans and we may find that we are looking backwards more than forwards as we discover unfinished business that requires our attention. On April 6 Mars leaves Aquarius for watery Pisces. Mars, our aggressive instinct, is rather ineffective in Pisces where though very creative it is less able to assert the desire nature as Mars is supposed to do. Pisces seeks the path of least resistance to bliss, and Mars in Pisces can tend to suppress that aggressive urge in order to flow. Still, there is a powerful compassion and desire (Mars) for peace (Pisces) over the next month or so. On April 9 the Sun makes a trine to Saturn, followed by a trine to Jupiter on April 10. Although Sun aspects only last a day, there is an elevation of conscious awareness during these periods. Mercury (thoughts and communication) makes a harmonious aspect to Venus (beauty and love), adding another layer of ease to these few days. This will help to illuminate any dark ideas brought about with a square of Mercury to Pluto that occurs at the same time. Venus enters chatty Gemini on April 12. Communication and sharing of ideas with a variety of people is key during the next month or so. This is a very social time where conversation flows easily. This can be a good time for writers as well, since there is an accelerated flow to the processing of information. The New Moon in Aries occurs on April 17, initiating a new cycle. Aries is the first planet in the zodiac and the New Moon is a time for new beginnings. The Sun and Moon are conjunct at this time, and the conscious and unconscious combine in harmony to fuel our goals and dreams. The New Moon in Aries is a time to think about what we want for ourselves. Aries permits us to be selfish, to consider what we need and ask for it without fear. Aries calls for courage, and this New Moon makes a trine to Pluto where courage is freely given. This is a time of new power, although with a square of Mars to Venus approaching (exact on the 22nd) there could be difficulty in relationships as our newly confident self-promotion makes it difficult to participate in the give and take of relationships. On April 19 Saturn turns direct and begins its forward cycle again where it is trined by Mercury on the 21st. Under this aspect, for a few days we have greater mental (Mercury) focus (Saturn), and an ability to sharpen our goals and plan for the future. The Sun enters Taurus on April 20. Happy Birthday Taureans! Relationships come back into focus on the 22nd with the culmination of the conflict between Venus (relating to others) to Mars (self-oriented needs), although this is softened somewhat by the fact that Mars is in Pisces and less aggressively self-centered than this aspect may otherwise be. On the 23rd with an opposition of Venus to Jupiter we become self-indulgent (Venus/Jupiter) and likely will be primarily concerned with satisfying our own desires. By the 25th, with a trine of Venus to Chiron, the focus turns to healing any problems that arise in our dealings with others, but there is also a sensitivity towards any wounded places in ourselves that need attention. This whole period is very well suited to healing work. Mercury enters Taurus on the 27th where we may find ourselves becoming more entrenched in our ideas (Mercury) and desirous of stability and serenity (Taurus). This serenity is not very likely with the conjunction of Mars to Uranus on the 29th and a square of Mars to Jupiter on the 30th. We will be begin to be affected by these two aspects several days earlier and the influence will not begin to fade until early May. Again, this cycle will be softened somewhat by the fact that Mars is in Pisces and therefore more considerate of others, but in some ways that could be more difficult as both Uranus (radical rebellion) and Jupiter (fanaticism) enter into a conflict with the god of war. There is a tremendous amount of energy released with these combinations, and Mars in Pisces will desire to shove any conflict that comes up under the rug. This is where it can become dangerous since that energy needs to be released during this time. Vigorous physical activity is one of the best ways to release that energy so that it doesn't erupt in major conflict or create reckless behavior. Mars will make a quincunx (150 degree) aspect to Saturn at the same time and Saturn's tendency to restrict and limit may push Mars into a corner where it feels it must react. A conscious effort to be responsible (Saturn) during this period will also facilitate Saturn's ability to enhance the energy of Mars so that it flows in a productive manner. There's lots of great energy available for us in April, so have a wonderful month!
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