Can you say stubborn?

April 22, Mercury conjuncts Mars at 7 :04 P.M. This is a day to be careful while traveling or driving, watch your pets, and watch the way you communicate with others.

Typically Mars-Mercury transits can produce a lot of communication, but they can also produce a great deal of tension, irritation and worry. Stubbornness, agitation and arguments can be expected, especially if this transit aspects your chart. This may not be the day to force issues, confront others, or anything of this sort. If you do, then you take your chances, and decisions made here can have long lasting effects, as can arguments.

There is a great deal of verbal and mental energy at your disposal today. My advice is to direct it in a positive direction. Some possibilities for this type of transit are writing, communicating, sales, meetings or anything concerning communication, but cooperation is called for.

As Venus sextiles Jupiter the possibility is there for success if you don't get agitated.

This energy will be in affect a few days before and after April 22.

A difficult week for relationships, endings and distortions of truth

Venus moves into its opposition to Saturn this week, peaking at 12: 25 A.M., EST on April 14 at 4 degrees of Gemini/Sagittarius. Over the next few days this will not bide well for relationships, social events and in some cases it could involve issues over money. (it is April 15 and for some this means taxes).

Venus-Saturn transits are generally experienced as negative in terms of love, relationships and anything of this sort, especially if it is aspecting your personal natal chart. Some may feel depressed and unloved, lonely, overworked (and underpaid), disappointed, and it will mark a turning point in some relationships, where the dream dies. There is no doubt some relationships will end, but if your relationship is generally solid and healthy you will not have to worry about a break up. That doesn't mean you couldn't experience turbulence. 

This transit is not limited to romantic relationships, but could affect any area of your life in terms of relating to others.

 If this transit is aspecting your chart, you have mutable planets (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces) at 2-6 degrees. For starters this includes an entire generation of those born with Pluto in Virgo-September, October 1957, August 1958-July 1960, February 1961-July 1961. Also those born with Neptune in Sagittarius will be affected, born October 1972-November 1974.

If you were born with Pluto in Virgo you could experience this as obsessiveness, jealousy or a desire to 'get even.' If it aspects your Neptune you may experience it as depressing, confusing or even revealing.

The best course of action is to take no action, or at the very least  don't commit yourself to a course of action you may later regret when the planets move on in a few days. Your perspective could change again at this time, and it becomes harder to walk across a bridge that has been burned down!

The following day, April 16, Pluto turns stationary retrograde and this will amp up this energy, especially if it is aspecting your chart. Retrograde Pluto. Retrograde Pluto energy becomes more internalized, and more powerful and destructive in many cases.

On April 17, a New Moon occurs at 29 degrees of Aries peaking at 2:57 P.M., EST, and this is considered the Anaretic degree which is considered crisis oriented. As this New Moon falls in the 1st/7th house axis, this relates to marriage, partnerships, relationships of all kinds and in some cases may bring up issues with those who generally oppose us.

Aries rules the first house of self and our own personal desires which may be in conflict with others. Some may act aggressive, self centered or domineering. The Moon will quickly move into Taurus at 5:31 P.M., EST and the energies will become much calmer and more laid back.

April 18, Mars squares Jupiter at 12 degrees of Taurus-Leo and this is a transit of things being blown totally out of proportion. Bragging may be common, and don't take this energy too seriously. There can be a lack of moderation in many things that can include your relationships with others. While things can be blown out of proportion, this is not a totally negative transit and sometimes coincides with change and new projects-situations. Don't be reckless as this transit is also indicative of reckless risk and taking too many things for granted. Once again, all things begun at this time, need to withstand the test of time.

By Sunday, April 19, Venus squares Neptune, and this actually creates a (separating) T-square, which is a configuration that occurs involving the energy of all three planets. Venus-Neptune transits can at times seem ideal, but more often than not, confusing, disappointing, tiring and there is often a lack of clarity and communication. Some of its manifestations can include daydreaming, vivid dreams, lies and deception, and lack of objective reality. Do not take seriously any new contacts or promises made on this day, until they have withstood the test of time.

These transits will play out in the world as well as our personal lives. Venus concerns women in particular and money, and we will no doubt hear news of women. Ideas/news may be vague and confusing and not favorable to women in particular. Venus-Neptune can relate to scandals, lies and deception. 

Mars-Jupiter will relate to propaganda, and those wishing to push their points of view especially in government, and there will be concern with foreigners and foreign governments. Propaganda pitches will be front and center, fear mongering, and there will likely be some adverse weather conditions that will involve water. We will see several negative days in the world.

These transits will have an affect a few days before and a few days after they become exact.

April 2015: A major eclipse affecting relationships, Jupiter turns direct

We begin the month with the Sun trine Uranus, which is a positive transit on April 2, and should help with the many events that are occurring over the next number of days during this pivotal period of time in the world. Relationships will be a theme in April, especially around the time of the eclipse and in the following days as this powerful lunar eclipse falls in the sign ruling marriage and partnerships. It is part of the natural cycle -some things will fall away and other things will begin, but life goes on.

The lunar eclipse of April 4, (see my blog) is all about relationships and our connections with others both in our own lives and in the world. Eclipses repeat themselves every 19 years and the last time an eclipse occurred at 14 degrees of Libra was April 4, 1996. If you can remember this period and it was significant, this eclipse may be significant as well. Events will occur bother before and after this eclipse actually occurs.

This eclipse sets off the Uranus-Pluto square and events will be large in the world, volatile,  and large in our lives if  this eclipse aspects your personal planets in your own chart. If this aspects your chart in a negative way, the events that occur at this time will likely reveal something, potentially unexpected.

 All eclipses are not bad-it all depends on how your own natal chart is aspected. Transformation to a better state is possible. With this eclipse, some relationships will come to an end if they are unstable or troubled.

The days after the eclipse are as significant as the eclipse, falling on the heels of this lunatation, and these transits also set off the Uranus-Pluto square. For some,  these will be trying days and if the eclipse affects your chart, these transits over the next few days will as well. These days may be more volatile than the eclipse, and they are:

April 5, the Sun squares Pluto This will have an effect on this day and the night before. Power struggles and arguments are common, but there is the potential for change. Pluto transits can be compulsive and obsessive, and at its worst violence can occur.

April 6, the Sun conjuncts Uranus and this is prone toward unexpected events. Uranus is about freedom and you or others may not take kindly in being told what to do. Allowing yourself and others plenty of freedom is the key, but some things can end. Mercury also trines Jupiter and this can help matters with a more optimistic attitude.

April 7, Mercury squares Pluto and this is an argumentative transit also prone toward obsession. Some people may be looking for a fight. Be careful traveling as this transit is prone to accidents. We could hear important news in the world and our lives.

April 8, Mercury conjuncts Uranus This is a disruptive transit and our minds may be all over the board. Again, fights will be common, and this is not good for travel. We could hear unexpected news, some situations could suddenly end. It is important to pay attention to things over these days.

Jupiter turns direct April 8, at 12:58 P.M., EST

Finally, the planet of gain and expansion turns direct after a four month retrograde that started on December 8, 2015. Many things that have been delayed will start to move forward again in the days to come. If you've been planning a business, new project, or new anything it will be easier to get started now. Travel will be easier and of course, pick up. While Jupiter is retrograde we grow more in an inner way and when the 'great benefic' moves forward the growth occurs in a more outward manner in the world. We can take what we have learned and discovered now and project it outward.

If Jupiter turns direct on a personal planet in your chart this can be a positively significant time, depending on what it is aspecting. Sometimes sales and money can pick up as well.

This should be a significant year for Leo, as Jupiter only enters your sign once every 12 years and it will be in this sign until Augusts 10.

If you are a 10-14 degree Leo this should be a very positive time as Jupiter turns stationary direct. (August 3-7) Or this will benefit you if you have Air or Fire planets being aspected at these degrees.

Jupiter remains in it's important stationary direct period until April 25, when it starts to move forward again and the positive energy picks up steam.

Jupiter in this sign rules the fifth house of love affairs, creativity and children and we will see expansion in these areas.

On August 11, Jupiter will move into the sign Virgo for the next year, not to return to Leo again for another 12 years.

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April 11, Venus enters Gemini and romance becomes more intellectual than
physical. Communication will become more important, and feelings can change quickly. If you were born with a Venus in Gemini you would expect the object of your love to be able to communicate well and socialize with others as needed. This Venus placement is chivalrous.

April 14, Mercury enters Taurus. Thoughts and ideas may slow down but once decisions are made that are lasting. This works best for earth or Water signs, but everything is about balance among the stars.

April 15, Venus opposes Saturn Relationships that are solid may be little affected, but the unstable ones could end. Decisions made on this day can be lasting, but basically it is not a day to plan a party, first date or anything of social significance.

April 16, Pluto turns retrograde at 11:51, EST

Many issues, especially relating to joint monies and investments, partnerships and sex will begin to be internalized during this period allowing us to look at things from a different viewpoint. Pluto is about making deep change that goes beneath the surface. One way of looking at this is destruction of that which is no longer working, which will now become obvious.

Certain issues involving power or power structures may appear to lose steam during this time, but they are not really going away, they are just going under the surface, and in some cases becoming more subversive. When Pluto goes direct long term issues of this type (power issues) will surface again both in our personal lives and the world. But, as Pluto retrogrades we have the opportunity to look at things from a different perspective and effect a transformative change.

On the world stage we will continue to see issues related to nuclear weapons and materials, explosive areas and hot spots around the globe and issues concerning money, shortages, corporate control, taxes, corruption and greed. 

While Pluto is retrograde its energy is often internalized, as opposed to being out in the open. Often this seems to keep certain things hidden, and when it goes direct situations appear to suddenly be revealed. These  situations were there all along, we were just not consciously aware of them. So, when Pluto goes direct (September) it will appear to bring things out into the open.

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April 17, mars squares Jupiter This is a day when situations and issues may be blown out of proportion, and boundaries could become blurred. Egos could be out of control today.

 April 18, this month's New Moon falls at 28 degrees of Aries, almost touching the critical 29th degree. While new moons are about new beginnings, this new moon packs some punch in terms of volatile energy. Within a few hours though it will move into the sign Taurus.

April 19, Mercury sextiles Neptune This is a basically creative transit, but Venus squares Neptune as well, and this will create confusion between the sexes, or potentially with money. Some people may feel discouraged or mislead. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be careful what you agree to and situations could be misrepresented.

April 20, the Sun enters Taurus at 5:42 AM, the second sign of spring. Taurus is the ruler of the second house of money and income. Taurus is ruled by Venus. Energies will become more laid back.

April 21, Mercury squares Jupiter Things can get blown out of proportion, although this is not considered an overly negative transit. Mars trines Pluto and this will give us the ability to work hard to achieve our goals.

April 22, Mercury trines Pluto giving us depth of thinking and communication. Venus sextiles Jupiter, and many may feel the urge to socialize and this is positive for love. However, Mercury conjuncts Mars, and this is prone to arguments, disagreements, anger, and is a negative transit for travel and communication.

April 26, Venus sextiles Uranus and this is positive for love, and social communication.

April 29, the Sun sextiles Neptune Many may have vivid dreams on this one. This is a creative transit, good for psychics or any creative activity.

April 30, Mercury enters Gemini Once again thinking and the way we communicate will change. Thinking and communication becomes faster, changeable and more intellectual.

 

The astrology of pilot and murderer Andreas Lubitz

Andreas Lubitz is the German born co-pilot who flew German Wings flight 9525 into the French Alps killing himself and 150 others aboard on March 24, 2015.

Lubitz was born December 18, 1987 in Montabaur Rhineland Palatinate, West Germany, making him 27 years old-his time of birth is unknown.

He was born with a stellium of planets in his first house in Sagittarius,  that include the Sun, Saturn, Mercury and Uranus and this gives him a type of natural arrogance and self assurance.

Mercury-Saturn (22-23 degrees Sagittarius) could give him critical thinking abilities, but could also lend itself toward negative thinking and depression.

Sun-Saturn transits can give a serious and responsible side to the personality but this is a difficult transit and can indicate early conflict with the Father, and puts a major damper on his self confidence.

Sun-Uranus transits indicate a rebel and this is opposed by his natal Chiron at 27 degrees of Gemini. Chiron is the asteroid known as the 'wounded healer,' and in this position can give a sense of something that is crippling. As Chiron is considered the wounded healer it would be imperative that he work through his pain and come out the other side to ever attain any degree of personal satisfaction in life.

The Sun opposing Chiron shows the following traits according to astrologer Liz Greene:

The Sun working against Chiron
Depression
Loss of confidence
Sense of permanent damage
Cynicism
Expectation of failure
Sense of victimization or scapegoating
Desire to victimize or scapegoat others
Projection of inferiority on others
Loss of the will to live

Chiron also squared his North Node at 27 Pisces, which shows our life purpose and lessons. Celeste Teal wrote about nodal aspects to Chiron: "They play the role of the wounded victim, the wounded healer, teacher, initiator, or the one who wounds. There is often some personal wounding that must be embraced, expanding personal consciousness, and using the understanding to help others." "Sometimes the personal wounding experience has a distorted effect in which the hurt and suffering they ultimately bring others far outweighs and good they do. Hitler had this aspect."

Uranus on one side of his Sun would make him desire freedom, spontaneity and a desire to break free and live life on his own terms. Saturn on the other hand, would weigh him down with insecurity which no doubt began in his childhood with his earliest relationships. He was likely crippled by these two extremes in thinking and feeling throughout his life.

Looking at his chart from his Sun,  his Moon is in Scorpio, along with Mars and Pluto, falling in the 12th house. The combination of this second stellium in his twelfth house would be considered very unfortunate, and karmic. This combination would make him an intensely private and secretive individual. 

Wild horses could not drag out of him something he did not want to discuss, thus the fact that no one knew of his depressive issues, and he led a secretive personal life.

This shows a life with many struggles and relationship issues with women would be at the top of his issues. Mars-Moon combinations, especially in Scorpio, and in a man's chart, and show a personality that is frequently upset, overly intense, jealous and possessive and might never have a peaceful domestic life. 

Add to the picture Pluto and you have a very difficult personality type as well. As a matter of fact this combination can show a 'killer instinct," type of individual, but the opposite side of this instinct is control. These individuals must learn that monsters live within, not on the outside and the key to survival is to control the monsters within. In the 12th house, it is likely he carried rage and anger all of his life and Pluto in Scorpio can be vindictive as well.

His sex life would have been a psychiatrist's notebook within itself.

Mars-Pluto combinations indicate rage, potential violence, vindictiveness, and a person who is continually struggling in life, and can at times have the potential to do violence to themselves or others. (or have it done to them). 

This combination  can show a ruthless personality and a desire for control of others. That's not to say however that all of these individuals become violent. Most learn to curb their tendencies and use control and self-mastery.

His relationships with women, and this includes his earliest ones, would have been be volatile, manipulative and difficult at best. There was likely some type of abuse be it emotional, physical or both.

He would have experienced disapproval from his Father, or at least perceived it that way, thus setting the stage for things to come.

I would like to point out however, there are plenty of people walking around with these planets and worse, who don't kill 150 other people, who are looking to him as a figure who will see to their personal welfare. Many people have difficult parental relationships and don't kill the people they are sworn to protect.

2014 was a pivotal year for Lubitz, as Saturn in Scorpio conjuncted his Mars, Pluto and Moon. His relationship problems would have worsened and he would have experienced a great deal of depression and inner rage.

He was reported to have broken up with his girlfriend around the first part of this year. The Uranus-Pluto square fell on his Jupiter around that time, setting off this powerful planetary connection in his chart which was bound to create turmoil and change.

It is ironic that the crash of the plane and the death of 150 plus people would become part of the events of the Uranus-Pluto square of March 2015, and it is reported that he told a former girlfriend that, 'someday he would do something famous to make people remember him." This isn't the first time we have heard these comments from a mass murderer. (or seen these planetary combinations).

I have no doubt that Lubitz experienced mental issues, but I don't see his as being insane.

Had things been different somehow he would have learned to work through the pain, and control his inner urges. He would have learned that his own inner darkness would always be there, but it could be controlled, and he could have helped others. Scorpio planets generally gravitate to the light, or to the darkness. Which such a heavy combination, there is really nothing in between.