April 2016: Mars and Mercury reverse direction

The Spring eclipses are over but the energies of the eclipse season is still with us as events related to the eclipses continue to play out in our lives. The eclipses were about endings (Pisces/12th house) and letting go of relationships (Libra/7th house) that have not worked well.

During April, 5 planets are or will turn retrograde, including Mercury and Mars. With this many retrograde planets, energies often turn inward and become less direct and more subjective. Action may become more internal, rather than projected outward to the world during this time.

Retrograde planets are often associated with karma, and the end results of many important situations may play out over this period.

With Mercury, important decisions can be reached or reversed, and ultimate long standing decisions made. We may re-access prior activities and decisions. With Mars the typical outward shift of energy may be directed inward for the time as opposed to the outer world. Jupiter retrograde can shift spiritual energy toward growth of the soul and inner life rather than the material, and it can be time to seek our own personal truths. During retrograde Saturn we may experience inner doubts about self worth and our place in the world. We can experience the Saturnine feelings of limitation or deprivation, disappointment and delay. Our self discipline can be tested, but we can rise to the level of what is needed and accomplish a great deal.  With Uranus we may have difficulty expressing our own individuality but tap into the future of things to come. With Pluto, transformative energies may arise in the deep subconscious, enabling enlightenment to occur before it can be expressed to the outer world, and we must guard against manipulation of or by others.

 During the month of April:

The Sun moves through Aries and enters Taurus April 19.

Mercury moves quickly through Aries and enters Taurus April 5, then retrogrades on April 28.

Venus leaves Pisces for Aries April 5.

Mars in Sagittarius retrogrades April 17, until late June. On April 5, when Mars reaches 8 degrees of Sagittarius, it squares Neptune the rest of April.

Saturn, now halfway through Sagittarius cycle leaves its retrograde station to move backward (retrograde) for the next 4 months.

Jupiter continues its retrograde in Virgo.

Now, the transits:

April 5, the Sun trines Saturn and this is positive energy for accomplishment and getting things done. 

Also on April 5, Mars enters a square to Neptune that will be prevalent the rest of the month (2-3 degree orb). While this influence may be subtle, it may be not so subtle, especially when Mars retrogrades on the 17th. This is low energy, discouraging, tiring and draining.  This energy coincides with suppressed anger, secret intrigues, deception and lies, exhaustion, accidents, fraud, devious actions, inefficiency, and an increase in drugs or alcohol if those tendencies exist already. The above described energies will be especially prevalent if you have a mutable planet-Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, or Pisces- at 8-10 degrees in your personal chart. If that is the case you need to be self aware of what you are doing, aware of others, get plenty of rest, and guard your health from over exhaustion and other maladies at all times.

This square will play out in the world. We can expect  to see confusion, disorientation, issues surrounding water or gasses (potentially chemical weapons), lies and deception, scandals, negativity, and issues surrounding same sex couples. Unfortunately, we are at risk is seeing terrorist attacks in the world related to religion, or that which cloaks itself under the guise of religion.

On the other hand as Mars in connection with Neptune denies the ego, we may see selfless actions, great compassion for others, a rise in spirituality or religious activities, interest in psychics and mediums and an interest in service to others less fortunate. There may be those who gain great spiritual insights during this period and personal creativity may be high. This is the best and highest use of this energy, and my advice is to direct this energy in these ways. Dreams may be vivid and prevalent during this time.

Venus enters Aries changing the love energy once again. While Pisces was romantic, if not confusing, Aries is more direct and ardent.

Mercury enters Taurus and once again Mercurial energy changes. Mercury in Taurus is more thoughtful and slower to make decisions. Once a decision is made it can be irrevocable.

April 6, the Sun squares Pluto. This is a difficult transit prone to obsessiveness, upsets, change, conflict and issues.  Sometimes permanent change occurs or it represents the death or culmination of something. Pluto rules the bullies of the world and those who try and force their opinion on others. Keep calm. We will see major events and likely conflict in the world. As this falls on the heels of a new moon in Aries, it becomes more significant.

The first New Moon of spring falls on April 7, at 18 degrees of Aries. As this is a fire sign and this moon squares Pluto and conjuncts Uranus, it sets off the Uranus-Pluto square and events can be large. This is considered a Super Moon, a term coined by astrologer Richard Nolle, who wrote, "SuperMoons are noteworthy for their close association with extreme tidal forces working in what astrologers of old used to call the sublunary world: the atmosphere, crust and oceans of our home planet - including ourselves, of course. From extreme coastal tides to severe storms to powerful earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, the entire natural world surges and spasms under the sway of the SuperMoon alignment - within three days either way of the exact syzygy, as a general rule. SuperMoon solar eclipses tend to have a wider sphere of impact, extending roughly a week before and after the actual event."

Major changes can occur with the square to Pluto. This is harsh energy, obsessive in quality and at times situations can be revealed. Others may come across as overbearing, overly critical and there can be issues with women and finances.

The Moon conjunct Uranus has an unexpected quality about it, and Uranus transits are prone to independence, sudden changes, and freedom can be a theme both personally and in the world. We could hear news relating to the explosions and coups, internet, communication, the weather and airplanes.

This Moon is in a fire sign ruled by Mars, the God of War. It will be very powerful and seem more like a full moon. This is a companion New moon to the last Libra eclipse and the focus will continue to be on the 1st/7th house axis of self and others: relationships, and for some issues with courts and laws.

April 9, the Sun conjuncts Uranus. This is erratic and unpredictable energy. The more structured your day is the more likely you will be upset by the changeability of this energy. Sometimes it comes across as restlessness, and at times situations or relationships end. Again, this will be significant in the world. Uranus rules revolts and revolutions, explosions, unexpected events, weather and aircraft.

April 12, Mercury sextiles Neptune. This is creative energy, good for finding new ideas and solutions. Venus trines Mars, and this is positive for money matters, love and social affairs. You might meet someone new on this day.

April 14, Mercury trines Jupiter and this is positive and expansive energy.

April 17, Mercury trines Pluto. This is good for study and deep reflection, ideas, and getting to the bottom of situations.

Also, on April 18, Mars turns stationary retrograde. Since April 5, Mars has been in a square with Neptune, and as Mars retrogrades this energy will become more intense, tiring and discouraging. Mars won't turn direct until June 29.

Mars rules men, sex, action and conflict and wars to name a few. Mars is the action planet of the zodiac. It rules our actions, drive, energy and passion, men, sex and even war. The 'red planet" speaks to and of the confidence of an individual and how they act out their lives.

Mars actually entered its shadow period of the retrograde on February 19, and since then has been moving slowly. During March through the first half of April, Mars will move at a crawl, creating havoc, as those who have experienced a Mars transit during this period will attest to. There is a reason 

Mars is called the 'God of War,' and typically we all get a Mars transit or two most months. Generally, this is a day or two of frustration or agitation, but as Mars retrogrades and moves so slowly any Mars transit becomes much more significant.

The stationary retrograde/direct periods of Mars are the most important, especially of this aspects any of your planets in your own birth chart. Mars retrogrades at 8 degrees of Sagittarius, and this will aspect your personal chart if you have a planet in Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces at 6-8 degrees. If this is the case, significant events can occur, and combative situations may crop up. What exactly will happen depends on what it is aspecting in your own chart and what else is occurring at the time.

Mars is stationary retrograde April 17-29, and stationary direct June 29-July 11. As a result of the retrograde Mars will remain in only 2 signs-Scorpio and Sagittarius nine months out of the year, until September 28.

When Mars retrogrades people seem to accomplish more if they are in a crisis state. I have observed this with people born with a natally retrograde Mars or a Mars that goes retrograde by progression. People complain of low energy during this time, and plans can be delayed or changed. Sometimes, people need to back up, reassess, and slow down some for a time. I would advise people not to start important projects during this cycle if it can be avoided.

Mars rules men, and sometimes men 'go retrograde.' Relationships can change during this time, slow down or take a different turn, one way or another. Retrograde planets become like a wild card, but the karma (end result) of situations can play out at this time as well.

If you start a relationship on this cycle, things may change when Mars turns direct. I have seen relationships that start on a retrograde Mars end the next time Mars retrogrades, or even after it turns direct. Only time will tell the direction a new relationship will go, but starting on one a retrograde Mars puts it at a disadvantage.

Those born under Aries, or with an Aries-Mars ruled ascendant will also be affected more by this retrograde.

April 18, Pluto turns stationary retrograde at 17 degrees if Capricorn. This is another powerful movement in the sky. Pluto affects power, power structures, oil, nuclear weapons, the underworld, sex, and the bullies of the world. We often see significant events in the world that occur at this time.

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 it appears to bring things out into the open that have been culminating for a while, but this won't occur until September 26.

Pluto operates on both the collective and the individual level. As a collective society we will all deal with the effects of Pluto in Capricorn. As individuals, Pluto’s movement in our individual natal chart will be personal, depending on what, if anything it is aspecting in our own chart. If Pluto is aspecting a planet in your natal chart, change will occur in the area it is transiting. Often, with 

Pluto, it is change beyond our ability to control. Not all change is bad, and often people experience a type of death and rebirth in the area of Pluto’s transit.

September 18, Venus trines Saturn and this is positive for business, money and love.

April 19, the Sun enters Taurus, the true sign of spring!

Also, Venus squares Pluto. This transit can affect money and the financial markets. It is more prone however to affect love. This is an obsessive transit indicative of arguments and upsets that can occur over many things, namely sex and fidelity or money. It is best not to push an issue with this transit, rather let it pass. In worst case scenarios, domestic violence can be involved.

April 21, the full moon occurs at 2 degrees of Scorpio. Scorpio is intense and the ruler of the 8th house of sex, transformation, debt and other people's money, and it is here our focus will lie.

The full moon energy will be amped up as April 22, Venus conjuncts Uranus. This energy is erratic for both love and money. Watch the markets, we could see a swing. Some relationships and other situations can end. You could experience a sudden change in your affections, or those of someone else. At best, this could be an electric day, where you break away from the norm, but Uranus is not known for stability if you begin something new.

April 28, Mercury turns stationary retrograde at 23 degrees of Taurus, having been in its 'shadow period' of the retrograde since April 15. While in the sign Taurus, Mercury will be concerned with and reassessing, money, possessions, material items and relationships. Speech and thought will be slow and deliberate and when the mind is made up, decisions may be irrevocable while in this sign.

The stationary retrograde and direct periods of the retrograde are the most important times of this cycle and will occur April 28-May 2, and the direct station occurs May 22-26. Mercury will go direct May 26 at 14 degrees Taurus.

These dates are more significant to you if Mercury turns retrograde or goes direct on a planet in your own personal chart.  During the retrograde stationary period at the beginning of the cycle, it will affect you if you have fixed planets-Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquarius at 21-25 degrees, or if you were born May 12-16, August 14-18, November 13-17, or February 10-14.

Retrograde Mercury is the time to re-access and redo, not begin new projects or undertakings.

Mercury goes retrograde 3 or 4 times a year, and generally has a bad name and elicits groans when mentioned.  To an extent this is perfectly understandable, as retrograde Mercury is the planet that causes delays, glitches, breakdowns in computers and equipment, relationships, slowdowns and brings hidden factors to the surface. Plans can be put on hold, miscommunication can occur, relationships can end or change, and cars, computers and other machinery can break down at the most inopportune moment. This is the time to go back and take care of things you started in the past, and anything new that is begun at this time will typically end or change when Mercury goes direct. Neither is this the time to buy high ticket items.

Many people will be in deep thought about relationships over this period. If a relationship (or any other situation) is unstable now, it could break down completely. If this is the case, a door will be opened for something new to enter when Mercury turns direct.