April 2017: Venus/Saturn: No more rose colored glasses

April is another pivotal month with both Venus and Mercury retrograde, Venus squares Saturn twice, Jupiter squares Pluto again this month, and the Cardinal t-square involving Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto is still in effect. There will be much conflict this month, and relationships will be especially difficult, so let's get started!

First of all, Jupiter is square Pluto for the third time since late last year.

This transit represents a desire for control and power and can affect our lives on a personal level, but we will certainly see this transit play out on the world stage. While the transit is exact on March 30, this energy will play out all month.

Jupiter-Pluto can relate to issues with joint finances, conflict, lawsuits, arguments, and major change and transformation. At times individuals with this transit can believe they are right and attempt to convince others of their position. Strong opinions are evident.  If you push someone, expect them to push back. Change in your life is possible at this time though.

We will see this play out most strongly in the power struggle in Washington which will only get worse. Jupiter involves money, foreign individuals and Pluto deals with power, corruption, revenge, and bullies or those who would force their will on others. Abuses of power, and questions about power will be the theme, along with money.

As Brexit has begun, expect to see power struggles and differing opinions here as well. We will see many major world events play out and this transit will repeat one more time in August. Many things relating to this time will come to light with the powerful eclipse in August as well.

Mercury turns retrograde on April 9, at 4 degrees of Taurus. Taurus is the natural ruler of the second house of money and income. This means The two financial planets-Jupiter and Venus-are retrograde, and if we add Mercury which is in the money sign, money could seem slower to come by, and we may focus more of our efforts on money. This doesn't mean however, you can't make money but you may work harder.

 You could restructure your finances or debt in some way.

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. Issues can and will be revealed.

Know that retrograde Mercury is part of the natural cycle of life. Everything serves a purpose and the point of a retrograde Mercury is to slow down a bit, reflect, rethink, re-do, re-plan and reorganize and reconsider. It is a period of correction. Rather than starting new projects it is time to look at what is on the drawing board. Often during a retrograde, thinking changes direction and a more appropriate course of action can be mapped out. Often new information comes to the surface that must be considered.  Sometimes secrets are revealed, and the truth comes out into the open.  The truth may not be what your want to hear, but it can set you free.

If you are forced to start a job during a retrograde, it could be altered when Mercury goes direct, or you may not have all the facts. If you begin a new relationship on a retrograde, it may end or change when Mercury goes forward, time will tell. 

April 21, Mercury retrogrades back into Aries for the duration of the retrograde. As thinking becomes faster, with the planet of communication retrograde it could become sloppier. Mercury turns direct on May 3, at 24 degrees of Aries.

Venus retrogrades from Aries back into Pisces on April 4, where it will remain until April 29, when it moves back into Aries again, direct.

Venus finally turns direct on April 15, at 26 degrees of Pisces. As Venus turns direct, love may change direction again, and certain things may be revealed about your relationship after it turns direct at or around this time.

Since Venus turned retrograde on March 4, relationships have changed for many. Sometimes people re-connect or relationships can slow down or end. Venus retrograde is a wild card, and it has a strong karmic affect on relationships.  Often the karma, or what a relationship will really be, will play out during this powerful period.

As Venus turns direct April 15, it squares Saturn at 27 degrees of Pisces-Sagittarius.

The square is exact twice. The first time is April 9-13 while Venus is still retrograde, and then again April 18-23.

On each pass we can see relationships challenged significantly, and some relationships will end all together. This is not a pleasant transit for love or relationships but the effect will be to prune out that which no longer works for you. It's possible you will say goodbye to someone during this time, especially if the relationship has been rocky. This is not limited to romantic relationships, and it will affect world events as well. Money could also be affected adversely at this time.

On the positive side, it could be a time of working through relationship issues, but Saturn is always a reality check. That which survives will become stronger.

Saturn turns stationary retrograde in the early morning hours of April 6, at 27 degrees of Sagittarius. Saturn is the planet of structure and reality and it retrogrades about four months out of the year, or until August 25. As Saturn rules our structure it is important to pay more attention to our basic foundation and shore up that which needs attention.  Business issues can be problematic with retrograde Saturn but this doesn't mean you shouldn't start a business, but rather pay close attention to issues concerning security.

As Saturn is in Sagittarius many ideas we have questioned on a collective level will be scrutinized and reconsidered even harder over this time.

Pluto turns stationary retrograde on April 20, at 8:46 AM, EST. This brings the number of retrograde planets to four. Many things may be stalled.

Issues 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.

Energies will be internalized now on many different levels and in some cases we will see fierce power struggles between opposing factions.  Pluto will be retrograde until late September.

Uranus, Pluto and Jupiter are still part of a t-square creating havoc and major changes in our lives and the world. This t-square will be set off this month by the Sun and later Mercury in Aries.

This transit has dominated the skies this year as evidenced by all of the changes in the world. The good news is that by the end of April it is just barely still in orb, and my late May it is over.

April 8, the Sun opposes Jupiter, then squares Pluto on April 9. Sun opposing Jupiter transits are typically positive, although things can get blown out of proportion. Sun-Pluto transits are typically indicative of power struggles and change. This is a day to watch your movements and your actions. The tension in the air will be a power struggle waiting to happen but don't take the bait. We will see major world events occur on this day, or before or after and we could see violence, especially as this falls on the eve of a full moon that also sets off the t-square.

Now, for the other transits:

April 5, Mars trines Pluto-A good day to reach for power and achievement in some way without disrupting the balance of things. Success and achievement!

March 8, the Sun squares Pluto-this is a power struggle waiting to happen and we will see a day of intense news and world events.

This month's full moon falls at 21 degrees of Libra April 10-11.The lunar peak occurs at 2:08 AM, EST.

As the Moon conjuncts Jupiter, this gives us some planetary protection and 'good vibes,' but caution is called for especially in relationships.

The Moon squares Pluto and conjuncts Uranus, setting off the Cardinal t-square.

Moon-Pluto transits have to do with deep seated issues that can involve control issues, sex, abuse and deep change and transformation. Moon-Uranus transits concern women, emotional instability and unexpected actions, change and news. Use caution.

This Moon comes on the heels of Venus square Saturn, the Sun square Pluto, and Mercury is retrograde. It might not take much to set someone off, so use caution and common sense in relationships with others.

April 14, the Sun conjuncts Uranus-This transit can manifest in different ways and the energy should be channeled carefully. There will be an electric feeling in the air and many people will seek freedom. Some relationships could end at this time. The nature of Uranus is unpredictable and unexpected events can disrupt plans.

At its best this could be a day of innovation and genius in thinking. At its worst an erratic day with unexpected surprises.

Expect major events in the news that could involve innovations, explosions, aircraft and unexpected events.

April 15, Venus turns direct

April 17, the sun trines Saturn-a great day to accomplish and get things done.

April 19, the Sun enters Taurus, the fixed sign of spring. Spring has finally sprung!

April 20, the Sun conjuncts Mercury-this can be willful and egos can get involved.

April 20, Mercury retrogrades back into Aries.

April 21, Mars enters Gemini-Mars here is in Mercury's sign and you may speak with more force than you realize. Gemini can be changeable in terms of our actions.

April 24-Mercury trines Saturn-a good day for serious mental activity and getting things done.

April 26-the month's New Moon occurs at 6 degrees of Taurus, peaking at 8:16 AM, EST.

April 28-Venus re-enters Aries after its retrograde through Pisces.

April 28-Mercury conjuncts Uranus for the second time. Watch travel and driving, and you could hear unexpected news. The day can be changeable.

The Sun squares Saturn: responsibilities, obligations, endings

Over the next few days the Sun will square Saturn and this transit becomes exact Friday, March 17, at 5: 47 PM, EST.

This will affect us all, and it will affect those to a greater degree who have mutable planets-Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces at 27 degrees. If you have planets here, it may bring an issue to light in some way, or it could represent a blow to your ego.

Otherwise this is a day where most of us are working toward accomplishing something. There is no point in avoidance, some things have to be done. Best to get on with what needs to be done and not cast yourself in the role of victim.

This transit can seem limiting, dour or tiring. Some things can end. This isn't the day to play, but rather accomplish what needs to be done. Pay attention to your responsibilities and obligations, and this transit can be used to your advantage and things can work out well. 

The day for play will be Saturday, March 18, when Mercury conjuncts Venus! Relax and have fun, you have earned it!

Mars enters Taurus: Energy/action changes

Mars enters Taurus March 9, at 7:34 PM, EST. Energy will change dramatically as Mars enters the second sign of the zodiac. Taurus is an Earth sign, perfect for the early part of spring.

Mars in Aries (January 28-March 9) is very powerful in its own sign. One of the downsides of Mars here is moving too quickly without thinking through the consequences of things or acting on impulse. We have seen this happening in the news with legislation being proposed by Congress, that has been presented too quickly without enough deliberation (along with retrograde Venus, Jupiter and soon to be retrograde Mercury).

Now, as Mars enters Taurus our action will be given to much more deliberation and things won't move as fast.

Taurus is a fixed sign. Action won't come quickly, but when it does it will be more deliberate and has the potential of lasting consequences.  We will be able to push ahead without being easily distracted.

Mars here, is in Venus's sign, and Venus (in Aries) is in Mars sign. This is called mutual receptivity, and can allow for a deeper understanding between the sexes as  they are each adjusting to the energy of the other.

The downside of Taurus is that it can be stubborn and unbending. Compromise will be harder to come by and each party will be less likely to bend.

Taurus rules the second house of money, and it's here many of us will be focused at this time.

If you are a Taurus or a Taurus ascendant I find that Mars in your own sign makes life very busy. You would also be starting a new Mars cycle that goes for about two years.

Mars will remain in Taurus until April 21, when it enters Gemini and energy changes again.

Full moon in Virgo March 12

This week's full moon in Virgo falls on March 12, at 10:54 AM, EST, and peaks at 22 degrees of Virgo.

Virgo is an Earth sign and rules the sixth house of work and health.

Virgo can be associated with health, exercise and diets. Now would be the time to think about a healthier lifestyle or incorporating exercise into your plan.

As this sign connects to work, many people may well be concerned with more mundane affairs or even do it yourself projects at home. Issues may arise with work. Its all in the details.

Virgo can be the most critical sign of the zodiac and we may see this play out in terms of interactions with others. Virgo is also associated with worry. Before you criticize someone be aware of what might be at stake.

Mercury squares Saturn on this day becoming part of the full moon energy, and this is a tiring and somewhat negative transit as well.

It's hard to express yourself with this transit and some people may feel reluctant to state their true needs or desires. This transit focuses on obligations and responsibilities, not frivolities.

So we can expect a critical approach to things either literally or figuratively. Be careful in relationships that you don't become too critical, demanding or a nag.Or others may come across like this to you.

Virgo is all about the details. Anything that is lacking in detail will be highlighted critically at this point. Get your facts straight and make sure the blanks are filled in.

As the Moon will also square Saturn this increases the critical energies as well. Some situations and relationships will end on this moon.

On the world stage, the full moon falls on Neptune in the 9th house of the US (Sibley) natal chart. The Moon (and Neptune/US chart) squares Mars and we will see anger, frustration, upheaval and lack of clarity in the US. We may hear things that aren't true, unclear, or lies,that could be uncovered. Virgo relates to audits as well. The ninth house rules laws, foreign entities and foreign countries. At its worst, we could see violence on this moon.

The eclipse aftermath

Events continue to play out that relate to the powerful February 26, eclipse in Pisces. The energy of an eclipse continues to play out for weeks, and sometimes longer.

Today is an especially stressful day with the Moon, Venus, Uranus and Mars in Aries, all meeting up together bringing an angry (Mars) emotional (Moon) state for many with unexpected issues and answers (Uranus) Many relationship (Venus) issues are coming to the forefront as well. These planets all oppose Jupiter, bringing things to sudden conclusions, and creating a desire to break free of things, people and situations that have become stale, oppressive or hard to deal with. Anger and upset will be rampant, and actions sudden and unpredictable and hard to control, or at worst, violent.

Four planets in the sign of Aries is powerful, and there is a focus on me, myself and I, good or bad.

On the other hand Mercury (communication, thinking), The Sun (ego), Neptune (subconscious) and Chiron (wounded healer), are all in Pisces. The energy here is confusion, delusion, lack of clarity, or in some cases over the top, out to lunch delusional or crazy. Or you may be trying to help yourself or someone else with a problem. It could be a high day for creativity.

It's going to take a lot of balance to work with these energies. Half of them are in the Mars ruled sign (Aries-1st house) of the self, and the other half are in the sign the coincides with 12th house of the zodiac and endings, or for those with a spiritual bent-compassion and understanding.

As the Sun conjuncts Neptune today, things may be revealed, or the day could seem like a Svengali dream filled with mixed images and emotions.  The more unbalanced an individual is, the more difficult these next few days will be.

By Thursday, the Moon moves into Taurus and this may help the mix some. As the Moon sextiles Mercury thinking may eventually become clearer. By late day the Sun crosses Neptune and the fog will begin to lift for now.