April 21-22 full moon Scorpio-Taurus: delving into unknown depths

April's full moon falls at 2 degrees of Scorpio. The moon will peak at 10:24 Pacific time, on April 21, and 1:24 AM, April 22, EST in the East.

This moon falls on the Scorpio-Taurus axis (8th/2nd houses) which rules change and transformation, taxes and debt, other people's money, sex, death, and that which astrologers refer to as earned income (2nd house).

Old things may fade on this moon if they have been unsatisfactory (8th house) and this will open the door for the new. Values, desires and other situations may change over this moon.

Add to this picture  Scorpio ruler Pluto  turned retrograde at 17 degrees of Capricorn on April 18,  and co-ruler Mars turned retrograde this past weekend, and this amps up the intense Scorpio energy. This could be an heavy/intense time for those with Scorpio planets, especially if they are in the early degrees, or those whose planets are being aspected by Pluto at 17 degrees of Capricorn or even Mars at 8 degrees of Sagittarius. This is a lot of Mars-Scorpio energy.

The nature of Scorpio-Mars-Pluto energy is deep and intense, not light or superficial at all. Some people may be angry, upset and obsessed and this is something to be aware of in your dealings with others or even yourself.

Add to this the fact that Mercury is about to station and go retrograde at 23 degrees of Taurus on April 28, and things may be delayed, or seem even more intense. By month's end we will be dealing with 5 retrograde planets, which will place many of us in a period of intense soul searching and inner transformation rather than outward.

Venus conjuncts Uranus on April 22 at 21 degrees of Aries, and this aspects all of those with Cardinal planets-Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn at 20-22 degrees as well.

Venus-Uranus transits can be fun and exciting, but with Uranus involved there is typically no stability involved in the situation. Make the most of this is you can, as this transit can be exciting or liberating as well as dealing with the unexpected.

On the other hand, the erratic nature of Uranus can be jarring for some, and sometimes Uranus transits have to do with separation, or unexpected and shocking events. A separation would only occur if the relationship is tottering on the edge, or unstable anyway.

Venus squares Pluto: for love or money

Venus squares Pluto Tuesday, April 19, exact at 4:49 PM, EST. This square will bring relationships and in some cases money, front and center. Typically this transit can bring up deeply buried issues, that could involve sex, money, or jealousy. This is an intense transit that could change the outcome of relationships if issues are pushed, but that would be an extreme situation. Worst case scenario would be endings, abuse or even domestic violence, if those tendencies are present.

You might make a decision as to whether a relationship isn't fulfilling your needs in which case events could occur both before and right after this transit, or even on the full moon in Scorpio later this week when Venus will conjunct Uranus as well.  This aspect demands we delve deeply into our associations with others and some may make a decision to end a relationship.

Venus-Pluto transits are indicative of obsessiveness, and heavy thinking and this will affect you to a greater degree if you have planets in Aries, Cancer, Capricorn or Libra at 14-18 degrees.

Venus will set off the separating Uranus-Pluto square, so for some events will be large. This cycle will culminate on Friday's full moon in Scorpio, and we will see events play out in the world that can involve women, domestic abuse, sex and money. Typically, Pluto transits bring out the bullies in the world and those who try and force their will on others.

With any Pluto transit things can come to a head so to speak, one way or another. As Pluto  transits are overly intense, if you are feeling this way, it might be best to let this energy pass before making serious decisions.

Pluto transits change situations and in some cases the change can be permanent or beyond our ability to control.

Sun squares Pluto April 6

The Sun squares Pluto Wednesday, April 6, exact at 4:10 PM, EST. After this point the transit will still be powerful but waning into the evening hours. It precedes the energy of the powerful NewMoon in Aries, that occurs Thursday, at 18 degrees of Aries.

This can be a difficult transit fraught with power struggles and arguments if you aren't careful. You may be prone toward getting into useless battles or even debates, which brings up the old adage, 'chose your battles carefully.' It could be difficult to find common ground. There could be a feeling of forced change in your life.

This can stir up ambition, aggravation and the bullies in the world will make themselves known.

You may not be in the mood for superficiality, as Pluto transits go beneath the surface and are satisfied with nothing less.

There could be issues over joint finances or money matters, sex, obsessiveness or control. Pluto rules the dark side of emotions and at times, actions. There will be those who try and force their will on others, or treat others harshly, and this may necessitate the need for courage and strength.

Used wisely, you can accomplish a great deal and make changes by bringing things out in the open, but you must take a careful, diplomatic and well thought out approach. If there are conflicts however, realize the other party may not be so diplomatic. If this is the case, my advice is to wait for this energy to pass, along with the New Moon energy as well.

You will be affected by this to a greater degree if you are a mid degree(14-20 degrees) Capricorn, Aries, Libra or Cancer or have planets in your personal chart at these degrees.

This transit will play out in the world as described above and you can bet the media will be involved. It will be a day of conflict on many levels, and we will hear important news relating to power struggles and issues that could be dark and deep seated. No doubt we will hear more news of politics and the candidates as we slog through this unusual election year.

Radical new moon in Aries

Thursday's New moon falls at 18.04 of Aries, and peaks at 7:24 AM, EST.

I call this new moon radical as it conjuncts Uranus and squares Pluto, in effect setting off the Uranus-Pluto square. Someone asked me the other day, 'isn't that over?' While this powerful square is separating and moving apart, no, it's not over until it's over. As long as Uranus and Pluto are within a 3-6 degree orb, it ain't over. Events will continue to play out in the world and our lives each time some other planet aspects it, and that planet will be the Moon in this case, and later this month, the Sun (in Aries) as well as Venus.

So, as this Moon is in Aries ruled by Mars, people will take action. As it squares Pluto, the action that take can have far reaching consequences. The down side of this is obsessiveness, drama and run-ins with those who wish to control, or maybe you don't want to be controlled. Conflicts can occur and so can heavy duty change.

As the Moon is conjunct Uranus, there is an element of unpredictability about this moon, and sudden and unexpected change can occur. Uranus is about change and freedom, and freeing ourselves of that which we find oppressive whether it is a job, relationship or anything else.

Some people may come across as brash, self-centered or harsh. With Uranus and Pluto involved now is the time to stay calm and think through things clearly. Those most affected by this moon will be born in the Cardinal signs-Aries, Cancer, Capricorn, or Libra, or have other planets in these signs at 14-22 degrees or so.

I have noticed that many important events often occur in our lives as the Moon squares Pluto/Uranus. They are not all negative situations,  in many cases important events occur or conclude. But it is important to be aware of the pitfalls of this Moon and in caution is called for, if not respect.

Following is a brief description as to how this moon will affect you based on your ascendant. If you don't know that, use your Sun sign.

Aries-personal matters or beginnings and relationships with others.

Taurus-things secret and hidden, that which lies in your subconscious, hospitals, work and health related situations.

Gemini-hopes and wishes, friends, company events, love affairs or children.

Cancer-the home, beginnings and endings, work and critical important events, or reputation.

Leo-Travel, education, legal issues, neighbors, immediate family members.

Virgo-transformation of all types, taxes, debt and money, sex, income.

Libra-relationships with others and self

Scorpio-work and health, things secret and hidden, trips to hospitals, that which lies in the subconscious.

Sagittarius-friends, children, love affairs, hopes and wishes, company related situations or interests (institutions, job related).

Capricorn-the home and family, beginnings and endings, work, career, and important events.

Aquarius-short trips, education, thinking, immediate family, neighbors and co-workers, education, legal matters.

Pisces-money, income, taxes, debt, sex, transformation of all types

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.