April 1-4

Sunday, April Fool’s, some jokes are going to fall flat, as some folks just aren’t in the mood. Mercury conjoins Uranus— surprise! But someone’s not amused. Especially in the evening time as Venus draws near a square with gloomy Saturn.

A Full Moon in Libra dumps our emotional buckets. Libra has to do with relationships, and the Moon’s ruler, Venus, just squared Saturn, and is about to square Neptune. So we may be caught between a rock and a hard place. Between the way we want to see things (Neptune), and the way they truly are (Saturn). It’s a tough few days for relationships.

But Mars is sextile Pluto in early April. If you can put the relationship crap aside when you need to, you can get a lot done1. Pluto is about transcending your limitations and solving problems. The gifts of Mars in Aquarius are intelligence, detachment, not taking things personally, and working independently— but also as a member of a team, as the situation requires. Work on maintaining a healthy perspective.

The big picture

The big picture in April is looking pretty good though. The March Eclipses dropped some bombshells into some of our lives. Now the dust and debris are starting to clear, and we can see a way forward. I think Saturn changing from retrograde to direct on April 19 will bring another important step in turning things around, especially if there’s a situation in your life that has been “stuck.” If Saturn’s stationary point, 18 Leo, is in aspect to a planet in your chart, then some part of your life has been tied up in all this burdensome and sometimes painful muckety-muck. Look for a shift or some kind of movement around April 19.

In addition, Jupiter is also changing direction, from direct to retrograde. Jupiter’s stationary point is very close to a trine aspect, an interplanetary “kiss” with Saturn. This trine balances the forces of optimism with pessimism, generosity and expansion with practicality, idealism with long-term thinking. And that can open doors in your life. Your open-minded explorations (Jupiter) can bring you tangible ideas and benefits (Saturn), and opportunity to establish something good for the long term. Saturn doesn’t give you something for nothing, though. You pay your dues; you earn your reward. Your fortunes probably won’t change overnight, but you can lay a solid foundation for future expansion— financial, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Projects that you start this month have the energies of growth (Jupiter) and staying power (Saturn) behind them.

April 5-11

Easy does it on Thursday as the Scorpio Moon squares Saturn and Neptune. And there’s a shift on Friday, as Mars leaves Aquarius and enters Pisces, where he will be until May 15. Mars’ assertiveness, decisiveness, drive, and initiative are colored, even dissipated by Pisces’ energy, which tends to see life in watercolor impressions rather than measured blueprints. You should let your intuition be your guide— or at least have some say-so in the matter. Especially if you have planets in Aries or Scorpio, or if Mars is strong in your birth chart. Tune in to your dreams, inspirations, and your guiding vision. Dreamy, Piscean types may find themselves feeling a little extra feisty while Mars is in Pisces.

“Kite #1”

chart for april 9 2007

Easter platitudes and niceties abound as Mercury sextiles Venus on Saturday. You may even make a good connection, resurrect a relationship or idea as the Sun forms a grand trine with Jupiter and Saturn, Friday through Monday, and then sextiles Neptune on Wednesday. These four planets are in a very tight “kite” formation during those few days. I think of a kite in terms of its component parts. One of those is a grand trine (Sun, Jupiter, Saturn trine one another in fire signs), and the other is an opposition (Saturn and Neptune). Trines are easygoing, and a grand trine is so laid back, that it often goes by unnoticed. The door opens, but there are no sirens or fanfare. You could work hard, but why do so? Unless you have something compelling to drive you. And that’s what the opposition is— a high energy aspect that puts wind in your sails. The striving to cut through the confusion and get to the truth. Dealing with situations where the boundaries are changing, or are unclear. The Sun’s in Aries, making all of these wonderful aspects. That tells me that a straightforward approach works best.

April 12-16

It’s the dark of the Moon. And it may seem like not much is going on, because things tend to be quieter during the dark of the Moon, also known as the balsamic phase. (This is the period directly opposite the nearly full Moon, when it all hangs out, and things are much less quiet.) The Aquarius Moon touches the other planets in the weekend’s kite formation, infusing the mood of the moment with that same energy— the idealistic in step with the practical. That’s the Aquarius Moon on Wednesday and Thursday, as well as the Aries Moon Sunday through Tuesday morning.

April 17-21

The New Moon trines Pluto— incorporating the concepts of transformation, transcendence, intensity, sexuality, vulnerability into our experience, just like it did in March. But there is one huge difference. The new Moon in Pisces last month squared Pluto. Remember how raw and exposed a lot of people felt? The sense of crisis? Ouch. This new Moon trines Pluto. The energy is present, but without the same “sting.” A good time to perhaps look at what came up last month, and sort through it. Pluto’s nickname is the “cosmic garbage truck.” Or how about the cosmic recycling bin, the alchemical vehicle that turns our psychic crap to compost, turns negatives into positives. Healing, baby. Cut the crap— none of us are getting any younger. Make your wishes, paste your treasure map together, and get ready to open a new chapter.

“Kite #2”

Mercury represents information, lines of communication, transportation, commerce, conversations, e-mails and letters. Watch what comes through Thursday through Sunday, as Mercury in Aries touches Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune, forming another kite. The airwaves are buzzing with ideas. It’s a good time to meet and mingle, especially Friday evening and Saturday. And don’t forget to wish your Taurean friends a happy birthday.

April 22-30

Jupiter’s next stop, after he finishes up with this kite, will be a square to Uranus in early May. This square is rebellious, eccentric— a “jolt” of new awareness, or a new situation, a path or journey that appears unexpectedly, like a bolt of lightning. Venus picks up the energy of this square, and also of the Jupiter-Saturn trine. This is mostly good for relationships. You just have to pace yourself, keep everything in perspective, and stay grounded— don’t freak out when the wild card comes into the game.

Not quite a kite

Mars— still in Pisces, meets up with Uranus Friday and Saturday. These two together make a firecracker. In watery Pisces, the explosion may stem from a misunderstanding. Give your loved ones the benefit of the doubt. Mars then moves on to quincunx Saturn and square Jupiter, a marker of excessive (Jupiter) and frustrated (Saturn) action, anger and speed (Mars) on Sunday and Monday. Rash decisions and reckless behavior are typical of this square. Take your time, and don’t overdo it. Venus moves on to trine artsy and intuitive Neptune on Monday evening. When Venus is making good connections and Mars poor ones, your ability to connect with others will get you closer to your goal than your muscle and intellect will, and certainly closer than your middle finger (Uranus) will!

Mark your calendar!

The best days for your top priority plans are April 3, 4, 7-9, 11, 16-18, 20-22, 26.

Take it easy on April 1, 27-30.

1 This is one of those “easier said than done” things. I still have a hard time doing this, but transit Neptune is square my Venus— disappointment in relationships— there’s nothing I can do at this time, so I have to learn to set it aside when it’s time to be clear and get things done.