A reader writes:

I need an insight on the astrological weather for April 2008.

I appreciate your monthly letter. I have a business meeting tomorrow and I would like to know if it is preferable to speak up or shut my mouth.

Thanks and all the best.

Mercury will square Pluto, early Thursday morning. This aspect is “creeping in” on Tuesday. So I think it’s a better time to keep your ears open than to try to force others to listen.

Readers, I have had a hell of a month. At the last new Moon, I got a stomach bug, in between then and now, my migraines have flared up in a big way, and at the moment, I have an upper respiratory bug. I’ll spare you the icky details. I’m hoping the Aries new Moon on Saturday will usher in a new vibe for me. This one stinks!!

If you’re waiting for a reading, I’m a little behind, but I haven’t forgotten you.

If you’re waiting for the April forecast, the text from my 2008 calendar follows. You can also download the April calendar page: April-2008.pdf If you like it, the calendar is still available.

April 2008

Mars, planet of new ideas, new ventures, and high energy, breaks new ground for the first time since Mars retrograde began in November. He is still in Cancer, a placement that irritates (Mars) our soft underbellies (Cancer). Yes, Mars has been in Cancer for an unusually long time— this makes folks feel uncomfortable and overheated, especially when Mars hits hot-spots on the 10th, 13th, and 23-24th.

Don’t let the grumpy mood spoil the month, though. You have bigger fish to fry, as Saturn in Virgo trine Pluto in Capricorn (both earth signs) comes allllllmost but not quite to completion in early May. Earth signs focus our attention on the material plane—work, money, resources.

The Sun, Mercury, and Venus move through Taurus in the last two weeks of the month, completing the earth sign “circuit.� We can use the earthy, grounded energy to solve problems and make progress in a concrete, tangible way. Earth signs represent physical resources: your money, your skills, your health; and the earth itself: gardening, the environment, acts of nature. Trines represent lack of friction, or removal of obstacles, allowing a situation—positive or negative—to develop rapidly and without impediment.

Best Days

April 17-18: Mercury trine Saturn and Pluto, the opportunity to solve difficult problems and make great progress through disciplined effort and long-term planning. Very auspicious for financial work, accounting, fulfilling your promises and obligations, and generally taking care of business.

April 19-20: The Sun trines Saturn and Pluto, another auspicious time for taking care of business.

April 30–May 1: Venus trines Saturn and Pluto, opening doors to solve problems and make positive connections with others.

Hot-Spots

On the 23-24th, a T-square forms with Mars at the apex. T-squares are challenging and very dynamic. Each of the planets in the T-square is in the sign of its fall or of its detriment. Being situated in such a sign indicates an uncomfortable feeling, a sense of being “out of your element” in some way. With Mars involved, we tend to be in a hurry. Accidents and arguments are more likely, so take it easy on these stressful days. Save your most important business for the end of the week.