April is going to have us dig deep and do some metaphorical (and perhaps even literal) spring cleaning).
We already begin the month with Jupiter and Mercury both retrograde. Retrograde periods always have an element of looking inward and self-reflection to them. As soon as Mercury returns to direct orbit, Saturn and Pluto turn retrograde for the next several months. We are entrenched by now in Aries energy with Mercury, the Sun, New Moon and Uranus all in that feisty sign. We have the urge to do, to move, to act, but may feel thwarted by obstacles and unforeseen detours courtesy of the retrograde planets. Though we may feel frustrated, we are being given a chance to fine-tune those new goals and plans. While implementation has to wait another few weeks, research and preparation does not.
Coming off the energy from the Libra Full Moon at the end of March, we took a hard look at our relationship. Now the New Moon in Aries on the 15th has us look at ourselves and what we need to make us whole. Is there a part of yourself you need to reclaim? Aries is potential and each time we encounter this vibrant energy we get the chance to start over. The same day as the New Moon, Mercury turns direct. Mercury will remain in Aries for the next few weeks giving us an opportunity to tap into its “get up and go” driving force.
But just as soon as we start pushing forward, Saturn slows us down on the 17th. The message during the period when Saturn is transiting retrograde is, “are you sure?” Saturn has us look back and evaluate commitments made, projects started and responsibilities undertaken. We are given the opportunity reassess what we have taken on, and to let them go if that’s the best course of action. We can then move forward satisfied that the path we have chosen is the right one.
The Sun moves into Taurus on the 19th and this sign is not about innovation or risk. This is the most deliberate sign and that quality is based on taking what's already there and making the absolute most of it. Taurus knows how to maximize existing resources. The Taurus Sun invites us to slow down and to stabilize, something we need after the stop and go experience earlier in the month. While Taurus may have a reputation as stubborn, the Bull also is placid and steady. However, since Taurus is a fixed sign, we may notice a tendency to be so overly focused on the direction that we are taking that we don’t allow outside or alternative viewpoints to be considered.
Pluto begins its retrograde period on the 22nd and we are in for 5 months of internal housecleaning. During this period of time we should seek to gain greater control of our personal lives. Because Pluto retrograde imparts an intense power for investigation, we should use this time to assess what reoccurring patterns in our lives make us feel out of control, where and why do we continually give our power away, and under what circumstances do we react so defensively that we elicit attacks from others.
On the 24th Venus moves into Gemini. Venus' Libra rulership makes this pleasure-loving planet very much at home in Gemini's airy world. This is the time to have that talk about what brings you together, to examine the values that you share already, the values that create the space called "we".
There’s a particular nasty 2–day transit this month when Mars conjuncts Pluto Rx. With both of these planets in determined Capricorn, we need to watch out for this transit. This specific configuration lends itself to aggression and violence. Mars and Pluto both symbolize powerful energy that should be respected. My best advice is to “let the sleeping dragons lie”.
We end the month of a Scorpio Full Moon which highlights two opposing principals of security with the Sun in Taurus and healing through transformation with the Scorpio Moon. This illuminating event could put a spotlight on what it is you really need in your life and what it is that needs to go. It could appear like the Full Moon in Scorpio is taking you over to the dark side by rocking your relationships and finances. But what's happening during this time is ultimately for the best. Fights and upsets during this moon create the opportunity for positive breakthroughs by eliminating bad habits or people from your life.