April 2016 Forecasts

Illustration © Mark Willenbruch

Venus in Pisces April 1 - 24
Venus moves into its sign of exaltation on the first of the month which happens to be Venus' day, Friday. Venus is in a strong position, as we let go and let ourselves relax into our lives so we can simply be and enjoy being, without the stress of Saturn and Mars dictating how we should feel. Leave room for more play and creativity in April. Be aware, however, that those things which filled a hole previously may not feel so satisfying now. We no longer need them anyway. Venus in Pisces points us towards something greater, something higher, beyond just sensual pleasure.

​There are so many extreme and incendiary situations occurring because of other, more intense, transits at this time. At the very least, Venus supplies a sense of relief by letting our lives happen as they must, and enjoy being in the moment, moment-to-moment. Venus softens the blow and keeps life sweet. Unconditional happiness is the only true happiness. Calculating happiness only serves to detract from our happiness. Don't count your blessing, be your blessing, or 'Blessed Be'. 

As Venus moves into Pisces, Mercury prepares to leave the all-too-confusing terrain of the depths of our being, represented by the sign. But while Mercury was lost within the contradictions of the sign, Venus takes over the reigns, and then throws the reigns to one side so we can really let go and enjoy the ride; wherever it may take us.  

​Find the time to put your feet up so you can rejuvenate yourself and find more time for your relationships during Venus' transit through Pisces. Because when Venus moves to Aries on April 25 it is overcome by the intensity of the Sun and Mars, which leads to more selfish concerns.
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Mercury enters Aries April 2
Once Mercury moves out of debilitation our minds can get back on track. However, before we all start getting ahead of ourselves, just be aware that this is a bit of a false start in many ways. 

Whatever plans you have been simmering and now hope to fulfill, be aware that Mercury is about to stop at the very end of Aries by the end of April, and then move back through the last degrees of the sign until May 22. With this in mind, plan - of course you must - but do so with the awareness that all of your plans will have to be renegotiated.

Mercury in Aries is head strong and purposeful, fueled by Jupiter and Rahu's (Moon's north node) influence from Leo; charging our minds with new tasks and adventures which may get out of hand, before we double back and take the route more mindfully in May.
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New Moon in Pisces - Lunar New Year April 7
The new Moon is at 12.23 GMT on April 7 which is an astrological new lunar year. Astrologers observe patterns in each country's horoscope based on this new Moon in Pisces. Each country will have different horoscopes based on location, together with the universal themes of the new Moon. 

















The chart I have included is based on my own location in Ireland. This particular horoscope has the sign Cancer rising which is ruled by the Moon itself. The Moon sits in the 9th house of religion, philosophies and guiding principles, and is the house of good luck. Faith and good luck will be needed as there are other patterns of difficult conjunctions which need to be dealt with; Saturn and Mars in Scorpio, Jupiter and Rahu in Leo.

​The Jupiter/Rahu conjunction is highlighting where we poke holes in ideas and traditions, and is aspecting Mercury in Aries, creating new ways of thinking and new possiblities, but a lot of mistakes being made as we rush into things. These planet's also relate to the financial situation for Ireland; Jupiter and Rahu, its debts, and Mercury, its spending. This leads to opposing ideologies on how the government spends, because of rival parties having to form a coalition with Rahu and Jupiter together in Leo. 

Saturn's aspect to Jupiter and Rahu (Moon's north node) represents an objective examination of debts, but as the 8th house ruler, Saturn brings obstacles to face. Jupiter, the planet of abundance, is limited by its conjunction with Rahu and an aspect from Saturn; the two most malefic influences in the planetary line-up. Jupiter is most active in Ireland's birth chart based on the 1949 declaration of independence, so we can at least hope that Jupiter's coherent quality will shine through. In other countries we can see Rahu's divisive nature is more pronounced. America, for example, has just begun a 'Rahu time-period', where Rahu's divisive nature is most evident. Saturn's restrictive influence on Jupiter, is curtailing any sense of connection and cohesion. 

Venus' exaltation helps a great deal, of course. Life would be unbearable without the simple pleasure of being. Our sense of what is appropriate is helped by Venus in strength, and in Ireland's horoscope for the year we hope that the housing situation will improve and that the future plans increase hope and optimism (Venus rules the 4th and 11th house), with a stronger faith in a new government, which will likely be decided on this new Moon day. However, because Jupiter - the planet which rules where Venus is placed - is hampered by being retrograde and receiving the influence of Rahu and Saturn, our faith is tested as the economy struggles and a sense of lack further accentuates fears.  

The strength at this time is the ability to allow all-that-is by experiencing all-that-you-are in the moment, from moment-to-moment. 
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Sun in Aries April 14 - May 13
The Tropical calendar is re-aligned every year by the time the Sun reaches the natural first sign of the zodiac, Aries on March 20. This marks the beginning of spring and the vernal equinox for the northern hemisphere. However, the Sun does not move into Aries until April 14, based on actual astronomical observations and the sidereal zodiac used in Vedic astrology.

Aries is the Sun's place of exaltation and Mars' fire-dominant sign. Those with Leo prominent; leaders of the world, or leaders in any capacity - as well as our own individual sense of Self and command - will be granted a boost from mid-April until mid-May. This is an opportune period to test how far you can expand your sense of Self and promote yourself and your ideas in the world. This is helped and hindered in equal measures, due to Jupiter and Rahu's aspect from the Sun's sign, Leo, as well as Mars and Mercury's upcoming retrogrades. As is often the case, self promotion can backfire and biting off more than you can chew can leave you feeling overwhelmed.

Mercury enters its shadow phase (initially moving over the point it will move back to when retrograde) as the Sun moves into Aries, and Mars, the planet which rules Aries, is about to begin its own retrograde transit - stationing as the Sun enters its sign. This marks a period of review and  backtracking which really kicks in by the end of the month. Therefore, the usual dynamism of the sign Aries is curtailed somewhat as we begin the summer.

​The end of April sees Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn all retrograde and interacting with Mars' signs; Aries and Scorpio. Extroversion leads to introversion, confidence strides lead to reluctance. Use this period of self promotion, of course, but leave room for recalculating your steps, without overstepping the mark. 
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Mars Retrograde April 17 – June 29
Mars begins its retrograde transit in Scorpio on April 17 which continues retrograde in Scorpio until June 17, at which time it will re-enter Libra and continue to transit retrograde in Libra until June 29. It will transit backwards from our perspective from 14 degrees Scorpio to 28 degrees Libra, within the lunar signs Anuradha and Visakha; Saturn and Jupiter’s lunar signs. Saturn's transit alongside Mars is having an aspect to Jupiter in Leo, creating a restrictive quality to our hope and aspirations, and many delays to boot. Now that Mars begins its retrograde transit alongside a retrograde Saturn, things really begin to slow down in our lives, and the pressure if felt intensely. Some things and some people buckle under the pressure.  

These are not easy transits for the world at large. However, as with every transit and experience in life, there are always ways of dealing with these transits personally with awareness and skill. We cannot ignore them if we wish to navigate our way safely through the various pitfalls. 

Imagine driving in your car and having to slow down in traffic as you try to make your way to your destination; a destination you are eager to get to. You were travelling fast and getting there in good time. Now you have to slow down and then stop in April, before reversing your car, negotiating with others who are also reversing in heavy traffic. Not only do you not get to your destination, but you now have to deal with situations you would rather not deal with as your plan of action begins to fade into the background and the immediate concerns over delays and frustrations take over. Here is where fortitude pays off and those who have a goal worth waiting for - worth fighting for - are rewarded later.

Still on board? Now add the fact that no one knows how to drive very well in reverse and road rage ensues between equally frustrated drivers. Mercury's upcoming retrograde transits in Aries only adds to the confusion through misunderstandings and miscommunication which only serve to heat up the exchange. 

Count to 100. Better still, count backwards from 100 to 1.

Full Moon in Libra April 22
The Moon is full at 06.23 GMT on April 22. This occurs in the solar sign Libra and within the lunar sign Swati, represented by Vayu, the wind God and 'deity of life', as it is the breath which gives us life. 
Libra is an air-dominant sign, ruled by Venus, which is both 'airy' and 'watery' in nature. This emphasis on air and water, along with the Sun in the fire-dominant Aries, leads to extreme astrological, and meteorological conditions by the end of the month. 

Thankfully, Venus approaches its place of exaltation for this full Moon, as the Sun transits its place of exaltation. Therefore, there is a lot of strength available leading up to this full Moon phase.
​Swati is ruled by Rahu which is currently transiting in the Sun's sign alongside Jupiter; both of which aspect the Sun. Without further astrological explanation, there is a huge emphasis on the Self and all that entails, with a need to find an appropriate place and balance alongside others. 

The Moon subsequently moves into Scorpio - alongside a retrograde Saturn and Mars - in the days after the full Moon, as Venus enters Aries alongside the Sun and Mercury. The balance is tipped in favour of more selfish pursuits at this time. The more we can see others points of view the less likely these subsequent intense transits will create problems in our relationships. ​And relating is what this full Moon and the sign Libra do best. 

Venus enters Aries April 25
Venus moves out of its sign of exaltation and jumps into passionate Aries by April 25.
​It joins the Sun and a slow Mercury, while being aspected by Jupiter and Rahu from Leo.
While transiting Mars' sign, it is also influenced by Mars itself which is currently retrograde along with Saturn. The Moon transits alongside Mars and Saturn in Scorpio as Venus tentatively steps into the fire, leading to emotional stresses which would be better facilitated with some deep inner excavations. 

When the Moon and Venus are under duress, we feel this intensely, as they represent how good we feel - or not. These slow and frustrating transits create a sense of life slowing down and heating up simultaneously. There is a huge emphasis on fire by the time Venus enters Aries after April 25, and is overcome by the passionate disposition of Mars and its more selfish needs. This does not bode well for relationships or diplomacy, in general, as life becomes more self-centered and self-motivated by the end of the month.  

Venus is placed in combustion by April 30, being too close to the Sun to influence our lives in its usual manner. It is in combustion until July 13, and is not visible again until August when it reappears as the 'bright evening star'. This allows us to highlight and inspect our relationships in the meantime.
​The Sun's power and dominance in Aries creates an intensely passionate situation which leaves little room for tact or decorum by late Spring and into the Summer.

Take care of your relationships during the beginning of the month, and use the passion of fire to create and share your joy, not your bitterness. Nurture your relationships and cool down by spending time by, or in, the ocean, if possible. If this is not possible, then find other ways to keep your cool.

Mercury Retrograde in Aries April 28 – May 22
Mercury transits between 29 and 20 degrees Aries, from the lunar sign Krittika back into Bharani; the Sun and Venus' lunar signs placed in Aries. Our actions lead to reviewing the effects these actions have on others.

All the planets except Venus are retrograde between April 28 and May 9, by which time Jupiter stations direct, with Mercury stationing direct on May 22. Rahu and Jupiter aspect Mercury​ in Aries, along with the Sun, inflating situations in good, and not so good, ways. Rahu in Leo promotes self-aggrandizement and pompous show, leading to separation, whereas Jupiter increases cohesion and connection to others through proper communication.

​Both influences are opposite in many ways; Rahu promoting new thought; Jupiter promoting traditional thinking. It's not really whether one is right or wrong, but whether it is right or wrong in any given situation. However, this combination does leave a lot of room for doubts, which are further enhanced by Mercury's backtracking.

Mercury retrograde is a well-known transit in everyday conversations so I will not dwell here. You can read an article I wrote about Mercury retrograde transits if you are unfamiliar with them by clicking here.
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In relation to this Mercury retrograde transit in Aries, we can see that there are many setbacks and frustrations to deal with. This is due to the sign's ruler, Mars, which is itself retrograde in Scorpio alongside Saturn which is also retrograde and placed in Mercury's lunar sign, Jyestha, at the end of the sign Scorpio.

Many areas of our life will feel like the rewind button has been pressed. In fact, the only visible planet not in retrograde motion is Venus, which is itself placed in combustion, joining the Sun and Mercury in Mars' sign, and Mars is - and let me repeat myself for more dramatic effect - retrograde! 

Aries creates a need to do something, and get it done yesterday. And with the current retrogrades we are asked to redo more, which only adds to the workload. This leads to a lot of activity as life's obligations and frustrations begin to chip away at our ability to be content with simply being. And with all of these transits asking us to slow down and reflect, it would be an awful waste of time not to heed this call. 

​Perhaps an early summer break is in order, or better still a late Spring break as Venus transits Pisces until April 25. If you do plan to travel in late April or in May - as with every Mercury retrograde period - please check and re-check your itinerary, pack carefully and leave plenty of time to reach your destination so you can enjoy the very probable detours along the way. 
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OM TAT SAT