Forecast for April

Mars and Venus Combust

Picture two lovers coming together under the heat of the mid-day Sun.  After their physical exertions they collapse into an exhausted heap.  Their passions have overtaken both of them, and though the warrior in this picture may get a sense of being relaxed in this state (the feelings of exhaustion can easily be confused with relaxation), the maiden is feeling a bit hard done by.  She has not had her needs met.  He has had his way with her.  She feels disrespected.  He doesn't care.  She wants a hug.  He just wants to lie there.  Get the picture?!

Both the gender planets Mars and Venus continue their transit in a deep state of combustion into the beginning of April.  As Venus pulls away from the Sun and into the sign Aries by the 10th, Mars gets burnt out completely by the Sun, leaving us all feel a bit spent.  Mars will then follow Venus into Aries on the 12th, followed by the Sun on the 14th.

Those with rising signs Aries, Taurus, Libra and Scorpio, will be feeling particularly burnt out as a result of these transits.  All of the significations of the planets Mars and Venus, and the areas you experience these signs in your own horoscope, will be feeling the effects of this.  This means the physical manifestations of these can suffer, but the more spiritual can be intensified.  What this means in real terms is that the need for a deeper love connection is felt and a our spiritual warrior is in full effect. 

These planets will move from the dreamy waters of Pisces by the middle of April, bringing their combust energies into Aries, a fire-dominant sign - and the results are more explosive.  In the watery Pisces our emotional stirrings have also been reflected in stormy weather patterns, as the harshness of the Sun and Mars overwhelmed the softness of Venus.  Life without Venus is too harsh for us all.  Some can live without the comfort we are afforded by the planet Venus, but most of us feel the lack of physical pleasure. 

This theme continues into April, but now we are dealing with a huge emphasis on the fire element.  Venus is overcome as it leaves its place of exaltation in Pisces on April 10th.  Though the combustion of Venus has brought about a collapse of an economy (Cyprus), it has also brought us more awareness and need for appreciation in relationships and the equality debate.  This is an example of the outer significations of Venus (economy) being burnt up and the inner significations (marriage equality) being heightened. 

At least that was the case of Venus in exaltation in Pisces.  Venus is not so well placed in Aries and its significations, both inner and outer, will suffer in April.

JUST DO IT... CAUTIOUSLY!

Mars is very much at home in Aries which it enters on April 12th.  It expresses its fiery nature in its own sign very easily.  This means impulsive, rash behavior without any forethought or concern for others in general.  However, due to the transit of Saturn in the opposite sign Libra, Mars is kept in check somewhat.  The possibility is one of a more accurate use of energy, though some may feel this as frustrating.  The influence of both Saturn and Rahu is exaggerating the environment in Libra and our relationships, which can lead to excessive control.  This will be felt strongly by those with Aries or Scorpio as their rising sign, having their ruling planet, Mars, under such scrutiny.   

With Venus in combustion and overcome by the passionate Mars in Aries, there may be a general lack of compromise or willingness to feel into a situation before jumping straight in.  This will, however, be an overall relief for those who do not like the sometimes lazy days of Pisces and can now jump into something with the influence of the sign Aries once more.  Caution is advised of course in all our endeavors, and the influence of limitation by Saturn will make sure we are more cautious in our actions.  The energy release by the middle of April may fuel many an argument as a result, but a better use of this would be to get out and about with a disciplined exercise regime this springtime. 

The balance of Mars and Venus represents the balance between our own personal will and desires, versus our ability to see another’s point of view.  So with Venus completely burnt to a cinder, the chance of any harmony in the latter part of April is very small indeed.  With Mars itself in combustion (though in a strong position) we cannot expect too much from the planet of passion and energy for the next few weeks on one level, however, the more you can tune into your inner passions, the more you can access the strength of this transit.  Mars is more comfortable in the intensity of the Sun and will burn an individual path for us all, leaving some of those usually close to us to follow their own calling. 

Mercury in Pisces

Mercury moves into Pisces as Venus prepares to depart the sign on April 9th.  Though Venus has been well placed in one sense despite its combustion, the same cannot be said of Mercury in Pisces.

Mercury represents our rational minds.  It's name is Budha, representing the intellect and our ability to discriminate.  This part of our being does not do so well in the more emotional world of Pisces.  That is not to say the energy cannot be worked with, as everything has its time.  However, the natural 12th house of the zodiac Pisces is not as clearly defined as Mercury would like to have it.

Our intellects cannot make sense of everything, least of all our emotions.  The formless Pisces and 12th house are far too abstract for the analytical mind and we may find ourselves at a loss for words, as we try and communicate from such an intuitive place.  The resulting confusion may leave some feeling frustrated at not being able to communicate as effectively, especially with all of the changes afoot in April.  Those with Gemini or Virgo as their rising sign may need to conserve energy with their ruling planet placed in debilitation  for the month. 

Mercury leaves Pisces on April 28th so it is never a very long transit for Mercury to feel this out of its depth.  This is always the case with our rational minds, as we do not entertain our more dreamy nature for too long.  Mind is a constantly changing phenomenon and one which we can use to learn our lessons, though sometimes it lets us down as we access a more intuitive realm in the depths of Pisces. 

New Moon in Pisces (Lunar New Year)

The new Moon occurs at 10.36 GMT on April 1oth at 26 degrees of the sign Pisces and in the lunar sign of Revati.  This marks the lunar New Year and a chart is drawn up at this time for a country to forecast events for the nations coming year.  This lunar sign is ruled by Mercury, which has itself just entered the sign Pisces, bringing us a new way of thinking - or perhaps intuiting.  

This new Moon is also very close to both Mars and Venus in the later degrees of the water-dominant sign Pisces.  As this lunar sign bridges the gap between the water sign Pisces and the fire-dominant Aries, we can expect some interesting transition days for all the planets involved and for all of us as a result in the middle of the month.  We are moving from the more emotional pondering of Pisces into the more action-oriented arena of Aries. 

Keep the day as meditative as possible and prepare to say a final goodbye to certain things in your life, as a new way of life begins to take shape. 

Sun Exalted (Solar New Year)

The Sun enters Aries, its sign of exaltation, on April 14th every year.  This brings us into a deeper sense of Self and of a clear direction once again for the Solar New Year.  In spring we may do a spring clean and lighten the load, as we clear out anything which is standing in the way of progress on our path. 

This years exaltation of the Sun is a little more complicated, as it is now placed with Ketu, the south node of the Moon (eclipse point), opposite to an exalted Saturn and Rahu (the north node) in the sign Libra, which is asking us to be more aware of others needs as we pave out a path for ourselves.  With both the Sun (central power) and Saturn (democracy) with Rahu (inventiveness) in opposition, we may see some dramatic results of this in April and May. 

We are now in eclipse territory as the Sun joins the south node Ketu.  It is a more toxic heat this year, with the presence of Mars, having entered the sign Aries on the previous day.  Mars creates a more selfish need, as opposed to a Self-centered one represented by the Sun.    Both can work together well in Aries, but be prepared to burn those around you who do not see your point of view, let alone your soul's path. 

The Sun is detoxifying on every level.  We may feel this on a physical level if we are lucky enough this year in Ireland to actually see the Sun!  On another level we can see the Sun as our Higher Self, beaming its light for us to see our direction more clearly.  We may get caught up in the glare of the immense power of our spirit at times, but as we refocus we can make our way forward on our soul's journey. 

As we venture forth this year we are being asked to respect others needs along with our own.  Saturn and Rahu in Libra are exaggerating our need to control others and this area of our life, yet we are also being asked to remain subservient.  The inventiveness of Rahu is asking us to restructure our lives in Libra.  This is a tricky task for most of us and one which will be worked with for the next couple of years.  April and May sees this task become even more tricky as we seek freedom within our unity. 

Full Moon in Libra Penumbral (Partial) Lunar Eclipse
 
The Moon is fullest at 20.58 GMT on April 25th which is also a partial lunar eclipse.  The full Moon in Libra marks the balancing point of the Aries/Libra axis, bringing us into more of an awareness of another in order to balance our own selfish desires in Aries.  The full Moon and eclipse occur in the lunar sign of Swati which brings with it a lot of air and the resulting turbulence.  The air element needs to be kept balanced if we are to navigate this lunar eclipse with poise.  Air brings the possibility of detachment, but also one of a fear response, depending on the strength of this element in your being, reflected in the unique configuration of your horoscope. 

This lunar eclipse also involves Mars and Venus, as well as the planet Saturn.  The balance which is needed is between our own selfish desires and being able to be there for others in their time of need. 

The day of the lunar eclipse is itself best spent in a quiet space and one that is more meditative if  possible.  The fullness of the Moon can sometimes make us want to connect with others and this is further emphasized by the full Moon in the more social Libra.  Use this connection to others to deepen your connection to yourself, as opposed to getting lost in the emotional waves of this lunar eclipse.  This kind of loving detachment is emphasised by the presence of the planet Saturn, ensuring we are more objective about our emotional meanderings. 

It is important to note that eclipses represent times of change and the lunar eclipse can bring the changes more immediately.  The Moon is our nearest and dearest connection to our source, the Sun, and one which can feel too close at times of emotional turmoil.  This is just the surface layer of a still sense of Self which the Moon can also grant us access to.  Just as we cannot look directly at the Sun, but can see its reflection in the Moon, we can look to our hearts to guide us to our soul's path during the times of a lunar eclipse. 

I always remind myself of the significant lunar eclipse which occurred on the winter solstice of 2010.  I had prepared a meditation space during the eclipse itself.  Whilst in a more quiet space I felt as if something shifted, like someone turning a switch in my head!  Something had changed.  This may sound strange but for those who are in a period of an eclipse energy in their life during an eclipse i.e. a Rahu or Ketu period, this can grant more conscious access to the powerful changes which are happening on a subconscious level.  The eclipses can tune us into those changes if we are in an appropriate space to hear.  At the time of that eclipse I was experiencing an exact return of the eclipse points to their position in my birth chart, so it was a more personal experience for me.

If you are not afforded the luxury of such a quiet space on the day of the eclipse, then look to the sign Libra in order to investigate the area of your life which is feeling the changes at this time.  You can do this when counting from your rising sign or Moon sign, which will either give you the physical evidence of the changes or how the mind is reshaping itself around these changes. 

Look to see if you have any planets or important points (Ascendant degree, Sun or Moon) in your Vedic birth chart around 11 degrees of Libra.  If you have anything at 5 degrees either side of this eclipse point in Libra, or in the opposite sign Aries, then this is one to watch more carefully in your own life.  Regardless of whether you have any planets in those degrees, the areas of your life you experience the signs Aries and Libra are going through some changes during the eclipses in 2013/14. 

Timing UTC  (add 1 hour for GMT)

Penumbral Eclipse begins: 25 April at 18:05
Max. Eclipse: 25 April at 20:08
Penumbral Eclipse ends: 25 April at 22:10

OM TAT SAT