Some months are astrologically significant because of the sheer number of substantial changes that are introduced into our lives. March was such a month with Pluto, Saturn, Mars, Venus, and Mercury all shifting into new zodiacal signs. However, other months, like April, are important because they confirm the changes that have already occurred. Although there are no slow-moving planets entering new signs this month, it becomes increasingly obvious that we cannot return to the way things were in the past. There is a new planetary plot developing and there is no easy escape or graceful exit.
Aries is the sign associated with courageously pushing into new territory, even when we are fearful or uncertain. The Aries New Moon on March 21 unequivocally announced the arrival of the future and April opens with four planets urgently shouting this same message. But it’s a rare second Aries New Moon on April 19, which is also a Solar Eclipse, that gives us one last chance to get on board with the program or miss the boat. This unique yet unstable New Moon is tightly square power-hungry Pluto, unleashing the panicky energy of a last-ditch attempt to ignore reality by some or burn it down by others. However, this fever pitch won’t last long since the Moon and the Sun are at the very last degree of Aries, and swiftly move into stabilizing Taurus to settle the energy. It’s as if the heavenly messengers are telling us that the window of opportunity for change is quickly closing.
Logical Mercury steps into back-to-basics Taurus on April 3, reducing complex issues to simplistic fundamentals. Although this shift can elicit stubbornness, it can also prompt us to change our minds when the facts become unavoidable. Mercury remains in Taurus for the entire month because it turns retrograde on April 21, requiring us to review specific experiences that we might still be avoiding. The Libra Full Moon on April 5 is conjunct mentor Chiron, offering us an opportunity to forgive someone, to revisit the source of a current blockage, or to learn something we previously missed. Venus enters quick-witted Gemini on April 10, but its trine to intense Pluto and square to karmic Saturn on April 11 and 14 respectively, override Gemini’s usual lightheartedness, replacing it with a more meaningful and sobering energy. Thankfully, the Sun’s conjunction with expansive Jupiter, also on April 11, encourages us to make the best of the growth opportunity, even if difficult issues need to be addressed.
Warrior Mars, still recovering from its recent retrograde phase, picks up speed throughout the month. But we gain ground slowly because Mars is not eager to express anger or push boundaries while moving through cautious Cancer. Nevertheless, we can be very effective at defending our home and protecting our family even while acting from a place of insecurity. Once again, Chiron comes to the forefront when Mars squares The Wounded Healer on April 27, revealing our weaknesses and motivating us to deal with unresolved health issues, both emotional and physical. The bottom line this month is the consistent reminder that we can no longer afford to outrun our fears. We must accept the fact that the rules of the game of life are now different, and our survival depends on accepting the new truths, even if this means modifying the trajectory of our lives.
