April Astrological Influences

Pluto turned retrograde on April 2nd signaling in a time for new beginnings and dead ends. This retrograde (in Capricorn) signaled in a time of destruction and rebuilding along with rejuvenation and regeneration. This is a time for fresh starts and dead ends. The things that are most important to us and we hang on to the tightest may suddenly be taken away from us. In addition, we may be forced to reevaluate the things we cherish most.

A Pluto retrograde period makes us focus on, eliminate and release the old, outworn, outdated and obsolete in our lives. We will be urged to let go of old attitudes, communication and thinking patterns that no longer serve our purpose. We may feel the need to re-evaluate our needs for security and asked to eliminate rigid emotions that no longer serve us. This is an excellent time to undergo an internal form of house cleaning, and look into ourselves to determine exactly what we do and do not need.

Pluto retrograde imparts an intense power for investigation, so 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. Pluto retrograde marks a time wherein we should seek to gain greater control over our lives.

Retrograde Saturn, the planet of duty, discipline and hard work, reversed into Virgo on April 7th to make sure that we learn the lessons of realism and discipline that Saturn has been trying to teach us for the last two years.

Saturn is the planet of self-discipline and duty and Virgo rules work and health, so now is the time to get serious about everything practical. Evaluate work processes and streamline for efficiency. Saturn is firm about putting down limits so at times it will feel like all work and no play. Learning to be good to yourself is also part of Saturn's lesson, so now is the time to learn not to overdo things. If you're realistic now, then by mid July when Saturn moves on into fair minded Libra, you will be healthier, better organized and ready for Saturn's direct influence.

We have the New Moon in Aries on the 14th. This New Moon in Aries is all about releasing and purging old worn-out and tired emotional trash, and learning to balance power.

Aries Strengths:

• Natural leadership; creative thinking; innovative approaches; courage; high energy; vigilance; taking initiative and/or action; strength; boldness.

Aries Shadow Issues:

• Self centeredness; arrogance; superiority; anger; impatience; over assertiveness; narcissism and self- absorption.

• Issues with controlling, blaming, intolerant of others’ views, unaware of others' needs and of the effects of their behavior on others, and insistent that others see them as they wish to be seen.

Questions to ask at this lunation:

• Where are the shadow issues of Aries showing up in my life?
• Where do I send my energy?
• What is my relationship to Power?
• Am I afraid of my own power?
• Am I afraid of my “inner knowing” and intuition?
• How do I give my power over to another?
• How do I steal power from another because I am afraid to lead?


Back to retrogrades, Mercury turns retrograde in Taurus on April 17 for the second time this year. Postpone significant purchases, don’t start new projects, and count to ten (or twenty) before you speak. This is dreamtime - allow your right brain to drift, dream, and lead your daily flow. Let your left brain relax and repair, renew, rethink, review.

And lastly there will be a Saturn in Virgo opposition Uranus in Pisces to contend with on April 26th . Oppositions are planets sitting exactly across from each other on the zodiac. Saturn and Uranus will pull us in two contradictory directions at once. For Saturn, the old ways are the best, however Uranus will demand that we go for innovations, experimentations, and encourage us to be somewhat rebellious and follow our own intuition instead of listening to others.