Happy New Year! Now that the Vernal Equinox has brought us into the new astrological year, we enter the first month of the year with the planetary lineup as follows: Sun at 11 degrees of pioneering Aries at the beginning of the month and it travels into the stable sign of Taurus on April 19th, ending the month at 10 degrees of Taurus. Since the moon begins the month in the sign of Taurus (wanting order and structure), it is a new moon phase. Perfect time for starting projects, particularly the sort that need to be built upon one step at a time. The moon's first quarter is on April 5th in the sign of Cancer, suggesting a tug of war internally between commitment to self and to family. Don't feel like cooking for the gang tonight? Take them out to eat and make it a win-win! Still waxing (remember, this is the time to have things grow... haircuts tend to grow back faster at this time, for example.) The moon heads towards it fullest time on April 13th, being full exactly at 6:40 am in Libra at 23 degrees. 23 degrees of Libra conjunct the fixed star of Spica, said to be the sweetest start in the heavens, so this full moon is bound to see romance in the air... ..perhaps time to "pop" the question and make your sweetie's dreams come true in the most romantic way possible. (Hint-hint!)
Mercury, the planet of short distance travel, communication begins the month in the intuitive sign of Pisces. Dreamy minded, our thoughts are better in tune with learning from group settings with lectures, audio-visual techniques than from books. Mercury moves into impulsive Aries on April 16th when that alarming "hoof in mouth" disease strikes. We say things we weren't even aware we were thinking, often much to our embarrassment, so try to restrain yourself in matters of speech. The month ends with mercury at 21 degrees of Aries, trining Pluto. Hopefully we will have gotten the lesson of verbal control and can use our words persuasively for the highest good of all concerned.
Venus begins April at 25 Aquarius and moves into compassionate Pisces on April 5th. Venus is Pisces is sometimes referred to as the "messiah value" so named for its compassion and willingness to be there for the speaker. The bartender or hairstylist who listens and gives sage advice is a perfect illustration of the type of influence Venus in Pisces gives. Mars begins April in multi-tasking Gemini and on April 13th moves into moody protective Cancer, where it will remain for the rest of the month, ending at 9 degrees 35 minutes of Cancer. On April 3rd the moon conjuncts Mars at 9:18 am in Gemini - this often makes for arguments and verbal flare-ups. Be a bit extra careful with driving at well because accidents are quite likely. Monday morning traffic could get crazy! The Moon represents emotions and Mars represents ego energy, often emerging as anger.
The outer planets will not have moved too much. Jupiter remains in a retrograde (or backward) motion until July 6th in the powerful water sign of Scorpio. This is a period of time when we must rethink recent areas of growth, claiming our power. Are we deserving and able to handle this newly achieved sense of power? Dare we take it even further or should we recant and take thinks a bit slower? Jupiter bestows confidence, but too much can also make the water a bit hot! Jupiter moves only degrees from 17 down to 14 Scorpio for the entire month. Saturn, which has been in a retrograde motion also, will go direct on April 5th at 2:56 AM at 4 Leo 23, moving up to 4 Leo 59 by the close of the month. This planet is our teacher, often seemingly harsh in its lessons. In the sign of Leo, the areas of concern are children, creativity, theatre, sports, gambling, areas of speculation and it becomes time to take them to task. An illustration might be one who has issues in gambling under Saturn's influence, it would be time to pay the piper and get it under control as a consequence. Hawaii is a Leo state (born on August 21, 1959), so we can expect to have to go thru some hardships under Saturn in Leo. Considering Jupiter in the intense water sign of Scorpio (excess water) creating problems with dams (Saturn) on Kauai is an obvious manifestation of this energy. If the energy aligns in a stressful manner, we may also be facing an intense hurricane season as well.
Uranus in Pisces (12 degrees) only moves up to 13 degrees in the month, and then it will trine (a very favorable aspect) Jupiter, suggestive of good opportunities, luck, timing and energy. Those born on July 5th and 6th especially, should be able to enjoy this energy, along with March 4, 5 as well as November 6th and 7th. Neptune stays at 19 Aquarius. Those born on/near August 12th would be well advised to be cautious about taking any drugs, prescription or otherwise, conserving weakening energy levels, be wary of illnesses, avoiding any radical dietary schemes and take particular care in all relationships to be clear and avoid misunderstandings. If you are misunderstood with Neptune opposing your Sun, the consequences could be quite debilitating. A reading with a professional astrologer can give you the particular insights you can use to help yourself thru this energy which you be influenced by from now thru July 2006. Pluto remains at 26 degrees of Sagittarius. Those born on/near December 18 will feel the energy of this conjunction quite strongly, for this is a time for great change in your life. You will work harder than perhaps ever before to reach your goals/objectives. When one is feeling very powerful, one must exercise extreme care to use that power within and not try to dominate others, even if you believe it is for their own good. The consequences would be disastrous. Claim your own power, but do not lord it over others!
The Lyrid Meteor Shower will be quite visible under clear skies in Hawaii this year. They will show about 15 meteors per hour on April 21 and 22. Check the newspaper and with the Bishop Museum as to the direction of the sky to watch locally. Although this month has very little major astronomical experience, the planets are always moving and affecting us in different ways. It is a fascinating study and we would all gain from knowing its impact on us. Until next time, best astrological wishes! A hui hou!
