In the Stars for April -Mercury Retrograde

In the Stars for April
The Sun is now transiting through the charging fiery energy of Aries moves as we begin a new cycle through the zodiac this spring season. Aries the first sign of the zodiac is the emergence of the sprouting seed. It is the point of all beginnings. Aries is the outrushing force almost like a primal self-expression. For the Aries Sun sign this energy can give an Aries the forward momentum needed in this life expression. Aries Sun signs like to be first, inventive, rushing pioneering spirit, courageous, blunt and direct in manner. Aries people do not like restrictions and will assert their will power perhaps were they need to see their inspirations come alive.  Aries Sun signs like to be active and in control through an inspired style of leadership and they can offer us self-motivation and assertiveness. They can be quite energetic, outspoken and working on many projects at once thus they must learn to finish what they start and focus or delegate duties. Happy Birthday Aries! The more you allow the changes to occur the better you will orient yourself as Uranus and Pluto continue to help you change and get out of any rut.

The Planetary Cycles for April- 5 Retrograde Planets
Mercury will go retrograde between April 10^th and May 4^th this spring in Taurus then Mercury will move back into charging Aries before it goes direct. Whenever, Mercury goes retrograde any major decisions are best researched while you wait until you have all the facts as things can change, miscommunications are common, so pace yourself and go with the flow.

Venus planet of love, values and partnerships is also moving in apparent retrograde motion in the fires sign Aries will shift this month back into mystical sensitive Pisces. This is a good time to reflect and consider your ability to have compassion, forgiveness and peace within you around relationships before any major decisions are made.  Venus goes direct motion April 15^th then shifts back into fiery Aries on April 29^th.

Mars planet that represents our energy, strategies, action is the practical earth sign Taurus this may slow down the energy we assign to Martian initiatives. This sign influences us with more security minded issues like money or earth materials things may be slow to start this month yet the energy picks up April 21 when Mars enters into the witty air sign Gemini and this placement emphasizes networking efforts around socializing pick up the beat later this month.

upiter the greater benevolent planet of expansion is moving retrograde in the justice and balance seeking air sign Libra until June 9^th.  During this time we may muse over the benefits of our partnerships, business associates and marriage.  Jupiter retrograde helps us reflect on the benefit of cooperation with others.

Saturn the greater malefic planet that represents learning through limitation and restrictions continues to move through the last degrees of Sagittarius where we have been assessing the higher philosophical musings of our religious thought and traditional concepts, do they help or hinder our expansion and or bring us greater suffering. Saturn goes retrograde this month on April 6^th until Aug. 26^th it will turn direct at 21 degrees Sagittarius.  Plan to focus this spring and summer on your deeper principles before the next change comes in September at the time of the Autumnal Equinox.

Uranus and Pluto continue to move in square aspect causing change, upheaval, transformation and affecting most Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn natives. Pluto brings major changes to those things in our lives that require us to go through a phase of losing, dying, giving up in order to transform into a more open and free expression of our soul. So open up let go of all that needs to be recycled and go with the flow.

Neptune continues its trek through its own sign Pisces bring in a more ephemeral quality to our imagination. Things may sometimes look odd and distorted especially for Pisces; Cancer and Scorpio natives may benefit the most from an increase of spiritual insights but maybe from the process of suffering and transcendence.

The Lunar Nodes continue to move through the last degrees of the Virgo/Pisces polarity. You can consider all the ways in which service and faith work together in your life. If you know your natal chart, look at the house placement for more clues about this in your personal experience.

The Lunar Cycle for April
The First Quarter Moon occurs in the water sign Cancer April 3^rd.  This is a time when you may sense more about your emotional security and home life. The first quarter moon reveals more of the type of growth coming up for this month.
The Full Moon arrives April 10^th in the balance and harmony seeking air sign Libra. We may swing back and forth as this week will give us the option to look at how things are growing with our plans and projects. Seek balance through simplicity in your life.
The Last Quarter Moon occurs April 19^th in the ambitious and practical earth sign Capricorn. This is the week you may want to decide what to keep and what to let go of. Plans and projects may be hard to analyze while Mercury is still retrograde so finish plans started before the retrograde early this month.
The Month concludes with the New Moon energy on April 26^th in the fixed earth sign Taurus. This will help us focus on more practical matters coming up in May.  The New Moon always helps us to start, initiates a new course or new plans.
As always astrology helps us understand ourselves and the forces at play in our lives. Get to know the energy of the cycles and plan accordingly.
Peace and Blessings
Yahaira