After a month traversing its home sign of earthy Taurus, Venus picks up the pace of relating when it enters Gemini on April 24. Shifting from an emphasis on sensing the rhythms of the natural world, Venus in the information hungry air sign actively seeks intellectual connections, expressing love through talking and sharing what it has learned. Keeping it light and witty as we eagerly feast on the smorgasbord of life can devolve into a superficial way of being. At a deeper level though Venus in Gemini is about making connections that satisfy a profound curiosity about and with others. In order to access the valuable trove of diverse experiences that enrich our relationships however, we must pause from actively connecting and simply be in a state that is open to receiving. Dane Rudhyar says the gift of Gemini is “the art of letting things happen.” Developing the ability to intuitively receive the whispers of the cosmos is what ultimately connects Venus in Gemini to the vast consciousness of the Divine, an enriching feast indeed.
On April 25, Mercury in Aries makes its third square to Saturn in Capricorn in two months. In fact, Mercury has been in orb of this square with Saturn since it entered Aries on March 5 and won’t leave Saturn’s influence until the first week of May. That is a long two months to be in a tense relationship with the taskmaster of the archetypal world, which is even more influential in the sign it rules and barely moving having turned retrograde just last week. Mercury rules our perception, our thoughts and communications, how we relate that which we experience to others. Saturn represents our limitations and the processes by which we structure and order our lives. As this last pass of the Mercury/Saturn square unfolds we have an opportunity to look at the most pressing matters that have occupied our mind over the last couple of months. If our way of thinking has become rigid and inflexible, or we resist the natural limitations of the life we’re living, the Mercury/Saturn planetary paircan trigger fear, self-doubt and mental blocks. More importantly, however, is that by recognizing this for what it is, onecan be liberated and lead back to the adventurous and creative thinking that is the natural character of Mercury in Aries.
An imposing conjunction between Mars and Pluto in Capricorn that has been building for several weeks becomes exact on April 26. This planetary pair represents concentrated power connected with the deep and mysterious forces of nature that can correlate to a sustained display of strength. For those not used to managing this much power, it can be challenging to use it in appropriate ways, especially when it is triggered by a crisis. Think of a fire hose going full blast without anyone strong enough to hold on to it, much less point it in the direction of the fire. Mars is about self-determination and how we go about getting what we want. In combination with Pluto’s intensifying power, one can become fiercely creative, very sexy and hard to stop once in motion. Pluto also turned retrograde last week and is barely moving so highly potent at this time. In Saturn-ruled Capricorn, Mars/Pluto can make any act of taking responsibility seem alluring, but it is taking responsibility for the use of one’s own power that seizes the moment with sheer magnetism.
Continuing the emphasis on acting responsibly, the Sun in Taurus enters into a harmonious trine with retrograde Saturn in Capricorn on April 29. Any contact with Saturn indicates there is work to be done and that success is based on diligent, methodical effort. The Sun representing our will and creative life force can find joy in this type of effort while in easy alliance with Saturn. In practical earth signs, any endeavor requiring focused effort can smoothly stay on point at this time and may even be experienced with a sense of play.
Later in the day on April 29, the Moon in Scorpio pulls into the Sun/Saturn degree space as it culminates in the Full Moon. With a need for passionate encounters, the Moon’s opposition to the tranquil Sun in Taurus can correlate to overwhelming emotional movements that test the pulse of anyone in proximity. Full Moons are often intense being the climatic moment of the lunar cycle, but are even more so when the Moon is in the deeply feeling water sign of Scorpio. Furthermore, the strong releasing energy of the Mercury/Saturn square and the Mars/Pluto conjunction will require conscious effort to direct the strong planetary vibrations in a positive way. The Sun and Moon’s affinity with Saturn helps to stabilize the energies and impart a willingness to act responsibly.
The Aries New Moon of April 15 heralded an auspicious new cycle that supports breaking free from old patterns and taking risks, and significant changes may have already appeared. Adhering to the deep yearnings of our heart (Sun) and soul (Moon) to be free of conditioned behavior allows us to respond to the needs of the moment in a more spontaneous and uniquely creative way. As discussed in the last AstroCast, the gift of sensual Taurus is Non-attachment, including to our internal programming and precious belief about what is truly valuable in life. The complementary gift of Scorpio is Non-Identification – to be totally immersed in life as it unfolds while at the same time not being so consumed by it that we lose perspective. Can we withstand the intensity no matter how great and still stay present in the game, recognizing our place in it as well as the role of other players? To be aware of the life we’re living in the context of the entire cosmos and all existence leads to a passionate experience of Love and this is what the Full Moon in Scorpio is ultimately all about.
Here’s the data (Pacific Time, rounded to the nearest whole degree unless otherwise noted):
April 24 – Venus at 0°Gemini at 9:40 a.m.
April 25 – Mercury square Saturn at 9°Aries/Capricorn at 2:27 p.m.
April 26 – Mars conjunct Pluto at 21°Capricorn at 4:00 a.m.
April 29 – Sun trine Saturn at 9°Taurus/Capricorn at 3:03 a.m.
April 29 – Moon conjunct Sun (Full Moon) at 10°Scorpio/Taurus at 5:58 p.m.
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