AstroCast: April 15 – 28, 2021

Posted on April 16, 2021
Posted by Kimberly Maxwell

The astrological emphasis continues to be on the waxing/building phases of cycles with several new cycles forming that correspond to the rise of seed ideas. This corresponds with big shifts unfolding as we slowly lift out of the severe restrictions brought on by the pandemic and related crises. Other cycles reach a crisis stage indicating we need to decide which ideas to take action on and develop so they can come to fruition. As the complex patterns unfold during this period, it could help to take note of any significant cognitions, epiphanies, developments or other types of shifts, internal or external that reveal the meaning and purpose of the cycles in play as well as what is most important to focus on that serves an immediate need.

On April 16 the Sun forms a first quarter square to Pluto in Capricorn. This is the “crisis of action” moment of their cycle where new ideas or projects that arose at the time of their conjunction (last January) must be acted upon if they are to survive and mature throughout the year. The Sun represents our heart and will, the core purpose of our being that moves us through life. Pluto represents the life/death force that calls us to be true to our destiny as a unique and essential player in a mysterious and unfathomable cosmic game centering around the evolution of consciousness. The Sun/Pluto cycle’s forging quality corresponds to experiences that test the strength, endurance and authenticity of our will and the manner in which we exert our personal power. The more we can withstand its pressure to grow, the stronger our “container” will become as it holds more and more of the powerful cosmic energy that is the essence of our creative life force. The more we act with hubris thinking we can control all, the more the Pluto archetype is likely to correlate to extreme difficulties until we either surrender or die to its call. Allowing the life and death cycle to work its magic on us is the Plutonic imperative. Surrendering to it essentially means the death of the self-centered ego and the birth of soul as that which directs our life, which means having total acceptance of whatever comes and goes in our life in the process.

Mercury travelling closely behind the Sun also makes a “crisis of action” square to Pluto on April 17, that may correspond to penetrating insight or conversations that reveal new information. On April 18, both the Sun and Mercury, still in potent alignment with Pluto, form their Superior Conjunction, which represents the “full moon” phase of their four-month cycle that commenced on February 8 when then retrograde Mercury formed the Inferior Conjunction with the Sun in Aquarius. The archetypal theme of the cycle is on placing our personal power in the service of humanity. What was happening then that is reaching a peak moment now? The Superior Conjunction at 29° Aries is also important to note. The last degree of any sign archetypally impresses an urgency to fulfil its mission. Aries calls us to act independently as a creative pioneer but also learn to be mindful of the downstream impact our actions have on others and treat all we create that is of value to the collective as something sacred to be guarded against any impulsive recklessness, which is often associated with Aries expressing.

Pluto’s force is exceptionally potent at this time because it is barely moving and turns retrograde on April 27, which marks a shift to a more internalized process of working with this archetype. When it pivots in square to Sun/Mercury, we may feel a carpe diem moment that could express as a deliberate act of power, which if motivated by something greater than personal desire, could mark a decisive moment in their colliding cycles. We may experience a compelling motivation to seek something more profound than we’re finding in our day-to-day life, as if we’re ready for a big transformation. This is also a moment to dig deep into our psyche and bring even just a little unconsciousness to consciousness to gain some willful traction on the path of individuation.

Further amplifying the intensity, the Sun/Mercury pair also forms sextiles April 15 and 17 to Mars in Gemini and Jupiter in Aquarius as a trine between the latter two becomes exact on April 16. Mars is what motivates us to move and act on our desires. Jupiter expands what it touches and empowers our motivations with meaning. With the rocket-fueled configuration of Sun, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Pluto all sharing the same degree space, may compel us to act big, move mountains, or experience others who are attempting to do so. This complex configuration could also ignite our desire to adventure deeper into the unknown seeking the wellspring of creativity. We may feel more alive as we develop our will to continue on the path towards greater meaning and purpose.

After this fiery end to the dominance of Aries, we may welcome the palpable shift from cardinal initiating to fixed sustaining energy as both the Sun and Mercury enter Taurus on April 19, joining Venus, which entered its home sign on April 14. Taurus is a steadfast earth sign that governs our values and personal resources, including tangible assets as well as our talents and abilities. Taurus teaches us not to be attached to things but to see them as valuable tools to be used for the evolving needs at hand. Taurus’ fixed nature is known for stubbornness but also for its tremendous endurance and ability to focus on a single task for as long as it takes. The Sun and Mercury joining Venus here emphasizes the need to perceive and value ourselves as a priceless Whole individual within the greater Whole of the Cosmos.

April 22 to 25, as Mercury pulls closer to Venus, they both conjunct Uranus in Taurus (forming new annual cycles), square Saturn in Aquarius (the crisis of action first quarter phase), and then conjunct each other (another new cycle). The Saturn/Uranus square is in effect all year with peaks of intensity in February, June and December, but as Venus and Mercury traverse their still potent square, the slower moving planets are re-amplified in ways that may correspond to some kind of systemic breakdown or breakthrough that could filter through our communications and relationships. Mercury’s influence here focuses on making connections between ideas and people and sharing information. Venus determines the quality of those experiences with respect to how they resonate with our own values as well as the natural rhythms of life.

More will be written about the Uranus/Saturn cycle as it unfolds throughout the year but basically it represents a seeming clash of opposing forces that must be integrated to meet their highest potential. Uranus represents the drive for freedom, revolution, independence and innovation, as well as the process of individuation and awakening from common consensus to being one’s own authority. Saturn can express as repression, oppression, restriction and limitation but also integrity, structure, stability, responsibility, learning and mastery. This challenging crisis of action square calls us to master these dynamic forces in ways that manage inevitable chaos in our systems for living while providing a solid foundation from which we can express and innovate freely as creative individuals serving humanity.

The Full moon at 7° Scorpio on April 26 is in tight opposition to Uranus and square to Saturn, an agitating T-square at the peak moment of the lunar cycle that can stress our emotional bodies but also spur us to do something that will relieve the tension. How we respond to it is what is most important. Can we bring our intelligence, love and grounded vision to bear on whatever arises? With the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Uranus in peace-loving Taurus and Saturn in humanitarian-focused Aquarius all in with the Scorpio Full Moon, hopefully there will be much more authentic discussion than arguments, much more taking responsibility for the way we think and interact, and much more value placed on recognizing how our selfishness impacts others. Hopefully, we will find a creative, cooperative rhythm as we move through these dynamic times.


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Kimberly Maxwell

A student of the Sher Institute since 2008, Kimberly has been writing AstroCast since 2012. A long-time Los Angeles resident, Kimberly gives astrological consultations, has various artistic pursuits including the development of a burgeoning creative hub in her community, and works in international television distribution at a major studio.

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