This Month in Astrology – April 2017

The New Moon that energized Aries on March 27th colors much of April. We are challenged to show a pure part of ourselves to the world. By acting upon our own inner impulses (constructive ones!) without fear, and by abandoning the need to refine these impulses based on what others might want us to do or what others think we “should” do, we learn more about ourselves. If we learn to depend on ourselves, we exude an all-new aura of strength that comes from personal integrity and confidence, and a pure and innocent charm.

Venus is retrograde until April 15th, and on the 2nd, retreats into the sign of Pisces. This retrograde gives us the chance to look over and review our affections, relationships, and finances. We may question a current project or commitment during this cycle.

On the 6th, Saturn turns retrograde and will continue to travel in this apparent backward motion until August 25th. While Saturn is retrograde, we tend to review our responsibilities and commitments as opposed to dealing with them in the moment. There can be more than usual experiences of guilt and self-doubt as we internalize fears but also the chance to reassess our commitments.

On the 9th, Mercury turns retrograde in the sign of Taurus. This retrograde cycle will last until May 3rd. This is a strong period for getting in touch with our security and comfort needs, and for reviewing business and financial matters. We may be questioning our values or resources. We may be looking at projects, items, and even people in new ways, in terms of value and worth, and may see value in an old project that we might now revive. Mercury started its shadow phase on March 27th so that issues encountered, conversations, and projects started until the 9th can very well come up for review later.

A Full Moon occurs in the sign of Libra on the 11th, bringing sudden awareness to our lives, particularly of relationship imbalances and flaws.

Pluto is stationary on the 20th and turns retrograde. Pluto’s intense and complex energy hangs heavy in the air, and we may be reassessing how we use our power. We are not as open about our desire for control or power, and some of us may be less in touch with it during this cycle that lasts until September 28th.  

The New Moon occurs in the sign of Taurus on the 26th. We are energized to take charge, particularly when it comes to making ourselves feel more secure. It’s a time for re-evaluating our relationship with money and possessions and discovering what it is that we truly value and that genuinely makes us happy and fulfilled. We should be concentrating on what it is we can do to increase our own feelings of self-worth. This is a time for reconnecting to nature, to our bodies, and to the world of the five senses.

With Saturn and Chiron forming a square on the 30th, we may be dealing with fears of not being competent or effective enough to meet our responsibilities, or we could find it hard to strike out on a unique path, again due to fears or insecurities. The desire to break from the status quo is strong, but we may not have the necessary confidence to do so. The Saturn-Uranus trine helps in this regard, offering us a sense that innovation doesn’t have to involve drastic change. This aspect was first exact in December and will form again in November.

Date	Time (ET)	Event	Position
Apr 2	7:25 PM	Venus Rx enters Pisces	Rx
Apr 2	9:11 PM	Jupiter biquintile Neptune	18° 52’Rx BQ 12° 02′
Apr 6	1:06 AM	Saturn Retrograde	27° 48’Rx
Apr 9	7:14 PM	Mercury Retrograde	4° 51′ Rx
Apr 11	2:08 AM	Full Moon 21 Libra 33	21° 33′
Apr 15	6:18 AM	Venus Direct	26° 15’D
Apr 19	4:27 PM	Sun enters Taurus
Apr 20	8:48 AM	Pluto Retrograde	19° 24’Rx
Apr 20	12:37 PM	Mercury Retrograde enters Aries	Rx
Apr 21	5:32 AM	Mars enters Gemini
Apr 26	8:16 AM	New Moon 6 Taurus 27	6° 27′
Apr 28	8:13 AM	Venus enters Aries
Apr 30	4:24 PM	Saturn square Chiron	27° 18’Rx 27° 18′

(See the full table for 2017)

Mercury

Mercury transits Taurus until the 20th and we are less interested in envisioning and pioneering than we are on useful, practical ideas and conversations. We are more interested in what’s real than what’s ideal. Mercury turns retrograde on the 9th and will be retrograde until May 3rd. This is a strong period for getting in touch with our security and comfort needs, and for reviewing business and financial matters. We may be questioning our values or resources. We may be looking at projects, items, and even people in new ways, in terms of value and worth, and may see value in a old project that we might now revive. Mercury retreats into Aries on the 20th.

Venus

Venus leaves the sign of Aries on the 2nd and then reenters it on the 28th, retreating into Pisces in retrograde motion, and turning direct on the 15th. Retrograde Venus affects us mainly in the areas of love and finances, but also spans to some areas of business and pleasurable pursuits. These matters are not straightforward during this period, and it’s a time for reviewing our attitudes and attachments rather than forging ahead boldly into new love relationships or financial projects. Old friends and lovers may re-appear, perhaps complicating current relationships, or we may be reminiscing about past conditions more often. We may be called to deal with relationship issues from the past. It can be a real challenge getting closer to a lover during this period of time. Unorthodox, experimental, and non-intimate relationships may be favored. From the 15th forward, Venus is direct and retraces its steps. We may be symbolically doing the same – slowly but surely, more clarity comes to our love and social relationships as well as our financial state. The Venus-Saturn square on the 9th can be particularly challenging as both planets are retrograde and rather close to their stations. We revisit this aspect with Venus in direct motion on the 21st and we may get a second chance to straighten things out.

Mars

Mars continues its transit of Taurus until the 21st. With Mars in Taurus, we might go to great lengths to protect what’s ours and to build our feelings of security and comfort. Mars transits Gemini from the 21st forward, stimulating diverse interests and a tendency to assert ourselves verbally (and with wit). We are considerably more versatile and flexible–and considerably less determined and focused! Our interests become more diversified, possibly to the point of going off on so many tangents that we are scattered and ineffective. At times, we can be quite fickle. However, we are also excited about our ideas.