This Week in Astrology: April 2 to 8, 2023

This Week in Astrology: April 2nd to 8th, 2023

 

April 2-8, 2023

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On this Page:

This week’s Moon
phase
Planets in signs and by aspect
Retrogrades
This week’s astrology calendar
Timing with the Moon
Romance & Relationship Report
Daily Trends

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The FULL MOON occurs on Thursday, April 6th, 2023, at 12:34 AM EDT. 

Early Thursday, the Full Moon occurs as the Sun in Aries forms an opposition to the Libra Moon. It’s a time of culmination and the promise of fulfillment of something begun at the New Moon. Heightened emotions, romance, fertilization, relationship drama, and epiphanies are themes.

The Aries-Libra polarity is a relationship axis, where Aries represents “self,” and Libra represents “other.” Where Aries is about self-assertion, Libra is about compromise.

With the Libra Moon, we’re especially aware of our need for relationships and all that comes with maintaining them — compromising, negotiating, graciousness, and balancing. The Aries Sun, on the other hand, is self-assertive, leading, and personally courageous.

This Full Moon urges us to strike a balance between meeting our personal needs and attending to the needs of a significant other, and between independence or autonomy and dependence or companionability.

The Libra Moon is diplomatic, equality-focused, and fair-minded. On the other hand, the Aries Sun values authenticity over tact and is energized by independent efforts. The Full Moon illuminates this conflict.

Relationship epiphanies occur now. We’re likely to experience revelations about our independence, need for others, and partnerships. Jupiter and Chiron align with the Sun around the time of this lunation. We’re on a healing path, and we may have been rather self-focused. Now, we’re considering gaining a better balance, looking for or receiving feedback, and acknowledging what this means for our relationships. All planets are direct at this time, helping us to feel freer and less burdened.

Mars, the ruler of Aries, harmonizes with the North Node of the Moon at the time of this Full Moon, pointing to a progressive, growth-oriented outlook.

This phase of the Moon occurs at 16 degrees and 7 minutes of Libra opposite the Sun at 16 degrees and 7 minutes Aries, affecting people with personal planets and points at 12 to 20 degrees of the Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) most significantly.

This second chart wheel includes additional points, such as Eris, the four major asteroids, and Chiron.

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(Times are Eastern)

This week: The Sun is in Aries; Mercury is in Aries until April 3rd, when Mercury enters Taurus; Venus is in Taurus; Mars is in Cancer.

The Sun is in Aries from March 20-April 20. In Aries, the Sun is enthusiastic and spontaneous. We are motivated by the desire to conquer. We are more impulsive and have the urge to initiate, innovate, and come first.

Aries is a sign that bounces back quickly–there is little in the way of shame with Aries. It is brave and pioneering, and somewhat innocent. We are direct and rather uncomplicated in our needs, but we can also be short-sighted and lack the desire to plan ahead.

Mercury is in Aries from March 19-April 3. When Mercury is in Aries, we are less concerned with objective viewpoints and explanations, and more concerned with reaching a decision…quickly! Our thoughts and ideas are pioneering, and we tend to speak more spontaneously and directly with the planet of communication in bold and assertive Aries.

There can be quick, possibly impatient or hurried, decisions during this cycle, and our responses are similar: quick and perhaps defensive or combative. We value independent thought, and we can be mentally competitive. executive decisions. We prefer to learn through personal experience, not instruction.

Mercury is in Taurus from April 3-June 11. [This transit is longer than usual due to Mercury’s retrograde in Taurus from April 21 to May 14.] When Mercury is in Taurus, our thinking is down to earth, solid, and grounded. Common sense reigns over more fanciful thinking. We communicate more deliberately under this influence, and our minds are oriented to the world of the five senses. We prefer the tried and true rather than new ways of thinking.

Attention to one thing at a time can simplify our lives, but we may be in danger of narrow, overly conservative, or rigid thinking. It’s a time of practical intelligence and comfortably-paced decisions and thought processes. We’re capable of (and content with) rote, routine, deliberate, or monotonous work and methods.

Venus is in Taurus from March 16-April 11. In Taurus, Venus is naturally very sensual, content, and possessive. We seek security and value those things that are long-lasting. Our appetite for pleasure is strong.

The sign of Taurus values the here and now and the world of the five senses. Tangible and physical expressions of love and romance figure strongly during the Venus-in-Taurus cycle. Holding on to someone or something we love is our tendency under this influence.

The shadow side of this is excessive possessiveness and treating our partners as objects that we own or want to own.

On the financial side, Venus in Taurus looks for high-quality, solid, practical, and long-lasting items. Holding on to our possessions is more likely now. With art, tastes, and pleasures, we prefer things that are earthy, natural, and grounded. We can be somewhat indulgent at this time. Uncertainty bothers us more than usual–we favor stability over excitement in love and pleasure.

Mars is in Cancer from March 25-May 20. We pursue our interests ardently, but we avoid a direct approach to going after we want while Mars transits Cancer. As well, our goals and plans are subject to mood swings and vacillations. We are defensive rather than overtly aggressive. Much of what we do depends on our current mood of the moment.

We’re also very intuitive and can be moved to take action to bring peace or comfort and safety to our lives during this period. We go to bat for our loved ones. In fact, we’re fiercely protective. It’s a powerful period for putting ego matters aside so that we can push our plans forward. Inner satisfaction and love are generally more important to us than outer achievements at this time. Personal and domestic goals are our priority during this phase.

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Jupiter is in Aries.

Jupiter was in Aries from May 10 to October 28, 2022 before it retreated into Pisces. This was part one of two, with the second and final part in progress, occurring from December 20, 2022, to May 16, 2023. Read more about Jupiter’s transit of Aries.

 

Saturn transits Pisces from March 7th, 2023 until May 24th, 2025, and Sep 1st, 2025, to Feb 13th, 2026. Read about Saturn’s transit of Pisces.

Uranus is in Taurus.

Uranus transits Taurus from May 15, 2018, to November 6, 2018, and then from March 6th, 2019, until 2025/6. We approach money and personal possessions in new ways and learn to free ourselves from certain material constraints. Innovative ways to make ourselves comfortable emerge. We’re less inhibited about expressing sensuality, self-love, body love, and pampering. Above all, we’re challenging what we previously valued during this cycle.

There can be abrupt changes with money, valuables, possessions, and income that lead to a reshuffling of priorities or values. Income might come from non-traditional sources or ventures. In general, we’re bringing progressive ideas to the world of business. New ways of doing business, as well as making, viewing, and handling money, are likely. Our income and the energy we put into making money can be variable.

Romance & Relationships

Venus is in Taurus from March 16-April 11. In Taurus, Venus is usually quite content, but can be possessive. We seek security and value that which lasts. Our appetite for pleasure is strong. Taurus values the here and the now as well as the world of the five senses. Tangible and physical expressions of love and romance are most important now. Holding on to someone we love is our tendency under Venus in Taurus. The shadow side of this is excessive possessiveness and treating our partners as objects that we own or want to own.

This week: On Thursday and Friday, we treat lovers with more tenderness or we see them in a more sensitive, obliging light. We’re particularly open to romance, and we can be quite sensitive to others’ needs and backstories. We see the very best in people now, and this eases our interactions, taking the pressure off in personal relationships.

Venus, the Goddess of Love: Highlights in the Coming Week:

Venus in Taurus A love of music, an appreciation for sensual pleasures and others of the finer things in life – such are the signs of the cycle which has begun for you. This is aesthetic and artistic to be sure, but it is also practical and materialistic: you develop a keen appreciation for the value of things, including the money it takes to buy them.

Venus conjunct Uranus March 30. We have a taste for the unusual and the avant garde. We are itching for a change. What makes a person unique is more attractive under this influence. Excitement and newness are valued over permanence in social relationships. Freedom is more important than intimacy just now. We lose our fears of taking risks in love and social situations. Romantic infatuations, gossip, unanticipated opportunities socially or financially. We have a greater need for self-expression, personal freedom, and social excitement.

Venus semi-square Mars March 31-April 1. Tensions in relationships. Attempting to satisfy romantic needs and assertive/sexual needs simultaneously can be challenging.

Venus sextile Neptune April 6-7. Unusual attractions that add imagination, inspiration, and emotional “color” to our lives may occur now. We are attuned to the subtleties of human interaction, and we are more inclined to naturally cooperate with others. An imaginative, romantic time.

Venus trine Pluto April 10-11. Powerful and uplifting time for romantic/sexual relationships. New insights into relationships and love. Strong attractions. Relationships are intense and deep, but not draining.

Venus semi-square Chiron April 11-12. Love cannot be forced. This is not a commitment-friendly transit, as we may feel alienated for no apparent reason and unwilling to give of ourselves.

The Void-of-Course Moon this Week:

Void-of-course Moon on Sunday, April 2nd, from 2:04 AM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a trine to Mercury), until the Moon enters Virgo at 6:58 AM EDT.

VOC Moon on Tuesday, April 4th, from 9:50 AM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (an opposition to Neptune), until the Moon enters Libra at 5:51 PM EDT.

VOC Moon on Thursday, April 6th, from 8:43 AM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (an opposition to Jupiter), until the Moon enters Scorpio the next day, Friday, April 7th, at 2:30 AM EDT.

April 2023:

Timing with the Moon – Better Periods this Week for Electing New Initiatives

It’s important to note that there are more factors to consider in addition to the windows listed below. The following windows are starting points. For example, you generally don’t want to elect a new venture when a very challenging aspect is applying, and it’s preferable to elect a time when a particularly positive aspect hasn’t yet perfected (is applying rather than separating).

The Moon is waxing this week until the Full Moon on Thursday, April 6th, which is generally considered favorable for new beginnings, with some exceptions. (See Best Time to Start a Business for more details). After the Full Moon on April 6th, the Moon is waning, which is generally considered unfavorable for new beginnings, also with some exceptions.

According to principles of timing with the Moon, a window of opportunity occurs this week from Saturday, April 1st, at approximately 9:10 AM EDT to Sunday, April 2nd, at approximately 2:00 AM EDT, while the Moon is in Leo.

See also the following articles and tables: Timing with the Moon and Opportunity Periods with the Void Moon for times and techniques.

Planetary Stations & Sign Ingresses:

Jan 12,
2023, 3:56 PM, Mars Direct
Jan 13, 2023, 1:31 AM, Juno enters Aries
Jan 18, 2023, 8:12 AM, Mercury Direct
Jan 20, 2023, 3:29 AM, Sun enters Aquarius
Jan 22, 2023, 5:58 PM, Uranus Direct
Jan 26, 2023, 9:33 PM, Venus enters Pisces
Feb  3, 2023, 2:15 PM, Ceres Retrograde
Feb  7, 2023, 11:43 PM, Vesta enters Aries
Feb 11, 2023, 6:22 AM, Mercury enters Aquarius
Feb 16, 2023, 9:31 AM, Pallas Direct
Feb 18, 2023, 5:34 PM, Sun enters Pisces
Feb 20, 2023, 2:55 AM, Venus enters Aries
Mar  2, 2023, 5:52 PM, Mercury enters Pisces
Mar  7, 2023, 8:35 AM, Saturn enters Pisces
Mar 11, 2023, 11:16 AM, Juno enters Taurus
*** Daylight Saving Time begins ***
Mar 16, 2023, 6:34 PM, Venus enters Taurus
Mar 19, 2023, 12:24 AM, Mercury enters Aries
Mar 20, 2023, 5:24 PM, Sun enters Aries
Mar 22, 2023, 11:50 PM, Ceres Retrograde enters Virgo
Mar 23, 2023, 8:23 AM, Pluto enters Aquarius
Mar 25, 2023, 7:45 AM, Mars enters Cancer
Apr  3, 2023, 12:22 PM, Mercury enters Taurus
Apr 11, 2023, 12:47 AM, Venus enters Gemini
Apr 15, 2023, 12:58 PM, Vesta enters Taurus
Apr 20, 2023, 4:13 AM, Sun enters Taurus
Apr 21, 2023, 4:35 AM, Mercury Retrograde
May  1, 2023, 1:08 PM, Pluto Retrograde

See also: Astrology of Today – an overview of the day (this takes you to my other site, Astrology Cafe).

See also: The Astrology of 2023 – Overview.

Note: Times given are Eastern Time (ET).

 

This Week’s Calendar

This Week’s Aspects

Mercury square Pluto. The tendency to read between the lines with a negative slant is strong during this transit, and can easily stir up trouble. Suspiciousness, making mountains out of molehills, telling others only what we want them to know are possible themes. Mental anxiety or troubles could manifest now. We should try to avoid forcing our ideas on others and strive to maintain an open mind. Compulsive thinking is possible. On the other hand, this influence can suggest the ability to engage in deep, penetrating communication.

Mercury sextile Saturn. A good time to get organized, to do detail work, and to prepare for the future. Decisions made now tend to be practical and well thought out. Work done now will have tangible results in the future.

Venus sextile Neptune. We are more imaginative and attuned to the world of beauty and romance today. Gentleness with others is the best way to harness this energy. A “magical” time on a romantic and social level is possible now.

Mercury sextile Mars. Mental alertness, enthusiasm, and energetic communications figure now. Quick decisions can be made. We are productive and take “busy-ness” in stride. We are alert and aware, and can easily turn ideas into workable projects.

Sun semi-square Saturn. It’s hard to satisfy the ego today. We feel blocked by circumstances or others. It’s too easy to feel discouraged, but discouragement is a time waster. Gratitude isn’t forthcoming right now, so it’s best to wait it out rather than waste energy letting it get to you.

Note: Times given in the table/calendar above are Eastern Time (ET).

Daily Trends Calendar

See below for day-by-day forecasts and planets in signs. See also Transit to Transit aspects.

See also: Astrology of Today – an overview of the day – Astrology Cafe.

See also: The Astrology of 2023 – Overview.

Astrology Chart of Today/Now in my Free Report section shows the current chart with interpretations.

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What’s In Store By the Stars – Daily Astrology Trends

(as featured on the site’s main page and in our Daily Trends Calendar)

See also the Astrology Trends Calendar that includes these daily trend overviews and other astrological events such as ingresses, stations, and lunations.

APRIL 2

The Moon continues its transit of Leo until 6:58 AM EDT, when it enters Virgo. The Virgo Moon is more particular and focused, as well as adaptable and flexible. The need to get organized can come on strongly. Today’s Mars-Node sextile supports moving forward or taking on a challenge. We can enjoy making connections, or we seek satisfying activities in which to participate. There is a sense that we’re heading in the right direction or that we want to take steps to grow and improve. New opportunities are there if we look for them to help us achieve our desires.

The Moon is void from 2:04 AM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a trine to Mercury), until the Moon enters Virgo at 6:58 AM EDT.

APRIL 3

Mercury enters Taurus today, where it will transit for longer than usual–until June 11th. Our thinking is down-to-earth, stable, and grounded during this cycle. Common sense reigns over fanciful thinking. We communicate pretty deliberately under this influence. While Mercury is in Taurus, we gravitate to tried and true methods. Attention to one thing at a time can simplify our lives during this cycle, but we should watch for overly conservative, stubborn, or rigid thinking. However, Mercury forms a square to Pluto today, stirring some suspicion. We can be determined to get our message across and have others agree with our ideas. This aspect may play to our insecurities and fears that we’re not getting all the information we need or that others don’t respect our views. We should avoid forcing our opinions on others and instead strive for healthy skepticism rather than suspicion or paranoia. Obsessive thinking is possible now, but with self-awareness and mindfulness, we might engage in in-depth, penetrating communication or think more deeply about a matter.

APRIL 4

The Moon continues its transit of Virgo until 5:51 PM EDT, and we pay more attention to the details of our lives. This is a helpful, service-oriented transit. However, in the hours surrounding the Moon’s opposition to Neptune, we might struggle to pull ourselves out of our dreamy mindset to take care of business or bring more order to our lives. With the Libra Moon from 5:51 PM forward, we seek to harmonize and balance our lives. Our need to be creative, heal, and transform is powerful today.

The Moon is void from 9:50 AM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (an opposition to Neptune), until the Moon enters Libra at 5:51 PM EDT.

APRIL 5

Mercury forms a sextile to Saturn today, and we’re alert, practical of mind, and busy. Thoroughness brings rewards. Mercury-Saturn helps ground us mentally. Reasoning things logically and step by step can be beneficial and even soothing. This aspect promotes a deliberate and efficient approach to the world around us. We see the benefits of organizing, making lists, attending to details, and making sound judgments and decisions. Also today, the Sun’s alignment with Chiron draws us to problem areas so that we can repair them. It’s a powerful time to see each other’s potential, although the process might feel challenging. We may have the opportunity to find a sense of purpose, increasing our confidence. Still, we might face life lessons that get us in touch with the insecurities that undercut our confidence. In fact, growing and succeeding can involve facing our fears. The desire to learn through experiences and others is active now, and problem-solving is favored. It can be a time of building faith or confidence in our skills and talents. Openness and self-honesty are vital now, and the focus may be on asserting ourselves and acknowledging our own needs in healthy doses so that we can bring our “whole selves” to our activities.

APRIL 6

A Full Moon occurs early today, at 12:35 AM EDT, in the sign of Libra. This lunation brings sudden awareness to our lives, particularly of areas that require more balance and the need to improve and enhance our relationships. Something is exposed or illuminated, prompting us to get in touch with those things/feelings we may have been neglecting or putting off. Relationship imbalances and flaws are more noticeable and perhaps even glaring now. We can feel quite inspired to make improvements, coming up with excellent strategies for doing so now.

This Full Moon awakens our feelings, especially about relationships and social exchanges. Jupiter and Chiron align with the Sun around the time of this lunation, and we’re on a healing path. We may have been rather self-focused, but now, we’re considering gaining a better balance, looking for or receiving feedback, and acknowledging what this means for our relationships. All planets are direct now, helping us feel freer and less burdened. Relationship epiphanies occur now–we’re likely to experience revelations about our independence, need for others, and partnerships.

Mercury aligns with the true North Node of the Moon today, and learning, teaching, and communicating figure strongly. We might make valuable contact with people who share our intellectual interests or introduce us to new ideas that help us grow, improve, and expand. Or, we connect with information that similarly moves us forward and challenges us to grow.

The Moon is void from 8:43 AM EDT, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (an opposition to Jupiter), until the Moon enters Scorpio tomorrow, April 7th, at 2:30 AM EDT.

APRIL 7

Venus forms a sextile with Neptune today, and we might open our hearts and connect with spiritual energies, compassion, and concern for others. This transit encourages us to find the best in people and our relationships or pleasures. We approach one another more gently and sensitively than usual. As we see the spiritual dimensions of our relationships, we embrace loving, non-possessive feelings. Ideally, this is a time for decompressing, winding down, and tapping into our intuition. We might put our faith into a cause, loved ones, or a pet project. As the day advances, however, our minds engage. With a Mercury-Mars sextile coming into influence, we want to do something with our ideas, learn, teach, or debate. We are exceptionally alert, resourceful, and aware, although possibly self-focused. There is enthusiasm in our conversations and excitement about our interests and discoveries.

The Moon continues its void period until it enters Scorpio today at 2:30 AM EDT.

APRIL 8

The Moon spends the day in Scorpio, and we’re interested in discovering deeper truths and motives. While the Scorpio Moon can be discreet, a Mercury-Mars sextile very early today is forthright and forthcoming! This transit excites our senses. It can be a time of animated discussions or thoughts. A Sun-Saturn semi-square late morning, however, can cast a serious tone to the day. We’re tuning into our sense of duty and desire to protect, control, and build. We’re cautious and serious-minded, and we could face challenges to self-expression. Responsibilities can weigh heavily on our minds. Gaining what we want is challenging under this influence, possibly due to negative expectations or a tendency to need more than what is currently possible.

 

 

If it’s your birthday today, see our feature, If Today is Your Birthday Forecasts, for a free forecast for the upcoming year.

Moon Signs This Week:

When the Moon is in Leo

The Moon in Leo speaks to our "inner child". It's a warm, generous, whole-heartedly loving position. Pride keeps us from pettiness, but it can also prevent us from opening up and revealing how we are truly feeling. We are on stage, our feelings are grand, and we appreciate some drama in our lives. We are easily threatened by anything that seems to be impersonal. This is a time when we seek attention--when we want to stand out for our special qualities. It's a strong time for romance and any creative activity as well.

The Moon in Leo generally favors the following activities: Creative activities, activities involving children, generous undertakings, undertakings in which personal recognition is desired, and risk-taking.

When the Moon is in Virgo

We instinctually gravitate towards practical activities under the influence of a Virgo Moon. In an urge to set things right, we might easily find ourselves re-organizing and rethinking plans. Emotional satisfaction comes from solving problems, making order out of confusion, and helping others. Health matters might come into focus. We notice the smaller parts that make up the whole, and instead of letting nagging details bother us, we might work on ironing them out so that we can feel more confident moving ahead.

The Moon in Virgo generally favors the following activities: Mental pursuits, work activities, services, and routines. Activities that would benefit from tending to details.

When the Moon is in Libra

Creating order is the focus, not necessarily through tidying or organizing as was the case while the Moon was in Virgo, but rather through pleasing interactions with others and aesthetics in our environment. We tend to solve problems through diplomacy, and we are more able to put aside our own emotions in order to achieve the peace we crave. The tendency now is to avoid direct confrontations. Decisions do not come easily. Seeing both sides to any given situation is the main reason for hesitation. Fear of losing others' approval is another.

The Moon in Libra generally favors the following activities: Relationship and partnership issues, activities involving teamwork and cooperation, activities that involve self-examination, activities related to beauty.

When the Moon is in Scorpio

 Intensity is what the Moon in Scorpio is all about. Whether it's passion, elation, sorrow, or desire, emotions are felt on a deeply personal level. We are motivated by the desire to get to the bottom of things, and we instinctively read between the lines. Superficiality won't work for us now. The Moon in Scorpio urges us to uncover our own power, and it's an excellent time to rid ourselves of old fears and limiting habits. It can be an intimate and passionate time. Avoid manipulative tactics, brooding, and suspiciousness.

The Moon in Scorpio generally favors the following activities: Taxes, accounting, intimacy issues, psychological examinations, research, self-examination, getting rid of old things.

 

Upcoming Weeks: Calendars

 

 

What’s In Your Forecast?

Take a peek at the year ahead with in-depth Future Forecast Reports from Cafe Astrology.

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BACK TO THIS WEEK IN ASTROLOGY MAIN/CURRENT

See also:

The Astrology of 2023 – Overview

Monthly Calendar

This Month in Astrology

This Month’s Ephemeris

This Month’s Transits