April 2023 Astrology ~ BLACK MOON ARIES SOLAR ECLIPSE ~ A NEW CYCLE OF INITIATION BEGINS

Here are some top points to know about the April 2023 Astrology. See my April 2023 Horoscope Videos/Podcasts  for more details and also in the date specific notes towards the end of this written report:

1. Another month of more sweet aspects compared to salty ones. Harmonious bursts are present all throughout the month and there are many extra sweet connections (some of which I will go into later this in this report).

2. We are in the FULL ON heat of ECLIPSE SEASON! While we can always have movement along the situations that have been activated during the cycle of eclipses, the closer we get to the actual eclipses (April 20 and May 5), the more news, activity, stress, drama, and radical changes that the eclipses tend to bring. Four to six weeks BEFORE the eclipses start, begins eclipse “season” and now we are right in it! 

April 20 we will have a Black Moon Solar Eclipse in Aries - The first of the Aries/Libra eclipse cycle that will go from now through most of 2025. This eclipse starts a BRAND NEW CYCLE OF MAJOR INITIATION. Themes will begin now that can put us on a path to greater empowerment, independence, zesty self-expression, bold leadership, vibrant wellness, deepened self-esteem, and bountiful fresh options for new experiences.

We will also already be feeling strongly the May 5 Lunar Eclipse at 14° of Scorpio. The Taurus/Scorpio eclipse polarity which is also a Me vs. We polarity and also includes My Stuff vs. Our Stuff (material, karmic, emotional, financial, etc.) This eclipse cycle goes through the end of 2023. The last times we had Taurus/Scorpio eclipse cycles were late 2012 through late 2014 and late 2002 through early 2005. Reflection upon themes that were occurring in your life then may give some insight into the cycle occurring now.

3. FIRST and LONGEST OPEN WINDOW OF 2023 that is free from personal AND outer planet retrogrades is about to close up! All planets (including the outer ones) are moving DIRECT! Things that were held up for months or even years, can launch forward very quickly. This open window that lasts through around April 7 is perfect for blazing forward, far and wide, at record speed. It holds great promise for mega-launches, big decisions, agreements, moves, exciting work changes, and anything else that has been pending but was slowed down from the long run of retrograde energies. We do have a lot of retro energy later in the year, including another round of Venus retro, so make the most of this outward and forward energy which is rare for 2023 since much of it will be covered in the inward and backward energies as we move past April 7. Then we deepen into the Mercury retrograde flow. Details given in notable date section to follow below.

4. Strong Aries energies continue this month, with the Sun, Mercury AND Jupiter flowing through this sign. The desire and even need to get up and go will be strong. Action will be the dominant force and can even spill over into aggression for yourself or others. These energies are rowdy and can be very fun. Overdoing will be easy. This is an amazing time for new beginnings or to breath new life into things that had gone stale over the last months or even years. Impulsivity and spontaneity will be very strong!

5. Strong Taurus energies from Mercury and Venus transits. Finally a grounding out to the Aries domination that we have had for months. Taurus can help us clean up messes that the impulsivity of the long string of Aries placements may have created. If you have to concentrate on something important and tedious (like taxes), this energy will be very helpful to get these type of things done.

6. Venus in Gemini brings lots of exciting options and activity. After Venus finishes its tour of Taurus this month, the energy changes drastically into distracted and very busy Gemini bringing with it social opportunities and lots of physical movement. Driving all over the place, chatting it up in person or online with friends, new love and love from the past, all are more likely now. Spending money on education and travel is very likely. Indecision can be a keynote of this transit. It is a good time to relish in options and to ‘try things on’. Low stakes experimentation is a great way to use these changeable energies.

7. Mars in Cancer brings obsessive focus to emotions, home, family, and housing. Mars isn’t super comfortable in this water sign and that awkwardness is noticeable. Suppressed and repressed emotions, family issues, genetic or ancestral topics may abound now. It can also be a great time to clear up unfinished business around the house, repairs, etc.

SWEET AND SALTY ASPECT DATES:
 

Sweet boosts are more likely on or around these days: 5, 7, 8, 11, 23, and 25

Drama or stress are more likely in the days around: 3, 14, 20, 21, and 27

Notable neutral aspects that could go either way or both (sweet and/or salty): 5, 19-20, and 21

CHECK OUT MORE APRIL 2023 HIGHLIGHTS:

** Note: Often the effects of planetary transits are felt before or after the actual day the transit occurs. Also note that dates may shift a day or so depending on your time zone. Also note that general transits can effect people differently depending on many factors, including transits to the individuals personal charts.
 

MY TOP FAVE ASPECTS OF APRIL 2023:

April 5 — Mercury in Taurus Sextile Saturn in Pisces —

Encouraging news or events are likely to come in now, such as word of your efforts working out in wonderful ways or a strike of inspiration that helps you to put the last puzzle piece together. This is also one of the last great aspects during the “open and direct stars” before we start the dive back into retrograde (inward and backward) focus that will start with Mercury retro and then shift to Venus retro after that cycle and then another Mercury retro. A great time to put something out into the world that you want to be in place for a long time. Perfect for parties or other important relationship or social events.

April 7 — Venus in Taurus Sextile Neptune in Pisces — This is a perfect time to relish in daydreams, escape into the fantastical, get creative, be inspired, inspire others, enjoy romance, or commune with the Divine. There is also great energy at this time for anchoring in inspiration into the material realm or combining artistic to spiritual pursuits with livelihood. This is the last great aspect that has the imprint of forward moving stars before we go deeper into the Mercury retro shadow period.

April 11 — Two Awesome Aspects today! — Venus in Gemini Trine Pluto in Aquarius and the Sun in Aries Conjunct Jupiter — 

The Venus/Pluto aspect can bring superb and radical financial or romantic transformation. The Sun/Jupiter aspect can bring luck and massive motivation. Even though we have entered the retro zone, all of the Aries energy can motivate massive positive change and important steps can still be taken along these lines. Just keep in mind that things that go on now may be tested, reversed, changed, or be of shorter duration than expected and with that knowing, take whatever steps make sense in case of those scenarios. 

April 25 — Two More Awesome Aspects today! — Sun in Taurus Sextile Saturn and Venus in Gemini Sextile Chiron in Aries —

The Sun/Saturn aspect can bring welcome responsibility (and the great things that go along with it), leadership opportunities, or recognition for a job well done.

The Venus/Chiron aspect can bring a great healing of your love or money consciousness. Self esteem can soar and the feeling like you can overcome any challenge fills your sails with excitement. 

April 29 — Mars in Cancer Sextile Uranus in Taurus —

Activity, adventure, spontaneity, and sudden opportunities often accompany this transit. Combined with the retrograde energy, a chance to return to somewhere that felt like home to you (or actually was home) or a place that you have always wanted to go to that has a special meaning for you could come up. Also combined with the eclipse energy, this transit could bring surprise and sudden news of a monumental nature. Home, family, housing, money, and sustainability are all topics that are likely to be related to the outcomes of this aspect.

TOP ASPECTS OF 2023 TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL & AWAREFUL:

April 3 — Mercury in Taurus Square Pluto in Aquarius —

Harsh news, power struggles, explosive interactions, and other stressful things often accompany this aspect. Fortunately the energy tends to pass quickly. If a decision has to be made and you can wait until you are calm, that might be helpful in order to not make more drama than necessary. Avoiding dangerous situations or volatile people may be well-advised.

April 14 — Venus in Gemini Square Saturn in Pisces —

Your sense of freedom may feel infringed upon by someones strong emotions right now. Feeling like you and someone close to you are like ships passing in the night is a common outcome. The retrograde energies and eclipse energies are also strengthening and can be part of this storyline. Whatever comes up now has likely come up in some way in the past and the solution is likely a work in process.

April 27 — Mars in Cancer Square Chiron in Aries — 

Mean words or actions from one person and extra sensitivity and brooding from another are a common combination now. Mars does not play well in Cancer and tensions may be running high with suppressed feelings now starting to come to a head. Chiron and the double Aries energy (one level from Chiron being in that sign, and the other from Mars being the ruler of Aries) increases the likelihood of someone cutting right to the core of another’ deepest insecurities. Avoiding altercations may be wise but not at the expense of not suppression. If you are the one having things that you really want to say to someone else, try writing or typing it out and then NOT sending it, to help get the aggression out.

NOTABLE NEUTRAL ASPECTS THAT COULD GO EITHER WAY:

April 5 — Full Moon at 16° of Libra —

Fullness, completion, fruition, and drama are more likely now and this energy manifests in the arena of relationships. There is also a very sweet aspect today (listed in my fave aspects above) and potentially very salty one (Sun conjunct Chiron in Aries). A wonderful culmination of an important connection (like a marriage) or a stressful conflict (like a big fight) are all more likely now. See my Full Moon in Libra Powerful Reveal & Release Ceremony blog to help you make the most of this moon event.

April 7 — Mercury pre-retrograde shadow period begins — The deep dive inward and backward begins lasting until close to the end of 2023 (to see my full 2023 direct/retrograde planning calendar join my exclusive content portal at this link.)

April 19-20 —  BLACK MOON ARIES SOLAR ECLIPSE at 29°—

A new eclipse cycle starts weaving in (even as the Taurus/Scorpio eclipse cycle is in process through the end of 2023). A Black Moon is defined as a second New Moon either in a zodiac sign or a calendar month. The first New Moon in Aries was the kick off party for the Astrological New Year and occurred around March 21, 2023. Now this second New Moon in Aries, is a Black Moon AND a Solar Eclipse.

This new eclipse cycle will be in effect from now through 2025.

Topics such as freedom, independence, interdependence, self-sufficiency, health, physical body, image, initiative and initiation, trailblazing, and new endeavors will be front and center at this time AND the polarity of the Aries energy, Libra, will also come into the forefront. Relationships of all kinds (including and especially the self) will be a main mark of this Me vs. We cycle.

The most recent last times we had the Aries/Libra eclipse cycle was the end of 2013 through early 2016 and early 2004 through early 2006. Similar types of themes are likely to come up in this cycle (although the themes can manifest differently).

April 21 — Mercury officially goes retrograde from now until May 15 (with post shadow period stretching until May 30) — 

The shadow period for this transit began April 7 and every day up until now the energies have gone deeper into the typical retro space. Expect changes in plans, things that seemed solid to be tested, difficulty planning short and long term things, confusion, doubt, old patterns (for better and worse), things from the past returning to be dealt with, machinery going haywire, and a notable increase in communication issues - from device problems to miscommunications with others. See my blog on ways to use the retrograde energies to your benefit, Maximizing Personal Planet Retrogrades.

Retrogrades can also bring blessings from the past and leaving yourself as unscheduled as possible can leave room for another retrograde possibility - last-minute magic :)

I have posted March & April 2023 Horoscope videos on my Youtube channel.

I syndicate all of my Youtube horoscope posts to my podcast,

Astro Kisses with Annie Botticelli. I recommend that you register for the RSS Feed so as I add content in the future that is not syndicated on Youtube, you won't miss anything. Astro Kisses is also on Spotify, Amazon radio and a long and growing list of other podcast venues.