April 2018 ~
Delicious Containment
There is a spiritual law I have heard described in many ways that I call containment. This is a practice where we hold ideas, projects, opinions, and our energy in general, close to us. The understanding is two-fold - one piece is
that energy can be stronger when it is allowed to properly gather instead of consistently dissipating it as it is created; the second is that there are appropriate times for bringing the energy, in whatever form, out of your personal aura.
This month is strong with Aries energy, which of all
the signs of the Zodiac, is the antithesis of containment. Usually at this time it would appropriate to be sending energy off in all different directions but because of the combination of Mercury and Jupiter retrograde, joined this month by Saturn and Pluto moving into retrograde, as well as a predominance of clashes of forward-moving Aries energy with Saturnian forces (a pattern that dominated March so will likely feel familiar by now), energetic containment is
highly indicated and my chosen theme for the month.
So this month invites delicious containment as a viewpoint and practice and seeing it as an exercise rather than a frustrating chore can completely transform the experience.
The urge to take action could be very strong. You will know which things need further fine-tuning or patience in their expression by the forces that come to test what you are trying to do. As with last month, my recommendation for using this energy to bring past projects to closure, rather than invest too much in new ideas. One exception to this is fun or creativity just for the sake of
itself, so not planning to have any long-term results from it. The dominance of Earth energies this month bring the caution here to maintain practicality with the pursuit of fun and leisure as reckless actions are definitely not well-supported at this time. Adventure, impulse, and randomness could have a place,
as long as caution and practicality are sisters in the venture.
In summary, productive projects, especially ones with an eye
to the past, are best done now and not pushing too hard in areas where things don’t seem to be flowing also makes sense. Taking action on wrapping up unfinished business and researching or doing work on ideas or opportunities that came before this time can help use the combination of action-oriented and backward-focusing energies at this time. It is also prudent to put extra effort this month into guarding your body and health (especially your head).
Mercury is retrograde until April 15th, and the
shadow period for Mercury retrograde lasts until May 4 so the end of April/Early May, is better for (and can actually be quite good for) big decisions, contracts, big discussions or meetings, etc. and there are some great dates for moving forward that I list below in the April aspect break-down.
I have talked about for a long time how once
March 8 rolled in, we would be entrenched in retrograde energy until mid-December 2018, so actions favor internal focus and clearing things up or working with projects from the past. At the same
time, if you have things that have to launch or be done of great importance, and you need to do these things before mid-December, the end of April and the month of May, are the best of the remaining options, as this time dances lightly between the stronger parts of the ongoing
retrograde season. Mars goes retrograde June 26 with the pre-shadow period starting as early as May 11. This transit will bring many slow downs to plans and ambitions or could create things
previously put in place as moving on easy autopilot. I also really love May & June for vacations (to support and inspire your travel, Check out my new site, AstrologyKissedTravelBliss.com for Monthly Travel Reports, Travel blogs, Tips, & Inspiration :).) The rest of the Summer (and Winter down under) can be great for vacations, too, but note that we have eclipses again in July, as well as another round of Mercury retrograde July-August, which will bring many instances of sudden news that could effect plans and also bring general plan shifts and difficulty making decisions.
Look for sweet spots during the days around: April 1, 2, 7, 10, 11, 14, 15, 18, 23, 24, 26, and 29. Rough spots are more likely from aspects in days around: 1,2, 4, 5, 10, 11, 17, 18, 25, 26, and 27.
Check out more April
Highlights:
** Note: often the effects of planetary transits are felt before or after the actual day the transit occurs.
April 1 — Sun in Aries Conjunct Mercury in Aries — Fast thinking, speaking, and moving characterize this aspect.
Inspiration runs strong and so can impatience and ego. Think twice before speaking, look twice before changing lanes, and especially guard your head and neurological system.
April 2 — Mars and Saturn Conjunct in Capricorn — Careful, practical actions carry great weight now. Movement may see obstacles or alternatively receive
strong support. Efficiency is beckoned.
April 4-5 — Mercury in Aries Square Mars and Saturn in Capricorn — Impulsive or thoughtless action can bring strong conflict and frustration now. Anything said or done must past the Saturn tests of practicality and tradition.
April 7 — Venus in Taurus Trine Saturn in Capricorn — A sweet spot between challenges. This could bring a victory from the challenges of aspects before and after now. Again, as is the theme of the month, well-thought out and careful planning and action win over frivolity.
April 10-11 — Sun in Aries Square Pluto in Capricorn — Vitality is drained by run-in’s with unyielding authority figures. New ways of doing things are heavily tested by old, proven ways.
April 10-11 — Venus in Taurus Trine Mars in Capricorn — Another sweet spot here
among conflicts. Softer and more refined approaches bring great harmony now.
April 12 — Venus in Taurus Sextile Neptune in Pisces — Sentiment and groundedness blend nicely now. Hard work that carries heart is the best way to go. Also rewarded now is care of the senses and
emotions.
April 14 — Mars in Capricorn Sextile Neptune in Pisces — This transit favors calm consistency working towards idealistic ends.
April 15 — New Moon at 26° of Aries —
This time is a major astrological power period. This time is one of the BEST times of the whole year for wishing and the creation of vision boards (virtual or tangible creations that hold images and phrases embodying your deepest needs and desires). Making your 10 New Moon wishes especially on the topics of: independence, inspiration, balancing ego, motivation, healing anger and the neurological system (and any other malady based in the head area of the body), taking
action, balancing impulsivity, and maturity.
April 15 — Mercury Direct at 4° of Aries (post-shadow until May 4) — The ruler of communication and mobility shifts gear now. These few days around this change can bring an increase in the confusion, miscommunication, and plan changes that are characteristic of this time. This
energy decreases towards the end of April and clears completely May 4.
April 17 — Venus in Taurus Opposing Jupiter in Taurus — Sensual desires can easily turn into gluttony at this time. Excessive indulgence is self-limiting at this time. This time is a lesson in learning “when to say when “ in all areas of
life.
April 18 — Saturn in Retrograde at 9° of Capricorn (back to 2° of Capricorn through September 5) — Saturn has been dishing out hard lessons and major manifestation to the Capricorn areas of life (business, responsibility, relationship with father figures and authority, accomplishment, ones place out in the world) since the end of
2017. The lessons and external focus starts to lighten now, working more on the inner and less tangible planes. Very often Saturn retrograde is experienced as a rest between lessons but for those with Capricorn, Libra, Aries, or Cancer placements from 2° - 9° degrees, a continuation of the stories of conflict that were introduced in recent months occurs. Often this second chapter of the aspect is lighter than the first (let’s hope so!) For those with 2° - 9° of Scorpio,
Pisces, Taurus, or Virgo, blessings that Saturn brought in during recents months can see greater expansion during this retrograde and the months beyond as Saturn returns to forward movement after September 5.
April 18 — Sun and Uranus Conjunct in Aries — The chances for jolting surprises are much increased now, for better or worse.
Especially guard your head and neurological system. Be especially careful when moving your body ~ look twice before crossing a street, changing lanes, or doing anything reckless.
April 22 — Pluto Retrograde at 21° of Capricorn (back to 18° of Capricorn through September 30) — Pluto revels in its retrograde transit, turning
deeply inward is its specialty :) Those with placements from 18°-21° of Capricorn, Libra, Aries, or Cancer receive deeper doses of the Pluto medicine dealt in recent months. Nothing short of major transformation is afoot. For those with placements 18°-21° of Scorpio, Pisces, Taurus, and Virgo, blessings that Pluto has brought in recent times deepen :)
April 23-24 — Mars in Capricorn Sextile Jupiter in Scorpio — This is an amazing time for collaborations, especially for business.
April 25 — Mercury in Aries Square Saturn in Capricorn — Communication and other expression may be blocked or challenged at this time. Ideas
presented will bump up against long-term-minded Saturn.
April 26 — Mars and Pluto Conjunct in Capricorn — This can be an awesome time to get things done. Even though Mercury isn’t completely back up to speed it is great energy for starting to move things forward. Important meetings and plans have great support now
however note that due to the aspect with Mercury and Saturn yesterday, some lingering tests or conflicts could be standing before forward movement.
April 29 — Sun in Taurus Trine Saturn in Capricorn — This is one of my favorite aspects for moving forward and taking steps to lock in long-term plans. Even amidst the previous,
current, and upcoming retrograde energies, this can be a great time to slip some launches or big decisions or steps in.
April 29 — Full Moon at 9° of Scorpio — Fullness, completion, fruition, and possibly drama come to all things Scorpio: Intimacy, sex, power, collaboration, sharing/merging of resources, inheritances, loans, credit,
marriage, esoteric topics, psychology, astrology, and more.
I have posted March & April Horoscope videos for each of the signs on my Youtube Channel.