Planetary Cycles
Sun Signs For April 2006
Sun in Aries ushers in the Spring Equinox
The sun entered Aries on March 20 at the Spring Equinox, which is the astrological New Year. Aries is a beginning point, and as such, it carries the archetype of leadership, the hero leading us all into whatever experiences he or she deems essential. Ruled by the planet Mars, who in Greek mythology is known as the God of War, Aries is often associated with aggressiveness and impetuous behavior. Aries does, after all, with vigor, lead us into various pursuits, and some degree of assertiveness is needed for that role. A masculine, cardinal fire sign, Aries has enormous enthusiasm and verve, but often lacks the staying power needed to complete ambitious projects. When Aries learns the art of diplomacy, others are happy to complete the tasks that were initiated by our courageous Aries brothers and sisters.
Aries enthusiasm pauses for intuitive understanding
While the sun is in Aries from March 20 until April 19, we normally have the impulse to start something new; it may be a gardening project, a new diet or heath routine, a new residence, or it may be a new career or business. Although the impulse is a healthy one, it is vitally important to be clear about our underlying motivation and intentions for the new beginning so we are creating within universal harmony. Also, the planet of communications, Mercury, has been retrograde (apparent backwards motion) since March 2, and will not resume direct motion until March 25, so, provided we can restrain our Aries-guided enthusiasm, it will be wise for us to wait to put our new beginnings into motion until the first week of April. While Mercury is retrograde in Pisces, our realizations and understandings often come through dreams or flashes of intuition and experiences of direct “knowing.”
Solar Eclipse zaps our awareness and brings change
On March 29, we experienced a solar eclipse in Aries. At a solar eclipse, the Moon's shadow passes across the Earth, and because it falls in the same plane as the Earth's orbit around the Sun, for a time, it blocks our vision of the sun. Metaphorically this creates a “pause in time,” or the “crack in the universe” that allows us to receive direct transmissions of higher knowing. They may come through consciously, but most often, the transmissions leave an energetic imprint that gets played out through the subconscious, and then surfaces later as an important breakthrough or realization. A solar eclipse brings change of a significant nature into whatever area of our life is affected, which is reflected by where Aries falls in your birth chart. A powerful event that often brings a major turning point, the solar eclipse requires focused attention and application of changes into your life over the coming 2-3 months.
Full moon may heighten strife, but also brings influx of energy
On April 13, we have a full moon in Libra, opposite the sun in Aries. As the first full moon following the solar eclipse, it brings a dawning glimpse of realization, understanding, or actual changes initiated at the eclipse. To avoid misunderstandings and unnecessary strife, we may need to clarify intentions through deep internal sourcing, and to communicate most truthfully and with self-disclosure to those with whom we interact. The full moon also brings an influx of energy for projects, increased communication and networking with others, and a deep spiritual inspiration that can help guide our choices and actions.
Sun in Taurus grounds new plans and New Moon suggests moving forward
The sun enters the sign of the bull, Taurus, on April 19. A fixed, feminine, earth sign, Taurus helps us to find fertile ground for the ideas and creations birthed in Aries. Grounding the impulse with well-constructed plans and timelines, Taurus patiently develops the form necessary to house and nurture our new activities. On April 27, we have a new moon in Taurus in a tense aspect with both Saturn and Jupiter. This may feel a bit like being pulled in two opposite or conflicting directions, as Jupiter is the principle of expansion, and Saturn, the principle of contraction. Jupiter in Scorpio wants tranformation, and wants it now, but Saturn in Leo works to ensure that new creations are expressed with excellence. While Saturn might keep us stuck improving and refining forever, very favorable aspects to Jupiter help us to move forward with energy and innovation. The spring season promised to be one full of exciting changes and new creative activity.
Aries - The March 29 solar eclipse in your sign is rocking your world, bringing fundamental changes now, and in the next few months, in the way you relate to life. The full moon on April 13 brings new relationship energy that provides a mirror to reflect aspects of you that can now be expressed. New romantic energy inspires you to set goals to reach your dreams and make the connections that will help you birth your new ideas. As you find your life and sense of purpose transforming, you may connect with new groups and form friendships that support your new direction.
Taurus - The full moon casts light on your work, daily habits, and routines. This follows a powerful solar eclipse on March 29 that brought, and continues to bring, breakthroughs in awareness and spiritual understanding. Your new consciousness cannot expand in the arena of old habitual routines, so you will be inspired to change much about your way of going through life, especially your relationship to finances and career. The April 13 full moon brings wonderful new opportunities to expand your finances and open the field of possibilities in your career.
Gemini - Inspired by the March 29 solar eclipse, you begin to work toward new long-term goals. The career changes you have been contemplating are now beginning to materialize, and, if you begin laying the groundwork this spring, you will see positive results by late summer. Opening the doorway to greater spiritual understanding and a renewed sense of physical well-being, the full moon April 13 sparks new creative inspiration that can be very enjoyable and fulfilling.
Cancer - The solar eclipse on March 29 has opened a new set of possibilities for your life direction and career. The energy for manifesting is here as long as you believe in your vision and keep moving steadily toward it, and the full moon on April 13 shows you the way to fulfill your dreams. Deep emotional, psychological and spiritual transformation opens the doorway to many possibilities as long as you have the courage to make the changes life is now offering.
Leo - Creative projects that have been on hold, or been in revision, can now move forward. While bringing philosophical or spiritual renewal, the solar eclipse on March 29 gave the green light to higher education goals, legal issues, and literary projects that can now flow with greater ease. The full moon highlights connection with friends and relatives, and may bring a resolution to last month's transportation or communication issues. Your expanded social life brings joy as well as positive inspiration.
Virgo - Changing realities in your career or business bring a redefinition of purpose and new objectives at home as well as at work. The full moon on April 13 in your house of finances following the March 29 solar eclipse calls for communication with partners and brings changes in investment strategies. Following your intuition as well as your knowledge brings success. Although not all of your proposed changes are embraced with joy, fortunately, partners are mostly cooperative and helpful.
Libra - The solar eclipse on March 29 brought a new understanding, and a new dimension of meaning to your experience of partnership. Issues involving legal concerns and educational objectives have been clarified, and you feel as if you can now move forward as money and other resources begin to flow freely again. The full moon on April 13 occurs in your sign; illuminating a job well done, revealing the support that is there for you, and helping you re-discover your creativity.
Scorpio - The full moon on April 13 puts the final touches on many aspects, or phases, of your life that now are coming to completion, and consciously letting go of past restrictions opens the way for new energy and opportunities to enter. The March 29 solar eclipse brings changes in your daily living patterns, including new work and health routines that assist you to accomplish career goals. Creative energy is high this month and you expand your talent into new areas of expression, and deep spiritual renewal. Like drawing in a breath of fresh air, you draw in guidance to see a field of new possibilities.
Sagittarius - The solar eclipse in Aries on March 29 stimulated a greater creative flow, bringing new ideas into expression. A deep spiritual renewal is underway this year as you let go of old thoughts, beliefs, and characterizations, release the past, and begin to live more and more in the present moment. The full moon in Libra on April 13 brings new group associations and friendships that open new doorways of possibility in your personal relationships.
Capricorn - The full moon illuminates career concerns this month, and changes made following the March 29 solar eclipse will affect not only your work, but also your home and family life. You may be moving to a new residence, or having new members joining or leaving your existing home. Either way, the landscape is indeed shifting as you embrace deep, subconscious and psycho-spiritual changes that have been brewing under the surface for many years.
Aquarius - The solar eclipse in Aries on March 29 stimulated changes in your immediate environment that may include your circle of friends and/or the quality of communication with relatives. Saturn in your relationship arena is helping you to build a strong foundation and bringing greater structure into the life you create together with loved ones. The full moon April 13 opens the gateway for deeper spiritual understanding and a greater attunement to your intuition.
Pisces - The planet of unexpected change, Uranus has been rocking your world as it moves through Pisces, elevating your vision to a higher level of consciousness and requiring surrender to the process of universal forces. April's aspects bring a greater understanding of all that has been happening as you begin to put the changes into a context that makes sense. As your acknowledgement of your self-worth increases following the solar eclipse, the full moon in Libra April 13 opens a connection with your higher self and brings increased financial flow as well as a greater spiritual attunement.
Carolina Eastwood provides in-depth personal astrology readings that open the doorway to fulfilling your life-purpose. Offices in Solana Beach and Poway. www.earthstarconsulting.com. or: Phone: 858/259-1590
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