Great American Eclipse: Solar Eclipse in Aries on April 8th
Monday marked the solar eclipse in Aries that will be visible for much of the United States. People flocked to the path of totality that will sweep across Texas through Maine. It will also be the last visible solar eclipse in this part of the world until 2044. Throughout time, people knew eclipses as king takers and king makers. Ancient astrologers noted how changes of leadership were often associated when either of the luminaries dimmed. I can only imagine how frightening it was to be working in the fields when night suddenly appeared for a few minutes or the moon turned blood red in the middle of the night. People turned blind from looking directly into the sun, trying to figure out what happened. It is not a stretch to see how destabilizing these events could be. Solar eclipses will only happen during a new moon and Lunar eclipses will only happen during a full moon. This particular eclipse happens in Aries and is in tight conjunction with Chiron, the wounded healer. In Aries, the ego gets the spotlight. Issues surrounding identity, sense of self, and personal autonomy may surface. Mars in Pisces rules this eclipse, so self-compassion is key. This eclipse will be loudest for those who have cardinal signs on the angles or have personal planets around 19 degrees. As with all eclipses, give it 6 months to see what seeds unfold – chances are you will see evolution by October.
Sustained Effort + Empathy: Mars and Saturn in Pisces
On April 10th, Saturn and Mars meet in Pisces. These two planets join forces every two years, starting a new cycle. At their best, Mars and Saturn joining forces show great determination for sustained effort. At their worst, these two planets bring frustration, much like finding a wall every time you find momentum. In many ways, these two planets are opposites. Mars likes to go fast and Saturn likes to slow down; Mars likes to push forward while Saturn enjoys resistance. The driving energy of Mars gets restricted by boundary conscious Saturn. When mutable Pisces possesses this energy, employ adaptability as a powerful remedy. Be prepared to change your course of direction. Pisces is a water sign, so emotional intelligence will go a long way. Make sure you are checking in with others as you change priorities. Reassure and actively reflect your own emotions as well.
Inspired Innovation: Jupiter conjunct Uranus in Taurus
The meeting of buoyant Jupiter and surprising Uranus is an event that colors 2024. While this goes exact on April 20th, this aspect has been building since last May when Jupiter first ingressed into Taurus. These two planets bring pioneering and revolutionary energy to the helm when they meet every 14 years. The last time these two power houses met up in resourceful Taurus was 1934 and 1935. That brought events like the Nuremberg Laws, the establishment of Social Security under FDR, the Hoover Dam, and the introduction of Alcoholics Anonymous. Jupiter signifies the power of groups, justice, and the ideal. Uranus harnesses innovation and doing something different. In Taurus, there is a theme of coming together for the long haul. Taurus is a fixed sign of resources that grounds itself in routines. It’s the smaller acts of subtracting social security over a lifetime that yields benefits later in life or the act of attending meetings one day at a time for sobriety – this is patient and practical Taurus. Together, these planets bring a cycle of breaking free and alignment to the ideal. As these two planets are more social planets, it will have a larger impact on the news cycle. Look for themes of financial and religious protection, interest rates and real estate, innovations in agriculture or beauty industry, stories to do with land and resources, as well as the rights of workers dominating the headlines. On a personal level, notice what topics are governed by Taurus in your chart. A brand new 14 year chapter dominates your storyline in this house. Today marks a shift in your approach and inspiration.
Key Dates of the Month:
April 1/April Fool’s Day: Mercury stations retrograde. Frustration is a key hallmark of this cycle, with fiery Mars at the helm. You may be quick to jump to conclusions with the planet of communication beginning his trek backwards. This can be a bit of a lesson in eating humble pie when Aries is involved. If you find yourself in hot water over the next three weeks, the best course of action is to slow down and rethink the pressured timeline. A pause in action may feel like you are breaking momentum, but it also may guard you from costly mistakes. If you feel quarrelsome, irritated, or your buttons are getting pushed, it’s best to take a break. This transit favors reassessing snap decisions and rethinking hastily made judgements. When Mercury is retrograde in Aries, the best solution is setting a timer and getting some of your energy out, then come back to the drawing board. I giggle thinking about the video of a creative preschool teacher isolating her four lettered prone charge to the bathroom for her to swear as much as she liked in the mirror before joining the class. Sometimes those brief moments of isolated steam help us reset.
April 3: Venus conjoins Neptune. This aspect favors romance and creativity. If you can actively engage with the imaginative realms of taking in an art walk, attending an arts film with friends, or keeping your schedule light, the day will unfold with beauty. Today also favors romance and love affairs. However, be wary of being too naïve and falling for excessive flattery today.
April 4: Sun conjoins North Node + Venus ingresses into Aries. The planet of love and connection has a different strategy when she’s in Aries. Here she can’t demure her way into a relationship, but may take the lead by sending the handsome fella a drink at the bar. She knows she shines when she’s different and that means taking risks. Over the next two weeks, pay attention to the competing demands of compromise versus accommodating your own needs. Her genius is her creativity, so lean into trying something different. Today also marks an opportune time to celebrate what makes you unique. With the Sun aligning to the North Node, seize the chance to appreciate and highlight your gifts.
April 5: Venus sextiles Pluto. The power of attraction comes to the forefront today. Look for little synchronicities in who you bump into. Networking has potential today. Watch your inner frustration later in the day as the Moon will bump up against Mars.
April 8: Total Solar Eclipse in Aries. Eclipses are known for bringing intensity, but this one definitely has this signature with drama and flair. You may feel the urge to start something new, but with Mercury retrograde and combust the sun, realize you may not have all the information at your fingertips. Mars in Pisces is the ruler of this eclipse and it barreling head first into Saturn. Chiron is involved in this eclipse, which can be a tender reminder about what wounds are still sharp. Be mindful that you might either try to act tough and ignore any discomfort, or you could focus too much on the pain. Both extremes are things to watch out for. Either way, it is a dating of your realization that this eclipse brings the potential for a healing crisis. This is a turning point for self-discovery. Self-compassion is key for this eclipse.
April 10: Mars conjoins Saturn in Pisces. When the malefics join forces, it can feel like the hard work never ends. In Pisces, make sure you aren’t going it alone. Jupiter rules this sign, which suggests that while group efforts may take time to coordinate and how they work in sync, many hands and minds may prove beneficial when tackling larger problems. Stalemates are possible today. Strike the balance of being organized while your creative instinct is inspired. Watch your boundaries and stay in your lane as you move forward. With this happening in water signs, feelings of resentment could be a warning sign of needing to change your approach.
April 11: Mercury retrograde cazimi in Aries. Today marks the halfway point of the Mercury retrograde in Aries. The planet of communication is between the Sun and Earth, giving you a golden opportunity to tune into your inner guidance and gut feeling. Chances are, if you’ve been wavering on a decision, today’s instinct will prove to be the correct impulse. If you’ve been needing to have a courageous conversation or discuss a difficult topic, capitalize on the hours surrounding dinner time to be most effective in getting your message across.
April 17: Venus conjoins North Node. This is a dynamic day to actively explore new relationships, shared interest, and taking the lead with others. When Venus in Aries gets highlighted, you may be more aware of how relationships may require a more direct approach, but taking the initiative and approaching things head on can have some powerful repercussions.
April 19: Sun ingresses into Taurus + Venus conjoins Mercury + Mars sextiles Jupiter + Mars sextiles Uranus. Today is a very active day in the skies with a lot of favorable aspects. The Sun makes her annual ingress into the sign of the bull today, giving everyone the power to become grounded in their values. Taurus is the fertile sign of fixed earth where practicality, routine, and personal preferences shine. It’s ruler, Venus conjoins retrograding Mercury, where tuning into you your inner voice of what appeals to you is important. It could be something as small as impulsively deciding to switch your coffee order or speaking up for a friend. With Mars making two connections to Uranus and Jupiter, the day favors taking some risks to stand apart from your normal way of doing things.
April 20: Jupiter conjoins Uranus in Taurus. This is one of the big events of 2024. Expansive Jupiter meets with innovative Uranus in the sign of resources. Take the day to reassess your investment strategies or lend encouragement to team members who are leading the change. You may even find a new way of using your resources that is the catalyst for larger projects down the road.
April 21: Sun squares Pluto. The day after inspired change comes to the table, you may feel the squeeze of not wanting to conform. When the Sun squares Pluto, resistance may rear its head. This is especially true for the fixed signs where digging in their heels is a primary strategy. There is comfort in what is familiar and safe versus the fear of the unknown. Looking for your locus of control and keeping things simple helps.
April 23: Full Moon in Scorpio. Today is the first lunation since the eclipse cycle. Mars in Pisces rules this full moon. Emotional healing and compassion comes to the stage with this lunation. While all full moons offer a chance to acknowledge and release, this one particularly suits any creative healing rituals you may feel drawn towards. When the Moon is in Scorpio, the emotional reserves are deep and there is the potential for digging into the trauma, but with it ruled by Mars in Pisces, there is an element of forgiveness that softens the experience. There is a saying, “Holding onto resentment is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” This lunation highlights the need to drop the negative emotions and letting yourself heal from the wounds.
April 25: Mercury stations direct conjoined North Node. The planet of communication moves forward today in Aries. There could be a hunger or incessant drive of wanting to get the show on the road and push past any delays that were experienced in the past three weeks. Don’t move too quickly today or get single minded in your approach. With this retrograde in Aries, “I” messages are extremely important.
April 28: Mars conjoins Neptune. Trust your instincts today. Daydreams and rabbit holes can lead to inspired action and unexpected rewards. It isn’t a day to have an agenda, but to find yourself off the beaten path. I wouldn’t plan to make a lot of headway on to-do lists today.
April 29: Venus ingresses into Taurus. Venus comes home to her preferred sign where she can light the candles, sink into a bubble bath, and slip into something more comfortable. Taurus is the sign associated with loyalty, stability, and simple pleasures. Over the next three weeks, take the time to engage with your five senses, spend time with friends who ground you, and take stock of your resources at your fingertips.
April 30: Venus squares Pluto + Mars ingresses into Aries. Quiet conversations could give you renewed energy. With the Moon translating both of the aspects, it is a day to reflect the light you’ve been given. Be aware of power dynamics in relationships, but recognize you have your own autonomy. With Mars moving into his preferred sign of the Ram, he has time to shine. The planet of action is decisive in his home sign of cardinal fire. Here, he takes initiative where his talents can be appreciated. He brings a renewed sense of enthusiasm and drive when starting projects. Over the next 5 weeks, the pace will pick up, so expect to be more on the go.
