Today's Astrology Forecast | Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 - brave actions and conversations, challenged by a partner's independence, leaning into the facts, moving forward

 

 

The Moon is in Taurus now, the sign of her exaltation. We are nurtured/nourished by comfort, good food, the sensual touch that feels like love, knowing our WORTH. Her only aspect a testing/frustrating square to Saturn (limits, authority) around 2:30PM EDT. Independent work is favored. 

At 4:30PM EDT, things lighten as the Sun will reach his sextile to Mars, Aries/Gemini, while trining a retrograde Juno in Sagittarius. Lots of action for people with planets/points in the mid-twenty degrees now, with so many planets here.

The Aries Sun's sextile to Mars (in dualistic and communicative Gemini) speaks of brave action/communication/decisions. This is part of the Full Moon's story we talked about HERE. The trine to Juno speaks of increased optimism/hope within partnerships and contracts. 

 

The fly in the ointment here is Mars (action, words, what comes to light) is opposing Juno at the same time. The relationship is challenged - and she is retrograde, so this won't be a totally new story although new facts can be uncovered. Maybe one partner is more pushy/enthusiastic/passionate about something than the other. Maybe more desirous of a fresh start. Whatever this is, Juno just stationed retrograde yesterday, so this working things out (remember the Full Moon chart spoke of this through the asteroids and Pluto/Ceres story-line) - can involve compromise/challenges to our beliefs/looking ahead, so we are not flying too high OR too low. 

Another tension/frustration now is we have Pallas (in Pisces) reaching her exact square to the Nodes of Fate - now at 11 degrees Gemini/Sagittarius. Squares to the nodes speak of times when we are at a crossroad/decision point, so things we do, say or think having greater significance. Pallas is our wise warrior woman, and in Pisces, using her intuition, guided by the ancestors, by connection. Our collective way forward now is Gemini - the facts, keeping conversations light, smaller more flexible steps. Growth comes through Gemini themes - duality, more than one way forward, more than one situation happening at once, communication issues, sibling issues, local community issues, separating facts from beliefs, transportation issues. Your natal North Node by sign and placement will tell a more precise story.

 

So, we take the bad with the good as always. We've got some great aspects this week - we talked about in the monthly HERE. Reread it as needed, but don't get caught up in the exact day. Read a couple days before and after, too.

 

Keep moving forward. 

 

The push for OURSELVES (courage!) is needed - and this won't really feel like a push with those sextiles and trines. Actions, conversations (even when challenging/angry) will help things fall into place. And in fact, if we are actually pushing we are probably doing something wrong (but maybe not, this is Aries!). A partner's independent moves might be challenging/might even look selfish, but the relationship/contract is in a state of adjustment, re-view/re-do anyway, and everyone of us, in this Age of Aquarius, is moving into a more individualistic/authentic future .... 

 

this won't be a one and done.

 

 

xo all 

artwork by the talented Florencia

The Astrology of the New Moon in Aries | April 11, 2021 - fiery fresh starts that catch fire, old habits might die hard but they can also die fast, a more loving and nurturing way forward

 

 

On Sunday, April 11, 2021 at 10:30PM EDT, the Aries Moon meets the Aries Sun at 22 degrees - giving us this month's New Moon, our annual New Moon in Aries - the first New Moon of the astrological year!

 

And it's HUGE!

This New Moon is all about Aries energy. Cardinal fire - passion/getting something STARTED. Aries is very self sufficient. This is the energy of "me". The baby of the zodiac, Aries can't always see the other person's side of things because if they did they wouldn't be able to take quick, decisive action and that quick decisive action is what they are here to manifest (and why they can be such worriers instead of warriors when they can't).

The Aries New Moon is an open portal to the courage and determination to get something going.

 

With Aries ruler Mars in Gemini - there may be more than one way forward, more than one start, things can branch off in different directions. The Moon's sextile to Jupiter says - whatever starts now, fanned by the currents of a more detached future can catch fire and grow QUICKLY.
 

Aries doesn't have the staying power of some other signs (although Saturn's position at this New Moon will help us with this) because he doesn't need it. Aries isn't the cross country race. Aries is that first powerful kick off at the starting line. Aries energy isn't about winning or losing (maybe don't tell that to an Aries sun sign!) - Aries is about daring to start that race in the first place. Aries supports jumping in and taking action. He doesn't promise us that we will come out a winner or even come out alive (yes he's ruled by Mars and he's totally bad-ass), but he does promise us we will have evolved from the experience.

And that's what we're here for. We didn't come for the outcome, the outcome has already been decided. We all win in the end. We came for the experience. Aries knows this.

 

Let's unpack the chart!

The Sun/Moon (and asteroid Askalaphus) meet at 22 degrees. Remember we have had SIX MONTHS of New Moons at 23 degrees. And now, in a cardinal sign and first New Moon of the astrological year, squaring the 22 degree Cappy that got wiped out back in January 2020 (when Saturn met Pluto), the Moon meets the Sun at that powered up 22 degrees. 

 

22 is a master number - able to achieve almost impossible things (it can also have some self-sabotaging tendencies which we will talk about). It's a BIG DEAL.

The New Moon is conjunct the Sun - exalted in Aries. She is sandwiched between Ceres and Venus. She sextiles (opportunity) Mars in Gemini. She sextiles (opportunity) Jupiter in Aquarius. She quintiles (gift) Saturn. She squares Pluto - notice Venus is EXACTLY square Pluto. Mars, as ruler of Aries, is the ruler of this lunation and he is sextiling the Moon and trining Jupiter. He is conjunct asteroid Asbolus.

 

The Moon's position between Ceres and Venus speaks of our need to be nurturing/loving what we are starting. With the Moon/Ceres/Venus squaring Pluto we have access to deep passions and HONESTY now (also unconscious fears, so check any obsessive/manipulative/jealous behaviors - situations can arise to test this). Maybe something about this fiery, fresh starts comes through WHAT WE STAND TO LOSE IF WE DON'T START. Or what we have to merge/purge to get something going. Dead wood can still burn/can make a sustaining fire. Keep in mind, the Sun/Moon's aspect to Venus is already separating - the Sun's light has already shined on what we need to see about this relationship, financial, values, self-esteem situation.

The Moon's sextile to Jupiter speaks of whatever is started EXPANDING QUICKLY. Old habits may die hard, but they can also die fast under this one. Set your intention. Focus your attention. It's time. If you have something to start/launch the next two weeks are PRIME TIME. No more waiting. Just keep an eye on the Moon (avoid voids). 

Mars, as ruler of Aries, rules this lunation and is also sextiling (opportunity) the New Moon. Action, conversations, words are powerful, focused, sometimes angry. Mars is trining (brakes off) Jupiter - more smooth pavement IF WE MOVE TOWARD THE NEW AND STOP CLINGING/CLAWING AT THE PAST. Mars in Gemini is small, fast, walking and chewing gum at the same time. Jupiter in Aquarius is expanding our future - more hope, more optimism, wider and greener pastures.

Let's take a peek at the asteroids and see what they might tell us. 

 

Asteroid Askalaphus sits EXACT with the Sun/Moon. 

 

And since he is part of the Ceres/Pluto story which the New Moon is activating, let's take a deeper look at him. Askalaphus was the gardener for Hades aka Pluto (I am going to mix Roman/Greek names here for simplicity sake, does this make it more simple, well maybe not!). Pluto snatches Ceres' daughter Persephone and Ceres is wandering the world (as the world is dying from her neglect) searching for her until Hekate tells Ceres what she has seen. Ceres goes to Zeus AKA Jupiter and demands Pluto release her daughter. Jupiter who doesn't want to mess with his brother Pluto, but sees the dying Earth, agrees on the one condition Persephone hasn't eaten any of the food during her time in the underworld. Askalaphus, the gardener, is the fellow who tells Jupiter (Zeus) that Persephone has eaten the pomegranate seeds - which leads to the deal being struck between Ceres/Pluto - Persephone spending half her time in each world - and the creation of the seasons. Ceres cursed Askalaphus for his 'whistle-blowing' and turned him into a screech owl. I think she also buried him under a rock and he was later released by Hercules and Pluto declared the screech owl sacred to the underworld.

At this New Moon, the position of 'whistleblower' asteroid Askalaphus might speak of secrets/inconvenient truths coming out. Possibly through spying or eavesdropping, but maybe just something that is said spontaneously and is somehow detrimental to the parties involved/situation. Like, things are going this way, and then we find out THIS and now what do we do. Ceres/Pluto is often about some kind of compromise.

Asteroid Asbolus is conjunct Mars. 

Asbolus was a centaur seer who read omens in the flights of birds - the screech owl and the 'flights of birds' is pulling in a bird theme? Flying, freedom, what is this? Asbolus is famous for trying to warn his fellow centaurs before a deadly battle in which many of them were killed, but he was ignored. Something here about this New Moon's actions being 'ahead of our time' maybe, Mars (as us) being able to see the future and avoid some pitfalls/battles, falls from the sky?

 

The GIFT of this New Moon is a quintile to Saturn, strong in his home sign of Aquarius. Carrying the magic of the 5 pointed star, the quintile offers us a gift/innate talent - a spontaneous spark/fire that carries a great deal of raw and powerful energy. This is Aries/Aqua - and all these birds, making me think of something more freeing. The fly in the ointment with the quintile, and I think Asbolus on Mars is reinforcing this, is that the energy needs to be controlled/directed so that it doesn't turn destructive, maybe especially destructive to ourselves.

The bottom line here is this - the next two weeks - is a TIME FOR STARTING. What starts now will grow rapidly and expansively over the next 6 months. 

The square to Pluto is a turning point/something to push against (and we know Mars likes to push!). Are our old obsessions, need for power/control, manipulations, jealousies still driving this train 

OR can this be a real FRESH START seeded with something else 

(the Venus/Ceres - love, including love of ourselves, nurturing, understanding the seasonality of situations). Coming on the back of the Mars/Neptune and Mercury/Chiron there is something uncomfortable (old woundings, old anger) leading us to this point.

 

So, what are we to do now? 

 

Well, this is the independent sign of Aries - that's up to you!

 

NEW MOON INTENTIONS 

The New Moon is an excellent time for energetic support to make changes with things ruled by Aries : the head (headaches, acne, eyes, brain), the overall physical self, exploration, initiative, courage, leadership, strength, stubbornness, impulsiveness, temper tantrums, anger, stress from inaction - what do we need more of in our lives, what are we needing to release, our natal and progressed ARIES HOUSE THEMES.
 

AFFIRMATION TIPS: get into a calm, centered frame of mind - always make affirmations from a  positive (meaning both certain and happy) space - write your affirmations down by hand in script, speak them out loud - it's fire season. I'll write my affirmations on strips of paper and burn them, releasing the ashes into the air this month (Mars in Gemini).

 

Then release your attention from these things knowing that your intention is known.  

Know these things are already yours. 

xo all

Note - all this birds/flying is reminding me that 22 degrees Aries is where asteroid Icarus (the too low/too high flyer we will talk about in a big upcoming post) will be during the BIG eclipse in 2024 that will again cross the United States - the 2017 Great American Eclipse having majorly activated this Trump/covid timeline. He will also be conjunct the hot 22 degrees Cappy at the U.S. first exact Pluto return date of 2/22/22 and Icarus was exactly conjunct the U.S. natal Icarus when Trump was impeached the second time. Asteroid Icarus is an important player/indicator over the next couple years and his story is much more complicated than flying too high, but yes, the flying too high is part of it, and Asbolus is allowing us to look ahead, so keep that in mind now, too! We don't want to be the ones falling from the sky.

Today's Astrology Forecast | Friday, April 9th, 2021 - giving voice to what ails us, honesty is the best policy, turning to someone older and more experienced, stepping into future, an open portal for healing

 

 

The Pisces Moon squares Mars (actions that drift off course, misplaced arguments, feeling drained) and meets up with Neptune this morning (EDT). She goes void tonight off a sextile to Pluto (7:48PM EDT). 

Her square to Mars/meeting with Neptune rather nicely echos Mars' own square to Neptune today (21 degrees Gemini/Pisces). THIS is the energy that might be draining us this week - if you have been feeling that more than the building motivation/momentum! 

 

And remember Mars in Gemini is answering to Mercury, who is in Aries, answering to Mars. Words can be confusing. We might be rehashing very old arguments or arguing with the wrong people and about the wrong things. We might feel drained/tired/ineffective. This is a good aspect for putting our foot in our mouth. 

This is also the day Mercury meets Chiron which complicates the Mars/Mercury/Neptune because we can't just go back to bed or figure out a way to zip it. This tells us the WORDS MUST BE SPOKEN. Even when they hurt. Even when they trigger our very old woundings and we will know what triggers we are carrying by the words that wound us this week. Why do THESE words hurt? And, yes this goes back to your childhood, but this is actually much older and deeper than that. 

 

Mercury/Chiron meeting in Aries is a powerful, open portal and we are being downloaded with courage/initiative. Mars, ruler of Aries, squaring Neptune, accesses our past, the things that are behind us, our ancestry, past lives. We are healing today and tomorrow and, maybe most importantly,  yesterday. 

 

If there is something we are trying to avoid, an uncomfortable conversation for example, it should not be avoided now. This doesn't mean the conversation will tie everything up with a big red bow, but the conversation/action represents our ability to act more decisively now, more brave, more self-empowered. It is the process that matters here, not so much the immediate visible outcome. We are doing it/saying it THIS TIME when we couldn't do it/say it before. We are standing up. 

 

Putting the fear/pain/vulnerability into words will be healing.

If someone else's words have wounded us, we will notice what is happening. "Wow, my feelings here are really out of proportion to the situation." This is a TRIGGER. Now, how will we choose to respond? We want to avoid escape, avoidance or martyrdom here. But there is a clearer way through this.

The way through this is today's Saturn trine the North Node and this is a HUGE HELP. Saturn is in Aquarius, a sign he co-rulers, so he is strong here. The North Node (our way forward) is in Gemini so ruled by Mercury - and Mars is answering to Mercury! The best way through this day - putting on our big-girl pants, being responsible, talking like an adult (to some extent keeping things unemotional), stepping into our responsibility. Outer authority/limits can help. This is a trine to the North Node, so WHATEVER steps we take in this direction - toward something more future focused/responsible - can get us where we need to be. 

Remember 2021 - the year of the recurring Saturn/Uranus squares (next exact aspect is in June) - is redistributing power/building the future through chaos/change. Anything related to Saturn or Uranus this year is part of this process. 

 

TODAY/this week is part of that process. 

 

Don't avoid, escape or martyr. If your foot ends up in your mouth, choose a responsible, grown-up removal process. If someone has said something that is swirling around in your head and bothering you way out of proportion to the situation KNOW that an earlier version of you (your childhood, ancestors, past-lives) was faced with a similar situation (maybe speaking up back then created dire circumstances), and now needs you to GIVE VOICE TO WHAT HURTS. You might have to stand up for yourself. Nobody puts baby in a corner. Not this decade. You might have to admit, at least to yourself and maybe to someone else, that you need more AGENCY - more structure underneath you, better credentials, more learning, more time applied to the fundamentals. 

You don't have to have all the answers or even any answers. Ask questions (even of yourself!). We are dealing with very old fears around our ability to take care of ourselves/be ourselves/own ourselves/even survive. Be gentle with yourself and other people now. Mercury in Aries can be too blunt, words come out like bullets. This is mitigated by his mutual reception with Mars in Gemini - just keep the conversations lighter/smarter. 

Step into your responsibility, turn to someone older or more experienced. Lean into a more local future. Notice how the Mars/Neptune is allowing our escape if we are NOT READY. And that is OK, but we will miss this OPPORTUNITY and have to do this again anyway. Choose to show up. Choose to be ready. Allow that unstable feeling we get when we step out of our comfort zone or do/say something that forces us to loosen control. 

 

xo all

 

If, for example and there are a million ways this can play out, this is just one of them - we have said something we regret saying now. Maybe don't think - "how can I prevent this foot from EVER going into my mouth again", ie trying to control. Instead maybe try thinking - "look at me being an ass with my foot in my mouth" and, guess, what, I didn't choke to death/I didn't drown. I am still here. Think about that North Node in Gemini - if the situation is no big deal - apply some humor. Think about that Saturn in Aquarius - and how he has gone from being king of his castle in Capricorn to sharing rulership with chaotic Uranus in Aqua - there is opportunity in odd places and with unusual bedfellows now. If the situation is a big deal - take responsibility for the words in whatever way that would apply - the cat can't be put back in the bag, but maybe someone needs to know the cat is on the loose.

 

artwork by the amazing Pam Earleywine

maybe watch/rewatch Brene Brown's TED talk on vulnerability.

Today's Astrology forecast | Thursday, April 8th, 2021 - change is good, drifting motivations, moving toward the facts and the smaller/more manageable pieces, taking a breath

 

 

The Moon is in Pisces - we are nourished/nurtured through prayer/meditation, art, music, nostalgia, our imagination, healing, connection, escape, rest, water. She sextiles (an opportunity the requires some movement/effort on our part) Uranus at 10:23AM EDT - we are feeling more comfortable with change/the unusual, a break in our routine. Change is good/magical. This is mutable water and fixed earth - we can make mud or clay. We can make the dream more real. Financial/relationship shifts are eased into, nurture us in new ways. New money/new love. Very old familial patterns are being broken.

Later today, the Pisces Moon will move into a square with the Nodes. 

 

A turning point/choice. 

 

But, with Pisces everything is more gentle/subtle. We are moving through water and even a slight change in our stroke, changes our direction. The North Node is in Gemini - a Gemini/Pisces square speaks of separating facts from lies or too much pink paint (idealism). Or maybe something has grown so big (no boundaries, no end in sight) it needs to be broken down into smaller, more manageable pieces. Think of the difference between flowing water and flowing air. A conversation now doesn't have to be some big heavy, emotional thing. Keep it light. The square to the South Node is Sagittarius/Pisces - old beliefs that are no longer working/wise allowed to float on downstream. Water puts out the old fire. And the air takes us in a new direction. That sextile to Uranus creating the opportunity for a more gentle break with the past. Our values are changing. What we want is changing. The Sun is in Aries - the way we personally shine/value ourselves (and the ways we don't) is being made more clear to us now.

 

Keep in mind, the Moon is waning. Mars is still squaring Neptune and, with a balsamic Moon in Pisces, since yesterday afternoon - situations will be fluid/hard to pin down. We want to get going, but just aren't sure of our next step. We start with good intentions and then drift off course. Tired people/situations will feel especially draining. Things can be confusing. Today's hard square with the Nodes can help us drill down, the Sun is on Ceres (something new needs to be nurtured/fed) and we have a New Moon in Aries (new Lunar Year!) in just a couple days. 

 

If our motivated/momentum feels misdirected or missing somehow, that will change. 

 

Allow yourself to move with the shifting tides today. It's still Aries season and we don't want to float totally off-course, the urgency of what we need to do/anything hanging over our head - will probably create anxiety. But we have to give that Pisces Moon her due, too.

 

Take a breath.

xo all

artwork by the talented Isolde Pavlovskaya