New Moon in Aries | April 15th - rising from the ashes, expect the unexpected, new territory, playing the long game, new Lunar Year begins, Mercury direct, the wait is over, make a vision board!

aren by aufzehengehen

We kick off the Lunar Year with a New Moon in pioneering Aries (Sun and Moon at 26 degrees Aries) at 9:57PM EDT on Sunday.

This is the first New Moon of the astrological year AND in the take no prisoners, get fired up, let's start something NEW sign of Aries. The space of 26 degrees Aries in our natal chart is going to be where we are ready for change NOW. This is impulsive, fiery energy.

Normally at the New Moon, dark skies energy, we take baby steps in a new direction. With this one, I would suggest kicking it up a notch, and actually, if we are impacted by this, we probably won't be able to avoid the extra notch even if we wanted to!

Years ago I heard an astrologer say that for Aries life is like, "Ready. FIRE! Aim.".  

This is what we need to be cautious of here.

So we will think before we act (and speak). Although there are no planets in air signs now. Hmm, what are we thinking? Maybe we won't be! Wait, there is Pallas in Gemini - she is strategic and Gemini rules choices, so there's that!

This New Moon is all about Aries energy. What is Aries? Aries energy 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.

So, the Aries New Moon in a year with a North Node in Leo - this truly, is a time to put the oxygen mask on our own face first! This is about what we want now (and with Uranus conjunct, it will be different than what we wanted before) and should provide the courage and determination to get something going. We may not have a single minded focus (Pallas in Gemini) - but our actions will speak louder than our words now anyway.

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.

Now let's look at the connections the New Moon is making. Remember at the time of the New Moon, the Sun and the Moon are at the same degree. Every connection the Moon is making the Sun is making, too - so everything is amplified.

Don't be distracted, or lulled into complacency by the dark skies - the energies are uber powerful now. 

The Sun and Moon are conjunct "anything-can-happen" freedom-loving Uranus, sitting at 24 degrees Aries, just a few weeks from his move into Taurus.

When a planet conjuncts another planet it's like a guest comes in from out of town and takes over.

Maybe they put their feet on the coffee table, toss their coat on our favorite chair and polish off that bottle of wine we'd been saving. Maybe they clean the kitchen and cook us dinner. Either way, they are hard to miss.

Uranus is the planet of genius and rebellion and 'anything can happen'. Uranus is charged with shifting us from point A to point B via the fastest possible route.

Uranus gives the energy at this New Moon some unpredictable electricity. Something can come from out of nowhere - all the i's are not dotted and all the t's are not crossed now.

What is actually going to happen is we have the New Moon - the Sun and Moon meet in Aries at 26 degrees - then a few hours later - SURPRISE! - the Moon (our emotions) meets Uranus ... then because the Sun moves much slower than the Moon - the Sun (the light) will meet Uranus on Wednesday.

With Pluto sitting with Mars - the ruler of the New Moon - maybe something we thought was 'dead and buried' will rise from the ashes.

Mars' trine to benefic Venus and sextile to dreamy Neptune should help.

The sextile (opportunity) with Neptune could mean Pluto's resuscitating efforts come through our imagination.  

MAKE THAT VISION BOARD!

And we can't ignore the elephant in the room - powerful Saturn sitting almost still, preparing to go retrograde in a few days, and conjunct the Moon's ruler Mars.

Now, remember Mars has already gotten past Saturn before this New Moon! And this matters. We are further ahead than we think we are now.

Saturn isn't really a stop-sign here. He's more of a drag on our wheels that prevents our fast acceleration, some added weight in the trunk - that yes, slows us down, but also helps moderate our balance/speed in bad weather (there are always two sides!) and over uneven pavements.

He is the sign in the road that tells us SLOW DOWN - CHILDREN AT PLAY

(except with Saturn everyone is old and no one is playing).

Results from whatever this New Moon gets started will be hard earned and pay off OVER TIME.

That's OK.

We are playing the long game. We are building something to last and when Saturn and Pluto meet up at the end of 2019 and into 2020 our results will be clearly visible!

At the same time as this New Moon, Mercury, retrograde in Aries since March 22nd, will station direct at 4 degrees.

So, whatever we have been re-viewing, re-doing, re-vising, re-visiting is apt to SURGE forward - or at the very least because Mercury is still squaring that serious stop-sign otherwise known as Saturn (and Mercury IS going to meet Saturn again) - the "re's" will END.

With Uranus activated, things could turn on a dime. Get your roller skates ready.

The New Moon is squaring Pluto (in Capricorn).

This is more of this April's Aries/Capricorn battle - keep in mind that next month when the planets start to move through Taurus, these squares will turn into opportunistic sextiles (YAY) - that's why I have been saying we can't just sit this energy out and avoid it. We need the tension/challenges of the squares. We need our rough edges smoothed out by rubbing them against other rough edges. With Aries/Capricorn - something wants to go and something is making it stop or slow down. This is the impulsive, inexperienced son vs the serious, experienced father.

This ties in to last Wednesday's square between Pluto and the Sun - that power play energy with the hidden agenda. What was that all about for you?

At the same time Jupiter (in Scorpio) is sitting across the sky from Venus (in Taurus).

Anytime Jupiter opposes anything we can be assured something is being stretched.

This can be a good thing - think of your favorite yoga pose or the $5 you turned into $10 with that half-off coupon. Or a stretch can be a bad thing - think about that stretch that threw your back out, that bounced check or when the truth gets stretched into 'alternative facts'.

Venus rules love, our money, our resources, our values, women, beauty and our self-esteem. Taurus and Scorpio rule our money houses. With that Jupiter opposition maybe there is something here about someone getting wedded to their position and not wanting to negotiate. There could be something about excess and wanting too much. With Jupiter retrograde and going to return to these degrees again - it could pay off in the long run to keep some skin in the game.

Don't burn any bridges here, but don't over extend yourself financially or over-commit your time/resources either. If you have already overpaid, overspent - there could be a bill to pay now. With Venus interacting with Mars and Jupiter (and Pluto!) at this New Moon there should be actions you can take to make this situation better. Maybe especially financial situations.

And this means - better over the long haul - remember Saturn is in Capricorn until 2020 - the LONG GAME IS THE ONLY GAME. Even as the first spring blossoms break through the ground - winter is here.

New Moon Affirmations 

This 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.

AFFIRMATION TIPS: get into a calm, centered frame of mind - always make affirmations from a  positive (meaning certain) space - write your affirmations down by hand in script, speak them out loud - with a fire New Moon maybe write your affirmations on strips of paper and burn them - now release your attention from these things knowing that your intention is known.  

Know these things are already yours.

The best time to do your New Moon affirmations and make your vision board is after the New Moon and before the Moon goes void of course (don't do this while the Moon is void!). 

Since this is a late degree New Moon we don't have much time this month to get the best results.

So, do your affirmations and/or your vision board on Sunday night after 9:57PM EDT but before 1:50AM EDT.

xo all

Don't miss doing your affirmations this month. This is the perfect time to make a vision board for 2018, too!

Also, keep in mind if you are a last minute tax-filer and putting your energies this weekend into that, this will influence the New Moon energies and your month/year ahead. Which could be a good thing - taking your money/resources seriously, being organized, being appreciative - or not such a good thing - stressing out about any lack, giving your power away, being unorganized.

Get clear on what you are setting up energetically now because you are putting it into play for the long haul.

Astrology Forecast for Creatives | Week of April 9th - part II

The Storm by Spiegellicht

The forecast for most of the week is HERE.

I thought instead of editing that post to include the end of the week I would just pop up a second post. I try to do a weekend forecast on Friday morning, but I thought this week's storyline, that feeds into the weekend, probably needed to be posted sooner.

I will do a New Moon forecast by sign later in the week.

Let's get back to the week ahead.

We begin FRIDAY with the Moon in dreamy, sensitive Pisces. She sextiles Pluto and then goes on to trine Jupiter (retrograde in Scorpio and answering to Pluto) - all before breakfast.

The Moon goes void at 7:27AM EDT off that Jupiter trine. The Moon is void until 11:25PM EDT when she moves into Aries.

So, Friday is not a good day to start anything new or launch anything into the world we want "something to come of" - maybe a good day to mail that tax return although Mercury is still retrograde so that could be debatable!

It is excellent energy - what better than a Balsamic Moon in Pisces! - for meditation, prayer, forgiveness, release.

It would also be a good day with that last aspect Jupiter trine to do promotional work, media, travel, teaching, deal with existing legal issues - any Jupiterian theme we started prior to March 8th.

Friday's energy starts the build-up toward Saturday's powerful Pluto/Jupiter sextile and Sunday's New Moon in Aries and Mercury's station.

We could be dealing with Piscean themes - healing, art, spirituality, endings - Scorpian themes - finances, loans, taxes, sex, reproduction, divorce, death, rebirth, intimacy - and/or our goals, career, authority situations.

With the Moon hitting Chiron at the last degree of Pisces - there could be something heavy or painful or that has us feeling emotionally vulnerable now. We, and other people, could be very sensitive - keep this in mind. Maybe something here about wounded-women or a mother-wound or something painful around not belonging or not fitting in. This is a transit. It is transitory. Feel it. Thank it for its message. Let it go.

While we sleep on SATURDAY, Jupiter moves into sextile (opportunity) with Pluto. Now we will see what this week's power plays have amounted to.

This is an important three-peat aspect.

We had this first on January 15th at 19 degrees Scorpio/Capricorn, then today at 21 degrees with Jupiter retrograde and then the final sextile will be on September 12th at 18 degrees with Pluto retrograde.

These sextiles will most strongly impact those with planets/points around those degrees.

This is about DEEP change. Fortune favors the bold with this one. Jupiter is expanding Pluto's power. Someone is making a big, bold move. There is opportunity here, but we will have to confidently act on it. This could be about our beliefs about what is possible.

Remember Jupiter is retrograde so this is still re-vision energy. This is about going back over an old opportunity or clarifying/adjusting what has happened since January.

What did you have going on around the middle of January the first time these two mega-energies danced together in Scorpio/Capricorn?

On SUNDAY Mercury stations direct (YAY!) at 4 degrees Aries. What have we learned since he/she stationed retrograde back on March 22nd?

Mercury will not start walking totally new territory until May 4th, but today's station at the time of a New Moon pretty much guarantees that whatever this retrograde has been about for us - NOW WE KNOW.

We have had plenty of time to re-do/re-work any impulsive plans or re-mediate any reckless language. Hopefully this has been time well-spent. We know we are older now, best to be a bit wiser, too.

Keep in mind Mercury still has that final square with Saturn (wall, rule, limit) - this time with Mercury direct and Saturn retrograde on the 25th.

At the same time we have the big New Moon in Aries conjunct "anything-can-happen" Uranus. I will do a post about this one, but wanted to put it into context with the rest of the week because the New Moon's shock and awe will be connected to the Pluto square the Sun we talked about HERE for Tuesday and Wednesday.

We will talk about the New Moon by sign in the next post.

What has changed in your life since Uranus entered Aries in 2011? Probably alot! The next few weeks will be our last push for more of that before Uranus moves into Taurus on May 15th.

Remember I am writing about aspects when they are exact, they are in play as they build and release, so events might not happen exactly on the days mentioned.

xo all

I will get back to our Trump series this week, too. This New Moon is conjunct Uranus (when I write Uranus just think Trump!) so he is likely to make a big move or be a catalyst for something explosive this week. Having a New Moon conjunct Uranus means in 6 months we will have a Full Moon (October 24th) conjunct Uranus, so anything he does now will likely reach a peak/conclusion then.

Astrology Forecast for Creatives | Week of April 9th - transformative challenges, self-created crisis to learn how powerful we are, a darth vader projection, love, opportunity, potential, surrender, slips through our fingers, the run up to the New Moon blast-off

Crystal by asalisinasa

On SUNDAY we had the last quarter Moon - the waning square to the Sun - at 18 degrees in serious and ambitious Capricorn (Sun in Aries). Last quarter moons are different from first quarter Moons. It is still a time of stress/tension regarding choices - but now the seduction is to hold onto something that is ripe for release.

Maybe from habit or a need to stick with what we started - but there is something here now that is 'past its sell-by-date'. Something that has come as far as it can go. The tricky part can be recognizing it. The other tricky part is letting the energies complete and pull you back into yourself.

Capricorn can lure us into the past, back to old ways of doing things - old rules, old judgements, old crutches and burdens. And we have Pluto in Capricorn digging through the sludge, so this is not a comfortable journey. The Moon can shine a light on the discomfort here.

We have a bold New Moon conjunct Uranus in just seven days - we don't want to be carrying this old Capricorn/Saturnian fear into the New Moon's fresh start energy.

What burden can be laid down now?

Pace yourself.

On MONDAY, the Moon (she moved into Aquarius last night) will sextile - opportunity - Mercury in Aries in the late afternoon (3:16PM EDT). This is good energy for business and for communicating with other people including your groups and causes. We should be able to detach, really listen, be a little more articulate and not take things so personally. Diverse opinions/ideas are supported and will advance whatever we have going on.

On TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY, the Aries Sun squares Pluto (in Capricorn - we said this month was going to be all about Aries-Capricorn!).

This aspect makes me think of Darth Vader. It makes me think of earthquakes. Challenges and power struggles are likely. With Pluto/Sun squares this is about transforming some aspect of ourselves via tension/crisis. And the crisis is somehow self-created and self-perpetuated. Or maybe we are up against forces greater than ourselves - more powerful. Or maybe we are doing battle with a Scorpio person or situation (financial, sexual, life/death) - this would have to do with the hidden Scorpio in us we are projecting onto them, so we have to deal/work with it!

With Pluto (ruler of the 8th house) there is always stuff happening that we cannot see - so we don't know what we don't know here.

At the same time Jupiter (retrograde in Scorpio) is inconjunct - that rock and a hard place - that same Aries Sun. Mercury is deep in the final days of her retrograde journey through Aries. Whatever we are going 'back over' or re-fining through re-duction requires additional work. Jupiter can make any situation look bigger - sometimes better - than it actually is. Are we taking on too much?

In general we will be dealing with Plutonian situations - fireballs - finances, sex, intimacy, death/rebirth, reproduction, fertility (birthing struggles), 3rd party situations, power struggles, compulsions, obsessions, manipulations and the themes of our personal CAPRICORN and SCORPIO houses.

These energies can bring us into contact with incredible stamina - a kind of all-or-nothing Scorpio resolve. We just need to be sure (and with Mercury/Jupiter retrograde it is hard to be sure) we know what we are really fighting for/struggling with here or we could shoot ourselves in the foot. Win the battle, lose the war kind of thing.

EXAMPLE FOR AQUARIUS/Aquarius Rising - This is about your 3rd house (Sun in Aries) - communication, information, writing, siblings, transportation or some situation in your local neighborhood. There could be a verbal power struggle, maybe an argument. Maybe something contractual. And your 10th house (career/big life goals/public life - Pluto in Capricorn) - and yes, these could be two different things, but they will interconnect somehow. There is something behind-the-scenes you need to adjust to. Keep in mind that later in the week Jupiter and Pluto are going to form an opportunistic sextile as you take another look at something or clarify/re-assess it. This is all about a new public ambition or career goal you are moving forward. Your big dream still needs a few more tweaks. When Mercury moves direct at the time of the Aries New Moon conjunct Uranus at the end of the week you will likely get some surprising new information/decision/answer. This could be about the stuff that is happening behind the scenes earlier in the week. Stay flexible and able to adjust your goals to the facts/what is actually real right now.

Also on TUESDAY, Venus (love, money, women, beauty, self-esteem, our values and resources) trines - brakes off! - her lover-boy Mars. 

Venus is fat and happy in Taurus. Mars is lean and mean in Capricorn. To have these two working together is - how does Martha say it? - "a VERY GOOD THING". 

Our wants and what we do to get what we want are working together. This is good/great manifestation energy. Good for relationships. Maybe that thing we want moves a little bit closer as we attract it/take action. 


The Moon goes void on Tuesday at 12:06PM EDT for the rest of the day.

On THURSDAY, the Moon is in watery Pisces. We are more sensitive now - this began yesterday - and open to more subtle vibrations. 

Venus sextiles Neptune. This is smooth sailing. This is a healing, gentle touch. This is good shopping energy, good for beautification projects. GOOD DATE NIGHT. You could meet a dreamy eyed Pisces who will ply you with flowers and sweet talk. Let him/her.

Something should fall into place now or slip through our fingers.

If something ends now - it is meant to end. 

The blow should be cushioned; the fall into a bed stuffed with feathers. Maybe this is just because we are worn out from the battle (!), but whatever this is, if something ends now - it was always meant to end now. 

The journey to this point has BEEN THE POINT. Let it go. It is time. The 'opportunity' here comes through surrender.  

And, of course, as smoothly as something slips away something could slip into place, too - maybe a financial, relationship dream.

Know that whichever way the waters run for you now we are all playing a long game. We all win in the end. And if we are not winning, it's not the end. We've got this thing.

EXAMPLE for VIRGO/Virgo Rising - your Venus story this week plays out through your 9th and 5th houses - travel, higher education, weddings, politics, legal issues, the media, publishing, foreigners, everything outside your comfort zone, exploration, your beliefs and higher thinking and creative projects, your self-expression, what you give birth to, children, romance and recreation. The trine (brakes off) between Venus (what you want) and Mars (what you do to get what you want) tells you your creative applications geared toward moving your life outside your comfort zone are where you want to apply your efforts now. This is your best chance of success. Your assurance/courage increases as you journey forward through these energies. Neptune's sextile through your partnership house (Pisces) speaks of an opportunity now for a smoother, maybe more spiritual, connection with a partner or a partner's faith in you and their tender support (healing energy) for whatever is happening.

The BIG news and new adventure for all of us kicks off this coming weekend at the New Moon plus the high point of the month is on Saturday as Jupiter sextiles Pluto - for the 2nd of 3 times this year!

I will be back to finish out the week later today (time to make the lockets and I need some acupuncture on my shoulder/elbow this morning) and then will do a big New Moon post by sign later in the week. 

Note the Moon is Void ALL DAY Friday.

This looks like a week with many twists and turns. It is perfectly timed foreplay for the fresh start that begins at the end of the week!
 
xo all

Weekend Astrology Forecast | April 6th thru April 8th - tending to reality, processing what we learned this week, dealing with long term money matters, putting work into our relationships, about to hit some green lights, the check comes through

untitled by Lover-and-the-Wild

On FRIDAY, the expansive Sagittarius Moon goes void at 9:36AM EDT off a trine to freedom-loving and unpredictable (and genius) Uranus.

Time to stretch ourselves. The spaces we have boxed ourselves in become a little more elastic under these skies. Changes made now aren't quite as chaos-producing as they might normally be (their stickiness will depend on our own natal chart though). We could meet someone unusual (or Aquarian) today. Break routine. Home and family situations could play out in unusual ways this morning.

At 2:01PM EDT the Moon moves into Capricorn portending a serious weekend (or maybe something that feels like winter - we are expecting more snow - ugh!) following our very Saturnian week.

This doesn't mean so much that we can't catch a break - as we just continue to be emotionally driven (the Moon) by our goals, authority, our responsibilities and career/work in the world.  

Practical things and earthly affairs will have our attention.

This could be a quieter day as we process whatever has been happening over the last couple days.

The Moon is building toward an early morning (Saturday) square with a retrograde Mercury, so we are re-working, re-thinking whatever we have going on and the tension/stress of the square is continuing this week's REALITY CHECK.

What needs to be decided? What actions need to follow this decision?

On SATURDAY, the Moon continues her journey through Capricorn - now meeting up with both Saturn and trining Venus (in her home sign of Taurus). The Moon is never totally comfortable in Capricorn - her polarity sign, but as long as we are taking whatever we are doing seriously and take our time with it, NONE of the major players want to rush now - she is comfortable enough.

Things start to ease up.

We wake, if we sleep until at least 9:36AM EDT (is this possible for anyone? I would be happy to sleep until 7:36AM!) with Venus (love, money, our values and self-esteem) trining (brakes off) stable Saturn.

This is probably the nicest aspect of the week! And she will go on to trine Mars next week. That is like - "the check we have been waiting on comes through".

Let's make a word salad for some Venusian/Saturnian inspiration keeping in mind both these planets are in their home signs making our use of these combined energies EXTRA POWERFUL:

Getting serious (Saturn) about our money (Venus), putting work (Saturn) into our relationship (Venus), making love (Venus) last (Saturn), making our money (Venus) last (Saturn), buying (Venus) something that will last (Saturn), getting serious (Saturn) about our appearance (Venus), girl (Venus) meets sugar daddy (Saturn - clearly ain't no sugar-daddy, but Venus does often have her way with him) ie our youthful energy meeting something stabilizing, old man (Saturn) meets beautiful muse (Venus) ie our tired energy meeting creative inspiration - you get the idea here.

Trines "release the brakes" between these two energies, so situations can move forward. Including the trine to Mars - which we will talk about on Sunday - this beneficial energy is in play until around Tuesday. There is something here we can take and run with!

It's a good time to balance your checkbook. Plan long-term. Mercury has us looking back, but look ahead for trouble spots. Saturn asks us to take stock of what we have and Mercury will have us re-evaluating the situation.

Where is your Venus (the energy you put into your money/relationships) being drained? What needs to be firmed up? Saturn can help. Now is the time to restructure whatever it is you are doing to make your love/relationships/money longer-lasting.

What does that make you think of? Do some of that now.

This will be felt strongest by people with planets and points around 8-12 degrees Taurus and Capricorn, but we will all benefit from having these energies in our Taurus and Capricorn houses working together.

On SUNDAY the Moon is very active - first squaring the Sun, while we sleep, giving us the last quarter Moon - a point of tension in the monthly cycle, in Capricorn, something about success or loss. Then moving into conjunction with Pluto bringing intensity and ambition (maybe jealousy, manipulation, compulsion) - we could be dealing with a Plutonian issue - other people's money, loans, debts, taxes, inheritance, sex, reproduction, fertility, life/death, transformation, eliminating what we don't need. This is good energy to overcome obstacles - people could be ruthless though. And finally the Moon will sextile Jupiter - good for opportunities with travel, working with foreign people or foreign ideas, pushing boundaries, higher education, media, politics, religion, weddings. And this is all before lunch!

The Moon goes void Sunday evening at 7:40PM EDT off a square to rebellious Uranus. So we started the weekend with the trine (brakes off) and finish up with the square (tension/frustration).

That's "thank God it's Friday" to that moment on Sunday when Sunday starts feeling like Monday.

The Moon moves into Aquarius while we snooze.

*****

Remember we are still in the early days of April. Mercury is retrograde. We are processing. We are re-working things. We are deciding.

We can only do what we can do. We need to be doing something though.

The Sun is in Aries answering to Mars and Mars is very happy and strong in Capricorn where he is exalted. There is support for our actions (Mars) toward what we want now.

But our actions in Capricorn are slowed down  

(and a retrograde Mercury, also in Aries, is supporting this slow-down period by requiring us to go back over things to get it right).

Whenever we have multiple transits/aspects saying the same thing we need to take it seriously - especially when everything is answering to Saturn strong in his home sign of Capricorn! It won't be easy. But easy isn't really what we are going for.

Think of the way a general (Capricorn) proceeds into battle vs a soldier (Aries). The general is in charge. And for her/him to be in charge she needs to see the bigger picture. She needs to think about how one thing will impact the next thing and how the whole thing will be impacted over time.

We are the general now. We need to take it one day and one thing at a time. 

We should start to hit some green lights this weekend and into early next week.

Then around the middle of April - as we reach the New Moon, Mercury stations direct, Saturn goes to sleep, more planets move into earth signs - we will see a bigger push forward.

xo all