Solar Eclipse New Moon in Aries 

Outside my window the birds are singing. The Birch trees are now clothing themselves in spring green, transforming their bare white branches into curtains of color. Soon Venus will grace the early morning skies, after her sojourn in the dark underworld, and rebirth herself from evening to morning star.

March 29 – Solar Eclipse, New Moon, at 8 Aries, 3:47 am PST

March 29 – Partial Solar Eclipse at 9 Aries – Solar Eclipses in Aries open the door to bold new beginnings, unexpected openings to change, new experiences, and transformations. This eclipse can ignite passions to take a stand, or initiate movement. It’s a day to feel into our courage and boldness, inviting newness to come into our lives, inviting birth and releasing the old for renewal. What changes in your life will allow for this? We pay attention to signs and synchronicities as guiding directives.

Solar Eclipses take place twice a year and are potent New Moons, especially in Aries where drive, taking a stand, and pushing at the edges are activated. This is a time to call on your courage to fully embody your deeper intent and expression. What are you wanting to start or strengthen in yourself?

The elements of water and fire dominant in the Solar Eclipse chart, so passions and emotions are strong. It’s always good to be aware of our energy during eclipse times as the powerful alignment may cause fatigue. The ruling planet of Aries is Mars, still moving in the sign of Cancer, but picking up speed. Deep feelings are stirred. The water element speaks through your dreams and inner voice. What is being asked of you? With Mars sextiling Uranus, there can be breakthroughs. Mars trining Saturn, as well, has momentum to stabilize and pace your intentions into results. You might feel that tension between the Aries push to “do it now, get results now!” versus Cancer’s inner realm of body and feelings that need patience and calm, like a mother protecting what is growing.

As we watch what could arise around impatience, frustration, and disappointment, we can reframe our situation with the soul’s deeper wisdom, insight to what is evolving within ourselves and what is breaking through into new beginnings. 

With Mercury still retrograde until April 7th, and Venus still retrograde until the 12th, both returning to watery Pisces from fiery Aries in their retrograde motion, we dip back into a review of what needs compassion. What needs deeper insight for completion? What unfinished business now calls for clarity and completion? It’s a potent transitional time!

Solar Eclipse, New Moon

March 29 – Partial Solar Eclipse, New Moon, at 9 Aries, 3:47 am PST

Affirmation for Solar Eclipse, New Moon, in Aries

“I tap into the courage of my authentic self and dare myself into becoming and showing up as I am and from there taking action, initiating new beginnings.”

Mar 28-29 – Venus rises as a morning star – When Venus rises as a Morning star – March 27 –political situations are known to be unstable & leaders insecure. It is often a time when failure or resignation of leaders takes place. (Watch the situation around the Atlantic article on the Signal group chat with cabinet members)

Mar 26 – Mars at 21 Cancer squares Chiron at 21 Aries – tending to the collective wounds of the masculine. How does sensitivity and the longing for emotional belonging (Cancer) create tension, or act out through aggression? Watch for emotional needs promoting action and assertiveness to understand where to bring more consciousness. How do we relate, or don’t relate to, aggression (Mars) within ourselves?

Mar 27 – Venus retrogrades into Pisces & conjuncts Neptune (and North Node) – a time for reflections on how we treat each other. Spiritual renewal, empathy and compassion, rather than south node Virgo, criticalness, judgement and perfectionism. This is the power of unconditional love, of imagination, of creative forces, to reshape the world as it moves into a powerful transformative time. Watch for the lower manifestation of this energy as it can be used for manipulation through deception and illusion, or through victim, martyr, savior themes. It calls us to connect with the greater spiritual truths of our oneness.

Mar 29 – Mercury retrograde enters Pisces, conjuncts Neptune in Pisces – a day for imagination, for painting and creating music. Very nonlinear and moving into mystical dimensions.

Mar 30 – Neptune enters Aries – The mystical planet, Neptune, enters Aries and starts the beginning of a great new cycle. Last time Neptune entered Aries was 168 years ago. This is the beginning of the influence of the Aries Vortex, a unique planetary alignment from 2025 to 2026. (For more on this join Susan for her monthly talk Fri, May 9)

Neptune carries the energy of the spiritual dimensions, the reality beyond this reality. Carl Jung created a phrase, “Participation Mystique”, a term that describes the artist’s, the poet’s, the musician’s experience of merging in oneness with the imaginative creative realms. This is Neptune. Neptune dissolves boundaries of separateness. The linear world peels itself back into a flowing interaction with the muse, senses heightened, colors and sounds more brilliant.

What happens as Neptune enters the fiery Aries, sign of courage, boldness, and initiator of new beginnings? We can feel the urge to enter the altered realities of our inner imaginative worlds, wherever we are, something new, a new way of sensing life, feeling into life, of creatively perceiving, opens more boldly into our consciousness. This Neptune transit is firing up the Aries Vortex.

Where have you seen someone step boldly into self expression, especially from the heart? For Neptune is the unconditional openness of being a human and spiritual being, interrelated with all others.

What happens when Neptune is engaged on less conscious or lower levels of manifestation, or when the archetype absorbs you into its energy? That’s when we have illusions, delusions, both inflation or deflation. We can feel loss at sea, victim to overwhelming circumstances. Then many of us must rest, slow, surrender to the present, float in soothing waters, be nourished.

Some may be caught up in the power of lies and deception, of convincing others that the way they see things is the reality. Neptune teaches us about the mutability of reality. Neptune, like the seas, is collective and rhythmic, blurring edges and erasing boundaries between self and other. (That’s when we bring in a good dose of Saturn, confronting the truth of things, breathing into stillness, grounding ourselves in our bodies.)

We may participate with Neptune in Aries as entering into new expressive and imaginative waters of seeing, perceiving, and creating in bold new ways. Imagine your future now. The powers of imagination, of open hearted possibilities can now spring up, just as Aries ignites the Earth into Awakening, into blossoms of potential fruit and the world becomes beauty. Aromas are sweet with promise.

Or we may be caught up in the mesmerizing qualities of a charismatic leader or person who deceives for their own profit, in bold and outrageous ways, so direct, so upfront, so strongly idealized masculine. Neptune can sweep us up into group feelings and mind, blending us into schools of fish, all moving together.

Pisces energy and the north node in Pisces are emphasized as Neptune gets ready to leave Pisces, where it’s been for the last 14 years. How can we, as a people, move into a more compassionate standst, and perception, as the world enters a very powerful transformative moment? 

Celestial Events for April 

Apr 4 – Saturn sextile Uranus, as Mars trines Saturn – These three planets are working together in this lineup. Saturn to Mars brings a steadiness in our intentions and actions. They form a relationship with Uranus to promote breakthrough, change, new ways of viewing things. There is quickness, and also a groundedness. Where are you breaking through to new ways of seeing or new actions?

Apr 6 – Sun at 16 Aries sextiles Jupiter in Gemini – new ideas, new beginnings, new possibilities, great day for brain storming.

Apr 6 & 7 – Venus at 25 Pisces conjuncts Saturn, trines Mars in Cancer, sextile Uranus in Taurus – here we review our commitments with support for taking action, and that action can help us breakthrough old patterns into new ways of expressing and being

Apr 7 – Mercury goes direct at 26 Pisces – Mercury swims in the deep imaginative waters of Pisces. Now our creative ponderings, and writings move forward more easily. Communicating our feelings becomes more accessible.

Apr 12 – The Sun conjuncts Chiron at 22 Aries – Themes of healing and/or addressing the wounds of aggression are up.

Full Moon at 23 Libra, 5:23 pm

Apr 12 – Full Moon at 23 Libra, 5:23 pm – this full Moon highlights Chiron, the wounded healer in Aries, the sign of action and conflict, comparison, competition and new beginnings. Where do we need strength to act, and where do we need courage to stand up as warriors for our values? Where in the collective is there a need to address what is out of balance between the masculine and the feminine, between inclusiveness and separation, between empathy and blame?

The Moon in Libra seeks balance and harmony, a sense of pause to find a place to center as we consider others. Aries initiates action and boldness in its independence. How do we attend to both as we journey through our days? This is a very potent full Moon, a turning point time with the various aspect formations to the Moon. The square to Mars in Cancer accentuates the inner emotional motivations in our actions and reactions. This can be a healing and insightful time for those of us who bring consciousness to our daily actions and interactions. (for more on this join Susan for the monthly astrology talk, April 4th)

Apr 12 – Full Moon, at 23 Libra, 5:23 pm PDT

 

Affirmation for full Moon in Libra

“Under the bright Libra Moon I reflect upon the balance between my needs and independent drives with the quality of my presence with others.”

Apr 12 – Venus goes direct at 24 Pisces – Venus now as morning star and direct in Pisces, opens the day with deep feelings, empathy, and creative imagination. We can look over the time period from January 27th until now and reflect on what has evolved in our relationships. What insights can we draw upon to understand the deeper aspects of what is taking place in our relations? What has been reviewed, restored, or renewed in our artistic pursuits? How are we now relating to our finances? What insights do we glean?

Apr 15 – Mercury enters Aries – Mercury moves out of the oceanic feelings of Pisces into the sharp, direct, active sign of Aries. What have we learned from this time of Mercury retrograding in Pisces and Aries, since February 28th? What has been clarified in terms of our thinking? Did we recognize patterns of thinking that are influenced by very old conditioning and are no longer useful? Have there been challenges in communication that point out those old ways of thinking and responding? Course correction and new beginnings are ahead, fresh starts with Aries. Just think before you talk!!

Apr 16 – Mercury conjuncts Neptune at 1 Aries – Active imagination. Practical thinking combines with imaginative meditations. This is the mark of the poet. Think poetically about the Earth, about your day, and experience your soul’s perceptions.

Apr 17 – Mars enters Leo – Mars finally leaves watery Cancer, there since September 4th, with a short sojourn into Leo from November 3rd to January 6th. Mars traveled through sensitive Cancer with a drive to feel emotionally connected, bringing up it’s unconscious reactions and emotional needs for belonging. Cancer is the sign of protection of its own and the needs of the family, so family connections may have been strong or strongly desired. Now it launches into the kingly sign of Leo where it is expressive and loud in its stands for itself. Trust your instincts, listen to your heart. Take action to boldly express yourself. And don’t forget to play!

Apr 19 – The Sun enters Taurus – Spring has fully sprung, and fertility and nature’s beauty and creativity begins to fulfill itself. After the rush of new beginnings in Aries, Taurus begins to settle us into the fruits of our actions. Let us take in the efforts we have put out. Let us take in the beauty of the Earth and value our artistic creations. Creativity is the inheritance of being human. Let us dive into it and don’t let the culture convince you that Taurus is just materialistic and security minded!

Apr 19 – Mars at 1 Leo trines Neptune in Aries – Be imaginative, empathetic and let your actions take in the imagination of the cosmos for a day. Good day to wander in reverie.

Apr 20 – The Sun at 1 Taurus squares Mars in Leo – Stability and dependability square off with showmanship. What actions might you take to express your deep heart of feeling?

Apr 23 – The Sun at 3 Taurus squares Pluto in Aquarius – Our habits and routines feel the pull of deeper motivations. What is wanting to be transformed in the way we view ourselves, our sense of identity? Let go of the old!

Apr 24 – Venus conjuncts Saturn at 27 Pisces – Be conscious of what we value, of what we are committing to, or willing to commit to in relationship. Did you forget your boundaries and now experience resentment? Navigate the personal and the feeling for the spiritual with more honesty of your needs. A perfect time for greater love commitments.

Apr 26 – Mars at 3 Leo opposes Pluto in Aquarius – Heat from below, or intensity in expression! Feelings of domination or awareness of deeper needs and issues that have been repressed. Time for transformation of action, reaction. Watch being pushed around. Stand your ground with the clear nobility of the lion.

Apr 27 – New Moon at 7 Taurus – Powerful New Moon connections with the warrior (Mars) and the god of the Underworld (Pluto). Taurus prefers peace, stability, and to see the positive, but something is erupting from below! Contemplate your values and how you take a stand for them.

Affirmation for New Moon in Taurus

“During this time of upheaval, destruction, and dominance, I seek a centered groundedness within myself. I see the beauty of this Earth that I am gifted to live within and upon. I carry gratitude in my heart.”

Apr 30 – Venus enters Aries – Diana or Artemis, the huntress with her dogs, independent and true to her wildness, attunes to nature. Boldness of the feminine, boldness in receiving, boldness in one’s perception. Daring and adventurous. Independent but also relational. Feel her uniqueness!

 

The Twelve signs for April 2025: Sun and Rising Signs

The 12 signs for April will be posted on April 1st.

Aries (Mar 20-Apr 19): Dear Aries, with Neptune now in Aries, utilize its gift of imagination. Imagine a renewed life. Be bold in your possibilities. The full Moon on the 12th encourages us to pause, and find balance, to balance Yin sustainability with Yang outer action. With the full Moon in Libra and the Sun in Aries illuminating Chiron in Aries squaring warrior Mars in Cancer, we are collectively and personally being called to renegotiate our relationship with ‘doing’, with our own inner masculine. Something deeper that has been forgotten, left out, or abandoned now wants to return, to be reunited, under the light of active imagination and compassion of Neptune in Aries.

Taurus (Apr 20-May 20): Dear Taurus, with Neptune entering Aries, your Taurian steadiness can become enriched by retreating, scheduling time for self reflection, writing, and creative expression. Into the studio you go! Or take a inner journey into your psyche. Keep a pen by your bed and record your dreams. Neptune stimulates your imaginative soul powers. What’s coming through? And take good care of yourself, because you can be more open to influences around you and within. The Libra full Moon takes place on April 12th. You bring Libra energy into the work place and your daily life. Meaning, how you work with others, how you express yourself artistically, is emphasized. Bright ideas, dream images find practical application. Balance is called for between deep self reflection, and the importance of completion, planning, and scheduling how you manifest yourself.

Gemini (May 21-Jun 20): Dear Gemini, with Neptune entering Aries, you might find old plans dissolving to be replaced by new plans. Joining a spiritual or creative group that is activated into taking stands for the greater good, for cherished values, propels you into engagement. Perhaps what was unclear before with friends, becomes more clearly defined as you take time for yourself. The full Libra Moon on the 12th, highlights your creative expression. There may be a lot to share or say with the Moon trining expansive Jupiter in your sign, Gemini. The last number of months have be important for you, dear Gemini, as you move into new situations and territory. 

Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 21): Dear Cancer, since September 4th, 2024, Mars has been in Cancer (except for short sojourn in Leo from Nov 3- Jan 23rd, then retrograding back into Cancer on January 23rd). So this has been an interesting time for you with Mars retrograding back and forth in your sign. Have you had too much heat in your system? Have you redefined your intentions for the year? Mars leaves the sign Cancer on April 17th. Neptune in Aries brings new ways of showing up in the public or in your career. You are reimagining your place as old ways dissolve. The full Moon in Libra brings in themes of home and family, sending down roots for initiating new starts in regards to career or purpose.

 

Leo (Jul 22 – Aug 22): Dear Leo, with Neptune into Aries your imagination expands new possibilities for travel, for study, for expansion of consciousness. What new places, new territories, are you adventuring in? Bring your art supplies, dancing shoes, or instruments. Don’t rush. Neptune expresses itself on deeper levels, so take time to clarify. You have the capacity to experience the reality behind this every day reality. How do you share it, teach it, express it, move into it? The full Libra Moon brings its reflective light into how you think and communicate. The Moon finds its “joy” here, as it is the place of the Goddess, where she finds and uses the sacred power of words. 

Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22): Dear Virgo,  Neptune in Aries moves into your house of intimacy and deeper processes of self-discovery through relating with others. What old ways are dissolving, revealing deeper truths in relating? This is the area to bring your attention as spiritual renewal is at hand. On the 12th the Libra full Moon calls to you to honor your own uniqueness and worth. Do we even know how to honor that? This is taking place in balance with the Aries Sun lighting up and giving energy to your relationships with others. How do you find that inner fulcrum? A good month to review your finances.

Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22): Dear Libra, with Neptune entering Aries you may experience unique spiritual experiences with others. Something old is dissolving and a different perception is entering through your experiences this month. Pay attention to the nuances. Take time to contemplate the greater meaning of things. Sometimes you may experience Neptune’s influence as not knowing, overwhelm, or disorientation. If so, slow down and tune in. Listen to your soul’s deeper insights and guidance. The full Moon in Libra on the 12th shines a light on you, bringing out your sweetness and poetic voice. The Aries Libra polarity is a strong one, self and other, decisive and contemplative, assertive and creative. You are all these. 

Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21): With Neptune entering Aries, dear Scorpio, your warrior self enters a new stage. The sign Scorpio, as a Mars ruled sign, has persistence, staying power, and transformative abilities. This is a reimagining of your every day life, your habits, and your alignment within yourself. It calls for attunement of spirit within your fierceness. What bold but sensitive changes would you like to enact? This placement encourages both rest, spaciousness, and the building of strength to be yourself in the moment. The full Libra Moon on the 12th carries a different flavor. Under the light of the full Moon take the opportunity to retreat into sanctuary space. Listen for messages and record your dreams. A new way of understanding your self and your feelings is up for you.

Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 20): Dear Sagittarius, with Neptune moving into Aries your imaginative powers and abilities are strengthened. It means giving time to them. Fire burns hot and fast, and Neptune is the elusive God of nuance, subtlety, and heightened feeling perception. The question is, how do you give yourself over to the creative powers now available to you? This is a time of the opening of your heart and love, of letting your deeper self shine through. If you are feeling overwhelmed, slow your thoughts and focus on the moment to moment. As a Sagittarius you know how to get there. The full Moon in Libra shines a light on participating with others and showing up with the beauty you create and share. You may feel sensitive or shy and revealing of yourself, but this sharing opens up new possibilities for growth and expansion you will appreciate.

Capricorn (Dec 21- Jan 19): Dear Capricorn, Neptune in Aries opens the door to below, where your deeper essence and soul live. There is perhaps vulnerability, and maybe overwhelm, but now is the time to dive in. The root of your being carries the strength and fierceness of Aries, and you are creating new foundations for yourself and family. Messages will come to you as you listen to them. Dreams will guide and bring wisdom to you. Some old way of being is dissolving to be recreated with more creativity and soul. Remember to rest as there is deep processes taking place. The full Libra Moon does the opposite of Neptune, bringing you out into the world. Ask yourself, “What are my intention? What am I aspiring toward? How do I want to share myself?” Because the full Moon squares Mars in Cancer, be patient and seek the deeper meaning to your frustration, annoyance or anger. Let it clarify what you are wanting to bring into your life.

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 17): Dear Aquarius, with Pluto now in Aquarius and Neptune entering Aries, creative changes are afoot. You might ask yourself, “How do I want to use my creative and imaginative powers? Is there something I need to let go of to allow the new?”  Though this is not unusual for you, you may be receiving a cascade of inspiration. With Neptune in Aries, you can experience both the brilliancy of your ideas and the need to slow down for deeper engagement and time for engagement. The door of imagination, of poetic repertoire, has opened. Devote yourself to it. If you are feeling foggy or overwhelmed, be still. Walk by the sea. As your mind clears you receive guidance and inspiration. The full Libra Moon illuminates your house of learning, with the potential to bring a deeper understanding of the belief systems that support or obstruct the flow of your life. Now is the opportunity for expansion of your consciousness through study, travel, or exploring new inner and outer territory.

Pisces (Feb 18-Mar 19): Dear Pisces, Neptune is one of your ruling planets, and being so, this shift of signs is emphasized. Do you feel the need to initiate new beginnings? Are you motivated to start something new that takes a certain boldness? With Neptune moving from Pisces to Aries, you may experience more momentum and clarity in regards to your inner drive and motivation. You may find yourself bringing out your creative, imaginative talents in a more active way. With this change of signs, you will want to bring reflection to your finances. What needs to be clarified? The full Moon in Libra takes place on April 12th. On the 12th, the Moon shines its light on your relationships, especially what you share, or how you collaborate with others. You may receive an insight that gives you understanding about what seems frustrating. This is a time to be aware and to address your needs within relationship. 

 

Susan Heinz is a professional astrologer in Santa Cruz for 42 years, bringing together traditional & esoteric astrology, Tarot and Qabalah. For info on her Friday monthly astrology groups, her Qabalah, astrology and/or painting classes, and for personal readings, call (831) 479-3751, or go to www.susanheinz.com