Astrology for April 2014
Music of the Spheres
Astrological Insights by Susan Heinz
Astrology for April 2014,
The dawn stretches out rosy on the Eastern ridge. Venus, a bright lantern, calls us to wakefulness. And wakefulness we need tosuccessfullynavigate the tensions of this month. April becomes the ground for positive or destructive forward movement. In the early evening, to the West, Orion stretches himself out on horizon and looks up to the heavens. Sirius, the Dog Star, jewels the sky; a diamond flashing multiple colors while the Dog constellation sits up, attending to the intensity of activity the year of the Horse leaves in the wake of its speed.
We feel the pressure of too much to do, as retrograde Mars reverses its direction, as well as intensifying the Warrior aspects within humanity! It instructs us to slow down to find equilibrium. Balance and diplomacy is now the Libran call, (With Mars in Libra). As the Sun illuminates Aries, impulsiveness, reactions, and bold movements amp up our march into April.
Astrologers watch April as the tipping point of destiny, when the planets form a grand cardinal cross and nail us to tensional opposition, a breaking or break through point. Two eclipses, and the 5th exact Uranus Pluto alignment, churn the cross of 4 planets, Jupiter and Mars included, in the heavens. This mirrors the crucial decisions that will need to be made with diplomatic consciousness.
Gather your composure, seek stillness to renew yourself, exercise to feed your blood with oxygen and to channel the powerful energies coursing through. We want to be resilient, flexible, and open to new possibilities. Know your intentions as the ship in which you cross these choppy seas. Witness the rise and call of humanity’s, or your own, shadow material. Let the unexpected become a foundation of new perspectives on yourself and life. Remember the fragileness and beauty of this life, as our consciousness of Malaysian flight 370 teaches. Life now throws up sudden unexpected events. Be like the skier maneuvering new terrain, alert, compassionate, and innovative, breaking us open to a deepening of heart connection with each other.
On April 8th, Mars shifts from morning to evening star. Its red light marking the horizon warns us to be aware of our Martian qualities. Its influence strengthens as it opposes the Sun and for the next two weeks will be closest to the earth until 2016. Not only does it highlight aggression, violence, accidents and anger, the less conscious expression, but for those who cultivate mindfulness, it brings clarity, and strength to inhabit the fullness of your life. It calls us to our destiny to assist the great transition that is before us all.
April 15, 12:42 pm, the lunar eclipse takes place. The shadow of the earth veils the Libra moon in mysterious ritual for us to view the amazing dance of Earth, Sun, and Moon that held our ancestors in the awe of the cosmos. The 5th and exact alignment of Uranus and Pluto takes place on the 21st.
The fertile Taurus new moon this month, on the 28th, will be an annular eclipse of the Sun, a narrow ring of sunlight, haloing the dark of the moon. (Not visible to us). Eclipses challenge, and provide opportunities for us to be in greater alignment with our own centers. Often they bring confrontation with shadow aspects of our personalities. Welcome what you see arising in your response. Finding the need within the reaction can serve as a message for greater self health and integration.
Twelve opportunities for April: For Sun and Rising Signs
Aries (Mar 20-Apr 19): Hold on to your center. Dare yourself to see what appears challenging as new possibilities. Minimize your stress and busy-ness. Communications can carry intensity. Imagine yourself as a witness and cultivate detachment. This opens love, creativity and imagination for you. Don’t be afraid to see and embrace your shadow. That will transform its power into useful energy!
Taurus (Apr 20-May 20): Every morning, have a mindfulness practice. It will feel good because the timing is right for this support. It will relax you. Be sure you carve out time to be alone, to contemplate, to create, or write. This is your balance to the daily intensity. Your identity is going through a metamorphosis. Imagine yourself in a great shape shifting flow that will benefit all.
Gemini (May 21-Jun 20): Don’t be surprised if your expression gets challenged. It may feel that you can’t quite put words to what you mean or intend. See if you can step back and be still. In the stillness you receive guidance. Then your work becomes clarified.
Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 21): Imagine holding tight to the rudder of your ship while a storm whirls around you. Suddenly there is silence and the air is taut with intensity. You are protected but it is time to transform. Review an old wound or pattern and know you are quite capable of ending that way of perceiving. Free yourself and/or others up and move into a new future.
Leo (Jul 22 – Aug 22): Your strength this month lies in retreating and receiving/doing things that nurture your deep self. Crises have presented themselves to your way of thinking, your beliefs. Be transformed in your daily life by seeing the possibilities. Cultivating daily contemplations brings rewards.
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22): You feel the pull of life and death, the needs of others and a great desire to fulfill your own needs. Friends are helpers right now. They are mirrors to reflect the joy and love you give others. Spend time with them and extended family that appreciate you.
Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22): Navigate April waters carefully. It is very important that you stay focused on your intention, and take actions toward them. But also step back from reactions or thoughtless words of others. Career and goal achievement possibilities are positive. Know that you are being asked to stay centered, and grounded, as you steer yourself through new territory.
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21): This month brings awareness of your frustration, irritation, and anger. Give attention to what you really want. Step back from your hectic pace and thoughtfully map out your desire, otherwise your frustration will spill out through intense communications. Trust your inner perceptions and knowledge not your worries. This will shift any tension.
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 20): This is not a time to be stubborn and hold tight to your beliefs or point of view. Children may offer worthwhile insight to you. The issue is not really about money but something deeper; so let yourself experience some emotional discomfort. Quiet reflection softens you, opens your heart, and creates flexibility. Love and sweetness are at your door.
Capricorn (Dec 21- Jan 19): Rapid change is afoot for you. Understand your inner need. Define it clearly. Get it out on the table for yourself; otherwise you will tend to react to provocations in ways that are not helpful. Support comes from a partner or close friend. Their affection steadies your direction. Remember to continue to focus on actions toward your goals.
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 17): This month, be alert to suddenly heated communications. Take note of your belief systems, and judgments, that toss out your words. Those words might be very subtle or blatant. Your inner authority is changing its point of view. It’s not what you know but how we all reflect some aspect of each other that opens your heart to new understanding.
Pisces (Feb 18-Mar 19): You have a sense that the way forward is not clearly defined or even perceived. Issues have been raised in contracts with others. You can take leadership now expressing what seems true to you. There may be an emotional edge you trigger in yourself and others, but stay the course with compassion for all involved. Trust your instincts.
Susan Heinz is a professional astrologer in Santa Cruz for 32 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 consultations, call (831) 479-3751, or go to www.susanheinz.com.