Astrology for April
painting by Susan Boulet
The New Moon in Aries launches us into April on March 31st. The fiery initiator of the zodiac, Aries, aligns with Chiron, the wounded healer, at this New Moon. The warrior energy is strong, along with instinctive responses. These we watch for during Aries energy, because this energy wants to move instinctively, to burst from winter’s dark sleep. Often it can be reactive and defensive. So we bring our attention to new activities or new approaches to how we do things. We might think about aligning with the power of spring to initiate a new intention. The warrior and the wounded one so describes this time.
Affirmation for New Moon in Aries
“May all new beginnings carry the enthusiasm of fire, and transformative healing of Chiron, as we pursue our intentions with focused clarity.
May our capacity for compassion and creative imagination fuel our movement on the path ahead.”
Chiron, the wounded healer, half animal, half human
We are in throes of the Chironian archetype, dealing with wounding, and the trauma, the suffering, within humanity. Chiron is the bridge between our conditioned reactions, (the way we have been programmed to think and respond), and an awakened state, a broader perception of who we are. We are in this labor to birth new levels of integration and wholeness, while shadow qualities erupt from our old ways. We might ask ourselves, “In what way am I experiencing the wounded healer? What wounding has surfaced and how shall I address it? In what way am I being asked to step into a broader perspective to hold my experience?”
Chiron’s healing powers bring us to new levels of integration in body, emotions, mind, and soul, through being willing to, or seemingly forced through circumstances, to descend into the subconscious. Here we apply deep listening, patience and inquiry in investigating our path forward, to meet the soul’s need, to uncover hidden gifts through difficulty and challenge. With Aries, known for pushing us into the edges and beyond of our capabilities, Chiron applies that warrior spirit to uncover what limits our well-being. With Chiron’s help we become courageous in meeting and exploring those edges of consciousness for in Aries, the challenge to objective awareness is difficult. Its immediate response is instinctive and defensive.
Jupiter aligns with Neptune, in its own sign, Pisces. We are in a collective sea with currents affecting each of us. This conjunction both heightens our ongoing awareness of each other as well as heightening illusion, deception and denial. Yet the sign Pisces is supportive of transitional states. How might we understand this time as transitional, an ending and a new beginning?
Mars conjuncts Saturn, conjuncts Venus, in Aquarius. Venus and Mars have been traveling together in the heavens. Mars heats up relationships (Venus), giving passion or conflict. Now they align with Saturn who always brings some kind of contraction. Saturn slows the movement of Mars down, focuses it, and can cause obstacles to forward movement that need refinement or adjustment. As Mars is the ruling planet of Aries, where the New Moon is taking place, this conjunction asks us to slow our responses, gain greater insight, even if through some difficulty, or conflict, and to channel our needs, desires, and actions with more consciousness. As Saturn is also the master teacher, we are instructed to find the discipline or structure that can support us in creating a new beginning as Venus and Mars meet. In what way have you found a system or structure that supports a new kind of action?
Celestial Events for April
Mar 31 – New Moon at 11 Aries conjunct Chiron and Mercury (see above)
photo by Scott Lenhart
Apr 1 – The Sun conjuncts Chiron the wounded healer, the maverick, the teacher, marking this month’s lunar cycle with possibilities for healing and new levels of integration.
Apr 2 – Mercury conjuncts Chiron at 12 Aries – The messenger blends with the wounded healer bringing out ways to heal and activate the healing, (See Thomas Hubl’s work on collective trauma).
Apr 4 – Mars at 22 Aquarius conjuncts Saturn – Not a time to rush forward, but to pause and reflect on the best movement forward. A slowing comes to the active or aggressive energy, either with great frustration or with deliberation.
Apr 5 – Venus enters Pisces – Venus is the archetype of relatedness and harmonizes with another to create. In deep feeling, inclusive, and imaginative Pisces, Venus’s capacity to love and imagine are broadened and heightened. Therefore astrologers say ‘Venus is exalted in Pisces’. Three planets in Pisces, Venus, Jupiter and Neptune shift our possibilities into deeper connection, creativity and compassion.
Apr 12 – Jupiter conjuncts Neptune at 24 Pisces – Earth is sensitized with waves of compassion, empathy, and deep feeling. An opening to greater love and to experiencing our interconnectedness presents itself. Jupiter also enlarges the altered states of Neptune, generating breakthroughs, or confusion and delusion, lies and difficulty, in deciphering the truth. Imagination and artistic pursuits are heightened.
Apr 14 – Mars enters Pisces – Action takes place within the rhythmic density of water. The heat of Mars is cooled in the waters of Pisces. We move into reverie, meditative states. Pisces is rhythmic, poetic, inclusive, moving into the archetypal realms of humanity. It carries all the rhythmic motion of music and the creative arts. The challenge of Pisces is sinking into denial and escapist tendencies, overwhelm, and delusion in viewing reality. With Mars in Pisces we need to nurture our deep self, and understand our profound interconnectedness. We are not separate beings but part of wide swaying ocean of vibrations and influence. We watch our boundaries not to become overwhelmed by the huge waves of this time.
Apr 16 – Full Moon at 26 Libra – This full Moon in Libra is a ‘singleton,’ channeling the powerful Aries, Pisces, Taurus energy through its light. The Moon is highlighting both the end (Pisces) and the beginning (Aries), the personal (Aries, Taurus) and the collective (Pisces, Aquarius). With the full Libra Moon squaring Pluto, the archetype of dynamic power, of death and rebirth, and the eruption of what has been below, we are here in a tensional transformation state.
Affirmation for the Full Moon in Libra
“May I balance my awareness of myself with the awareness of others. May all collaborations be healing, creative and transformative”
Apr 19 – The Sun moves into earthy fixed Taurus – with the Sun in Taurus a new impulse fills the next period, stabilizing, or digging in. The Taurian time brings us back to practicalities, groundedness and slows the fiery Arian spirit.
Apr 27 – Venus conjuncts Neptune at 24 Pisces – love, imagination, creativity, and compassion are highlighted
Apr 29 – Pluto goes retrograde –
Apr 29 – Mercury enters Gemini – Mercury moves into its own sign and promotes sharing of information, communication increases. Mercury is a mediator seeking the need that Pluto demands in transforming and rebirthing.
Apr 30 – Venus conjuncts Jupiter at 27 Pisces – amid the challenges we have experienced, this aspect carries joy, love, and both spiritual artistic renewal. It is known for positive financial conditions.
Apr 30 – Solar Eclipse at 10 Taurus – This is the first Solar Eclipse of the year. Eclipses are power points and energetic fuels for change, especially as they connect with your own chart. The eclipse at 10 Taurus aligns with Uranus, and the Promethean spirit is accentuated. Change and stability compete to loosen our histories and encourage breakthroughs. This is a special day for observing, listening, and receiving messages that instruct us for the journey ahead. And/or it can be explosive and revealing in order to crash through the old patriarchal conditioning and mind sets.
Affirmation for the Solar Eclipse in Taurus
“May those things that are fixed and in a holding pattern be released and may Uranus bring the gifts of inspiration, creativity, and a broadening of my consciousness.”
Volodymry Zelenskyy’s natal chart
To learn more about Volodymry Zelenskyy’s chart and Ukraine sign up here for Susan’s April talk
The Twelve signs for April: Sun and Rising Signs
Aries (Mar 20-Apr 19): Dear Aries, this is a reset time for you, when setting your intention can be the most powerful for the year ahead. The wounded healer is tracking you, and close by, to offer healing and opening to new ways of seeing yourself. Shake loose the old holding patterns of perception. Find time, with your ruling planet, Mars, conjuncting Saturn, to walk quietly under the trees and towering rock faces. A new shaping is taking place. Listen more deeply than ever before, and sink into the cooling waters of non-effort. Move with the universal flow. Can you feel it? At the full Moon in Libra, may walking in harmony be a salve to the busy, overactive, impatience of your spirited Aries. Keyword for April, “Healing”
Taurus (Apr 20-May 20): Dear Taurus, the Aries initiating energy takes place for you in the quiet of your inner sanctuary. For some, that is your meditation room, for others, your studio, for some your special place in nature, alone, and listening. Taurus holds the layering of much held experience. To clear the past, for the upcoming Solar Eclipse in Taurus, (on April 30th) we investigate what is reactive in our beings. For the Taurian, all new beginnings take place now through quiet reverie, thinking things over and through. Take note when Venus enters Pisces on the 5th, you may suddenly feel yourself softening. The full Moon on the 16th gives you the opportunity of personal refinement and alignment. It highlights transformation in your working environment. In what ways can you release the effort in what you do, trusting in a quiet inner direction? Keywords for April, “Ongoing flexibility and change for new foundations of being”
Gemini (May 21-Jun 20): Dear Gemini, with Mercury in Aries and the Aries New Moon, you may feel inspired and ignited with new ideas. With this Aries Moon in your house of friends and groups of people, this may be the perfect time for collaboration with others. At the same time you may be becoming more discerning with Saturn conjunct Mars and Venus. What is working and what isn’t working in your relationships? What old belief systems are you now aware of that are no longer supporting the growth you are hoping for? The full Moon in Libra on the 16th, highlights your creative expression. There are major changes taking place for you in this area. Keywords for April, “I trust my intuition.”
Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 21): Dear Cancer, as sensitive as you are there is a boldness within you as you step out into the world, or pursue your career. Now this Aries New Moon initiates a new round in your public self. Setting your intention for your career at the Aries New Moon brings forth a positive new beginning to lead you through the year. Is there something new taking place? What good timing! Can you bring your enthusiasm for what you do into support for and encouragement to others? At the full Moon in Libra, on April 16th, your home and family are in the forefront. Now’s the time to enjoy and anchor yourself in the love within your family. During April you appreciate both your home and family, and the work you have now initiated through your career. This brings you into balance. Keywords for April, “Courageous in starting the New”
Leo (Jul 22 – Aug 22): Dear Leo, this Aries full Moon ignites your house of philosophy, learning, and travel. Though, like all the fixed signs, you have been experiencing the challenge of Saturn in Aquarius with Uranus in Taurus. We, of the fixed signs, are stretched between the unexpected, disruption, even crisis, and the challenge of finding our grounding and a map for how to navigate the tensions and unknown ahead of us. This gathering of planets in Aries, aligned with Chiron, sparks a new beginning for you, with the wounded healer guiding a process and journey. This suggests that you must trust your intuition and find refuge in an openness to each moment of this journey. At the full Moon in Libra, your words, the forms of your thoughts and presence, support this transformative process. Keywords for April, “I am supported by the larger forces in the universe.”
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22): Dear Virgo, with the Aries New Moon taking place in your house of intimacy, collaboration, and what you share with another, you now begin a new cycle of relatedness. Here, the healing forces descend. You might ask yourself, “What assumptions do I bring to my relationship? What kind of changes would I like to initiate?” The energy for renewal is present. You may feel the healing and changes taking place quickly. At the full Moon in Libra on the 16th, you balance between self reliance and sharing with others. Your sensitivity to others is enhanced by the 4 planets in Pisces, so be thoughtful to the sensitivity that can overwhelm. Remember that your empathy and desire to be of service is strong, so take good care of your dear self as you navigate new beginnings. Keywords for April, “I am honoring my natural abilities to be discerning, taking my time to know what is right for me”
Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22): Dear Libra, the beginning of April carries a charge which is positive for initiating new beginnings in working or relating with others. Otherwise, be alert to strong direct forces coming from others. Be patient and observational. As you apply Saturn’s wisdom to your responses, take your time in responding.You may be more conscious than ever before of our profound interrelatedness. What you say or do sets a field of energy for potential healing and transformation. You might ask yourself, “In what ways will I create a healing environment for another, while also attending to myself?” The full Moon on the 16th, asks you to care and nurture yourself. Reach out for the nourishment you need as the full Moon lights up your sign Libra. Your situation is moving through phases of transformation. Keywords for April, “Quiet contemplation supports the balance between my needs and another’s.”
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21): Dear Scorpio, the New Moon in Aries graces your house of health, work, and daily routine. This is a good time to initiate any changes, or create new beginnings, in your work life. You may suddenly feel more motivated and charged up in your work. Or, perhaps this Aries energy is fueling a healing for you. Now is the time to have faith in ongoing healing. This is an excellent New Moon for clearing and cleaning your home or space. At the Libra full Moon find a place for yourself to retreat and recharge. It would be wonderful to sink into deep waters for a soak during this time. All the Pisces energy will bring out your sensitivity, so take good care of your needs and boundaries. It will also fuel your imagination. Dream big! Keywords for April, “Taking care of my health, body, mind and spirit.”
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 20): Dear Sagittarius, all that Aries energy will certainly get you going. You, as a Sagittarius, are known for fulfilling your intentions. This is a particularly potent time to create and act on your intentions. The gathering of Aries planets take place in your house of enjoyment and self expression. Take time for some fun, adventure, and pleasure, in April, or be sure to plan a trip in the near future. Perhaps you express yourself through the arts, which is very supported now, especially with new inspiration. The Libra full Moon, on April 16th, channels through your house of friends and connecting to something larger than yourself. A wonderful time for gathering with friends, talking and sharing. In the wheel of the astrology chart this placement is special as it highlights joy, which doesn’t always arrive so often. Keywords for April, “Appreciation, enjoyment and gratitude ”
Capricorn (Dec 21- Jan 19): Dear hardworking and capable Capricorn, this gathering of Aries, New Moon and planets, encourages you to be spontaneous and trust your intuition. With Chiron, the wounded Healer next to the New Moon, this archetypal energy brings healing to your deep self. Certain things have changed in your home and domestic life, allowing for new beginnings. Let this Aries New Moon fuel your enthusiasm and bring you clarity. At the Libra full Moon on the 16th, you are now charged to activate your career. You may ask yourself, “How do I want to proceed and what is my intention now?” Keywords for April, “Imagination and action blend and fuel my success.”
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 17): Dear Aquarius, being a fixed sign, you, as well as the other fixed signs, have been deeply affected by Saturn in Aquarius and Uranus in Taurus. This means that there is a certain amount of responsibility and organization that has accompanied the Uranian disruption to how we have defined ourselves, our partnerships, and our lives. Something new is seeking to break through and open ourselves up into new experiences. With the New Moon in Aries conjunct Chiron, there is a quickening of activity and insights. Your house of communication and your mind is activated with new insights. You might ask yourself, “How can my words support healing between myself and others?” With the Libra full Moon on the 16th, accentuating your house of philosophy, travel, and expansion of consciousness, you may want to channel the Aries energy through study, teaching, or the planning of travel. Keywords for April, “My enthusiasm and attunement to deep listening supports healing to those I am in contact with”
Pisces (Feb 18-Mar 19): Dear Pisces, as a Pisces you are incredibly sensitive, more of a humanitarian, and someone tuned into and sensitive to others’ vulnerabilities, here to serve and empathize with others. With the New Moon in Aries, conjunct Chiron, you are supported to fulfill your needs, while this Moon activates the strong intuition you carry within. Aries encourages you to be free, to take some time for yourself, which Chiron, the wounded healer, declares is now healing for you. It is the month for restoration. So amid your obligations to others, please take some time for yourself. Go to the spa, or hot springs, or plunge into the ocean. Find those warm waters, and enjoy yourself. Appreciate all the kindness and beauty you bring to others. At the full Moon in Libra let yourself be held and nurtured by those who love you. Keywords for April, “I focus on my needs to restore and rejuvenate myself.”
Susan Heinz is a professional astrologer in Santa Cruz for 40 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.co