All Times Pacific: Astrology Report April 23-May 1
Friends, all this week Pluto is nearly stationary on its way to becoming stationary retrograde May 1, so this and next week are the epicenter of our Pluto in Aquarius spring. Keep in mind that Mercury is also retrograde, until May 14. The feeling may be that life has become intolerably weird. Pluto in Aquarius has blasted light through all the cracks in the rigid last years of Pluto in Capricorn. Many feel uneasy about the future with an existential angst usually reserved for wars. But Pluto isn’t only destruction and despair, if we can calm down enough to see it, the big picture is more hopeful that we expect. What is outworn? What will work? Many old cycles are over. Pluto in Aquarius is here to break through consciousness that has become fossilized.
Sunday April 23 Mercury sextile Mars is exact, a talkative aspect, it can indicate short trips. Enjoy outdoors time, but be mindful, as Mars can sometimes spur Mercury to sound aggressive, especially for those who suppress Mars energy in their lives. Perhaps think about ways to energize your life. Learn something new about using your energy constructively. Get into the flow of the rebirth that is spring.
Monday April 24 only lunar aspects are exact. With Pluto almost stationary, it’s helpful to include the greater good in our decision making. As Simone de Beauvoir wrote: “One's life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion.”
Tuesday April 25 sun sextile Saturn is exact during the witching hour, followed by Venus sextile Chiron in the evening. The first sextile can help us organize and simplify. Where weaknesses are found adjustments can be made, that with the second sextile, could significantly improve well being. Chiron can indicate crisis that forces us to work to regain health. Why not listen to subtle messages where possible and avoid the crisis? Venus sextile Chiron can also indicate healing in relationships, especially romantic, and for creative people suggests the opportunity of adding a healing dimension to whatever you are working on.
Wednesday April 26 only lunar aspects are exact. As Andre Maurois wrote: “A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short.”
Thursday April 27 Mars square Chiron is exact. A possible indication of bad news in the public health sector, in our personal lives it’s a good time to look at anger, ambition, and libido. Repressing them could cause some sort of health problem on an individual level. Finding intelligent ways to express the strong urges symbolized by Mars can help us energize our lives.
Friday April 28 only lunar aspects are exact. It’s always wise to keep in mind Andre Maurois’ wonderful quote: “Conversation would be vastly improved by the constant use of four simple words: I do not know.”
Saturday April 29 Mars sextile Uranus is exact. Aside from Pluto almost stationary this is the dominant aspect of the week. It could be missed in the general state of apprehension caused by a Pluto station. Men in particular should take care to avoid erratic behavior, especially avoid acting out repressed anger, ambition, etc. The point is to liberate the Mars side of your life by updating it. New tech can help. Encountering new perspectives and communities can be empowering. With this aspect and the Pluto station in play it would not be surprising to see a new stage of the war. As Carlos Fuentes wrote: “There must be something beyond slaughter and barbarism to support the existence of mankind and we must all help search for it.”
Sunday April 30 only lunar aspects are exact. With Pluto so strong this quote by Madame Blavatsky can help us remember: “The Universe is worked and guided from within outwards.”
Monday May Day Beltane May 1 Pluto is stationary retrograde at 10:09 AM. Sun conjunct Mercury is exact in the late afternoon. Max intensity when Pluto stations in the zero degree of a sign it will inhabit for twenty years, but not this year. We only have until June 11 to continue exploring this new placement of Pluto. Avoid getting preoccupied with strange obsessions or suspicions. Instead of doom scrolling take time to cultivate moments of tranquillity. Attempts to force situations at the expense of others invite the harsher experiences Pluto can indicate. But Pluto is not only death/rebirth it’s also healing at the deepest levels. Find yourself a new healthy habit to enjoy. A nutrient rich food, perhaps.
The following week has few aspects and most of them involve Venus. Some are more challenging than others but even challenging aspects of Venus can bring love and beauty into our lives. About astrological aspects it’s always good to keep in mind that good aspects can have bad results and bad aspects can have good ones. For example, Venus trine Jupiter can inspire regrettable over-spending, over-indulgence, and overly optimistic perspectives. While a chilly Venus square Saturn can lead us step by step to important improvements in our creative work, appropriate boundaries in our dealings with others, and pleasurable learning and practice.
It seems many are afraid of perceived negative aspects, but aspects exist along a spectrum, with good or bad being subjective, and dependent on context. A willingness to learn, and to adapt, determines how we experience aspects. We learn when to stay the course and when to abandon ship. We find the middle path but can swerve left or right as necessary. Teaching us these skills is the intent of every oracle including astrology. As Agrippa wrote: “So requisite is the use of Astrology to the Arts of Divination, as it were the Key that opens the door of all their Mysteries.”
