April Madness: Try to Ease into a Place of Peace and Calm

Libra Full Moon

April 1st kicks off the month with a Full Moon in Libra, 12°21’, at 7:11 pm Pacific time, square Jupiter in Cancer, 15°51’. Let’s hope for peaceful diplomacy during such a stormy time of military might and delusion. We are in Aries season and Saturn, at 5°41’, and Neptune, 2°14’, are still in range of a conjunction in Aries. Saturn puts up limits or poses challenges, while Neptune lacks clarity. Depending upon where these two slow-moving planets fall in your natal chart, you may feel like you are spinning your wheels, like Althea in the Grateful Dead song, “lacking in some direction.”

Meanwhile, this Full Moon time says try to balance, calm down and work with others to restore peace. Relax and “settle back, easy Jim,” to quote lyricist Robert Hunter. If you are creative, bring beauty into our troubled world. The low road of Jupiter in Cancer is a sense of over-blown nationalism and an exaggerated need to protect one’s home turf. Jupiter in Cancer, square Sun and Moon, says “better cool down boy”; it is time to heal. Mercury in Pisces, forms a lovely trine with Jupiter, while Venus in Taurus squares Pluto in Aquarius April 3rd. We can shift our values into a more compassionate approach to world peace. It all starts at home!

War tensions may escalate when Mars enters Aries on April 9th, followed by Mercury April 14th. These are not easy times. Mars is considered very strong in Aries and both planets are quick-moving triggers of slow-moving Saturn and Neptune. Mars conjuncts Neptune, 02°39’, April 12th, then Saturn on April 19th, 07°51’, while Mercury conjuncts Neptune April 16th, Saturn on April 20th. There may be considerable frustration in the air. The secret is finding ways to vent, take action or put into words any frustrations. It may be time to make a stand and defend what is worth fighting for. “You know this space is getting hot.”

The New Moon in Aries, 27°28’, occurs April 17th , 4:51 am. We have a pile up of planets in Aries. Sun and Moon conjunct Chiron, an asteroid known as the “wounded healer.” Chiron suggests a wound when it comes to battle or asserting oneself. If we claim the wound and learn to understand it, we can become healers. But it takes reflecting upon right action versus being too impulsive or selfish. As the song Althea goes, some may be “honest to the point of recklessness, self-centered in the extreme.” Rather try to find peace in your negotiations and as best we can, remember “the love we bring.”

Sun enters Taurus April 19th , 6:39 pm. Taurus season is usually about calming down and taking time to smell the flowers. But given the current cosmic weather, there may be unnecessary stubbornness evident and bull-headed behavior. The high road forward is patience with others who dominate the rap jack and do your best to nurture your critter comforts and those of others. By April 23rd, Venus, at 29°53’ Taurus, conjuncts Uranus. Instead of arguments, wake up to ways to find peace with those you love and think outside the box with your creative endeavors. The same day, Venus enters Gemini. Hopefully this will bring a breath of fresh air into our relationships and communication.

Uranus reenters Gemini April 25th , 5:51 pm. The planet of sudden revolution, upset and radical awakening briefly entered Gemini last July through November. Now it is in the sign of the twins for roughly seven years until 2032-33. A monumental shift, Uranus in an air sign brings fresh ideas and perspectives, asking us to invent new devices and strategies to liberate ourselves. The last time Uranus was in Gemini was the 1940s. We saw the development of the atomic bomb. Let’s hope for something else! Forming a trine now with Pluto in Aquarius and sextile Neptune in Aries, Uranus holds potential for us to reevaluate our use of AI and to visualize constructive innovation and critical thinking. “There are things you can replace, others you cannot. Time has come to weigh those things. This space is getting hot.” Be creative and use your voice to help bring about the change we all need.

March Eclipse and Jupiter Stations Direct: Time to Step Into Healing

Springtime is upon us… I love it when the hills turn green and new little buds on the trees appear around my hometown. We are in eclipse season. A time of new beginnings and rebirth! On March 3rd, we have a total lunar eclipse, 12°53’ Virgo, 3:37 am Pacific time. If the skies obey, La Luna appears rich in red color in the middle of the night here in Santa Cruz County. Take a look at your natal chart and see where the eclipse falls. Here you may be experiencing significant change six months before or after this lunar event. I think of Robert Hunter’s beautiful lyrics in Stella Blue, “There’s nothing you can hold for very long…:”

The Full Moon lunar eclipse forms supportive aspects to Jupiter, moving very slow retrograde, at 15°11’ Cancer, on the 7th house cusp of relationship in the chart casted for Santa Cruz. The asteroid Pallas Athena, 12°19’ Pisces, is in a close conjunction with the Sun, 12°53’ Pisces. Pallas Athena is about creating strategy and using a clear mind to make things unfold. Meanwhile, Pisces is NOT clear-minded, rather more emotionally sensitive, mystical and intuitive. With the Moon’s glow hidden by Sun’s shadow, this eclipse is about letting go of one’s critical, discerning Virgo mind. Rather work towards recognizing grace or synchronicity in our lives. Ponder how we can use Pallas’ strategy in compassionate ways to build a gentle, loving and spiritual path forward. Reflect upon the true meaning of family, healing and unconditional love.

Jupiter is slowing to stop in the sky on March 10th, at 8:29 pm. The “King of the Gods,” has been moving retrograde since last November. Now it turns direct. Jupiter’s orbit is just under twelve years and so the planet typically moves quickly through a sensitive point in a natal chart. But now we have extra weeks of possibility, a time to reflect with a Cancerian nurturing heart, and let any impact of Jupiter mature like a fine bottle of wine. Jupiter is at 15° Cancer the whole month of March! Consider where mid Cancer falls in your natal chart. Doors of opportunity may open for you if you have the courage to see the glass half-full. Carpe Diem!! “Gonna make them shine!”

But…Mercury is still moving retrograde, also in Pisces, suggesting a good period for turning inward and meditating upon any dreams you have for your life and path. This is not a time to sign contracts or make set decisions. So how do we take advantage of Jupiter’s powerful station AND Mercury appearing to move backwards? Choose opportunities that truly heal and nurture you and visualize the change you desire. There is always time for formal signatures and concrete actions after Mercury goes direct March 20th (12:32 pm). “And when you hear that song come crying like the wind, it seems like all this life…was just a dream.”

The New Moon occurs March 18th, 6:23 pm, 28°27’ Pisces. Sun, Moon sextile Uranus in Taurus, 28°14’, while both luminaries conjunct Saturn, 03°56’, and Neptune, 01°42’, Aries. Imagine something new growing within, something that helps you let go and flow with your feelings, while also requires disciplined action to make manifest in your life. Some may ask: what spiritual road do I travel? For others, it might be a creative project and having the gumption and dreams to make it real.

Vernal equinox happens March 20th, 7:45 am, when the Sun moves into Aries. Welcome to spring, everyone! Mercury in Pisces, 08°29’, goes direct the same day so our “new year” rituals might include a heavy dose of creative visualization and a high vibration of our psychic intuition. Magic is in the air! March 21st, Mars in Pisces trines Jupiter in Cancer, 15°16’, 5:00 pm. Consider compassionate actions now rooted in your New Moon dreams.

The month ends with Saturn, 05°09’ Aries, sextile Pluto in Aquarius, 3:10 pm, March 28th. In range all month, this event is asking us to have courage and act when claiming a more authentic future for all of us. There need not be “broken dreams,” you can “win for trying,” but always remember, “It all rolls into one”!

Welcome to Summer! Jupiter enters Cancer

The highlight of June’s cosmic weather report is Jupiter and the Sun entering into Cancer this month. Jupiter travels through Cancer roughly every twelve years, so it is worth seeing where the sign of the crab falls in your natal chart. Here we tend to see the glass half-full now and, because of synchronicity or grace, opportunities may arise for you. It is time to roll the dice on yourself and be bold. Have courage and ask, how have I been underestimating myself in this area of my life? (Again, check house location in your chart for guidance). Cancer is a sensitive water sign, associated with nurturing, healing, and close family bonds. Jupiter enters Cancer June 9th, 2:02 pm Pacific time. If you are a “Cancer” (natal Sun in Cancer), this is your year. Enjoy! Jupiter remains in Cancer until the end of June, 2026.

Jupiter in Cancer encourages us to work on self-healing strategies. I think of the beautiful lyrics by Robert Hunter, “Goin’ home, goin’ home. By the waterside I will rest my bones. Listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock my soul.” What comforts and heals your soul? How can I best nurture those around me, especially my dearest friends and loved ones? “Family” need not be biological; we often create our family through deep commitment and devotion. Think of the people in your life whom you know for certain, one of you will attend the other one’s funeral. Life-long bonding and unconditional love.

With Jupiter moving through Cancer now, we ask: how have I been underestimating myself in terms of healing myself and healing my clan? Some of us may need to step up to the plate and serve as the “healer” our world around us so sorely needs. Our home life may also be a focus now. Look for opportunities to make your nest and your closest connections with others better.

We have a Full Moon, 20°39’ Sagittarius, on June 11th, 12:43 am. This is a wonderful time to expand your wings and travel, even if just in your mind, to exciting new places or see new paradigms that can be possible in your life. “Momma, momma, many worlds I’ve come since I first left home…” A good social Moon in a fire sign to reveal in some fun. Summer’s (just about) here and the time is right for dancing in the streets!

Saturn and Neptune, both in early Aries now, are close to a conjunction throughout this month (less than one degree apart later in the month). We may see delusions around military might and challenges to keeping the peace. The high road is to fight for what you know is right and make a stand. This will be accentuated when Mars in late Leo squares Uranus in Taurus, June 15th, and Jupiter in Cancer squares both Saturn (on June 15th) and Neptune (June 18th). There can be some stubborn, arrogant actions by those needing to be “seen” and unnecessary grandstanding of patriotism and ego displays. A better use of the energy is to rightfully protect what you most value and take a chance on being a healing force for others.

Mars enters Virgo June 17th, 1:35 am. There will be a shift toward honing our skill set and being in service, taking action on practical matters and details. On June 20th, Sun enters Cancer at 7:42 pm. Happy Solstice, everyone! The long days of summer are ideal for relaxation and restoring our souls together with family with love center stage. “Fare you well, fare you well. I love you more than words can tell.” By June 22nd, Mars in Virgo forms a lovely sixty-degree sextile with Jupiter in Cancer. Put your will into action and give the loving gift of service.

The New Moon occurs June 25th, 3:31 am, at 4°07’ Cancer, within range of a conjunction with Jupiter and sextile Mars. Sun and Moon both square Saturn and Neptune in Aries. Make plans for how you might best heal and nurture yourself so to empower you to claim your pioneering work, to take initiatives as a leader, or to defend what you hold dear.

Catie’s photograph of the sunrise at Stonehenge - Happy Solstice!