In the Stars April 19-26, 2020...shining light on the astrology of the week: New Moon
The Sun moves from Aries to Taurus on Sunday in the tropical zodiac. Taurus symbolizes growth, fertility, pleasure, and beauty. It is time to plant flowers and prepare the garden for planting vegetables. It is time for spring cleaning and beautifying your home.
Yes, we are still in the thick of this unusual time affected by COVID-19. We are sheltering-in-place, concerned about those who are ill and dying, and affected by fluctuating financial markets, unemployment, and business disruptions. Pluto is in Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, now both tropically and sidereally. Significant planets are turning retrograde soon and will be in retrograde motion until September. Pluto turns retrograde on April 25th through October 4th. Saturn turns retrograde on May 10 through September 28th. Venus turns retrograde on May 12 through June 25th. Jupiter turns retrograde May 14th through September 12th. With Pluto and Saturn retrograde, our fears can be amplified, so we must work with our thoughts to abate fear. While these planets are in retrograde it is a good time to study, learn a new skill, and to work on a project that requires research, focus, or concentration.
All planets are hemmed in by the Moon’s Nodes, known as Kala Sarpa Yoga, through the end of May, though the Moon breaks through from April 27th to May 10th, providing some relief. When all planets are on one side of the Moon’s nodes, it can be an unsettling time. We are literally hemmed in at home. You can mitigate the energy by doing good deeds, and living your life in balance as well as you possibly can.
April 25th is an auspicious day. Sidereally, the Sun and Moon are both exalted. It is considered the most auspicious day in India. It is a good time to begin what you want to be eternal. Often this is a day chosen for beginning new projects, or beginning a study. It is also a good day to give a donation to those less fortunate than you. April 25th is also the day that Pluto stations to go retrograde, so it is an especially potent day. You can read more about it at: https://komilla.com/fest-akshaya-tritiya.html.
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The Sun enters the sign of Taurus tropically on Sunday. The Pisces Moon makes benefic aspects to Neptune, Pluto, and Jupiter, expanding our awareness and possibilities. The Moon goes void of course in Pisces at 4:31 p.m. In the evening, relax and watch a movie or read a book. Take a hot bath and go to bed early and get some extra sleep. Wait until tomorrow to plan the week ahead.
Monday the Moon moves into Aries just after midnight and joins Chiron later in the day. Aries is the sign symbolizing new beginnings. However, the Moon is inching toward its darkest time of the month. Sun squares Saturn, demanding discipline and asserting limitation. On a lighter note, Saturn makes a benefic sextile to the Moon, softening the rough edges. This is a day for action and leaning into responsibilities.
We are invigorated Tuesday through the high energy of the Aries Moon. The Moon conjuncts Mercury and makes benefic sextiles to Venus and Mars, offering opportunities. Overall, it’s a pleasant day, and you may want to take advantage of the positive aspects to heal relationships, or to make headway with goals.
A New Moon forms at 3:24 Taurus on Wednesday. In the early morning hours the Moon makes square aspects to Pluto, Jupiter, and Saturn. The Moon is void of course in the morning until it moves into Taurus at 12:36 p.m. PDT. Give yourself a break on Wednesday morning, both because of the void Moon, and also because of the challenging planetary aspects. New Moons are for setting goals for the month ahead. Taurus symbolizes growth, planting, productivity, finances, material resources, and nourishment. Set a few goals for the month ahead having to do with these themes.
Thursday calls for expression of all things sensual such as good food, inspiring music, right speech, and physical beauty. There may be surprising dreams and awakenings. A Mars-Moon square demands action. Make this a pleasant day by your actions.
Venus’ Day, Friday, is another sensual day with the Moon in Taurus (ruled by Venus). The Taurus Moon makes benefic aspects with Neptune, Pluto, and Jupiter. Make hay while the Sun shines! Work hard and work well, and many things can come to fruition.
Saturday is auspicious, golden, and intense. From a Vedic perspective the Sun and Moon are both exalted. The Sun is exalted in Aries and the Moon is exalted in Taurus; these are placements in the sidereal zodiac on Saturday. Pluto stations retrograde. When a planet stations, its energy is more powerful. Pluto symbolizes transformation and empowerment. As mentioned above, this is an auspicious day to set something in motion. Set strong intentions and make this day count! And do something to benefit others such as make a donation.
Sunday may be full of surprises, framed by the Sun-Uranus conjunction. The Moon makes both benefic and challenging aspects. Be in communication. Exercise right speech. Make it a playful day.
Mercury moves from Aries to Taurus tropically where it will reside for the next three weeks, giving our thinking process a slower, more methodical, focused energy. Unlike when Mercury in Aries, we will think and deliberate before we speak. We will be more thoughtful. The Moon moves into Cancer, and we turn toward home and family, compassion and caring. The Cancer Moon draws us to the kitchen to cook some comfort food.
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The Week in Short:
Sunday: The Sun enters Taurus tropically. This is a day to please your senses. Indulge yourself.
Monday: The Moon bounces into Aries, sparking new beginnings. Lean into responsibilities and make things happen.
Tuesday: Pleasant, active day. Wind is at your back.
Wednesday: Moon VoC 5:32 a.m. – 12:36 p.m. Give yourself a break in the morning. Set new goals for productivity.
Thursday: Please your senses with good food, beauty, inspiring music, and beauty.
Friday: Make hay while the Sun shines!
Saturday: Akshaya-Titiya; see above. Auspicious day to start something new.
Sunday: Benefic aspects. Make it a playful day.
Monday: Focus on home and family. Cook some comfort food.
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Ten Things to Do with Venus in Gemini (April 3-August 7)
1. Explore your own book shelf and read some of the books that have been waiting for you.
2. Exercise flexibility in relationship.
3. Energize your social life through Zoom or phone calls. Keep the connections and conversation going.
4. Write cards or letters.
5. Walk in your neighborhood and community and see what you can discover.
6. Take an art or craft class online—there are many burgeoning now.
7. Connect with siblings, aunts, uncles, or cousins.
8. Think (and act) more flexibly with money matters—learn something new.
9. Play with words; write poetry or read some.
10. Do things you love that require both hands: play the piano, throw pottery, or ride your bicycle.
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Moon Void-of-Course: This is the time when the Moon makes its last major angular aspect with a planet before it moves into the next zodiacal sign tropically. This void time, when the Moon is not aspecting a planet, but rather floating on its own, is a time when things don’t come together and it’s difficult to make good decisions. Purchases made during void Moons often turn out to be unsatisfactory and not work out. Appointments often don’t come together, and meetings don’t result in progress or sound, lasting decisions. We more easily get lost or meander in trying to get somewhere. The VoC Moon times for the next month are listed below so that you can plan meetings, decisions, and purchases at times when the Moon is not VoC; and use the void times for gardening, reading, and routine task work.
Void-of-Course Moon times for the month ahead (one lunar cycle): Pacific Standard Time: April 19 at 4:31 p.m. through April 20 at 0:01 (Moon into Aries)
April 22: 5:32 a.m. – 12:36 p.m. (Moon into Taurus)
April 24 at 5:43 p.m. through April 25 at 0:20 (Moon into Gemini)
April 27: 10:00 a.m. – 10:28 a.m. (Moon into Cancer)
April 29: 12:29 p.m. – 6:06 p.m. (Moon into Leo
May 1: 9:04 a.m. – 10:35 p.m. (Moon into Virgo)
May 3 at 7:25 p.m. through May 4 at 12:09 a.m. (Moon into Libra)
May 5 at 7:30 p.m. through May 6 at 12:04 a.m. (Moon into Scorpio)
May 7 at 7:38 p.m. through May 8 at 12:15 a.m. (Moon into Sagittarius)
May 9 at 11:10 p.m. through May 10 at 2:38 a.m. (Moon into Capricorn)
May 12: 3:29 a.m. – 8:38 a.m. (Moon into Aquarius)
May 14: 7:02 a.m. -6:24 p.m. (Moon into Pisces)
May 17: 12:59 a.m. - 6:33 a.m. (Moon into Aries)
GMT (Greenwich Mean Time):
April 20: 0:31 - 8:01 (Moon into Aries)
April 22: 13:32 – 20:36 (Moon into Taurus)
April 25: 1:43 - 8:20 (Moon into Gemini)
April 27: 18:00 – 18:28 (Moon into Cancer)
April 29 at 20:29 through April 30 at 2:06; (Moon into Leo
May 1: 17:04 – 18:35 (Moon into Virgo)
May 4: 3:25 - 8:09 (Moon into Libra)
May 6: 3:30 - 18:04 (Moon into Scorpio)
May 8: 3:38 -18:15 (Moon into Sagittarius)
May 10: 7:10 - 10:38 (Moon into Capricorn)
May 12: 11:29 – 16:38 (Moon into Aquarius)
May 14 at 15:02 through May 15 at 2:24 (Moon into Pisces)
May 17: 8:59 - 14:33 (Moon into Aries)
