In the Stars April 15-22, 2018...shining light on the astrology of the week: New Moon in Aries
This is a notable week, full of planetary shifts. The first New Moon of the astrological year is on Sunday, April 15 at 6:57 p.m. PDT. This New Moon in Aries is extremely potent, connected to numerous significant aspects and energies. The New Moon is conjunct Uranus, the planet symbolizing revolution. Numerous planets in Aries (Mercury, Eris, Moon, Sun, and Uranus) are in square aspect to several planets in industrious Capricorn (Saturn, Mars, and Pluto). Squares involve two planets in a tense angular relationship, and resulting in strong energy to command. Mercury turns direct in motion, beginning the crawl back to more cohesive communications. Chiron makes a profound shift on Tuesday, out of the last sign of the zodiac, Pisces, and into the first sign of the zodiac, Aries. Saturn stations, starting to turn retrograde in motion for the next for the next five months until September 6. Sun conjuncts Uranus on Wednesday, creating a loud mid-week clap of thunder! The Sun ingresses into Taurus on Thursday. Pluto stations, turning retrograde, on Sunday. The combination of this strong, changing planetary energy can move the earth, resulting in earthquakes. Symbolically, how could you make big shifts and breakthroughs in your personal life? Whew! It is a big week of shifting energies ahead.
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The New Moon in Aries on Sunday, the 15th, is oriented toward action. The planets in Capricorn (Saturn, Mars, and Pluto) demand hard work, responsibility, and mastery. The planets in Aries (Mercury, Eris, Moon, Sun, and Uranus) demand creativity, adventure, boldness. With Uranus in the mix, this New Moon is revolutionary! Both Capricorn and Aries are cardinal, action-oriented signs. This is one dynamic, powerful day for bold steps forward. The Sabian Symbol for the New Moon sums it up: “Through imagination a lost opportunity is regained. Revision of attitude and inner reevaluation…The mind must first ‘imagine’ that which he will then be able sooner or later to actually experience.” (Dane Rudhyar, The Astrological Mandala).
My astrological calendar notes that Monday, April 16, is Emancipation Day. Knowing nothing about this, I found the following description:
"Emancipation Day celebrates the freedom of slaves, and particularly President Lincoln’s efforts, and eventual success, to end slavery… The Compensated Emancipation Act freed over 3,000 slaves in the District of Columbia. Nine months later, Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation that freed over three million slaves across a large number of states,,, Compensated Emancipation put money into the hands of the slaveholders. Slavery was abolished in the District and the government paid nine hundred slaveholders approximately $300 for each slave they had previously owned. The act only covered the District of Columbia because Lincoln was unable to convince many of the states of its virtues. The federal government only had control of the District and that was where slavery began its end. The holiday celebration was recognized from 1866 to 1901 then was somehow forgotten. In recent years, after many years’ research by a lady named Loretta Carter-Hanes, the holiday was ‘rediscovered’ and re-established…At the end of the day and after the festival (in Washington D.C.), the sky comes alight with a fireworks show. "https://publicholidays.us/emancipation-day/
On Monday the Moon is exalted in Taurus, where it functions best, offering grounding, as well as heightened sensuality. Venus is opposite Jupiter, an expansive, freeing aspect. Sensible Saturn makes a benefic trine to the exalted Moon. These planetary alignments are appropriate symbolic energies for Emancipation Day. How can you honor this in your own life by emancipating something within you, or someone in relationship to you? Monday is a day to celebrate emancipation!
Two major shifts occur on Tuesday: Saturn stations turning retrograde, and Chiron shifts from Pisces to Aries tropically. Saturn begins its annual retrograde spin at 9:08 degrees of Capricorn, and will be moving in reverse motion for nearly five months until September 6. When a planet shifts direction its symbolic energies are especially strong. Thus, we could expect to feel the yoke of responsibility and limitations for a couple of days. Chiron’s shift into Aries marks the beginning of a major new cycle, as the maverick planet has completed a 51-year zodiacal cycle, and begins another cycle. Chiron will be in Aries for the next 10 years, focusing healing on personal, individual matters, versus the more universal concerns during its journey through Pisces. In addition to these major shifts, there are numerous planetary aspects, mostly benefic, making this an active day. A featured aspect is Venus-trine-Pluto, which, combined with the Moon in Taurus heightens our desire for emotional and physical intimacy. It’s a day to reach out and touch someone.
A loud clap of thunder symbolizes Wednesday, which features an exact conjunction of the Sun and Uranus. We will likely be surprised by something! The Moon is in mutable Gemini, making us curious and conversant. This is a day for anything but the ordinary. Color your world with something new and exciting.
Thursday’s shifting planet is the Sun which ingresses into Taurus, the fixed earth sign of the zodiac. The Taurus Sun calls us to all things sensual: art and beauty, delightful music, gardening, walks in the woods, and good food and wine. It is time for spring cleaning, and making your home more beautiful and inspiring.
Home and family are highlighted on Friday and Saturday with the Moon in Cancer. Cancer is the sign that usually makes us feel warm, cozy, and compassionate. However, several of both Friday’s and Saturday’s aspects are edgy and demanding. We may feel sensitive and vulnerable. Take it easy, make yourself comfortable, and express care and concern to others.
The week ends, and a new one begins with yet another big planetary shift: Pluto turns retrograde in Capricorn, following Saturn’s lead a few days earlier. The morning's Moon-square-Uranus can knock us off schedule, or bring some surprising news. Again, when a planet is stationary, and changing motion, the symbolic energy is amplified. Pluto symbolizes power, transformation, and change. The Moon shifts into Leo, amplifying the drama quotient. Expect it to be a significant day.
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Contact Cathy for astrological readings/consultations at: ccoleman829@gmail.com
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The Week in Short:
Sunday: New Moon in Aries: be bold, creative, and adventurous.
Monday: Emancipation Day that is expansive and freeing, and grounded by sensible Saturn.
Tuesday: Saturn turns retrograde. Chiron shifts into Aries. Feel into the responsibility and limitations. Reach out and touch someone.
Wednesday: Color your life with something new and exciting, and be curious and conversant.
Thursday: We are called to all things sensual. Make it a beautiful day!
Friday: Home and family highlighted. The day’s aspects are edgy.
Saturday: Take it easy, and express care and concern to others.
Sunday: Pluto turns retrograde. Expect a powerful, significant day.
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Ten Things to Do with the Venus in Taurus (March 30-April 24) 1. Plant spring flowers in your garden. 2. Cook delicious food to delight your taste buds. 3. Get a massage. 4. Get a fresh hair cut. 5. Freshen your wardrobe. 6. Spray a delightful scent such as rose water around your face. 7. Find some delightful new inspiring music. 8. Create a new playlist to inspire your everyday life. 9. Sing--maybe karaoke? 10. Adorn yourself with beautiful clothing and jewelry.
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) are:
Pacific Standard Time:
Sunday, April 15 at 10:59 p.m. through Monday, April 16 at 1:51 a.m. (Moon into Taurus)
Tuesday, April 17 at 3:05 p.m. through Wednesday, April 18 at 5:02 a.m. (Moon into Gemini)
Friday, April 20: 5:05 a.m.-7:26 a.m. (Moon into Cancer)
Sunday, April 22: 7:58 a.m.-10:09 a.m. (Moon into Leo)
Tuesday, April 24: 11:39 a.m.-1:40 p.m. (Moon into Virgo)
Thursday, April 26: 2:49 a.m.-6:13 p.m. (Moon into Libra)
Saturday, April 28 at 10:32 p.m. through Sunday, April 29 at 0:11 a.m. (Moon into Scorpio)
Monday, April 30 at 7:56 p.m. through Tuesday, May 1 at 8:19 a.m. (Moon into Sagittarius)
Thursday, May 3: 5:50 p.m.-7:08 p.m. (Moon into Capricorn)
Sunday, May 6: 6:48 a.m. – 7:48 a.m. (Moon into Aquarius)
Tuesday, May 8: 7:29 p.m.-8:11 p.m. (Moon into Pisces)
Friday, May 11: 2:02 a.m.-5:40 a.m. (Moon into Aries)
Sunday, May 13: 11:05 a.m.-11:15 a.m. (Moon into Taurus)
GMT:
Monday, April 16: 6:59 - 8:51 (Moon into Taurus)
Tuesday, April 17 at 23:05 through Wednesday, April 18 at 12:02 (Moon into Gemini)
Friday, April 20: 12:05 - 14:26 (Moon into Cancer)
Sunday, April 22: 14:58 - 17:09 (Moon into Leo)
Tuesday, April 24: 18:39 - 20:40 (Moon into Virgo)
Thursday, April 26 at 9:49 through Friday, April 27 at 1:13 (Moon into Libra)
Sunday, April 29: 5:32 - 7:11 (Moon into Scorpio)
Tuesday, May 1: 2:56 - 15:19 (Moon into Sagittarius)
Friday, May 3: 0:50 - 2:08 (Moon into Capricorn)
Sunday, May 6: 13:48 – 14:48 (Moon into Aquarius)
Wednesday, May 8: 2:29 - 3:11 (Moon into Pisces)
Friday, May 11: 9:02 - 12:40 (Moon into Aries)
Sunday, May 13: 18:05 - 18:15 (Moon into Taurus)
