April kicks off with the Sun still charging ahead in fiery Aries, bursting with the energy of the new astrological year, which began on March 20th. The intense pace continues through the first full week of the month, then begins to slow down, leading to a much-needed long period of time to absorb and process recent dynamic shifts and challenges. “Hurry up!” may mark the start of April, but by the end of the month, the message is “wait.”
Here’s the 411 on April’s most significant planetary patterns:

April 5th: a constructive focus can be yours in the days leading up to an easy connection between the Aries Sun and Saturn, exact on this at 12:09PM ET.

Less than an hour later, Venus leaves compassionate Pisces for me-me-me Aries. That’s great news if you’re an Aries, for when Venus travels through your Sun Sign, your popularity often gets a boost. Venus in Aries can be a consummate flirt, motivated by a need for conquest in matters related to love. Overall we can expect less patience and more impulsiveness in social interactions between now and April 30th.
Did someone say “patience?” That’s one of the keywords for Taurus, which is where Mercury will go at 7:10PM ET. Mercury refers to how we need to think and process information. Taurus is an earthy energy that needs to build material comfort and security. So we can expect a need for ideas and communications to be evaluated on those terms from April 5th until June 13th, i.e., slowly and deliberately. Why so long in Taurus? Because on April 28th, Mercury goes retrograde. More on that in a minute. But why don’t you back up your computer right now?

April 6th: the Aries Sun is challenged by Pluto in Capricorn, facilitating power plays in world events, including significant news about energy and resources. If your horoscope is personally affected by this pattern, you may be feeling a power play in your own personal world, for better or for worse. Consult your local astrologer for details. This pattern is a key component of the New Moon in Aries, which kicks in on….

April 7th. A New Moon in Aries suggests a need — or an opportunity — to be a courageous, inspiring pioneer and/or warrior, preferably on the side of the angels. At its best, Aries is a champion for the weak and vulnerable. It inspires people to take initiatives and defy the odds…yes, sometimes foolishly, but hey — if Plan A blows up, there’s always a Plan B, a Plan C and D. A true Aries never never never gives up. There is always a tomorrow.
At its worst, well…let’s just say Aries can be utterly self-absorbed and go to disturbing extremes in order to get there FIRST. Wherever, whatever…so long as something gets started. I like to say that Aries falls down stairs because it is faster than walking. You got a problem with that?

This New Moon may be especially intense because seeds planted now are imbued with a strong need for freedom and empowerment, suggested by its connection to Pluto (see note for April 6th) and rebel Uranus (see note for April 9th). You’re more personally affected by this opportunity for a breakthrough if you have a planet or important point at 19 degrees of Cancer, Libra, Capricorn, and especially Aries. For those following the U.S. Presidential campaign, let the record show that Bernie Sanders has Moon in Aries, along with other planets in his horoscope that are affected by this potent April New Moon. He’s definitely one to watch over the next 30 days.

The New Moon in Aries begins at 7:24AM ET. This is your chance to re-set  intentions and goals. Make a list, light a candle, say a prayer. Around April 13th, on the First Quarter Moon, we can expect a challenge to those goals, with appropriate adjustments made. At the time of the Full Moon on the 22nd, we can expect illumination on the success or failure of our goals for the cycle. If we succeeded, we can consciously release our success into our reality; if we failed, we let go of whatever did not work. After the Third Quarter Moon on the 29th, we can review our achievements, tie up loose ends and get ready to begin another New Moon cycle on May 6th.

April 9th: The Aries Sun meets up with rebel Uranus at 5:27PM ET. What a day to be yourself without compromise, even if it disrupts the status quo. There’s likely to be a buzz in the air a few days before this exact meet-up, and now you ‘ll understand why. In the news, watch for stories involving breakthroughs and breakouts, along with significant technological advances.

April 12th: Not bad for dreamy vision and passion – including a few days beforehand. At 5:40AM ET, mental Mercury makes an easy connection to Neptune, suggesting the potential for inspired and/or rose-colored thinking. At 3:17PM ET, Venus (women, social expression) makes a harmonious connection to Mars. With Venus in Aries and Mars in Sagittarius, fiery impulses that push boundaries with great fervor are favored. If there’s a potential downside, it might be that the fervor is fanatical and delusional, as opposed to the more appealing potential of sexy and seductive. I say this because Mars is in a challenging aspect with Neptune all month – and into next month, too. Bill Clinton has a Mars-Neptune aspect strongly placed in his horoscope. That’s one pattern in his horoscope suggesting exceptional charm. Got that?

April 17th: Mark your calendars. At 8:14AM ET, Mars turns retrograde at 8 degrees of Sagittarius. It will appear to move backwards in the sky until June 30th. What does this mean for you?

In the language of astrology, Mars symbolizes how we need to take action. It refers to the yang of things, as opposed to the yin. It refers to anger and aggression. In our society, we value Mars when it is moving forward, as in “Up and at ’em!” “Arise, go forth and conquer!” Right?

Well, guess what? When Mars is retrograde, regardless of our preference that the energy of assertion be moving forward, astrology suggests it’s better suited for a time out on the playing field. Mars retrograde is a good time to huddle — to turn inward — and reflect upon our need to assert ourselves. This time, we’re focusing on the Sagittarian domain of righteous opinion and collective beliefs. In the news, I expect we’ll see an uptick in heated battles involving law, religion, borders and journalism – to name just a few. On May 28th, Mars will move backwards into Scorpio – and we’ll talk about that next month.

In your own personal world, whatever area of your horoscope Mars will backtrack between now and the end of June is where you can expect a second look at actions initiated since mid-February. You’ll get a third look at the issue – and presumably a resolution – when Mars moves forward in July and August. Meanwhile, be mindful of feelings of irritability, impatience and frustration. If you’re feeling like a truck spinning its wheels in the mud, you’re likely personally affected by the Mars retrograde. A consultation with a skilled astrologer would be an awesome strategy for you at this time.

During Mars retrograde, conventional astrological wisdom suggests we avoid:
- Rushing into a marriage
- 
Rushing into –or out of – a love affair

- Impulsively filing for divorce

- Scheduling surgery

- Taking title to property

- Buying a car

- Hiring a new employee (unless it’s a temp)
- 
Rushing into a new job

- Starting a lawsuit

- Signing a contract
- 
Starting a war!! (the one who starts is not favored to win)

April 18th: Pluto turns retrograde at 3:23AM ET until September 26th. Not a big deal in your own personal world, unless you have a planet or angle around 18 degrees of Aries, Libra, Cancer and especially Capricorn.

April 19th: The Sun leaves Aries for earthy Taurus at 11:30AM ET, now looking to build something stable and secure out of all the seeds planted while the Sun was in Aries. The pattern that will most likely be felt, however, is a potentially witchy-bitchy aspect between Venus and Pluto, exact at 4:49PM ET. You may feel some tension in matters involving finance and social expression, leading to power plays and emotional catharses – including shake-ups and break-ups – for the rest of the week, building to a climax on….

April 22nd. The Full Moon happens at 1:24AM ET, shedding illumination on your New Moon goals set two weeks earlier. At 5PM ET, Venus meets up with Uranus, facilitating a potential sudden attraction to an unconventional prospect. Over the next several days, be sure to back-up your computer (again!) and all other communication devices, in preparation for….

April 28th: Mercury turning retrograde at 1:20PM ET. If you planned to be on retreat between now and May 23rd, lucky you. Otherwise, no whinging and no freaking out. Mercury retrograde gets a bad rap by lots of people who know just enough about astrology to be dangerous. Don’t let that happen to you.

Yes, when Mercury is retrograde, be prepared for travel delays, scheduling screw-ups, mechanical breakdowns, computer crashes, having to repeat what you’ve just said, misunderstandings, the past coming back for a second look, surprise reunions and having to repeat what you just said. Use your FOCUS and double check important details, like whether the restaurant you’ve chosen for a meet-up is still in business. Or whether it is booked for a commercial shoot or a private party — all of which has happened to me during Mercury retrogrades.

On the upside, Mercury retrogrades are a perfect time to reach out to people from your past. Mine address book and trust that your contacts will be happy to hear from you. However, do not be frustrated if your target is away on vacation or keeps rescheduling meetings. Also, triple check your emails and resumes before you hit “send,” as there is a higher probability of typos and other sloppy snafus.

You may find it profitable to REview a project from the past. Maybe you shelved it then, but now is the time to REconsider. However, be advised that a spontaneously, “out-of-the-blue” idea for advancement may not be so sound when Mercury turns direct. This is why the conventional wisdom advises against finalizing and/or signing contracts on deals during Mercury retrograde. An exception might be supported if you are REnegotiating or RElocating. If you absolutely must close a deal, triple check everything. The key is not to RUSH. What did I say about April likely to feel like “Hurry up and wait?”
Finally, don’t believe everything you hear or see in the news. Rumors have a higher probability of spreading during Mercury retrogrades.
When in doubt, be silent!
Do plan on RElaxing, REviewing, REsearching, REorganizing, REgenerating, REconnecting, REcreating – and most important – REviewing your life with your astrologer.

Coming up next: why May will be off to a dreamy start….

About Elisabeth
Grace Astrology Elisabeth discovered her love of astrology when she was nine. Armed at 20 with a BA in Philosophy from Wellesley College, she soon headed to Hollywood. She enjoyed an illustrious career as a movie marketeer. eventually moving to New York to scatter her pixie-dust over television news. Along the way she did a tour of duty in the music publishing industry, and as an actress/stand-up comedienne.

Now Elisabeth is a certified professional astrologer, consulting with clients all over the world. She has presented talks in New York and Tokyo, and would be delighted to talk to you. Astrology is an amazing tool for understanding why you are the way you are, and why things happen when they do.

Because of her work in news, Elisabeth noticed an uncanny synchronicity between planetary patterns and what we see in the headlines. She shares her insights in a daily astrological forecast posted on Grace Astrology.