Hi Everyone

The theme of deep-seated change gets an extra boost of intensity in April with two eclipses and Pluto changing directions.  Let’s take them in the order they will occur.

Pluto: stations retrograde on April 14^th at 7:44 p.m., just hours before a total lunar eclipse (see below).  When a planet changes direction its energy intensifies because it is basically standing still on the degree of the sign where it is – in this case 13⁰Capricorn.  Thirteen degrees happens to be what we call a “critical degree” for cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn).  It’s a point that is very sensitive for that particular sign. Those with planets in mid degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and of course Capricorn may feel this change of direction more strongly.  The other earth signs (Taurus and Virgo) will experience this more easily.  Retrograde motion means that we tend to experience the energy of the planet – in this case transformation, power and power struggles, unearthing that which is hidden, compulsions – more inwardly.  It’s a very powerful time to totally leave behind that which no longer serves and/or gets in our way.

Lunar Eclipse: occurs at 25⁰ Libra at 3:42 a.m. on Tuesday, April 15.   This is the first in a series of four lunar eclipses in 2014-2015 that will occur at six-month intervals, all visible in North America.  (The technical term is a tetrad.)   You need to be a night owl to see the one on the 15^th.  It starts at 2 a.m. EDT and is “total” at 3 a.m.  Eclipses always alter the flow of energy around the earth and dim or change visible light, allowing us to become more aware of subconscious urges, messages and patterns. Because the moon rules tides, eclipses frequently heighten those tides and tug on the plates beneath the earth. The moon also affects the electromagnetic field of the earth.

This is a particularly powerful lunar eclipse because it adds additional energy to a very tight cardinal grand cross, which looks like a big X in the heavens.  On one arm of the cross are Pluto (transformation) in Capricorn (structure, power, status quo) and Jupiter (faith, higher truths, expansion, optimism) in Cancer (nurturing, mother(ing), mood swings) on the other end of the X.  Cancer, a water sign, and Capricorn, an earth sign, are on opposite sides of the zodiac from one another.  On the other arm are Uranus (destroyer of outmoded thoughts/forms, Shiva energy) and Mercury (thoughts, concrete thinking, communication) in Aries (Spring, new initiatives, (spiritual) warrior).  On the other side of the zodiac on this arm of the cross are Mars (male energy, initiative, brash, impatient) and the moon (emotions) in Libra (balance, relationships, concepts of “other”).  This is a lot of energy!  A grand cross consists of four squares (Pluto to Uranus to Jupiter to Mars) and will impact those with planets in mid-degrees (8⁰-18⁰) of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn.  A grand cross is a closed figure, so like a retrograde planet – remember Pluto will have just turned retrograde the day before – the energy of this combination of planets is felt more inwardly.  It’s like having energy closed up in a balloon.  You know it’s in there, but you just can’t quite access it.  It’s a time to clearly define (by taking the time to deeply reflect) what we want and what’s holding us back.  This intense grand cross provides the courage and insight to make the necessary changes for ourselves and our planet.  Lunar eclipses also focus on service.

I think it is worth noting that the two “mind” planets, Mercury and Uranus, will be in Aries from the 10^th through the 23^rd of April.  (Uranus, of course, will be in Aries a lot longer.) Aries is a sign of selfhood.  In its highest sense it is the quest for High Self, so we have the “mind” of inspiration and destroyer of outmoded thinking (Uranus) and our “mind” of communication and everyday thought, including with ourselves, running along side each other in the sign that deals with finding out who we truly are.  This is a great opportunity to focus inwardly, not so much with introspection, but with the intent to discover who we truly are and what we came here to do.

I should also note that the fifth, out of seven, exact squares between Uranus in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn occurs on April 21^st.  This means that the planets are at the same degree and minute of their respective signs.  While the stars do impel, they don’t compel, a growth opportunity of this importance provides greater impetus to express our true selves (Aries) and develop structures (Capricorn) that serve the highest and best for all.  This will be a time of breakdowns and breakthroughs.

US Chart:  Pluto is now exactly opposed the sun in the US (Sibly) chart, requiring us to balance or see clearly who we are and how we’re seen.  It is also almost exactly square Saturn in Libra, representing the president and the need for balance in relating to others. Transiting Pluto is currently in the first house of the US chart – who we believe we are – and offers an opportunity to reexamine the “myths” we hold about ourselves.  This will continue to be a tense, growing time for the US.

Solar Eclipse: occurs at 8⁰ Taurus on April 29 at 2:14 a.m.  We’ll give the cardinal signs a little rest and focus on the fixed signs (Taurus, Scorpio, Aquarius and Leo), who will feel the impact of this eclipse, along with the other earth signs Virgo and Capricorn, perhaps more than others.  Solar eclipses are about new beginnings and occur at a new moon. The eclipse blocks the flow of solar energy to us. You can think of it as turning off your computer and then rebooting it with the energetic fields being realigned.  Taurus is the first earth sign, and the one that is most in tune with Mother Earth.  Taurus loves beauty, harmony, chocolate, the color blue and flowers among other things.  With Mercury having left Aries and joining this new moon, we have an influx of energy focused on how we relate to nature and Mother Earth.  Interestingly at the time of the eclipse, the ruler of Taurus, Venus (love, beauty, one side of the feminine), is in Pisces (faith, dissolution of boundaries and barriers, cosmic waters).  It’s a time when we can recognize from the heart that we are all one.  Neptune, which rules Pisces, is the higher octave of Venus and says: “I love you because it is in the nature of love to love.”  This eclipse provides a powerful opportunity to recommit ourselves to the oneness we are with each other and with this beloved planet on which we live.

April promises to be a month of intense, but deeply needed, change – and maybe even the true end to winter!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret