April 2014 Astrocast

Key Events:  

 Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse (25:16 Libra):  15 April 2014

Cardinal Grand Cross 13 Degrees: 22 April 2014  

New Moon/Solar Eclipse (08:52 Taurus): 29 April 2014

Retrograde Planets: 

Pluto (13:34 Capricorn - 10:59 Capricorn) 14 April - 23 September 2014

(Shadow until 13 January 2015)

Mars (27:32 Libra - 09:02 Libra) 1 March - 20 May 2014

(Shadow until 22 July 2014)

Saturn (23:19 - 16:38 Scorpio) 2 March - 21 July 2014

(Shadow until 27 October 2014)

Uranus (12:31 - 8:35 Aries): 17 July - 17 December 2013

(Shadow until 3 April 2014)

Jupiter (20:30 - 10:26 Cancer): 7 November 2013 - 6 March 2014

(Shadow until 2 June 2014)

Easy Reference

Sun   Moon  Mercury   Venus   Mars   Jupiter   Saturn   Uranus   Neptune   Pluto  

1st House   2nd House   3rd House   4th House   5th House   6th House   7th House   8th House   9th House  

10th House   11th House   12th House

Aspects     Sign Rulers     Fire-Earth-Air-Water     Cardinal-Fixed-Mutable

Eclipses  Solar Returns  Retrograde Planets

Lunations and Long-term Aspects

This month has as much or more going on than March but of a slightly different character.  First of all, note that Mars opposes the Sun on April 8 which is part of his retrograde cycle.  This is a time when you may discover that you're in a blind alley, that something you've been working on or pursuing is not the way you should be going.  Mars RX tends to indicate going back, backing up or redoing though sometimes it simply brings a sense of inertia, no motivation and general sense of sitting at a red light waiting for it to change.  Mars is in Libra, sign of its debility and your 2nd house of income, possessions, needs, pleasures, comforts and also your physical body as your number one possession.  This implies that pursuing anything in this part of your life is probably not proceeding, as planned or otherwise.  Resistance is futile unless you enjoy beating your head against a stone wall.

At this point Mars is backing into position to become part of the Cardinal Grand Cross that predominates this month's astrological scene.  Thus, think about what I've just said regarding his current function (or lack thereof) and note that whatever he's trying to do is likely to become even more complicated as he links up with Pluto, Uranus and Jupiter to form that somewhat ominous Grand Cross.

Also contributing to the force of that configuration is the fact that Pluto stations retrograde on April 14.  Whenever a planet stations it emits a burst of energy into that particular zodiacal degree and if that links up with a planet in your Natal or any other active chart (e.g. Progress, Solar Return, etc.) then you're going to feel the blast.  The somewhat good news is that Pluto is in fellow Earth sign, Capricorn, which may make that energy a little easier to take but the truth of the pudding, as they say, is in the eating and it may not exactly be what you call dessert.  If your birthday is right around September 6 Pluto stations trine your natal Sun so you'll have first hand knowledge of the matter as well as what that Grand Cross is all about since your Sun is right around 13 degrees where all the action is.

Pluto has been in your 5th house for several years now.  This house includes such things as your ego definition, children, creative expression, romance, entertainment and speculation.  It's generally considered somewhat of a "fun" house but of course having Pluto there for the long haul isn't going to make it as light and airy as you would like.  Not that Capricorn fits that description, either, mind you.  Actually these two can work together rather well since Capricorn tends to be ambitious and Pluto excels at taking control.  Pluto is also about power, getting rid of things you no longer need, secrets and even corruption.  This is one of those instances where it's really quite advisable to consciously use this energy so that it doesn't use you.  If you're being confronted by various people you consider on a power trip you might want to consider whether that is simply a reflection of what you're projecting. 

This is the house of ego and you may be expressing yourself with a bit too much force.  Virgos tend to be humble perfectionists who are as critical of themselves as anyone else so in a way this can be a good thing to build your self-esteem and confidence.  Just don't get too carried away.  Wanting control of this part of your life is another side effect to keep an eye on.  If your need for perfections collides with Pluto's obsession you could have a real problem, especially with people who reside here like romantic interests and your children.  Digest that for a moment along with the blast of energy from the retrograde station, then blend that with Mars' effects and lack of progress in your house of money.  If that doesn't drive your blood pressure up I don't know what will.

Less than eight hours after Pluto stations (actually 7 hours, 55 minutes and zero seconds) there's a Lunar Eclipse in Libra just downstream from Mars, so that means it's in your 2nd house of money and stuff.  Lunar eclipses tend to operate on the emotional level and have a lot more staying power than the usual lunation.  This means that their effects can manifest months after they occur, long after you've forgotten about them.  What this does is take all that Grand Cross energy, which is now in effect, and make it last even longer.  Isn't that a fine howdy-do?  I've already covered Mars and Pluto so let's move on to Uranus in Aries, your 8th house of transformation, sex, death and rebirth, inheritances, debt, shared resources, and things you suppress.  For the eclipse, Uranus is conjunct your sign ruler, Mercury, which suggests news, information or thoughts coming your way from this venue that is likely to take you by surprise or be disruptive in some way.  This is taking place in opposition with Mars, so this is another obstacle toward getting where you want.  The message, however, is probably that you need to make some serious changes of some sort.

The final member of the Grand Cross is Jupiter who's in Cancer, sign of his exaltation, where he can operate freely and comfortably.  This is all well and good except Jupiter is not always the benefic planet you may think he is.  He is usually associated with luck and good fortune and that may well be the case with such aspects as a trine to Venus.  In my experience he is mostly neutral and his function tends to exaggerate or inflate what he touches which is not always favorable if it happens to be a malefic planet like Uranus, Pluto or Mars and those are exactly what I'm talking about.  He is in your 11th house of goals, hopes, wishes, groups, organizations, networking and friends which has probably been bringing about a lot of activity in this area.  However, that as well is going to encounter conflicts with everything else going on, resulting in frustration.  However, things may not be as messy as they seem.  They are for your Cardinal Sign (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn) friends, no doubt, but you may find all this chaos to your advantage.  If nothing else, you are in favorable aspect with Pluto and Jupiter so have the opportunity to put this energy to work in your favor.  It may require an important change as represented by Uranus but if you roll with the punches rather than griping and resisting you may like where all this takes you. 

Venus is in your polar sign, Pisces, which is your 7th house of close relationships including your significant other, close friends and relatives, business partners, business professionals, cliental, competitors and open enemies which is very favorable for connecting with good people.  She is trining Jupiter, also exalted, in your house of networking and goals, so this looks like you could encounter a golden opportunity that comes through a friend or someone close to you who introduces you to the right people.  Where there's chaos there's opportunity and you are better positioned to take advantage of it than most others.

The Grand Cross has all four planets at 13 degrees of their respective signs on April 22.  This is a time to really watch what's going on around you.  Astrologers have been anticipating this for quite a while since a Grand Cross involving the outer planets is relatively rare.  The square between Pluto and Uranus has already been stirring things up for quite a while and will continue to do so for another year or so.  The Grand Cross will definitely kick that up a notch.  One thing worth pondering is that the USA's natal Sun is at 13 degrees Cancer, conjunct Jupiter in this configuration while Vladimir Putin's natal Sun is at 13 Libra, conjunct retrograde Mars.  I don't know about you but I don't think that sounds very good.  Mars RX on Putin's Sun could definitely relate to all the sanctions placed on him lately.  And the USA may be just a bit puffed up by that Jupiterian influence.  So it certainly bears watching if something significant occurs with that situation at this time.  I'm sure by now you Preppers out there have circled the date.

The Solar Eclipse on April 29 also carries the Grand Cross.  In case you're wondering, the eclipse will be visible in parts of central Australia, down through Melbourne, out into the ocean across the tip of Australia, then back out into the ocean. By this time the Sun has moved into Taurus, another Earth Sign, and the eclipse trines your Sun if your were born right around September 1.  This is your 9th house of beliefs, expectations, philosophy of life, legal matters, higher education, other cultures, long-distance travel and relocation.  Mercury is right in there as well and all three (Sun, Moon and Mercury) are trining Pluto which could bring a significant change to this part of your life.  (I'm not saying you'll be bugging out, but if it comes to that remember I hinted at it before the fact.)  Inspiration from those close to you can contribute and your friends may provide helpful information as well.  This may also help resolve the money standoff in one way or another so you have a better sense of direction.  Saturn in your 3rd house of thoughts and ideas is also retrograde and working at restructuring or rebuilding something in this part of your life.  Venus is trining him from your house of relationships and has been since the Grand Cross was partile on April 22 which implies helpful ideas or moral support from those close to you.

If you encounter any interesting events that seem to relate to this Grand Cross or anything else feel free to share it with us on our Facebook page.  "Likes" are always appreciated and if you "follow" us you'll be among the first to know when these monthly horoscopes are posted every month as well as when I put a new blog out there or when my various books go on sale in the Kindle Store.  It looks as if it's going to be a very interesting month and as always only time will tell how it will turn out.  Astrology like prophecy always works much better with 20:20 hindsight.

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