April 2008

As Mars emerges from the final phase of its retrograde on the 4th, situations which began to set up in September of 2007 can now be settled, finalized and understood. For many people, it has been a long, slow and frustrating journey. Between the fall of 2007 and this month, we have discovered those of our friends and family who can be considered trustworthy, supportive and really there when we need them. This will help when deciding about how and where to spend time, energy and money in the future. Although Saturn, which brings structure and organization and Pluto, which brings transformation and control, are retrograde until June (Saturn) and September (Pluto), there will be a strong feeling of moving ahead with plans and ideas due to the fiery energy of Aries. The Sun in Aries until the 19th supports independence, pioneering and taking initiative; but its fire can also instigate aggression, anger, temper tantrums and impulsive actions. As Mercury joins the Sun in Aries on the 2nd and Venus joins it on the 6th, the combined energy encourages feeling positive, taking advantage of offers and being open to new opportunities. Remember, however, that being open to the future means willingness to let go of the past if it no longer serves you or is causing you physical, mental, psychological or emotion pain or damage. The two best time ranges this year for the commitment to a new course of action are May 3rd to 9th and September 10th to 22nd. These are the times with the fewest retrograde planets, but not necessarily the only times. Sun in Taurus after the 19th focuses on the earth, property, land, security, beautification and improvement. As the Sun continues to move north past the equator, in the northern hemisphere we begin to spend more and more time out of doors, working on lawns and gardens and assessing what needs to be improved or repaired on homes and structures due to winter’s ravages.

Mercury (communication, writing, contracts, commerce, workers) in Pisces until the 2nd is sensitive, inspired, creative and caring, but can also be dreamy and lack focus. Mercury in Aries between the 2nd and 17th can be spontaneous, but may also speak too fast without consideration. Mercury in Taurus after the 17th can be persevering, determined and loyal, but can also be stubborn and closed minded.

Venus (values, money, social connections) in Pisces until the 6th values service, dedication, sensitivity to the needs of others and creative expression thru art, music and dance as well as meditation, intuition, dreams and inspiration. This would be a good time to give away unneeded clothing and household items to charity. Venus in Aries after the 6th values independence, action, pioneering and new ideas. Venus in Aries can also be self serving or selfish.

Mars (initiation, energy, aggression) transits 10 to 24 degrees Cancer, repeating where it was in October and November of 2007 and completing the Mars retrograde cycle. Mars turned retrograde on November 15th, 2007, at 12 degrees Cancer, connecting energy, vitality and possibly aggression to the sign of family, real estate, security, emotions, community and country. It expends energy on the family but can ignite political passion for the group one identifies with – country, community, religion or special interest. The retrograde related to issues which were brought up between September 16th and November 15th, the entry shadow at 24 Gemini. The completion of the entire Mars retrograde period spans from January 30th to April 4th. The combination of Gemini/Cancer relates to intellect vs. emotion/objective vs. subjective.
Jupiter (expansion, opportunity, optimism, travel, education, foreign trade, religion, legal matters) transits 20 to 22 degrees Capricorn where it will repeat in May/June and November/December 2008. Birthdays most affected are January 11th-13th, October 13th-16th, July 12th-15th and April 10th-12th as well as companies or persons whose charts have planets or angles from 20 to 22 degrees Aries, Libra, Capricorn or Cancer. Jupiter in Capricorn brings opportunity thru business, consolidation, restructuring, property, organization, leadership, control, career and matters of security.

Saturn (structure, foundation, responsibility) retrogrades from 2 to 1 degrees Virgo, where it was in September 2007 and will repeat in May and June 2008. Saturn’s transit thru Virgo from September 2007 to July 2010 will affect those born between 1958 and 1972. This is the generation born when Pluto was in Virgo. During the next three years they will begin to gain more responsibility and power. Virgo relates to health, everyday routine and doing what is practical, frugal and orderly in daily life. Most affected this month are those born August 24th-25th, February 20th-21st, November 24th-25th and May 22nd-23rd as well as those people or entities whose charts have planets or angles from 1 to 2 degrees Virgo, Pisces, Gemini or Sagittarius. Saturn’s last transit thru Virgo was 1978 to 1980. Review what was happening in your life about 30 years ago, during the half-cycle of 14-15 years (in Pisces), the quarter cycle of 7 years (in Gemini) and 21 years, the third quarter cycle (in Sagittarius) to understand what Saturn in Virgo from September 2007 to July 2010 will mean for you.

Uranus (freedom, rebellion, surprise, invention technology) transits 19 to 21 degrees Pisces where it will repeat in August and September 2008 as well as October to December 2009. Most affected are birthdays: March 10th-11th, June 10th-11th, September 12th-13th and December 11th-13th as well as persons or companies whose charts have planets or angles from 19 to 21 degrees Pisces, Virgo, Gemini or Sagittarius. Between April 2008 and February 2009, they will have needed freedom, experienced chaos or made radical changes in their lives. Uranus will be in Pisces until 2011 and supports social revolution. During 1920, the start of the previous Uranus in Pisces, Congress granted women the right to vote and the “Roaring 20’s” began. Uranus in Pisces supports artistic creativity with innovation and intellect with sensitivity, leading to modern ways of helping those in need and suggesting that the only way that humanity will survive is by caring for each other and doing what is best for all, addressing humanitarian and global issues such as disaster relief, global warming, health care and political decisions made for the good of the masses, not just to support special interests and wealthy individuals.

Neptune (sensitivity, inspiration, escapism, dreams, trust) transits 23 to 24 degrees Aquarius, where it will repeat in June and July 2008 as well as January/February and the fall of 2009. Neptune relates to intangibles such as imagination, inspiration, creative writing, art and dance as well as prayer, healing, dreams and escapism. Most affected are birthdays February 12th-13th, May 13th-14th, August 15th-16th and November 15th-16th as well as charts with planets or angles at 23-24 degrees Aquarius, Leo, Taurus or Scorpio. Neptune transits bring a lack of focus or direction, a sense of drifting or the inability to see an error, disappointment, betrayal or weakness until it’s too late. The past dissolves to open space for the future. On the positive side this can be a time for faith, healing, psychic insights and artistic creativity. Under Neptune in Aquarius you can develop intuition, musical talents, practice meditation and pay more attention to your own inner guidance. You may also need to watch your back and balance faith with fact to see events clearly, not with wishful thinking or being attached to the dream or vision of what you think might have been.

Pluto (power, control, resources, transformation) retrogrades from 1 to 0 degrees Capricorn where it was in March and will repeat in December 2008 as well as August thru October of 2009. Birthdays most affected are December 22nd, June 22nd, March 21st and September 23rd as well as charts with planets or angles from 0 to 1 degrees Capricorn, Cancer, Aries or Libra. Between March 2008 and the fall of 2009 they will experience major changes in life such as marriage, divorce, relocation, career and/or financial challenges. These are times when counseling or therapy may be required and self-awareness/motivational work necessary. Now that Pluto has almost completed its transit thru Sagittarius, it has brought focus, transformation and paradigm shifts in travel, education, travel, religion, politics and global trade. It has also brought religion to the forefront of world politics, war, conflict and the need to control. It will enter Capricorn to stay in December 2008.

Specific indications for the twelve signs are as follows:

Note: In addition to reading about your sun sign, you can gain more understanding by reading the signs of your Moon, rising sign and the sign on the midheaven or career house of your chart.

Nancy Bahlman is a professional astrologer with special interests in relating persons to locations using Astro*Cartography and Local Space Charts. Classes now forming.
(248) 546-5407 chartmates@aol.com