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 is another doosy but for different reasons than March.  The primary focus this month is that Cardinal Grand Cross which will be the prevailing energy and should produce some interesting events on the mundane level.  More on that later.  First I want to remind you about Mars opposing the Sun on April 8.  Mars, as you may recall, is retrograde which marks a time when backing up, going back to square one, redoing or simply feeling as if you're sitting at a red light waiting for it to change is likely.  Mars is what gives us drive and energy and when he's in reverse it's common to experience a general feeling of inertia and lack of ambition.  When Mars opposes the Sun it's likely to bring out something you've been pursuing where you're actually heading down a blind alley. 

You may not like to hear that, but on the other hand wasting time and energy on something that's an exercise in futility isn't very pleasant, either.  So pay attention and see what surfaces at that time.  Mars is in Libra, sign of his debility and your 8th house of transformations, death and rebirth, sex, inheritances, debt, shared resources, things you suppress and intense experiences.  Mars in the 8th is a time to be a little bit more careful than usual since it may predispose you to accidents.  Unfortunately, being retrograde prolongs his stay in that locale until near the end of July.  Until then, drive defensively and avoid taking any unnecessary chances.

Pluto stations retrograde on April 14 which has more significance than usual since this happens every year.  This year Pluto is a major player in that Grand Cross so this station imparts that energy into the entire aspect pattern, especially since his stationing degree (13 Capricorn) is the degree where the Grand Cross culminates with all four planets in 13 degrees of their respective signs.  Pluto is in your 11th house of friends, groups, organizations, networking, goals, hopes and wishes.  Pluto typically relates to power, control, eliminating things you no longer need, secret and often corruption.  If you've been even marginally obsessive about anything in this part of your life then you can see Pluto's influence. 

You may also be dealing with power trips on the part of people who fit in this venue.  Make sure they're not projections of your own need for power and control.  Taking control of your life and pursuing your goals isn't a bad thing provided you keep things in perspective.  However, given that Pluto is occupying one corner of the upcoming Grand Cross there is some definite conflict coming.   However, the good news is that this Grand Cross may not hit you with as much force as it will your Cardinal Sign friends (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn).  Rather it will be more like a glancing blow or you may be lucky enough to simply observe things going on all around you.  Even if your natal Sun is at 13 degrees, which will be with case if your birthday is right around March 4, the effects will mitigated through softer aspects.  For example, Pluto is sextile your Sun which typically denotes an opportunity and from your 11th may be a chance to connect with a new friend or discover something related to your goals. 

The station chart has Pluto in partile square with Mercury conjunct Uranus which suggests sudden or surprising news.  For Pisces this pair is in your 2nd house of income, possessions, needs, comforts, pleasures and what you value as well as your physical body.  In case you haven't already guessed, Uranus is another corner of the Grand Cross.  If your goals include your finances, this could bring some challenges in that area but that doesn't mean they'll be catastrophic.  If you handle them properly they could be an opportunity, which often arises from chaos.  You've probably already seen quite a bit of that in this part of your life.  Uranus has been there for a while and has probably been felt in one way or another.  And while Uranus and Pluto are squared off, you're in a position between them to balance it out and mitigate the effects, perhaps even bring them around to your benefit.

Next in line is your traditional sign ruler, Jupiter, who's in Cancer, sign of his exaltation.  This means that he is strong and unrestrained in this sign.  While Jupiter is often considered a benefic planet, I have found him to be neutral and simply magnifying what he touches.  If that happens to be a trine with Venus it will be beneficial but when it's a square or opposition to a malefic, like Uranus, Pluto and Mars like we have here, he may just inflate their ill-effects or blow it all out of proportion.  Nonetheless, Cancer is a fellow Water Sign like Pisces and is thus in trine. This is your 5th house of ego definition, creative expression, children, romance, entertainment and speculation.  This could give you the confidence you need to handle whatever comes your way. 

Take a moment to ponder what is going on with each of the planets and houses and how they are already manifesting in your life.  You may have already discovered that they conflict with one another, perhaps as it pertains to time or resources if nothing else.  There is a lot of transformation energy there between Pluto and Mars in your 8th.  Growing pains of the astrological variety are common but should ultimately come out to your advantage even though it will take some effort.

Just under eight hours after Pluto stations there's a Lunar Eclipse in Libra, downwind from Mars.  This will reinforce everything inherent in the Pluto station chart plus give it extra staying power since eclipses can last for months as opposed to the usual lunation that comes and goes more readily.  This is also in your 8th house of transformations so be prepared for events that could have a strong effect.  Venus, exalted in Pisces, is trining Jupiter and thus drawing positive energy in your direction.  That plus having your modern sign ruler, Neptune, in your sign can provide an added dose of inspiration that can bring comfort and possibly insights on how to handle the situation. 

On April 22 the Grand Cross squares off with all four members at 13 degrees of their respective signs.  Pay close attention to what occurs at this time when that aspect pattern is at its peak.  It's worth noting that the natal Sun for the USA is at 13 degrees Cancer which means it is conjunct Jupiter in one corner of the Grand Cross.  Even more interesting is the fact that Vladimir Putin's natal Sun is at 13 degrees Libra, conjunct Mars retrograde, which carries implications of the various sanctions directed his way.  Whether that situation will culminate with the Grand Cross is anyone's guess but it's one possibility to keep an eye on.  If your birthday is around March 12, at this time Saturn is trining your Sun from Scorpio, your 9th house of beliefs, expectations, higher learning, legal matters, other cultures, long-distance travel, philosophy of life and relocation.  Saturn is also retrograde and urging you to restructure something in this part of your life.  Venus can sweeten that substantially.  If you suddenly feel as if you should pursue something in this area that could be what these transits are all about.  This will carry over for nearly a week until the Solar Eclipse on April 29.

The Solar Eclipse will be visible in parts of central Australia, down through Melbourne, out into the ocean, across a tip of Antarctica and then back out into the ocean.  The Grand Cross is still in effect and thus given yet another push by this event.  The eclipse itself occurs in Taurus, your 3rd house of thoughts, ideas, siblings, neighbors and local travel.  This could bring considerable inspiration to your thought process and possibly provide the sense of direction you need.  While you may be surrounded with challenges, there is usually the proverbial silver lining in the clouds so make sure you take the time necessary to commune with your higher self and seek answers.

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 but your strong intuitive sense can probably get a glimpse of that in advance.

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