April 2009
... an amazing month for new relationships
and for making meaningful and valuable connections of all kinds...
Pluto station retrograde
Mars and Saturn oppose
Venus Heliacal Rising
5 April 2009
Pluto spends almost half the year retrograde. It begins its retro journey now, retreating down into its Underworld domain, heading back to 0 Capricorn over the coming months, and not turning direct again until September.
Pluto is squaring a still retrograde Venus as this station, which suggests the current process of reassessing our most personal relationships and inner values (which normally accompany Venus retro) is set to take on deeper, more personal and intimate significance. Memories of painful past relationships may stir; further frustration may develop as personal differences are highlighted. People may be more judgemental under this combination.
Saturn (ruler of Pluto in Capricorn) and Mars (ruler of Venus in Aries) are in fact in exact opposition at the same time, highlighting the practical and/or logistical difficulties of formulating new connections, as well as our fears and frustrations.
Under these aspects some associations and relationships will inevitably end, and this is to be expected. Yet new connections which are more harmonious will soon become apparent. To find what we truly want, we must reject what we don't want, that which doesn't resonate, but first we must learn to recognise the difference.
Venus emerges from her Underworld journey (inferior conjunction) and awakens to her morning star phase at her heliacal rising. Now visible in the morning sky, though still retrograde, Venus is more sure of herself, she has awoken from her beauty sleep, and is now looking around her for what she loves most. These connections will be established when she turns direct and begins her forward journey once more.
The retrograde cycle of Venus asks us to go deep within and connect with our true values, what we value and love the most, and to inwardly prepare for a new cycle where we will have the opportunity to express these inner loves via not just relationship, but also in expressions of beauty and art.
Meanwhile, Mars, her lover, opposes Saturn and he may be feeling somewhat frustrated by external obstacles and worldly commitments. Yet this opposition he can find the courage to separate himself from others’ expectations and decide what he really desires, and then act.
The next two weeks are a time for continued assessment of personal relationships, but with more conscious awareness of what we really want and an active assessment of the potential connections which are promised. While some bonds and affiliations are likely to dissolve, if we hold true to our inner values we will soon see where our true allegiances lie, for Venus and Mars will soon be united.
LIBRA FULL MOON
10 Apr 2009
This Full Moon is a turning point and highlights the current relationship theme, for as the Sun shines in Aries, (Mars’ sign) the Moon reflects back this light to us, in the form of feelings and responses, in Libra, (Venus’ sign) the sign of relationship.
The Aries-Libra polarity again reveals the duality of Mars and Venus, the Male-Female principles, of active and receptive, or yang and yin.
This is a potent turning point in the cycle of relationship; an intersection where each is able to see the other with objectivity, clarity and full awareness. Each knows where they stand in relation to the other; both are empowered, conscious, fully self aware, separate, independent, yet also united.
Neptune Return
11 April 2009
On Easter Saturday, 11 April 2009, Neptune will return to the exact zodiacal position it occupied when it was first discovered in 1846, 165 years ago.
Some people sense the human race is on the verge of a significant awakening, that humanity as a whole is about to undergo a spiritual seismic shift of major proportions.
While Neptune is perhaps the most unconscious and mysterious planet of all, when it was discovered it was located in Aquarius, the sign of enlightenment and arguably the most conscious sign of the zodiac.
With this return to its discovery location, Neptune will have traversed the entire zodiac, symbolising our collective spiritual development. Today we have more conscious awareness that all life is inter-connected and are beginning to understand more about the mystery of life. Science and spirit are uniting.
As scientific concepts are merging with mysticism, we are converging towards a worldview in which everything is connected by magical, mysterious but measurable mathematical patterns, patterns which have always been there, but whose meaning is now becoming “visible” to humanity as a whole, emerging into consciousness just as Neptune and Uranus are in the final stages of their mutual reception.
Amazingly, this Neptune return symbolising this evolutionary process, is accompanied by Chiron, the wounded healer, helping us build bridges across religious divisions. Jupiter too is close by, making the whole experience both joyful and educational, and reinforcing the message of healing, peace, love, universal wisdom and understanding.
Even the most sceptical and cynical are starting to realise that we are all part of one Earthly spiritual family. As we connect more deeply with the natural world, we also reconnect with our spirit.
Significantly, this once in 165 year event occurs at Easter, a time of rebirth and renewal.
The Sabian Symbol for 26 Aquarius is: a hydrometer.
Dane Rudhyar sums up this degree of the zodiac as follows:
“Skill in applying knowledge of natural laws to the solution of everyday problems resulting from life in our technological society.”
Venus Station DIRECT
18 April 2009
For the past 40 days and 40 nights Venus has been retrograde, and we have had a real opportunity to reflect on the nature of our values and the value of our relationships.
Now Venus turns direct once more and will increase in speed rapidly. As the morning star, she has emerged after her beauty sleep, refreshed, awake, full of light and ready for a new relationship, but not just any relationship, for she is empowered and active in her morning phase; she knows her true worth. She bestows her gift of love as she sees fit, and she knows what she wants.
As the morning star Venus is empowered and waxing in light. An alchemical goddess, she is lover, mother, carer giver, and sexual. She is the embodiment of love in all its many forms.
Venus Conjunct Mars
22 April 2009
Within a few days of moving direct Venus meets up with Mars in an intimate embrace. This rendezvous occurs in the last degree of Pisces, at 29.32 Pisces to be exact. They are now ready to begin a new zodiac journey together.
This celestial event favours the establishment of new long term commitments and relationships. Venus and Mars will remain in close proximity to one another over the next couple of months, and will make another conjunction in June. This heralds important new connections and associations of all kinds.
If you would like to learn more about the Venus-Mars cycle, come to my
Venus-Mars workshop on April 26.
TAURUS NEW MOON
25 April 2009
This Taurus New Moon forms a grand trine to both Pluto and Ceres. Pluto and Ceres, which now have equal status as “dwarf” planets, is synchronous with their compromise in the myth of Persephone’s abduction.
The story goes that when Ceres stopped the crops from growing in her grief over the loss of her daughter, it was clear that something had to be done.
Jupiter intervened and Pluto and Ceres reached an agreement whereby Proserpina (Persephone) would spend part of the year in the Underworld with her husband Pluto/Hades and would return to her mother/Earth Ceres/Demeter in the springtime.
This New Moon heralds the full flower of spring in the northern hemisphere, a happy time of celebration, joy and abundance.
The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon is: A cantilever bridge across a deep gorge.
This is a time of cooperation, joining together, uniting for the purposes of bridging differences, expressions of love, and connecting with others to create beauty and express love.
