Hi Friends,
Its eclipse season once again, the first one of 2023. This is the time of the year where destiny shifts before our eyes, where doorways open and others close. Expect a surge of energy to crackle through the air as a vibrant passion will ignite within us. Also, this is the last month where we have a retrograde free period—so be sure to get everything you can launched, tied up, or in motion prior to April 21st. After this, the entire year we’ll experience some form of retrograde energy, slowing us down and causing us to deal with unfinished business. However, one of the most magical periods of the year takes place this month, as the Sun and Jupiter unite on April 11—bringing forth the famous “luckiest day of the year.” Be sure to plan something memorable and meaningful at this time, especially around new beginnings. Above all, live in the moment this month and find the courage to go in a new direction.
At the start of the month, the mighty Sun continues to roar through the zodiac sign of Aries. This is often a time of powerful new beginnings, marking the official start of the zodiac year. The zodiac year does not begin in January like our calendars. It actually begins the moment that the Sun moves into Aries—the Spring Equinox. Aries Season is a time that encourages our independence, leadership, and passion to begin new journeys. As the April unfolds, we officially face the firepower of eclipse season—the time when our lives shift rapidly around us triggered by the powerful alignments of the Sun, Earth, and the Moon. The air will feel more frenetic. People will be on edge. Chance meetings, synchronistic experiences, and surprise news will occur when we least expect it.
The energy of this Solar Eclipse will blast open a door of opportunity within you, depending on where it falls in your actual birth chart. Solar Eclipses mark brand new chapters, huge new beginnings, and exciting opportunities. They are often more “friendly” and less emotional than Lunar Eclipses. This Solar Eclipse will create newfound patterns for the coming six months to a year. Because this will be an Aries Solar Eclipse, we will be supercharged with independence and may choose our own paths rather than focusing on the ideas, plans, or perceptions of others.
This month we also have Mercury going retrograde, the first planet to do in almost three months. It will be “review” time once again before we can break into new territory. This retrograde may feel a bit slower than other Mercury retrogrades because it will be in the sluggish and stable sign of Taurus. On April 3rd Mercury enters Taurus and will stay in this sign until June 11th. Its reversal will occur from April 21st to May 14th.
When Mercury is making its way through Taurus, we’ll be flexing our mental muscles through a sign whose energy focuses on the physical things in life. Strength, land, possessions — all solid, stable, material things. You can touch them. They endure. They feel heavy. So, when the planet of reason moves into this realm, the thinking process is slowed. We need to “think things through” more often. Answers do not come through quickly. This is a time where we reconnect with the basic necessities of life. We get more satisfaction out of digging in the garden or going to the gym or just walking around the block.
This month’s Full Moon takes place on April 6th, but will be felt for several days before and after. This is a Full Moon in the zodiac sign of Libra, which rules marriage and partnerships. Our attention is being focused upon our relationships and this could be a time when people are prone to unite or break apart. In life, we must find partners who we mirror and dance with for a while. Sometimes they last for a bit and teach us something important, other times, they outlive their purpose and we must move on. Only rarely—if we are lucky—do they dance with us forever.
This lunation has two main aspects to it, first, the full moon will be exactly opposite Jupiter, the planet of miracles and joy. This will likely bring lucky breakthroughs and a blissful emotional touch to our lives. We could feel on top of the world and ready to be generous with our time, talents, or resources—or may be on the receiving end of some sort of generosity and compassion from others. With Venus, the ruler of this full moon, in a majestic connection with Neptune, there could be many opportunities for happy interactions with others or newfound soulmate love. We will be eager to socialize, relax, and live in the moment.
The second aspect comes from unpredictable, Uranus. This aspect is referred to as an inconjunct or quincunx. This occurs when two planets are 150 degrees apart. This aspect is usually associated with unrealistic expectations, having nothing in common or incompatibility. During this full moon we may be surprised by others who we have nothing in common with or what they say may go completely over our heads. Once again, we may come to the conclusion, they have outlived their purpose in our lives and we may consider leaving them behind.
We’ll have plenty of time to talk to others when Venus enters Gemini on April 11th. When Venus visits Gemini, we have a finger in every pie. Curiosity motivates us on romantic and social levels. “Variety is the spice of life” is the motto now. We are sociable, communicative, charming, and interested. While we can be animated and fun, we may also keep our distance on an emotional level. Attractions now may begin with words, as we tend to bond more readily on a mental level while Venus is in Gemini. The shadow side of Gemini is fickleness or disinterest in profundity.
The big astrological enchilada this month occurs on April 19-20 as the New Moon Solar Eclipse activates the sign of Aries. This eclipse is the first in an Aries-Libra set. At the same time, it occurs in the last degree of Aries, pointing to strong impulses and pivotal feelings. Its effects can be felt for up to six months after the actual date of the eclipse. In the sign of Aries, this eclipse puts matters related to personal plans, courage, independence, and self-assertion in strong focus. It’s about new beginnings regarding any one of these issues. Long-term changes are in the works!
A similar Solar Eclipse (at approximately the same degree of Aries) occurred on April 19th, 2004. Before that, it was April 18, 1977. An eclipse set along the Aries-Libra axis most recently occurred from 2013-2016. What was the theme in your life during those last eclipses? This eclipse can illuminate and challenge our issues surrounding independence and personal courage. We might take steps towards self-mastery and self-empowerment by tackling things that undermine us.
Circumstances nudge or encourage us to see where we haven’t been true to our authentic selves. Ultimately, we are now in a position to understand that changes or endings are necessary for our own growth, and that we can handle these things. This is a good time for focusing on some of the constructive traits of the sign of the Ram–enterprising, straightforward, sincere, brave–and consider how to positively incorporate these qualities into our lives. Aries New Moons are generally good for taking action – trying something new and innovative, and going at it with gusto and confidence; It’s a time to be assertive, take charge of our lives, start a brand-new project, and discover our own personal strength.
This eclipse forms a major aspect to powerful Pluto, suggesting some obstacles need to be cleared as we wrestle with our fears and ambitions. However, it aligns with Jupiter, encouraging resourcefulness, bravery, and a good sense of opportunity. As well, Mars, the ruler of Aries, harmonizes with the North Node, pointing to a good sense of grow and improvement through our experiences and new projects or initiatives.
A few minutes after the eclipse the Sun enters Taurus. After a month of exuberant Aries, we are ready to slow down and enjoy the soothing sensations of Taurus. The seeds that were planted during Aries are starting to sprout. People are beginning to come out of their houses to enjoy the sunshine and tinker about the neighborhood. Taurus is a fixed earth sign that condenses and solidifies the fiery impulses generated during Aries. The energy of Taurus is receptive and feminine, steady, loyal, and determined. It waits for things rather than running after them.
During this transit we are more methodical, sensual, and receptive. The Sun in Taurus is most active when it is defending or resisting things! As the Sun moves through Taurus is when plants take root, our determination and security needs are strong. Taurus is loyal to all that is familiar, and values longevity. The shadow side of Taurus is possessiveness and bullheadedness.
On April 21st Mercury goes retrograde in Taurus. Remember that we are in a period of focusing on the physical things of the earth. The energy is slow and heavy, and so is the thinking process. As Mercury turns retrograde in this slow, heavy sign, we are really in for an even slower time – sort of like slow motion. It’s like pulling teeth to get any of our ideas out in the open. Because of that, it’s not a good time to be signing contracts or expecting people to hear what you have to say. Sometimes we need a period of giving our minds a rest. Dig in the garden, go for walks, stretch, do yoga, through away years’ worth of clutter. While Mercury is retrograde, we may be rethinking a previous opinion or idea. Looking to the signs and houses it transits can give clues as to what we may be reconsidering. In Taurus this time, we’re reviewing our projects, finances, and systems of comfort and security. We may be questioning our values or resources. We see certain projects, items, and even people in new ways, in terms of value and worth, and may see value in an old pursuit.
April 2023 Video Horoscopes
Have a fabulous month folks!
Joseph P. Anthony
