A relationship-transforming Libra Full Moon highlights the first half of April. We also have three important planets changing direction: Mercury and Saturn turn retrograde, while Venus turns direct.

We also have aspect patterns aplenty. Two interlinked Fingers of God fire up, and a Cradle, T-square and Grand Cross peak. Read on to learn the best use of these and other astrological forces!

Click astrology graphics to see larger images.

4/1 (Sat)

No major astrology events — no fooling! ;-)

4/2 (Sun)

Grand Cross Begins: Sun-Juno-Vesta-Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto

Two new members join 2017’s most powerful Grand Cross today. The addition of Juno and the Aries Sun to the existing members – Vesta, Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto – adds an intriguing new layer of meaning.

The most important themes of the original four planets are revoutionary transformation, rapid political change and empowered service to a higher cause. Click here for a much more detailed interpretation of this Grand Cross.

New member Juno asks you to scrutinize committed partnership on all levels: romantic, platonic and business. What paradigm shifts would take these important relationships to the next level, heal them, or put them out of their misery? The Aries Sun wants to know how radically you’re willing to step more fully into your rightful role as a leader, sexual being, warrior or entrepreneur.

Don’t wait forever to act in these areas. This enhanced six-planet Grand Cross starts today (4/2), peaks 4/11 and ends 4/16.

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Your prosperity can flow more easily with Pluto, the lord of wealth, trine the harvest goddess Ceres (19°19′ Capricorn-Taurus). You can also heal old sorrows and psychological suffering with greater ease.

In this context, Pluto is the psychologist and lord of the underworld where all your repressed pain lives. Ceres (aka Demeter) is the distraught mother grieving for her daughter Persephone … who was abducted by Pluto in the Greek myth.

You have nearly a month to work with these opportunities. This Pluto-Ceres trine is in orb through 4/27.

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Retrograde Venus backs into Pisces today (4/2), stations direct on 4/15 at 26°54′ Pisces, then returns to Aries on 4/28. Her Piscean passage can help you deepen your relationship with your divine self, feel more spiritual connection with other beings, and receive more creative inspiration. This is also a great time to visualize the ideal manifestation of your relationships, artistry, and finances.

4/3 (Mon)

No major astrology events.

4/4 (Tue)

The right adjustment could boost your income with Mars quincunx Jupiter (18°36′ Taurus-Libra). While this aspect can be a goad to action, you may find it best to proceed cautiously and deliberately.

4/5 (Wed)

No major astrology events.

4/6 (Thu)

Saturn Retrograde

The first half of April features three planets changing direction. The first is Saturn, who begins his annual retrograde at 27°47′ Sagittarius. He’ll reverse until 8/25, when he shifts forward again at 21°10′ Sagittarius.

Saturn retrograde is a great time to reflect on how well you’re embodying the Time Lord’s helpful qualities: maturity, responsibility, good time management, and skillful planning and implementation. Are you taking full responsibility for your life? Are you your own master, or is there someone (other than your employer) who can tell you “no”?

Note any sensitive natal points in your chart from 25° to 29° in the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces), or at 0° or 1° in the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn). These will feel Saturn’s station with special strength.

If challenge arises in any life area represented by these points, you can successfully meet them by integrating more of the high-side Saturn qualities above. A restriction or power challenge can be the universe encouraging you to step more fully into your own power!

All flavors of sexuality – regular, sacred or otherwise – are smoothly lubricated for two weeks with Mars sextile Pluto (19°20′ Taurus-Capricorn). Taurean Mars suggests that you slow down and relish the subtle sensations that are so easy to overlook. Even the caress of a fingertip on a forearm can be ecstatic when you’re fully present!

This Mars-Pluto trine also supports financial abundance, strong steady leadership, and being positively transformed by immersion in nature.

4/7 (Fri)

T-square Peaks: Sun-Jupiter-Pluto

Any flavor of Aries energy you want to embody or broadcast is supported by the Sun-Jupiter-Pluto T-square that started on 3/29, peaks today (4/7) and ends on 4/16. This can include the energies of the warrior, pioneer, sexual being and entrepreneur. More broadly, this T-square can help you kickstart or bring renewed energy to anything you like!

On its own, today’s Sun-Jupiter opposition (18°15′ Aries-Libra) can make you feel a bit like Superman or Wonder Woman. You can certainly get a lot accomplished. But remember that you’re in a mortal body, and may not be able to perform feats of superhuman strength!

This aspect is also part of the Sun-Jupiter-Pluto T-square peaking today.

4/8 (Sat)

Saturn writes the reality checks. So as Venus squares Saturn (27°47′ Pisces-Sagittarius), it can be easier to take an objective look at your relationships, creative output and financial management. With Venus in Pisces, take counsel from your intuitive wisdom along with your intellect, and create Law of Attraction programs to manifest more desirable outcomes.

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Where does your power come from? Do you have to keep refreshing it through egoic effort? Or does it flow automatically and effortlessly from your divine source? You can examine the effectiveness of your approach, and how much it demands from you, as the Sun squares Pluto (19°21′ Aries-Capricorn). For an easy way to access divine power, check out my Heal and Awaken Invocations.

4/9 (Sun)

Mercury Retrograde

April’s second change of planetary direction is Mercury turning retrograde (4°50′ Taurus) at 07:14 pm EDT. The winged messenger will turn direct again on 5/3 at 24°15′ Aries.

Mercury’s retrograde in Taurus, through 4/20 at 1:37 PM EDT, is great for reflecting on your material possessions, sensuality, persistence and “just beingness.” As Mercury reverses through Aries, 4/20 at 1:38 PM EDT through 5/3, reflect on how you’re acting as the warrior, pioneer, entrepreneur and sexual being. Is there enough “just do it” in your life?

The usual Mercury retrograde advice also applies. If possible, postpone major purchases and major new beginnings until Mercury’s direct. Double check travel arrangements. Make sure you’re understanding and being understood. And back up critical data!

4/10 (Mon)

Cradle Peaks: Mars-Ceres-Vesta-Chiron-Pluto

The Mars-Ceres-Vesta-Chiron-Pluto Cradle that started on 3/28 peaks today (4/10) and ends on 4/20. As I said on 3/28, this is a great time to contemplate the ways in which you’re able to facilitate life-affirming transformation, healing and mentoring. You can focus all these abilities in service of a higher cause under this Cradle. This flowing aspect pattern can also support sexual healing, shamanic practices and Law of Attraction programs that support a greater good.

Yod Begins: Ceres-Vesta-Saturn

You have nearly a month to take advantage of a Yod featuring Ceres, Vesta and Saturn. This emphatic aspect pattern, also known as a “Finger of God,” starts today (4/10), peaks on 4/24 and ends on 5/4.

This Yod can help you heal old sorrows that prevent you from doing your best service work in the world. (Many have found my posts on the Healing Invocation and global shadow work resources helpful in their healing process.) This Yod can also support fundraising for a higher cause, or creating a mutually beneficial partnership between a private business and an organization devoted to selflessly serving others.

Enhanced Yod Begins: Mars-Ceres-Vesta-Saturn

Mars is part of the Ceres-Vesta-Saturn Yod I just described for most of its run. This Mars-Ceres-Vesta-Saturn Yod also starts today (4/10), but peaks on 4/16 and ends on 4/24.

On the most primal level, Taurean Mars simply adds power and persistence into the mix. Since he’s conjunct Ceres, he can especially energize this asteroid goddess’s themes of healing sorrow and maximizing abundance. And Mars’s “get it done” leader/warrior energy can amp up your energy and enthusiasm!

4/11 (Tue)

Libra Full Moon

One of 2017’s most powerful lunations illuminates the sky at 2:08 AM EDT (21°32′ Libra). Like any Libra Full Moon, this one supports reflection on your relationships and creative expression. What adjustments in these areas would make your life more wonderful?

Aspects

Vesta-Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto Grand Cross

This Full Moon is so powerful because it aligns closely with 2017’s most powerful Grand Cross: Vesta-Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto. The Moon is conjunct Jupiter, the Sun conjoins Uranus, and both luminaries square Pluto and Vesta. This Grand Cross started on 1/19, peaked on 3/6 and ends on 4/20. But its inclusion in this Full Moon extends its influence until the 4/26 New Moon.

As I’ve noted before when discussing this Grand Cross, at the most basic level Jupiter is rekindling the power of the waning Uranus-Pluto square. This amplifies the power of revolutionary transformation. Pluto in Capricorn can take a wrecking ball to old structures that have outlived their usefulness, while supporting new structures whose time has come.

Pluto normally takes its time, but Uranus in Aries has no patience. It wants those changes yesterday! On a personal level, this square can fuel the acceleration of your own life-affirming changes in all areas. Vesta’s presence adds the theme of honing yourself into a finely tuned instrument, serving a higher cause, and (optionally) using sex magic to empower Law of Attraction manifestation.

Learn more about this Vesta-Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto Grand Cross.

Other Aspects

Juno is also part of this Full Moon Grand Cross. Her presence (conjunct Pluto in Capricorn) invites you to examine committed partnerships of all kinds. Are they supporting your prosperity and positive transformation? If not, what needs to change?

Finally, the Moon is tightly quincunxed by Mars and Ceres in Taurus. What adjustments would help you stay more on track with what you need to do? What changes would help enhance your abundance or heal old sorrows?

Sabian Symbol

This Full Moon’s Sabian Symbol is, “A child giving birds a drink at a fountain.” How connected are you to your original childlike nature? That part of you which is open and innocent, and which finds simple pleasure in sharing with your fellow beings? At a deep level, a young child somehow knows that they’re one with everything – and that being generous with another is simply giving to a part of themselves.

Grand Cross Peaks: Sun-Juno-Vesta-Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto

The Sun-Juno-Vesta-Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto Grand Cross that started on 4/2 peaks today (4/11) and ends on 4/16.

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The meaning of today’s Uranus-Vesta square (24°18′ Aries-Cancer) is included in my interpretation of the Vesta-Jupiter-Uranus-Pluto Grand Cross that includes it.

4/12 (Wed)

No major astrology events.

4/13 (Thu)

No major astrology events.

4/14 (Fri)

You can hoist your freak flag high under a Sun-Uranus conjunction (24°27′ Aries). This aspect also makes it easier to receive and follow your intuitive flashes, and serve others with your special talents that you most enjoy using. With both planets in Aries, don’t just think about all this – do it now!

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Anything that blends spiritual awareness with physical activity can be magically motivated with Mars quintile Neptune (25°14′ Taurus-13°14′ Pisces). Possibilities include yoga, ecstatic dance, tai chi, sacred sex and chi gung.

4/15 (Sat)

Venus Direct

Venus, who turned retrograde on 3/4 at 13°8′ Aries, is April’s third stationing planet. She turns direct today (4/15) at 26°54′ Pisces.

On 3/4, I suggested that you use Venus retrograde to reflect on her planetary meanings: relationships, creativity, money and values. I also recommended contemplation on the meanings of the signs Venus was backpedaling through in relation to her planetary meanings: pioneer, leader, warrior and sexual being for Aries; divine awareness, intuitive flow and inspired creativity for Pisces.

Now that Venus is direct, consider yourself free to start implementing the insights you’ve gained in these areas. Retrograde is for reflection; direct is for action!

Void-of-Course Moons

It’s best to avoid starting important new projects or making major purchases during void-of-course Moons. “Business as usual” is the optimal strategy. Void-of-course Moons occur when the Moon has made her last major Ptolemaic aspect, but has not yet moved into her next sign.

4/2, 10:43 AM – 2:27 PM, Cancer
4/4, 4:45 PM – 6:13 PM, Leo
4/6, 8:16 PM – 4/7, 12:20 AM, Virgo
4/9, 4:21 AM – 8:34 AM, Libra
4/11, 2:19 PM – 6:42 PM, Scorpio
4/14, 12:17 AM – 6:27 AM, Sagittarius

Whatever your Sun Sign, AstroShaman’s forecasts can help you make the best use of the current astrological energies.

All dates and times are in the U.S. eastern time zone. Events are most powerful on the dates listed, but their influence will be active for at least several days before and after.

Everyone is affected by these global transits. However, you’ll be most powerfully impacted when moving planets activate sensitive points in your natal chart.

Discover how these transits will personally affect you by booking a session with me. Learn more about my Astrology+ sessions.

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