The second peak of an intense all-year Saturn-Chiron square highlights the second half of April. Shadow work, anyone?
We also have Pluto turning retrograde, a Taurus New Moon, and several powerful aspect patterns. Dive in and learn the best use of these astrological opportunities!
Click astrology graphics to see larger images.
4/16 (Sun)
Yod Peaks: Mars-Ceres-Vesta-Saturn
The Mars-Ceres-Vesta-Saturn Yod that started on 4/10 peaks today (4/16) and ends on 4/24.
As I wrote on 4/10, 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.
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!
By itself, a Mars-Chiron sextile (26°35′ Taurus-Pisces) can energize healing and mentoring. The healing of disharmony relating to aggression and sexuality are especially supported. Exercise outdoors if you can. And while you’re outside, call in the healing power of the natural world … then relax and let it soak in!
This sextile is also part of the Mars-Ceres-Vesta-Chiron-Pluto Cradle that runs 3/28 thru 4/20.
Both romantic and platonic relating are smoothly empowered by a Venus-Mars sextile (26°57′ Pisces-Taurus). Venus’s presence in Pisces makes it easier than usual to connect soul to soul. This is also a fantastic aspect for creative inspiration and productivity!
4/17 (Mon)
Saturn makes two aspects today that could feel flowing or frustrating. The first, a Sun-Saturn trine (27°41′ Aries-Sagittarius), supports serious productivity. If you “mine the trine” with steady energy, it should reward you with a smooth path forward. This trine can also support you as you give your energy or leadership to a worthy cause.
The second Saturn aspect, a Mars-Saturn quincunx (27°40′ Taurus-Sagittarius), could be frustrating … until you make the proper adjustments. But once you modify your approach to fit the circumstances, this aspect can be a brisk wind in your sails. Remember that suffering is the difference between reality as it is, versus reality as you wish it was!
This quincunx is also part of the Mars-Ceres-Vesta-Saturn Yod that started on 4/10, peaked yesterday (4/16) and ends on 4/24.
4/18 (Tue)
T-square Begins: Juno-Pallas-Jupiter-Pluto
A relationship can be an extraordinary crucible for power dynamics and transformation. These processes are potently amplified by a T-square featuring Juno, Pallas, Jupiter and Pluto. This seven-week aspect pattern begins today (4/18), peaks on 5/16 and ends on 6/4.
This T-square’s apex focuses on conjoined Juno and Pluto. This highlights transformation and empowerment in committed partnership. With both planets in Capricorn, there’s an emphasis on working together efficiently and productively.
Juno and Pluto receive a square from Pallas in Aries. The planet of feminine assertiveness wants the female partner (or whoever’s usually more receptive) to stand up and make sure she’s getting as good as she’s giving.
In the T-square’s third corner, Libran Jupiter strives to maintain fairness and harmony. He also stands ready to contribute enthusiasm, joy and celebration!
If ignored or used selfishly, this T-square could fire up power plays, conflict and aggression. Used consciously for a win-win outcome, it can promote honesty, cooperation and a new level of pleasure and effectiveness in your committed partnerships.
4/19 (Wed)
The Sun enters Taurus on 4/19 at 5:27 PM EDT. This energy can help you cultivate appropriate persistence, sensual pleasure, material accumulation and relaxation into “just being.”
4/20 (Thu)
Pluto Retrograde
Pluto turns retrograde today (19°23′ Capricorn), and will turn direct again on 9/28. This is a great time to reflect on what needs to be released from your life. A thorough housecleaning would include material objects, relationships, ways of thinking and habit patterns.
To maximize your personal and spiritual growth, release or transform anything in these four areas that isn’t actively supporting your evolution and transformation. Want to maximize the power and wealth with which Pluto can bless you? Do your best to follow your intuitive guidance, and call in the juju with an invocation such as, “Maximum divine power that serves highest good, please.” Learn more about using my invocations.
Your natal points that will be most powerfully impacted by Pluto’s station lie between 16° and 23° in the cardinal signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. For best results, apply the Plutonian principles I just outlined to the meaning of these points.
Thor’s Hammer: Mars-Juno-Jupiter-Pluto
Boatloads of energy is available for getting things done, thanks to a Thor’s Hammer featuring Mars, Juno, Jupiter and Pluto. It starts today (4/20), peaks on 4/25 and ends on 4/29.
Mars is happy to indulge his usual tendencies: being the leader, warrior, entrepreneur or sexual being. Placed in Gemini, Mars can also have a field day learning and sharing information. Doing all this with the help of a committed partner can take it to the next level.
On the low side, this Thor’s Hammer could amplify anger, violence and impulsiveness. To avoid these less desirable outcomes, consciously focus its energies as described in the prior paragraph.
Learning and communication are energized by a conjunction between the Sun and retrograde Mercury (0°20′ Taurus). A patient, persistent approach to your mental activities will serve you well.
Mercury backs into Aries today (4/20) at 1:38 PM EDT. The winged messenger will turn direct in the sign of the Ram on 5/3, and complete its transit of Aries on 5/16. As Mercury reverses through Aries, reflect on your embodiment of the warrior, pioneer, entrepreneur and sexual being. Is there enough “just do it” in your life? Once Mercury turns direct, feel free to take action on what you’ve learned.
4/21 (Fri)
Mars transits Gemini today through 6/4. This gives you extra energy for learning, communication and local travel. It also supports hanging out with your neighbors, being more spontaneous and playful, and enjoying more variety in your life.
You can get a helpful reality check on your relationships with Venus square Saturn (27°36′ Pisces-Sagittarius). Be willing to take off the rose-colored glasses and see what’s really going on. With Venus in Pisces, this square can also energize artistic productivity and Law of Attraction manifestation.
4/22 (Sat)
No major astrology events.
4/23 (Sun)
No major astrology events.
4/24 (Mon)
Yod Peaks: Ceres-Vesta-Saturn
The “Finger of God” featuring Ceres, Vesta and Saturn that started on 4/10 peaks today and ends on 5/4. This is a kissing cousin of the Mars-Ceres-Vesta-Saturn Yod I interpreted on 4/16, and shares much of its interpretation.
This Ceres-Vesta-Saturn 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.
Your mental productivity can hum like a well-oiled machine with Mercury trine Saturn (27°31′ Aries-Sagittarius). As with any trine, the more energy you contribute, the more benefit you’ll receive!
4/25 (Tue)
No major astrology events.
4/26 (Wed)
Taurus New Moon
April’s New Moon occurs on 4/26 at 8:16 AM EDT (6°27′ Taurus). Like any Taurus New Moon, it’s great for new beginnings in material resources, sensuality, persistence and “just being.”
Aspects
Amazingly, this New Moon contains no significant aspects at all!
Sabian Symbol
This New Moon’s Sabian Symbol is, “The woman of Samaria comes to draw water from Jacob’s well.” In this Bible story, Jesus speaks to the Samarian woman. This is shocking because Jews and Samaritans didn’t tend to get along, and the woman was on the fringes of her own society. But because Jesus spoke to the woman, she received a great blessing.
Is some concept preventing you from connecting with someone who’s different from you? Are you courageous enough to choose love and connection, rather than fear and separation? You don’t have to be Jesus Christ to bless someone! Even a simple smile or a kind word can work their own small miracles.
4/27 (Thu)
Thor’s Hammer: Ceres-Juno-Jupiter-Pluto
On 4/27, with one Thor’s Hammer just three days from wrapping up, a new one begins. Three of the four planets are the same – but what a difference that one planet makes!
The original Thor’s Hammer (4/20 through 4/29) includes Mars, Juno, Jupiter and Pluto. Remove Mars and add Ceres at the focal point and you have this new Thor’s Hammer. It starts on 4/27, peaks on 5/3 and ends on 5/10.
This Ceres-Juno-Jupiter-Pluto Thor’s Hammer puts the emphasis on Ceres’s diverse core meanings: abundance, sorrow, release and return, and mother-daughter relationships. Any or all of these can be potently magnified by the Jupiter-Pluto square on the aspect pattern’s back end. Juno’s presence suggests that a committed partnership of some kind may fire up these effects… or perhaps that partnership can support you in working with whatever challenges or opportunities arise.
4/28 (Fri)
Venus transits Aries today through 6/6. This can help you bring fresh energy and assertiveness to your relationships, creativity and finances.
The joining of your human and divine minds is made easier by a Mercury-Uranus conjunction (25°16′ Aries). Uranus communicates by intuitive flash. Its “text messages from God” are distinguished by the absolute certainty you feel when they pop in.
I’ve never had an intuitive flash lead me wrong, and neither have the hundreds of clients I’ve queried about them. Use this time of easier connection with your inner wisdom to take bold action based on its guidance!
4/29 (Sat)
No major astrology events.
4/30 (Sun)
Saturn-Chiron Square
One of 2017’s most important aspects makes its second exact alignment today: a Saturn-Chiron square (27°18′ Sagittarius-Pisces). This aspect is in effect all year! It was first exact on 12/28/16, is exact again today (4/30) and will perfect one more time on 11/2.
As I wrote on 12/28/16, A Saturn-Chiron square tends to bring up challenge so that old emotional and psychological wounds can be healed. (This healing process can be broadly referred to as “shadow work.”) This may not be much fun, but can be extraordinarily life-affirming if done consciously and skillfully. Everyone I know who’s gotten serious about their personal shadow work has become a more happy, loving and luminous person.
Every time you peel a layer of the “Great Onion of Consciousness,” the divine light at the center shines through ever more brightly. I’ve been doing a lot of shadow work for more than a decade, and have found this free Healing Invocation to be both simple and effective. My post on global shadow work resources can point you to other helpful healing modalities.
If you’ve done enough of your own shadow work, the Saturn-Chiron square can help you become a more authoritative healer. If you’re ready, you can also step into the Chironic roles of mentor, shaman or awakener.
Yod begins: Sun-Jupiter-Neptune
If you bring the focus, a Sun-Jupiter-Neptune Yod that starts today, peaks on 5/4 and ends on 5/9 can deliver some sweet results. A focus on embodied awakening (Taurus Sun sextile Piscean Neptune) can bring new joy and expansion (Jupiter) to your life. This aspect pattern can also amplify your Law of Attraction manifestation power.
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.
4/16, 2:26 PM – 7:05 PM, Capricorn
4/19, 5:57 AM – 6:52 AM, Aquarius
4/21, 2:23 PM – 3:43 PM, Pisces
4/23, 5:34 PM – 8:32 PM, Aries
4/25, 5:53 PM – 9:56 PM, Taurus
4/27, 9:18 PM – 9:39 PM, Gemini
4/29, 5:28 PM – 9:48 PM, Cancer
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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