Here is the Ask the Astrologers Weekly Astro Forecast for the week of April 17, 2016 – April 23, 2016:
It’s going to be an eventful week for us all astrologically, starting with Mars turning stationary retrograde on Sunday at 12:14 UT (or 8:14am EDT). Mars turning retrograde can mark the onset of a challenging time, as the planet that represents moving full speed ahead suddenly puts its foot on the brake and then throws itself into reverse.
You may feel like you’re backpedaling or losing momentum during this time. Or you may find old conflicts that you’d thought were long resolved rearing their ugly heads. Mars retrograde forces you to go back and retrace your steps and clear up unfinished business. It forces you to fix problems that may have been glossed over or brushed aside in the past.
It can be frustrating and combative, particularly as Mars is squaring the Moon and Neptune at the time it turns retrograde. This configuration pits anger and impatience (Mars), against the reactionary impulses of the Moon and the nebulous uncertainty of Neptune. It can be confrontational and accusatory. Keep your temper in check and make sure you have all the facts before you jump to any conclusions.
Fortunately there’s a Mercury / Pluto trine also in play on Tuesday and that can soften some of that impulsive and irrational energy. This aspect is good for digging in deep and ferreting out information that may solve some of your more perplexing emotional responses. It’s good for doing research and looking for hidden clues. It’s also good for deep, soulful meaningful conversations that get to the heart of the matter.
Venus trines Saturn on Monday, just as Pluto turns retrograde. The Venus / Saturn aspect describes a need for careful consideration of what you value and where you stand in your relationships. It’s a good time to sit down and have a heart to heart talk with a loved one. It brings depth and wisdom to your thinking, especially regarding matters of the heart.
Pluto is retrograde for around 6 months out of every year, and is reminiscent of its mythological counterpart in which Persephone goes down into the Underworld. This is a time for turning inward and developing your own internal power, rather than unleashing it on the outer world. It’s a time for concentrating your efforts toward mastering your own darker energies. It’s a time for regeneration and transformation that lasts for several months, until the cycle repeats itself.
This isn’t necessarily easy — and your first challenge will likely come about on Tuesday, when it forms a square to Venus. Venus and Pluto rule opposing signs (Taurus and Scorpio respectively) and the square aspect intensifies the polarizing influence. During this time, problems that have been simmering beneath the surface can come to a head and force you to confront your relationship problems head on.
This is not the time to deliver an ultimatum or back someone into a corner. This transit can be volatile and can lead to actions and decisions that can’t be taken back later. Choose your relationship battles wisely during this time — or better yet choose not to do battle at all.
Also on Tuesday, the Sun enters Taurus and Mercury trines the North Node. The Sun in Taurus speaks of getting in touch with nature and the earth, and with taking care of “business.” This is a good time for thinking about making, saving and investing money. It’s also a good time for taking care of your physical body and for indulging all five senses. While the Sun was in Aries you may have been so focused on getting things done that you didn’t have time to stop and smell the flowers. The Sun in Taurus not only slows you down enough to do just that, it also heightens your ability to appreciate and enjoy the prospect.
The Mercury / North Node trine This aspect all about developing a comfortable rapport with others. It’s about generating a meeting of the minds and communing with those who are on the same page. As the North and South Nodes are always in opposition, the North Node trines Mercury at the same time it sextiles the South Node. Think of this as a relatively painless give and take.
Venus inconjuncts the North Node on Thursday. This aspect can see you feeling at odds between what you value (Venus) and what you see as your life’s purpose (the North Node). The key with any inconjunct aspect is to find a way to make adjustments to satisfy both areas. In this case it calls for you align your ideals with what you see as your calling.
This may be easier said than done, as the Moon in Libra is also opposite Venus during this time. This can reinforce the sense of being pulled in two different directions, and can have you feeling some resentment over having to choose. But with so many Venus transits this week — and most of them somewhat stressful — you won’t be able to avoid these kinds of decisions, so you might as well make the best of it.
Friday’s Full Moon in Scorpio is joined by another Venus transit — this one a conjunction to Uranus. Starting with the Full Moon — which occurs at 5:24 UT (1:24am EDT) at 2° Scorpio 30′, this is also known as the Pink Moon (named so for the beautiful blankets of fragrant pink flowers (phlox) that bloom at this time of year).
Speaking of blooms, the Sabian Symbol for this degree is: “Steps up to a lawn blooming with clover.” This symbol describes making progress toward achieving fortune and prosperity. It speaks of following your intuition and carving out a path toward contentment and abundance.
The Venus / Uranus conjunction is more about establishing your own unique role in relationship. It’s about forging your own path and defining your own concept of relationship, without worrying about status quo expectations. Especially because this conjunction occurs in fiery, passionate and pioneering Aries.
It can bring someone new in, too — a sudden attraction to someone who goes against “type” and can manifest as love at first sight whirlwind romance. Venus and Uranus together can be exciting but somewhat erratic. So stay in the moment rather than projecting any long-term ideals onto a relationship that ignites during this transit.
That’s it for this week, see you next Sunday!
Here is this week’s astro calendar; click on it to view it full-sized.
Weekly Astro Forecast —
April 17, 2016 – April 23, 2016
By
Thinking about learning Astrology? I highly recommend Stephen Arroyo’s Chart Interpretation Handbook and Demetra George’s Astrology for Yourself.
Don’t forget to check out more Weekly Astro Forecasts and our Monthly Horoscopes too!
Want to see where these transits are hitting your natal chart? Check out our Free Natal Chart Calculator.
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