Aries Season: Spring Forward
By Catie Cadge PhD
Aries season is in full swing start of April, Santa Cruz stargazers. We need courage to dive into what supports our own “enlightened selfishness.” Sometimes it is ok to claim your own path forward. I love the Grateful Dead lyric, “Gone are the days we stopped to decide where we should go, we just ride.” Be bold. Put yourself first. Spring forward!
But wait a minute! “Life may be sweeter for this, I don’t know…” April Fool’s Day, Mercury turns retrograde at 27°13’ Aries and the planet of communication won’t turn direct until April 25th at 15°59’ Aries. With the sign of the ram, it is tempting to say “carpe diem,” seize the day! But the cosmic weather suggests it is better not to jump full force into new projects or commitments but rather think of April as a time of reflection: Can you claim more confidence and more willpower in taking charge?
Big news! The total solar eclipse, 19°24’ Aries, is April 8th at 11:20 am Pacific time. It will appear as a partial eclipse in Santa Cruz County if the skies obey. Make sure to wear your eclipse glasses! Even if only in partial view here, total eclipses are very powerful and, for some folks, they usher in change and new beginnings six months before and after the eclipse.
A total solar eclipse is like a New Moon on steroids with lots of gumption and fiery strength. The north node of the Moon is in Aries, while the south opposes in Libra. Ask: when and where do I need to assert myself? Look to see where 16° to 22° Aries and Libra fall in your own chart. Here a little cosmic juice is in order to push your own needs forward, take the initiative and be proactive in asserting the fiery warrior, the leader, and the game changer in you. “Who can stop what must arrive now? Something new is waiting to be born.”
The south node in Libra can be about trying to “keep up appearances”. Don’t be wishy washy. Step forward and lead. This eclipse time is not just about romantic relationships, but also any one-on-one encounters, such as business or creative collaborations. Where do you need to take a stand?
Sun enters Taurus April 19th. How perfect as we prepare for Earth Day, April 22nd. We shift from bold, pioneering Aries to the more calming and relaxing vibe of Taurus. It is time to think about finding inner peace. We listen to our hearts about what really brings us comfort and ease. “Feels like it might be all right…”
Late April, we have another very big event, a coming together of Jupiter and Uranus in Taurus at 21°50’, exact on April 20th. With Uranus, lightning strikes, “Peals of fragile thunder keeping time,” things turn over anew. Expect sudden change. These two planets come together roughly every fourteen years. Look to see where the conjunction falls in your natal chart. Here there may be some upset, leading to growth and opportunity, especially when it comes to finding stability, peace, security or expansion in terms of your artistic or musical gifts.
Uranus is about the rebel, the revolutionary, the genius; those not afraid to upset the apple cart. When Jupiter and Uranus come together, Jupiter expands the Uranian wake up call like lighter fluid on a flame and so we may witness explosive actions by others or radical shifts in our lives. Taurus is a fixed, earth sign, so some may be stubborn, stuck in old worn-out beliefs or behaviors and this can lead to outbursts. All is needed to break us free. We may see innovative projects or sudden events related to climate change. Let’s face it; we need a revolution when it comes to our home planet, Earth!
The Full Moon in Scorpio 4°18’ occurs April 23rd at 4:48 pm. Time to bring truth to the table and feel deeply the changes we are ready to make. Have heartfelt conversations with each other and face any shadow work inside that still needs to surface. Scorpio likes intensity of feeling. “Beneath the sweet calm face of the sea swift undertow.” Feel it and heal it.
Catie Cadge is Dean of the Forrest Center for Evolutionary Astrology. Classes and more information: forrestastrology.center. Read about Catie and her work at caraevolutionaryastrology.com.
