Number 37                                                     christiner@netspace.net.au

 April is a less challenging month astrologically - it gives us time to inhale and continue integrating some of the big energetic shifts that are still playing out in the background. By the time Mercury joins the Sun in Aries on April 11 there will be 5 planets in fire signs - Sun, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto – suggesting this may be a high energy month. Fire energizes and inspires, assisting and elevating us to become more optimistic, magnetic and dynamic. There may be a few challenges to maintain the forward momentum as Jupiter and Pluto move retrograde but this should not detract from the overall more positive energy that is available this month.

 Astrology classes will now begin on Thursday April 19 and Friday April 20. These classes can be undertaken for personal interest or as the basis for gaining professional qualifications. Classes are scheduled for Thursday nights and Friday mornings and can also be taken via CORRESPONDANCE. Concession and instalment payments are available.  Details can be found at the end of the newsletter.

 Blessings

 Christine

 Christine Rothwell

É 03 9584 6532

Email: christiner@netspace.net.au

 Contents

• April Overview
• Retrograde Planets
• Samhain
• Courses and Workshop Information
•      Heart Awareness Workshop: May 19
•     Astrology Classes begin  7:15pm Thursday April 19 & 10am Friday April 20

 1.    April Overview

 Easter this year falls in April and often brings with it the time for reflection and retreat.  With so much fire energy prominent in April this will provide an opportunity to refocus and decide where and how to direct this dynamic energy. It is interesting to note that the dates for Easter are set using astronomical markers: Good Friday is always just after or on the full moon following the Spring Equinox in the northern hemisphere [the Autumn Equinox for us southerners]. It is essentially a spring festival celebrating the rebirth of the God after the months of darkness.

April is a potentially high energy month, particularly for those individuals who have planets in fire and air signs.  With five planets in fire signs by April 11 there is boundless energy for the new projects seeded during the recent Mercury retrograde phase. It is also time to refocus on the future and recharge our reserves of enthusiasm, passion, courage and optimism. There are two very high energy times this month when first the Sun and later Mercury form Fire Grand Trines with Jupiter and Saturn.

Fire Grand Trines are enormously dynamic and creative and these grand trines suggest not only the ability to project more confidence and optimism but to also become more magnetic through the power of positive thinking. This is the time to think big, take some calculated risks and call on the Warrior archetype to tackle some of the big projects that you have either not had the energy or confidence to begin.

 Remember, the Jupiter / Saturn trine [which is operating all through March, April and most of May] is an auspicious transit that suggests the possibilities for breakthroughs and opportunities for growth on both internal and external levels. Saturn is associated with our fears and insecurities and this transit encourages us to face our fears and moves beyond them to a place that is more spacious and expansive.  Externally it is an opportunity to expand the structures that we have created so we do not feel so limited or constrained.

 For most of April Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto will all be retrograde. Section two will explore this in some detail.

 April 17 marks the New Moon in Aries – at 27° of Aries. This lunation is also a Super Moon. Super Moons always intensify the lunar energy and can lead to more extreme emotional reactions as well as extreme weather patterns. Super Moons are New Moons or Full Moons that occur when the Moon is at its closest to Earth. [Perigee] The term was coined by the American Astrologer Richard Nolle. [See www.astropro.com/forecast/predict/2007-all.html ]

The New Moon marks the beginning of a lunation or lunar cycle.  The energy is strong, focused and extroverted.  This is a powerful time to set intentions, start new projects, initiate change, focus energy on a specific goal, trust your intuition AND access the warrior spirit of the Amazon.

The New Moon in Aries is the time to set intentions and goals relating to the Aries energy.  Aries is the first sign of the zodiac and symbolizes the hero/ine beginning her/his journey through life. At the Aries phase it is time to claim the energy of the warrior gods and goddesses and step out into the unknown, much like the Fool in the tarot. The archetypal Aries energy is courageous, independent, spontaneous, energetic, pioneering, innovative and competitive while the negative Aries can be headstrong, over-bearing, aggressive, combative, irresponsible and selfish.

The new moon in Aries is time to call on the inner warrior to give us the strength to move forward into unknown territory. It suggests the need to ‘do our own thing’ and be true to our self.

 All this fire is very energizing but be careful around the end of the month when Mars conjuncts Uranus as this can be a somewhat impulsive and accident prone transit.

April 20 marks the fifth Venus conjunction of the Moon since Venus reappeared as the Evening Star in December. Currently she can be observed for about two hours after sunset just above the west-north-western horizon. She will continue to grow in brightness over the next few months as She approaches Mother Earth.    [www.starfieldobservatory.com ]

In Sumerian myth these conjunctions were said to be portals that opened to allow the Goddess Inanna to reclaim the seven symbols of Her power that She relinquished when She made Her descent during Her time as Morning Star. These symbols correlate with the seven chakras and Her descent and ascent is a metaphor for a process of initiation.

Moon-Venus conjunctions are powerful times for ritual and inner work. The evenings of April 19 or 20 would be appropriate times to focus on fifth chakra [throat chakra] issues such as

·        Self expression

·        Personal will

·        Taking responsibility for our words and thoughts

·        Speaking our truth – but aligned with our Higher Self

Caroline Myss [in Anatomy of the Spirit] says the sacred truth of the fifth chakra is ‘Surrender personal will to divine will’. At this gateway we have the opportunity to take responsibility for our choices and align our personal will with divine will.This would be a perfect time to work with the fear/s that may hold you back from speaking your truth and expressing your creativity. At this gateway the Goddess invites us to:

·        Own the power of choice and let go ‘victim-hood’

·        Own and seek the healing for our negative thinking

·        Make amends for any harsh or dishonest words we have spoken

·        Begin creative projects

·        Ask the Goddess to guide us and facilitate the alignment of our personal will with divine will

2.    Retrograde Planets

·        Pluto moves retrograde in Sagittarius on April 1

·        Jupiter moves retrograde in Sagittarius on April 6

·        Saturn is retrograde in Leo and moves direct on April 20

At various times during their orbit the planets [with the exception of the Sun and Moon] appear to move backwards.  This happens when the planets are at their closest to Earth and is due to one planet moving faster than the other. The best analogy is two trains travelling along parallel tracks: the slower moving train appears to move backwards if you are in the faster moving train.

The traditional interpretation of retrograde planets suggests that they become weak, inhibited or repressed. Psychologically we can see this quite differently: the planet is no longer functioning in its usual mode and can offer us a new angle or perspective as it moves over one area of the zodiac three times. Retrograde motion always suggests a time for introspection, review and revision.

Saturn, the Reality Principle and Lord of Karma goes retrograde once a year for just over 4 months. Saturn challenges us to take responsibility, claim our personal authority, re-evaluate life structures and set realistic and constructive boundaries. The house where Saturn is transiting is often a major focus for us and demands we do our ‘house work’ as we review our goals and priorities and implement new strategies. Often we feel a sense of inferiority and inadequacy that brings with it depression. Saturn wants us to accept the test and take action – not give in to despair.

As Saturn turns direct on April 20 it invites us to implement the strategies that have been gestating over the last few weeks.

Pluto moved retrograde on April 1 and will move back towards to conjunct the Galactic Centre in July.  Pluto spends about 5 months each year retrograde and will turn direct on September 8.

Pluto is the Principle of Transformation that rules death and rebirth. Under Pluto’s influence we are pulled into the psychic underworld of repressed memories and fears and given the opportunity to face them and let them go. Pluto’s transits stir up old demons but the retrograde motion gives us an opportunity to see them from another perspective and gives us the chance to befriend them. This process will be specific to the house [and planets] where Pluto is transiting in your birth-chart. Collectively it relates to themes around the sign of Sagittarius: beliefs,

Jupiter, the Principle of Expansion and Lord of Olympus, like Saturn, goes retrograde once a year for about 4 months. As the largest planet in our solar system Jupiter symbolizes our search for meaning as well as expansive states that come from faith such as confidence and optimism.

The retrograde motion of Jupiter invites us to review our growth, examine our moral codes [personally and collectively] and develop a deeper sense of what is right and true for us. Our plans for expansion may undergo a reality check and require revisioning. Sometimes we lose track of what is right for us and get carried along with collective beliefs that are not congruent with who we are. Jupiter retrograde can expose this as we gain a new perspective on our visions, beliefs and plans for growth. 

Sometimes we can feel deflated [particularly if we have been inflated] and there is a major conflict between what we had hoped for and the reality of the situation. The challenge is always to review and revise our plans and to hold onto a positive attitude. Jupiter rewards positive [not naïve] thinking and invites us to walk our talk and move out of our comfort zones.

3.    Samhain

Samhain, better known as Halloween, the Celtic Festival of the Dead is celebrated at the end of October in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere we honour the Spirit of Place by celebrating this festival the end of April when we are at the mid point between the Autumn Equinox and the Winter Solstice.

Samhain is the eighth and final sabbat in the Great Wheel of the Year and marks the time when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest.  It is a time of endings, releasing and letting go in preparation for the new life and new potentials that await birthing with the Sun at the Solstice. It is also the time to honour the dead and that which has died in our life.  Samhain calls us to release the dead wood of the last cycle so we do not carry it into the new cycle that will begin in several weeks when the Sun is reborn from the darkness at the Winter Solstice on June 21.

A Samhaine Supper

Traditionally a midnight supper was held at Samhain to honour the dead.  A place was set at the table for the souls of the dead and lights were left burning in the windows to guide the souls of those who had died in the last year in their journey to the Otherworld, found in the Aurora Borealis, home of the Great Goddess Arianrhod. The veil between the worlds was envisaged by the Celts as a turning silver wheel and Arianrhod was the keeper of this wheel.  It was said she wove the fates of humanity as she wove her magical threads. At Samhain the veil opens and Arianrhod calls home the spirits of those who have died in the last year so they can await rebirth when the time is opportune.

 You may conduct your own special supper with a place set for loved ones who are no longer with you.  At some point in the meal everyone present will speak the names of loved ones who have died and share any memories that come to mind.  Or you may choose to have a few minutes silence to each remember those who have moved beyond the veil into the realm of Arianrhod.  Light a candle for each loved one that has passed away. If you are comfortable you could

• Encourage recently departed loved ones to move forward into the light and release the ties that may keep them earth bound.
• Open to memories and messages that may come through from beyond the veil. Samhain is a time for medium-ship and you may find a loved one communicates with you via your intuition or your dreams around this time.

 A Simple Samhaine Ritual

·        Centre yourself and invoke your highest inspiration.

·        Light a black candle to honour the dark and the process of death and rebirth.

·        Meditate briefly on what you need to release to move forward.  It may be a relationship, job, a habit or pattern but it will always involve an old belief that no longer serves your conscious intent.

·        Write down what you are choosing to let go /sacrifice to the dark and reflect on how this may have served you in the past.

·        When you have a deeper understanding of this process, offer it up for transformation by burning the paper. Use the candle to set it alight and have a fireproof dish at hand to contain the flames.

·        Ask for guidance to help you with this transformation.

·        Give thanks and open yourself to a vision of the future.

·        Light your candle whenever you feel your self slipping back into old patterns and reaffirm your commitment to the future.

 

Samhain is also a time for consulting the oracles so you can create a personal ritual around opening to the wisdom of your higher self through vision, tarot or any other method of divination that you use.

 4.  Courses, Workshops and Classes

Contact Christine on 9584 6532 or christiner@netspace.net.au for more information or to reserve your place.

 2007 Beginner’s Astrology Classes commence

·        7:15pmThursday April 19

·        10am Friday April 20

This in-depth introduction to astrology from a psychological and mythological perspective will run over three 10 week terms with the option to continue and under go professional training. This course is suitable for beginners wanting to know more about their personal chart as well as those wanting to deepen their knowledge and perhaps gain professional qualifications.

 Each 10 week term costs $300-00 but there is a 10% early bird discount for early payments. Payment can also be made in instalments and concession rates are available for those on low incomes.   For a brochure containing an enrolment form or more information about payment options ring, email or go to www.christinerothwell.com/page3.htm

 Heart Awareness: Saturday May 19

This workshop will introduce you to simple yet powerful meditative techniques and processes to allow you to access the intuitive wisdom and healing power of your heart. Heart Awareness is more than a meditative technique – it gives you the tools to use throughout the day to manage stress and access the intuitive knowing of your heart.

Blessings

Christine Rothwell