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Number 85  

A big line up of planets in Aries and a prominent Mars will demand our attention and focus this month… but with Saturn opposing this line up it will not be smooth sailing.  There is much potential for conflict that requires careful attention to our personal and collective shadows.  

Blessings 

Christine Rothwell 

' 03 9584 6532

Email: christiner@netspace.net.au

Website: www.christinerothwell.com.au 

Contents

1.    April Overview

2.    2011 Astrology Classes.

·        Beginner's / First Year on Thursday nights

·        Intermediate / Second Year on Monday nights

·        Advanced / Third Year one Saturday afternoon per month

3.    Consultations and Gift Certificates

 

1. April Overview

 

 The VAA is hosting the next National Conference in January 2012 For detailed information about the Conference click on the banner or go to http://www.vicastrology.net/faa-conference-2012/ 

 The sign of Aries - and its ruler Mars -dominate the astrological landscape this month.  By the time of the New Moon there will be a line up of 6 of the 10 major planets - Mars, Uranus, Sun, Moon, Jupiter and Mercury - all transiting the sign of Aries. The Warrior archetype challenges us to define what we want to achieve and to make plans and take action. Aries invites us to assert our sense of self directly and openly and have the courage to pursue what we want. The fiery, dynamic energy of Aries calls for conscious channelling of the Warrior Archetype into constructive outlets otherwise there is the potential for anger and aggression to erupt. Beware impulsive behaviour and try not to over react to others' aggression. 

Expression of the Aries energy is challenged by an opposition from Saturn that opposes the Sun, Moon, Mercury and Mars at different times during the month. Saturn creates tension as it calls for patience and self discipline while the Aries energy just wants to move full steam ahead. As the Inner Critic, Saturn may inhibit our plans and lead to a crisis of confidence. The skilful blending of these energies calls for disciplined and considered action.  

Mars, the ruler of Aries - and the archetypal warrior is also very active this month. Besides being in its own sign of Aries it activates the Cardinal T-square that peaked mid 2010 as it conjuncts Uranus [April 4], squares Pluto [April 12] and opposes Saturn [April 19]. On May 1 it completes the activation as it conjuncts Jupiter. This is a potentially explosive combination as the Aries archetype is the dynamic Warrior who seeks total freedom of expression and forward momentum yet the tense aspects with both Pluto and Saturn suggest major obstacles or limits may be placed on this freedom that could lead to frustration. 

The New Moon in Aries takes place on April 4 at 12.32am.  The New Moon also activates the Cardinal T-square, bringing three of the big players - Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto - back into focus. Jupiter, the Principle of Expansion conjuncts the Sun, Moon and Mercury - all in Aries - expanding the Arian urge for action and adventure. The opposition of Jupiter and Saturn calls us to balance optimism and faith [Jupiter] with caution and realism [Saturn]. Saturn often tests us and calls us to be realistic while Jupiter may be attached to grandiose plans.  

Pluto makes its presence felt as the apex of the T-square.  Pluto is stationery at this point, preparing to move retrograde on April 9.  The times when a planet stations are when it is said to be most powerful… it is as if the God is standing still and demanding we notice him.  Pluto invites us to engage in deep soul searching, confront our fears and own our shadows. The danger here is resorting to manipulative or controlling patterns or behaviours / attitudes that are motivated by fear. This is especially so around April 12 when Pluto forms an exact square to Mars, bringing power urges and aggression into focus. 

Mercury turned retrograde on March 31, signalling the need for reflection and review. It is a time when we can become aware of habitual beliefs and thought patterns and make the adjustments necessary to align our thinking with the person we are now. This is a great time to meditate, reflect, research, seek answers, sort out your paperwork, return calls and generally attend to all the things you have been too busy to do earlier.  

This s also a time when normal communications can go haywire and things often don't run to plan.  Remember to be patient, maintain your sense of humour, CHECK ALL PLANS, BACK UP YOUR DATA AND DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY IF THINGS GO WRONG!

Key dates / degrees

·        Exact dates: 31 March to 23 April

·        Sensitive degrees: 12 to 24 degrees of Aries

·        Full time of influence: 17^th March to 11^th of May

·        Time for insight: 10^th April when the New Mercury Cycle begins [Mercury conjunct the Sun]

·        Time to act on new ideas / beliefs: 23^rd April to 11^th of May 

Remember Mercury retrograde always provides us with the opportunity to free our thinking from habitual ruts and develop a more conscious set of mental attitudes and beliefs. Concerns may arise over the first few weeks and the answers and insight can appear when the new cycle begins on April 10. Sit with your insights until after April 23 when Mercury goes direct. The next few weeks are the time to express your insights and put new plans into action.  

Mercury makes it station and prepares to move direct around April 23, conjunct the planet Saturn. This adds an added serious tone to the time and may constellate negative thinking if the Inner Critic is allowed to call the shots. The skilful expression of this aspect is mental discipline and serious thinking. It calls us to take responsibility for our thinking and not fall into the blame drain. Remaining conscious of your thought processes at this time is essential. 

Neptune to Pisces: 2011 / 2012 to 2025/ 2026: Neptune moves into its own sign on April 4, something that occurs once each cycle of 165 years. Neptune spends around 14 years in each cycle and will transit Pisces until the year 2025 to 2026. Neptune will retrograde back into Aquarius in August and stay there until February 2012. Neptune's change of sign is very significant and has a big effect on the collective consciousness. It will highlight all things Piscean and Neptunian, including oil, water and gas. The Piscean realm is also the realm of compassion, intuition, imagination and spirituality so it will hopefully provide a counter balance to some of the challenging energies that will be around at the same time. I will write more about this in my May Newsletter. 

The Full Moon on April 18 is at 12.44pm. It is a lighter energy than the New Moon and brings the healing imagery of Neptune and Chiron into focus as they trine the Full Moon. The Moon's position in Libra calls us to re-balance after the Arian impulses of the New Moon and consider the need / place for partnership as well as compromise and co-operation. 

Saturn opposes Mars in this chart and this aspect becomes exact on the 19^{th of April}, calling for self discipline and perhaps the need to face the consequences of any impulsive and aggressive behaviour. Issues with authority figures may be part of this script and require us to take responsibility [Saturn] for our actions [Mars] and not allow ourselves to be bullied by inner or outer critics. The positive expression of this opposition is owning your authority in a responsible manner. 

 

Blessings

Christine Rothwell