AstroForecast April 2002

by Lance Rodriguez

The majestic Sun is transiting the fiery sign of Aries as the month of April begins. Hamabiel is the ruling angel of April. Aries exemplifies the can-do-attitude, spontaneity, childlike wonder, naiveté, the competitive spirit, enterprise, pioneering inclinations, entrepreneurial directions, and the warrior mystique. Negative expressions of Aries are anger, frustration, irritability, lack of follow through, annoyance, aggravation, confrontational behavior, impatience, and impetuous behaviors. The guiding angel of Aries is Machidiel.

Harmonious Venus enters Taurus, a Venus-ruled sign, on the 1st at 12:39am for its annual approximately 28-day journey. An important focus on financial well-being, priorities with personal values and steadfastness can be acquired. Sensuality is aroused with this passage of Venus through earthy Taurus. Taurus rules the middle month of spring and therefore revels in the concentration and enjoyment of earthly delights. Massages, reflexology, spa therapies, manicures & pedicures, Jacuzzi and aromatherapy all add to this physical, earthly side of Venus. "The hunger for love is more difficult to feed than the hunger for bread" Mother Teresa.

The final third harmonious alignment of Neptune and Saturn occurs at 8:37pm on April 1, 2002. Previous alignments of these two planets occurred on January 23, 2002 and June 25, 2001. The following is a quote from the June 2001 AstroForecast: "This can indicate the realization of a dream or vision. The last time these two planets were in this same phase and angle with one another was March 27, 1966! Those individuals born the second week of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are really sensitized to this harmonious planetary energy. Strong perseverance and patience will be required to manifest the dream or vision into reality. Antonio Machado captures this Saturn - Neptune harmony best: "If it is good to live, it is even better to dream, and best of all to awaken". The positive development of this harmony is the actualization of visionary realism.

Temptations to exaggerate and cause wounded pride are rather strong with inharmonious contacts Mercury makes with Jupiter and Chiron on the 2nd and the 3rd. By early Wednesday evening a tone of forgiveness and the extension of an olive branch quells the more serious mistakes committed on Tuesday the 2nd. "Reality check" discussions help to focus "fuzzy math" conceptions.

Daylight Saving Time begins at 2:00am on Sunday the 7th with a conjunction of the Sun with Mercury symbolizing the identification of new thoughts, new modes of communications and new connections with day-to-day life. The Sun and Mercury have harmonious contacts with Pluto early Sunday morning. New developments that will enhance ongoing investigations proceed in judicious speed. A powerful new leader emerges with a fresh approach and appeal.

This same Sunday is a harmonious contact between Venus and Jupiter that bodes well for business and personal partnerships. Prices may jump with real estate values gaining in profit along with prices of common household items can witness a gradual increase. Inflation may begin to toy with the economy.

Volatility in relationships begins to strain partners especially Tuesday the 9th and Wednesday the 10th. Sudden aloof, emotionally distant behaviors raises the confusion factor if a partner desires physical affection and hugs. A partner can also become very possessive over some "territory" with an explosive display of temper. "The fault-finder will find faults even in paradise" Henry David Thoreau.

Transiting North Node poises at the upcoming degree of the June 2002 Solar Eclipse on Tuesday the 9th symbolizing a fated quality is now introduced into the stream of time. This April date has a correspondence to June 10, 2002 the date of the late spring Solar Eclipse. Perhaps an enemy agent is captured that has crucial information in regards to the ongoing war on terrorism.

An Apogee Moon (farthest distance of the Moon to Earth) occurs on Wednesday the 10th early morning hour that can symbolize healthy emotional detachment with behaviors that exhaust emotions through forced sympathy. "How many teeth does love bite with?" Dante Alighieri.

Thursday the 11th is the bi-monthly ecliptic shift of the Moon that can symbolize changes with meteorological, seismic and volcanic activities. Cutting edge practical applications of recently discovered technological breakthroughs help the environment. Advances can be made with new technological applications in regards to maritime oil spills. "Speed is the form of ecstasy the technical revolution has bestowed on man" Milan Kundera.

Mercury has a harmonious aspect with Uranus on Friday the 12th that can symbolize terrific brainstorming occurring with meetings. Lightning-like developments accelerate bringing new innovations and new inventions to the markets. Teamwork and group efforts are rewarded. "Be a person, and treat everyone else as an individual person" attributed to Wilhelm F. Hegel.

The annual New Moon in Aries is on Friday the 12th at 2:21pm launching the new beginnings/new initiatives phase of the Moon. Those of you who wish to work on a special project for this Aries New Moon can create what's called a Treasure Map. New Moon Astrology, a recently released book by astrologer Jan Spiller, has a chapter on building a Treasure Map for this annual New Moon in Aries. Assemble together a poster board of photos and images of what you desire for the entire year ahead. Start gathering materials for this poster board 2 ˝ days before this New Moon. Those of you familiar with Feng Shui, lay out your poster board according to the Bagua (my addition to this Treasure Map). The day of the New Moon assemble together all your materials and create your energy poster board that symbolizes all your desires for the new zodiacal year. New Moon Astrology is available at your local metaphysical or commercial bookstore. Jan Spiller also suggests that individuals can create what's called the Granddaddy Period, a once-a-year alignment that a competent student of astrology or an astrologer can find.

This is a great New Moon to acquire a new self-image through updated wardrobes, hairstyles and/or vehicles. Improve self-confidence, be open to pioneering directions especially in new, unknown territories, gain new leadership skills, and recognize your role-model abilities. This lunation's celestial helper is angel Enediel. Keywords associated with this lunation are: a realization emerges from the social personality that truly recognizes the anchoring gifts of the soul. One of the gifts is to introduce sweeping shifts of intent so that the practical merges with true desires. "There are things to be seen and learned in apparent wastelands which cannot be seen and learned in places of comfort, convenience and company. God intends to keep us in a place where there is nothing else we can count on" Elisabeth Elliot.

Mercury enters the sign of Taurus on Saturday the 13th at 5:10am for its annual approximate 14-day journey. All communications, all commercial enterprises and markets/trades take on strong profit orientations. Practical solutions can be applied with the toughest of problems.

This same Saturday at 12:36pm is the entrance of Mars in the sign of Gemini for an approximate 45-day period. Mars in Gemini indicates a high-energy period with communications. Those individuals that need to increase being more positively assertive and aggressive in their dealings with others can do well with this 45-day period of Mars in Gemini. This Mars in Gemini period can also create a whirlwind of activity dealing with the electronic media, computer hardware, telecommunications devices and the Internet. Mars can also represent antagonism, irritability, anger, frustration, aggravation and in-your-face argumentativeness with communications breaking down due to these behaviors. Do be aware that telephone scams can increase during this Gemini journey of Mars as well as false Internet storefronts that only want to wipe out your financial savings. Internet hackers can also be a problem during this 45-day period. Malicious viruses on the Internet can rise as well as problems with angry insects especially stinging swarms can mount.

An adjustment aspect involving Venus and Pluto on Monday the 15th can symbolize adjustments in the financial markets will be necessary. In relationships problems can arise with a partner that is absent due to long-distance travels. Judgmental behaviors that point fingers negatively can be viewed as being hypocritical. Care needs to be taken in regard to invalidation and devaluation of a partner. "If something comes to life in others because of you, then you have made an approach to immortality" Norman Cousins.

Chiron, the Wounded/Healer, is stationary retrograde on Wednesday the 17th at 1:39am symbolizing the review, reevaluation and re-analysis of Capricornian themes/issues of success, ambitious drives, patience, self-discipline, accountability, pessimism, melancholy, isolation, responsibility and dependability to name a few. Bureaucratic red tape can hold up immediate responses to crises involving children, especially kidnappings, and associated financial dealings with school overcrowding and dwindling physical resources. Keywords associated with this degree Chiron holds on this date are: rally your drives to help the community attain certain initiatives that are basic requirements. Helping others is in essence helping your well-being. Noble convictions arise and true empowerment is established. This date in April corresponds to December 15, 2002 as Chiron returns to this same degree then in its Post-Shadow Point.

Mercury has harmonious aspects with Jupiter and Chiron on this same Wednesday signifying an expanded outlook for financial recovery in the economy. Individuals that are able to trust their own intuition in regards to a sense of uncanny timing do well on this day. Temporal paradigm shifts occur with some individuals loosing track of time with the ability to come up with surprising solutions. "Men seem not to be pushed into the finest things they do but to follow the urgent call of something that draws them on through hardship and uncertainty and discouragement to the attainment of a high desire" Edmund W. Sinnott.

Tendencies for unrealistic perceptions increase with the inharmonious aspect of Mercury with Neptune on the 18th. Fuzzy thinking abounds and unrealizable hopes overwhelm the individual. This day is better used for artistic daydreaming, meditation and cuddling up to a good book or film.

Thursday the 18th at 5:55pm is the last opposition of Jupiter with Chiron. The last time these two planets were opposite one another was February 10, 2002 with their next opposition occurring November 3, 2015. The last time these two planets were in a conjunction with one another or the "seeding period" was June 16, 1990. Chiron examines all wounds that require focused healing energy to bring wholeness and completion. Jupiter provides the impetus to enlarge the scope of understanding and tolerance once it has resolved the issues of heavy judgment, strong negative opinions and the soapbox, preachy "I-told-you-so and I'm-going-to-clobber-you-over-the-head-with-what-I-think-is-good-for -you" behaviors. International laws and diplomacy as well as export/import commerce and trade will be important to focus. The globalization of commercial interests, world trade organizations and migrations of human population will be important to understand. Specific geographic areas to pay attention to across the globe will be northwestern Pakistan, southwestern Afghanistan, Edmonton and Calgary, Canada, particularly the city of Las Vegas as well as Spokane, Boise, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Phoenix. On a personal level pay attention to excesses, exaggerations, over-promising more than can be delivered and general overboard tendencies that create woundedness.

Saturday the 20th at 1:20am is the ingress of the majestic Sun in the sign of Taurus for a 30-day journey. Themes to identify with will be values, patience, sensuality, finances, material goods and possessions, as well as determination. Issues Taurus can be associated with are possessiveness, laziness, covetousness, stubbornness, hoarding and greed. The guiding angel of Taurus is Hamabiel.

Sunday the 21st is an adjustment aspect involving Mercury and Pluto. On an individual basis this is a time period for psychological depth and understanding to help communications that are shared with tremendous insights being discovered. Mad cows disease can return to the attention of the media. New outbreaks are witnessed with rapid stringent policies put into effect. New controversies emerge in regards to antibiotics and hormones given to cattle and poultry.

Monday the 22nd, Earth Day, is the return of transiting Saturn to its original degree of opposition with Pluto from the initial date of August 5, 2001 and the subsequent second opposition on November 19, 2001. Military preparedness in regards to sneak attacks perpetrated on military personnel is highlighted with this return of Saturn. Overzealous and overconfident soldiers require sober patience and perseverance with a maniacal enemy. It is next month May 2002 that the final opposition of Saturn to Pluto occurs in the tropical zodiac.

Early Wednesday morning is an inharmonious aspect involving Venus with Uranus symbolizing sudden, disconcerting news about loved ones. Relationships that are suffering ruts, routines, doldrums and monotony may witness one partner surprisingly breaking free from these issues that may shock the more complacent remaining partner. Anything that resonates to impinging new found freedoms would suffer from anarchic rebellion. "If you can't stand yourself, neither can anybody else" Sid Caesar.

Thursday the 25th at 12:57pm is the entrance of lovely Venus into sociable Gemini for the next approximate 28 days. Grace and diplomacy will be important in all communications. Can we forgive the trespasses of others and learn how to be civil to one another? Light-hearted social activities are excellent with this journey of Venus in Gemini. Calm, peace and balance can be restored to all activities with this Venusian passage.

The second ecliptic shift of the Moon occurs on this Thursday as well as a Perigee Moon (closest approach of the month to Earth). The ecliptic shift of the Moon can symbolize changes with meteorological, seismic and volcanic activities. Very powerful and prophetic dreams are potentially strong for some individuals on this day. Relationship issues come to a head especially as the following day is a Full Moon. Individuals are extremely frustrated with the static and lethargic energies created by passive partners.

The annual Full Moon in Scorpio occurs on Friday the 26th at 10:01pm that symbolizes the release/surrender/completion phase of the Moon. This is an excellent time to release negative expressions of obsessive/compulsive behaviors, jealousy, envy, covetousness, control and manipulation, emotional betrayal, sabotage, deep-seated rage and anger associated with repressed past emotional issues and violation trauma to name a few. Angel Adriel is associated with this lunation for celestial guidance and assistance. Keywords associated with this Scorpio Full Moon are: the Universe is persistent in its penetration of the social mythos of the vital core themes/issues of our humanity through our sometimes paradoxical human motives and subsequent acts. How have all of us, individually or collectively, repressed our darker selves and have contributed to the very terrors that haunt our present-day society? The disappearance into our own collective cave can be hauntingly rewarding, richly powerful and yet treacherous. Does an intelligent yet wise heart acknowledge and love the emerging Spiritual Value of the true sense of Communion?

Sunday the 28th Mercury has an inharmonious aspect with Uranus. At the minimum communications breakdowns can occur with aviation, rail travel and public motor vehicles. The maximum effects can be associated with accidents involving public and/or commercial transportation by air, rail or public motor vehicles. Certain individuals will experience raised anxiety levels, aggravated nervousness and jittery-like behaviors. Sudden outbursts of pent-up rebellion and perceptions of limitations startle and disrupt domestic calm. "Show me a sane man and I will cure him for you" Carl Jung.

Monday the 29th a harmonious Solar aspect with Chiron creates strong identification of integrating past wounded issues of inadequacy with a kind and sincere nurturance of self-appreciation and unconditional self-value. Individual consciousness is ready to perceive the most frontier, pioneering aspiration of Earth InterPlanetary development for this coming 21st century. Earth's Neo-Capitalistic drives will emphasize the boundless resources within the reaches and confines of our own solar system.

Mid-afternoon on this same Monday is a harmonious aspect of Mars with Neptune. Aggressive and assertive actions will be driven vigorously by the following entities: pharmaceutical companies, petrochemical industries, maritime affairs, film, photography and cinema, psychiatric institutions, prisons, jails, nursing homes, and other concerns with the societal confinement of individuals due to medical or legal issues. New messages/messengers proliferate within social consciousness. It is almost like humanity is ready to listen collectively to a long awaited whisper with the Collective Soul. Earlier on the first of April a harmonious aspect of Saturn with Neptune symbolized the realization of a dream or vision; now Mars with Neptune symbolizes taking action on a dream or vision. "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" Eleanor Roosevelt.

The last day of April, Tuesday the 30th at 2:15am is the ingress of Mercury into Gemini for an extended stay in this sign of the Twins due to its upcoming retrogradation until the first week of July 2002. Mercury in Gemini is a strong emphasis of making connections that bring about communications breakthroughs. Variety that stimulates mental activities is blessed with this passage of Mercury in Gemini. There is a great desire to inform oneself better. "To begin with, you must know what you want" Mary Kay Ash.

A final third adjustment aspect involving Jupiter with Neptune concludes the month of April 2002. How do societal traditions and cultures negate the greater collective desire for Communion? Do we impose and impinge societal evolution over collective liberties and freedoms? The Mother Soul reflects.. "The laws of the universe are never repealed to accommodate our follies" Frances Watkins Harper.

"All things from eternity are of like forms and come round in a circle"

Marcus Aurelius