Welcome to your April 2018 forecast!   Click on “read article” and scroll down til you find your sign of the zodiac….

ARIES (MAR 20-APRIL19) Well, jeez, there sure is a lot of action this month in cardinal signs—especially your sign of Aries as well as Capricorn. Feeling a bit goal-oriented, perhaps? April begins with you still feeling the effects of the March 31 full moon in Libra which makes you feel quite pressured. The pressure continues for the first few days of April while Mars and Saturn are conjunct in Capricorn. It’s a good time to focus on hard work — but be careful to avoid punching someone in the nose. Besides the testy Mars-Saturn dynamics the Sun in Aries crosses paths with Mercury retrograde…. My advice is to use all that focus and build a wall or plow the back 40… By the 4^th Mercury moves away from the Sun and runs smack into the Mars Saturn business. You may be scrappier than usual. Deep breaths. And do more yoga. By the 10^th Venus in Taurus squares the North Node for a few juicy days of connection with loved ones. Mercury turns direct on the 15^th, the same day as the new moon.   Keep in mind that the day Mercury turns around communication and travel can be a bit strange – augmented by the new moon and the aspects with Uranus. An April snowstorm perhaps? But you won’t mind being snowed in since starting on the 16^th there is a delightful Venus Jupiter opposition for a few days… Enjoy these positive relationship vibes even as Venus and Jupiter and also the Sun and Uranus shake up global financial dynamics. The Sun enters Taurus on the 19^th and things stay relatively calm for you until Mars in Capricorn reaches Pluto starting on the 24^th. This intense conjunction takes us through the end of the month, culminating in the Scorpio full moon on the 29^th. You can use this energy literally to move mountains, to mobilize yourself and others for a grand effort. Just take it easy on the bossiness.

 TAURUS (APR 20-MAY 20) Well, April is a very focused month. There isn’t a lot of relaxation in all these cardinal and fixed planets, so you’ll have to work hard to chill out, if you get my drift. The month begins with an intense Mars-Saturn conjunction in Capricorn, right on the tail of the March 31 Libra full moon. Damn, you sure have a lot of work to do, and you can use the extreme focus of mars and Saturn to get it done. Jupiter is still aspecting Saturn to make the first few days of April a good time to set up financial systems and get yourself organized. But keep in mind that the Mercury retrograde influence are very strong this week so be careful of signing on the dotted line until you really have all the information you need. Mercury retrograde crosses the Sun the 1^st and 2^nd, and then it squares the Mars-Saturn business. Avoid arguments mid week – you may be thin-skinned.  Meanwhile beautiful Venus is in your sign for most of this month, and it squares the Lunar Nodes between the 10^th and the 12^th, which is delightful for connections and relationships. Mercury turns direct on the 15^th – the same day as the new moon in Aries and the start of a few days of a Sun-Uranus conjunction. Between Mercury turning direct and the new moon you should keep an eye out for travel and weather complications. Or travel complications and big weather. Or Uranian chaos in the political atmosphere making everyone wigged out. Right after that Venus opposes Jupiter for a few days, shining a light on some financial or work matters for you – in a fulfilling way. The Sun enters Taurus on the 19^th, still close enough to Uranus to be stirring you up. Venus enters Gemini on the 24^th, breathing a little mutable, changeable energy into your life. Mars catches up to Pluto in Capricorn also on the 24^th and stays there through the end of the month. This inspires you to organize the heck out of something but beware of power struggles since things are building up to the Scorpio full moon on the 29^th.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20)  April is an intense month, mainly because there are very few planets operating in mutable signs this month. All the cardinal and fixed and also very earthy energy in the sky makes you feel a bit stuck to the ground and perhaps hemmed in. The month starts with some tightness—Mars and Saturn are conjunct in Capricorn for a few days. You can get a lot of very focused work accomplished but be aware that the influence of Mercury retrograde is very exaggerated for the first week of April. Mercury retro crosses the Sun April 1^st and 2^nd and then it squares the Mars-Saturn business the rest of the week. So you may get a lot done but your hard drive may crash in the middle of it… Just sayin’ . Make sure your back-up is working, and avoid arguments. By the 10^th there a few days of Venus squaring the Lunar Nodes, which is pretty nice in the relationship department. Mercury turns direct on April 15^th, just in time for an Aries new moon and the start of a few days of a Sun-Uranus conjunction. If you’re traveling, expect complications or big weather. Or expect big political upsets. Either way you may be tense, so allow Venus and Jupiter to chill you out. The Sun enters Taurus on the 19^th, adding to the pile up of planets in earth signs. But Venus enters Gemini on the 24^th, bringing you a little airy relief. Meanwhile Mars in Capricorn catches up to Pluto also on the 24^th, and this influence carries through the end of the month. It is a great combo for organizing a campaign but can be challenging interpersonally, surfacing power struggles. Keep an eye on your inner authoritarian especially as it builds towards the Scorpio full moon on the 29^th.

CANCER (JUNE 21- JULY 21) The word of the month is intense, and that’s because there are so many damn planets in Aries and Capricorn all making a big 90-degree angle to your little Crab self. April begins with Mars and Saturn conjunct in Capricorn, and you feel so tightly wound you can’t quite believe it. At the same time Mercury retrograde crosses paths with the Sun and then retrogrades back to aspect Mars and Saturn by the 3^rd, so the Mercury retro influence is strong this week. Mars and Saturn make you want to act, to just do something, and Mercury retrograde requires that you relax control. It’s a good week to go on a yoga retreat. By the 10^th, Venus in Taurus squares the Lunar Nodes, which is nice for relationships and connection. Mercury turns direct on the 15^th, just in time for a new moon in Aries that lines up with Uranus. You are revved up and feel out of control. Expect big weather on this new moon—literally and figuratively. Venus opposes Jupiter for the few days following so you will experience some fulfillment even as Uranus creates chaos in your life. The Sun enters Taurus on the 19^th, and Venus enters Gemini on the 24^th, so the energy in the sky begins to shift…. But not entirely. Mars in Capricorn catches up to Pluto and from the 24^th through the end of the month this influence allows you to direct your will towards a goal in a very forceful way, all culminating on the Scorpio full moon on the 29^th.

 LEO (JUL 22-AUG 21) April is a bit intense for you, beginning with heavy Mars-Saturn action during the first week. This gives you the capacity to get a bear of a project accomplished if you so desire. Just keep in mind that the Mercury retrograde influences are really strong this week as well, since Mercury retro crosses paths with the Sun the 1^st and 2^nd and then squares the Mars-Saturn business by the 3^rd. Make sure you’re backing up your hard drive and also avoid arguments at the end of the week. Venus in Taurus squares the North Node in your sign by the 10^th for a few days of satisfying relationship connections. Mercury turns direct on the 15^th, the same day as the Aries new moon with major aspects to Uranus. It will be a chaotic day and your plans may change. The Uranus aspects continue for a few days while Venus opposes Jupiter. There will be unexpected changes globally – perhaps financial ones—and yet the Venus aspects may bring some fulfillment your way on a personal level. The Sun enters Taurus on the 19^th, giving us a break form all the cardinal signs represented in the sky. The month ends with a few days of an intense Mars-Pluto conjunction, allowing you to organize and plan and mobilize . Beware of power struggles between Mars and Pluto and the Scorpio full moon on the 29^th.

VIRGO (AUG 22- SEPT 21) Well, on a positive note, the sky is swimming with planets in fellow earth signs this month, making you feel supported and at ease. The down side is that there is hardly any mutable energy – cardinal signs dominate, followed by fixed signs, and so you may a feel a tad hemmed in and pressured. April begins with some intense pressure: Mars and Saturn are conjunct in Capricorn the first week. Of course you can get a lot done under this influence—it is great for very focused and very hard work. Keep in mind that the influence of Mercury retrograde is particularly strong this week, since Mercury retro lines up with the Sun the 1^st and 2^nd and then it aspects Mars and Saturn later in the week. Oy! Back up your hard drive and avoid arguments with people. By the 10^th there are some sweet Venus –Lunar Node aspects to lighten the emotional load. Mercury turns direct on the 15^th, the same day as an Aries New moon with an intense Uranus influence. Things will be crazy, globally and personally. It will be a tumultuous few days. The Sun enters Taurus on the 19^th and in the midst of the tumult Venus in Taurus opposes Jupiter for a few days of fulfillment. Venus enters Gemini on the 24^th, finally bringing some mutable energy into the mix and you feel a bit lightened up. Meanwhile Mars in Capricorn reaches Pluto also on the 24^th and through the end of the month. This is a great combination for moving mountains and planning and mobilizing, and it can also involve power struggles. You’ll be exercising your will big time and it all culminates on the Scorpio full moon on the 29^th.

LIBRA (SEPT 22-OCT21) Wow— life is just nuts right now! There are so many planets in Aries and Capricorn and your Libra self is being bounced between them like a ping-pong ball.   Whew! April begins with a very intense Mars-Saturn conjunction in earthy Capricorn. If you can get a breather from the sense of pressure you should be able to get a lot of work done under this influence. But it’s complicated by the distraction of Mercury retrograde whose influence is very strong this week. The Sun in Aries crosses paths with Mercury retro and then Mercury gets caught up in the Mars Saturn business mid week. So you are kind of a mess, at the mercy of Mercury retrograde doing what it does best, surfacing unexpected information. Your job is to go with the flow while working your butt off. Weird, huh?   By the 10^th Venus squares the Lunar Nodes for a couple of delightful days of connection with friends and intimates. Mercury turns around on April 15^th, the same day as an Aries new moon and wild Uranus aspects. Expect an April snowstorm or something that throws your life into a tizzy. But don’t panic – Venus opposes Jupiter at the same time the Sun meets up with Uranus, so there will be some fulfillment. The Sun enters Taurus on the 19^th and spring is really in the air. The month ends with a week of Mars-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn. This aspect gives you the capacity to organize the hell out of a project. It’s all heading for culmination on the Scorpio full moon April 29^th.

SCORPIO (OCT 22-NOV 21) April is a month of taking care of business, Mercury retrograde be damned.   The month begins with a very intense and focused Mars-Saturn conjunction in Capricorn, giving you the capacity to get a ton of work done. Be aware that the Mercury retrograde influences are very strong at the same time, so back up your hard drive! The Sun crosses paths with Mercury on the 1^st and 2^nd and then mid week Mercury retro catches up to a square to Mars and Saturn. Ugh. Watch out for arguments. Then by the 10^th you get a nice Venus square to the North Node for a couple of days so enjoy friends and connections. Mercury turns around on the 15^th, the same day as an Aries new moon with lots of Uranus action. Life will be chaotic and the day Mercury turns around can be dicey. On the 19^th the Sun enters Taurus, your opposite sign. And Venus in Taurus opposes Jupiter in Scorpio while all the Uranian chaos is going on, so there is likely to be some fulfillment for you and perhaps easing of financial pressure. Then the month ends with a week-long conjunction of Mars and Pluto in Capricorn. Get ready for some deep excavation, emotionally or physically. It’s a good time for deep work, and it all builds towards a full moon in your own sign of Scorpio on the 29^th.

 SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22- DEC 21) April is an intense month, mainly because there are very few planets operating in mutable signs this month. All the cardinal and fixed and also very earthy energy in the sky makes you feel very grounded. The month starts with some tightness—Mars and Saturn are conjunct in Capricorn for a few days. You can get a lot of very focused work accomplished but be aware that the influence of Mercury retrograde is very exaggerated for the first week of April. Mercury retro crosses the Sun April 1^st and 2^nd and then it squares the Mars-Saturn business the rest of the week. Be careful about signing on any dotted lines this week because you may not have all the information.   Just sayin’ . And avoid arguments the second half of the week—keep a lid on your Sagittarian bombast. By the 10^th there a few days of Venus squaring the Lunar Nodes, which is pretty nice in the relationship department. Mercury turns direct on April 15^th, just in time for an Aries new moon and the start of a few days of a Sun-Uranus conjunction. We can all expect big weather or political upsets. Either way you may be a bit edgy so allow Venus and Jupiter to bring you completion in some area of your life and some relational satisfaction as well. The Sun enters Taurus on the 19^th, adding to the pile up of planets in earth signs.   Speaking of earth signs, Mars in Capricorn catches up to Pluto on the 24^th, and carries through the rest of the month. It is a great combo for organizing a campaign but can be challenging interpersonally, surfacing power struggles. Keep an eye on your inner control freak especially as we near the Scorpio full moon on the 29^th.

 CAPRICORN (Dec 21-Jan19) Wow– there are so many planets Capricorn I am not sure you know what to do with yourself. And many of the remaining planets are in Aries, making a big 90-degree angle to you. So you’re busy, you’re focused, and you’re kind of triggered. April begins with Mars and Saturn conjunct in Capricorn, and you feel like you’re on a mission and unstoppable. At the same time Mercury retrograde crosses paths with the Sun and then retrogrades back to aspect Mars and Saturn by the 3^rd, so the Mercury retro influence is strong this week. Mars and Saturn make you want to act, to just do something, and Mercury retrograde requires that you relax control. It’s a good week to go on a yoga retreat. By the 10^th, Venus in Taurus squares the Lunar Nodes, which is nice for relationships and connection. Mercury turns direct on the 15^th, just in time for a new moon in Aries that lines up with Uranus. You are revved up and feel out of control. Expect big weather on this new moon—literally and figuratively. Venus opposes Jupiter for the few days following so you will experience some fulfillment even as Uranus creates chaos in your life. The Sun enters Taurus on the 19^th, and Venus enters Gemini on the 24^th, so the energy in the sky begins to shift…. But not entirely. Mars in Capricorn catches up to Pluto and from the 24^th through the end of the month this influence allows you to direct your will towards a goal in a very forceful way, all culminating on the Scorpio full moon on the 29^th. Watch out for your inner control queen!

AQUARIUS (JAN 20-FEB 19) Well, April is a bit intense but nothing you can’t handle! It starts with heavy Mars-Saturn action during the first week, giving you the capacity to get a bear of a project accomplished if you so desire. Just keep in mind that the Mercury retrograde influences are really strong this week as well, so you have to go with the flow and expect plans to change. Mercury retro crosses paths with the Sun the 1^st and 2^nd and then squares the Mars-Saturn business by the 3^rd. Make sure you’re backing up your hard drive, and at the end of the week expect a lot of vivid and interesting interchange. Venus in Taurus squares the North Node in your sign by the 10^th for a few days of satisfying relationship connections. Mercury turns direct on the 15^th, the same day as the Aries new moon with major aspects to Uranus. It will be a chaotic day, and again– your plans may change. The Uranus aspects continue for a few days while Venus opposes Jupiter. There will be unexpected changes globally – perhaps financial ones—and yet the Venus aspects may bring some fulfillment your way on a personal level. The Sun enters Taurus on the 19^th, giving us a break form all the cardinal signs represented in the sky. The month ends with a few days of an intense Mars-Pluto conjunction, allowing you to organize and plan and mobilize. Beware of power struggles with Mars and Pluto especially as we near the Scorpio full moon on the 29^th.

 PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 19) Damn!– there is hardly any mutable energy in the sky right now except for your friend and ruling planet Neptune in Pisces. Cardinal signs dominate, followed by fixed signs, and so you may a feel a tad weighed down and even pressured by everyone else’s focus and get-it-done attitude.   April begins with some intense pressure: Mars and Saturn are conjunct in Capricorn the first week. Of course you can get a lot done under this influence—it is great for very focused and very hard work. Keep in mind that the influence of Mercury retrograde is particularly strong this week, since Mercury retro lines up with the Sun the 1^st and 2^nd and then it aspects Mars and Saturn later in the week. Back up your hard drive, avoid arguments, and expect some Mercury retrograde weirdness in the way of information and missed connections. By the 10^th there are some nice Venus –Lunar Node aspects to lighten the emotional load and bring some fun. Mercury turns direct on the 15^th, the same day as an Aries New moon with an intense Uranus influence. Things will be crazy, globally and personally. It will be a tumultuous few days. The Sun enters Taurus on the 19^th and in the midst of the tumult Venus in Taurus opposes Jupiter for a few days of fulfillment. Venus enters Gemini on the 24^th, finally bringing some mutable energy into the mix , but…. Things are still intense. Mars in Capricorn reaches Pluto also on the 24^th and stays there through the rest of April. This is a great combination for organizing and planning and for deep work of any kind. Dig some garden beds or clean your basement. But this aspect can also involve power struggles. You’ll be exercising your will big time and it all culminates on the Scorpio full moon on the 29^th.