Neptune has always presented astrologers with a puzzle. Discovered in 1846, its astrological associations took time to establish, but by the modern age Neptune was handed ‘rulership’ of fluidity – not the shapelessness of water (the planet was named after the roman sea god) but other formless entities, gases, mists, fogs and bogs. The nineteenth century, with its gas lighting, smoggy streets, discovery of chemistry and invention of the petrol engine – supplied further associations. Mostly, the textbooks talk of Neptune’s vagueness and delusion, while grating it artistic inspiration.
What then, to make of the planet’s current conjunction with Saturn, a planet that represents Neptune’s opposite qualities; definition, order, pragmatism. The pair meet every 35 years. Some make this a war between idealism and common sense, or a belief in the transcendent opposed by a refusal to leave the material plain.
But the simplest formula for their injunction seems to be the most pertinent: oil (Neptune) plus Saturn (limitation) equals energy crisis. We are already there, though the question becomes, for how long? For the short term, while the two planets are adjacent – a matter of months? For a couple of years while the pair share the same sign (Aries)? Or for the thirteen years of Neptune’s stay in the Ram? Or is this a case of an historic shift which means that no-one is likely to see a cheap can of petrol ever again? Perpetual fuel shortage is your astrologer’s guess, with the world finally shifting into renewables.
Celestial Timetable
- The Sun is in Aries until April 20 when it moves into Taurus.
- The Full Moon is in Libra on April 2 at 03.11 BST
- The New Moon is in Aries on April 17 at 12.51 BST
- Mercury is in Pisces moving into Aries on April 15
- Venus is in Taurus until April 24, when it moves into Gemini.
- Mars is in Pisces until April 9 when it moves into Aries.
- Jupiter is moving forwards in Cancer.
- Saturn is moving forwards in Aries.
- Prometheus is in Taurus but moves into Gemini on April 26.
- Neptune is in Aries
- Pluto is in Aquarius
Aries and Aries rising
Not so much another birthday as a new phase, a new paradigm even. Saturn is the main reason. Its two-and-a-half-year transit will have its challenges. The important thing right now is to lay the groundwork for long term success, looking to July for the end of phase one and next year’s birthday as the end of phase two, dates suggested by Saturn’s retrogrades. In other words, have a plan, have an objective, and have a deadline.
In April you have just the stars to define and begin your mission, with the new Moon of the 17th a seed moment. Accompanying the Sun and Moon is your totem planet, Mars, feeding you energy and ambition, if perhaps putting you on a short fuse, especially at the weekend of April 19. Mars is with you until May 19 to help you keep focus.
It isn’t all work and no play (though that’s not a bad notion just now). Jupiter in your domestic zone is a cue to beautify Chateau Aries, while Venus’s arrival in Gemini on April 24 livens up your social life. At the beginning of the month a full Moon in your opposite sign of Libra on April 2 calls for peace and understanding with your main squeeze. ‘Self-centred’ is sometimes used as a mild insult for the Ram but just now a ‘looking after number one’ attitude is appropriate – that includes finding ways to swell your bank account, where Venus is keen to help. Collect what’s owed.
Taurus and Taurus rising
Your birthday month beckons…but first comes the sweetest of preludes with your totem planet, fair Venus, drifting through the Bull’s skies, making assorted aspects to helpful, very helpful planets, notably ‘lucky’ Jupiter and Prometheus, whose seven years in your sign is finally up on the 26th.
Under Venus your best qualities are called forth – entertaining, creating, conjuring up culinary delights and green fingered growing. Friends find you; fellow travellers are at hand. Naturally for the goddess of romance, l’amour is in the air and if not, try harder!
Some Taureans – and here birthdays between May 18-20 are in the forefront – are also at the end of a third and final transit by Prometheus, the planet of innovation and revolution. The planet was in the same position for a couple of months last year, in August and September but now brings a finale, be it with a relationship that needs to be confined to history, or a dramatic switch in your profession. This is an all-or-nothing planet.
Once the Sun reaches your skies on April 20 you are in calmer climes, the time for birthday parties and ensuring you have the funds to finance them. Once more, Venus is helpful.
Gemini and Gemini rising
Your totem planet, Mercury, is out of retrograde and going places, allowing you to get back to a sensible rhythm in the countdown to your birthday. Mercury soon joins a group of planets in Aries, culminating with a new Moon in the Ram on April 17, which should suit you fine, focusing on business affairs and with whom you conduct them. Don’t be afraid to push back in negotiations – it could be a case of fair deal or no deal.
Earlier in the month, on the 2nd, comes a full Moon in your fifth house; party time if you can manage as much, or at least a chance to shine. Socially, as well as business-wise, this looks like a crowded agenda. Whether there’s any romance involved is harder to call, at least until the 24th, when Venus arrives in your skies for a three-week flutter. Present yourself appropriately.
The big news, depending on your birthday, is the arrival of Prometheus in Gemini on April 26. This is the planet of innovation, revolution and technical invention, and in a cerebral sign such as your own, which prizes ingenuity, will be pushing global technology to new extremes over the next seven years. On an individual level Prometheus promises surprise arrivals and departures in your life, and sudden switches of interest. The planet briefly visited The Twins last year – between July and October – when birthdays May 21-23 had a taste of Promethean energy, as they will in the coming weeks, when carefully laid plans are prone to collapse and revision. Ever adaptable, you will survive, but speed of thought and action will help your cause. Don’t simply endure.
Cancer and Cancer rising
A period of smooth sailing would no doubt be welcome, and with a little luck – after all, you have Jupiter in your skies until your birthday – you can finally get on an even keel and put your affairs in order, at least the professional ones. The season of Aries means a concentration on matters that put you in the public gaze, most obviously in your career, but am-dram and similar bouts of self-advertisement also help. The arrival of Mars here on the 9th ups stakes. It signals a fiery spell around the new Moon of the 17th when you may be presented with a hard choice, as in rock and a hard place. Saturn’s presence (for a couple of years more!) gives the long-term choice priority.
You have a couple of supportive planets to get you through any uncomfortable situations. Firstly, Jupiter remains in your skies, and a benevolent way-opener as you march on through spring. India’s elephant god, Ganesh, is your ally. Secondly, in April, you have Venus, powerful in its own sign, bringing friends and tribe members onboard…perhaps even friends with benefits, as the saying goes.
Leo and Leo rising
There are still financial questions to answer from March, and the sooner solved the better. An incoming stellium of planets in your fellow fire sign of Aries brings your spirits to a steady simmer across spring, kicking in on April 9 when Mars arrives, making this a perfect time for travel, for the exploration of ideas, and bring an all-round bright spark. Consider what you would like to achieve but haven’t able to realise, and then try again, this time with the stars on your side.
What’s more, ensure you are getting all the brownie points you deserve. At the peak of your ‘scope is Venus, putting you on show, so to speak, and keen to hook you up with people who can further your career. And heaven knows Leos are not backwards in coming forwards. With ruler Sun arriving here on the 20th, and a full Moon following on May 1st, be bright and brave without becoming brash.
Virgo and Virgo rising
Following last month’s eclipse in your sign (and it was a biggie) it’s time to let one or two relationships (not necessarily romantic) find an acceptable point of balance. ‘Significant others’ include both friends and open enemies and, as we know, may veer between the extremes. You don’t necessarily have to do much – let Mars and your Mercury ruler run their course, and other people do likewise.
There’s a major shift mid- month when both those planets move on to Aries and to an emphasis on finances, especially those you share with other people. It’s a somewhat blunt reality check when you’re unlikely to get away with dressing up situations into what they are not, but clever columns of figures always help (providing they are honest).
Your stars are, however, a mixed bag, and with Venus strong in your ninth house, new horizons are calling, even if just a toe in the water. Once the Sun arrives here on the 20th, the lust for travel and fresh pastures becomes insistent.
Libra and Libra rising
Tricky month incoming, beginning with the Libran full Moon on the 3rd, which accentuates your one-on-one relationships, as do the rest of the month’s stars. Much of the pressure is on September birthdays, who are obliged to handle Saturn, whether that involves someone very close turning stubborn, or an acquaintance becoming more distant. All your Libran charms may not be enough to smooth things over.
Double that outlook for the second half of April when Mars is in opposition. Why are old pals and current crushes proving so obstinate or even hostile? Because into each life a little rain must fall? Or because you have, however inadvertently, said something wrong. It’s worth diving deep to discover people’s real feelings, and ruler Venus is in prime position to help you do so.
Where less personal relationships are involved, they may help you on your path to world domination (or lesser variation thereof). Whatever, with Jupiter high in your sky, you really must be aiming for professional glory.
Scorpio and Scorpio rising
There’s a jumble of planets in action in April. Most appealing is Venus, which spends most of the month in opposition, where good company comes easily and even romance, or something suspiciously like it, comes knocking at your door. A bad time to be falling out with friends – they are likely to appear in the right, even if they are not.
Better to find a place for your enthusiasms, especially while ruler Mars is so happily sited in the first ten days of the month. Plus, with an exalted Jupiter still in fellow water sign Cancer, lofty ambitions and lucky breaks are in the air. So too is rewarding (and likely hard) work.
For several years you have enjoyed (hopefully) planet Prometheus in opposition, where the contrary planet may have acted as life-changer, bringing unexpected partners into your world, and perhaps pushing out others. The planet now moves on – at the 26th – but before doing so is happy to scramble your personal life, notably if you are a Oct 27-29 birthday. Indeed, it may have done so last summer. Sometimes, only a revolution will suffice.
Sagittarius and Sagittarius rising
The Sun in fiery Aries makes a snug fit for Centaurs, and a new Moon here on the 17th is a cue to renew your optimism and resolve. This year you can stretch your month in the Sun further, thanks to Mars marching through Aries, from April 9 to May 17, lending you energy, fuelling your passions and promising serendipitous encounters.
Furthermore, you begin a new relationship cycle towards the end of April when Venus moves into opposition; good for making eyes at someone attractive. More dramatic than flirtation is the simultaneous move of Prometheus into opposition – this disruptive planet was here last summer but this time the move is for seven years, albeit aimed in the first instance at birthdays November 22-24. You don’t get much choice with this transit, it’s all or nothing, and if it’s all sudden departures and arrivals are the norm.
Capricorn and Capricorn rising
You have options, thanks mainly to Mars and Venus. The weighty array of planets in Aries, including the red planet, bears down on the zone of home and family, which may prove ripe for change or, whoops, something a little more aggressive and confrontational. Make it through to the 17th and you can renew things in line with that day’s new Moon. ‘Ripe for change’ is easily said, less easily delivered, but with your ruling planet, Saturn, now resident here, you should feel up to the task, especially if you are a December birthday.
On the other hand, there is Venus, also strong in its own sign of Taurus, encouraging three weeks of refined leisure, first class creativity and romance, all apparently on tap. Even when Venus leaves (the 24th), you have the Sun here to shine on your better qualities. Better to choose the second option, which comes backed by Jupiter in opposition. If you can’t enjoy a dazzling partnership under these skies, then it could be time to look elsewhere: Jupiter does not like to feel fenced in.
Aquarius and Aquarius rising
There’s a little catching up to do where finances are concerned. Nothing irregular, just something a slog, a sentiment that may apply to other areas of life. However, for January birthdays in particular, something weightier may apply as Pluto breaks new ground in your ‘scope and aligns forcefully with both Saturn and Venus, encouraging you to push through a challenging mission – anything to do with education is in particular focus – or to finally undertake the mother of all spring cleans, paint brush in hand.
Whatever the issue it’s clear you can’t prevaricate too long. Planets are up and about their business and you should follow suit. Pluto being a strange planet, an all or nothing force, there may not be much room for compromise. The full Moon approach Mayday (the 1st) should make things a great deal clearer, be the issue a partnership or something more mundane.
Pisces and Pisces rising
There’s some catching-up to do left over from March, arrangements to re-confirm and even an argument to be had if you are in the mood – Mars is in your skies for the first ten days of the month, so you may have cause or opportunity. With so much going on mid-month in Aries – representing the cash zone of your solar ‘scope – money may one cause for your ire. The full Moon of the 1st is the first likely date for a set-to, and a Mars-Saturn clash on the 20th another.
Better to concentrate on April’s more positive themes. Ruler Jupiter in fellow water sign Cancer suggests more of folding stuff coming in, along with a parcel of good will from friends and romantic crushes, especially recent liaisons. Venus is likewise a potent force in April’s stars and if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of true love, then jollity is surely to hand.
The overload of planets in Aries ends once the Sun reaches Taurus on the 20th, introducing a steadier mood. The big exception there may be birthdays March 19 -20 birthdays. The disruptive energies represented by planet Prometheus are square to you and while nothing shocking may have happened last summer, when Prometheus was here, this time round could be different.
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