The Daily Astrological Currents by Week

Weekly Summary: APRIL 7 - APRIL 13

"If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all."

— Noam Chomsky

This Monday's Aries New Moon (11:37 AM PDT 19° Aries Solar Eclipse) and the dramatic stellium or 'pile-up' in Aries this week strongly suggests new beginnings, powerful growth energy and a demand for unrestrained freedom. But the complexities and nuances of this week's Aries energy are numerous. Aries is generally not known for any interest in 'Complexity', preferring to charge ahead with complete freedom — often quite impulsively and with little concern for anyone or anything that gets in the way. Well, "Not so fast!" This week's Aries energy is quite different, as is the path and the lessons that we are offered by this New Moon. The ruler of Aries, Mars, is conjunct Saturn in the vast depths of Pisces. Mars-Saturn conjunctions are often felt through extraordinary frustration. Extreme sensitivity is suggested by this conjunction which must be understood through the deeply intuitive but sometimes confusing insight of Pisces. Both Mars and Saturn can be quite uncomfortable in Pisces. But Mars can often find unsuspected strength and hidden resources in the Piscean depths. In this week's context, Saturn can become a surprising ally, encouraging us to lay deeply thoughtful groundwork and create lasting foundations in order to support the growth that is initiated this week. We face 'Creative Irritation' — surprising and confusing complications that demand creative solutions — arising out of the obstacles that surface when we try to explore our desire for freedom and take decisive action to move ahead. In order to take the definitive action that Aries seeks to pursue, we will need to face the obstacles directly. We must thoroughly consider the implications and face the fact that others may have different perspectives than our own. The Aries New Moon is tightly conjunction Chiron, which suggests that we will need a deep understanding of the costs of freedom as well as the recognition that the freedom and perspectives of others are actually as important as our own — no more and no less. Mercury's retrograde transit through Aries this week also seems to confound the impetuous Aries energy. But Mercury's 'inferior conjunction' with the Sun on Thursday suggests an important 'pivot point' where we can begin to intellectually understand the need for groundwork and a strong foundation to support our progress. There are reverberations of February's Chiron/North Node conjunction which encouraged us to better understand our own perspective and how we 'fit in' to the bigger picture. We are also likely to feel a return of the roller coaster emotions and self-doubts of the last Full Moon (March 25th, 5° Libra/Aries Lunar Eclipse). Courageous optimism may erase the return of self-doubt but can quickly take us too far if we forget the importance of the perspectives of others. The key to understanding this week's landscape is to expand our understanding and compassion for the perspective of others without in any way abandoning our own perspectives — which might sound easy but is extraordinarily challenging to truly accomplish. The tension may feel extreme but the potential for positive creative developments are extraordinary.

There are important opportunities to envision — to visualize — a new direction on Sunday, ahead of Monday's Aries New Moon. The Moon-Venus conjunction extends a stabilizing Venus-Pluto sextile. We are encouraged to break free in new directions on Monday under the New Moon. However, we should not forget the importance of the perspectives of others on our way towards freedom. Tuesday's energy emphasizes the need for 'slow and steady' effort despite the strong, powerful initiatory energy of the new lunar cycle. Our sensitivity may keep us on edge but expanded connections are well-supported. Sensitivity reaches a peak on Wednesday. Self-doubts may be erased by optimism but that optimism may quickly take us too far. We face obstacles that must be faced directly and not sidestepped. We reach a 'pivot point' on Thursday. We can more clearly understand intellectually how to overcome the obstacles that we seem to be facing. The early part of the day on Friday suggests significant discomfort but later in the day, we find room for more clarity. There is a shift in perspective that helps us to change our approach. We may be inclined to pull back a bit on Saturday after early activity lacks direction. We're reminded that we need to take stock of how those around us are feeling.

Sunday April 07, 2024

The Moon arrives in Aries this morning and conjuncts Venus, which extends the stabilizing balance of yesterday's Venus-Pluto sextile. The stage is set for tomorrow's Aries New Moon (11:37 AM PDT 19° Aries Solar Eclipse). The opportunities to envision — to 'visualize' — a new direction have rarely been more auspicious and fertile than in the pre-New Moon environment that we find today. What is most striking is that a stellium or 'pile up' of planets in Aries is ruled by Mars in Pisces as it approaches a conjunction with Saturn. Mars-Saturn conjunctions will often indicate significant frustration. However, in this situation, the initiatory, growing power of Aries/Mars is grounded and directed by Saturn. This suggests that there will be lasting, grounded follow-through on the initiatives that are inspired over the next few days.

Monday April 08, 2024

Today's Aries New Moon (11:37 AM PDT 19° Aries Solar Eclipse) is powerfully initiatory but also filled with creative irritation that spurs our drive to break free in new directions and pioneer new opportunities. The New Moon's conjunction with Chiron provides important awareness of our unique individuality but also the recognition of the value of the unique individuality of others. Some of this lunar cycle's 'irritation'' may very well come from the recognition that we aren't 'islands' of creative inspiration — we need to stay connected to those around us in order to make the most of inspiration. Much of what is 'planted' under this New Moon will have the added benefit of being 'grounded' by the Mars-Saturn conjunction which stabilizes the ruler (Mars) of the New Moon. As well, the exciting, expansive Jupiter-Uranus conjunction (April 20th) will add even more power before the lunar cycle's culmination on April 23rd with a Scorpio Full Moon (4:48 PM PDT 4° Scorpio/Taurus), which will square transformative Pluto. Undoubtedly, the shifts and advancements coming under this new lunar cycle will be unmistakable.

Tuesday April 09, 2024

The Moon arrives in Taurus early this morning at 4:23 AM PDT. The Moon's square to Pluto by 7:34 AM PDT highlights the 'slow and steady' requirements of this new lunar cycle. Mars will conjunct Saturn by tomorrow, providing us with obstacles to overcome — both internal and external. The need to 'overcome' is a blessing not a curse but it is likely that our sensitivities are extremely high. The urge to take definitive action is overwhelming. Nonetheless, we are required to make connections with others and lay the proper groundwork before we can move forward. Today's atmosphere actually supports expanded connections and friendship even though our sensitivity is keeping us on edge.

Wednesday April 10, 2024

The Mars-Saturn conjunction completes today and our sensitivity reaches a peak. Mercury has moved back to where it was at the last Full Moon (March 25th), suggesting that we are revisiting some of those roller-coaster emotions. Self-doubts may be erased by optimism but that optimism may quickly go too far. The process produces obstacles which must be overcome not sidestepped. We need to find a dynamic balance that incorporates our own vision with respect for the inspiration that others have found. The interchange of ideas is powerful. This atmosphere helps to facilitate better communication precisely because there are obstacles to be overcome. The basic demand here is that we must reach new levels of understanding and compassion for the perspectives of others without abandoning our own perspective.

Thursday April 11, 2024

Mercury reaches the inferior conjunction with the Sun today, suggesting a 'pivot point' when we can more clearly see intellectually what needs to be addressed — what obstacles need to be overcome in order to tangibly initiate the inspiration from Monday's Aries New Moon (11:37 AM PDT 19° Aries Solar Eclipse). The sense of freedom that we feel today continues to be dogged by this lunar cycle's creative irritation. The distractions push us towards an important awareness that we should not go too far too fast. The intellectual boost we get today helps us to understand the importance of timing, which reminds us to avoid impulsiveness in our pursuit of lasting freedom.

Friday April 12, 2024

The Moon squares Saturn and Mars early today, producing a significant amount of discomfort and sensitivity. Nonetheless, sextiles to Chiron, Mercury, and the Sun later in the day provide room for increased clarity and resolution as we move through the day. Many of the clues we get are provided through enhanced intuition. In essence, we can begin to understand 'which way the wind is blowing' and adjust our approach accordingly. There isn't a great deal here to suggest that we can really 'nail' anything down — there are few firm commitments or solid agreements. Nonetheless, today's shifts can help us gain a broader and more comprehensive perspective. It is possible that impulsiveness has taken us too far down the wrong path — suggesting that we need to 'turn around'.

Saturday April 13, 2024

The Moon is briefly VOC this morning, from 7:45 AM PDT until 10:44 AM PDT. Once the Moon arrives in Cancer, we may find ourselves stirred to action without clear direction or consideration. However, it isn't likely that we will get very far before we feel the need to pull back, adopting a more protective stance. For the most part, today is a day to take stock of our alliances and basic support network. The Cancer Moon should help us to improve our sense of compassion for those around us — whether or not we share their individual perspective. While the overall thrust of the current lunar cycle feels very activating, we get a gentle reminder today that we also need to understand what those around us are seeing and feeling.

Weekly Summary: APRIL 21 - APRIL 27

"The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt."

— Sylvia Plath

This week brings an intense, unsteady and somewhat indecisive culmination to the high-energy lunar cycle initiated under the Aries New Moon (11:37 AM PDT 19° Aries Solar Eclipse) on April 8th. Tuesday's Scorpio Full Moon (4:48 PM PDT 4° Scorpio/Taurus) is highly pressurized — both the Sun and Moon create a fixed T-square with Pluto. There is extraordinary creativity suggested by the Full Moon but also an intense demand to purge unworkable or untenable elements. We may find ourselves feeling quite 'stuck' at times this week. We may be unable to shake the feeling that 'something's gotta give' but there a few clear individual routes available to create the sort of change that seems to be demanded. Even if we feel strong urges to 'do something', we cannot escape the increasing awareness of broader implications and ramifications of whatever actions we try to initiate, suggesting paralyzing indecision. Most of us are likely to seek some kind of 'tried and true' approach and try to avoid the risks involved with 'breaking new ground'. However, there aren't any clear precedents or 'stock' answers for us to latch on to. We may be inclined to believe that we should only embrace the ideas and solutions that are based upon what our family, tribe, or society is telling us are right. However, only our individual, creative inspiration will gain the kind of traction that is needed and yet, the stakes seem impossibly high. The general uncertainty in this week's atmosphere does not suggest many bold initiatives or action. Mars is approaching an especially steamy and confusing conjunction with Neptune which will complete at the beginning of next week. Near the end of this week, ahead of the Mars-Neptune conjunction, there is quite a bubble of optimism that pops into the atmosphere. Although, there is little support for individuals to find the kind of clear, definitive, solutions that are needed, we may actually see that solutions are actually falling into place spontaneously. Despite the general uncertainty and indecisiveness, some decisions seem to 'make themselves'. The end-of-the-week optimism should be embraced cautiously. Next week's Mars-Neptune interaction may leave us at least a bit disillusioned. Much of this week's uncertainty — that stuck feeling — is related to an idealistic aspiration to find some kind of 'perfect' solution or approach. That idealism is likely to be dashed in some way and coming 'back down to earth' next week may be difficult for many of us. Once Mars arrives in Aries, next Wednesday, we are likely to finally find the decisiveness and determination to actually follow through on the creative inspiration that seems to be just beyond our grasp this week.

A 'stuck' feeling may look like laziness on Sunday. Nonetheless, there is an urge to initiate significant change even though such change is quite difficult. Even though we feel pressed to take action on Monday, uncertainty and indecision seems to stall our progress. Overall, our path is narrowing, requiring us to pursue our individual purpose and stop trying to satisfy the demands of others. The Scorpio Full Moon on Tuesday is quite intense, producing a highly pressurized environment. Even though persistence may seem futile, few are inclined to just give up and walk away. There is increased pressure on Wednesday and we feel that the stakes have been raised. Even though we may have everything we need to move forward, we may still try to rely on established approaches and ignore our individual, creative inspiration. There is a general feeling of optimism on Thursday. Some things seem to fall into place spontaneously. Optimism may continue into Friday but there is some need for caution. We shouldn't let our idealism get the best of us. A general feeling of insecurity encourages withdrawal on Saturday. Nonetheless, we are inclined to try to 'keep up appearances' rather than open up about our insecurity.

Sunday April 21, 2024

A feeling of being 'stuck' may look like laziness today. However, there is probably more 'internal grinding work' going on than we can easily recognize. The Sun squares Pluto this morning, suggesting a strong urge to make some kind of change — and 'change is hard'. Most of us are likely to be just looking for the 'next right thing', which doesn't seem all that apparent. There is quite a bit of idealism rolling off of today's Venus-Chiron conjunction and Venus rules the Libra Moon, increasing the idealistic tendencies to look for 'perfect' actions. Mercury is nearly stationary but will not turn direct until Thursday so a feeling of being stuck isn't all that surprising. We're generally better off spending time observing and 'considering' today, rather than trying to take direct action.

Monday April 22, 2024

Although we may not feel as 'stuck' as we felt yesterday, uncertainty and indecision is likely to increase significantly today. There may be a strong urge to 'do something' but there is also an increased awareness of the broader implications of any actions that we do decide to take. The challenges that come before us today are geared towards increasing our sense of individual mission and self-determination. It is most likely that any stumbling blocks we encounter are centered around trying to please or 'convince' others by using standards and criteria that we don't really understand. As we approach tomorrow's Scorpio Full Moon (4:48 PM PDT 4° Scorpio/Taurus), we are finding that the path is narrowing. The only solutions that will work for us as individuals are those solutions which come from within — not solutions that we think we're supposed to embrace based upon what our family, tribe, or society is telling us is right. The Moon goes VOC at 4:23 PM PDT this afternoon, suggesting that making decisions becomes even more difficult.

Tuesday April 23, 2024

The Moon arrives in Scorpio at 8:19 AM PDT and will square Pluto by 12:26 PM PDT, ahead of today's Scorpio Full Moon (4:48 PM PDT 4° Scorpio/Taurus). This is a highly pressurized environment. A sense of feeling 'stuck' may resurface but there is also a sense that 'something's gotta give'. Action must be taken; decisions must be made. Persistence may seem futile but there is little to suggest anybody's going to just 'give up'. There is extraordinary creativity suggested by this Full Moon but also, a demand that unworkable or untenable elements must be purged. With Mars approaching a conjunction with Neptune and Mercury nearly stationary direct, it is likely that we only have an intuitive sense of what is needed which is very difficult to explain rationally, which is to say, we'll "know it when we see it".

Wednesday April 24, 2024

Mercury stations today, very close to the Aries North Node, and will turn direct early tomorrow morning. Although decisiveness is still difficult to come by, there is a feeling that the stakes are raised. We may very well feel the need to rely on something 'tried and true' and avoid any risk associated with breaking new ground. However, this is not an atmosphere that provides many clear precedents or 'stock' answers — we need to be creative. There is plenty here to suggest that we have everything we need in order to resolve the tensions. However, we will need to stay balanced and open to further adjustments over the next few weeks.

Thursday April 25, 2024

Mercury turns direct today and the atmosphere is generally optimistic — perhaps even exciting. To some extent, it is likely that things fall into place spontaneously. In essence, 'decision make themselves'. The Moon makes a soothing trine to Neptune at 4:16 pm PDT and then goes VOC briefly, until 6:36 PM PDT. Once in Sagittarius, the Moon's sextile to Pluto late in the evening bolsters our sense of optimism and the general feeling that things are going in the 'right' direction.

Friday April 26, 2024

It isn't easy to see any need for caution today — but it's probably there. An individual sense of identity seems to be 'in control' but that doesn't mean that we should forget about checking in with those around us. To some extent, we may be feeling that we're being given a second chance or feel that some significant weight has been lifted. Nonetheless, it will be important to recognize that the landscape has changed more than we may realize and we'll need to adjust our tactics more than we understand from today's perspective. Mars is approaching a conjunction with Neptune that will complete at the beginning of next week. It isn't hard to draw the wrong conclusions in the foggy atmosphere of a steamy Mars-Neptune conjunction. We may find that we have been misled through overconfidence or otherwise have our idealistic illusions dashed.

Saturday April 27, 2024

The day begins with an early morning Moon-Saturn square and ends with a late evening Moon-Venus trine that follows a Moon-Mars square. Essentially, there is a general undercurrent of insecurity that encourages withdrawal. Nonetheless, we may seem to be compelled to 'keep up appearances' in order to cover some internal chaos or instability. The midday Moon-Uranus and Moon-Jupiter quincunxes punctuate the tendency to 'look busy' in order to cover up uncertainty. This environment is not really likely to last terribly long but may seem endless as we move through the day. Once the Mars-Neptune conjunction completes tomorrow, we can begin to hope to see our way a bit more clearly and finally establish a clear, new sense of direction.