Current Transits for April 1999 Current Transits for April 1999Here's some of the important astrological news this month ...
T-Square -- the most prominent pattern all month.
Mercury Direct Station at 20Pi53, 4-2
Saturn quincunx Chiron, 4-2
Saturn square Neptune, 4-6
New Moon at 25Ar45, 4-15
Jupiter quintile Neptune, 4-22
Jupiter sextile Uranus, 4-23
Jupiter trioctile Chiron, 4-27
Full Moon at 9Sc49, 4-30
An online ephemeris for the month is available.
I hope you survived March! April looks to be considerably quieter, though not always easier. The biggest theme to worry about is a conflict between idealistic and real-world concerns, especially since the boundary line between them is shifting quickly as our perspective starts to change. Projects and plans that seemed desirable a short time ago are losing their appeal, while other ideas that felt implausible or even impossible suddenly appear strangely inevitable. The first half of the month is rather quiet and uneventful, with the main planetary storm falling in the last 2 weeks. Enjoy the relative calm, even though there is still much activity going on beneath the surface.
By normal standards, there's a lot of action in April: one station and 5 "big aspects", plus the big planetary storm. However, compared to March, that's "only" half as much activity -- how do you like your glass, half full or half empty? The month is dominated by a big T-square of Mars, Saturn and Neptune, especially around the time of the big storm (22nd to 26th).
That T-square is part of a bigger pattern of planets. In addition to Mars, Saturn and Neptune (3 of the most difficult planets to handle), Chiron is also a major player. Several of the "big aspects" this month are part of this pattern. Since Mars is an "ego planet", an indicator of will power and personal drive, while Saturn is a planet of restriction and limitation, it looks like frustration and some head-butting with others is a common occurence throughout April. These problem areas typically indicate a perspective that is too small and limited to work well under demanding circumstances (which includes getting out of bed, these days!), a need to transcend the narrow point of view that prevents us from adapting to new demands. Neptune and Chiron are indicative of this new perspective that's required. Neptune is rather multi-faceted as a description of a higher awareness. First of all, it rules the "Higher Heart", the opening of the heart chakra energies so that you approach all situations with openness and compassion, ready to deal with others free from fear and mistrust. Neptune stimulates the intuition and the feelings, an awareness of subtle details that escape the normal thinking brain. Part of understanding this subtle pattern is seeing how "physical reality" actually starts on the level of mind and energy, that the workings of our unconscious beliefs structures our experiences and determines what is "real" for us. In time, as we play more with Neptune, we learn to handle these energies more consciously so we create the world we really intended to make for ourselves. Chiron, the Initiator, further shows us the profound shift in awareness we're undergoing. Part of the reason situations are so difficult now is that it prods us to abandon our old behaviors (that don't work anymore) and make the shift -- most people don't make these spiritual growth spurts unless they are forced to. Some people don't make the shift at all, creating endless troubles for themselves during times like these. These 4 planets are making all sorts of aspects these days, unleashing their influences into our lives over and over again. I discussed Chiron sextile Neptune in the March; Saturn quincunx Chiron and Saturn square Neptune are discussed below.
The first action of the month is on the 2nd, when Mercury stands still (at 20Pi53) and slowly resumes forward motion. In time, the thinking and symbol-using mind returns to working order. That makes it easier to think, plan and communicate -- eventually. Don't push it for about a week, however. "Standing still" means just that -- the old grey matter is going nowhere this week. Don't lock yourself into plans that may go awry later -- give yourself some alternatives to fall back on. Don't be concerned if you're tongue-tied or otherwise brain-dead for now. It will get better (before tax time even!).
Also on the 2nd is the first big aspect of April, the quincunx of Saturn and Chiron. Due to the oddities of Chiron's orbit, this is the 4th of 8 repetitions for this aspect, which lasts from Dec '97 to April of 2001! In a nutshell, Saturn is where we are most "stuck" in life; Chiron is the way past this roadblock. More generally, Saturn is limitations and structures of all kinds. Emotionally, it represents the fears that keep us paralyzed and unable to act. In the physical world, it describes the ties, obligations and lack of opportunities that prevent us from achieving our dreams in life. But at its most basic, Saturn can be associated with the physical body itself. As a therapeutic bodyworker, I daily see the connection between the body and the emotions, how experiences that are not fully "digested" when they happen turn into stress, muscle tension, a beaten down posture, etc. Rarely, as life adds layer after layer to our bodies, are we able to release these blockages ourselves. Gifted healers work like a mirror for us, getting us to recognize what we'd rather try to blot out of our awareness. In fact, these limitations -- emotional and physical -- are one and the same. Chiron's role as a healer and initiator are bringing these blockages to the surface, although the assistance of a healer or therapist of some kind may be needed to see the process at work in us. I've said many times in recent years that one of our lessons in life is to realize we are spirits in physical bodies -- the enlightenment of the body is just as important as the soul's. Our limitations --of body, mind or soul -- are keeping us from expressing our spirit's true potential. Physical problems are thus spiritual problems. Our path requires healing at all levels, a releasing of anything that holds us back. Get some help to break through this mess.
The square of Saturn and Neptune (part of the T-square) on the 6th is probably the most crucial contact of the month. This is the last of 3 such squares, going back to June 25th and October 31st of '98. We're at the end of this giant tug-a-war between two planets that are as opposite as you can get. Saturn, the heavy of the physical plane vs. Neptune, the dreamer and other-worldly idealist. This square (an aspect denoting conflict and tension) hasn't made it easy to balance these two energies -- turning dreams into reality has been harder than usual. The temptation is to opt for one or the other, becoming either the impractical dreamer or the hard-nosed pragmatist, remaining unaware of how these are related to each other. I suspect that Saturn is winning out for most of us, as the demands of the "real world" keep us from seeing the value of the inner world. This is a time to test and improve on the vision -- don't let it die. Things will be easier in a few years time.
(Note: back in the June, I mentioned how the Saturn-Neptune cycle is related to the Communist Bloc, especially the fall of communism in 1989. I suggested this square would trigger "unfinished business" in Russia or Eastern Europe. Right on time, the bombs are falling on Serbia.)
Nothing like a fixed sign T-square for making trouble. It brings out the stubborn streak in people, making it really hard for them to work together. And that trio of Mars (will power), Saturn (limitation and fixidity) and Neptune (confusion, lack of clarity) certainly doesn't help the mixture. Watch your temper around others, since it's quite easy to step on another's toes without even realizing it. This is why operating with an open heart is so important, because ego-level games are sure to backfire. At least Venus softens the rough edges a bit, making diplomacy a more viable option. The mental-emotional forces of the planets at15 degrees are somewhat easier to handle. As long as you remember to treat others as equals, this group of planets should work out smoothly. In fact, it can generate a great deal of synergy between people, as they bounce ideas off each other and build on the collective effort. Again, stick to the high road for best results. The new moon position itself is fairly isolated in the chart, except for contacts to Pluto-Juno and Uranus. I generally consider that a bad symptom, since it feels like there's a lot of activity going on beneath the surface, but there's no way to channel that energy outwards into the world. Things are stuck and progress is unlikely. And when you look at the overall pattern of the chart -- the many disconnected groups of planets, that H36 in the waveform -- the lack of direction and focus becomes apparent. There's nothing holding the chart together harmoniously, or our lives either. Hopefully, this influence will become easier as we head into the planetary storm in the coming week. The upswing of power should make quite a difference.
Jupiter is quintile Neptune on the 22nd, a quick one-pass contact. This aspect should make Saturn's iron grip weaker, as Jupiter works (for a time) to strengthen Neptune. These planets are cousins energetically, allowing the big picture and a wider perspective to emerge. Jupiter's optimism and drive should make it easier to persevere with your plans, provided they are something that fills you with passion. Obstacles appear less imposing when you can shift your perspective and look at them from a fresh angle. Enjoy this breath of fresh air!
Almost at the same time, Jupiter is sextile Uranus on the 23rd. If you need a good excuse to break out of an old rut, this is it! Jupiter loves to expand your boundaries in the world, while Uranus is inclined to blow up a few of the border crossings at the same time. This is an excellent time to make fresh starts. Both planets have a lot of "mental energy" about them, so the intellect and the intuition are in overdrive these days. Look at problems from a new angle -- it may be much easier to bust through than you previously imagined. Don't let this exciting and positive influence pass you by!
Finally, Jupiter is trioctile Chiron on the 27th, completing the big aspect picture for April. We're in the middle of this connection, since it's the 3rd of 5 contacts for these two planets (lasting from June '98 to Feb. 2000). All that Jupiter optimism is nice to have, but I suspect it may be hard to act on it sometimes. Questions of what is holding us back, what fears are keeping us from reaching out, may be surfacing. Even an unobjectionable notion like "having abundance in my life" can often have hidden "gotchas" attached that keep it from happening. To be effective in this world, you need to reach out to it. This is a time to make that possible, of releasing those fears.
I've talked enough about the T-square already -- you should be getting the picture by now. It should be apparent by now how well you handled this storm energy -- the results are in and the judges are holding the envelope! Saturn is often called the Lord of Karma, dishing out the "rewards" of our actions. If it feels like the world is weighing you down (or just plain sitting on you), the Sun-Saturn conjunction now is probably the reason. Note that Neptune and Uranus are both nearing retrograde stations (on May 6th and 21st, resp.), increasing the inner psychic stress and tension even further. Take it easy and keep your plans light. No need to struggle against this energy without reason.