Dear NightFall Astrology readers,
This week’s celestial narrative delivers a concoction of cosmic irony and transformative energy. Mercury decides to trace its steps backwards on April Fools’ Day, suggesting the universe might have a sense of humour about our communicative mishaps and reflective pauses. Meanwhile, Venus transitions from the dreamlike Pisces into the fiery realm of Aries, signifying a shift from idealistic dreams to assertive action in pursuing our passions and values. This cosmic interplay between reflective retrospection and bold advancement sets the stage for a week of introspection, reevaluation, and transformative pursuit of desires.
As the stars chart their course through these dynamic transits, I encourage you to explore the deeper significance of what the stars have in store for you. This isn’t just a week of celestial theatrics but a period ripe for profound personal growth and the embracing of change. Let the cosmic currents guide your reflections and actions as you navigate the balance between dreaming big and taking decisive steps towards realising those dreams!
I. Mercury stations retrograde:
On April 1st, a date traditionally earmarked for jests and japes, the swift-footed Mercury decides to join in the festivities by initiating its retrograde motion at 27 degrees of Aries, an area of the sky under the stern watch of Saturn, as per the ancient astrologer Vettius Valens. This celestial about-turn lasts until April 25th, during which Mercury retreats to 15 degrees of Aries, a sector of the heavens it claims for itself, also according to Valens. This period invites a reflection on the notion of terms, or bounds, a concept pivotal in astrology, signifying sections of a zodiac sign under the governance of a specific planet, outlining its capacity to act according to its nature and the nature of the sign it occupies.
The shadow period, a concept modern minds might find rather ghostly, begins after Mercury stations direct on April 25th. It is not until May 13th, when Mercury revisits the 27 degrees of Aries mark, that we emerge from this shadow. This phase is akin to the echo of Mercury’s retrograde song, a period for the resolution of the retrograde’s themes and narratives, lingering in our celestial story until the narrative threads are neatly tied.
Within this cosmic backdrop, the retrograde phase, especially commencing on April Fools’ Day, serves as a celestial nod to the potential for misunderstandings, reversals, and perhaps the universe’s own brand of humour. Mercury retrograde in Aries, particularly in terms defined by ancient astrology, prompts a reflective pause in our forward momentum, encouraging a reassessment of how we assert ourselves, communicate our passions, and pursue our goals. It’s as if Mercury, in its trickster guise, calls for a review of our battles, chosen or otherwise, urging us to consider whether our words are our best allies or our unwitting foes.
The shift from a Saturn-ruled term to a Mercury-ruled term invites an intriguing interplay between discipline (Saturn) and agility (Mercury). Initially, the retrograde period might signal a time when progress feels thwarted by Saturnian tests, demanding a stoic reassessment of our goals and methods. Yet, as Mercury retreats into its own domain, the focus shifts towards intellectual adaptability, suggesting that the resolution to our Saturn-induced quandaries may lie in Mercurial qualities of flexibility, communication, and perhaps a dash of cunning.
The symbolism of April Fools’ Day, coupled with Mercury’s retrograde, might suggest the cosmos is keen on reminding us that, at times, a strategic retreat offers the space necessary for reevaluation. It invites a smirk at the irony of miscommunication on a day dedicated to misdirection and playful deceit. This period might well be the universe’s reminder that in the grand scheme of things, taking a moment to laugh at oneself is not only necessary but perhaps the most sage advice of all.
This Mercury retrograde will be felt most intensely by Aries, Gemini, and Virgo placements.
II. Venus conjoins Neptune, enters Aries, & sextiles Pluto:
In the celestial choreography that unfolds above, Venus, the emblem of love, beauty, and values, embarks upon a compelling voyage that commences on April 1st and stretches until the 5th, finding its initial sanctuary within the mystical confines of Pisces. Here, in a state of exaltation, Venus thrives, its qualities of harmony, aesthetic sensibility, and connection reaching zenith levels of expression. The alignment with Neptune, pinpointed to perfection on April 3rd, blurs the boundaries between Venus’s tangible desires and Neptune’s domain of dreams and illusions, engendering a period ripe with the potential for heightened artistic creativity, compassionate unions, and a yearning for a love that transcends the mundane.
However, the narrative arcs dramatically on April 5th as Venus, in a cosmic twist, ventures into Aries, marking a significant shift from its exalted state to a position of exile. This astrological term refers to a planet’s presence in the sign opposite to its domicile, suggesting an environment where its inherent energies face challenges in their expression. Venus’s tenure in Aries, directly contrasting its harmonious rulership in Libra, signifies a collective pivot towards valuing assertiveness, independence, and the courage to initiate. This shift underscores a cosmic invitation to infuse Venusian grace into Aries’ martial fervour, balancing the scales between self-assertion and harmonious connection.
Upon its ingress into Aries, Venus doesn’t meander but instead, aligns in a sextile with Pluto in Aquarius from April 6th to the 8th. This harmonious aspect serves as a celestial conduit for transformation, melding Venusian pursuits of love and beauty with Plutonian themes of rebirth and societal change. It’s a celestial endorsement of the idea that our personal passions and values can, indeed, catalyse profound collective shifts.
Extending its stay in Aries until April 29th, Venus’s journey through the sign is not a fleeting escapade but a sustained campaign. This prolonged visitation accentuates the thematic shift towards embracing and acting upon our desires with boldness and bravery. The extended sojourn of Venus in Aries embellishes this period with a vibrant tapestry of lessons about the power of individuality, the beauty in taking initiative, and the transformative potential of pursuing one’s passions unabashedly.
This celestial narrative, rich with symbolism, from the dreamy confluence of Venus and Neptune in Pisces to the audacious entry of Venus into Aries, underscores a profound collective evolution. The initial dive into the depths of our collective psyche and idealistic yearnings under the Pisces influence transitions into a dynamic period of action and self-assertion as Venus traverses Aries. The extended stay in Aries highlights a period for practical application of our highest ideals, urging us to champion our values with the fire of individual action.
The sextile between Venus and Pluto further weaves into this astrological tapestry the theme of personal desires intertwined with the collective’s evolutionary pulse. It suggests that the actions taken and values asserted during this period have the potential to resonate far beyond the personal, contributing to a broader narrative of change and transformation.
In essence, the journey of Venus from April 1st to April 29th narrates a tale of dreamy aspirations meeting the crucible of action. It invites a collective reflection on the nature of our desires, the illusions that may cloud them, and the courage required to pursue them in the face of adversity. As Venus transitions from the ethereal to the assertive, the cosmos whispers a reminder: to dream is human, to act divine. Thus, as Venus navigates the fiery terrain of Aries, let us find strength in our convictions, beauty in our pursuits, and a touch of grace in our assertiveness. After all, isn’t the boldest act of all to love fiercely, value deeply, and chase our dreams with the courage of a warrior?
The Venus/Neptune connection will be most potent for Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces placements.
The Venus/Pluto sextile will be most beneficial for Aries, Aquarius, Sagittarius, and Gemini placements.
Thank you for reading.
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Your Astrologer – Theodora NightFall ~
Remember that this is a general horoscope and is NOT your personal one. If you’d like to know what your birth chart says about your personality and your life’s purpose or discover what the upcoming astrological alignments mean specifically for you, you can:
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