Mercury Rx cycles are always a time that necessitates a slow-down in our thought processes and actions in favor of introspection and forethought. But this particular Mercury Rx cycle is sure to have our thoughts moving at the speed of Ents...very, very *s l o w l y*.

​Taurus: The Quiet One, Earth Spirit, Deep Thinker, Time-Taker, Deliberator Extraordinaire. This sign doesn't rush a thing. For The Bull, it's about cultivating peace in all its forms, whether it relates to finances, a literal homestead, or quieting the mind through the physical senses. So you can imagine that when the Winged Messenger moves through this very placid sign, he trades those wings in exchange for bare feet that are planted firmly on the ground. Mercury plays it safe in the land of Taurus; after all, he wants to be sure that his plans are thoroughly calculated and every option weighed so there's no question left as to the best ways to proceed. Will my choice produce solid results that last? Does this lead to long-term peace? Does it help me achieve the end result via the most straightforward approach possible? No frills, no bells and whistles - just common-sense approaches that get results.

​And so with Mercury about to Station Retrograde in Taurus and Mars already having gone retrograde in Sagittarius, our currently slower-paced atmosphere is in for another serious slowdown - Mars has turned down the usual "GO" fires for heady inner contemplation and Mercury's on the verge of sprouting roots! If you're noticing that it's more difficult to articulate what's on your mind, or that the usual Mercury Rx delays end up being even more maddeningly slow than usual, you've found a likely answer. We enter a period of intensely introspective thought, of what might at times be excruciatingly slow deliberation processes - a time perfectly designed for assessing how we're doing in the area of physical life foundations.

Health, Wealth, & Pleasure: The Foundations of Life in a Physical Body

​Mercury in Taurus is well-attuned to thought processes that help us make smart decisions for a secure and comfortable existence. As Mercury goes retrograde, expect some hiccups or unfolding circumstances that have you re-evaluating all things related to well-being, money, and pleasure. Shifts in income or your foundations base are possible, as are contemplations as to the ways you'd experience the most fulfillment in receiving that income (read: career evaluation). 

How's your savings account doing? If you want or need to strengthen your cache, what's the best approach to achieving that outcome? Is there something you want to build, or something you've already built that's in need of renovation? This is the perfect time to play "assessor" and take stock of what's in need of repairs, then put those plans into action when Mercury goes direct after May 23.

It's time to clear the dead roots and debris from the fields of your life, so to speak, so you can till the land and plant new seeds once your Mercury Rx learning is through.
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​Inner Wealth: Receiving Your Own Love & Approval

​It could be said that the root of all imbalances related to health, wealth, and pleasure are innately connected to our self-worth and valuation. Taking time to notice how perceived "lack" connects with your sense of worthiness to receive is a great use of this retrograde cycle. 

If you find yourself falling into a mindset of lack, remember that nature is endlessly abundant, always overflowing with a proliferation of life. When we remove blocks that stand in the way of our natural connection to Gaia and to receiving all forms of wealth ourselves, the abundance that flows is sure to be life-changing. The core component of abundance is a wealth of good feelings. If we can give ourselves that gift, material prosperity naturally follows!

And speaking of peace and pleasure, what is your relationship to "slow" like? Do you make time for quieting the mind and pampering your physical senses? How about spending time in nature? Foot massages, Earthing (walking barefoot in safe soil to connect with Earth's vibration), taking time out to enjoy a good meal - these are all practices that can do much to rewire our sense of tranquility and foster strong connections to our root.

Though things might transpire at a snail's pace for a while, there's no need to rush! This cycle is about learning to reap the rewards of a much slower pace of thinking and living. Enjoy homemade meals at the table with loved ones instead of rushing out the door with dinner in hand; skip the gym in favor of an outdoor workout; meditate and connect with the energy of trees or any other part of nature that resonates with you.

On Overindulgence and "Ruts"

​That being said, this could also be a time of evaluating where we tend to overindulge, or to get stuck in ruts of any kind. "Stubborn as a bull" most definitely applies! Issues could crop up where we're excessively spending, eating, lounging, or lazing at the expense of health and balance.

​You'll find key dates and questions for contemplation for this Mercury Rx cycle below. May your retrograde be blessed and empowering, and flow as smoothly as possible!

Key Dates

• Mercury Stations Retrograde at 23 degrees Taurus: April 28
• Mercury Rx conjunct Sun, May 9: This aspect brings busy minds, an upswing in Mercurial (and Taurus-related) focus and activities. It also opens internal doorways that allow us to see things in a way that's less influenced by external forces. This allows us to think more independently and creatively, to explore viewpoints and solutions that could serve us much better than old ways of looking at things. This conjunction coincides with Jupiter's Station Direct and a Venus-Neptune sextile. Expect a boost in optimism, as well as sparks of creativity and heightened compassion.
• Mercury Rx trine Pluto Rx (2 of 3) May 12 & Mercury Rx conjunct Venus, 16 degrees Taurus, May 13: Deep contemplation of matters related to money or career; hidden truths that help you reconsider old viewpoints or previous actions may emerge. This aspect also speaks of the power of material wealth and the need to trust intuition. This aspect was first exact on April 17 and will wrap up on May 30 when Mercury is direct. Mercury Rx conjunct Venus puts even more emphasis on money, possessions, and sensuality; a time to revisit personal values or romantic scenarios. A good time to sort feelings related to pleasure, to commune with nature and art. May herald the beginnings of letting go of what no longer serves you in love and money.
• Mercury Station Direct at 14 degrees Taurus: May 22

**Mercury Rx Questions For Contemplation**

• ​Do I love and value myself? Am I willing to change the parts of my perceptions that might keep me from seeing the goodness within me and all that I am worthy of experiencing in life?
• Do I love and cherish my physical body and its unique form? Can I give in to healthy physical indulgences to help me feel nourished and refreshed (foot soaks, mindful food treats, time in nature, massages)?
• Do I allow myself to experience the sensual pleasures of my body? Do I allow myself to connect to the root of creative energies that wish to speak through me? Where can my personal sense of power flow more freely?
• Are there parts of life in which I overindulge my physical senses to my body's detriment? Do the roots of these choice patterns lie in fears of security that need to be addressed? In low self-esteem? Am I willing to restructure my thought patterns and reach out for healing help if necessary?
• Where am I choosing the comfortable or "known" path, the path of least resistance, in favor of necessary change and self-development? Where does stubbornness and attachment to the old and outworn keep me from evolving?
• Where do I need to remove the "dead wood" and debris from my life to allow for new growth? How can I restructure the whole of my life base to enjoy more peace and stability?
•  Can I take time out to enjoy life's quiet moments and simple pleasures? Can I create practices that connect me with Earth energies and foster an appreciation of her gifts of abundance?

©  Jen Howell, Bright Star Astrology & Healing Arts, 2016. Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author/owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to this writer with appropriate and specific direction to the document containing the original content. 

We're in for another Mercury Rx period as the planet of the mind prepares to travel backwards in slow and steady Taurus. The upcoming cycle begins on April 28 as Mercury stations at 23 degrees of Taurus and ends on May 23. This will make for a whopping five planets all retrograde at the same time - talk about a powerful time for introspection and covering old ground! This Mercury Rx will bring an intense focus on "old ground" since Taurus is especially connected to all things related to that which helps us experience safety and security in more down-to-earth parts of  life.

Themes include wealth and finances, possessions, talents/inner resources, along with all things related to the physical body and Mother Earth.

​I'll cover the Mercury in Taurus Rx specifics in Part 2, but for this post, I've given a bit of a refresher on Mercury Rx cycles and how they really can be used to your advantage!

​If you're an astrology aficionado, you know that Mercury Rx cycles are notorious for seemingly messing up the best-laid plans in exchange for confusion and communicative missteps (or sometimes all-out chaos!). And while it's true that lots of us do experience at least some planning snafus during these times, it's important to realize that all planetary retrograde cycles really are meant to work in our favor!

​Here's a rundown of things to keep in mind when Mercury is retrograde:

•  ​Mercury Rx is designed for introspection and gathering information rather than launching something new. Got a great new project you want to start? Fantastic! General astrology advice is always to do your leg work now, making contacts and exploring new ideas, so you're in a position to take much more well-informed action once the Rx is over. I can tell you from personal experience (and having a Mercury-ruled Gemini North Node, no less!) that things you feel impelled to start during a Mercury Rx period are probably things that you instinctively know you need long-term work with to get it down. And keep in mind that things you do happen to initiate during Mercury Rx always seem to come back around during future cycles...until you've learned what you need to learn and are able to break the cycle!
• People, ideas, or other connecting pieces from the past that come back around are here to gift you with something - a new realization or other missing link - that can help you move forward more effectively. This also applies to any scheduling madness that ensues! Trust the wild goose chases to bring you exactly where you need to be and at the exact right time - it's really all working out in your favor.
• Going with the flow - and learning when to let the current take your previously laid plans in a new direction - is always a Mercury Rx blessing in disguise. There's no need to hurry things now - you'll only end up feeling more drained and frustrated if you push. This is one way the Universe seems to teach us how to flow with the currents of life for more peaceful living. Keep your goals in mind by all means, but sometimes we need to just let go!
• Depending upon how each cycle impacts you personally, Mercury Rx cycles have an uncanny way of showing us exactly where the cracks in our own planning, perception, and communication lie...and point a big ol' finger toward what needs addressing ASAP.​  Double-check important details, especially as it relates to any kind of communication, scheduling, or agreements (and stay away from signing important agreements now if at all possible, unless it's something you want to renegotiate in the future). The mistakes we make now will only serve to highlight what needs our attention. But if we do gloss over the fine print, things can get far messier than usual and with bigger professional implications. **Remember that nothing is happening to you if things get hairy - the planets just act as catalysts for growth depending on where we happen to be in our personal development. If you draw in a tough challenge, it's because a part of you is ready to tackle the lesson hidden below the illusion of "mess"!**

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As you can see, Mercury Rx can give us quite the run-around, but it's entirely within our power to navigate any hassles with more grace and ease. Ride the wave and use this powerful planning time to your advantage! Do gather information that excites you now, taking your time in sorting through each option; don't rush into anything, since it can most definitely come back around in the future.

​Caveat: This could be a very good time to renegotiate an agreement that you're not satisfied with, or to back out of something that's not working for you. Avoid making big decisions unless it involves this kind of backtracking, and trust the process to guide you where you need to go!

​UP NEXT: Mercury Rx in Taurus, Part 2: Life at the Speed of Ents

©  Jen Howell, Bright Star Astrology & Healing Arts, 2016. Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author/owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to this writer with appropriate and specific direction to the document containing the original content.​
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"Come; drink of the wild honey that runs through your veins. Step into the primordial essence of your rocks and mosses. Embrace the cry of sensual awakenings that rise like fire through your skin. Feel the rattle in your bones and know eternity in mortality - the sacred wisdom of beginnings after endings. Embody the essence of soul that drives your breath, for you are the power of All That Is, and of all that ever was - you are *limitless*."

These words came to me as I meditated on what to share about tonight's Scorpio Full Moon (the full moon reaches its peak at 1:24 AM Eastern on Friday). This is no full moon for mere mortals - this full moon is bursting with the rich power that is Creation and the All that encompasses it - an All of which you are an inseparable part. It is arguably the most intense full moon of 2016, one that will bring us face-to-face with issues that have been buried or repressed. It is in these moments, when the moon's glow floods the land and the call to allow hidden material to emerge is at its strongest, that we can experience epiphanies that vibrate through our bones.

With Mars and Pluto both having stationed retrograde this week - planets that co-rule Scorpio - we are at a pivotal point of inner exploration related to all things Scorpionic. We will certainly be called down to our centers to contemplate our desire nature, boundaries, how we channel our passions and dig into our will. It's a time of long-term reflection that leads to renewed life. This full moon will amplify that potential enormously, perhaps creating a turning point from which there is no going back.

There's something calling out from the dark womb of your being, something that beckons you to what lies hidden in  the chambers of your spirit. Are you brave enough to follow its call?

This is indeed a time to touch the taboos, for it is here in this space of complete illumination and acceptance of what we find that we can work profound transformation magic. Among other things, this full moon relates to topics of death and rebirth, primal sexual desires, and empowerment. Hidden secrets may emerge, and the time is ripe for powerful emotional and physical releases to wash away the old. Is there a burdensome secret you keep hidden out of fear? Are you burying thoughts or feelings for the sake of maintaining equilibrium and avoiding necessary endings? Are you holding on to shame, guilt, or fear related to the pleasures of the body? This lunation can draw out the provocative power of of the Divine that speaks through us by helping us release all that stands in our way. In bringing these "taboo" issues to the forefront, we have the chance to embrace them without judgment. It is then that we can heal and regenerate ourselves, stepping into more of our Cosmic potential.

Making Full Moon Magic

Allow instincts to be your guide as you explore emotions and circumstances arising at this time. Walk with desires and topics related to literal or metaphorical death/rebirth; explore sacred sexuality; get in touch with your deep ancestral roots and a primal sense of generational purpose on Earth.

Remember that there is power in every death, for new beginnings always await. And though it is rarely a comfortable contemplation, sometimes an acknowledgement of our own mortality can bring about a renewed desire to embrace our desires and live our truth more fully.

This is an especially powerful night for ritual, prayer, or meditation. Be present with that which is emerging within you; observe every feeling, allowing it to act as a messenger for your growth. If you feel the call to contemplate that which is drawing to a close in your life - a relationship, a chapter in your life, a limiting mental construct or paradigm - call on your angels/spirit guides/essence of the Moon to provide strength and guidance. It can be as simple as writing affirmations on paper, lighting a candle, then releasing that which no longer serves you. This is also the time to set out objects you wish to charge or to clear such as crystals or gemstones. If you have the opportunity to "moonbathe" tonight, whether it's through a window or by spending time outside, it could have an especially powerful effect on the mind/body/spirit now.

Go forward to touch the taboos with love and courage, knowing that transformation awaits if you say "yes" to the journey. 

​©  Jen Howell, Bright Star Astrology & Healing Arts, 2016. Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author/owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to this writer with appropriate and specific direction to the document containing the original content.

Though the Spring Equinox is seen as the start of the astrological new year, the annual Aries New Moon when we're really starting to feel the buzz and fire behind our new beginnings. There's something primal awakening in us now, something that has a visceral need and drive to spring into new life. What that "new life" is for each of us will depend on our personal birth charts and what's being activated now.

​This new moon happens on April 7 at 18 degrees Aries. If you have personal planets or sensitive points from 16-20 degrees of Aries or Libra, you'll be feeling it most, though Cancer and Capricorns with planets at that degree will be feeling a different sort of crunch and pressure.
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​Since I'm coming to you very much on the fly this week - and juggling hosting a local New Moon Conscious Creation Circle tonight (see info at bottom of this post)! - I've got to keep it a bit more "chop and go" with the interpretation this time around.

      Some key points to keep in mind about tomorrow's new moon:

• Aries is about primordial drive, instincts, and survival. There's a new beginning about to unfold that will involve each of us stepping into a much deeper sense of courage and determination to see it through. This new moon is about charging into new territory, doing something entirely brave and entrepreneurial in at least a certain sense. To go where there was no clear path already cut before - that's your mission.
• The Sun & Moon join together very close to live-wire URANUS for this one. This is extraordinarily daring and impulsive energy that can launch us into freedom like we've never known it before. But...
• This new moon squares Pluto and trines Saturn. The current climate can have you feeling an intense desire to push forward, while your internal feelings/vibration or external circumstances seem to stand squarely in your way.​ You say you want a revolution? Then go for it, but know that challenges must be worked through in order to achieve what you've set out to do. Facing fears - perhaps fears of stepping more fully into your own sense of authority and empowerment with rock-solid confidence - and enduring power struggles can have us feeling like we've hit a wall. So what to do about it?..
• Saturn speaks to us on this one: "Okay. I see you, I hear you, I feel your struggles. If you want your new beginning, you're going to have to let me work with you - if you fight against what is, we're not getting anywhere. Let me be your TRAINER, your uncompromising tough mentor on this (tough love is how I roll!). What needs to change at the foundation of your life to have a much more solid slate to work from? If you want to see those grand ideas through, how can you adjust your approach and your aim *just so*...a little more...nope, start all over...AHH, that's much better...now keep working 'til you get it just right. Do you see? Now hold fast to your stamina and just...don't...quit...
• As Venus bursts into Aries with passion and drive to claim our desires unapologetically, Mercury in Taurus gives us a fantastic mental ability to think things through much more s l o w l y. It's a much more methodical, steady pace than Aries, a fantastic counterbalance to some very impulsive energies at play. Use your powers of forethought to reason through and plan out any changes to be sure you're approaching change intelligently.

If you set your sights on what you want and allow fears or roadblocks to teach you how to liberate yourself even more deeply as time goes on, you really are capable of getting what you want.

Make your new moon wishes, then do everything you can to make them come to fruition - waiting 24 hours after a new moon to initiate something new is ideal. Wishing you much love, courage, and fortitude at this bold new moon time!

©  Jen Howell, Bright Star Astrology & Healing Arts, 2016. Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author/owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to this writer with appropriate and specific direction to the document containing the original content.

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​ATTENTION: Are you in the Marquette area? If so, I'd love for you to join me for Bright Star's New Moon Conscious Creation Circle tonight! Event is 6:30 PM at 112 West Washington St., Suite B in downtown Marquette. We'll delve deeper into understanding the themes of tomorrow's new moon while creating a supportive atmosphere to support each other in the creation of our desires. You'll have the chance to set your intentions while receiving a powerful energetic healing blessing to accelerate its manifestation in a big way! See "Events" tab or call (906) 399-6326 to learn more.
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FIRE SIGN HOROSCOPES

ARIES

You’re in the spotlight through the 19th, Aries, with this being a great time to chart a new course thanks to the New Moon in your sign on the 7th. The catch? You’ll need to blend your tenacity with as much patience as you can muster - not always so easy for you! Mars goes retrograde mid-month, bringing down collective energy levels in favor of introspection before action. This is big news for everybody, but you’ll be feeling it a whole lot more than some. Mars is your ruling planet, the planet that channels so much bravery, strength, and impetus for ACTION through the core of your being. What happens to Aries when we’re under the influence of Mars Rx? The Ram loses some of its “get up and go”; the fires of your will to act dim a little; your motivation mojo hits a snag. But as is true for each planet’s retrograde cycle, this is a chance to re-evaluate your plans and manner of tackling goals in a big way.

Mars is retrograde from April 17th - June 29th. Though frustrations and delays could ensue as you rework the way you go about pursuing your desires, this is an important time for learning lessons of patience and forethought. You’ll do well to let impulsive tendencies simmer a while so you can absorb what the Universe has to teach you in these moments of simply *being*. Let setbacks motivate you to take more informed and confident action when Mars goes direct.

You might experience struggles with authority figures and your ever-evolving public persona April 4th - 9th. As Uranus and Pluto slowly move out of their ongoing square, your sense of self continues to evolve in lightning-quick jolts as challenges  crack the foundations of life as you've known it. Rest assured that it’s all for the purpose of helping you redefine your life on your own terms.

As for the juicy news, Venus exudes her charm through you in particularly powerful ways from April 5th - 29th. It’s a stellar time to update your personal style via wardrobe or other aesthetic changes. Get in touch with your desires and boldly work your romance magic while you have the Golden Touch! Passions could run high when Venus and Mars connect on the 12th, perhaps linking you up with someone outside of your normal circle (encounters with foreigners aren’t at all out of the question!). Expect an amped-up desire to travel or dive into subjects of the higher mind at this time, but be aware that as Mars slows down in lieu of its Station Rx on April 17th, developments in these parts of your life could come to an abrupt (if only temporary) halt…and things could get heavier from there. Venus squares Pluto on the 19th a day after Pluto's Station Rx - a shift that could have secrets coming to light, or issues emerging related to love and money that must be addressed. Use these chances to reconsider if you really want the things calling to you from beyond the fence, to feel deeply into whether certain others can be trusted or not.

​MERCURY RX ALERT: Mercury goes retrograde on April 28th in  your 2nd House of Money & Personal Resources, putting the focus squarely on a review of physical/inner resources you possess and your use and management of them. You have a chance to review your means of making money and spending/saving habits, which can ultimately help you solidify your cache through smart choices and diligent focus. Double-check figures and hold off on making key choices here until Mercury goes direct on May 22.

*~APRIL MOON MAGIC~*

The Aries New Moon on the 7th is a powerful new beginning point for you. Think about the challenges you’ve faced since the March eclipses and where you want to go from here. This is your time to kick off another yearly cycle of trailblazing, risk-taking, and digging even deeper into your own courage. It’s an especially impactful time to contemplate your desires and explore what might be necessary to see them fulfilled. It can be as simple as making a list of the things you’d like to manifest, or making up your mind about what you want…then doing everything you can to bring them to fruition.

The Scorpio Full Moon on the 22nd brings issues of sex and intimacy into focus, as well as taboo topics or deep-seated pain that lies below the surface of your awareness. This lunation is made more intense by Pluto’s Station Retrograde on the 18th, and can have you facing issues that emerge head-on. Entertain the possibility that letting something go - perhaps an unfulfilling entanglement with a lover or friend - can clear the way for something better. Face the skeletons in your psychological closet and dive deeply into the heart of the matter, laying bare the illusions that hold you captive. It’s high time to give your psyche a thorough cleaning and move on.

​©  Jen Howell, Bright Star Astrology & Healing Arts, 2016. Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author/owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to this writer with appropriate and specific direction to the document containing the original content.

​LEO

Your focus continues to be on expansion of your worldview as the Sun remains in your 9th House of Travel & Higher Learning through April 19th. You’re set to get a boost in your desire to explore and seek higher truth when Venus slips into Aries on the 5th. You might find friends or a new lover captivating your imagination and guiding you to exotic places within and without. If you get the whim to take up a new course of study, do it…but get all the facts first and be prepared for some twists and turns. The Sun meets Uranus here as it clashes with Pluto from the 4th - 9th, bringing some jolts in perspective and intensifying your desire to break free from all that stands between you and uncharted territory. The dynamic shifts when the Sun enters your 10th House of Career and Reputation on April 19th, calling you to focus your efforts on methodical, consistent efforts there.

You’ve got a chance to internalize how deep issues that emerge in your daily routines or health impact your freedom to roam where and how inspiration guides you. Remember that you’re in it for the growth that leads to much more joy, and this sort of expansion rarely happens without some growing pains. If you’ve been romantically involved at work or have issues with a coworker, you could experience revelations that bring things to a head abruptly. This could also bring opportunities to clear the air with money or relationship issues related to travel. Allow events to unfold, letting them bring you deeper into your true knowing for resolution.

A major shift for everyone this month the Mars Retrograde from April 17th - June 29th. This will have us all feeling as though we’ve hit a wall or run out of steam. For you, this change of pace is happening in your 5th House of Romance & Children. You might find that things stall romantically, creative projects hit a snag, or issues with children come front and center. This can feel like everything has run out of steam, but it’s ultimately a chance to slow down and think about what you really want in life and love. It’s also a powerful chance to ponder if what you’ve been seeking beyond your everyday sphere really is what you want, and if so, using this time for contemplation can help you formulate a better plan to get it when Mars goes direct in June.

MERCURY RX ALERT: Mercury goes retrograde on April 28th in your 10th House of Career & Public Image. Confusion in communication with bosses could create misunderstandings, so pay extra attention to details in written or verbal correspondence. You could also find yourself rethinking your role in the world, and whether or not your current job aligns with your deeper sense of purpose. Hold off on signing important agreements if possible until Mercury goes direct on May 22nd.

*~APRIL MOON MAGIC~*

The Aries New Moon on April 7th is a potent chance for you to see what’s no longer lining up between your daily grind and the desire to break new ground (or just break away, period!). Somewhere in your heart is a desire for far more freedom than you’re experiencing now. This lunation can act as a catalyst for you to deal with what’s coming undone you so you can get on with the business of indulging your soul-quenching sense of wanderlust. Can you find a way to marry your desire for freedom and the shedding of old routines? Are physical issues holding you back from drinking in all the goodness this world has to offer? Let the fears/doubts/truths that emerge guide you through these depths with courage. Keep your eye on your goals and trust the process that’s unfolding.

Issues with family might loom large and reach a crescendo around the 22nd with the Scorpio Full Moon happening in your 4th House of Home and Private Life. Tensions could run quite high here in a way that opens the floodgates for dramatic discussion about intense issues with your clan. Psychological and emotional triggers can point to the buried issues that are coming forward to be dealt with in potentially explosive ways. Remember that no matter what comes up now, whether it’s related to interactions with a partner/other family or buried fears, that this is an opportunity to heal and shift the energy. Feel the feelings without judgment and take next steps to release what holds you back with radical honesty. If you do, you’re in an incredible position to let even more of your inner light shine.

​©  Jen Howell, Bright Star Astrology & Healing Arts, 2016. Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author/owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to this writer with appropriate and specific direction to the document containing the original content.

​SAGITTARIUS

It’s been a trying time for you and your optimistic nature with Saturn making its way through your sign until late 2017. This hardcore planetary influence is bringing major lessons in swapping any “act now, think later” tendencies for a new kind of maturity and planning. You might have experienced an especially difficult period around March 25th when Saturn stationed retrograde, pulling you back to restructure key elements of your life. Still feeling pinched? Don’t let it bog you down at the expense of moving forward, even if progress does come in small steps. It’s all for the sake of helping you make your high-minded aspirations come alive in profoundly solid ways as this cycle unfolds.

It’s a great time to take action on a project from April 4th - 6th as the Sun trines Saturn and squares Pluto. This will call you dig deeply without going overboard, as Pluto can bring out our obsessive tendencies. Venus enters Aries on April 5th, bringing impassioned energy into your 5th House of Romance & Creativity. The Goddess of Love could bring in new romantic possibilities here, especially when Venus trines Mars on April 12th. Be aware that as Mars slows down and Pluto stations retrograde on the 18th, things could become much heavier and more complex in this arena.

You’ve got another curveball coming your way in April: Mars stations retrograde in your sign on April 17th, bringing a downward shift in energy for you especially. This is yet another recalibration moment in the saga of your personal development. We’ve all been feeling the inspiration to press on into uncharted territory with gusto lately, but Mars Rx is about to put on the brakes in a big way. You could experience a (temporary!) halt in motivation or experience roadblocks when it comes to plans you’ve set in motion. This is a time to turn your attention inward, to explore your inner motivations and the ways in which you go about getting what you want through late June.

As daunting as all of this might sound, there really are some very bright spots for you in April! You’ll get a boost when a fantastic Grand Earth Trine peaks on April 14th. The first occurrence in a series of three that wraps up June 2nd, this harmoniously links up your Money/Vocation/Career & Reputation zones. While it’s true that Pluto’s Station Rx on the 18th might bring a healing crisis related to money or self-esteem, this trine is proof that any difficulties are blessings in disguise. Expect opportunities to link with others and improve your skills that ripple out into career and your bank account.

MERCURY RX: Mercury goes retrograde on April 28th in  your 6th House of Routines/Health & Wellness. If things get thrown off in your daily structure, know that this Rx is calling you to examine how you can ground in routines that serve your best interests for a more peaceful, productive life. It's also your job to slow down and listen to what your body is telling you. Flow with any health setbacks, knowing that things can begin to turn around when Mercury goes direct on May 22nd.
 
*~APRIL MOON MAGIC~*

The Aries New Moon on the 7th can kick off a potent new beginning in your 5th House where romance, kids, or creative projects are concerned. The trick will be to harness the dramatic Uranus-Pluto square energies and make haste without being *too* impulsive. Taking foolish risks at this time would be very unwise, but listen to your intuition to receive right guidance. One thing ends and another begins, maybe abruptly, to clear the way for what’s going to benefit you the most. If you’re happily coupled, this could bring changes in the way you and your partner understand each other and approach romance and pleasure. Either way, you’ll have the drive to get out there and create something bold, so dig in and aim high!

Be open to messages that emerge from your unconscious mind and be willing to follow where the mystery leads you at the Scorpio Full Moon on the 22nd. There’s something tucked away from sight that could make itself known to you, perhaps a secret someone’s been keeping or another piece of key information. This lunation will have you doing some deep examination of that which stirs under the surface of your awareness, helping you release old psychological material in lieu of another new beginning. You may be drawn to explore all things metaphysical or paranormal, perhaps a spiritual tradition or concept that draws you deeply within yourself. What you find on your inner sojourn may be a bit unnerving due to the power it carries, and could involve a dramatic revelation with a friend or partner. Stay open and follow the synchronistic clues you get, no matter how subtle they may be.

​©  Jen Howell, Bright Star Astrology & Healing Arts, 2016. Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author/owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to this writer with appropriate and specific direction to the document containing the original content.

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