Celestial Notebook Overview April 2008

Until 20 April the sun, representing both our ego and our divine essence, is in the sign of Aries (), the Ram. Aries is an action-oriented fire sign (see Signs). The sun is exalted (loves it) in Aries! This is the archetypal time for fresh starts: the first fire sign, the sign of boldness and ingenuousness. Aries sparks through adventure and enthusiasm. Whilst the sun is in Aries we need to have the courage to step into the unknown, to have an adventure and to discover parts of our self we never knew we had.

Pluto (), The Merciless Transformer, stations to turn retrograde on the 2nd at 1° 8’ Capricorn () forming a constructive 120° angle (called a trine) to Saturn (), Master of Reality. Saturn has been reversing against the background of the stars since 19 December 2007 and only turns to go direct on 3 May.

In fact, no planet is able to move backwards in its orbital path: the fact that retrogradation is an astronomical illusion, does not invalidate the psychological influence retrograde planets have on the human personality. Retrograde planets revisit the same degrees they have already transited, stimulating an awareness of unfinished business originating in the hidden depths of the personal unconscious.

While planets are retrograde, we become more reflective and contemplative as we become conscious of how we are adjusting our inner processes to create a more fulfilling life. This condition can result in inner illumination when well-managed or much self-undoing if we try to skip those issues that need to be re-studied or patiently reconsidered.

With Saturn-Pluto trine in the first degrees of the earth signs, Virgo () and Capricorn (), we will endeavour to blend body, mind and soul to go beyond our conditioning and to make conscious choices that allow us to discover how living our philosophy benefits all – not because we want to score brownie points but simply because we know that whatever we do unto others, we do unto our self.

Capricorn is presided over by Saturn. Aware Capricorn (and we all have all twelve archetypes somewhere in our chart) recognises that some limitations and constraints are ultimately liberating: what appears as a restriction to the personality can be an important opportunity for the soul.

With economies faltering and the meteorological wipe-outs that accompany global warming, the message is that there are limits to the security that worldly achievements and resources can bring. Our desire for success, once based on fear (Saturn), can now be transformed (Pluto) into an urge of the soul to use our wealth and our authority to initiate (Aries) lasting structures that benefit all. Our entire belief system seems to be changing so that we may be released from our bondage to matter.

Magnanimous Jupiter, mainly uncomfortable in disciplined Capricorn, is broadminded enough to understand that he is part of a greater whole and supports our inner process of feeling our way to the truth.

The Sabian symbol (there is a symbol for each degree of the zodiac) for the new moon on 6 April (16° 44’ Aries) says it all: Two dignified spinsters sitting in silence: the ability to transform a natural lack of potency into poise and inner serenity. It refers to the value of a dignified withdrawal.

Because Pluto is in Saturn’s sign and Saturn is in Virgo, Mercury’s sign, Mercury (), the planet of thought and communication, is the final depositor of the trine between these two intimidating planets. From 2 – 17 April, Mercury is in Aries. Focused mental intent is the name of the game: becoming the spiritual warrior motivated by the prompting of the soul, rather than by self-centred impulses will do the trick.

With a clear, centred mind everything is possible.

On the 17th, Mercury slips off the carousel of Aries into the meadow of Taurus (), the Bull, followed by the Sun () two days later. Taurus’ goal is to bring desire under the conscious direction of the soul. It seems however that we first experience and become attached to form before we can overcome that attachment! Mercury’s transit through Taurus (until 2 May) offers a fertile few weeks during which we may be able to start cutting the threads of wanting, to begin to weave a new way of being – trusting the process a little bit more.

Both Capricorn and Saturn rule the knees and are associated with the skeleton and the skin – the inner-most structure and the outer, physical edges of our physical body. This implies that Capricorn supports our processes of inner consolidation and a realistic appraisal of our outer limits.

This month our inner evolutionary tension will involve the pull between the sacred and the mundane, between the divine and the earthy – what we plant and what we harvest come from the authenticity of our choices. We are being asked to stay focused and meet with integrity our duties and responsibilities as we climb: consumerism is passé, we are returning from fantasy into actuality and the present.

‘Life is a pure flame, and we live by an invisible sun within us.’ Thomas Browne