Celestial Notebook Overview April 2010

‘The material world is the playground of the spirit, the schoolroom of the higher self, and the mirror of the soul, ever enticing us to awaken.’ Martin Lass

April is a bit of a mixed bag: until the 20th the Sun (), both top dog and bottom line in terms of your life purpose, is in Aries (): time for taking a stand and affirming your true worth – you are not designed to be a doormat! Consciously remain firmly yet gently in your own space despite opinions and actions of others.

There is simplicity about Aries: getting to the heart of a matter and taking decisive action is the Ram’s trademark – where Aries is in your chart is often where you want to wing it on your own. As Spring is sprung, you may be rarin’ to go, but there are several celestial factors that are collaborating in enticing you to slow down the process, to go beyond the thrill of momentary satisfactions and come to terms with your deeper needs.

Saturn (), the planet of personal responsibility, is (for the first seven days, at least) retrograde in Libra () where after it re-enters Virgo (it remains retrograde till May end). The Aries-Libra reality checks have everything to do with knowing that attunement to yourself is attunement to others. When you are able to accept who you are and allow yourself space for reflection about your most essential desires and the desires of others, you are likely to act in a much more contained, fulfilling way.

During the last week of March and the first week of April you will have enough energy to do what you need to do. You will however keep on coming up against obstacles that require enduring patience – especially as far as bureaucratic systems (authority) are concerned: standing in queues, acquiring the incorrect information about whatever matters you’re trying to sort out and so on (and on!); it’s called assertiveness training (versus having screaming matches or feeling helplessly enraged, that is).

Saturn moves back into Virgo until the middle of July and we will be revisiting matters that have been unresolved since October last year. Keep in mind that these issues may not manifest as the same external issues, but the underlying patterns that you need to address remain the same. That which no longer supports the needs of your deeper, unconscious, yet more intelligent Self, will continue to crumble slowly over the next few months. One of the tests associated with Saturn in Virgo is to understand the connection between mind and body and how they affect each other. Trying to be too perfect could result in ulcers, digestive problems, skin irritations and other stress-related illnesses. Perfection is entrapment.

On the same day that Saturn retreats into Virgo, Pluto (), Gateway into our Underworld, turns retrograde (seemingly reversing against the background of the stars) today at 5° 25’ Capricorn (). It remains retrograde till 14 September (as always, about 160 days).

Pluto works relentlessly, and often ruthlessly, upon our deepest, underground levels of being to bring about internal shifts. When retrograde, Pluto (most often subtly) halts the processes relating to the house it is moving through; your focus will be channelled to where you have failed to adequately align your actions with the insights you have made during the past transit cycle of this planet. While Pluto is retrograde your inner life is more accentuated; it is time to digest your experiences, to come to terms with the change, to ruminate and also to rest more.

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Capricorn is concerned with structures put in place to assure our effective functioning within a greater whole. Pluto, alas, is about exposing those structures that have served their purpose and need to be revamped to fit a deeper, and often more honest, experience.

With Saturn and Pluto both in earth signs, Virgo () and Capricorn (), you will make a serious effort to blend body, mind and soul, to go beyond your conditioning and to make conscious choices that allow you to discover how applying your new-found beliefs benefits all. Aware Capricorn (and we all have all twelve archetypes somewhere in our chart) recognises that some limitations and constraints are ultimately liberating: what appears to be a restriction to the personality can be an important opportunity for the soul.

With economies faltering and meteorological wipe-outs accompanying 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.

Mercury (), planet of cognition and intelligence, turns retrograde on 18 April at 12° 37’ Taurus – another earth sign - allowing easier access to your areas of unconscious resistance to inner peace and even joy - the ways in which you sabotage yourself from applying your insights and changing your habit patterns to create a more fulfilling way of functioning in the practical world of form. For example, every time I have assumed I do not have enough money to do what I needed to do, something has been offered to me that created a solution; my challenge is to trust that, provided I am on the right track, this will always be true......I’m working on it!

Until 11 May when Mercury turns direct at 2° 44’ Taurus, it is imperative that you appreciate the love within, that you tend to your own needs, feel valued and to especially allow yourself to feel valued. Rather wait till Mercury goes direct before you move, quit your job, emigrate or spend lots of money.

This is not a particularly inspiring month, especially as Mars (), picking up speed in Leo (), is the only planet in a fire sign. Much can be accomplished that will result in very important practical returns: by concentrating on the necessities of life you will be making more room for the perks.

Clear up and out: you will find it easier to determine what is truly happening within and manifesting without as your mind will not be cluttered with unfinished business.

‘The block of granite which is an obstacle in the pathway of the weak, becomes a stepping stone in the pathway of the strong.’ Thomas Carlyle