April 2014 Solar and Lunar Eclipses

eclipse

April is a big month and if you’re not careful will not be forgotten without a headache!

Not least of all because of the squares and oppositions between Mars, Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto but also because of the two eclipses which are also coming into this mix and possibly complicating matters.

So if forewarned is forearmed here are the dates you need to watch out for and a few hints on how you might like to navigate your way through this period.

The first eclipse occurs on April 15 at 3:42 am (Eastern time). This will be a Total Lunar Eclipse and occurs at 26 degrees Libra and may force you to look at the “me” and “us” in a relationship.

In other words where you stand and where the other person stands.

Mercury Retrograde — February, 2014

Mercury retrograde

Here we are gearing up for another Mercury Retrograde: and buckle your seat-belts; this one looks like it’s going to be a doozy — with Mercury not only debilitated by sign (it’s in its detriment in Pisces) but also within one degree of conjuncting Neptune — which is already associated with confusion, uncertainty, ambiguity and distraction.

If you’d like to read more about Mercury retrograde — including information on the mythology and astronomy associated with the retrograde phenomenon, this article is a good place to start:  Mercury Retrograde: Here we go Again!

But for particular cycle, let’s look at where Mercury crosses each of its shadow points (also outlined in the article mentioned above), where it turns retrograde, and then where it turns back around and starts moving forward (in direct motion) again.We’ll also look at the Sabian Symbols for each of these points.

Venus Retrograde — Turning Love Around

Scarlet Figments by Kate Rodrigues

Venus — the planet associated with love, romance, beauty, money, material possessions and personal values — will be retrograde from December 21st until January 31, 2014 (or February 1, 2014 in some parts of the world).

From an astrological perspective, retrogrades motivate us to review, revisit, refine and resolve challenges that are holding us back from progressing in the area related to the planet involved.

They may relate to unfinished business from past lives, or they may refer to repeating patterns in our present lifetimes. Either way, the presumption when that planet is Venus is that the challenges faced are love and relationship challenges. This includes the entire spectrum of “relationships”: romantic, familial, social, etc.

Men are from Mars (and Venus): Astrology, Men and Love

We hear so much about men being “from Mars” — and in a lot of ways this is true, at least astrologically.

In general, they tend to relate more to their natal Mars positions and project their Venuses out onto the women (or male partners, if gay) in their lives.

This is in line with the Jungian concept of anima/animus (inner woman or inner man) projections that each of us embody. But this also tells us a great deal about what men are looking for in a mate.

A man’s natal Venus sign placement describes not only what he’s attracted to, but how he’s likely to conduct himself in relationship. It tells us how he expresses love and affection, how he receives love and affection from others, and how he relates to his partner in a one-on-one relationship.It tells what he’s looking for in a soulmate and how capable he is of investing himself emotionally in soulmate relationships.

The Sun and Moon: Astrology’s “Heavenly Bodies”

Astrologically speaking, most people know their Sun signs. You’ll hear people say “I’m a Leo” or “I’m a water sign (referring to Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces Sun signs),” or “I was born on the Virgo/Libra cusp.”

And many believe that that’s all there is to it. Nothing could be further from the truth!

The Moon sign is not only just as important as the Sun sign, sometimes it’s even more important.

Eastern astrologers, for example, are more interested in Moon signs than Sun signs, and in many areas almost everyone knows their own Moon sign from an early age.

Sun sign astrology (horoscopes) became popular because the Sun’s zodiacal position is the only one that can be determined by birth date alone. The Sun occupies the same relative position in the zodiac on the same day every year. That makes it easy for laypeople to know their own Sun signs, without having to consult an astrologer or navigate the complicated waters of in-depth astrology.

Even though the Sun is over 400 times the size of the Moon (another reason some place more importance on it), it’s also over 400 times further away. This is why they appear to be relatively the same size from our vantage point. It’s also why we have Solar and Lunar eclipses.

The Moon through the Signs — July 2013

Moon Phases

MOON IN ARIES  

6/29/2013 1:06 pm DISSEMINATING phase and 7/26/2013 5:30 pm DISSEMINATING phase

With the moon now in Aries its time for action! You may feel like acting on your impulses without hesitation (in other words without thinking twice!)… you may wish to think on that for its own sake if nothing else. There is an added emphasis right now for going after what you want whether that be work, romance, a new image, etc. Try to keep things in perspective though and use this time to surge ahead with a good plan as opposed to rushing in without thinking things through.

Mercury Retrograde — Here we go Again!

Mercury Retrograde

Most of us have heard about “Mercury Retrograde,” and mostly in an unfavorable light. In general it’s said to relate to delays, challenges and missteps in Mercury-ruled areas.

These include plans, contracts, agreements, communications — both verbal and written — as well as communications devices (phones, televisions, radios, computers, fax machines, etc.). In addition, cars, trains, bikes and motorcycles — anything related to short-distance or local travel — are all also under the Mercury umbrella and likely to be affected.

Mercury retrograde carries with it so many negative connotations — probably because most of us don’t handle sudden upsets or unexpected changes to our carefully-made plans. But people win lotteries under Mercury retrograde. They fall in love. They get married. They have babies. They launch successful businesses.

April and May 2013 Solar and Lunar Eclipses from an Astrological Perspective

Starting on April 25 and going through to May 25 we have 3 eclipses due to cross our paths affecting some of us more than others but giving all of us a chance to use the heightened energy of the Sun and Moon that is around at these times.

However you choose to use these important dates keep this in mind. Eclipses tend to have a way of throwing you off your guard, situations may happen that send you reeling and circumstances whether good or bad have a way of showing up in your life in a way that reminds you of fated or coincidental events.

Mars Retrograde — Jan 23, 2012

Mars retrograde

Brace yourself — You may be in for a Bumpy Ride! Have you been feeling a shift in your energy levels lately? Find yourself focusing on what you want to achieve and analyzing the steps you need to take you to your goal?

Mars is currently travelling through the logical and analytical sign of Virgo for quite an extended time November 18 to July 4 to be exact.

Mars in Virgo is highly disciplined, it also gives you the ability to separate your emotions and aim hard towards your goals. It is a time of hard work to achieve what you desire and gives you the ability to get a great deal done.

To help you with the Mars energy over the next few months keep an eye on the following dates and adjust your actions/thoughts to use this energy wisely whilst remembering Mars is the planet of war, it rushes in without fear… however, during the next few months a retreat in action may give you your best outcome.

Thanksgiving Solar Eclipse: Nov 25, 2011

Solar Eclipse

They say that a “change is as good as holiday” and it may be wise to meditate on these words this Thanksgiving given that there is an eclipse on the new moon in Sagittarius.  Sagittarius is usually a sign known for its humor and ability to have fun, however, an eclipse is usually anything other than a lot of fun!

Whilst it is true it will affect some of your more than others you can never be sure it will not affect you directly… or indirectly through others.  For example, you may not have many planets which are affected but your partner may and therefore you will be affected as their own issues hit off and you are then left dealing with what you are going to do next.  Sound familiar?

Mercury Retrograde Nov-Dec 2011

There’s a kind of hush….   well I wouldn’t bet on it! Mercury is retrograde in Sagittarius from November 24 to December 14 which means anything but peace and quiet and if you were thinking you can just ride this period out then think again.

Sagittarius is all about the bigger picture, grand plan, larger than life experiences and with Mercury retrograde in this sign you can be sure that if anything does go wrong it may do so in a big way!

If you are the quiet, patient type you may be a bit surprised to find yourself just blurting something out of the blue which leaves others aghast and yourself wondering where those words came from.