Today is Monday, April 10, 2017
Hebrew date is 14 Nisan 5777
Islamic date is 13 Rajab 1438

Mayan Tzolk’in Day is 2 Chuwen
Mayan Long Count is 13.0.4.6.11
Julian Day is 2457854

Today’s Birthdays: George William Russell (1867-1935), Frances Perkins (1880-1965), Linda Goodman (1925-1995), Max von Sydow (1929), Dolores Huerta (1930), Omar Sharif (1932-2015), David Angell (1946-2001), Bunny Wailer (1947), Steven Seagal (1952), Lesley Garrett (1955), Babyface (1959), Tim Alexander (1965), Q-Tip (1970), Ed Byrne (1972), Rachel Corrie (1979-2003), Sophie Ellis-Bextor (1979), Charlie Hunnam (1980), Mandy Moore (1984), Hayley Westenra (1987), Haley Joel Osment (1988), Daisy Ridley (1992).

“If any of us had our lives and welfare completely strangled, lived with children in a shrinking place where we knew, because of previous experience, that soldiers and tanks and bulldozers could come for us at any moment and destroy all the greenhouses that we had been cultivating for however long, and did this while some of us were beaten and held captive with 149 other people for several hours — do you think we might try to use somewhat violent means to protect whatever fragments remained? I think about this especially when I see orchards and greenhouses and fruit trees destroyed — just years of care and cultivation. I think about you and how long it takes to make things grow and what a labour of love it is. I really think, in a similar situation, most people would defend themselves as best they could. I think Uncle Craig would. I think probably Grandma would. I think I would.”
— Rachel Corrie

Portrait of Artemis, an artifact of the O+ Festival several years ago, looms above uptown Kingston. The artist is Andy Milford, also known as Gaia. To the left is Artemis herself, in Libra, heading for Full Moon.

Artemis on the Rise

Tonight before writing this, your Monday letter, my canine cousins and I took a walk around the block, one of those unusually wide blocks due to a feature in the landscape; and we got to walk through some interesting places. It was a perfect evening, just as Mercury had stationed retrograde in spring-like Taurus.

We walked to the edge of the neighborhood. I turned back around and noticed the Libra Moon rising, and then a representation of the goddess Artemis peering down from above the neighborhood.

Detail of ‘Artemis rising from the quarry’, on the back wall of BSP, by Gaia Andrew Pisacane. The building originated as a Vaudeville house, became a movie theater, and ended up a furniture store, and is now a rock club and multi-purpose space, managed by Trevor Dunworth, in Kingston.

You can’t really see the perspective in this photo, but that building Artemis is painted onto is a six-story canvas, a daunting structure for a small town.

Local Christians were not thrilled that a heathen matriarch adorned their town; the artists (one called Gaia, and his sponsors) got their way. We all must live with the Moon, which reaches exact full phase in Libra Tuesday at 2:08 am EDT (06:08 UTC).

Currently in Libra, Luna is heading for a conjunction to Jupiter tomorrow. The Sun, for its part, is about to pass through the still-very-close Uranus-Eris conjunction. That holds a sustained peak for 48 hours beginning Wednesday morning. It’s a proving moment for Uranus-Eris. Faster-moving Uranus is now pulling ahead of Eris, and this is the last conjunction from the Sun with the two so close to exactly conjunct.

Remember, though, that this is the beginning of a new Uranus-Eris cycle, which hints at why we sometimes see the most potent manifestations of these majestic and unusual conjunctions in the years following. What will we do with this potential?

Here’s the question that many people are wondering and that everyone should be wondering. Will enough potentially conscious, loving people wake up to facilitate society taking action? You know, in time to reverse any damage at all, be it social, environmental or military? Or are we going to be the next generation of lemmings to hand over our power and our lives?

Perhaps this is a question too big for society itself, though we might wonder why. Even so, it’s not too big for you. The choice to adopt some sane principles to guide one’s life, and to take hold of that personal-collective intersection in one’s life, is an individual choice. Yes, you’re conditioned by your environment not to be aware, not to care and not to think that your choice matters — though that does not erase the fact that your choice is all that matters.

Read more…

Moon Phase: Moon is in Waxing Gibbous phase and enters Full phase tonight at 11:08 pm PDT / 2:08 am April 11 EDT (06:08:02 UTC).
Next New Moon is in Taurus on April 26 at 5:16 am PDT / 8:16 am EDT (12:16:04 UTC).
Corresponding Full Moon in Scorpio is on May 10 at 2:42 pm PDT / 5:42 pm EDT (21:42:25 UTC).
Moon Sign: Moon is in Libra and enters Scorpio on April 11 at 3:41 pm PDT / 6:41 pm EDT (22:41:30 UTC).
Sun Degree: 21-22 Aries.

Planetary Stations and Sign Changes
Hylonome stations retrograde at 6:21 am PDT / 9:21 am EDT (13:21:04 UTC).
Varuna stations direct at 3:06 pm PDT / 6:06 pm EDT (22:05:40 UTC).

Interesting Selected Aspects | Data by Serennu
— Mars conjunct Ceres at 12:29 am PDT / 3:29 am EDT (07:29:26 UTC).
— Pallas square Orius at 10:04 am PDT / 1:04 pm EDT (17:04:28 UTC).
— Eros square Orcus at 1:41 pm PDT / 4:41 pm EDT (20:40:43 UTC).

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If Your Birthday is April 10
(The Day of Daring) | Aries Birthday Reading | All Other Signs
In most disciplines there is a place for the rational mind and one for intuition and feeling — it’s only how much of each is required that varies. At present you have a chance to shine on all sides. Best results should ensue from blending the two as harmoniously as possible. You’ll be able to build on your imaginative flashes and turn them into a concrete idea or an actual physical item.

Written in the Planets
Mars’ conjunction to Ceres today is a reminder that self-neglect may be romanticized in this warped society of ours, but that doesn’t mean it’s helpful or healthy. Take care of your physical needs as well as you possibly can. We only get one body per lifetime; and much as we are susceptible to escapism, especially in Internet Land, we have to live day to day in that form. Make sure you know everything possible about what you’re allowing into yours.

Pre-order all 12 signs of the 2017 Spring Reading on Monday, April 10 for the incredible introductory price of just $29.29.

Today is Sunday, April 9, 2017
Hebrew date is 13 Nisan 5777
Islamic date is 12 Rajab 1438

Mayan Tzolk’in Day is 1 Ok
Mayan Long Count is 13.0.4.6.10
Julian Day is 2457853

Today’s Birthdays: Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859), Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867), Eadweard Muybridge (1830-1904), Paul Robeson (1898-1976), Virginia Gibson (1925-2013), Tom Lehrer (1928), Carl Perkins (1932-1998), Avery Schreiber (1935-2002), Marty Krofft (1937), Michael Learned (1939), Dennis Quaid (1954), Cynthia Nixon (1966), Gerard Way (1977), Keshia Knight Pulliam (1979), Leighton Meester (1986), Jesse McCartney (1987), Jazmine Sullivan (1987), Kristen Stewart (1990), Elle Fanning (1998).

“The artist must elect to fight for freedom or slavery. I have made my choice. I had no alternative. The history of the capitalist era is characterized by the degradation of my people: despoiled of their lands, their true culture destroyed…denied equal protection of the law, and deprived their rightful place in the respect of their fellows.”
— Paul Robeson

Moon Phase: Moon is in Waxing Gibbous phase and enters Full phase on April 10-11 at 11:08 pm PDT / 2:08 am EDT (06:08:02 UTC).
Next Full Moon is in Libra on April 10-11 at 11:08 pm PDT / 2:08 am EDT (06:08:02 UTC).
Next New Moon is in Taurus on April 26 at 5:16 am PDT / 8:16 am EDT (12:16:04 UTC).
Moon Sign: Moon is in Virgo and enters Libra today at 5:34 am PDT / 8:34 am EDT (12:34:11 UTC).
Sun Degree: 20-21 Aries.

Planetary Stations and Sign Changes
Moon enters Libra at 5:34 am PDT / 8:34 am EDT (12:34:11 UTC).
Echeclus enters Taurus at 8:32 am PDT / 11:32 am EDT (15:32:28 UTC).
Mercury stations retrograde at 4:14 pm PDT / 7:14 pm EDT (23:14:16 UTC).

Interesting Selected Aspects | Data by Serennu
— Psyche opposite Nessus at 1:30 am PDT / 4:30 am EDT (08:29:49 UTC.
— Jupiter square Cyllarus at 11:59 am PDT / 2:59 pm EDT (18:58:41 UTC).
— Eros square Psyche at 3:11 pm PDT / 6:11 pm EDT (22:10:40 UTC), and Nessus at 5:05 pm PDT / 8:05 pm EDT (00:04:58 April 10 UTC).

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If Your Birthday is April 9
(The Day of Excess) | Aries Birthday Reading | All Other Signs
Growth is a journey. It’s natural enough to feel frustrated when things don’t go as speedily as planned or snags get into the thread. Yet errors, tangents and obstacles provide the relish of life, so long as they can be seen as solvable challenges. We get past them, move on and often find they contained invaluable gifts for the path ahead.

Written in the Planets
Mercury’s station retrograde is accompanied by an intriguing T-square involving the archetypal lovers, Eros and Psyche, along with Nessus. This is palpably suggestive of a potential big healing moment in relationships. This could include your relationship with yourself, especially how you view your personal attractions. The trick would seem to be taking everything at a more leisured pace and ensuring clear, careful, deliberate communication. Take all the time you need to think before speaking, and be prepared to listen attentively.

Today is Saturday, April 8, 2017
Hebrew date is 12 Nisan 5777
Islamic date is 11 Rajab 1438

Mayan Tzolk’in Day is 13 Muluk
Mayan Long Count is 13.0.4.6.9
Julian Day is 2457852

Today’s Birthdays: Mary Pickford (1892-1979), Yip Harburg (1896-1981), Winifred Asprey (1917-2007), Carmen McRae (1922-1994), Seymour Hersh (1937), Kofi Annan (1938), Mary W. Gray (1938), Deke Richards (1944-2013), Brenda Russell (1949), Barbara Kingsolver (1955), Izzy Stradlin (1962), Julian Lennon (1963), Biz Markie (1964), Robin Wright (1966), Patricia Arquette (1968), Emma Caulfield (1973), Sara Shepard (1977), Katee Sackhoff (1980), Alex Day (1989).

“Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought.”
— Yip Harburg

Moon Phase: Moon is in Waxing Gibbous phase and enters Full phase on April 10-11 at 11:08 pm PDT / 2:08 am EDT (06:08:02 UTC).
Next Full Moon is in Libra on April 10-11 at 11:08 pm PDT / 2:08 am EDT (06:08:02 UTC).
Next New Moon is in Taurus on April 26 at 5:16 am PDT / 8:16 am EDT (12:16:04 UTC).
Moon Sign: Moon is in Virgo and enters Libra on April 9 at 5:34 am PDT / 8:34 am EDT (12:34:11 UTC).
Sun Degree: 19-20 Aries.

Planetary Stations and Sign Changes
Orius stations retrograde at 10:59 am PDT / 1:59 am EDT (17:59:11 UTC).

Interesting Selected Aspects | Data by Serennu
— Mars sextile Borasisi at 12:49 pm PDT / 3:49 pm EDT (19:48:55 UTC).
— Venus square Saturn at 1:28 pm PDT / 4:28 pm EDT (20:28:02 UTC).
— Sun square Pluto at 5:49 pm PDT / 8:49 pm EDT (00:48:58 April 9 UTC).
— Rhiphonos square Sedna at 6:33 pm PDT / 9:33 pm EDT (01:33:25 April 9 UTC).
— Vesta square Haumea at 8:54 pm PDT / 11:54 pm EDT (03:54:29 April 9 UTC).

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If Your Birthday is April 8
(The Day of Conscience) | Aries Birthday Reading | All Other Signs
You should have extra power to jettison what is not working for you today. You might even notice an inclination to fix anything mechanical that is acting up or breaking down; go for it. It’s also possible that someone in authority might call you to be accountable for your actions. While this can be uncomfortable, if you’ve done your due diligence, you’ll likely feel satisfied by how well you meet the challenge. If you falter, take heart: life is a series of learning opportunities. Learning to be accountable is a major ‘adulting’ win.

Written in the Planets
Today looks like an excellent day for self-reflection and introspection. This might be especially true if you find yourself wondering about your intimate relationships: Do they serve a higher purpose? Are they conducive to your healing agenda? Is there some symbiosis or balance between what is offered and received with a partner? Venus (which is retrograde and is nearly conjunct Chiron in Pisces) is square Saturn (which is also retrograde, and conjunct the Galactic Core in Sagittarius). That both planets are retrograde emphasizes the internal quality of this energy, rather than a need to take external action. That said, it’s worth remembering that loving and sharing are keys to attracting joyful abundance — and you have plenty to offer.

Today is Friday, April 7, 2017
Hebrew date is 11 Nisan 5777
Islamic date is 10 Rajab 1438

Mayan Tzolk’in Day is 12 Lamat
Mayan Long Count is 13.0.4.6.8
Julian Day is 2457851

Today’s Birthdays: William Wordsworth (1770-1850), Flora Tristan (1803-1844), Hasan Tahsini (1811-1881), Billie Holiday (1915-1959), Ravi Shankar (1920-2012), James Garner (1928-2014), Andrew Sachs (1930-2016), Daniel Ellsberg (1931), Freddie Hubbard (1938-2008), Francis Ford Coppola (1939), David Frost (1939-2013), Gorden Kaye (1941-2017), Marilyn Friedman (1945), John Oates (1949), Jackie Chan (1954), Russell Crowe (1964), Bill Bellamy (1965), Alison Lapper (1965), Jennifer Schwalbach Smith (1971), Tim Peake (1972), Vanessa Olivarez (1981), Ed Speleers (1988), Anne-Marie (1991).

“Somebody once said we never know what is enough until we know what’s more than enough.”
— Billie Holiday

Special Comment: Venus, in Search of Chiron

Dear Friend and Reader:

Over the next few days, there are two developments with retrograde inner planets, and an exciting alignment between the Sun and the Uranus-Eris conjunction. This is a vibrant, passionate series of events, interweaving the energies of three contiguous signs: Pisces, Aries and Taurus.

Let’s look at the basic facts, then I’ll offer some philosophy. In summary, we’re at one of the juncture events defining the watershed of our era: the Sun and Earth lining up with Uranus-Eris at the beginning of their new cycle; one of the final crescendo moments of Chiron in Pisces; and the first Mercury retrograde of the nascent ‘new order’ of the Trump administration.

Fractal by Barbara Lane.

I recognize that most people are not wandering around mumbling to themselves about what an awesome, fascinating time this is to be alive. I think that most of us are grateful to get through the day in decent shape, hoping the new administration doesn’t wake up one morning and decide it’s a good day to nuke Denmark or North Korea. Anyone concerned about women ought to be very concerned right now.
Yet even in some mythical less-chaotic era, humans tend to be so invested in our mundane lives that we don’t notice how beautiful and unusual things are, which is another way of saying that we miss the potential of our moment.

Without hyping things too much, and recognizing that the human race is flirting with extinction, and currently having its time, its mind, its soul and its relationships sucked out through its portable telephones, I’m here to say pay attention. We may have a rare moment of claiming back some of what’s gone missing.

On Sunday evening, Mercury stations retrograde in early Taurus, which lasts until May 3, just before Beltane. The degree where Mercury is currently stationary-retrograde is one associated with leaving the past behind. In our most personal lives, we do arrive at those moments where we know the future has arrived, which may simply mean an interval of paying attention to the exact moment we’re in.

The current astrology describes this in metaphor, as a kind of mental edge. Taurus is a lot more intense than any astrology book I’ve ever read gives it credit for being. There’s a mental quality to this sign, which is now being accentuated by Mercury slow and powerful in this sign.

Read more…

Moon Phase: Moon is in First Quarter phase and enters Waxing Gibbous phase on April 7 at 2:24 am PDT / 5:24 am EDT (09:24:02 UTC).
Next Full Moon is in Libra on April 10-11 at 11:08 pm PDT / 2:08 am EDT (06:08:02 UTC).
Next New Moon is in Taurus on April 26 at 5:16 am PDT / 8:16 am EDT (12:16:04 UTC).
Moon Sign: Moon is in Virgo and enters Libra on April 9 at 5:34 am PDT / 8:34 am EDT (12:34:11 UTC).
Sun Degree: 18-19 Aries.

Planetary Stations and Sign Changes
Moon enters Virgo at 9:19 pm April 6 PDT / 12:19 am EDT (04:19:34 UTC).

Interesting Selected Aspects | Data by Serennu
— Mercury conjunct 1992 QB1 at 11:14 pm April 6 PDT / 2:14 am EDT (06:14:14 UTC).
— Chiron square Ixion at 4:56 am PDT / 7:56 am EDT (11:55:44 UTC).
— Sun square Cyllarus at 8:23 am PDT / 11:23 am EDT (15:23:05 UTC).
— Mars opposite Ceto at 10:45 am PDT / 1:45 pm EDT (17:45:19 UTC).
— Sun opposite Jupiter at 2:39 pm PDT / 5:39 pm EDT (21:38:52 UTC).

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If Your Birthday is April 7
(The Day of Enthusiastic Belief) | Aries Birthday Reading | All Other Signs
There is a difference between confidence and being over-confident, and between enjoying a little treat and over-indulging. But where is the line? Sometimes you can only find out by crossing it, and that can be informative, if not enjoyable. However, there’s something to keep in mind, particularly regarding things like creative or professional collaborations: if you feel like you have all the answers or like nothing can go wrong, remind yourself to step back so you can see how others are really feeling. You’ll inspire people with your positivity better when you can actually hear and feel where they’re at, and respond sensitively.

Written in the Planets
Notice today if you seem to cross a threshold in your thinking, especially when it comes to artistic or financial matters. Mercury is making a conjunction to the unnamed object 1992 QB1 in Taurus today. Yet Mercury is in its pre-retrograde shadow phase (it stations retrograde on Sunday, April 9). One way of reading this is that any new mental space you cross into is preparing the way for a deeper insight when Mercury stations. Yet the timing of this conjunction also means that Mercury will meet up with 1992 QB1 again as it seemingly moves backwards, and then a third time after it has stationed direct. Have you ever had to go in and out of your house multiple times because you keep realizing you’ve forgotten things you need to bring with you? This setup looks a little like that. Each time you cross that threshold, see if you can retain and build on what you learn.

Today is Thursday, April 6, 2017
Hebrew date is 10 Nisan 5777
Islamic date is 9 Rajab 1438

Mayan Tzolk’in Day is 11 Manik’
Mayan Long Count is 13.0.4.6.7
Julian Day is 2457850

Today’s Birthdays: Raphael (1483-1520), Arthur Wesley Dow (1857-1922), Leonora Carrington (1917-2011), Gerry Mulligan (1927-1996), Ram Dass (1931), Billy Dee Williams (1937), Barry Levinson (1942), Felicity Palmer (1944), Marilu Henner (1952), Michael Rooker (1955), John Pizzarelli (1960), Derrick May (1963), Candace Cameron Bure (1976), Imani Coppola (1978), Myleene Klass (1978), Rick Cosnett (1983), Charlie McDermott (1990).

“I help people as a way to work on myself, and I work on myself to help people… To me, that’s what the emerging game is all about.”
— Ram Dass

Moon Phase: Moon is in First Quarter phase and enters Waxing Gibbous phase on April 7 at 2:24 am PDT / 5:24 am EDT (09:24:02 UTC).
Next Full Moon is in Libra on April 10-11 at 11:08 pm PDT / 2:08 am EDT (06:08:02 UTC).
Next New Moon is in Taurus on April 26 at 5:16 am PDT / 8:16 am EDT (12:16:04 UTC).
Moon Sign: Moon is in Leo and enters Virgo tonight at 9:19 pm PDT / 12:19 am April 7 EDT (04:19:34 UTC).
Sun Degree: 17-18 Aries.

Planetary Stations and Sign Changes
Saturn stations retrograde at 10:06 pm April 5 PDT / 1:06 pm EDT (05:05:41 UTC).

Interesting Selected Aspects | Data by Serennu
— Mars trine Pluto at 9:00 pm April 5 PDT / midnight EDT (04:00:39 UTC).
— Mercury trine Orius at 10:27 pm April 5 PDT / 1:27 am EDT (05:26:42 UTC).
— Pallas opposite Makemake at 7:36 am PDT / 10:36 am EDT (14:36:07 UTC).
— Venus trine Varuna at 7:31 pm PDT / 10:31 pm EDT (02:31:33 April 7 UTC).

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If Your Birthday is April 6
(The Day of the Experimenter) | Aries Birthday Reading | All Other Signs
This could prove to be one of those times when you can really accomplish something important, especially in terms of a creative project. Someone close might have a useful idea to offer. What’s clear is that you need to think outside the box. If you find yourself dismissing something as impossible, question that belief.

Written in the Planets
One possible interpretation of Saturn’s station retrograde today seems to be the importance of a healing space, whether physical or metaphorical. We all need somewhere we can go to rest and from which we can emerge refreshed. If you have a place in mind, you might consider visiting there soon, and perhaps deepening your relationship with it over the next few weeks. If nothing else, we all benefit from a little respite.

Today is Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Hebrew date is 9 Nisan 5777
Islamic date is 8 Rajab 1438

Mayan Tzolk’in Day is 10 Kimi
Mayan Long Count is 13.0.4.6.6
Julian Day is 2457849

Today’s Birthdays: Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), Adrienne Lecouvreur (1692-1730), Joseph Lister (1827-1912), Booker T. Washington (1856-1915), Spencer Tracy (1900-1967), Bette Davis (1908-1989), Gregory Peck (1916-2003), Nigel Hawthorne (1929-2001), Ronald White (1939-1995), Jane Asher (1946), Agnetha Faltskog (1950), Mitch Pileggi (1952), Anthony Horowitz (1955), Mike McCready (1966), Paula Cole (1968), Stewart Lee (1968), Pharrell Williams (1973), Caitlin Moran (1975), Hayley Atwell (1982), Jidenna (1985), Lily James (1989).

“In any country, regardless of what its laws say, wherever people act upon the idea that the disadvantage of one man is the good of another, there slavery exists. Wherever, in any country the whole people feel that the happiness of all is dependent upon the happiness of the weakest, there freedom exists.”
— Booker T. Washington

Moon Phase: Moon is in First Quarter phase and enters Waxing Gibbous phase on April 7 at 2:24 am PDT / 5:24 am EDT (09:24:02 UTC).
Next Full Moon is in Libra on April 10-11 at 11:08 pm PDT / 2:08 am EDT (06:08:02 UTC).
Next New Moon is in Taurus on April 26 at 5:16 am PDT / 8:16 am EDT (12:16:04 UTC).
Moon Sign: Moon is in Leo and enters Virgo on April 6-7 at 9:19 pm PDT / 12:19 am EDT (04:19:34 UTC).
Sun Degree: 16-17 Aries.

Planetary Stations and Sign Changes
No changes today.

Interesting Selected Aspects | Data by Serennu
— Ceres opposite Ceto at noon PDT / 3:00 pm EDT (19:00:38 UTC).
— Vesta square Eris at 12:54 pm PDT / 3:54 pm EDT (19:53:41 UTC).
— Vesta conjunct Thereus at 6:33 pm PDT / 9:33 pm EDT (01:33:25 April 6 UTC).
— Pallas opposite Logos at 7:07 pm PDT / 10:07 pm EDT (02:07:23 April 6 UTC).

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If Your Birthday is April 5
(The Day of Consequence) | Aries Birthday Reading | All Other Signs
In what ways do your own needs and ambitions mirror the needs of society? That is, see if you can identify the ways that you can contribute positively to the world around you at the same time that you go after something you’re eager to address or upgrade for yourself. You may be able to do so at this time without kicking up much resistance (if any) from others. The more creative you can be, and the more tangible your actions, the better for all involved.

Written in the Planets
You don’t have to sacrifice yourself to the chaos of this world — emotionally or otherwise — just to be an engaged, caring being. And there are ways to show your devotion to your fellow humans that do not hog-tie you with technology, or to the PR game of social media. Yet today’s square between Vesta in Cancer and Eris (and Uranus) in Aries might have you wondering. Ceres in Taurus, in a loose sextile to Vesta, is reminding you to bring yourself back to basics: eat nourishing food; get enough sleep; move, stretch and massage your body; give your sexual energy healthy outlets (including solo). A daily yoga of self-care can offer a world of support as you give yourself in service to those you care about.

Today is Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Hebrew date is 8 Nisan 5777
Islamic date is 7 Rajab 1438

Mayan Tzolk’in Day is 9 Chikchan
Mayan Long Count is 13.0.4.6.5
Julian Day is 2457848

Today’s Birthdays: Joseph-Nicolas Delisle (1688-1768), Edward Hicks (1780-1849), Dorothea Dix (1802-1887), Philippa Fawcett (1868-1948), Arthur Murray (1895-1991), Muddy Waters (1913-1983), Maya Angelou (1928-2014), Anthony Perkins (1932-1992), Elizabeth Levy (1942), Junior Braithwaite (1949-1999), Shing-Tung Yau (1949), Hugo Weaving (1960), Graham Norton (1963), Robert Downey Jr. (1965), Greg Garcia (1970), Jill Scott (1972), David Blaine (1973), Heath Ledger (1979-2008), Natasha Lyonne (1979), Currensy (1981), Eric Andre (1983), Sarah Gadon (1987).

“Without courage we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.”
— Maya Angelou

Moon Phase: Moon is in First Quarter phase and enters Waxing Gibbous phase on April 7 at 2:24 am PDT / 5:24 am EDT (09:24:02 UTC).
Next Full Moon is in Libra on April 10-11 at 11:08 pm PDT / 2:08 am EDT (06:08:02 UTC).
Next New Moon is in Taurus on April 26 at 5:16 am PDT / 8:16 am EDT (12:16:04 UTC).
Moon Sign: Moon is in Cancer and enters Leo today at 3:13 pm PDT / 6:13 pm EDT (22:13:14 UTC).
Sun Degree: 15-16 Aries.

Planetary Stations and Sign Changes
Moon enters Leo at 3:13 pm PDT / 6:13 pm EDT (22:13:14 UTC).

Interesting Selected Aspects | Data by Serennu
— Mars opposite Deucalion at 11:16 pm April 3 PDT / 2:16 am EDT (06:16:35 UTC).
— Mercury conjunct Pelion at 12:10 am PDT / 3:10 am EDT (07:10:03 UTC).
— Pallas opposite Elatus at 8:32 am PDT / 11:32 am EDT (15:32:07 UTC).
— Sun square Juno at 12:25 pm PDT / 3:25 pm EDT (19:25:35 UTC).
— Mars square Sila-Nunam at 7:09 pm PDT / 10:09 pm EDT (02:09:05 April 5 UTC).

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If Your Birthday is April 4
(The Day of Initiative) | Aries Birthday Reading | All Other Signs
Once you have gained experience, it cannot be lost. You can try to ignore what you’ve learned, but why would you? Developing skills, healing pain, growing, creating art, and the integration of pleasant sensations and responses all depend upon building on one’s experience. If today you confront some form of “starting all over,” especially sexually or in some other physical/material way, take heart. You’re not actually starting from scratch; you have the full benefit of all the physical and emotional experience you’ve gained over the years. That stuff is gold.

Written in the Planets
In Demetra George’s book Asteroid Goddesses, she relates Gloria Steinem’s famous answer to the question, “Why didn’t you ever get married?” Steinem, who has the Sun in Aries square Juno in Capricorn, replied, “I don’t mate well in captivity.” Her pithy retort offers good clues about what kind of dynamic is afoot today, as the transiting Aries Sun squares transiting Juno in Capricorn. It might not relate to literal sex and marriage for you, but it does suggest the feeling of intense personal desire (and identity) running up against traditional social or relational limits of some kind. With Pluto in Capricorn within range of this aspect, it would seem that evolving beyond ego conflicts and outdated institutions is in the cards. How will you play your hand?

Today is Monday, April 3, 2017
Hebrew date is 7 Nisan 5777
Islamic date is 6 Rajab 1438

Mayan Tzolk’in Day is 8 K’an
Mayan Long Count is 13.0.4.6.4
Julian Day is 2457847

Today’s Birthdays: Washington Irving (1783-1859), Anne Lister (1791-1840), Marlon Brando (1924-2004), Tony Benn (1925-2014), Jane Goodall (1934), Marsha Mason (1942), Wayne Newton (1942), Tony Orlando (1944), Sandra Boynton (1953), Alec Baldwin (1958), Francesca Woodman (1958-1981), David Hyde Pierce (1959), Eddie Murphy (1961), Charlotte Coleman (1968-2001), Aries Spears (1975), Leona Lewis (1985), Amanda Bynes (1986).

“How convenient it would be to many of our great men and great families of doubtful origin, could they have the privilege of the heroes of yore, who, whenever their origin was involved in obscurity, modestly announced themselves descended from a god.”
— Washington Irving

Venus Retrograde, in Pisces, Approaching Chiron

Over the weekend, Venus retrograded into Pisces. The retrograde began March 4 in Aries, which means that for months, Venus will be walking between the two signs, giving us some contrast between the extraverted nature of Aries and the introverted nature of Pisces. This is Part II of the retrograde: the last phase, which ends on April 15 with Venus stationing direct in an extended and meaningful conjunction to Chiron.

Fractal. Credit: Barbara A Lane.

Venus is one of the more palpable planets; we can feel her, and want to feel her. She carries a lot of weight in our culture, perhaps a little too much. Much of what we struggle with comes back to Venus, particularly our perception and experience of women, of beauty, of the attractive force, and most of all, of values. Values means priorities; the basis by which we decide what is important.

Now with Venus in Pisces, the emphasis is more on feeling and less on appearances; more on aesthetics and less on impressing people. In spiritual terms, more on soul and less on ego. And as Venus retrogrades back through Pisces, ending its retrograde in a conjunction to Chiron, we might feel all these matters come to a head.

Much of the frenetic quality of the winter season involved Mercury and Venus in Aries, combined with the equinox and the third contact of the Uranus-Eris conjunction. Thankfully there’s been plenty else happening in Pisces, providing some grounding in the world of beauty; though for many, it’s equally confusing: Neptune in Pisces is not easy for everyone, a theme which deserves more discussion.

Venus ingressing Pisces will help cool things off, at least. Combined with Mercury leaving Aries and moving into Taurus last week, which has a similar effect, at least there’s more emphasis on feminine qualities and feminine signs.

Now, my take on Venus retrograde into a long conjunction with Chiron is that it’s going to be deep, and call upon us to offer a real response. Chiron emphasizes the need for healing. In Pisces this is about the at-times subtle, at-times urgent, call of God/Goddess/Source, however you may think of this very real thing.

Read more…

Moon Phase: Moon is in Waxing Crescent phase and enters First Quarter phase today at 11:39 am PDT / 2:39 pm EDT (18:39:21 UTC).
Next Full Moon is in Libra on April 10-11 at 11:08 pm PDT / 2:08 am EDT (06:08:02 UTC).
Next New Moon is in Taurus on April 26 at 5:16 am PDT / 8:16 am EDT (12:16:04 UTC).
Moon Sign: Moon is in Cancer and enters Leo on April 4 at 3:13 pm PDT / 6:13 pm EDT (22:13:14 UTC).
Sun Degree: 14-15 Aries.

Planetary Stations and Sign Changes
No changes today.

Interesting Selected Aspects | Data by Serennu
— Sun square Chariklo at 6:02 am PDT / 9:02 am EDT (13:01:46 UTC).
— Venus square Pholus at 11:07 am PDT / 2:07 pm EDT (18:06:52 UTC).
— Sun trine Great Attractor at 11:44 am PDT / 2:44 pm EDT (18:44:17 UTC).
— Mars conjunct Bienor at 12:12 pm PDT / 3:12 pm EDT (19:12:28 UTC).
— Uranus opposite Haumea at 4:16 pm PDT / 7:16 pm EDT (23:15:51 UTC).

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If Your Birthday is April 3
(The Day of the Fulcrum) | Aries Birthday Reading | All Other Signs
Some people just have to get involved in how we direct our lives. They can’t seem to prevent themselves from offering firm opinions on what we should do. When facing a decision of any moment, it can certainly be handy to have advice; yet sometimes that advice may obscure the variety of possible options. Listen to others if you wish; but take the time to understand what is available, and above all trust yourself.

Written in the Planets
We are often stronger and more resilient than we give ourselves credit for. Aspects by Mars and Venus suggest that even if feelings run high, and amid much uncertainty in the world, there is a robust core inside us that can withstand a good deal of buffeting. This does require that you nurture your self-esteem and self-understanding. In order to hold to a principle, you first need to know what it is you believe.