Taurus Ingress, New Moon in Taurus

Today, shortly after noon time here in the EDT time zone Sun moves into “feet on the ground” Taurus.  Taurus is a very sensuous, luxury loving, practical earth sign.  When a planet or “light” (Sun and Moon) enters a new sign astrologers cast a chart for that moment. This is called an Ingress chart.  The theory is that this chart will provide clues to what events and concerns will be prevalent while the planet or light moves through that sign.  The Sun’s transit through a sign and the corresponding Lunation cycle offer useful tools to use if you want to get in sync with the rhythms of the universe.  The Sun’s importance in the life cycle cannot be underestimated. We could not live without the Sun.  In astrology the Sun is the creative spark, the core self and everything else in the horoscope is filtered through the Sun’s position.  When the Sun travels through a particular house in the horoscope it literally lights up and activates the symbolism, ideas, people and events associated with that house.  A first house transit is very different from a twelfth house transit.  We shine and feel energetic and assertive while Sun travels through our first house, while a twelfth house transit often has us feeling fatigued and content to work behind the scenes.

This Ingress chart set for Washington, DC has some interesting planetary configurations that are in play for the New Moon in Taurus on Saturday, April 21^st.  The asteroid Juno conjoins the North Node in Sagittarius. These two form a favorable trine aspect to a Mercury/Uranus conjunction in Aries.  The asteroid Juno represents marriage, relationship, and the harmony and discord within relationships.  The Nodes of the Moon symbolize the past and the future.  Nodal contacts between people, IMHO, often means the two have to do “stuff” together. It may or may not be the be all and end all of relationships, but it often takes you out of your comfort zone forcing you to grow. At other times those relationships send you diving for cover back into your comfort zone triggering an awareness of repeating patterns.  Mercury and Uranus together jumps out and says be ready for some startling news.  Mix it all together and what do you get?  In Mythology, Juno is the Roman counterpart to Greek Hera, wife of philandering Zeus.  Juno/Hera was not of the “turn the other cheek” variety she was more the “hell hath no fury” type. Relationships are highlighted for good or ill.

Another important configuration involves a “grand square” with Mars in Virgo, opposing Neptune in Pisces, both squaring the nodal axis, North Node in Sagittarius conjunct the aforementioned Juno, with South Node in Gemini with Venus just out of the picture in Gemini as well. Mars is all about action, energy and how we assert ourselves. In Virgo the Martian energy is focused on analyzing, organizing, work, health, and diet. In Virgo it is important to express anger and not let it build up for it is sure to affect the health. While Mars in Virgo is all for the concrete and real across the Zodiac sits Neptune in Pisces wallowing in the mystical and magical at work dissolving walls and boundaries.  Whatever Neptune in Pisces is, it is not clear. If it is clear, it is clear to those who are highly evolved.  The Mother Theresa’s and Buddhist monk among us tune into Neptune in Pisces’ highest vibration in direct communication with the Goddess/God and walking the path of righteousness. Those less evolved don the rose colored glasses and often seek the divine in a bottle of booze.  

Last, but certainly not least, is the Grand Trine between the New Moon,  Sun/Moon in Taurus trine Mars in Virgo (Mars is busy in Virgo), and Pluto in Capricorn.  Now trines are considered aspects of ease and a Grand Trine can be a blessing in the natal chart as it indicates talents that come easily.  But just because it is easy does not mean that it is good. One must not forget that Mars’, in shy, retiring Virgo or not, first order of business is war and aggression.  Pluto brings transformation and issues of power and control to the fore.  Pluto rules debt, interest rates and the like. New Moon in Venus ruled Taurus is about love and money.  This is a Grand Trine in earth, nothing mystical here.  This Grand Trine will manifest in the real world.

Love, money and assorted relationships will top the list of concerns facing people this month.  Some relationships will end with a sparkling explosion while some of the more casual will deepen into a serious commitment. The issues of honesty, faithfulness and gaining trust will test many. By the Full Moon on May 5^th it’s all going to hit the fan. Money and the misuse of funds, love and betrayal, deception and truth create a mine field of intense emotion.  Many will shoot off their mouth without thinking.  While a lot may need to be said, think.  Are you done with this situation? Can anything be salvaged from this relationship? Or is it time to move on?  Last Quarter Moon, with Moon in Aquarius trining practical Saturn tones down the emotional roller coaster and brings some rationality into the picture.  Last Quarter Moon is a good time to end things. Ending or not different attitudes and feelings develop after the Sun moves into Gemini May 20^th and the next Lunation cycle begins.  This New Moon will be a Solar Eclipse in Gemini. A new cycle, new attitude and new ideas bring a fresh perspective.

April Fools’ Day Let the Fun Begin– Venus in Gemini, Mercury Direct

Before dawn on Sunday April Fools’ Day Moon moves into fun loving, fiery Leo. Everyone’s a star while Moon travels through this show biz sign. People are ambitious, looking for romance and need approval for the next couple of days. Be wary of April Fools’ Day jokes that backfire or have unexpected results when Moon forms a sparkling aspect to Uranus on Sunday afternoon.  This energy favors change, opportunity and independent action.  Get out there and find new friends and new prospects.

 Monday morning Sun and Moon fire up the beginning of the work week. Enthusiasm reigns.  When Moon squares off with Jupiter in solid Taurus, expect a few flies in the ointment.  Especially when it comes to money and any plans to improve the diet, Jupiter comes with a big appetite and often promises more than can be delivered.

Tuesday dawns with purpose, do your job and take care of business as Leo Moon joins forces with sober Saturn. Mid morning Moon and Venus, at odds with one another, bring mood swings and difficulty in relationships.  Moon goes void of course for a big 6 minutes then enters Virgo.  Here Moon retreats from center stage operating more comfortably in the background. Virgo Moon prefers the intellectual over the emotional. Tasks that require attention to detail or organization do well under this Moon.  Use this energy to clean the house, rearrange storage space and sort what is good from what is ready for the dustbin. Before noon Venus moves into flirtatious Gemini.  Sociability increases, folks make many contacts but not many with staying power. Venus in Gemini is easily bored. After lunch, Moon opposes Neptune and relationships hit another snag. Be wary of deception, especially self deception. By evening commute time Moon, in lock step with Mars warns against impulsive actions and outbursts of anger. Chill. 

 During the wee hours of Wednesday, April 4^th in the Eastern Time Zone Moon connects with Pluto and dreams reveal some deep psychological issue.  As the Sun rises, Mercury stations and begins to move in direct motion. Hurray and halleluiah! Projects on hold begin to move along, information flows and facts previously unknown are revealed. Virgo Moon, making nice, nice with Jupiter promises good opportunity for those on the lookout.

 Moon goes void of course at 1:37 AM EDT Thursday making a last aspect with newly direct Mercury setting the stage for the revelation of new facts.   Moon slides into Libra at 11:32 AM EDT ending the void period.  Libra Moon highlights partnerships, harmony, and social gatherings.  This is not the time to “go it alone”; Libra Moon encourages interaction with others, preferably in pleasant surroundings.  In the afternoon Moon and Libra’s ruler Venus form a harmonious blend. This is a good time to try and resolve any difficulties and disagreements in relationships.  All is peace, love and goodwill.  Complete any discussions before Moon faces off with unpredictable, unconventional Uranus around 8PM EDT.   Moon/Uranus combinations are volatile and disruptive.  Libra Moon wants to join forces while Uranus craves independence.  Later Venus squares Neptune an aspect of tension. Venus with Neptune can lead one to believe they have found their true soul mate. The reality is usually quite different.  There is a real danger here of overindulgence in intoxicants of all kinds in order to escape reality. Venus/Neptune contacts offer great opportunities to escape through music, art, prayer and meditation.

Moon squares off with Pluto during the small hours of Good Friday and we wake up to some deep revelation. At 3:19 PM EDT the Full Moon perfects, Libra Moon opposes Aries Sun.  This Full Moon brings eruption, disruption and other assorted shocks.  Thinking is quick, words leap to the lip without any consideration of the havoc those words may create.  Outrageous news and scandalous behavior mar the Easter/Passover weekend.

 Early Saturday morning Moon joins Saturn in an effort to sober everyone up and put them on a more stable track as Moon goes Void of Course.  Entering Scorpio at 11:18 AM EDT, Moon evokes passion and desire.  Intense moods and heightened suspicions create complications when communicating with others.  Throughout the day Moon moves along connecting with Neptune then Mars sparking an overly active imagination, doubt and distrust. Passions ignite when Venus squares off with Mars Saturday night.  Sexual desire demands as all romance gets thrown out the window. This does not sit well with some. Harmony and cooperation becomes difficult.  Take a breath, take a break, and try to relax. Realize that all this discord arises because there is a need under Scorpio Moon to merge with others on a deep, emotional level. We want to feel. Allow passions to cool don’t make a decision in the heat of the moment.  Don’t throw out all that peace and good will generated earlier in the week.  Slow down and try to think dispassionately. What is really going on here?