Pluto Station Retrograde: May 1, 2023

 

In this 18th century Dutch engraving, Pluto reclines in a chariot pulled by Cerberus.

RIJKSMUSEUM PD

Pluto 

 

Jan 8, 2023: Pluto enters shadow (27 Cap 53) 

March 23, 2023 Pluto enters Aquarius 

May 1, 2023 Pluto retrogrades (0 Aquarius 22) 

June 11, 2023, Pluto returns to Capricorn

October 10, 2023, Pluto stations direct (27 Capricorn 53) 

January 20, 2024, Pluto returns to Aquarius 

Feb 1 Pluto leaves Shadow (0 Aquarius 22) 

 

Jan 9, 2024, Pluto enters shadow (29 Cap 38) 

May 2, 2024, Pluto stations retrograde (2 Aquarius 06) 

Sept 3, 2024, Pluto re-enters Capricorn 

Oct 11, 2024, Pluto stations direct (29 Cap 38) 

Nov. 19, 2024 Pluto re-enters Aquarius 

Feb 2, 2025, Pluto leaves shadow (2 Aquarius 06) 

 

Oh, Pluto you really know how to pull focus.   Pluto carries so much punch and when it makes a move into a new sign, it gets the world’s attention. We are in the middle of a two year period where Pluto will move in and out of Capricorn and Aquarius.  

 

In Capricorn, Pluto is tying up the loose ends of big business, big government, and with those who are leaders.  Where there is a disconnect, it will get called out.  Where obligations are not being met, it will be noted.   Those who are shirking responsibility will be seen and called out.    Why?   Because Pluto knows that once it finally leaves Capricorn on November 19, 2024, it won’t return for over two hundred years.   As for Aquarius, the last time Pluto was in Aquarius was 1778 – 1798.   That time included the end of the American Revolution, the founding of the USA and The French Revolution.  We are seeing racial themes that harken back to that time where the authors of the Constitution protected slavery.   As for the French Revolution; weird weather, crop failures, cattle disease, and funding wars, created dissent with the neglected French citizens.  By the time of the French Revolution, Pluto was halfway through Aquarius.  Remember Pluto is in Aquarius for twenty years.   Now, during this two-year window of Pluto bouncing between Capricorn and Aquarius, leaders may fall and others may rise, depending on how they connect to the wants and needs of those they serve.  As we know, Pluto can use crisis to get attention.   It will be curious to see what events in these two years that will be harbingers for the next twenty.   

 

 

Since March 23, when Pluto moved into Aquarius some of us may have felt something growing.  Perhaps a need or force to crack something open, break free and do something unusual.  Those people with planets at early Aquarius, Taurus, Leo and Scorpio could be feeling an angst.  Maybe the tension or anxiety makes sense or maybe it is coming from somewhere they don’t understand.   On May 1, Pluto stations retrograde and begins to head back to Capricorn which might give a little relief to those with the fixed sign (early degree) planets.    Pluto spends about five months every year retrograde, and this retrograde has a shadow point from Jan. 6.   Issues and themes that came up between now and then may get a revisit after May 1^st.   

April 23 - 30

 

While the New Moon ends on Sunday April 23 and moves into Crescent phase, the cycle still is a 29-day period of a (second) Aries lunar month.   We continue to be informed during all the phases as to who we are as individuals.  Where we need to be pioneers and where we find independence.  During Crescent we have a lot of sextiles which will bring a lot of stimulation and perhaps guideposts for where self-agency serves us.    That voice inside you---take a listen.   When we move into 1^st quarter we may take steps and bigger moves that once again show us how to show up for self.    A very interesting week.

 

Obviously, we have fuzziness with Mercury retrograde.  So, take a beat and do research to make sure your facts all line up before signing anything, etc.  

 

 

 

Crescent Moon Phase

April 23, 2023

1:42pm PDT  

 

 

Focus on: What are you learning about your communication abilities?  What are you learning about your ability to pivot?  What are you learning about the facts on the ground?   What are you learning from neighbors and siblings?  

 

 

Special Focus

4/23: Mars sextile Mercury.  Actions and thoughts are in sync.  

4/24: Sun conjunction North Node.  Finding self in a sea of others is highlighted. 

4/25: Sun sextile Saturn.  Concrete wants and needs meet structure, discipline, and hard work.  

4/25: Venus sextile Chiron.  Joy and pleasures support any healing needed around independence.  

 

First Quarter Moon 

April 27, 2023

2:19pm PDT 

 

 

 

Focus on:  How are you taking actions that support your independence and finding your own path?   How are you tapping personal integrity?  How are you finding your inner strength?  How are you tapping bravery?   How are you willing to take an action and shine?  How are you willing to be the center of attention?  

 

 

Special Note

 

4/29 :  Mars sextile Uranus.  Actions that support creativity.  Actions that are in alignment with brilliance, breakthroughs and even a little weirdness.  

 

Mercury retrograde April 21 - May 14

 

Mercury from Mythopedia 

Mercury Dates 

April 7, 5:02am shadow begins 

April 21, 1:35am PDT station retrograde 15 Taurus 37

May 14, 8:17pm PDT station direct 5 Taurus 50 

May 31, 12:39pm PDT shadow ends 

 

 

Adding to the potency of the period, Mercury stations retrograde within 48 hours of the new moon/eclipse.    Since January we have been enjoying every planet traveling in direct motion.   No surprise that Mercury who is usually retrograde three or four times a year is the first planet in 2023 to retrograde.  

 

During the retrograde, Mercury will go from 15 to 5 Taurus.   Like the other earth signs, Taurus is focused on practicality.   Taurus is THE sign, of all signs, to put its head down and do the work.   When given a task Taurus will do it until it is complete.  Taurus is known for building things from the ground up.  Look no further than the great pyramids in Egypt who were built during the Age of Taurus.  Mercury is our brains and thinking.   

During the retrograde we may observe parts of our life that are missing that Taurus discipline and focus.  Maybe this is the steely resolve we find, to use that focus where it is needed.   Or, we could find ourselves doing a task we do all the time and now it feels ‘off’’.    Taurus, ruled by Venus, is a sign that relies on being connected to our values.  We could start thinking about narrowing who, what and where gets our energy.   How are we spending our time, energy, and resources?   Are they in sync with our values?  We just look at everything with more practicality.   

Of course, Mercury retrogrades are notorious for being fuzzy so we should double check facts before we jump on someone or something.   The good news is that Taurus prefers being slow and knows how to take a beat and not race into something which could include being too dismissive or jettisoning something that we may later regret.   Use this Mercury retrograde to double down on things that support your values but before you ditch or get ugly, take a breath, and consider making big decisions after the three-week retrograde is complete.   

Also this Mercury retrograde has a tie in with the retrograde of Jupiter later in the year.  Jupiter will be retrograding exactly over the same Taurus degrees that Mercury goes back and forth over during this retrograde.    This gives us more reason to watch what comes up during the Mercury retrograde and then the Jupiter transit especially between the shadow points of June 11, 2023 and March 24, 2024 to see if there are any common themes both personally and globally.      

 

Aries New Moon #2 - April 19, 2023

 

Aries New Moon 

Solar Eclipse 

April 19, 2023 

20 Aries 50 

Here we are with the biggest opportunity of 2023, a second Aries New Moon.   For those who did not make a treasure map last month at the first Aries New Moon, you can do it with this second bite of the Aries apple.    This new moon is fire but shortly after it launches the earthy Taurus energy will begin to penetrate.   Earth can put out fire which can snuff the fire of Aries however, the astrological influences of this new moon which is an eclipse are strong, plus the other aspects during this cycle suggest that the fire can instead heat the earth into steel .    Gather your energy, find your independence, activate your inner warrior and consider what you want for the next year.  Your steel sword will be by your side all year.   You will find my whole report for this new moon  HERE.  

Astrology for April 9 - April 16.

 

I am happy to report that the Libra Full moon, with all its thrills and spills, has now passed and we are in the waning phases of disseminating, last quarter and balsamic.  On April 10th, Venus moves out of Taurus and into Gemini.  Beauty, money, pleasure, creativity take a lighter form.  Desire to move about, get up, bring in new influences is highlighted.  Flexibilty and changes brings new joy.  In addition the second aspect between an inner planet and Pluto since its ingress in Aquarius takes place this week.  On April 11, Venus trines Pluto.   Playful, mercurial, fun and values in sync with groups, associations, social endeavors.   Money could be in the news as well, there is some influx of new energy perhaps through new alliances.     

Additionally, the sun conjuncts Jupiter on April 11th.  Watch the news for some event that speaks of  Big energy,  Big Force. Big Move for Self Interest.  There could be a tapping of authentic warrior spirit.  There may be enthusiasm and perhaps an opportunity to bridge with others.   Go big or go home is felt by many.    Not a small day for sure.    

Saturn brings a somberness on the 14th.   Venus squares Saturn and Saturn sextile North Node.  We want to retreat, we want quiet and solitude.    We may feel or see coldness.  Our creativity could feel blocked or there there is a feeling of being put on ice.   At the same time, if we are called to build any structures or make concrete actions we benefit by tapping faith.   

Normally, the waning phases of the Aries new moon would start to feel less energetic, less fiery as it heads to the Taurus new moon.   However, this year is different, as the March Aries New moon wraps up, it is heading us right into the second Aries New Moon on April 19th at 9:12pm PDT.    Aries energy spirit is still with us, still some fighting, tangling up, doing what we can to find self.   Self agency will continue to be tapped.   For those people who did not make a Treasure Map on the March new moon, you get another shot starting with the April 19th New Moon.     Make your map! 

Disseminating

April 9, 2023

2:24pm PDT       

     

 

Focus on:   How are you sharing your wisdom?  How are you seeking wisdom from others?  Where are you finding a teacher who can share knowledge?   How are you sharing your ability to expand your world?  How are you building doors to others?  How are you building bridges?  

 

 

Special focus:

4/10 : Venus ingress Gemini 

4/11 Venus trine Pluto (see above) 

4/11: Sun conjunction Jupiter.  (see above) 

 

Last Quarter Moon Phase

April 13, 2023 

2:11am   

   

 

Last Quarter moon:  Now we do the final adjustments to the seeds we planted on new. The final call, the final letters to send, we follow all the trails that came up that still make sense.  And we let the other parts lay fallow. It is a time of action but wise action.  It is a time for living “The serenity prayer” 

 

God, grant me the Serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change Courage to change the
things I can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference.

 

 

 

Focus on:

How are you taking actions that capitalize on your place in the world?  How are you taking actions that speak to your leadership for others?  How are you acting out in the world that speaks up to authority?  

 

 

 

Special focus 

4/14:  Venus square Saturn.  

4/14: Saturn sextile North Node.  

 

Balsamic Moon Phase

 

April 16, 2023 

11:07am PDT 

 

 

Balsamic:   We let go.  By releasing we can prepare for the new.  

 

 

Focus on:  How are you releasing your fuzziness?  How are you releasing vagueness?  How are you releasing any victim patterns?   

 

 

Special focus:

 

 

The Second Aries New Moon April 19, 2023 9:12pm PDT 29 Aries 50   

 

 

Libra Full Moon - April 5, 9:34pm PDT

 

Libra Full Moon

16 Libra 07

April 5, 2023 

9:34pm PDT 

 

As always, a full moon is when the Sun and the Moon are opposite each other.   The full moon is a teeter totter where we are challenged to find the equilibrium of the two energies during this three day dance.    

 

During the Aries, Libra teeter totter the dance is between self and partner.     For two weeks we may have been driven by self-agency, “What do I need?”  “What should I do?   Now on the full moon we stop and look at the main people in our life.   We look at our partners.     Maybe someone has been sitting off to the side waiting for your attention.    Maybe you have been missing an opportunity with your partner.   While spouses and partners in relationships speak to Libra so do partners in nonromantic matters like business.    There is also the possibility that if the last two weeks you have been doing for others and there has been no SELF actions, then the full moon will get our attention and we realize we have to hit pause and swing to self.   

 

On this full moon the Sun is in conjunction with Jupiter opposing Moon.    Jupiter is big.  There could be some big component to the three-day phase, big feelings, big actions, big noise, big force.   Self still needs our attention, but Libra looks for balance.  If loud enters the room, Libra responds with quiet.  If hot enters the room, Libra brings cold.    Watch the full moon for your impulse and reaction.   Do you find yourself doing the opposite?    Of course, the challenge is to go deeper below the reactions.   Can you tap the need to do for self and stay alert to others?  How does this open you up for opportunities?    If your partner really wants to do ____ (fill in the blank) and you have been resistant, maybe now is the time to say yes.   That willingness to do something new or do something with your partner speaks to Libra’s willingness to share and tapping balance.  

 

The Sun is also in conjunction with Chiron again opposing Moon.  Chiron is a minor planet but has a punch.  Chiron is our wounded healer.  Chiron entered Aries in 2018/2019 where it is staying until 2027.   Aries has high energy, impulsive and warrior spirit, it is not satisfied by the old way especially if the old is perceived as broken.  Between acting versus sitting on broken or sitting on pain, action is preferred.    The last time Chiron was in Aries was 1968-1977 and before that was 1918-1927.  It is interesting that in our current Chiron in Aries era and the 1918 era both had a world pandemic.    In the late 60’s and now, Chiron brought emphasis on social inequities.   This full moon may point out inequities in some form or fashion.  We may see one set of rules for one group of people versus another group.  Doors that open for some and not others.   Something that appears unfair could get attention.   Because it is a wounded hero the lessons may appear to be a major problem.  Will there be a healthy reaction with concrete answers or just an angry reaction?    Not an easy aspect for this full moon. 

 

Uranus, the planet of disruption is also in the chart with an inconjunct to the moon and semi sextile to the Sun.   Uranus is the planet of chaos.   Uranus brings taps an out of the blue energy.  Everything can be set to unroll out one way, then something from left field lands and will need our attention.   Watch the news during this three-day phase for stories that are weird on some level but still in some strange way may be a healing.   Excitement and anxiety fill the full moon along with electricity and perhaps a bit of rebellion.    On a personal level, there may be opportunities that are darn right strange but if you can open yourself up to something new and weird, it may bring a fresh perspective.   

 

While it is a bumpy moon by any measure, Libra always reminds us to find and tap kindness.    If you look in the other person’s eyes and find yourself in the reflection it will bring healing.  

Pluto 4/3 & 4/11

 

Pluto, almost with a heart.  

Once Pluto moved into Aquarius on March 23, these first planetary aspects as it might provide some heads up to Pluto’s new themes. 

Watch what comes up on and around these dates. 

 

4/3: Mercury square Pluto.  Mercury is in Taurus, calm and deliberate, often plodding and sometimes stubborn thinking.  At odds with rigid, penetrating, group consciousness.   Tension that smolders.  

 

4/11 Venus trine Pluto.   Playful, mercurial, fun values in sync with groups, associations, social endeavors for joy and love.