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Copyright April 2001 by Roxana Muise
All times reflect Daylight Savings Time
This
April, cosmic events include A new and a full Moon; four
planetary ingresses; two conjunctions, two squares, a direct
station, and the heliacal rising of Venus, the first appearance
of Venus as a morning star, after being hidden for three
days by the overwhelming light of the Sun. Venus as a morning
star occurs while she is retrograde. Curious displays of
misdirected energy can erupt in explosive demonstrations
stemming from reactions to feeling unappreciated and unacknowledged.
Decision-making may be difficult this month, as interactions
with others becomes erratic. Energy patterns are dynamic,
as the month begins with Uranus holding all the cards. Expect
the unexpected until April 6, when the patterns become more
contained. Goal setting feeds expansion, which in turn prompts
dialogues supporting accomplishment. These energies continue
to recycle until 4/21, when the need to achieve is objectified
and refined by specific goals. Plans and goals will change,
so be ready to adjust.
4/01 Venus
visible as morning star 6:45 AM, 8:02 Aries Rx. Venus now
becomes more assertive in communicating what she wants.
Transiting Venus aspects of the past 3-5 days symbolize
the need to privately reprocess your values. Have your needs
and desires been acknowledged? While she is still retrograde,
process Venus energy carefully, and consider what you really
want from life. This Venus retrograde (3/10 – 4/21) can
be beneficial as an evaluative period. Impatience needs
to be bridled. Solid opportunities for expansion will appear
in late May.
4/6 Mercury
enters Aries, 12:14 AM Here are the first set of changes:
communications go directly to the heart of the matter. No
more open-ended choices – firm decisions are demanded –
even if they might be incorrect. One needs to pause and
consider the alternatives before making commitments that
might not suit the desired outcomes.
4/7 Full
Moon 18:22 Libra, west coast 8:22 PM, east coast 11:22 PM
Quick action is demanded, but too many possible changes
loom on the horizon. Recall conditions during the January
9th eclipse for insight and clarification. West
coast issues involve unfinished business, hidden from view,
dealing with values and domestic interests. East coast environment
deals with business ethics interactive with personal goals
and unusual methods of communication.
4/8 Mercury
conjuncts Venus Rx 4:09 Aries, 8:25 AM Intense issues may
bring about a tendency to defer decisions to others, through
a sense of unfair burdens. This can bring about regret later.
Survival instincts may surface, overriding false pride.
4/19 Sun
enters Taurus, 5:36 PM Work on self-esteem to promote confidence
in decision-making. Reaffirming steadfast and trusted relationships
brings help in reaching goals. Refurbishment of possessions
or property creates a unique market with an emphasis on
ethical transactions. Venus turns direct 27:01 Aries, 9:36
PM Some will hunger for appreciation, feeling that it is
just out of reach. The dance between desire and achievement
(Venus and Mars) creates tension that will continue until
7/20, when Venus catches Mars in an opposition, and offers
a taste of fulfillment. Meanwhile, pursue your goals with
the knowledge that the objectives will change.
4/20 Saturn
enters Gemini, 2:59 PM We may feel a sense of relief from
the pressures on physicality, as opportunities open for
mental discipline and reason to answer some of the material
problems of the past several years. The reliance on structures
that were perceived as reliable and solid will fade in the
face of new ideas and world models.
4/21 Mercury
enters Taurus, 1:08 PM Horizons will broaden and some paths
will smooth, as we gain agreement between mind and consciousness.
Communications change again during the next week. Steady,
practical issues will get the most attention.
4/23 Sun
conjuncts Mercury 3:17 Taurus, 2:25 AM A mental alignment
with the beautiful and symmetrical awakens an interest in
arts and crafts. New Moon 3:32 Taurus, west coast 8:26 AM,
east coast 11:26 AM New beginnings are possible in a marriage
between the head and the heart. A subjective outlook is
possible – one may see clearly now, from another’s point
of view. Structural growth is possible using solid values.
Intense intuitive experiences may bring about new realizations.
West coast issues deal with connecting the material with
non-physical reality, or bringing hidden issues into the
open. East coast themes deal with authority or careers.
Intuitive connections with peers can bring confusion or
clarity.
4/25 Mercury
square Neptune 8:43 Taurus/Aquarius, 3:23 PM Communications
may take on a disturbing nature. Trust your instincts, but
follow up with facts. Look to a trusted ally for a fresh
perspective – you may be too close to the problem.
4/28 Sun
square Neptune 8:44 Taurus/Aquarius, 4:50 PM Spiritual insights
can assist you in making tough decisions. No matter what
the outward appearance, strong values based on enduring
principles will ultimately bring peace of mind.
APRIL
SYMBOLISM
April
is named in honor of Aphrodite (Venus). The word April comes
from the Latin Aperio, meaning "I open." Some say that
it refers to the opening of the soul, symbolized by the
opening of spring buds, and the yearly reawakening of our
relationship with Mother Earth. Venus brings our inner values
into the open so that we may compare them with our outer
lives.
April’s
gemstone is the diamond, associated with purity, innocence,
healing and promises. The tradition of giving a diamond
engagement ring recalls the early Catholic custom of reading
the "banns" each Sunday three times before a marriage.
This formal proclamation enabled any objections to the marriage,
while the engagement ring was seen as the promise of faithfulness,
and identified the bride-to-be as pure and protected. The
diamond, called adamas (indomitable) in biblical days, being
the hardest of crystals, symbolized aspiration to the stability
and commitment of marriage.
April
first is dedicated to Venus’ half-brother Hermes (Mercury)
in the form of the trickster. All Fools Day originated in
ancient days when the king’s jester could tell him the truth
in humorous form on that special day without risk, as the
jester was considered a voice from the gods. This also marks
the Hindu festival of Huli (the Hindu version of the Trickster),
wherein people are sent on fruitless or pointless errands,
or given difficult riddles to solve (this may be where the
scavenger hunt originated). The Trickster teaches us lessons
in the form of tricks and pranks. The antidotes or solutions
to his puzzles are hidden within the challenge, and can
be discerned by putting yourself in the place of the challenger.
Passover
(Pesach) is the eight day (beginning on 4/8) celebration
of the Jews liberation from Egyptian bondage. Pesach also
means "the hobbling," which also refers to the ancient
ceremonial spring dance of the partridge, which is based
upon the spiral dance of the maze of the Minotar. The spiritual
theme of April is to call upon your inner values and strength
to help overcome obstacles and restrictions to your life
path. Passover coincides this year with the Festival of
the Flowers (Japanese, Hana Matsuri), the celebration of
the Buddha’s birth.
The
Sun in the earth sign, Taurus, reminds us to acknowledge
the value of the home we all share. Earth Day (April 22),
a contemporary holiday, dedicated to Mother Earth (the earth
goddess Gaia), was first celebrated in 1970 to support recycling,
tree planting, and community awareness.
Easter
(named after Ostara, goddess of spring) is a Christian moveable
feast that falls on the first Sunday after the full Moon
following the spring equinox (this year, April 15). The
Resurrection of Christ symbolizes the eternal nature of
the soul, and is supported by the blossoming of the land
after the struggle of winter.
St.
Mark's Day (April 24) coincides with the old Roman festival
of the Robigalia. They share the purpose of asking a blessing
for the growing of crops.
Beltane,
the Celtic start of the summer season, begins at sunset
on April 30 (Mayday Eve) Diana, goddess of wealth, wisdom,
and tender affection is honored at Beltane. Beltane means
"bright fire," and is the fire festival that begins
the yearly spiritual cycle. Nine is the sacred number of
endings, and was the basis of this festival in 19th century
Scotland. Nine teams of nine married men gathered logs from
the nine sacred trees of the Celts. At sunset all fires
were extinguished, and at sunrise a new fire was kindled
without the use of metal. All the people danced around the
bonfire in a sunwise direction, and jumped over the flames
and through the smoke, which purified and transformed their
spirits. After the flames had died down, farm animals were
driven over a path cleared through the smoking coals, to
ensure their fertility. The people then danced around a
Maypole that pierced the Earth as a phallic symbol of co-joining
and fertilization. Dew was collected, and the people drank
of it and washed their faces with it. The people then took
coals home to re-kindle their hearth fires. They had all
partaken of all four elements, and the alchemical process
was complete. The community was whole again and blessed
by their divinities.
The
Sacred Earth Breath
This
is the fourth and final sacred elemental breath of the new
millennium. On April 19th at 5:36 PM PDT, the
Sun changes signs from fire to earth (Aries to Taurus).
After we release the last outbreath of Solar Fire, we can
consciously take in the first Solar Earth breath. Stand
firmly on the ground, being conscious of the gravitational
pull of the Earth through the soles of your feet, feeling
the electromagnetic field of your body joining with that
of the Earth. Breathe in and out through your nose. As you
breathe in, be aware of the energy of the Earth drawing
upwards through your body through the chakras, refreshing
each chakra with the appropriate level of energy. Hold your
breath lightly as the energy reaches the crown. Then breathe
out, feeling your energy merging with that of the Earth,
yet keeping your own special identity. Allow all disruptive
energies and imbalances flow out through your feet, to be
purified by the Earth in a special synergistic process.
Thank Mother Earth for her participation. This ritual may
be repeated as often as the need arises.
Roxana
Muise, PO Box 3948
Lacey, WA 98509-3948 USA
Phone:
360/456-7836 - Fax: 360/456-7837 - Email: roxanam@oz.net
http://www.oz.net/~roxanam
or www.themuise.cc
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