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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