Wow, it’s here! My first Substack examining the astrology of the month! Free subscribers get the astrological overview, and paid subscribers have access to the individual sign scopes at the bottom of this post. Thanks for being here! Enjoy!
Table of Contents:
The month at a glance: Things might be a little confusing in April, but not necessarily in a bad way. The universe will be sending us mixed messages this month: Mercury retrograde calls us to look back and reflect, while a slew of conjunctions in Aries will inspire new beginnings. You might find yourself feeling a little torn. Plus, it’s eclipse season, which could find us learning shocking news! Overall, though, it’s an exciting month for experimentation. If you’ve been feeling stuck, if things between you and a partner haven’t been going anywhere, or if you’ve been spinning your wheels about what to do about your finances, new opportunities and ideas could shake things up and help you move forward.
This month starts with Mercury going retrograde on the 1st. It’s fitting that it begins on April Fool’s Day; there’s nothing prankster Mercury loves more than saying “Gotcha!” It’s also appropriate astrological weather for the first installment of my Substack horoscopes after being laid off from VICE. Not only was I born during a Mercury retrograde, which allegedly means this transit runs more smoothly for people like me who have it in their natal chart, but after NINE (I think I’ll always type this in all caps) years of writing daily and monthly horoscopes for a big publication, I’m now writing horoscopes for myself and being given the chance to rediscover and rethink my voice.
Formerly, when I’d write about Mercury retrograde, I’d describe the usual complaints astrologers write about: that it might be a bad time to start new projects, travel, sign contracts, or buy important things due to the delays, lack of detail or focus, or misunderstandings that could take place. But, if you’re into astrology, you’ve likely heard these ideas dozens of times. Mercury is the planet of communication, but also of mimicry. Astrologers have been chirping “Don’t sign contracts! Don’t sign contracts!” during Mercury retrograde like parakeets for millenia. But, why should we focus on the complaints? Life is what we make it, right? How can we say we’re setting ourselves up for success if we assume a transit will be difficult? I don’t think that’s a productive way to use astrology, and that’s why in my work as an astrologer, I’ve always tried to highlight the facts that, 1) there’s always a good and a bad way to describe an astrology aspect, 2) it’s best used as a tool for self examination, and, perhaps most of all, 3) astrology is not the word from above, it’s man-made and therefore very flawed.
By the way, I began my work at VICE during a Mercury retrograde. And I was there for NINE years, and I loved my time there. So, maybe it’s not the end of the world, as so many astrologers seem to imply, to commit to something during this transit. Just take things slowly, be mindful, and give your ideas a second look before hitting “send.”
Alright free and paid subscribers, let’s take a look at the month ahead:
Mercury retrograde in Aries starting April 1 until April 25 – You know what that means!
As I mentioned earlier, Mercury retrograde is a time when we are meant — encouraged! — to repeat ourselves, but isn’t that also kind of… boring? Mercury in Aries is novelty-seeking, and when Mercury is retrograde in this sign, we’re eager to discover something new about something old… not hear the same old stories.
And, true to Mercury in Aries form, I have made much of this post all about me so far. You might notice this a lot in the conversations you have during this time: people going on and on about themselves. Sorry. Let’s melt our egos away and merge into one on April 3 as Venus and Neptune meet in soulful Pisces.
Venus and Neptune meet in Pisces on April 3 – Heartstrings are pulled!
As with many transits, there are myriad ways this could play out, so let’s discuss the three I think are most likely:
You and a lover play hooky from all responsibilities, perhaps for days, to get lost in each other’s arms.
You might sleep through it.
With Mercury retrograde in the mix, wires could get crossed, and disappointments in love could feel especially tragic.
I hope it’s the first — or, if you’re not looking for love, maybe you will make some tremendous art, or watch, listen to, or read something that fascinates and inspires you. Even if you’re tending to a heartbreak, there is an energy of renewal in the air: This is a conjunction of planets, which means a new cycle is beginning, one where the heart remembers its limitless nature.
People could be very sentimental at this time. Even the most unshakable of us could be brought to tears.
The sun meets the north node in Aries and Venus enters Aries on April 5 – There’s no time to be weepy or moody, destiny is calling!
Venus and Neptune’s meeting may have created a very sappy mood. Perhaps even a weepy one. But Venus in Aries is peppy — Venus in Aries loves to cheer people up. And the sun will also conjoin the north node in Aries, encouraging us to forget about yesterday. Did your date think they sent a text to cancel, but actually didn’t, and were really annoying about it when you confronted them? The sun with the north node says, “Who cares?” Destiny is calling, and destiny is a hotter date than any flakes you may be dealing with! You may suddenly feel like you couldn’t care less about something that felt very deep only a few days ago.
The north node is all about being at the right time and place. The sun symbolizes the self. We could find ourselves feeling like we are exactly where we need to be. It’s a good feeling! We could also be connecting with especially influential people as Venus in Aries makes a sextile alignment with Pluto in Aquarius on April 6. It’s a great time to schmooze. Mercury is retrograde, though, so you may run into some people you’ve met before who don’t recognize you. Don’t overthink it — it’s likely not a Pluto power trip where someone wants to seem too cool to care, what with Pluto being in good alignment with Venus and wanting to make a good impression. More likely, it’s Mercury retrograde causing social havoc. Introduce yourself again.
The solar eclipse in Aries takes place, plus the sun meets Chiron in Aries, on April 8 – It’s a good time for healing and reconciliation.
The Sun, Moon, and Chiron all sit at 19 degrees Aries, the Sabian Symbol for which focuses on “feeding birds in winter.” Sabian Symbols are a 1920s invention by astrologer Marc Edmund Jones and Elsie May Wheeler, describing each degree of the zodiac with an intuitively derived concept. There is an energy of intervention with this eclipse. Perhaps unhealthy behaviors will be called out and put to a halt. The news we hear could be especially shocking. And, maybe folks will receive unexpected goodwill and generosity while on their life’s journey, like birds being fed during their winter migrations.
Mars meets Saturn, both in Pisces, on April 10 – Time to get diligent.
This may mark the beginning of a new level of discipline or responsibility in our lives. A rediscovery could take place, too, as the sun meets Mercury on April 11. A very important perspective could be shared. Discussions that take place at this time could be especially productive. There’s a glorious feeling of unstoppability in the atmosphere. Enjoy!
I don’t believe that time heals all wounds, but I think talking about our feelings comes very close to healing most of them, and Mercury retrograde meets Chiron on April 15, which could be a spectacular time to discuss something with a loved one or with a trusted counselor.
Venus meets the north node in Aries on April 17 – Destiny calls once again, but even louder this time.
This could find us at the right time and right place for love! Or for money. You might discover a special treasure, but only if you’re willing to try something new. April 19 brings a lot of positive energy: Mars in Pisces sextiles both Jupiter in Taurus and Uranus in Taurus, and Mercury retrograde meets Venus in Aries. This will make for a very fun, bubbly atmosphere. Additionally, Mars’s connection with Jupiter will help us channel our energy and tackle our to-do lists. Jupiter is the planet of plenty, so we could get a lot done at this time. Motivation is high! And Mars’s alignment with Uranus could bring unexpected gifts or a surprising pay-off.
Mars in Pisces can sometimes feel directionless, but thanks to these transits, our sense of purpose and possibility may feel reignited. This is an exciting time for experimentation; people may feel much bolder and braver than usual. Our social lives could feel especially exciting as chatty Mercury meets charming Venus. It could be a great time to meet friends, and communication within relationships could get a boost. Mercury is retrograde, in case you somehow missed that (we might overlook things during Mercury retrograde!), so you might reconnect with a past crush, or perhaps you and a current lover will revisit something mutually pleasing. The mood is giggly.
Taurus season begins on April 19, Jupiter meets Uranus in Taurus on April 20, and Venus meets Chiron in Aries, plus the sun in Taurus squares off with Pluto in Aquarius on April 21 – There are upgrades, but perhaps some messy behavior, too!
This could make for a complicated period. Taurus season invites us to slow down and connect with our physical senses, through things like food, or music. You might have some brilliant flashes of inspiration or come across opportunities you could have never imagined as Jupiter joins Uranus in Taurus. A brilliant invention could be created!
However, the sun squares off with Pluto, too, which means we may find ourselves wrapped up in power struggles. For example, an incredible invitation could come your way, but saying yes could mean you have to navigate a tricky social situation. Or maybe you have the potential to make a big sale, but other people are vying to take a cut of your commission. People could be unusually stubborn at this time.
On a bad day, Pluto could mean triangulation. But there’s a way to work with this energy consciously and productively, bringing in a third party to help mediate complicated issues. Whatever the case, don’t get sucked into a drama where you’re having to keep secrets or tiptoe around someone’s ego.
At least our love lives could be going well at this time as Venus meets Chiron, inspiring an affectionate atmosphere. A situation that feels healing to the heart might take place. This meeting takes place in Aries. If you’ve been hurt in love by someone who was behaving childishly, or if you’ve been the childish one, perhaps some growing up and reconciliation could take place.
The full moon in Scorpio takes place on April 23 – Things might get deep and intense.
Eclipse season is over, but the reveals keep on coming. Full moons bring things to the surface, and in secretive Scorpio, whatever is going on behind the scenes stands to be revealed. Pluto in Aquarius creates a T-square with the sun and moon during this full moon, adding extra bite. A big drama about someone’s dark side could come to a head. If a group of people are trying to accommodate one person who is impossible to please, the situation may reach a turning point where the group just gives up. Power struggles could reach a breaking point.
Alternately, someone’s cool detachment around you could turn out to be a cover for a huge crush. It could also be that, during this full moon, someone who has been very stubborn finally gives in to a new way of trying things. People might feel ready to make a big shift now, and as Mercury retrograde ends on April 25, communications may begin to move along much more smoothly.
Mars meets Neptune and Venus enters Taurus on April 29 – Time to rot in bed?
This could inspire some laziness. Bad news is that Mars meeting Neptune could find us running into people who have a huge amount of learned helplessness. Good news is that Venus in Taurus could find us eating some delicious pie!
Mars meeting Neptune could mean people are looking for an easy way out, or are simply not even trying. The couch is calling, and the couch is filled with crumbs of food that no one can be bothered to vacuum up. It’s not cute. Fortunately, Venus in Taurus is cute, so if we stay conscious of lazy tendencies within ourselves, and if we set boundaries with people who are living in denial (or who are delusional, manipulative, etc), we could enjoy some very pleasant sensory experiences.
But, Neptune is the planet of illusion, so any interpretation of an aspect it makes always deserves a second look. There is another side to the Mars/Neptune conjunction — one which isn’t lazy or incompetent at all, but which is consciously taking a step back, perhaps to focus on spiritual life, or simply to observe, rest, or think things over. Another positive way this could play out is people may resign or step down from something they are ready to move on from.
Mars enters Aries on April 30 – The month ends with a bang!
Mars’s mood shifts from slow and penetrating in Pisces to swift and fiery in Aries. We may be getting things done quickly and our tempers could be shorter, but we may forgive and forget much more easily, too. Mars in Pisces is like a pair of women waging a quiet war over decades, never coming to a conclusion until one of them eventually perishes by old age; Mars in Aries is two dudes wrestling each other to the ground before calling a truce, being best friends again, and then heading back home to play video games with each other.
Mars is the planet of aggression and anger: We all feel these things, but may not have been taught the tools to effectively manage and express them. Mars in Aries invites us to connect with our emotions and explore how to channel them in a healthy way. Personally, I like to growl when no one is looking. It feels good — try it!
Good luck and see you in May!
April’s Astrological Highlights by Sign
All Times ET. Read your horoscopes for your sun sign, rising sign, and your moon sign, if you’re feeling fancy. Remember, horoscopes and all astrological musing are for entertainment purposes only!