The remaining days of April are going to be busy ones for the planets, The first of two eclipses occur with the Solar Eclipse on 4/19,20 from 9:45 p.m, to 2:45 a.m. (The Lunar Eclipse is on 5/5 from 11:14 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) The next day, 4/21, Mercury will move into apparent retrograde motion at 4:45 a.m., in the sign of Aries followed by Jupiter entering Aries at 8:45, p.m., eastern time.

Those who have prominent Aries in their charts will feel these energies intensely, but everyone has Aries somewhere in their chart and eclipses, retrogrades and the transits of the slower moving planets are felt throughout the world.
These planetary events are taking place in the sign of Aires, a sign ruled by Mars. The past few weeks have seen an increase in accidents, weather events and violence indicating the energy of the north node of the Moon, Rahu, wreaking havoc in the sign of Aries. Eclipses are known for the revelation of secrets as well as for deceit and instability in thinking. We should all expect the news around us to be sensational, exaggerated and, unfortunately, more violent.

On a personal level it is important to remember that eclipse energy is known for emotional and irrational thought. Mercury is the planet of logical thought and his involvement in these eclipse patterns indicates that many of us will be more emotional and less objective than usual. It is best to try to flow with the emotional mind-set and to not make long-term decisions under this energy. Most of us can’t just put our lives on hold but we can delay important decisions, be prepared for annoying obstacles, and remind ourselves that our frustrated and negative thoughts are perhaps more a reflection of Mercury retrograde and eclipse energy rather than objective clear-headed thinking.

Mercury going retrograde during the eclipse is an additional element to the generalized eclipse chaos, but Jupiter is also moving into the sign of Aries which is unusual but can also be a positive placement. Jupiter is known as the “greater benefic” in the planetary realm. Jupiter spends approximately one year in each sign and his ingress into a new sign is considered a major transit.

Aries is a friendly sign for mighty Jupiter and his entry into Aries, after months of enduring the eclipse energy, can be auspicious. Human beings have a tendency to focus on the fear of the negative mind and Jupiter being present during this eclipse will help maintain a more positive attitude during these next few weeks. Balance is important and while one wants to remain positive one also wants to be realistic. The downside to Jupiter can be to act impulsively and/or recklessly – it is never a good idea to bet the rent money.

Once the eclipse energy passes Jupiter will remain in Aries and he will be influencing the sign of Libra. Libra is the sign of diplomacy and since March of 2022 Ketu, the south node of the Moon, has been in the sign of Libra. Ketu will often void out the positive qualities of the sign he is occupying and certainly the past year has seen diplomacy and harmony in relationships be replaced by angry refusal to compromise. Jupiter will work to bring back some level of humanity in our interactions. In the chart of the USA Jupiter will be affecting houses 5, 9, 11 and 1 (ascendant) which will present us, as a nation, an opportunity to approach life with less violence and more compassion.

Currently, Saturn is in Aquarius, which is conjunct the Moon in the chart of America. The Aquarius Moon is responsible for America’s innovation, progressiveness and stated intention of equality for all. Historically, those values have never included “for all,” but slowly and painfully people have forced changes that have brought us closer to the actual ideal. The past few years have been difficult as it appears as the inequalities and disparities have gotten worse. It’s been challenging but people are pushing back and will continue to push because a country cannot be sustained by trust-fund babies and wealthy influencers. Saturn being in one’s natal Moon sign (Sade-Sati) is always an opportunity for growth and wisdom if one chooses not to remain in the darkness of ignorance. America is now going through this process for about two and half years and the people will not be cowered by circumstances.

Aquarius is the most universal of signs and during these transformational times we can use the energies to continually find the inner light and maintain our own equanimity. These next few weeks will give us all an opportunity to see where our own shadows lie and we only have to shine the light on those dark corners to achieve growth and inner harmony.