By Dorene A. Carrel.     Click here for more about Dorene.

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April is highlighted by two planetary stations, Saturn moving back into Virgo, the fourth Saturn/Uranus opposition and a dynamic new moon in Aries. This month provides opportunities for shifting perspectives, taking new directions and releasing what is holding us back. In the first half of this month, we are under the waning phase of the March Pisces moon, with a focus on emotional awareness, compassion, spirituality and healing. This is a good time for bringing any projects to completion, before the new moon on April 14.

Mercury entering the fixed sign of Taurus on April 2 will favor this effort. Because of the retrograde motion, Mercury remains in this sign until June 10. This is a good period for gathering new information and bringing more stability and security to the areas of finances, resources, and sense of self-worth. It is favorable to consider how our values (Taurus) in these areas might guide our priorities in the coming months. As Taurus also rules comfort, we can ease any tensions through nurturing self-care activities like saunas, massages, guided meditations, etc.

On April 6, Pluto goes retrograde at 5 Capricorn, which brings a period for re-evaluation of life goals. Power shifts on all levels can occur now. This station is also related to the upcoming June 26 lunar eclipse and the Pluto, Uranus and Saturn cardinal cross forming this summer. Eclipses can be felt up to two months before they are exact. It is beneficial to know where these significant degrees fall in one's chart (see Eclipse Special below). The forces of change will predominate very strongly during this summer period, especially if we are trying to maintain outworn life structures that no longer serve us. Pay attention to your inner guidance for what may need to be released.

On April 7, Saturn moves back into Virgo until July 22. This gives us a final opportunity to revisit issues connected with health, diet, work and service. Although this process will continue, what we can incorporate now will likely have more lasting effects. The Saturn in Virgo retrograde period from April 7 to May 30 is better for revising and reviewing goals; after Saturn turns direct from May 30 to July 21 is best for beginning projects or new daily routines. After July 22, Saturn enters Libra and the focus for the next two years will be on relationships.

The New Moon occurs on April 14 at 24 Aries 27. Aries rules new beginnings, leadership, energetic activity, competition, being a pioneer, having courage, and being rash and impetuous. It also rules the eyes and head area, fires, accidents and inflammations. Since this lunation is conjunct the dwarf planet Eris, the Greek goddess of strife and contention, world events may reflect this theme. However, Eris can also bring more energy and resourcefulness to help us accomplish desired goals. The Sabian Symbol for this lunation degree speaks of "the possibility for man to gain experience at two levels of being." The keynote suggests the revelation of new potentialities.

Mercury in Taurus turns retrograde from April 17 until May 11. Any decisions made during this period, especially affecting finances/resources, are more likely to experience unexpected changes later on. If you purchase anything, make sure you can return it later if necessary. Take greater care with communications, paperwork, travel and computers. I usually begin noticing communication glitches during the previous two-week Mercury shadow period, which begins on April 3. Remember that more flexibility and patience are required during this time. On the plus side, this retrograde cycle is good for doing repairs or finishing incomplete projects.

On April 26, Saturn opposes Uranus, at 29 Virgo/Pisces, for the fourth of five oppositions. This latest cycle gives us another chance to encounter our desire for change vs. our need for stability. We may be guided to make career, relationship or location changes so we can keep growing and expressing our life purpose and talents. Saturn favors taking a step-by-step approach while maintaining a support system. Finding the right balance is the key.

The Full Moon occurs on April 28 at 8 Scorpio. Scorpio rules death, sex, joint resources, taxes, research and reproduction; as well as being resourceful, intense, introspective, secretive and strong-willed. This full moon is conjunct Mercury and square Mars. There may be conflict and challenges to our ideas in the next few weeks. We still need to keep sharing information, networking and building alliances. The Sabian Symbol for this degree speaks of overcoming the negative results of social practices and ego-cravings. A harmonious Pluto aspect suggests that positive reforms will bring people together and create more unity and harmony.

On May 1, Venus in Gemini aligns with the Juno, the marriage asteroid, making April 30/May 1 a very favorable time for relationships. Blessings for a joyful Spring!

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Dorene Carrel is a professional astrologer offering natal and relocation astrology readings. She can be contacted at dorenea5@yahoo.com. More information and previous columns can be found at www.alcseattle.com.

Eclipse Special: short email readings on the life areas highlighted by these sensitive degrees, challenges/benefits and important future dates. Also includes any significant transits in the April/May months. Contact Dorene for more details at dorenea5@yahoo.com.

New: You can now follow me on Twitter, where I will be posting more astrology observations between my monthly columns.

All references to Sabian symbols are from An Astrological Mandala: The Cycle of Transformations and Its 360 Symbolic Phases, by Dane Rudhyar.

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