April 2023 Newsletter
Dearest Friends
Kindly note that the days and times given below are in PDT (Pacific Daylight Saving Time, including AZ). For Rocky Mountain Time add 1. For Central Time, add 2 hours. For Eastern Standard Time, add 3 hours. For Alaskan Time, subtract 1 hour. For Hawaii-Aleutian Time, subtract 2 hours. For Greenwich, add 8 hours. For Central European time (CET) add 9 hours, for Eastern European Time (EET), add 10 hours.
APRIL 2023
RUNE OF THE MONTH: Berkana “Birth”. A month of new ideas, exciting projects, and the energy to accomplish our dreams. In whatever way we are drawn to regenerated ourselves -through writing, music, journeying, meditating…, we have the ability to invite healing, abundance, beauty, and most of all new growth into our lives.
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Solar Eclipse in Aries (29º50’) on Wednesday 4/19 at 9:13 PM. This degree is symbolized by “A duck pond and its brood”. Eclipses are always turning points. The house they fall into in our natal chart (picture of the heavens based on our birth data: date, place, and time), determines which area of our lives will resolutely shift to another level. In a more general way, this eclipse will unearth deeply buried social issues that are now ready to explode. This is likely to result in an acceleration of the world pace. As the people start calling a spade a spade, and take matters in their own hands, civil unrest could erupt everywhere. In the face of lies, violence is not to be excluded, but in many ways, this will be a bad for a good. Definite openings, positive new horizons, a renewed sense of faith and confidence will help us not just trust, but know, that we are creating better days and that light is shining at the end of the tunnel.
On April 21, Mercury turns retrograde at 15º37’ Taurus until May 14 (at 5º54’ Taurus). Its shadow period ends on June 1st. The degree its retrogradation starts on is represented in the Sabian Symbols by “An old teacher fails to interest his pupils in traditional knowledge”. We are asked to re-examine our values, and reassess what brings us a sense of comfort, stability, and pleasure. We are also required to question what our resources are, how we use them, and which ones are no longer needed. A return to Nature is likely. We could reconnect with organic sources of food, and need to spend more time away from the pollution and chaos of cities.
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The Moon will be Void of Course (V/O –forming no major aspect with any planet before entering the following sign-):
From 4/1 at 11:03 PM till 4/2 at 3:57 AM: when the Moon enters Virgo.
On 4/4 between 6:50 AM and 2:51 PM: when the Moon enters Libra.
On 4/6 between 5:43 AM and 11:29 PM: when the Moon enters Scorpio.
On 4/9 between 2:09 AM and 5:57 AM: when the Moon enters Sagittarius.
On 4/11 between 3:48 AM and 10:33 AM: when the Moon enters Capricorn.
On 4/13 between 7:14 AM and 1:42 PM: when the Moon enters Aquarius.
On 4/15 between 8:16 AM and 3:57 PM: when the Moon enters Pisces.
On 4/17 between 11:57 AM and 6:09 PM: when the Moon enters Aries.
On 4/19 between 9:13 PM and 9:30 PM: when the Moon enters Taurus.
From 4/21 at 8:41 PM till 4/22 at 3:11 AM: when the Moon enters Gemini.
On 4/24 between 5:15 AM and 11:58 AM: when the Moon enters Cancer.
On 4/26 between 4:41 PM and 11:30 PM: when the Moon enters Leo.
On 4/29 between 3:53 AM and 11:59 AM: when the Moon enters Virgo.
Mark these periods in red in your calendar and avoid scheduling anything of importance during these times as they would amount to… NO thing!
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Scheduling our activities using the zodiacal position of the Moon
Moon in Leo until Sunday 4/2 at 3:56 AM + between Wednesday 4/26 at 11:30 PM and Saturday 4/29 at 11:58 AM: Excellent for anything glamorous, dramatic performances, being in the public’s eye, throwing or attending an elegant party, playing with children, romance, and creativity in general…
Moon in Virgo between Sunday 4/2 at 3:57 AM and Tuesday 4/4 at 2:50 PM + between Saturday 4/29 at 11:59 AM and Monday June 1 at 11:08 PM: Excellent for starting a new fitness program, learning, healthy nutrition, fasting, clearing our closets, cleaning our home, reorganizing our drawers…. Perfect also for detailed work, the focused use of our intelligence, and taking care of small pets….
Moon in Libra between Tuesday 4/4 at 2:51 PM and Thursday 4/6 at 11:28 PM: Great for relationships, associations, diplomatic exchanges with others, anything related to beauty (a haircut, buying new clothes, a make-over…), art (especially painting and decorating…), a pleasant social event (concert, art exhibition…).
Moon in Scorpio between Thursday 4/6 at 11:29 PM and Sunday 4/9 at 5:56 AM: Perfect for scientific research, esoteric studies, self-transformation, shamanism, dealing with the mysteries of life, death, and sexuality, as well as insurances and issues involving personal power.
Moon in Sagittarius between Sunday 4/9 at 5:57 AM and Tuesday 4/11 at 10:32 AM: Perfect for traveling, religious and/or philosophical activities or matters related to higher education and the law. Excellent for lecturing, learning, perfecting a foreign language, exploring other cultures… Perfect also for athletic training and tending to large animals (horses….).
Moon in Capricorn between Tuesday 4/11 at 10:33 AM and Thursday 4/13 at 1:41 PM: Good for furthering our ambitions, asking for a promotion, enlisting the support of people in positions of authority, making a good impression, re-structuring our business, and redefining our long-term goals…
Moon in Aquarius between Thursday 4/13 at 1:42 PM and Saturday 4/15 at 3:56 PM: Perfect for philanthropic activities, charitable organizations, meeting with friends, making new acquaintances. Good also for inventions, far out, progressive ideas, inter-dimensional and time travel, anything related to UFOs, computers and technology in general….
Moon in Pisces between Saturday 4/15 at 3:57 PM and Monday 4/17 at 6:08 PM: Great for meditating, sitting by the ocean, anything related to the sacred, dancing, painting, swimming, dreaming, music, photography, film, sleeping, channeling, connecting with the mystical, the magic and the oneness of all that is…
Moon in Aries between Monday 4/17 at 6:09 PM and Wednesday 4/19 at 9:29 PM: Perfect for intense physical activities, anything requiring forceful, direct action and self-assertion. Good also for leadership, spontaneity, good will, being a way shower, initiating new projects or bringing our car to the mechanic….
Moon in Taurus between Wednesday 4/19 at 9:30 PM and Saturday 4/22 at 3:10 AM: Perfect for any financial matter: paying our bills/debts, asking for the money that is owed to us, opening a bank account, investing in real estate, buying, and selling. Perfect also for a stroll in the park, going to the countryside, connecting with our Mother the Earth… Good also for gardening, pottery, sculpting, as well as bodywork…
Moon in Gemini between Saturday 4/22 at 3:11 AM and Monday 4/24 at 11:57 AM: Excellent for multi-tasking, curiosity, any form of communication, exchanging information, sending e-mails, calling friends and acquaintances. Great also for social activities, attending conferences, reading a book, watching a documentary, gathering data on various topics, connecting with new people….
Moon in Cancer between Monday 4/24 at 11:58 AM and Wednesday 4/26 at 11:29 PM: Perfect for family activities, especially those involving children. Good for spending more time at home, cooking, nurturing ourselves and those we love, inviting the people we cherish over for dinner. Excellent also for drawing, creative writing, humor, and anything requiring imagination and a touch of craziness….
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This month’s intentional meditation starts on Wednesday 4/5. Let us take out as many blank sheets of paper as we have intentions and place them near a window, on a balcony or in a garden so that they basked in the light of the Full Moon in Libra at exactly 9:34 PM. Once that moment passes, let us gather our Full Moon charged blank sheets and place them in a folder.
On Wednesday 4/19, take out your blank full moon charged papers and write on each a concise, positive intention. Place them on a balcony, in a garden or near a window so that they are out by exactly 9:13 PM for the New Moon in Aries. Once that moment has passed, staple them together and put them away in a folder expecting the manifestation of all your dreams….
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Monday 4/3: Mercury enters Taurus (9:22 AM till June 11), Mercury Square Pluto (11:55 AM)
During the next 2 months, our thoughts are practical and grounded in common sense. We may tend to ruminate facts and figures before forming an educated opinion. Our decisions are heavily influenced by financial and material considerations. Our powers of concentration are greater than usual, and our judgement, sound and prudent. Today, more specifically, we err on the secretive and suspicious side, and be somewhat inflexible and forceful in our opinions. If we are not careful, a certain intensity in the way we relate to others, could backfire.
Wednesday 4/5: Mercury Sextile Saturn (9:21 AM)
A great day to complete work requiring attention to details. We are more efficient and practical than usual. Our exchanges with others are serious, mature, and to the point. We seek the company of people we respect and admire the success of.
Friday 4/7: Venus Sextile Neptune (10:58 AM), Mercury Sextile Mars (11:29 PM)
We are artistically inspired. Our creativity is enhanced. Seeking beauty, peace, and harmony, we derive much pleasure from music, painting, and poetry. We could attract an enchanted romantic partner who is elegant, refined, and gentle. Our sensitivity and compassion to the plight of others are intensified. A great day to sign contracts, service our car, or make repairs in our home. We call a spade a spade. Our words lead to courageous, competitive actions. Excellent for engaging in an outdoor sport or verbal sparring.
Monday 4/10: Venus enters Gemini (9:47 PM till May 7)
During the next 3 weeks, we could become social butterflies, reveal ourselves to be more witty, friendly, and somewhat flirtatious. We enjoy lively conversations, reading, and traveling, and could spend money a little frivolously. Not so stable in our affections, we seek more quantity, mental enrichment, and excitement, than true commitment.
Tuesday 4/11: Venus Trine Pluto (3:14 AM), Sun Conjunct Jupiter (3:07 PM)
A significant relationship could feel karmic. Passion runs high. Our sexual drive could be stronger than usual. We seek not just emotional enrichment, but also financial abundance, and today, have every chance of achieving our goals. This is one of the happiest days of the year. Our self-confidence, enthusiasm, and trust in life are contagious. Because we expect good things to happen, we attract wonderful opportunities revealing bright, new horizons.
Friday 4/14: Venus Square Saturn (9:38 AM)
We could feel lonelier than usual. Displays of affection are restricted. Our loved ones seem cold and distant. We are required to be very practical in our partnerships. A sense of isolation permeates the atmosphere. Our finances lean on the side of scarcity. A payment could be delayed. Asking for a promotion or any kind of support falls short. A day to lay low and focus on restructuring our relationship and monetary goals.
Wednesday 4/19: Solar Eclipse in Aries (9:13 PM)
Kindly refer to the opening paragraph.
Thursday 4/20: the Sun enters Taurus (1:14 AM till May 21), Sun Square Pluto (9:27 AM)
During the coming month, the need to strengthen our financial resources, as well as improve our comfort and stability come to the forefront. We are practical and seek a certain routine that allows us to go about our affairs slowly and peacefully. Our sense of touch and smell is intensified. We are drawn to beauty and sensuality. We enjoy doing things with our hands. Today, more specifically, our ambitions are intensified. We could be more ruthless than usual in our desires to achieve our goals, yet it is essential that we remain ethical.
Friday 4/21: Mercury turns retrograde (1:35 AM till May 14)
Kindly refer to the opening paragraph.
Sunday 4/23: Mercury Sextile Mars (8:19 PM)
Similarly to 4/7, a great day to sign contracts, service our car, or make repairs in our home. We call a spade a spade. Our words lead to courageous, competitive actions. Excellent for engaging in an outdoor sport or verbal sparring.
Tuesday 4/25: Sun Sextile Saturn (3:48 AM)
A serious, focused, efficient day. We are practical, organized, and responsible. We welcome opportunities to advance our ambitions with patience, groundedness, and discipline.
Saturday 4/29: Mars Sextile Uranus (1:05 PM)
A day of innovative, unusual, unique solutions. We are likely to break our routine and try something new. Being daring and independent without making rash decisions, opens exciting new doors.
Wishing you an exciting month of April!
In Loving Light.
Michelle Karén, M.A., D.F.Astrol.S.
Astrologer, Shaman, International Conference Speaker
Author of Astrology for Enlightenment (Atria Books, Simon & Schuster)
Founder of the Online Llankay, Munay, Yachay School of Shamanic Studies
www.facebook.com/ michelleKaren8867
www.youtube.com/c/MichelleKarenAstrologerShaman
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