StarWatch by James Jarvis, M.A. By adding the universal year 1999 (1+9+9+9=28) to the 4th month of April, we come up with the vibration of 32/5. The 32/5 month is a time for synthesizing all of the knowledge and experiences you’ve acquired over the last four months. Look to see what you have been learning and how this information may fit into a larger system of knowledge that you can then disseminate to others. With sub-influences of 3 and 2 this month, it is a great time to work cooperatively with others (2) on projects that you are passionate about (3). The 5 month also signifies greater participation and possibilities in any media-related business, writing, speaking, teaching, or promotion. April 2 Mercury direct Mercury, which has been retrograde since March 10, goes direct again at 20 degrees Pisces on April 2. Mercury retrogrades help us to see, through external events, at what level our Mercury function (or intellect) is operating. With Mercury direct in Pisces, it’s time to re-envision your dreams. One of the most powerful ways you can do this is to access the imaginal realm through journaling, drawing, meditation, or daydreaming. It is through the imaginal realm that all new possibilities are created. By allowing your imagination to lead at this time, you may access new ways of being that you’ve never "dreamed" of before. April 12 Venus enters Gemini Venus moves into the sign of Gemini on April 12 and will be there until May 8. With Venus in Gemini, this month the focus is on sharing your heart energy by linking up with other like-minded souls. It’s amazing the number of stories I’ve heard about familial relationships that have been greatly enhanced through the advent of e-mail! Parents who hardly ever hear from their children now get instantaneous responses to their communications because of the ease and "user-friendliness" of electronic communication. The bottom line this month is to link up with others. It’s a great time to take a class, get your e-mail up and running, or catch up on your correspondence. It’s also a great time to share with loved ones that article, book, or information that you feel would help them in their efforts to achieve greater growth and understanding in their lives. April 14-16 Venus trine Neptune Venus in Gemini and Neptune in Aquarius are in positive relationship from April 14-16. This Venus/Neptune trine is a classic "manifest your ideals" transit wherein we have an opportunity to clarify what we value and really bring our ideals down to earth. With both Venus and Neptune in Aquarius, we can get in touch with our vision and far-reaching ideals and retain enough objectivity so that we don’t make errors in judgment by not seeing all sides of a situation. In other words, Venus/Neptune helps us to implement our highest ideals without being overly attached to the outcome. April 17 Mercury enters Aries Mercury journeys through the sign of Aries from April 17-May 8. With Mercury in Aries, the spotlight is on creating a new reality for ourselves through our speaking. Mercury is associated with the throat, or fifth, chakra, which represents our communication abilities. The fifth chakra also governs how we use our will to create our reality through our thoughts and through speaking our truth. The bottom line this month is to link up with others. With Mercury in Aries, the focus is on taking initiative and leadership in the arena of communication. What do you "stand" for? What is it that you have to communicate that will catalyze and empower others to act? What communications have you been putting off because of fear of what others would think? With Mercury in Aries, the emphasis is on being the spiritual warrior in all areas of communication. April 17-21 Mars opposite Saturn With Mars in Scorpio in challenging relationship with Saturn in Taurus, this is a good time to get any unfinished business done. Mars/Saturn helps us concentrate our will so that we can be focused and disciplined. Mars in Scorpio is about using the will in a highly disciplined way. In other words, it’s time to muster up your strong will and take action steps that will get you closer to achieving your goals. April 18-28 Jupiter sextiles Uranus Jupiter in Aries is in positive relationship with Uranus in Aquarius from April 18-28. Jupiter/Uranus combinations are aspects of a highly innovative and progressive nature. Jupiter is the planet of expansion and Uranus is the planet of sudden change, so expect the unexpected! We could see new breakthroughs in high technology such as the new IBM chip that has the power of five desktop computers! April 20 Sun enters Taurus The sun moves into the sign of Taurus on April 19 at 4:46 a.m. In nature, the outward impulse to manifest and thrive that was present in Aries now gives way to the methodical and practical shaping of the new life, thereby creating a secure foundation for future growth. The Taurus principle involves the practical shaping and formation of value. Our job during the sign of Taurus is to define and codify our values — what we own — so that we can actualize our potential and leave an inspiring legacy for others. April 20-21 Venus opposite Pluto Venus in challenging relationship to Pluto puts fire behind our ideals. How can we combine the desire to communicate of Venus in Gemini with the transformative power of Pluto in Sagittarius? One way is to find out what we’re passionate about. Many people, when asked, "What are you passionate about?" may not be able to answer. Ask them what they are indignant about, however, and you will get an entirely response. With Venus in opposition to Pluto, take some time to discover what gets you "steamed up." If we can take the negative spin off anger for a second and see it as just "energy in motion," then our indignation, or righteous anger, gives us a clue of where to put our energy. Throw in a little Gemini intellectual pondering with a splash of Sagittarian wit and wisdom, and you’ve got a powerful recipe for putting action behind your idealism! April 21-26 Mars square Neptune Mars in Scorpio is in challenging relationship to Neptune in Aquarius from April 17-21. On April 21, Mars is also just ending the opposition with Saturn, so there is a "T-square" formation among the three planets. The T-square is a dynamic configuration that demands attention. It’s like having three kids talking to you at the same time; everyone wants to be heard. In this case the strong will of Mars/Saturn is being asked to surrender to the transpersonal will of Mars/Neptune. Mars/Neptune transits ask us to learn how to go with the flow, to manifest what Deepak Chopra calls "the law of least effort." This T-square formation represents the shift for all of us to a new paradigm of manifestation: from struggle (Mars/Saturn) to following the path of least resistance (Mars/Neptune). Use your strong will to create clear intentions of what you want to manifest, and then surrender the outcome, or how you’re going to do it, so that the universe can support and guide you. April 30 Full moon in Scorpio The moon is full at 20 degrees Scorpio on April 30 at 6:55 a.m. For the next month, the emphasis is on experiencing a deep and primary bond with loved ones. The moon in Scorpio calls us to move deeply into our desire for intimate merging with the beloved. The challenge this month is to acknowledge this need to others, even though you might feel extremely vulnerable and fear that your beloved might reject or abandon you if you look too needy. The full moon in Scorpio is asking us to communicate to others the depth of who we are and what it is that we need to feel bonded emotionally and physically. James Jarvis, M.A. is a master astrologer, career consultant, and personal and professional coach. He combines an M.A. in Transpersonal Counseling, 28 years’ experience with Eastern and metaphysical traditions, and 13 years of coaching and empowering clients to actualize their full potential. All of James’ services are available via phone sessions or by mail. For a brochure or to schedule consultations, call (831) 688-0574.