The Daily Astro for April 6, 2012     

     Full Moon in Libra at 17 degrees 23 minutes (3:19 PM EDT).  Whenever you see there’s a Full Moon, remember that it functions on the opposition principle. Take note of the sign of the Full Moon, and also the opposite sign (this is where the Sun is).  Since the Full Moon is in Libra, the opposite sign is Aries. As with those old Hair Club for Men commercials, I not only promote this Libra/Aries polarity, I’m a member!  (Aries Sun, Libra rising, so I live it each and every day!)  In general, think of it as the Venus/Mars dance.  Aries, ruled by Mars, hits the ground running, dashes into action bold and alone, sword slashing through the air (the Warrior archetype), and Libra, ruled by Venus, prefers to work with others through diplomacy, coaxing, gentle persuasion, and other more subtle techniques (The Love Goddess archetype).  However, don’t forget that Aries and Libra are both on the Cardinal Axis and both signs generally get what they want & take definite steps to achieve their aims. Aries people are just more direct about it, generally, but it doesn’t mean Librans want it any less–they’re just a little more subtle about it.

During a Full Moon, we start to see the patterns underlying the structures–the Full Moon illuminates, brings light to dark areas, as things come into focus under its shimmering light.  Taking into account the Mars/Aries and Venus/Libra polarities and remembering that Mars has been retrograde and that Venus will be going retrograde on May 15th, it’s a double emphasis on the need to balance the both sides of our psyche, to bring them into alignment.  This Full Moon will trigger our shadow sides to come out and play.  This is particularly emphasizes because Venus is conjunct the South Node in Gemini and in aspect with Mars in Virgo and Neptune in Pisces. We’re basically not going to get away with our old tricks any more.  Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo and relates to the trickster archetype; Neptune in Pisces can add to the air of confusion, but that South Node/Venus tells us old debts need to be paid in respect to relationships–we’re dealing with “prehistoric” matters here, past-life, past due, past tense–you name it!

The asteroid Juno joins the North Node in Sagittarius (opposing the Venus/South Node combo in Gemini), which reminds us that we need to learn a bit about loyalty and being stalwart in relationships, relationships that are based on a desire for a better future for all (particularly for groups who have previously been disenfranchised).

So it’s time to clear the decks and learn to integrate conflicting tendencies, especially those that we’ve shut out from our consciousness for too long.  This is doubly emphasized by Pluto’s retrograde move on April 10, as the cracks in the foundation become visible.  Pluto doesn’t take no for an answer, and retrograde it’ll be causing a slow motion riot in our subconscious that will lead to many changes and restructurings that will later manifest in the outer world.  Pluto always works from the inside out.

Aspects for today: The Full Moon obviously opposes the Sun in Aries and makes stress aspects to Chiron, Pluto and Pluto. The Sun makes a stress aspect to Neptune. And in addition to all that, Mars, ruler of Aries, and Venus, ruler of Libra, square off as well.  This will definitely be a day when “you can’t always get what you want” (thanks to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, that Leo/Sagittarius combo). So there are times today when things may seem confusing or out of control.  The best way to handle this (aside from letting go of the idea that you can control anything) is to use the pioneering energy of Aries to take action, but to take a page from the Libra book and remember that the world is composed of other people and that things work better if we find common ground and learn to cooperate to reach mutual goals–otherwise all we’re left with is mutually assured destruction!

A good holiday weekend to all who celebrate!

Sabian Symbol for today’s Sun: “An empty hammock .”
Kozminsky Symbol for today’s Sun: “The Goddess Venus holding out her hands to a wounded soldier, who is painfully trying to reach her.”
The Keyword for the Sabian Symbol is “Rumination ” and for the Kozminsky Symbol it’s “Upraising”.

The Kozminsky Symbol reflects that Venus (Goddess) vs. Mars (Soldier) dichotomy noted above.  The wounded (Chiron) soldier (Aries archetype) tries to reach the source of healing who is extending her hands (Libra, initiating connections) to him. It’s a near-perfect representation of the themes of this Full Moon period. Both sides need each other in order to heal–the masculine/feminine/god/goddess/peace/war/individuality/group focus themes combine here to point to the need for integration in order to achieve full healing on all levels.  The Sabian Symbol shows the importance of timing, which is pertinent to the current Full Moon and the planets that are retrograde (Mars and Saturn), preparing to turn retrograde (Venus) or have recently gone direct (Mercury). Sometimes it’s important to take action; other times it’s important to stop and think, confer with others or delay action (and live to fight another day!)

Born on April 6:
Raphael, Sergio Franchi, Anthony Fokker (aviation), Ralph Cooper (Air Supply), Philip Austin (Firesign Theater), Lowell Thomas, Zamfir (pan flute), Markku Lappalainen (Hoobastank), Stan Cullimore (Housemartins), Dorothy Donegan, Rose Schneiderman, Young Man Kang, Rafael Correa (President of Ecuador), John Pizzarelli, Paoli Nespoli (astronaut), Pedro Armendariz Jr., Guy Peellaert, Merle Haggard, Ram Dass, Janet Lynn, James Dewey Watson (DNA), “Crazy” Joe Gallo, Andre Previn, Ivan Dixon, Roy Thinnes, John Stax (Pretty Things), Billy Dee Williams, Michelle Phillips, John Ratzenberger, Marilu Henner, Michael Rooker, Diane Brill, Paul Rudd, Zach Braff, Elizabeth Barrett-Browning, Butch Cassidy, Ian Paisley, Gil Kane, Gerry Mulligan, Jean-Baptiste Rousseau, James Mill, Alexander Herzen, Gustave Moreau, John William Waterhouse, Rene Lalique, Joseph Lincoln Steffens, Walter Huston, Osman Ali Khan, Gertrude Short, Barry Levinson.

Tarot Enhancer/Antidote: 6 of Wands, Ace of Swords
This fire and air combination shows the power of clear and balanced thinking will manifest in success. The 6 of Wands (Jupiter in Leo), shows the fruits of success, being lauded for talents or achievements.  The Ace of Swords (element of Air), indicates the need for hair-trigger timing and that strategy begins in the mind. Both cards show mastery and leadership.  The 6 indicates that the element of being of service to others is an important part of this quest (think Virgo/the 6th house in astrology), and although we may be honored personally for achievements, we must always keep in mind we are only a channel and need to look at things from a broader perspective and being a generous winner or ruler (Jupiter in Leo) who dispenses benefits (Jupiter) coming from the heart (Leo).

–Valerie Sylvester, April 6, 2012–