The Daily Astro for April 8, 2012    

The Moon is in Scorpio today, following the April 6 Full Moon (it entered Scorpio at 11:18 AM EDT yesterday) and forms not-so-comfortable aspects to Jupiter in Taurus and the Sun in Aries. Sun and Mars also form an irritation aspect, so on the whole this Easter Sunday might find us feeling a little raw.  The Moon in Scorpio can dredge up all manner of flotsam and jetsam from the past, and the aspect to Jupiter may make everything seem larger than life, while the Sun/Mars aspect can mean resistance may kick in, internally and from others as a mirror to what’s going on within us.  See the Kozminsky Symbol below for the answer–use the Mars/Sun energy to laser through resistance and fear in order to expel the ghosts of the past and really start living again. Remember, Moon in Scorpio is an emotional powerhouse, but also symbolizes the ability to transcend old patterns, old fears. The Sabian Symbol emphasizes the theme of youth, generosity and innocence and an awareness of the needs of others (highlighting the Scorpio/8th house theme of merging at a very deep level).

Sabian Symbol for today’s Sun: “A young girl feeding birds in winter.”
Kozminsky Symbol for today’s Sun: “A blacksmith hammering a piece of red-hot iron on an anvil.”
The Keyword for the Sabian Symbol is “Hospitality ” and for the Kozminsky Symbol it’s “Resolution”.

I like the way these two Symbols show the essential spirit of the main figure in each shining through. For the Sabian Symbol, the girl realizes wildlife may need some extra help to fight the frigid winter and goes out of her way to provide them with a food source.  In the Kozminsky Symbol, the blacksmith faces the opposite conditions (excessive heat rather than cold), in order to turn a piece of iron into a useful object.  This Symbol brings up images of the god Vulcan, a god of alchemy & transmutation (and a very Plutonian image–Pluto is the ruler of Scorpio, home of today’s Moon), who works below the surface of the earth (i.e. the depths of our being, our unconscious).  Both Symbols illustrate how determined action can initiate changes in our environment.

Born on April 8:
King Peter I (Portugal), Ponce de Leon, Philip IV (King of Spain/Portugal), Lewis Morris (signer, US Declaration of Independence), Christaan IX (King of Denmark), Henry Cushing, Mary Pickford, Dolores Barrymore, Tom DeLay, Vivienne Westwood, Grace Cunard (silent film star), Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Ilka Chase, Sonja Henie, Betty Ford, Kofi Annan, Ian Smith, Carmen McRae, Edward Mulhare, Franco Correlli, Shecky Green, John Gavin, Leah Rabin, Jacques Brel, Fredd Ebb, Seymour Hersh, Klaus Lowitsch, J.J. Jackson, Peggy Lennon (Lennon Sisters), Michael Bennett, Tony Banks, Jim “Catfish” Hunter, Steve Howe (Yes), Julian Lennon, John Schneider, Barbara Kingsolver, Richard Hatch, Izzy Stradlin (Guns & Roses), Biz Markie, Robin Wright Penn, Patricia Arquette.

Tarot Enhancer/Antidote: High Priestess/Ace of Swords
These two cards emphasize the idea of the spiritual warrior, the merging of rational abstract thought and strategy with inspiration and “knowingness” from within. We may not know exactly where the path leads, but it’s time to pick up the sword and start on the journey. This combination reminds me of the story of Excalibur and the Lady of the Lake-spiritual guidance (Lake/water/unconscious are similar to the energy of the High Priestess, plus the Sword similar to the Ace of Swords as relating to high ideals, new ideas and inspiration from a divine source.)

–Valerie Sylvester, April 8, 2012–