The Daily Astro for April 10, 2012

The Moon remains in Sagittarius today as Pluto shifts to retrograde motion at 10 degrees Capricorn. (Those of you with planets or important chart points at around that degree in the cardinal signs–Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn may find yourself embroiled in a complex process of “shedding the old skin” and growing a new one over the next few months.) Retrograde Pluto tends to operate from the inside out, rather insidiously–at some point we realize things have changed, we’ve had to face some painful realities (perhaps structural, economic/financial, as Pluto is in non-nonsense Capricorn), and at the end of the retrograde period we’ll realize we’ve made some major shifts, based on internal promptings that have, perhaps, an obsessive quality. We feel driven to do things, let things go, release.
Today, the Sagittarius Moon brings a positive attitude towards change, although the Sun’s semi-square to Venus in the evening may put an irritable edge on our social connections, but the Sun/Moon trine at 10:51 PM EDT (the Sun’s in Aries right now) means the luminaries are playing well together and ends the evening on a happy note and makes us feel lucky–make a wish for the future before you go to sleep!

Sabian Symbol for today’s Sun: “The gate to the garden of desire.”
Kozminsky Symbol for today’s Sun: “A pilgrim crossing himself in front of an ancient temple, an overdressed official and a soldier mocking at him.”
The Keyword for the Sabian Symbol is “Prospect ” and for the Kozminsky Symbol it’s “Faith ”.

Both of today’s Symbols seem to boil things down to their essence (an Aries theme) and open to the primal world within (a Pluto retrograde theme), with a tinge of faith and far-seeing (a Sagittarius theme). The Sabian Symbol relates to being open to what life has to offer, and being given a magnificent gift (but it’s a gift that we already possess within). It also shows us we’re ready for anything, and brings in the issue of doing things at the right time, in the right place, for the right reason. The Kozminsky Symbol highlights the idea of faith in the face of derision, someone who feels from that heart that they are on the right path, and will continue no matter the roadblocks or negativity directed their way by society, government or other organizations. They’re looking to the future, seeing a gate flying open, as in the Sabian Symbol, leading to some form of the promised land. Both images convey a feeling of bounty and support and an internal sense that all is well if we take some time to meditate upon the mysteries of life and have a strong belief and positive attitude.

Born on April 10:
Theodosius II (Emperor), Cosimo deMedici (capo of Florence), James V (Scotland), William Hazlitt, Commodore Matthew Perry, James Bowie, Lewis Wallace (wrote Ben Hur), Joseph Pulitzer (publisher), George Arliss, Frances Perkins (1st woman to hold US Cabinet position), Harry Morgan, Alvin “Junior” Samples, Max Von Sydow, Jeremy Barrett (US Olympic figure skater), Cary Middlecoff (pro golfer), Delphine Seyrig, Omar Sharif, David Halberstam, John Madden, Don Meredith, Paul Theroux, Bunny Waller (Bob Mary & the Wailers), Eddie Hazel (Funkadelic), Dave Peverett (Foghat), Mark Roth (championship bowler), Steven Seagal (Buddhist action man), Terre Roche (the Roches), Brian Setzer (Stray Cats), Orlando Jones, Q-Tip, Haley Joel Osment, Mandy Moore, Michael Pitt, Charlie Hunnam, Afrika Bambaataa, Liz Mc Clarnon (Atomic Kitten), Annie Lamott, Daniel Oliver (CEO, FTC), Chuck Connors, Samuel Hahnemann (homeopathy), Steve Bisciotti (owns Baltimore Ravens), Dolores Huerta (labor leader), Shemekia Copeland, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Katrina Leskanic (Katrina & the Waves), Bobbie Smith (Spinners), Peter MacNicol, Mel Blount (Football Hall of Fame), Ken Griffey, Sr., Juan Williams (Fox News), Kasey Kahne (NASCAR racer), Brad William Henke, Yoshino Kimura, Tim “Herb” Alexander (Primus), Steve Gustafson (10,000 Maniacs), Sheb Wooley, David Angell (“Frasier creator, died on 9/11).
Tarot Enhancer/Antidote: 7 of Wands/Page of Cups
The 7 of Wands often shows up when our faith is being tested, which ties in nicely with the Kozminsky Symbol for today, above. It can relate to challenges, risks, and things that make us doubt ourselves, but through heart-centered action (the card relates to Mars in Leo), we can overcome difficulties. There may be some competition involved, and we need to use our knowledge and wisdom to work through it. The Page of Cups shows us that whatever turmoil occurs is necessary for our growth and will show us how we can learn to love ourselves (or mirror where we’ve let ourselves down in that area.) We do need to be careful not to over-personalize things or fall into the “me me me” trap (the Mythic Tarot myth for the Page of Cups is that of Narcissusm which also reflects the “garden of desire” found in the Sabian Symbol today). Don’t forget that this is only the beginning of our journey to emotional maturation–we need to “fight the dragons” within and without in order to put all the pieces together!
–Valerie Sylvester, April 10, 2012–