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Horoscope: April 6 - 12, 2020
Astrologer Pam Younghans writes this weekly astrological journal based on planetary influences, and offers perspectives and insights to assist you in making the best use of current energies. This column is not intended as prediction. Your own experience will be more specifically defined by transits to your personal chart.
Highlighted Aspects for This Week
All times listed are Pacific Standard Time. For Eastern Time, add 3 hours. For Greenwich Mean Time, add 7 hours.
TUE: Mars square Uranus, Mercury sextile Pluto, Mercury sextile Jupiter, Full Moon 7:34 p.m. PDT
WED: Mars sextile Chiron, Mercury sextile Pallas Athene, Sun semisquare Venus
FRI: Venus sextile Chiron, Mercury enters Aries
SAT: Mercury sextile Saturn, Mercury square nodal axis
WE'VE GAINED the first peak now. On Saturday, Jupiter and Pluto were at exactly the same degree of the zodiac, marking the moment when the influence of their first alignment was a its greatest strength. True to the intentions of this alignment in Capricorn, current situations are requiring us to fast track much-needed systemic changes, on both sociopolitical and personal levels.
While it's true that the trail slowly winds its way down from here, it's a very gradual descent with Jupiter and Pluto traveling in close proximity to each other throughout April. In essence, we'll feel like we're walking along a high ridge for a bit longer. The core issues we are working with will take some time to resolve, even when the acceleration of symptoms starts to ease. This easing is likely to be most apparent after Pluto goes retrograde on April 25.
Staying at this elevation will require us to learn new perseverance, discipline, faith, and focus. The air is thinner, so the recommendation to breathe deeply and slowly still applies. But, over time, the trail will bring us down off the mountain, and we'll find it easier to breathe normally.
WE HAVE ANOTHER pivotal week ahead, centered around two planetary events that both occur on Tuesday. First on the agenda is a Mars-Uranus square that perfects at 11:50 a.m. PDT.
On a personal level, this aspect can manifest as rebelliousness against restriction or routine. Certainly many are feeling restless under current constraints, especially those who find fulfillment in those social activities that are now limited. Reactivity is heightened around the time of this aspect, so remember to pause and breathe when you feel the stress. Then choose positive ways to move any energy that is manifesting as frustration or anger. Physical activity (Mars) – even something as simple as a quick power walk – is a great way to release pent-up emotions.
Mother Earth will also be feeling the added pressure this week; Mars-Uranus aspects often are linked to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other surprising or sudden environmental events that represent a release of physical tension.
ALSO ON TUESDAY is our Full Moon for the month of April. The lunar orb will appear exceptionally large in the sky at the time of the lunation, because it occurs when the Moon is at perigee, the point in its orbit when it is physically closest to the Earth. This is the second of only two Super Full Moons in 2020 (the first was March 9/10), and this one will be the larger of the two.
A Super Full Moon, being actually closer to the Earth, is expected to have a stronger effect than regular Full Moons. Emotions are heightened, and we may see even more "lunacy" than usual. Equally, we have the ability for heightened awareness and insight, another byproduct of Full Moons, when the darkness of night is illumined.
THIS SUPER FULL MOON occurs when the Moon reaches 18°43? Libra, and is exactly opposite the Sun at the same degree of Aries. Libra, the sign of the Scales, is associated with balance, harmony, partnership, equal and fair relations, and justice.
These qualities are admirable at all times, of course – but they may be both harder and more vital to access right now, especially since people who cohabit with others may feel their relationships being stretched to the limit under the current circumstances. While our ideal may be to think of families and loved ones sweetly reconnecting during this time of lockdown, I'm sure there are those who find themselves face to face with problems that had been avoided up until now – issues that were easily sidestepped due to differences in schedules between household members.
On the other end of the spectrum, those who live alone may be more in touch now with the need to connect with friends and family, even if they feel mostly contented with a solitary life.
The systems that we have created in our lives, and have relied on to provide a sense of structure and continuity, are undergoing a deep transformation now.
THE CHALLENGE to inner and outer harmony is evidenced in the Full Moon chart: the Sun and Moon are square Jupiter, Pluto, and Pallas Athene in Capricorn, forming a cardinal T-square. This configuration represents a level of tension that makes us feel like we need to do something NOW to resolve it – and yet, the way to manage the problem is paradoxically to develop greater self-discipline, patience, and a sense of proper timing. This is due to a tendency to act impulsively, and to overlook the steps that need to be taken for successful change to occur.
That being said, there are dynamic potentials contained in a T-square. There can be very positive outcomes, if we channel this energy creatively and wisely (Athene), with farsightedness (Jupiter), and with focused intention (Pluto).
Likewise, considering that the Mars-Uranus square also occurs on Tuesday, we'll want to realize that in spite of (or maybe because of) breakdowns, we have an increased opportunity to realize breakthroughs.
ASSISTING US this week are several sextile aspects, which represent new opportunities. Mercury sextiles Jupiter and Pluto on Tuesday, opening doors to new insights. On Wednesday, healing potentials are activated through Mars-Chiron and Mercury-Athene. And, on Friday, improved collaboration is possible with Venus-Chiron.
Also on Friday, Mercury enters Aries. This indicates that we should begin to see new, clearer data coming forward. This information may have a solid scientific foundation (Mercury sextile Saturn on Saturday), but with Mercury also square the nodal axis, it may also go against traditional thinking, which could cause resistance.
FOR THOSE who are tracking lunar aspects, here is this week's watch list. We are likely to feel more off balance and emotional around these times. All of these squares occur on Wednesday, April 8:
- Moon-Pluto (Libra-Capricorn): 5:17 a.m. PDT
- Moon-Jupiter (Libra-Capricorn): 5:50 a.m. PDT
- Moon-Saturn (Scorpio-Aquarius): 3:03 p.m. PDT
- Moon-Mars (Scorpio-Aquarius): 11:41 p.m. PDT
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: The past year or two have been a time of powerful transformation in your life. In many ways, your identity has been turned inside out, with the purpose of helping you gain new levels of personal empowerment. This year, you are consolidating those changes, while continuing to learn even more about your deeper motivations and beliefs. Relationships go through an adjustment phase in the coming year, as you stand back and consider what you really want and need in this area. This reappraisal of your values may also cause you to make some adjustments in your spending habits. (Solar Return Sun semisquare Venus, square Jupiter, square Pluto)
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For previous weeks of the Astrological Journal, click here.
About the Author
Pam Younghans is a professional astrologer, editor, and writer. She lives in a log home northeast of Seattle, Washington with her beloved animal companions. She has been interpreting charts professionally for over 25 years. If you are interested in an astrology reading, e-mail
