I have a file called wonderful words and quotes. I don't remember where I got this quote, but it absolutely applies to the message I bring you about the spring of 2004.
A quote from William James "Most people live, whether physically, intellectually, or morally, in a very restricted circle of their potential being. They make use of a very small portion of their possible consciousness, and of their soul's resources in general, much like a man who, out of his whole bodily organism, should get into a habit of using and moving only his little finger. Great emergencies and crises show us how much greater our vital resources are than we had supposed."
The Aries archetype came in with vigor and excitement about embracing new potentials on the horizon. Planets in Taurus bring a healthy realistic restraint in view of practical matters beginning at the Spring Equinox. Aries carries the spirit of masculine energy, eager to experience challenges. The creative impulses are very 'Yang' in nature. You will have high energy and be open to adventure much like a spiritual warrior. The feminine principle is accented simultaneously by Mars and Venus in Taurus, the first 'Yin' sign of the zodiac. Taurus is sensual, warm, earthy, pragmatic, and will help to balance the thrust of Aries. This can lead to more productive results if you are in cooperation and flow. These influences set the stage for all three months of spring. . This combination will have an influence most of April.
The next focal point of the lunation cycle is the Libra Full Moon on April 5th. All matters involving other people are exaggerated and illuminated. By this time Venus and Mars are traveling together in Gemini, the last sign of the spring quadrant of the zodiac. Gemini influence brings diversity, and places importance on communication, decisions, and the joy of discovery. Diversification and exploration are valued. The negative aspect of this combination is getting scattered, impatient, looking for immediate gratification with a feeling of getting no where fast. Impulses are strong, arguments occur, and haste makes waste. Mental anxiety is heightened. Simultaneously, to add flavor to the soup, Mercury turns retrograde in the sign of Taurus on April 6th, a day after the Libra Full Moon.
It is in your best interest to slow down. Retrograde phases of Mercury extend through a three-week period of time. In this case, Mercury turns direct on April 30th. Backtrack to review what has unfolded in March. Reflect and reconsider the circumstances of current time, especially related to love and money. As well, consider what is taking place in the process of Selfhood and the journey toward wholeness. Be aware of how you communicate. Be deliberate in what you say or don't say. Wait until the end of the month to secure financial contracts as you may change your mind or become aware of missing information that could influence the outcome you are expecting.
Mercury retrograde in Taurus activates the feminine counterpart. Taurus is down to earth and attends to the affairs of the physical world. The combination of fast moving planets in Aries, Taurus, and Gemini, will expose a spectrum of polarities, such as fast and slow, spontaneous and deliberate, stubborn and flexible, intellectual and kinesthetic modes of perception, and tradition vs. having an open mind.
From late March through April and May, these three zodiacal signs are linked closely by the positions of the faster moving planets. The sequence or the progression from month to month will be an unfoldment and quite unified, almost like a dance. This dance is the awakening to the true purpose of existence that is the process of becoming whole. Participate in the journey of becoming all you can be. Embrace all parts of yourself as a means to experience wholeness, including your shadow side.
Venus and Mars bring the duality of Yang/Yin and operate as a pair, functioning primarily in emotional, sexual, and other forms of intimate relationships beyond sexual exchange. Venus is the female polarity and Mars is the masculine polarity. Everything in the world of concrete manifestation has various proportions of Yang and Yin, including what energy makes up men and women. Together this polarity joins to enhance interactions that create fulfillment through giving and receiving.
We experience the conflict of opposites in ourselves and in our encounter with others, primarily in the male-female polarity. In the process of becoming whole, we confront duality and conflict in our daily reality, which becomes the mechanism for owning all of who we are and what we create.
The next dramatic shift of energy comes with the Taurus Solar Eclipse on April 19th. It will be a cycle within other cycles, certainly pronouncing individual activities and what is taking place in the arena of relationship. Taurus likes productivity, symbolizes grounding, relying upon Mother Earth as the teacher and the cradle. Taurus seeks to be self-sufficient and secure, possessing an ability to create fulfillment in the material world. Taurus identifies resources and in a determined and persistent manner, builds and preserves, thus establishing a base. Taurus preserves in such a manner that history is in the making and future generations can share in the value of the creation in present time. A Taurus person love antiques, other materials from past times, and appreciates beauty in all ways. All of these qualities are enhanced at this time ushered in by the Taurus Solar Eclipse cycle. Each of us can partake and enjoy as we grow in these areas.
Let me give you a brief astrology lesson and then we will look closer at the trends likely to manifest this month. The twelve signs of the zodiac are comprised of what is called the elements and the modes. Each season will have a cardinal, fixed and mutable mode. Think of modes as a quality of energy. Aries brings impetus as a cardinal sign. Taurus brings duration as a fixed sign, and Gemini brings synthesis or resolution as a mutable sign. The elements activated are fire, earth, and air. The sequentially is promoted by the transits of the faster moving planets. The interconnected flow will bring us closer to ourselves and will promote more activity in relationships. With a kick in the rear, we experience deeper examination, and potentially more personal integration, especially in the summer.
It is difficult for me to separate March, April, May, and June. For now I'll address the Yang/Yin focus that most people will be able to identify with during April. As we move through the archetypal patterns of Aries to Taurus, the two first signs of the zodiac, we experience the polarity of creative and receptive, or masculine and feminine energies. These two signs at the beginning of the zodiac are Yang/Yin symbols, ruled by Mars and Venus.
To speak more plainly, Aries represents the thrust to be true to oneself and to begin again, thus discovering more individual potential. Taurus cups the energy and puts it to use in a productive manner. Quite a nice pair, wouldn't you say?
Venus and Mars will oppose Pluto between April 23rd-24th and May 1st. First Mars and then Venus make this opposition. Venus will continue to oppose Pluto at various points until late July. Because of her retrograde cycle there will be many exact hits over the next few months. The Goddess of love has much to teach us about embracing the shadow through death and rebirth experiences. Healing within through becoming true and whole within ourselves promotes healing in relationships.
The process of becoming all that we can be is wonderful to witness. It is truly a gift we give to others and ourselves when we are able to share the awakening journey and to participate and assist one another on a daily basis to fulfill individual potentials. Some of the inner work we must do to overcome obstacles and illusions for empowerment, we do on our own, or with the help of a therapist, teacher, or a mentor. Make it a point to be kind, responsive and loving. Use your relationships to expand your awareness, as well as make an offer to be of assistance whenever you can. Random acts of kindness are a great way to practice the golden rule. Be willing to admit your weaknesses and self-correct accordingly. There is no shame in this. Feelings teach us as are important reference points for being true to ourselves. Relationships are reflections of your relationship with yourself, so welcome the feedback.
In closing, prepare for the month of May by being accountable each day through being aware in the here and now, speaking your truth, and by applying the discipline necessary to create the life you want daily in a positive manner. There may be some damage to repair in your relationships. Do it now. Swallow your pride and practice forgiveness.
