Key points of the month
- In the first two weeks of April we all have willpower at our disposal, especially in the areas of making money and relationships. We can use it to push through our personal agendas or apply it in a broader context, to serve our community. A favorable time to take care of financial matters.
- Gradually a quality of detachment comes in, which makes it easier to face limitations that Pluto imposes, mostly felt in the period from April 12 to 21.
- The 21st and 22nd bring a natural pause, and the last part of the month is more quiet. A time to reflect on core ethics, evaluate new ideas and align our mind and heart, ready to move in a new direction.

The first ten days
In these days the Sun, Venus and Mercury traverse Gates 21 and 51 in the Ego or Willpower Center. With Mars in Gate 45, the Channel of Money (21-45) is activated several times, first by the Sun, then by Mercury. This gives us the will to take charge of material matters and to make things happen in that area.
Until the 7th Jupiter and Saturn still activate the Channel of Sensitivity (19-49), with a different flavor than last month. It is focused now on navigating a situation of transition in a group setting. Be careful to only delegate to others who are really capable. Saturn can help with that. Yet when you demand perfection of your team, it will sour relationships.
After that Jupiter moves into the Gate of Desires (Gate 30, until May 15), magnifying the highs and lows of feeling. Can we recognize our emotional expectations and disidentify from them?
The second ten days

Here we see Mars move into Gate 12 (Standstill, taking stock) and activate the Channel of Openness (or Romanticism) with Neptune in Gate 22, Grace. Mars may stir up the fine, but also sometimes etheric Neptunian vibes. This energy can confer grace upon our actions, once we have given some moments to tune in to the emotional qualities that are transmitted along with our activities.
At the same time, Pluto activates the Channel of Mutation, first with Venus, then with the Sun. Mutation means a sudden change after a long period of build-up. The energy for something new (Gate 3) is met with a wall of restriction (Pluto in Gate 60). This requires patience, and trust that change will happen in its own right time.
Saturn creates a quiet counterpoint in Gate 19, Line 6 (from April 15). Here is the sage on the hill, who presents a compassionate overview to anyone willing to come close and listen. And that’s a metaphor for an inner process.
The third ten days
On April 21 and 22 Mars, which has now moved into Gate 15, Humanity, creates the Channel of Rhythm with the South Node in Gate 5. It emphasizes the rhythms of nature: a good opportunity to slow down, take a breather and spend some time in nature.
This ushers in a more contemplative period, where we can integrate the experiences of the previous weeks.

At the beginning of the year, Venus was the morning star, but since Jan 23 it is no longer visible. The planet is passing in front of the sun (seen from earth) and will emerge as the evening star on May 24. Currently Venus and Mercury, which is always close to the sun, move through the same gates. It makes it easier to speak about what we feel. For a really clear communication, both our mind and heart need to be open.
From 28 April to May 2 the Sun and Uranus, planet of revolution, stand together in Gate 24, Returning. Through this gate innovative ideas can enter into the world. It can also cause the mind to run around in circles, recycling the same patterns in the hope of finding a solution.
Repetitive revolutionary thoughts do not seem to be a very pleasurable way of being with the mind, and they can lead to some addictive or self-destructive behavior. Perhaps good to pay a visit to that sage on the hill, and come down with equanimity and a renewed sense of direction. Direction will be a theme in May, and also in the coming summer (or winter) season.
