Hello, everyone.

Let’s look at April 2010 to see what the planetary influences are and how we can work with them. 

• We’ll start with the most long-range and overarching influences, the planets Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus, which you will notice do not change from month to month but stay in the same sector of the sky for many years. 
• Then we will look at the mid-range influences, Jupiter and Saturn, which stay in the same sign for 1 – 2.5 years. 
• We’ll look at the personal planets, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and the Sun which stay in their respective signs for much shorter periods and primarily influence our day-to-day lives. 
• And last we’ll look at the sign and dates for the New and Full Moons, always special days in the month.

April is quite a month with four planets changing signs and two moving into retrograde motion.  I think this month we should test the theory that when a planet enters a new sign or turns retrograde, there is a specific occurrence in our lives that reflects the change.  I’ll note these days as we discuss each one.

Pluto in Capricorn

We’ve spoken at length about Pluto in Capricorn (see category at right), where it will remain until 2024.  In a nutshell, this long transit will bring fundamental change to many of the structures we have come to rely upon:  government, religion, the economy, industry, and transport systems, to name a few.  The transit carries the energy of revolution and evolution and can be dramatic and at times overwhelming.  Pluto exposes what is hidden, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse.

Pluto hastens and intensifies the processes of endings and new beginnings, and in Capricorn will bring about the ending of our business pursuits that are no longer suited to our growth and personal evolution.  Whatever has been slowly leaking vitality will go ahead and die, including old business models, practices, and products. 

This is formidable energy, and your best strategy is to tune in and work with it.  Find an area in your business life in need of renewal and begin the process before Pluto reaches planets in your chart and forces the issue.  Everyone with planets in the first seven degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn is already dealing with this energy. 

This month Pluto turns retrograde on April 6.  This retrograde motion combined with the extremely long orbit of the planet causes it to traverse only 3 degrees of Capricorn during the entire year.  Last December it was at 2 degrees, by April 6 it has reached 5 degrees, it retrogrades back to 2 degrees by mid-September, and it doesn’t reach 5 degrees again until next January.  If you have planets between 2 and 5 degrees of any sign you will experience a deeper and deeper probing and cleansing all year long, probably related to the issues mentioned above.  Pluto transits can be difficult, but when the work is through, they are the most rewarding because we are irrevocably freed from a long-standing, but hidden, issue.  At this point in April, you may notice a reversal which will lead you back to a problem you thought you had resolved.  Not yet!  There’s still more freedom to be gained.

 Neptune in Aquarius

With Neptune in Aquarius (see category at right) from 1998 to 2011, there has been a global consensus regarding the equality of the common man, shared responsibility to the group, ascendancy of people and nations based on the power of knowledge, the right of all nations to progress technologically, and the right of each person to contribute to and further the base of common knowledge.  

The best way to work with this energy is to allow your rational mind to open to waves of inspiration from the collective whole, from your community to the global community.  Expect to be inspired by your neighbors and friends. 

Uranus in Pisces

The Uranus in Pisces (see category at right) transit from 2003 – May, 2010 engendered innovation and invention in business.  It flattened hierarchies and enhanced global transactions and interactions.  With many variables in play simultaneously, we’ve been working with moving parts which connected and disconnected frequently, including projects, alliances, and workforces. 

How can we continue to work with Uranus in Pisces?  Product diversification, committee leadership, and collaboration, as well as global connection, and dissolution of hierarchical structures – any of these is good for the end of the cycle.

Saturn in Libra

Saturn has been transiting the sign of Libra, where it is exalted, but this month, due to retrograde motion, it regresses back into Virgo. 

This is one of those dates to watch for – April 7 – to see if we notice a shift from cooperative alliances back to a more individual focus on organizing and managing our own personal sphere of work.  It will be particularly interesting because Saturn makes this change of sign just as Pluto goes into retrograde motion.

Until October 2010, Saturn is in square aspect to Pluto in Capricorn (see above) but during the time it’s in Virgo the tension between the two planets is not as hard to reconcile.  We can use the energy of Saturn in Virgo to address the stresses coming from Pluto in Capricorn.  There’s nothing like a good plan to follow when things get tough. 

Jupiter in Pisces

Jupiter entered Pisces, a water sign, in January.  Pisces is concerned with the emotional connections that bind people together.  This can express itself as devotion to an ideal, often mystical or artistic, and the desire to lose oneself in the shared feeling of the group.

Jupiter, the planet of opportunity and expansion, is the ancient ruler of Pisces.  This brings a very positive influence to all endeavors that attempt to unite people based on a shared intention for the future.  How should you work with this energy?  Work on connection.  Set up links between people and organizations.  Make venues available for your employees to express their ideas creatively.  Be willing to lead with your intuition and feelings; show your employees, customers, and business associates your heart.  These activities will bring business expansion and profits.

Mars in Leo

When Mars is in Leo our will power becomes focused and controlled.  Mars in Leo loves to lead and gives faithfully and generously to those who follow.  When Mars is in Leo we are honest, direct, and fully dependable.  The sign Leo is also creative and artistic, so at this time we love performance and display. 

The best use of Mars in Leo?  Make your light shine with dignity and strength.  Lead with steadiness and authority.  Throw yourself into creative activities.  Secure and enjoy the limelight. 

Mars resumed direct motion on March 10.  During its retrograde motion, Mars retraced its steps all the way back to the very beginning of Leo.  Now Mars is picking up steam and moving forward although until mid-May we are still reinvigorating projects that have been underway since last fall.

Mars leaves it long journey in Leo in June. Take advantage of these last two months of heightened creativity and expect high performance from your employees too. 

Venus in Taurus/Gemini

Venus is in her home sign of Taurus until April 25.  Venus in Taurus turns our attention toward security, the actual, real-world kind.  The desire for beauty and comfort is strong, but so is the desire to build something that will last.  Spend money only on things of lasting value and expect to make practical progress on your creative goals.

So April 25^th is a day to watch for.  As Venus enters Gemini, do you notice a change in your attitudes or intentions?  Possibly something along the lines of getting out and selling the products you developed over the past couple of months?  Let’s see. 

Mercury in Aries/Taurus

Mercury enters practical Taurus on April 2 – another day to watch for.  Ideas came easily when Mercury was in Aries and your sales efforts were probably enthusiastic and glib.  Now is the time to make good on your promises and deliver.

Mercury turns retrograde on April 18.  Ahhh, Mercury retrograde, three times a year we can’t avoid it.  And it really does have its purpose.  I’ll note some posts at the end of this one so you can remember why we appreciate retrograde Mercury.

Sun in Aries/Taurus

The Sun is in Aries until April 19, then moves into practical, resolute Taurus.  Use the rest of the Aries time for enthusiastic leadership and be willing to experiment with new ideas.  When the Sun enters Taurus, pick the best few and lead your team into a mode of implementation.  You’ll have functionality and form on your side. 

Phases of the Moon

The new Moon is in Aries on April 14, waxing to full in Scorpio on April 28.

Monthly Recap

Against the backdrop of massive global changes to the structures in our lives, we are inspired by and engaged with the global community as never before.  With Saturn moving back into Virgo, we have another chance to get our houses in order and to implement a system to stay organized in the future. Jupiter enhances our emotional bonds to one another, which will help if we get too results oriented.  With four planets in earth signs by the end of the month, we may tend to value accomplishment over connection. 

A recap of the days to watch for:

April 2 – Mercury enters Taurus

April 6 – Pluto turns retrograde

April 7 – Saturn retrograde enters Virgo

April 18 – Mercury turns retrograde

April 19 – Sun enters Taurus

April 25 – Venus enters Gemini

If you follow me on Twitter (ellenlongo) or Facebook (Ellen Longo) I’ll remind you to take special note of these days.

Let me know how your month plays out!

A few posts on Retrograde Motion:

Elegant Stillness – Retrograde Motion

Retracing Your Steps – Retrograde Motion

What did you miss?

Don’t forget. If you have an astrology-related business question (or a business-related astrology question) send it to me at ellen@astro4business.com. I’ll answer it in these posts, anonymously of course, and we can all learn from each other’s experiences. I look forward to it! Have a question now? Email it and let’s get started! 

Tags: astrology, business, Jupiter, Mars in Leo, Mercury, Moon, Neptune, Pluto, Saturn, Sun, Uranus, Venus