APRIL 2009 OUTLOOK:

The Sun returns to its yearly, exalted position, every spring when it reaches zero degrees Aries according to the sidereal zodiac.  This is indicative of a new solar year and takes place in 2009 on April 13th (at 2:30 P.M. Central Daylight Time).   When the Sun is exalted, projects generally fare well. An exalted Sun promotes strong leadership, rapid healing, energy and outgoing forward movement.  It’s generally a beneficial four-week period (until May 15th) due to the Sun’s overall strength.  This year, the Sun remains unafflicted which bodes well.   

Mercury is moving ahead rapidly, entering Aries on 4/6 and Taurus on 4/24.  Communications, technical details and information processing should improve once Mercury leaves its debilitated position of Pisces, after 4/6.  Monday, April 6th is a bit problematic because the Moon will be transiting Leo, conjunct Saturn, receiving Mars aspect, while Mercury will be weak at zero degrees of Aries.  Emotional issues, frustration, uncontrolled anger, problems with communications are more likely on this date.  It’s not a good day to start new projects or to enter into negotiations or contracts.   Relationships are likely to be strained.

On 4/14, Mars enters Pisces, a friendly zodiac sign for Mars’ transit.  Mars will gain strength several days later, once it is past the first 2 degrees.  Mars will improve in terms of regaining its strength since it will no longer receive the difficult aspect from Saturn.   Conversely, Saturn’s strength will also improve since Saturn will not receive Mars’ harmful rays.   This allows Mars to regain its position for power and allows surgery and sharper, technical endeavors to go more smoothly during the last two weeks in April.

Mars in Pisces will allow artistic and charitable endeavors to advance more readily, and also allow for certain projects to come to fruition.  Mars will then conjunct exalted Venus exactly on 4/21.  This creates a strong sense of passion and desire, perhaps to excessive levels.  Caution is advised between 4/21-4/25, when Mars and Venus will enter into a planetary war.  Try not to act on impulsive desires and ideas in any sphere during this time.  Wait until more rational thinking prevails.  It’s interesting that the Moon will join into this Venus/Mars configuration on 4/22, creating very strong passions and desires for escape, pleasures, travel, fantasy, film, movies and interest in the arts.  The stock market might temporarily jump as well due to impulsive purchases. 

Venus turns direct on 4/17 in exalted Pisces and continues to transit through Pisces through April into May.   Relationships should improve once Venus moves direct.  Contracts and interpersonal negotiations will be more favorable after 4/25, once Mars moves ahead of Venus and there is more separation between the two planets.  Some individuals will become more devoted to assisting others or to following their higher beliefs, once Venus separates from Mars in its exalted position.

Jupiter will be weak during the last week of April and into early May since it will be transiting the last degree of its debilitated Capricorn placement.  Jupiter will then enter Aquarius on 5/1 and remain at zero degrees until 5/10, rendering Jupiter very little strength.   Continued contraction, reducing excess, and maintaining a pragmatic attitude will be the mantra of the month.  Irresponsible behavior, excessive tendencies and deceptive behavior will not be tolerated.   With Jupiter weak, there are no second chances (no forgiveness) for past mistakes.  It’s a period of reckoning for those who cheated, took short cuts or were deceptive.  Some idealistic desires, large social protests, and humanitarian concerns are likely to grow between mid-May into mid-July.  Jupiter will then remain in Aquarius until 7/30/09, when it then retrogrades back to Capricorn.  

Once Jupiter gets past the first 2 degrees, it will be stronger in Aquarius as compared to the April debilitated Capricorn transit, so this will improve Jupiter’s ability to offer gains and benefits, after mid-May until mid-July.  Generally, financial markets are likely to improve and appear somewhat brighter, if only for the short-term.  This May-July period “may” produce another short-term stock market rally since Jupiter will be stronger.  Jupiter rules the financial markets, along with Venus.  Since Saturn will also throw a wide aspect onto Jupiter, setbacks and challenges are still likely to follow such gains during that period.  Financial conservatism and taking personal responsibility continue to be favored.