By Angel Lopez:
The astrology of April offers us all a rollercoaster of emotionally tinged events, but that seems fitting given the current reality we’re all existing in. I don’t know about you, but the world has me feeling all kinds of emotions, even some I didn’t know I had. But I think that’s how we want to be right now: feeling all the things and staying closely connected to the rawness of our being.
It is Aries season, the initiator of the Zodiac. The energy of new beginnings.
A fire sign, Aries is impulse. It’s the creative spark from which everything springs. It’s also movement and action, which of course has been hindered by our need to stay home. So how else to utilize all this energy if we can’t go run around? Well, consider that the question Aries poses to us is, “Who am !?” And right now, we all have a chance to ask ourselves who we are without so many of the outside world elements that usually make up that answer. Sure, we may still be connected to the role of parent or spouse or caregiver or even our work. But the container that our usual routine has rested in is gone. And that leaves us to turn within and wonder who we are when the outside world isn’t able to easily answer that question for us.
We dive into April with a conjunction between Jupiter and Pluto, which hits direct over the first five days but is in play for the entire month. These two powerhouse planets meet up in Capricorn, a sign that cares about our big picture plans and goals. It’s concerned with the future we are building toward and also the structures that we put into place. Jupiter rules our relationship with abundance, higher knowledge, personal growth, and expansion. Pluto is the ruler of the underworld. It oversees the depths of our inner self as well as where our soul wants to shift at its deepest. So together, these two are inspiring a profound change in us all. We are each being called to ask, “What is it that I believe in?”and to see if the life we have been living up to this point is a representation of that.
Now is a time for expansion through some deep, inner transformation work.
What self-probing have we put off for fear of what we’d have to face? That keeps in line with the earlier Aries question. Jupiter also rules opportunity, so we have the chance now to really plunge into the depths of ourselves, to expand our knowledge of our inner workings and see what truly makes us tick. Are we running on love, or fear?
The start of April also sees Venus move into Gemini, a much chattier sign for this planet to be in. Venus rules how we relate to others, as well as beauty, art, and what we value. This month will put much more emphasis on interpersonal relationships and connecting with those around us. We’ll all feel the need to be checking in with others and getting out of the cocoons we’ve been bound into. In fact, it’ll be helpful to share how this transformation has made us all feel. It will also have a kind relationship with Mars, the planet of action, who will be moving through Aquarius.
April will be a strong time for us all to discuss the role we can play in the next stage of our collective humanity.
We’re all seeing the societal structures that have been in place tumbling down around us. Now, how can we as a people come together and make our voices heard in a way that actually accomplishes change? Virtual meet-up’s and town halls will begin to show up, encouraging involvement on every level.
The so-called Age of Aquarius may just be here and now.
April 7th brings in the Libra Full Moon. Full moons encourage a releasing, and Libra is interested in our life’s balance. So, this full moon offers us the energy to release whatever has been keeping us from finding some balance in these unique times. Yes, some would argue that it’s impossible to find balance in a world framed by chaos. But our internal worlds will have seen so much challenge and forced growth that it will have created a new norm. The goal is to then see what we’re still holding onto in this present state that isn’t allowing us to center.
Are we creating time for movement? Play? Creativity? Rest? Connection? Spirit-based alone time?
Use this full moon to let go of what’s been keeping you from making time. No, don’t throw the kids out of the house. Instead, make it a priority and state your needs. Libra is an Air sign, connected with communication. So, it may just be your own state of mind that’s keeping you from making the time you need for you. And, if your life is an actual whirlwind (i.e., you’re still working full-time and managing a family), then do what you can to release any thoughts that are keeping you from peace. Libra also wants justice, so look out in the world for some much-needed justice to arise out of all this.
Mercury will spend a good portion of this month running through Aries, where it travels from April 10th through the 27th. So, consider some hot-headedness to appear when you least expect it. Tension and aggression may want to color our communication. All the more reason to confide in others and articulate your emotions and needs. This will also be a good opportunity to connect to any creativity that wants to express itself. Whether you use that energy for an artistic project or to simply get creative with your space or your family, take advantage of it. The creativity will want into your brain space, so it’s better to use it for good than the bad of creating drama or anxious thinking.
Taurus season moves in on April 19th, ushering in a collective ease. Taurus is the sign that rules what we value. It’s how we build; and it will be a time to build again. We will use this season to build the new structures for our lives. We will use this time to build bridges into the lives we left behind, knowing all that we know now about ourselves and the world around us. It will be a time to turn toward love in a more meaningful way. My hope is that the latter half of Taurus season, through May 20th, will be a time when we can all feel okay to hug a friend again (but don’t quote me on that). Surprisingly, it’s a slow down time after the intensity of Aries, since it seems like the slow down came early. But this should offer us more of a sigh, a moment to collect ourselves and gain a greater understanding of how to move on with our lives. We will also have a much clearer image of what is valuable to us, which will connect back up to the transformation that was discussed earlier. How can we move about our lives giving time and energy toward the things and people who really don’t touch our heart and souls?
Simply, our lives should be filled with what moves us. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Stay safe. Be healthy. And find a peace of mind whenever you can.
Angel Lopez is a film producer, writer, astrologer, and co-host of the podcast, THE SPIRITUAL GAYZ alongside his husband, our Spiritual Guru Brandon Alter. Angel has been studying and working with both tarot and astrology for twenty years. He hosted the astrology web-series, ASTRO TALK WITH ANGEL, and writes the blog ASTROLOGY REALNESS. He has also had pieces published on Upworthy.com and The Huffington Post.
On the film side, Angel produced the Sundance Film Festival award winning film DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, as well as the features THE DINNER and STATE LIKE SLEEP. He also wrote and directed his own short film, I CAN’T WITH YOU, which had its premiere at the 2016 HollyShorts Film Festival, and he recently finished producing filmmaker Justin Simien’s second feature, BAD HAIR.