THE MOOD: Reckoning and Release

After spending the past year journeying through the archetypes, April springs forth a new approach to my forecasts. This month, I am launching a series called The Mood -- an exploration of the most prominent energies at play each month. Rather than detailing all of the specific transits and aspects over the course of each month, The Mood takes a birds-eye view of the astrological weather, giving space for all the faster-moving transits and aspects to add nuance and spice to the broader energies at play. The Mood is an art, a vibe, an intuition, a snack-sized bite of the zeitgeist, and I hope it offers an approach to astrological writing and interpretation that is thoughtful, holistic, and shamelessly creative. Enjoy!

After the zany, diffusing energy of March, April brings us back to clarity and focus. The sun’s rays are awakening, becoming stronger, more direct, and laser-focused in their task of guiding our earth into the birth of a new season. We feel ourselves awakening, too, as the Sun, Mercury, and Venus bolt through Aries and offer each of us a mini-rebirth -- a personal renewal after the darkness of winter. We may feel our eyes wider, our spirits brighter, our vision clearer, our thirst for light and life renewed. 

However, the month is not so straightforward, as much as Aries -- a sign that is so sincere and unabashed in its desires -- would adore that. The month asks us for our bravery, courage, and accountability as the Sun, Mercury, and Venus square Pluto in Capricorn. Pluto in Capricorn does not play; it demands that we reckon with the systems, rules, and regulations that are failing us. This aspect asks us to use Aries’ fearless qualities in service to both our individual selves and to our social systems. We have an opportunity to use the freshness of spring to strengthen our resolve and renew our efforts to tackle our deepest structural issues, whether they be the pandemic, racism, or all of the above and more. The vibe brings out the fight to survive, and the fight is not for one but for all.

While the force of this reckoning is challenging, the skies also gift us an opportunity to release as the Sun, Mercury, and Venus amble into Taurus in the latter half of April. Since the planets in Aries sprinted out of the gate, their arrival into Taurus offers us some respite if we are tired. Venus is especially comfortable in this sign, and it encourages us to call in the sensuous comfort that we need to take care of our weary, battling bodies. 

As the Sun, Mercury, and Venus lumber through Taurus, they also come into contact with charged, frustrated Uranus who has been in this sign since 2018. Uranus can be senselessly explosive; yet what would it look like to use this explosion to release, rather than simply to destroy? What would it look like to use this explosion as a way to be in deeper relationship with our bodies and with the earth? While flipping a table for its own sake is always an option, this conjunction asks if we can release pressure into pleasure and find new ways of refilling our cups. Replenish and renew the senses, for the journey is long -- and as we close out April, take a moment to indulge in all of spring’s splendor.

Candace Kita