Astrology

Aries: March 20 – April 19

 

Sometimes you have to think practical thoughts. You see yourself as a get-up-and-go kind of person and truly you are, but now is the time to strengthen the structures that keep you secure. What kind of wood have you gathered to keep the fire of your life burning? Is it the hard, long-lasting kind or the kind that burns too fast and is gone in a flash? Stockpile resources until April 17th. On April 3rd through 6th, too much passion will burn you out. It’s true that we are getting older, but this is not about that. It’s about choosing the long or the short run. Resolutions and intentions made between the 14th and 16th work wonders regarding self-image. Perhaps a haircut is in order. From the 23rd through 29th, a huge wave of busyness claims you. Get your surfboard out and catch the wave.

 

Taurus: April 20 – May 20

 

You are waking from a sleep of escape brought on by too much responsibility and not enough time. Slowly but surely there are ways to deal with the chaos, but don’t get complacent. It’s a quantum world and the only sure thing is change. From April 3rd to 6th, rely on your higher wisdom to help you organize (a little Feng Shui perhaps?). Home and family are demanding, but lack compassion for your situation. From the 7th, your creative problem-solving instinct reasserts itself, but the challenge to maintain grace under pressure culminates around the 27th. Spend time, energy and resources wisely and well. If you are unclear about what that requires, expect some strong and trustworthy insight on the 28th.

 

Gemini: May 21 – June 20

 

As always, you have much to say, but it’s only worth saying when you calm the inner monkey mind before you speak. Panic arises from April 3rd through 13th if you don’t marshal your inner resources. Call upon the wisdom and power of a healer to do this. We all benefit from a good witness. You know who your friends are after the 14th, but it’s hard to count on them from the 17th. They will be there for you eventually. Keep tuning and calming your inner mind. Don’t let it jerk you hither and yon. Balancing work and home is a major task from the 23rd. You are more than up for it, especially after the 25th when love and pleasure are more available, but don’t forget for a moment that you have to keep that inner monkey quiet.

 

Cancer: June 21 – July 21

 

If you have been trying to manage and marshal your resources over the past few months, the issue remains – but this is the home stretch. From April 2nd through 17th, you make progress if you invest effort and resources for future benefit. From the 15th, step up to the task at hand – whether you feel prepared or not. The die is cast. On the other hand, don’t go looking for things to do that aren’t already required. Enough is as good as a feast. From the 22nd to 25th, celebrate Earth Day by participating with others in your circle who honour and celebrate their connection to our home. A shower of good feelings rains down on you around the 28th. Complicated as love can be, sometimes all that is required is to let it be.

 

Leo: July 22 – August 22

 

The difference between a coward and a hero is that one can’t act and the other can. You have been preparing over many months for some version of a heroic act – possibly a leap from a tall building, but more likely something only you would need courage to do. Another person might not even notice. Wrestle with your fears from April 2nd through 6th, but do not let them own your actions. Truly, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Actions fueled by righteous understanding are easier after the 14th. This could also just be a good time to travel. In terms of your career, the second half of April is all about going with the flow. After the 25th, this includes speaking out about your values.

 

Virgo: August 23 – September 22

 

The feeling that you are carrying a heavy load resurfaces on April 7th. It’s the last round, and what you are meant to take from it is a sense of how capable you are. Over the next few months, review the last two years and look for all the times you did something you didn’t think you could. Avoid petty arguments on the would-a, should-a, could-a spectrum on April 3rd, 5th, 23rd and 25th. Your motive for getting the other person to see how stupid they are is not really pure. Research into a subject that has significance for you is a worthy undertaking from the 14th. Information is power, and as the month develops a sense of the possibility of chaos overtaking order begins to grow – if not in you personally, than in the world. Change is.

 

Libra: September 22 – October 22

 

Lurking beneath the surface of social appropriateness is a seething, teaming cauldron of primitive, wild, sometimes horrifying impulses that all humans have. This could be fascinating or terrifying. Look for these impulses in friends and family. When you find something, don’t pounce on it and try to ‘fix’ it. Nothing is broken. Rather, look inside and see if you can’t find some of these complex and irresolvable issues in yourself. These days, and for a while to come, what works best for you is to turn toward the flame and be illuminated even as you are cooked. Relationship is at issue from April 14. Your competitive nature is attracted to those who give you challenge. Appreciate this quality in your partner and all will be well.

 

Scorpio: October 23 – November 21

 

It’s all about being busy, hard at work and doing what has to get done. A stubborn fellow in the workplace (you or the other guy?) takes issue from April 3rd to 5th. You have the power if you use your words. Speak your truth, but see if you can eliminate the venomous stinger as you do. This shifts around the 20th, when the theme becomes awareness of personal relationships. Primary partners demand you listen to them, and if you don’t there will be hell to pay around the 25th. But if you do, you will find even the most difficult issues resolved by an open heart in synch with an open mind. From the 26th to 30th, all intimacies in your life can be deepened by applying this wisdom.

 

Sagittarius: November 22 – December 20

 

In the depths of your visionary heart, there is often a seed of serious doubt about yourself and life in general. It’s personal. You have to breathe through it. Possibly it goads you into using some of your most unique talents. You see what others cannot. Keep your visionary nose to the grindstone this month. Everything that you work hard for will be of a higher quality than that which comes easily. It’s not always this way, but it is now. An intense effort from April 23rd through 25th allows you to bring opposing forces into alignment from the 26th to 30th. Self-pity and mood swings will not do.

 

Capricorn: December 21 – January 19

 

What do you love? Who do you love? When love is understood to spring from values it can be successful. When values are confused, the best way to sort them out is to look at what gives you simple pleasure – a sunny day, the moon on the water, the smell of spring. We complicate this with our inherently greedy human nature. Let Earth Day be Earth Month for you, and let it be grounded in a deep appreciation for simple things. You won’t be here forever. Focus your thoughts so that others can understand what you are trying to say. This will come in quite handy during the last week of April.

 

Aquarius: January 20 – February 17

 

Seems like everyone wants to pick a fight with you these days. It’s getting tiresome. Yet there is something you must understand – being high-minded and idealistic can also look as if you are stubborn and resistant. Those who are challenging you want you to bend – not break. Finding the sweet spot will do you good. Look for it from April 2nd to 6th, and the 23rd to 25th. If you are in a relationship, engage with your partner in vigorous and revitalizing activities. From the 15th, take a good look at your home. Redecorate, reorganize and remake anything that might benefit from a little sprucing up.

 

Pisces: February 18 – March 19

 

For what is supposed to be a great year, there isn’t much great news this month. More like you have to make your good fortune yourself. Focus on communication skills. Your gift at the moment is to take that dreamy, imaginative Pisces perspective and give it some teeth so it bites the ones you want to ‘get’ it. Look up the meanings of words and the rules of grammar before you send off the final copy. Double-check everything after April 17th. Don’t be afraid of hard work. Oceanic feelings of wanting and not wanting relationship are strong toward the end of the month. Focus on your work and let the relationship sort itself out if you can.

 

Jollean Schaffer is a practising astrologer in Toronto. She would like you to understand that Sun Sign astrology has its strengths and its weaknesses. Take it lightly; use it as you will. Consultations (416) 424-3079. Visit her website at www.lighttravels.com/JulieSimmons