Retrograde Mercury:

Mercury, having appeared to be travelling backwards through Aries since 20th March, continues retrograde until 12th April when it starts forward from the beginning of Aries again. Aries is the fountain of beginnings, and Mercury represents our conscious thoughts, our communicating and moving around. With Mercury retrograde, we could be in the throws of digging into ourselves to find motivation for all the possibilities we see ahead. I know I’m travelling towards what I’m aiming for, but it feels as though I’m sliding backwards regardless how much work I think I’m putting in!

The Moon catches up with the Sun at 19 Aries on 8th April, so perhaps the following month is about finding that motivation – not rushing ahead blindly, but considering the most appropriate way forwards, bearing in mind our own capabilities and limits.

Venus conjunct the New Moon:

On 8th April, Venus will be 21 Aries, very close to the new Moon, tempting us forwards with promise of new energy in relationships. The last New Moon was in Pisces, so we’ve just spent a month perhaps becoming more sensitive to others, discovering in ourselves more emotional breadth than we’d felt for a while. Perhaps we can motivate ourselves in April by considering the effect we are having on those around us, by finding out what they might reveal of themselves if we changed our approach.

Venus in Aries (and later, in Taurus):

The Aries way of relating can be something of a shock, especially to more reserved people. It shows as a person expressing their immediate reaction ‘in your face’, and is not meant to drive you away. Aries is searching for its own truth, and finds it best when others are equally clear. The Aries ‘assault’ is often simply a sign of interest and desire to relate, so let’s not be put off, but take it as an indication to be open. On the other hand, if we find others recoiling from our ‘assault’, let’s not take it as rejection. Let’s just ease back, and try again more gently.

By the 16th April, Venus will have moved into Taurus, a sign she expresses beautifully, giving us the opportunity to be more aware of each others’ presence, and the presence of all natural things. Venus will be heralding the Sun’s move into Taurus on 20th April, when the rites of Spring are naturally underway. On 24th, the Full Moon will oppose the Sun from Scorpio. When you find your relationships taking you deep, just know it’s happening to others too.

Meditation for this New Moon in Aries: ‘Know thyself!’

Look inside for your real, authentic, responses, and express them clearly, yet without placing blame. Examine the reasons for any resentment lurking in your system, and what true desires may be hidden underneath it. We often hide hurt under anger or irritation, so give clear messages to your loved ones so that misunderstandings can be sorted out.

Give yourself till 20th April to get clear. Then just enjoy the feeling of ‘being there’ for your friends and family – ‘being there’ with the natural world.