iVillage

Transits

April, 2009

ASTROLOGY.COM'S MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS

IN THIS ISSUE:

--Free Samples: Career Path Reading, Canine Personality Profile Reading, Medicine Wheel Reading
--Free Fun: Celebrity Birthday of the Month, Mother's Day by the Signs, Feng Shui Quiz, Seduction by the Signs!
** All about Taurus
** Your Starcast for April 19 to May 19
** Astrolesson: Retrograde Saturn

April 19: Sun enters Taurus

As the Sun transits through this grounded sign that rules money, values, determination and loyalty, it's time to get back to basics. Focus on getting your material circumstances into tip-top shape. Whether you are thinking about getting training in a new field, giving your house a new coat of paint, or opening up a savings account, now is the time to not only plan, but to get the ball rolling!

Is there anybody these days that isn't keeping an eye on the economy? Whether you are getting ready to graduate and enter the job market or are looking for a new line of work, our free sample Career Path Reading shows you how to take control of your destiny. Is a better paycheck or more personal satisfaction your goal? This reading will give you some great insights and set you in the right direction!

Loyalty is a signature Taurus-trait. It is also a well-known trait of man's and woman's best friend! When you need that fur ball to cheer you up and remind you how to have fun, or greet you with overwhelming enthusiasm when you return from, well, anywhere, nobody can deliver like your dog! Yet, each one has its own personality. Do you know your dog's date of birth? If so, try a free sample Canine Personality Profile Reading and get extra insight into the personality of your pooch!

When the Sun is in the earth sign Taurus each year, we celebrate Earth Day on April 22. What a great time to be reminded that humans are not the only ones who inhabit the earth! Animals are one of our most precious companions both at home and in the wild. Do you know that you have a special symbolic animal? Check out a free sample Medicine Wheel Reading and get empowering information about your own personal animal and the realms it inhabits.

Whenever you think of Taurus, think of somebody with plenty of staying power. Few exemplify this trait better than Renee Zellweger, a Texas girl born on April 25, 1969. The world took notice of her when she played the loyal worker and then girlfriend in 'Jerry Maguire.' Many doubted she could play a British girl in 'Bridget Jones Diary,' and yet her determination and hark work earned her the praise of her peers with an Oscar nomination and the appreciation of the public. She ultimately received the coveted statue for her role in 'Cold Mountain.' Happy birthday Renee! You are a role model for determination! Find out more about Renee and other talented Taurus's in our Celebrity Section!

Taurus is such a true-blue sign, this the perfect time of year to celebrate Mother's Day! Whether your biological mom, your step-mom or grandma raised you, learn how best to express your appreciation for her existence in our Mother's Day by the Signs. Learn more about your mom's Sun sign, explore her hopes and wishes, and then plan the perfect celebration!

Taurus notices beauty in their environment, whether it's a flower by the side of the road, or beautiful fabric on a sofa. The design elements, placement of objects and colors are the staples of any Feng Shui practitioner helping clients improve their lives, be it career, love or emotional well-being. Take the Feng Shui quiz and explore how this fascinating and healing art can empower your existence! Spring has officially arrived -- and spring fever has too! As the Sun urges us to shed our winter clothes and start showing more skin, our libidos light up and our senses are on high. (No wonder Taurus is such a sensuous sign!) Let the cosmos help guide you in all things hot and heavy in Seduction by the Signs!

And if the stars are unable to satisfy your questions, visit our Live Advice Center and get the guidance you need!

Keep reading for your Starcast, which will take you through the month's astrological events, and prepare you for all the interesting experiences ahead. And be sure to read this month's Astrolesson: Retrograde Saturn.

Happy Birthday to all you determined Bulls out there! In these chaotic times, the world needs your grounded stability more than ever! Let your favorite Taurus know just how much you appreciate them by sending a free astrological e-card!

** All about Taurus

All those rumors about Taureans being stubborn? They're true. But lest you begin to think that stubbornness is a bad trait, consider the way people talk about those who don't stick to what they believe in: wishy-washy, scattered, distracted. Isn't stubborn better? Of course, there are other words that suit the average Taurus quite well and have a nicer ring to them: focused, grounded and stable, to name just a few. In other words, if there's an important task to be accomplished, you'll want a Bull for the job.

But there's a lot more to that Taurean nature than the ability to make a decision and keep to it -- innate sensuality, for example. These folks are the touchmeisters of the zodiac; so if it smells, tastes, looks, sounds or feels good, they're there. Just step into the home of the nearest Taurus for ample proof. You may not find the Mona Lisa on the living room wall or a bottle of Dom in the fridge, but you'll come across something that looks just as elegant and tastes just as good -- and you're in luck, too, because the Bull is more than happy to share, as long as the company is of equal quality.

When it comes to relationships, in fact, the one thing a Taurus absolutely insists on is that they have something to share. They're very big on getting a return on their investments, no matter what they've invested or how -- and that goes for time, energy and resources. If you're involved with a Taurus on a one-on-one basis, it's not just unbelievably pleasurable -- it's also a tremendous compliment! With Venus as its ruler, this sign settles for nothing less than the best of everything; if a Taurus isn't sure their partner answers that description on many levels, they wouldn't waste their time. So if you're a Bull yourself, those thoughts might go through your mind every time you and your sweetie get into an argument that leaves you trying to decide whether or not to walk out and stay gone. You know that you wouldn't be with them for this long if they weren't the best -- just be true to yourself, and your decisions are sure to be as solid as you are.

Learn more about sensual and reliable Taurus, or look into any other sign in Sun Sign Central.

Not a Taurus? Look beyond your Sun sign and find out where the Bull might appear in your own birth chart with a free sample Astro Identity Reading.

** Your Starcast for April 19 to May 19

Take stock of where you are and what you want while the Sun transits through practical Taurus! You will get plenty of help with Mars entering its own sign on April 22 when you'll have all the energy you'll need to get your plans in motion. Venus joins Mars in bold Aries on the 24th, so make sure you get out of the house. If you are single, you just may meet the love of your life. The new Moon in Taurus on April 24 marks a new beginning and reminds you to plan sensibly. Leave the wild and crazy schemes for more stable times. Pluto's trine to this new Moon shows that people in powerful positions can be helpful to you. Keep your eyes open. On April 26, Mars squares Pluto. Watch for pushy behavior, whether it come from you or someone else. Stay on your path and sidestep control freaks. The pace of life picks up as Mercury enters Gemini on April 30. It seems like everybody has something to say! Then love planet Venus squares Pluto on May 3, and the intensity level rises. Don't shy away from the deeper issues. They are surfacing for you to clear them out. Any conversations you have been having over the last couple of weeks are going to get a return visit now as Mercury turns retrograde on May 6. And although the full Moon in Scorpio on May 8 will intensify your emotions, use this time to clear the air. Then stand back and assess how far you've come, and use the power of this Moon to put finishing touches on your plans. Retrograde Mercury returns to determined Taurus on May 13; and then on May 16, the Sun offers three different points of view as it squares Jupiter, sextiles Uranus and squares Neptune. Take the time to separate fact from fiction and you'll know what to do. As Saturn turns direct on May 16, you'll be able to create a firm foundation for success.

April 19: Sun enters Taurus

Gather your pennies, put your money in a safe place and analyze how you can improve your security. Whether you get a job to save for college expenses or make a sensible plan for retirement, this is the time to take stock of where you are and what you want. You will get all the help you need with the Sun's transit through earthy, practical Taurus. Determination, loyalty and stubbornness are Taurus characteristics that you can put to good use now.

April 22: Mars enters Aries

As Mars leaves soul-searching Pisces and enters the fiery sign it rules, you may feel like a ram that has been let loose on land after swimming around in the ocean for a while! Shake that water off! You have an abundance of energy now that needs something to pour all of that energy into. Otherwise, you may find yourself getting argumentative for no good reason. Although Aries is the sign of the pioneer, both Mars and Aries are, in mythology, the names for the god of war. If you stay focused on yourself and what you want to achieve, you'll go far.

April 24: Venus enters Aries

Now direct, the planet of love enters Aries for the second time this year. When Venus entered this enthusiastic sign on February 2, it was time for bold moves. Venus turned retrograde in Aries on March 6 and returned to Pisces on April 11, finally turning direct on April 17. Your love-life has seen plenty of twists and turns over these last couple of months. Now it's time to start again in the first sign of the zodiac. This is not a stay-at-home placement. If you are single, plan activities where you can meet someone who loves to do what you do. Married? Bring your partner flowers, train for the marathon together or sign up for a dance class. It is the doing that sparks love -- so get moving!

April 24: New Moon in Taurus

The new Moon in Taurus emphasizes the themes you've already been focused on since the Sun entered Taurus a few days ago. This is the sign that rules money and values, and your material life in general. You are especially grounded and clear now, which gives you the ability to plan sensibly. Pluto's trine to this new Moon shows that people in powerful positions can be helpful to you.

This new Moon will most affect those born April 23-27, July 26-30, October 27-31 and January 24-28.

April 26: Mars square Pluto

From 1996 until now, while Pluto was in belief-driven Sagittarius, when Mars squared Pluto, it was from sensitive Pisces or hardworking Virgo. This marks the first time that Mars in its own sign Aries forms a square to Pluto, which is now in ambitious Capricorn. This aspect tells the story of a power struggle. Pay close attention to any war-like, pushy behavior -- whether it comes from you or someone else. When challenged by those who have power, your tendency may be to lash out. How you handle challenges and disagreements says a lot about you now. Ask yourself if you have to have everybody's support to do what you believe is right for you.

April 30: Mercury enters Gemini

Mercury enjoys being in its home-sign Gemini! This is the premiere communication planet, so expect to hatch plans, gather information and chat with others to sound out your ideas. This is a beneficial time to cast a wide net as you explore different avenues of thought, engage in interesting conversations and clip favorite articles from magazines. Remember to bookmark your favorite sites!

May 3: Venus square Pluto

Matters of the heart can get a bit intense at times. When Venus in gallant Aries bumps into a square with Pluto, the Transformer, you'll need to figure out what you can let go of. Maybe you have an idea about what should happen, or perhaps you are pursuing a relationship that isn't a good fit. Whether it's your best friend or the love of your life, from time to time we need to descend into the deeper, messier realms to test the authenticity and staying power of our most important relationships. Power games may surface; attempts to control will backfire. Cool your jets, be thoughtful and regroup to make the most of this transit.

May 6: Mercury turns retrograde

It's time for a thorough review as Mercury turns retrograde in its own sign, Gemini. All of the normal rules apply: don't sign contracts; do not buy products that are communication-related, such as phones, mp3 players, and computers. The same goes for anything travel-related, such as cars and plane tickets. That said -- life doesn't always cooperate with Mercury retrograde periods! So if you must sign a contract, build in escape clauses; safeguard the receipts for products bought and double-check reservations. Most importantly, go back to conversations and ideas that you did not fully explore.

May 8: Full Moon in Scorpio

Full Moons are known for being a time of heightened emotion, and when in a sign as passionate as Scorpio, you're likely to feel strongly about everything! The new Moon in Taurus last month on April 24 prompted you to get a financial plan together and to build more material security into your life. Now, at this time of culmination with the Sun and Moon in opposition, you have a chance to stand back and assess how far you've come. Use the power of this Moon to put finishing touches on your plans. This full Moon will most affect those born May 7-11, August 9-13, November 9-13 and February 5-9.

May 13: Mercury enters Taurus

In Gemini, Mercury has a million ideas. In Taurus, practicality reigns and your thought process turns sensible. Certainly, nothing needs to be decided right now with Mercury retrograde, so take your time and be deliberate and patient as you mull over your options. Figure out what will realistically work and what won't. Let that be your guide as you ride out the rest of this retrograde period that lasts until May 30.

May 16: Sun squares Jupiter; Sun sextiles Uranus; Sun squares Neptune

This much input on one day keeps life interesting! First, the Sun in earthy Taurus in a square to Jupiter in Aquarius, an air sign, challenges you to be practical while also taking into account the social environment and the needs of others. But, with the Sun also squaring Neptune today (Neptune and Jupiter are close enough to conjunct later this month), figuring out what you want may feel confusing now. See if you can find a quiet place to relax and carefully think things through. Keep in mind though, opportunities to make creative changes that enhance your life are indicated by the Sun's sextile to Uranus. It's time for a change!

May 16: Saturn turns direct

Are you feeling a sense of anticipation? Saturn's change in direction after a long retrograde lowers barriers and opens the door to forward movement. In Virgo, all of your plans to get organized and embark upon a sensible health and fitness plan get the green light. It will be easier now to create a firm foundation for success. You will be amazed at what you can accomplish! Check your own chart for more information about how this important transit is affecting you.

Enjoy the Sun's transit in Taurus!

** Astrolesson: Retrograde Saturn

Since Saturn turns direct during this Taurus solar period, let's review what it means when this 'builder' planet is retrograde for several months each year. This current period began when Saturn turned retrograde on the last day of last year: December 31. Saturn turns direct on May 16 of this year.

Think of Saturn as a schoolteacher. Whether the education feels like it's coming from your worst teacher or your favorite, in many ways it's up to you. There is something being learned, and where Saturn is currently transiting in your chart is where you are receiving an important lesson.

Just as during any retrograde period, during Saturn's retrograde you help yourself by stepping back, reviewing and determining how you can support yourself more effectively in your life and express yourself more fully. Facing limitations, those of the world and your own capacity to limit yourself, is a signature of Saturn. Saturn always represents our responsibilities, our rules-for-living, how we construct our lives, and where we need to put our boundaries.

If you think of a retrograde Saturn as reviewing whether or not you've been structuring your life in a healthy way, you'll do just fine during this time. Listen to this master builder and the construction team, who are your current teachers. Don't take any short cuts! Don't rush anything. Instead, take your time to build slowly and thoroughly and you will reap plenty of rewards down the road.

Explore our ever-expanding roster of Astrology Blogs! From cosmic clues about bringing up baby in Motherhood & Astrology to the witty and sometimes naughty insights of Sex & the Galaxy to the balancing and energizing teachings of An Intuitive Life, and more -- empower yourself with wisdom from the heavens! Coming soon: 'Clueless About Dating: A guy's take on love and how astrology can help', 'Cosmic Cooking: Astrology & all things food', 'Quantum Tarot: Apocalypse of the Occult' ... stay tuned!