Forecast for April 27 to May 3, 2006by Ellen Zucker
Astrology is, at its core, a study of cycles. Celestial cycles are predictable phenomena. This one fact makes it possible for astrologers to make forecasts.
All astrological cycles begin with two planets, or a planet and a point, meeting each other. Upon meeting, they exchange energy with each other. This meeting represents a new beginning.
Then one or both pull away. As they pull away, the cycle unfolds as the distance from the other increases. Eventually they reach a point where they are on opposite sides of the circle. They are now 180 degrees apart. They cannot separate any further. This is the point where the flowers sown by seeds planted at the cycle's beginning are in full bloom.
The the celestial bodies continue to circle around, moving closer and closer to each other until they meet once again.
The most widely known celestial cycle is that of the Sun and the Moon. We see evidence of it in the skies every night as the moon grows from darkness to crescent to quarter to fullness. Then it wanes, reversing its phases until reaching darkness and beginning a new cycle.
This week begins with a New Moon in the sign of Taurus (8 degrees of Taurus at 3:44 pm EDT). This New Moon or lunation sets the theme for this week's report.
Taurus is a fixed earth sign. Matters regarding the use of our resources and financial security come to the fore. We see this in the larger sphere where the latest spike in oil prices and oil supply squeezes is driving people to reevaluate the consequences of the developed world's overuse of this increasingly limited natural resource. The New Moon falls into the 8th house of the lunation chart cast for Washington DC. The 8th house rules shared investments and resources, a placement that only serves to highlight the issue further.
In our personal lives, the Taurus New Moon prods us to reexamine our values. One way to determine what is important to you is to look at your checkbook. Your handling of money reflects your values and priorities in a very clear and direct way.
And so the Taurus New Moon is an excellent time to do budgeting and financial planning.
Taurus likes structure and the status quo. So projects and initiatives begun now can have great staying power. Be true to your values, think long-term and be patient.
The first two weeks following the New Moon are best for this purpose.
Every sign is ruled by a planet. Taurus is ruled by Venus. While Venus rules our resources, it also rules beauty, the ability to attract, social graces. So it is no accident that this event takes place when Spring (at least in the northern hemisphere) is at its height.
Take time to smell the roses.
We look at the sign's ruler to get further information about how the energy of the sign operates in a particular chart. Venus, Taurus's ruler, is moving to make a harsh aspect to Pluto. The aspect becomes most pronounced Saturday night when a layer of intensity pervades social conversation. Hidden agendas and power issues can come to light.
There will be nothing small about the small talk that goes on that evening. But if you are open you can use this energy to transform a stagnant relationship.
Venus moves from Pisces to Aries on Wednesday, staying until the end of May. Venus is the power of attraction. In Aries, Venus becomes a forceful energy, going after what it wants, oftentimes without considering the sensitivities of others. Artists and other creatives can use the energy to go off in new directions. We are prodded to go after our desire; whether it be for a lover, the expression of a creative spark, or the pursuit of a larger bottom line.
Thursday, April 27
The day begins on a tense note as Moon squares Saturn in the late morning (Eastern). This is a harsh aspect, but most will be felt as a passing mood. Use the energy to focus on work. Still the moon is in Taurus all day, keeping our feet on the ground.
Tension dissipates and the mood lifts as the Moon moves towards its meeting with the Sun and then an easy aspect (sextile) with Mars later in the afternoon.
Friday, April 28
The moon makes a square (harsh aspect) to Neptune near noontime. This is a creative morning for artists, but hold off making decisions until later in the day. Kick back in the evening when Moon makes an easy aspect to Venus.
Saturday April 29
The moon moves to Gemini where the pace picks up. People are more talkative and they are in constant motion. Moon's sextile to Saturn in the early afternoon keeps us on the ground.
Resist the urge to speak without thinking as the effect of Venus's clash with Pluto becomes more pronounced as the day goes on.
Sunday April 30
The mood lifts as Venus begins to pull away from Pluto. We feel more playful and relaxed.
May 1
Back to work. We find ourselves becoming more mellow and introspective as Moon enters Cancer in mid-morning. Cancer's water energy makes us more sensitive to our surroundings. So it is good to surround yourself with a pleasant emotional environment if possible.
May 2
Cancer is a dynamic energy and we feel dynamic this morning as the Moon first meets Mars, then makes an easy aspect to the Sun. We are able to step back and take a broader perspective as Moon makes a lovely aspect to Jupiter and Uranus. All in all, a very productive and pleasant day.
Mercury makes an easy aspect to Pluto making it easy to speak from the heart.
May 3
Venus has entered Aries this morning. For the next month, we find it much easier to go directly after our goals and desires. Our energy level zooms this evening when Moon enters flamboyant Leo.
| 
