The month of April may long be remembered as a turning point in many of our lives.  It is period of new beginnings, when we are being asked to expand ourselves; our self-concept, our capacities, and our inner resources to meet the responsibilities and demands of an increasingly unstable and unpredictable external world.  Much can be, and is being said about the unpredictable nature of our physical planet, economy, and government.  The focus of this article will be primarily directed toward the inner experience/response to these changing conditions with particular emphasis placed on interpersonal relationships.

First, let us look at the astrology of it all.  Through the entire month of April there are 5-6 planets (including the Sun/Moon) in the sign of Aries, opposed by Saturn in Libra and in square to Pluto in Capricorn. Through March and into April Jupiter came into exact opposition, early in April the Sun opposes, mid-April Mars, and finally at the end of the month Venus.  These oppositions are further influenced by the square being formed to the planet Pluto in the sign of Capricorn.

Aries is a fire sign that initiates, begins, and radiates, giving birth to a new identity as it breaks free from past limitations.  The preponderance of planets (psycho-spiritual functions) in this sign indicate that as a collective, it is time for us to experience ourselves on ever deepening levels, and to consciously contact, realize and mobilize ourselves into greater creative acts that reflect our growing awareness.  The instinctive urges of fight or flight will emerge with greater intensity and in more rapid succession.  It will prove beneficial to temper the impulsive response to what may appear as a more hostile external reality in the form of partners, business, environmental and social factors.

For, as Aries symbolizes the Self, Libra symbolizes that which we disown or project outside ourselves.  At this time we may feel as if it is outside influences that are limiting us, demanding more from us, and testing us.  Yet, if we can own these projections and view them as Life, Creator, Source, or our own unconscious urge to grow, evolve and become more, we have a much better chance of navigating these times more successfully. The failure to do so can lead to acts of violence, anger, anxiety, and depression not to mention blame, resentment, jealousy and a host of other negative emotions.

While some of this projection has been going on since Saturn went into Libra last summer and will continue through October of 2012, this month can be considered as peak of intensity or culmination of the need to balance our own needs for freedom, independence, and autonomy, with the limitations placed upon us by time (age), mortality, responsibility to the other, society, and ultimately, “Life”, God, or whatever intelligence you may or may not believe orders this universe.  These, limitations, duties, and expectations come to us most clearly through our most intimate loved ones, partners and families, eventually extending out to business relationships, our reputation, and the community/society at large.

As a race we are maturing, and that process involves taking responsibility for ever increasing amounts of the reality we have, in part, created, both individually and collectively.  The maturing process is an expression of the Saturnian archetype, as are the feelings of grief and sadness, separation, anxiety and depression.  When we are confronted with our imperfections, our limitations, and our fears, it behooves us to engage the positive attributes also associated with Saturn; those of discipline, objectivity, commitment, endurance, and wisdom. To the degree that we can master ourselves through disciplining our minds (mindfulness) we will create a more loving, supportive, balanced, and harmonious future.

In many ways this is a setting off from an old world when the new world has yet to be seen or chartered. It requires not only strength and fortitude but an attitude of courage, faith, and trust that our journey is not in vain, that we are not being punished, that there is nothing wrong, and that this, too shall pass!  With the death of our innocent, youthful fantasies and illusions we may experience periods wherein all hope appears lost, that life will never work, we’ll never be enough, etc.  When these thoughts arise it is important to CONSCIOUSLY CHOOSE A DIFFERENT THOUGHT.

To take it to the next level, reality exists – it is not good or bad, it simply IS.  To realize our full creative potential it is necessary for us to define, interpret, and judge our experience of reality in the most healthy, life supporting manner.  As we go through the shocks and sudden upheavals of the next few years we will be continually challenged to transmute our sadness into wisdom, our losses into lessons, and our limitations into guidance. The presence of anxiety indicates that growth is needed, eminent, and possible.  Challenge seen as opportunity can relieve both anxiety and depression as choices are made, steps are taken, commitments are made, and goals are achieved.

On an interpersonal level this is truly a testing time period for any and all relationships. It is so very tempting to not own our shadow, our limits, shortcomings, or fears but rather see them in the hearts, minds, words, and actions of others.  It requires so much constant vigilance, self-examination, and honest communication between loved ones that we may feel exhausted just moving through the process!  Indeed, it is a time of change that requires important decisions to be made that will have long term and wide ranging effects.  The impulse of fight or flight at this time we may be based in a fear of commitment and intimacy as we may be abandoned, found lacking or imperfect, and the fear of rejection or responsibility can take the upper hand in our decisions.  This is a time period where there are big lessons to be learned in through partnerships and we may unconsciously (or secretly) not want to go there!

If you are currently in partnership there are three basic responses to the energies ocurring this month. The first is to suppress, deny, or avoid dealing with the urges that arise within for total free self expression and/or criticism, however constructive, coming from others.  The effect of this response will be to create further separation and distance within the relationship leading to its eventual collapse.  In this scenario, "Life" will bring future relationships with the same messages for growth, only these will be of an increasing louder or more intense nature.  You may be getting a tap on the shoulder that becomes a slap on the back that grows to a smack in the head and hopefully does not need to become a 4 x 4 to the crown!

The second manner in which to engage with these aspects has been referred to above. If you are consciously using partnership as a means to further your evolution and together are discovering and uncovering all of the fears, unconscious programs, and childish behaviors, this can be month of absolutely ecstatic awakenings, revelations, and deepening intimacy.  While Saturn in Libra is often associated with separations and breakups, the higher vibration of this planetary energy can also indicate a time where a long term commitment to/with another is made (i.e. marriage).  In this case, and under these transits, a bond being formed with another at this time would necessitate creating a partnership container large enough to support the sovereign needs of each individual without blowing apart.... no small task indeed! Ultimately, and I mean ULTIMATELY, it may be realized that "I am who you are and you are who I am" which would reflect the dissolution of the boundaries between souls, a much sought after experience that may occur momentarily at first with the possibility of those seconds becoming minutes that expand beyond this time/space reality and offer each a glimpse in the multi-dimensional nature of themselves that is LOVE.

The third potential manifestation of these transits, and probably the most common, is a mixture of both of the above. There will be some issues addressed, discussed, and opened up resulting in the growth and expansion of awareness, while others that are too "personal", deep, or "loaded" are kept in Pandora's box until later.  This scenario may also be played out where one partner is the scapegoat, blamed, or responsible for one dynamic and the other gets to own/carry another.

If you are alone at this time, as the result of either  leaving or being left, know that this too, has its lesson. It is time to be your own partner; to love yourself as you desire to be loved by another.  It is a time to realize that you have within you the attributes that you seek or have sought to receive from another.  It may be helpful to list what you miss, what you received, why you wanted or needed the other person, and attempt to fulfill those same gifts through self-love.  Rather than critically analyzing all the faults or reasons why it didn’t work and spiraling down the wormhole of self-rejection, take this month as an opportunity to reframe your relationship needs born out a mature understanding that the love you receive is but a reflection of the love you have achieved for yourself AS YOU ARE.

Of course, there is not one simple solution out of this dilemma for everyone and it would take a thorough study of the individual horoscope to see the factors at play.  A general guideline I find helpful (in addition to a daily meditative, spiritual practice) is sitting with the feelings, dialoging with the fears, and coming to an understanding as to whether you are moving toward a future destiny, i.e. being “pulled” by a spiritual calling, or whether you are moving (or running) away from unpleasant emotional conditions that are demanding change or inner growth.

In the long run we will look back and see that this month presented us all with opportunities to fully step into our power, our authority, our duty, and in some way take more charge and control of ourselves and our lives.  The lessons we learn will enable us, in times to come, to act more appropriately and in alignment with the TRUTH OF OURSELVES AND OF WHAT IS.  These valuable lessons will ensure that as we mature and grow old we will not look back regretting that we did not give it our all, that we did not use our will to its full extent, or live our maximum potential as a loving, caring, authentic and powerful human being.  These trials serve to strengthen our inner resolve, open our hearts, and sharpen our minds to more effectively fulfill the soul-spiritual purpose of why we are here.

Powerful days to witness/change yourself are April 3, 6, 11, 18, 20-22, and 27-30.  Certainly, these have different interpretations/indications as different planets are involved but this article has to stop somewhere!

Tom will be in Northern California and Nevada City in June....check out his schedule-www.NewParadigmAstrology.com

Note:  If you know your birthchart or would like to find more individualized information regarding this month’s transits, you can visit www.NewParadigmAstrology.com where I have gone through Aries in each of the 12 houses of the chart.   Namaste’