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Highlighted Aspects for This Week

Monday: Neptune enters Pisces, Neptune semisquare Sun
Wednesday: Jupiter conjunct Sun
Thursday: Saturn quincunx Venus
Friday: Chiron semisquare Sun, Pluto stations retrograde
Saturday: Mercury conjunct Sun
Sunday: Chiron semisquare Mercury
 
TODAY'S ARIES NEW MOON (Sunday, April 3) provides the foundational energy we'll be working with for the next two weeks. This lunation emphasizes the themes of relationship and the balance between self and other -- issues we have been working with since Saturn entered Libra in July 2010.
 
The New Moon in Aries calls us to be aware of our own needs and desires, and to have the courage to take action on that awareness. But, Saturn is exactly opposite the Sun and Moon in the New Moon chart, reminding us of the discipline and work that is needed to sustain partnership, and the rewards of honest effort in that regard. Saturn also calls us to be in integrity -- in full alignment with our highest values -- in all of our personal relationships, and to make decisions only after careful and honest consideration.
 
IN CONTRAST to Saturn's cautionary influence, the Uranus-Mars alignment at the time of the New Moon is pushing us to take risks over the next two weeks, and not to worry so much about looking back at where we've been. It can be somewhat confusing (and often exhausting) to be working with both of these energies at once, since Saturn represents authority, practicality, and responsibility, while Uranus carries the opposite energies of rebellion, freedom, and nonconformity.
 
But, there are ways to make both Saturn and Uranus happy -- and that is through finding the common threads in their energies. Saturn requires us to be in Integrity, which is defined as "honest, consistent adherence to moral principles." The essential meaning of these words is not that much different from meaning of Authenticity, a keyword for Uranus. A person who is authentic is said to be "genuine, accurate in representation, trustworthy, and reliable."
 
RELIABILITY may seem to be a strange word to associate with Uranus. Our confusion comes when we assume that when someone is reliable, they always follow the rules. Uranus is not a strong proponent of following society's rules. The reliability we look for to satisfy Uranus is found in each individual's consistent alignment with their personal truth, and equally consistent (reliable) expression of that truth in word and deed.
 
The reliability associated with Saturn may more easily be linked to following the rules. But, Saturn would not support discarding one's integrity for the sake of appearances or for pseudo-harmony, a common downfall of Libra's strong need for relationship.
 
In this way, Saturn and Uranus are in agreement at the heart of their intentions. For both, reliability is being and acting in ways that are consistent with one's inner truth, in full honesty and without apology or compromise. Saturn might prefer we be more conservative in our actions, while Uranus encourages risk-taking and rebellion, but the end result -- if we are truly authentic and in integrity -- should be the same.
 
NEPTUNE ENTERS PISCES on Monday. It takes Neptune 165 years to go through all 12 signs of the zodiac, so this will be a new experience for all of us in our current incarnations.
 
Neptune is known as the "ruler" of Pisces, which means the planet carries very similar energies to the sign. As a teacher, Neptune's lesson plan is to teach us how to transcend the dramas of life, through finding an inner state of serenity. We may choose to take typically "spiritual" roads such as meditation or religious practice to find that serene place within, but we can also choose to invoke our creative muse, finding that peace and transcendence through allowing inspiration to flow through us.
 
Neptune should be very comfortable in mystical Pisces, the sign most associated with the spiritual qualities of intuition, compassion, and understanding. While in Pisces for the next 15 years or so, Neptune will be encouraging us in our spiritual and creative pursuits and growth. Our imaginations and meditations may take us further than ever before under this influence.
 
IT LOOKS LIKE all three of the "transpersonal planets" (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) are in the headlines this week -- another indicator that current energies are pushing us to become "transpersonal" ourselves. This means this week challenges us to move beyond the dictates of the ego, to gain more and more of the higher perspective, and to strengthen our connection to the highest aspects of our nature (the Higher Self or Soul Essence).
 
The third transpersonal planet, Pluto, is slowing to a standstill this week, to begin his retrograde (backward-motion) phase on Friday. The effects of a planet's energies are increased when it slows to change direction, and so we can expect to feel Pluto a bit more strongly this week and next.

This is a transformational time for all of us, but it may be moreso for those born within a day or two of December 29, March 28, June 29, or September 30. If you were born in the final days of one of these months, Pluto is working specifically with who you believe yourself to be, bringing unclaimed parts of your personality to the surface to be accepted and integrated. Over the coming year, Pluto will both challenge you to take an honest look at your own motivations, and assist you in claiming a new level of personal empowerment.

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About the Author

Pam Younghans lives in a log cabin outside of Seattle, Washington with her two dogs. She has been interpreting charts professionally for over 20 years. If you are interested in an astrology reading, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or call 425-445-3775. For more information, please visit http://www.northpointastrology.com

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