WHAT’S UP – April 2024
Belinda C. Dunn
Mercury in Aries
Retrograde – April 1 – 25
Aries Solar Eclipse
April 8 @ 2:21 pm (Eastern Daylight Time)
Scorpio Full Moon
April 23 @ 7:49 pm (EDT)
Signs of spring are springing up everywhere with all the invigorating vitality of April, one of the most important months of 2024. Seemingly rising out of no man’s land, this month brings the reset of a Solar Eclipse AND much awaited conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus. To use a gardening metaphor, both of these factors signify a turning over of soil to plow fertile new ground for a fruitful harvest in seasons to come.
Let’s start with the Aries Solar Eclipse exact on April 8, 2:21 pm in the eastern time zone. The locations activated by the eclipse path are always significant, and this eclipse sweeps through Mexico, Texas, across mid-western states, the Great Lakes region to New England and eastern Canada. During daylight hours, this is a Total Eclipse with spectacular viewing along its arc of travel.
Preceded by a Lunar Eclipse on March 25, the stage is already set for monumental shifts on every level. You may look back over recent weeks to recognize the themes in your personal life. Eclipses occur alongside the Moon’s nodes, and currently the nodal axis is North Lunar Node in Aries and South Lunar Node in Libra. This can feel like a tug of war between individuality and relationship, but operating in a myriad of directions, because life itself is about relationship. From one’s relationship with self, to others, and the collective at large, relationship is part and parcel of this dimension.
However, this Solar Eclipse is potently, decidedly, aimed toward Aries, and there is no getting around this fact. This is a rare chance to really connect with your essence, vitality, and values to create a firm foundation for years to come. There is no giving yourself away, or minimizing your contribution with this eclipse. All the stumbling blocks of co-dependence, people pleasing, going along to get along . . . these are readily apparent, and recognized as the energy drains they are. This is a reset of character, personality, drive and motivation. What lights your fire? What brings a smile to your face? Go towards enthusiastic and authentic expression, and you will never be led astray.
What makes this Solar Eclipse so special? The chart itself shows Venus, North Lunar Node, Sun, Moon, Chiron and Mercury all in Aries. But the big wow factor is Chiron’s exact conjunction with Sun and Moon, 19 degrees Aries. Astrologers have been studying Chiron since its discovery in 1977, but there is still ambiguity as to its essential meaning. Known as the “wounded healer,” what does this really mean?
Let’s go back to the mythology for a moment. Named after a centaur, this small planet orbits between Saturn and Uranus. Horse body with human torso and arms, the centaurs were known as a raucous bunch; loud, unruly, pillaging, wreaking havoc. They were also immortal, but as the story goes . . . Chiron was the most civilized of the centaurs. He received a mortal wound, and to assuage his pain, Chiron undertook the quest for healing the split between the spiritual and instinctual sides of human nature.
Chiron searched high and low for answers to his dilemma, essentially the internal conflict and psychological suffering of embodiment within a physical form. Since Chiron’s discovery, the field of holistic healing has grown exponentially with no end in sight. Increasingly, it is possible to consciously experience life as a fully functioning human being across a broad spectrum of mind, emotions, feelings, heart, body, soul and spirit. Not only is this an enormous evolutionary leap, but healing happens automatically with awareness, commitment and effective techniques.
Therefore, this Solar Eclipse is infused with healing potential, and and it can be very helpful to know where/how it activates in your personal chart. In general, themes clearly revolve around taking charge of YOUR life. In most cases, this doesn’t mean controlling anyone or anything, but really getting in touch with your will to live, and exist freely as the unique being you are. Every being/body is directly connected with Source, and the influx of light is tremendously regenerating with this Solar Eclipse in Aries.
However, in all respects, healing is rarely a straight forward path. As much as Aries can be impatient, and “want it now,” it is a timely process. Again, let’s look to astrology for timing, and notice Mercury is retrograde in Aries for most of the month (April 1 – 25.) No matter what the issues are, Mercury retrograde will drive awareness very deep into the process, and while this is personal, there are definitely overlaps with collective consciousness, in particular the wounds most people carry as a result of social programming and conditioning.
Therefore, not only does the Solar Eclipse strongly activate Chiron, but Mercury conjuncts Chiron three times over the course of months (March 20, April 15, May 6). In general, Mercury retrograde is a phase for careful research and cautious planning, so it will take time for puzzle pieces to fall into place. Of course, there will be pressure to make decisions and move quickly, but careless and incomplete decisions may be retracted at a later point. Realistically, a clear way forward may not be evident until late May when Mars conjuncts Chiron on the 29th. After months of dubious delays and deliberations, Mars will step on the gas and get things moving.
Now if this puzzle isn’t complex and multifaceted enough, let’s consider the long term transit of Eris in Aries (1926 – 2048). Eris is the 2nd largest of recently discovered dwarf planets. Orbiting in the farthest reaches of our solar system, in mythology Eris was sister of Mars, and goddess of discord. Usually a hum in the archetypal landscape, Eris is the feminine counterpart of bold, courageous assertion, making a stand and taking a stand when necessary.
Currently orbiting at 25 degrees Aries, transiting Mercury powerfully activates Eris from mid-March to mid-May. Considering social conditions, it is no surprise that Eris, the street fighter for truth and justice, is highly active and may prove to disrupt and overturn prevailing disputes around woman’s rights. Eris also sticks up for the downtrodden and forgotten, the marginalized and disadvantaged. No matter what, archetypal Eris is not content to sit on the sidelines, her voice will be heard, and this spring is the kick-off season.
This potential is taking place against the backdrop of these times, namely the on-going transits of Saturn and Neptune in Pisces. Adding to the mix is transiting Mars in Pisces (March 22 – April 30). Similar to an ocean’s undertow, these swirling energies can be psychically draining and emotionally disturbing. Protect and promote health, get plenty of rest, and listen to your body.
Discernment is key as certain powers thrive in the cloak of deception, purposely sowing seeds of confusion and delusion. It is essential in these times to be aware, and stop abdicating personal power and choice to outside forces, especially AI generated media. At all times, remember who you are.
A standout trend for 2024 is Jupiter’s conjunction with Uranus, exact on April 20. Jupiter’s orbit is 12 years while Uranus has an 84 year orbit. In terms of planetary cycles, they join forces every 14 years, and the last conjunction occurred three times (summer 2010 – winter 2011). Jupiter is the planet of opportunity, expansion, enthusiasm, confidence and good fortune. Uranus is the planet of breakthrough innovation, specifically in all fields of science, industry and technology.
This is a very unique combination as the conjunction occurs in Taurus, traditionally the zodiac sign of ownership; money, banks, possessions. Watch the headlines for significant developments in financial transactions and institutions, and possibly drastic fluctuations in market value.
These energies free things up, so financial exchanges such as selling or buying property can feel fated, and suddenly liberating. In a myriad of ways, there will be attempts to stabilize and consolidate while taking advantage of opportunity. Jupiter does everything in a big way, so progress is the name of the game in a season of fortunes made, and in some cases, fortunes lost.
Most likely, this trend will contribute to earth changes and climate disasters. At the very least, it can serve to increase awareness of environmental issues, and spur on development of cutting edge solutions. It can also shake the bedrock of materialism, helping people turn to what is most valuable, life itself. To sum up, this trend has so much potential to enliven and awaken the sleeping masses.
Of special note, this conjunction is a few days before Earth Day, feeding into the climatic themes of adaptation and survival on this continually evolving planet. And, as if to underscore the celestial messages, there is a Full Moon on April 23rd. By now, Sun is transiting through Taurus and Moon opposes in Scorpio. Nowhere is the play of opposites so evident as in the contrast between these zodiac signs; life and death, desire and allowing, serenity and intensity, beauty and the beast, embodiment and transcendence.
Due to the probing and questioning nature of Scorpio, issues related to worth and value can rise to the surface to be reckoned with. Any areas of imbalance will make themselves known in a sifting and sorting of priorities. Aside from monetary value, the direction is toward Taurus. Can frantic grabbing and grasping bring peaceful solutions? Can monetary value be placed on serenity, security, comfort and beauty? In most cases, of course not. April is the month to get your bearings, cultivate appreciation for what is truly valuable, and stand your ground.