April 17 to May 15: The entire period is colored by a set of major aspects: Jupiter in Sagittarius trine Saturn in Leo; Jupiter square Uranus in Pisces; and Saturn inconjunct Uranus. All of these configurations take place within a very tight orb of 17° to 19° of their respective signs. Although the Jupiter/Saturn trine certainly bodes well for international relations—at least in the discussion of theory and principle, the Uranus afflictions certainly do not. There will be the now, all too usual, amount of political and theological pontificating, resulting in very little harmony. The philosophical and social tensions associated with Jupiter/Saturn afflictions to Uranus will do much to see that such efforts at social harmony lead to greater conflicts and chaos. Although the entire period of the current Newsletter is covered by the above mentioned positions, their exactitude occurs on May 6th (Jupiter trine Saturn) and May 11th (Jupiter square Uranus).

On a personal level, should you have anything at 17° to 19° of Aries in your natal chart, look for this planet (and its house position) to be a source of upliftment and steady progress in your life. This fiery grand trine is centered on two planets (Jupiter and Saturn) that when combined, give especially positive potentials in terms of higher education, publishing, long range creative plans, and the wider appreciation of any spiritual or philosophical tradition to which one may belong.

April 17—New Moon at 27 Aries 05 at 11.37am:

The Aries lunation is as one might expect, particularly potent when one wishes to begin a new project or new phase of an existing project. Look for the house position where 27° of the Ram falls in your chart as a distinct indication of where such creative initiatives may take place for you. As Pluto is transiting 28° of Sagittarius at the same time, the dynamic force of the Aries New Moon is enhanced with regenerative strength. Aries is not a long lasting field, so make sure to act during the three days after this lunation is exact—actually the phrase “carpe diem” (catch the day) would be very apt here. Should you have a planet at 26° to 28° of the fiery signs, this body and its house position, can open an important door for you—most easily should that planet be in Leo. Planets at 26° to 28° of Sagittarius and Aquarius will also be very benefitted by this New Moon.

April 17 to 26—Mercury in Aries and Venus in Gemini:

In terms of the soul-centered approach to planetary delineation, this combination is excellent as both of these planets are in the signs that they rule from the level of the higher self. This means that the Jupiter/Saturn/Uranus combinations notwithstanding, these nine days would be excellent for all men and women of Goodwill to come together as best they can for the exchange of ideas, meditative energy, and general communication. An excellent opportunity for individual and group work within the focus of those organizations and personal activities that are truly humanitarian in nature.

April 27 to 29—A series of very challenging aspects:

During these three days, the general world chaos as described in the opening paragraph re: Jupiter/Saturn/Uranus is augmented by the following series of events: Venus in Gemini opposing Jupiter and square Mars and Uranus in Pisces (exact on the 27th and 28th); Moon at 17° to 19° Virgo in opposition to Mars/Uranus and square Jupiter (from around 8pm to midnight on the 28th—GMT); Mars conjunct Uranus (exact on the 29th) and that conjunction square Jupiter and inconjunct Saturn. There will be the general tendency for heightened world tensions and particularly rough weather conditions during this period, with especial vulnerability to ocean conditions.

May 6—Venus opposes Pluto at 28 Sagittarius:

In general, this is not the best day for interpersonal relationships with especial focus on disagreements involving differences of philosophical and religious beliefs. Should these planets be the rulers of your Second and Eighth Houses, caution is advised in terms of finances; should they rule your First and Seventh, the relationship factor is emphasized. The extent of these effects on the personal natal chart is very relative to whether or not Venus/Pluto is making an exact hard aspect to any other vital position in your map at this time.

May 13—Mars square Pluto at 28 Pisces/Sagittarius; Sun square Neptune at 21 Taurus/Aquarius:

Confusion in the world body politik, difficulties surrounding religious issues and belief systems again in the news, potential report surrounding group-related financial scandal (possibly beginning to come to the fore on May 9th, when the Sun squares Saturn). In essence and most unfortunately—same old, same old…