April 4-11, 2005

We've reached the Aries new moon, the first of spring, where many cultures celebrate the new year of fertility and fruitfulness.

Over the past weekend mind, beauty and soul (Mercury, Venus and the sun) together in the passion of early spring (Aries) were charged by expansiveness in love-mindedness (Jupiter in Libra). This week begins with the moon (heart sensitivity) peaking in mentally isolating Aquarius, in the middle of life's interconnectedness. Tuesday it moves on to the tender vulnerability of Pisces for a couple days.

Thursday morning the moon emerges into spring energy, Aries, where it will meet the sun (new moon) on Friday. With Mercury (mind), Jupiter (creativity) and Pluto (power) all retrograde (internalizing), and active Mars aligning with dreamy Neptune at mid-Aquarius, the peak of awareness, this first new moon of spring comes with a big undertow, making for a powerful spark of spring fire ready to break out. Saturday the moon progresses into the peak earthiness of Taurus, where the sun is headed next month. It might get a bit brittle and testy by Sunday.

Mental Mercury is getting to the end of its three weeks of backtracking and internalizing, slowing to a stop deep within us. Next Tuesday the tide of mind starts to flow forward and outward again, and with it the passion of this love-charged spring is likely to be more directly expressed.