077 | The Crescent Moon & Getting our Ducks in a Row
April and Jen plunge themselves into a full week, with creative activities getting a boost from the Sun, Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter – as long as Pluto decides our efforts are sincere. Venus enters Taurus, a reminder to stop and smell the roses (but keep an eye out for a few Saturn/Uranus thorns). This week’s lack of a major lunar phase to sing about makes room for a mini-lesson on the Crescent Moon! And finally, Jupiter rewards at least some of our Mars-in-Gemini projects. Plus: Are we counting the weeks until we can start talking about specific 80s songs? Why yes, yes we are! Three to go! Wondering how to find meaning in the patterns of your life? Book a reading with April! Sign up for April's mailing list for updates, a free monthly lunar workbook, AND an email tutorial on the Lunar Phases! To read April & Jen’s essays, or to join the podcast conversation and leave a comment, go to www.BigSkyAstroPod.com. Read more about this week’s astrology at the Big Sky Astrology website! Follow Big Sky Astrology on IG, Twitter, and FB @BigSkyAstrology Read a full transcript of this episode. Episode links: 00:30 – Want to learn some more astrology? Do check out April’s fantastic book The Essential Guide to Practical Astrology! (Psst! Oprah likes it, too!) And don’t forget to forage through our podcast archives – plenty of learning opportunities in each and every episode! . 03:15 – The Sun, at 24.14 Aries, sextiles Mars in Gemini (April 13). The Sun represents selfhood and heart, and Mars is how we get things done. In this case, the heart is made visible through our work. (Review Episode 16, Let's Talk about Sextiles for more on this aspect.) . 05:00 – Then the Sun sextiles Jupiter at 25.56 Aquarius (April 15). The Sun is on the Sabian symbol, “A man possessed of more gifts than he can hold.” Jupiter sits on, “A hydrometer.” Are you doing too much? Just because you can do everything doesn’t mean you have to! . 06:03 – The Sun continues on and squares Pluto at 26.46 Capricorn (April 16). While the Sun is about self, Pluto is about the communal experience and what serves the greater good. We might find ourselves pushing to believe in ourselves this week. (Hint: Often, the best way to regain confidence is to confront a difficult challenge.) Pluto is on the symbol, “A mountain pilgrimage” (which we discuss in last week’s Episode 76, Aries New Moon: An 8-Track Mind). . 08:39 – Remember, squares and oppositions (hard aspects) often force us to take action (whether we want to or not). We may or may not notice trines and sextiles (soft aspects), and we often have a choice about responding (or not). . 10:40 – Venus enters Taurus (April 14 - May 8)! Venus represents what we want, our values, and our relationships. In Taurus, we may feel more patient for what we want, and we may find ourselves enjoying the pleasures of the good life. . 12:27 – Head’s up! Venus will make a conjunction with Uranus and square to Saturn next week, so this Venus in Taurus may bring unexpected financial/relationship developments. (And let’s not forget that Saturn and Uranus are in a square all year! Here’s a great one to listen to: Episode 69, Saturn and Uranus: That Escalated Quickly!) And, if you have planets between 9°-12° of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquarius… you’re probably feeling the squeeze, podpals. . 16:28 – Mars, at 26.12 Gemini, trines Jupiter in Aquarius (April 16). While Mars has been in the sign of the twins, the drive to learn more and explore different options has been at the forefront. It’s possible that now we will see some rewards! Yay! . 19:13 – This week’s Moonwatch segment is brought to you by our newest non-imaginary sponsor: Victoria Pendragon! Check out her personal natal chart paintings! (Note: V's new site is all set up!) . 22:37 – **MOONWATCH ** This week we welcome the Crescent Moon at 11.28 Gemini (Apr. 15, 10:57 pm – Apr. 19, 11:59 pm PDT)! The Crescent Moon begins when the Moon makes a semisquare aspect (45°) to the Sun; in