078 | Mars in Cancer: Crawling with Pinchers
April and Jen translate the skies for you, as Mercury and the Sun get physical in Taurus, Mars crawls into his Cancer shell, and we welcome a hot-blooded, heart-centered Leo First Quarter Moon! Also, Venus teams up with Uranus for unexpected pleasures, but argues with Saturn over baggage – and Mercury jumps in to play mediator. Plus: free lunches, an expressive garden hose, and grabby pets! 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 – The Sun, Mercury, and Mars all change signs, so moods and style of behavior are all shifting, too! But remember that this translation is our interpretation – take what feels right and leave the rest (as always)! . 02:22 – Mercury and the Sun both enter Taurus (April 19). Our style of communicating becomes slower and more thoughtful, and energy and inspiration come from communing with the physical world. (To hear about Venus’s entry into Taurus, review Episode 77, The Crescent Moon & Getting our Ducks in a Row.) . 08:11 – This week’s Moonwatch segment is brought to you by our non-imaginary sponsor: Victoria Pendragon! Check out her personal natal chart paintings! . 10:26 – **MOONWATCH ** We have a Leo First Quarter Moon (FQM) this week (April 19)! The Moon is on the Sabian symbol for 1 Leo, “A case of apoplexy.” The Sun is on 1 Taurus, “A clear mountain stream.” Perhaps this is a warning about getting upset and going over the top? But we’re also reminded to relax and pause for refreshment! Leo symbolizes creative expression, and this FQM is connected to the New Moon at 29 Cancer from July 20, 2020 (Episode 35, A Second Cancer New Moon, and Savoring the Sun in Leo). What were you wishing you had more time to do last summer? What is your path with heart? . 13:00 – This FQM opposes/squares the point where Jupiter and Saturn conjoined, which was a big deal! (Episode 61, The Great Conjunction of Jupiter & Saturn: We Feel Bloated!) Do you have anything around 0° of fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, or Aquarius)? This might be a moment of awareness regarding what that conjunction meant for you – as time passes, these themes are revealed. And because that meet-up was at 0°, it can take time for the unfolding story to exhibit itself in your life. . 14:55 – Venus joins up with Uranus at 10.13 Taurus (April 22/23) on the symbol, “A woman sprinkling flowers.” This combination can bring unexpected pleasures, unexpected income or expenditures, or there may be new developments in relationships. . 16:36 – Mercury copies Venus and also meets with Uranus at 10.18 Taurus (April 23/24). The planet of communication – together with the planet of break-ups/breakdowns/break-throughs – can bring flashes of inspiration, ideas for improving practical challenges, and radical or shocking speech. . 17:32 – Mars leaves his scissors behind, and swims into Cancer (April 23)! In the sign of the crab, the planet of action tends to defend loved ones, or there may be themes of family battles. Folks may seem a little more prickly, defensive, and a slightly more frustrated. Helpful hint: When problems arise, it might be worthwhile to take a step back, and see if there is a more strategic way to work through issues. . 20:40 – Venus makes a square to Saturn at 12.52 Aquarius (April 24/25) on the Sabian symbol for 13 Taurus, “A man handling baggage.” There’s no such thing as a free lunch! And perhaps this symbol is saying: If we want to have good relationships, we’ll need to “handle our baggage.” (This opening square is linked to the conjunction from Feb