Geocentric Aspects, Ingresses, and Stations Pacic Daylight Greenwich Mean April 19 Overview: A key event this week is Saturns station on April 5, turning direct after more than four months of retrograde mo- tion. This shift of direction is a subtle but signicant move that usually makes it easier to turn the outline of an idea into con- crete form. However, in late August, Saturn will oppose Nep- tune, the major planetary aspect of 2006. This weeks Saturn station heads us toward this face-off between the material and the divine, reality and dreams, earthly needs and heavenly de- sires. So, every ambitious step is weighed against the spiritual consequences, balancing personal pride with higher purpose. Venus enters Pisces, her sign of exaltation, on the same day a touch of grace to soften Saturns labors with inspirational relation- ships and higher aesthetic ideals. Lofty visions are easily formed with a MercuryJupiter trine on April 4, yet gravity takes hold in the latter part of the week to pull our grand schemes down to a more modest scale. A MarsPluto opposition on April 8 wields a scalpel to cut out abby notions and focus on essential facts. This aspect demands that we put present-tense necessities be- fore future possibilities, but it also helps us to eliminate distrac- tions so that we can make a major breakthrough. On Saturday (April 1), the inner Fool arrives at 3:49 p.m. when the Moon enters Gemini. There is a buoyancy of spirit and a playful quality that lightens the mood. However, fool- ishness is not the only game were playing now. Behind the puckish smiles and silly jokes, more serious messages may be passed. The easy, breezy manner of expression is perfect for playing games but can also create a gentle atmosphere where important ideas are expressed in an offhand manner. A darker tone is marked by a Venus Pluto sextile (2645' Aquarius Sagittarius) on Sunday (April 2). Profound relationship issues may be discussed gracefully and unfullled needs expressed without accusation. Desires hidden by shame can be exposed now with less likelihood of ridicule, thus deepening relation- ships, building trust, and revisiting old memories of love. Monday (April 3) looks pretty low-key. The Moons entry into Cancer at 11:15 p.m. is the most obvious astro-event. How- ever, some fast-moving lunar aspects may spice up the day. The Gemini Moons conjunction with Mars at 12:19 p.m., followed by an opposition to Pluto at 5:10 p.m., can provoke some pow- erful feelings. Combat may be unavoidable, as individual urges encounter strong resistance from others. Keep it light and stay ex- ible, if you want to avoid a showdown. The passionate MarsPluto opposition isnt exact for another ve days, but the Moons transit may start releasing the energies of these planets in advance to- day. When the Moon returns to its home sign of Cancer, what we feel inside counts more than external conditions. The emotional barometer is especially sensitive now, turning small events into big tides of feeling, both positive and negative. Security is a key issue, evoking defensive reactions even when the actual threat levels are low. A trine between Mercury in Pisces and Jupiter in Scorpio on Tuesday (April 4) brings intelligence to the normally subjective realm of water signs. Intuition is well-developed, and we should trust our instincts. It is possible to speak the truth pow- erfully yet with gentleness and care. Forecast Calendar for April/May 2006 by Jeff Jawer All times given are in Pacic Daylight Time (except for April 1). For Eastern Time, add 3 hours; Central Time, add 2 hours; Mountain Time, add 1 hour; Greenwich Mean Time, add 7 hours. Wednesday (April 5) is a busy day that begins with a First Quarter SunMoon square at 5:01 a.m. The Moon in Cancer as- similates the fresh forces released with last weeks New Moon in Aries. The seeds sown at that time may be nurtured with Cancer- ian care. But if the re is too hot, the Moons watery presence may dowse the ames of desire to keep them from burning down the house. Cardinal Aries acts spontaneously, but cardinal Cancer measures its surroundings before moving forward, to ensure a safe journey. Mercury, Jupiter, and Uranus trine the Moon at the mo- ment of this lunation, adding a helpful dose of intuition to the mix. If a new foundation is to be built now, there should be little doubt about its purpose and the best way to proceed. Saturns direct sta- tion at 423' Leo adds further heft, as the alchemical process of crystallization begins to work more effectively. At 6:21 p.m., Ve- nus enters Pisces; this can sprinkle magic on this evening and the next few weeks to come. Love moves beyond the boundaries of self-interest, as we glimpse the true nature of communion. Com- passion ows more freely now, but make sure to include yourself among the recipients and to forgive yourself for any past relation- ship sins. The Moons entry into Leo at 9:25 a.m. on Thursday (April 6) starts the day with increased condence that encourages self- expression and risk-taking. However, the amboyant excesses of this xed re sign are likely to be tempered by the Moons conjunc- tion with restraining Saturn in the evening. Similarly, a Mercury Saturn sesquiquadrate (135) at 4:20 p.m. tones down the usual Leo exuberance with some careful thought. Communications can slow down, so use this time to rene details and polish your pre- sentation. This conservative aspect is countered, however, by a SunJupiter quincunx (1711' AriesScorpio). Any connection between these two giants of our solar system can lead to ex- cess. Overshooting the mark is certainly possible here, making the sharp lens of the MercurySaturn aspect even more critical. Ideally, though, small adjustments can keep our big plans from veering too far off track. There are no signicant astrology events on Friday (April 7), but the rising tension of the MarsPluto opposition (2644' GeminiSagittarius) arriving at 1:17 a.m. on Saturday (April 8) is close enough to be felt. Tightening the screws and squeez- ing out excess are two possible manifestations of this pair. A battle to the death is an extreme version of this aspect. We be- come armor-piercing bullets, able to penetrate the resistance of our own fears and any powerful obstacles presented by others. Wise warriors pick their spots and strike their blows with nesse rather than force, thus making combat efcient and effective. The Moon enters Virgo at 9:58 p.m., clearing the air with criti- cal thinking. At 12:33 a.m. on Sunday (April 9), a wider wave of acceptance arrives in the form of a SunNeptune sextile (1919' AriesAquarius). Recognition of common interests (in spite of Virgos narrow focus) can put recent struggles behind us. Late Sunday night, Venus quincunxes Saturn, a somewhat cranky combo that could crank up dissatisfaction rooted in the feel- ing of being underappreciated. Ask for what you need directly, rather than beating around the bush.