The Week Ahead

Monday, April 12 thru Sunday, April 18

Astrological Highlights for the week: Venus enters Taurus on Wednesday

Venus shines this week when she takes off her running shoes and leaves Aries and moves into Taurus, one of her home signs. (The other is Libra). We often link Venus and Libra together, highlighting the importance of relationships. But Venus, the planet of values, creativity, and beauty really sparkles in the Earth sign of Taurus manifesting balance, harmony, and true ingenuity in all she touches.

Venus often represents our talents and artistic abilities. This is personified by Frank Lloyd Wright the iconic architect who designed more than 1,000 structures in his 70 year career. Wright was born with Venus conjunct Pluto in Taurus. The Taurus affinity to nature is obvious in many of his designs which he called organic architecture, combining many natural elements and incorporating the environment into his designs which included trees, waterfalls, the sky, and rock formations, just to name a few.

When thinking of Venus, or any planet in Taurus, think sensuality. This is the sign of lust, indulgences, and the love of luxury. During this period we think about what�s beautiful and ways to upgrade our lifestyle, especially the comfort and attractiveness of our living spaces. We want our bodies and all of our surroundings to feel comfortable! This is a time we crave tactile and sensuous pleasures.

When it comes to love, romance, and relationships Taurus tends to be traditional and a bit cautious. As with money, we want a good return on our relationship investments. A sure thing is more appealing than a risk. And despite a love of opulence and luxury, sometimes the simple pleasures are the best and most valued. A simple baked potato with butter, sour cream, and a sprinkle of fresh chives may be as welcome and memorable as a gourmet meal. Taurus likes things simple, as opposed to its opposite sign of Scorpio which is researching and complex.

Taurus is also associated with animals, plants, and all of nature. If you are catching the gardening bug or splurging on new patio furniture or planting trees you are in tune with the Taurus vibes. Next to Cancer, Taurus is probably one of the most domestic signs placing value on home and things we can see, hear, feel, touch, taste and smell. With Venus in Taurus, keep it real!

On a personal domestic note, I am moving this week. It� has been a long time coming and finally its here. And trust me when I tell you there is nothing simple about packing up a house I have lived in for 21 years and moving more than 700 miles to another state. I am counting on Venus in Taurus to help me simplify and stay grounded! I have hired professional movers and unfortunately that means my �stuff� may arrive anywhere between 3 � 10 days after I do. You can be assured, re-establishing my home office and getting back to work will be a priority. During the next week or so, I will do my best to be available, but please understand there will be at least a few days and probably more of �crazytown" while I am on the road and trying to get settled. Although I won�t be keeping regular hours on 12Listen.com, you can always ask for a scheduled call at a day and time good for you and I will do my best to accommodate you. I hope to be available on a more regular basis by the time the Sun enters Taurus on April 19th. Meanwhile, wish me luck!

Until next week, let go and wear loose clothes.

MONDAY
April 12
Moon in Aries/Taurus
The Moon goes Void of Course at 5:06am enters Taurus at 10:44am
We are ready to confront obstacles head-on early this morning with the Moon in Aries conflicting with Pluto. We probably change our tune quickly when the Moon and Venus conspire together on how best to get what we want. We are ready to be more methodical by mid-morning when the Moon finds its way into practical and resourceful Taurus. A patient and steady approach is favored.

Try not to get bogged down with details or distractions that are not pertinent to your goals. An attachment to traditional ideas or dogma can interfere with identifying new trends and being able to respond quickly to changing information and events. Adjust your attitude and your pace. Speed up if you are obsessing over unnecessary details or slow down, if you are feeling frantic, tripping over your feet, or making silly mistakes.

Under the influence of a Moon in Taurus listen to your body and five physical senses for direction. Tune into your natural rhythms and desire for nourishment, activity, and rest. This is a great time to be outdoors and with nature identifying with its simplicity and intelligence.

Daily Muse: My brother and I were brought up outdoors. We appreciate the countryside; we appreciate nature and everything about it. Prince Harry � Duke of Sussex � Moon in Taurus)

TUESDAY
April 13
Moon in Taurus
The Moon in Taurus is known for being grounded and often calm and peaceful. But relaxation may not be the name of the game this morning with the Moon meeting up with revolutionary Uranus at daybreak. This unpredictable energy creates opportunities but can also wreak havoc on a carefully planned agenda. With the Moon also conflicting with Saturn � the master of organization � in late morning, we can assume things are not going to go according to plan, at least not according to OUR plan. But this isn�t such a bad thing. A better strategy is likely to emerge if we are open to including new information and factors. Try not to waste your time and energy and lose your peace of mind when adjustments become necessary.

Later this afternoon, the Sun in energetic Aries connects with Mars in versatile Gemini. This helps convince us there really are multiple paths to our goals and lots of ways to do things. It also energizes communications. Delegating and networking are likely to be key elements to a successful path to achievement today even though this may not have been our original plan.

Daily Muse: Enlightenment is understanding that there is nowhere to go, nothing to do, and nobody you have to be except exactly who you're being right now.
(Neale Donald Walsch � Mars in Gemini conjunct Uranus.)

WENSDAY
April 14
Moon in Taurus/Gemini
Venus enters Taurus 11:22am
The Moon goes Void of Course at 5:00pm enters Gemini at 11:35 pm

We are feeling dreamy this morning as the Moon in Taurus reaches out for a comforting connection to Neptune in compassionate Pisces. This is a very intuitive energy as well so be open to psychic hits and suggestions. Late morning Venus the planet of values takes off her running shoes as she leaves Aries and opts for a more leisurely pace in Taurus. Venus is at home in this domestic sign and ready to focus her energies on creativity and indulge in some luxurious surroundings. During this period we think about what�s beautiful and ways to upgrade our lifestyle, especially the comfort and attractiveness of our living spaces. We want our bodies and all of our surroundings to feel comfortable! This is a time we crave tactile and sensuous pleasures.

When it comes to love, romance, and relationships Taurus tends to be traditional and a bit cautious. As with money, we want a good return on our relationship investments. A sure thing is more appealing than a risk. And despite a love of opulence and luxury, sometimes the simple pleasures are the best and most valued. Taurus is associated with animals, plants and all of nature. If you are catching the gardening bug or splurging on new patio furniture or planting trees you are in tune with the Taurus vibes.

With the Moon and Venus now in Taurus, we might be tempted to slow our roll this afternoon. However, a lunar conflict with Jupiter in forward thinking Aquarius makes it hard to kick back. By early evening we are feeling like we have hit our groove when the Moon makes a harmonizing connection to Pluto in disciplined Capricorn. Pushing through with the important activities and tasks, even when we want to quit, will prove beneficial.

Daily Muse: You can judge a man's true character by the way he treats his fellow animals. (Paul McCartney � Venus in Taurus)

THURSDAY
April 15
Moon in Gemini
The Moon leapt into verbal and inquisitive Gemini late last night sparking conversations, discussions and questions as soon as we wake. Because we are still in the first few days of the lunar cycle, there is a childlike and youthful quality to the energy. It�s reminiscent of Dennis the Menace - full of questions and speculation. Like Dennis, our need to investigate or dig into things could get us into a little trouble, but not much, unless we are ruthless in our observations or obsessive about expressing our thoughts and opinions. Kids can often get away with expressing their perceptions with unvarnished candor. We adults, maybe not so much. Keep in mind our truths and �honest� expressions may be hurtful to others or come off as callous or unfeeling.

The day gets a helpful boost mid-morning when the Sun in Aries is infused with the far-reaching hopefulness of Jupiter in Aquarius. Jupiter in the sign of friendship and individual equality suggests working collaboratively with others, genuinely appreciating each persons� gifts and contributions will bring success. Anytime the Sun meets Jupiter in a positive and friendly alliance we feel blessed, lucky, optimistic and hopeful. We have faith in the future no matter what our current circumstances.

Daily Muse: Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy. (Albert Einstein � Jupiter in Aquarius)

FRIDAY
April 16
Moon in Gemini

We start the day off with a challenging energy pattern when the Sun in willful Aries conflicts with unbending Pluto in Capricorn. This can be a battle of wills with the unfortunate side effects of manipulation and attempts at domination. In a work situation someone may be bored with routine and uninteresting work, or simply unwilling to give their best. Look out for someone attempting to dominate a situation or person in an aggressive or uncompromising way.

The saving grace we are hoping for comes in the form of Mercury, the thinker making a clever quintile with Saturn. This allows us to think outside the box and not go into automatic pilot mode. If we are faced with someone who feels like a bully, we can find an inventive way to deal with the situation. This is true if we are the bully too! If we find ourselves getting aggressive or feeling irrational, a few moments of reflection may reveal a change of mind.

The Moon in the sign of the twins (Gemini) can be both a help and a hindrance. We may be able to quickly flip from one emotion to another; but we need to be aware of our own motivations. It is easy to use emotional expression to manipulate or control others. Because the Moon in Gemini loves to play with words and communication we can have fun lightening up a situation with humor.

Do be a bit careful this evening when the Moon squares Neptune. This planet of dreams spins webs of illusion which the Gemini Moon loves to play with. We might readily fall prey to a practical joke or deception. However, we have our feet back underneath us later tonight when Mars (also in Gemini) finds a friend in Jupiter in humanitarian Aquarius. Taking the high road seems much more appealing than the low one.  

Daily Muse: Work hard, do the best you can, don't ever lose faith in yourself and take no notice of what other people say about you. (Noel Coward � Moon conjunct Pluto in Gemini)

SATURDAY
April 17
Moon in Gemini/Cancer
The Moon goes Void of Course at 8:03 am
enters Cancer at 12:25pm

The Moon in Gemini doesn�t get the reputation for being a social butterfly for no reason, especially today. This Moon connects with four planets in the short span of four hours from a few hours before dawn through brunch. Like the popular kid in a school cafeteria the Moon jokes with Mercury then quickly sits down for a philosophical talk about social reform and universal values with Jupiter. Her attention span is short as minutes later Luna joins Mars for a high-protein energy drink and pep talk. Her next stop is a friendly alignment and morale boost with the Sun in Aries.

It�s not just the Moon that is active today. Mercury (ruler of Gemini) currently transiting through spontaneous Aries also makes some positive and inspirational connections today, first with Jupiter this morning and then with Mars mid-day. If we feel ready for a nap after lunch, it�s no wonder; we�ve been busy socializing and networking.

There may be other reasons we want to slow down the pace this afternoon. The Moon slides into her home sign of Cancer and we may be feeling more introverted or protective of our space. This is also encouraged by an intense confrontation between Mercury in head-strong Aries and Pluto in pragmatic Capricorn. We tend to be blunt, maybe even ruthless in our communications and interactions with others. This can be a very stubborn and domineering energy where our ego is attached to our thoughts and ideas. To criticize my idea is the same as a personal rejection. We may take things personally which makes it hard to be objective. This conflict might also signal a revelation that we find particularly hard to believe but we need to find a way to accept it.

The day wraps on a sweeter note with the Moon in domestic Cancer aligning with Venus in another home-loving sign, Taurus. Gathering with a loved one, family, or small group of friends cocoons us in feelings of love and acceptance.

Daily Muse: It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth � and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up � that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had. (Elisabeth K�bler-Ross � Moon in Cancer)

SUNDAY
April 18
Moon in Cancer
We want to catch a few extra winks this morning with the Moon feeling comfortable in her home sign of Cancer. Nevertheless, an early morning lunar connection to Uranus is too stimulating to ignore. Doing things around the house, yard, and garden may be as far as we want to roam today. Under the influence of a Cancer Moon we are motivated to be domestic. Cooking, cleaning, and taking care of family and home may not sound eventful or exciting; but these are activities that provide bonuses. They lead to feeling safe, secure, and attached. In uncertain times, doing ordinary things can feel very grounding and help forge important bonds and links in our lives.

Tonight we have lots to share and talk about when the Sun and Mercury join forces. This could provide for a stimulating exchange of ideas for those willing to engage. However, if you are feeling depleted or tired of being agitated, give yourself permission to bow out of the after dinner games night or political discussion.

Daily Muse: You know, you do need mentors, but in the end, you really just need to believe in yourself. (Diana Ross- Sun and Mercury in Aries)

The Week Ahead

Monday, April 19 thru Sunday, April 25

Astrological Highlights for the week: Sun and Mercury enter Taurus on Monday; Venus keeps her annual date with Uranus on Thursday; and Mars enters Cancer on Friday.

Happy Birthday Taurus!

The Spring winds are blowing in a lot of cosmic change this week and the tone is domesticity. Both the Sun and Mercury enter grounded Taurus on Monday and Mars splashes into the home-loving waters of Cancer on Friday.

Taurus, ruled by Venus, encourages us to get in touch with our values. Like King Minos in one of the Taurus mythologies, we want to master the physical universe and satisfy as many of our passions as possible. The challenge of Taurus is to tame the bull of desire and not become ruled or imprisoned by our desires and lusts. We want to enjoy our appetites without becoming enslaved to them. As an Earth sign, Taurus is strongly connected to nature in its many manifestations. Being outdoors and soaking in its beauty can bring refreshment and tranquility to our lives.

Mercury enters Taurus on Monday long before dawn where it will deliberately set a slower but steady pace until May 3rd. It will spark some conflict with Jupiter and Saturn in radical Aquarius, but will remind us to stay grounded and not get so rattled by every radical idea that floats by. Of course Mercury has some important allies with the Sun, Venus and Uranus also transiting through Taurus this month.

Mercury in Taurus is personified by the strong and silent type � the person who only speaks when they have something important to say. They don't waste their time or energy on small talk. Actor Clint Eastwood born with Mercury in Taurus successfully translated Mercury in Taurus into a screen persona and trademark. Like many Mercury in Taurus folks, his characters were doers not talkers.

The Sun's entry into Taurus, also on Monday solidifies the changing direction of our focus. With the current emphasis of four planets in domestic Taurus, we can expect that our attention and our conversations might center on nurturing ourselves and others. Our diets, exercise routines, and general health habits will be on our minds this month. We may also be more concerned about our domestic arrangements � relationships and homes.

On Friday there is another cosmic shift with Mars, the planet of motivation and action leaving Gemini for the tidal waters of Cancer. Mars in Cancer draws our hearts and attention to home and family, community, our need for nurturing and protection, and our desire for safety and security. Mars is masculine, active and extroverted. You might imagine, the feminine, sensitive, and introverted sign of Cancer is not an easy match to the macho Mars demeanor, but he makes it work.

Collectively we'll see a slowing of the pace and a change of attitudes and priorities with four planets in Taurus and Mars in Cancer, all of which have a desire for safety, security, and stability. We'll want to spend more time at home and with family and loved ones. What has felt like chaos, gently leads to new patterns as we pay attention to the physical elements of our lives.

Until next week, let go and wear loose clothes.

MONDAY
April 19
Moon in Cancer/Leo
The Moon goes Void of Course at 5:03 am enters Leo at 11:10 pm
Mercury enters Taurus at 3:29 am
Sun enters Taurus at 1:33 pm
Today the movie Chocolat is running in my head. At the beginning of the film, we see one of the main characters pack her things and uproot her life in response to the changing speed and direction of the wind. Astrologically speaking we experience lots of changing conditions, but certainly once a month when the Sun moves from one sign to another. Of course, our responses are not usually as radical as moving or quitting a job. Nevertheless, today a change of attitude is in order as both Mercury, the planet of the mind, and the Sun which represents our ego, both leave fast-paced Aries for the more deliberate and stable sign of Taurus.

Mercury enters Taurus long before dawn where it will deliberately set a slower but steady pace until May 3rd. It will spark some conflict with Jupiter and Saturn in radical Aquarius but will be a reminder to stay grounded and not get so rattled by every radical idea that floats by. Of course, Mercury has some important allies with the Sun, Venus, and Uranus also transiting through Taurus this month.

With the current emphasis of four planets in domestic Taurus, we can expect that our attention and our conversations might center on nurturing ourselves and others. Our diets, exercise routines, and general health habits will be on our minds this month. We may also be more concerned about our domestic arrangements � relationships and homes. We might also become interested in a cause or movement related to the natural world � animal rights, composting, recycling, water issues, and the like.

As the Sun enters Taurus mid-day, we will begin a 30-day cycle in which we crave more order and organization. Although the beginning of the cycle may be chaotic, the artistic, resourceful, and patient pace of Taurus will help us feel more settled and purposeful each day as we follow its lead. You might want to think of Taurus as the cosmic gardener patiently turning over the soil, lovingly planting and nurturing seeds, and successfully gathering the harvest. Taurus has the tenacity and the drive to create a beautiful garden from an ordinary or unkempt piece of land and can do the same for our lives. If you are looking for more stability and a sense of meaning in your life, you will enjoy this cycle.

With Taurus quietly taking the lead in the background today, we are under the influence of a Moon in home-loving Cancer. In the early morning, a lunar connection to Neptune increases intuition and we might be a bit nostalgic too. In the early evening, a lunar opposition to Pluto brings out intense feelings with the potential for greater sensitivity and vulnerability. We tend to take things very personally. The Moon opposite transformational Pluto can attract situations that prove cathartic, healing, and life-changing.

By late evening we are ready to lighten up when the Moon enters Leo. This sign can be very theatrical and continue the drama, but it also conflicts with the Sun in Taurus. You can almost hear the building Taurus energy saying "slow your roll and deal with this tomorrow".

Daily Muse: Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. (Leonardo Da Vinci � Sun and Venus in Taurus)

TUESDAY
April 20
Moon in Leo
It may seem like we have plenty of reasons to frown today but remember it's always a choice. The Moon in Leo wants to be sunny, playing to an audience of believers and fans. But alas, an early morning square to Mercury in Taurus feels like a rebuff and when the Moon also squares Venus mid-day, the rejection feels more personal. Things don't get much easier as the day closes with the Moon edging closer to a square with radical Uranus and an opposition to Saturn in Aquarius. But then again, we signed up for the PhD course in life, didn't we? You don't get to the master class without handling a few upsets and coming out wiser.

The Moon in dramatic Leo walks a fine line and plays a tricky game. We crave the warm glow of approval and are even willing to play the roles and wear the masks we think people want or demand of us. Trying to win approval can fuel our creativity as we stretch ourselves and become increasingly clever in the ways we adapt. But whether we are making people laugh or cry, ultimately, we need to remember it's our choice about the roles we play and why we play them. Being non-confrontational in a conversation with a senior with dementia or willing to listen to the neighbor with those unbelievable political views (LOL) isn't the same as selling our souls. Denying who we really are in a friendship or intimate relationship, may indeed chip away at the integrity of our being. Life requires us to be adept actors � assessing the situation and improvising when necessary. There is no script!

Today the Leo Moon helps us feel more acutely how we bend and shape ourselves in response to others. It's a game we can play and have fun with when we stay awake and in touch with our feelings.

Daily Muse: I want freedom for the full expression of my personality. (Mahatma Gandhi � Moon in Leo)

WENSDAY
April 21
Moon in Leo

The Moon in Leo has more reason to feel happily self-expressive today, although she does not make any connections to planets until early Thursday morning. But she, and we are the lucky recipients of a creatively expansive energy today as Venus forms a quintile with Jupiter. This 72-degree aspect (we talked about it last week) is considered creative, lucky, and out of the ordinary. And this one is between the two planets traditionally considered beneficial � Venus the planet of values and love, and Jupiter the planet of expansion. It Is bound to be sweet.

Expect increased levels of intuition and creativity. Allow spontaneous insights to occur and don't dismiss them out of hand. This could be a wonderful time for attracting interesting people into your life. I hesitate to say they will be of like mind because that isn't necessarily the case. It could be, but even if they seem quite different than our usual friends and companions, they may be exactly who we need in our lives at this time. They may educate or stretch us in ways we can hardly imagine. This is also a time we may take on new projects or responsibilities that feel more in alignment with our purpose and goals. Alternately, we may find it easier than usual to delegate or release tasks or obligations that have become burdensome or not consistent with where we see our lives going.

Daily Muse: If you want to be in optimum emotional health, realize that social isolation stands between you and it. Reach out to others. Join groups�to drum, meditate, sing, sew, read, whatever. Find communities�to garden, do service work, travel, whatever. We, humans, are social animals. Spontaneous happiness is incompatible with social isolation. Period. (Andrew Weil, Venus in Taurus but also five planets in social Gemini � that could have a lot to do with his thinking!)

THURSDAY
April 22
Moon in Leo/Virgo
The Moon goes Void of Course at 5:05 am enters Virgo at 6:08 am
Earth Day
An early morning connection between the Leo Moon and Mars in Gemini gets the day off to a verbal start, but it may not be exactly the conversation we had in mind! Nothing to worry about here. If a conversation takes an uncomfortable turn, it could reflect our desire to be able to express ourselves more freely. The Leo Moon has been holding back just a bit over the last few days and maybe we are tired of agreeing when our mate suggests a green smoothie for breakfast when we are craving a cinnamon roll or blueberry pancakes.

It's still early in the day when the Moon changes direction and enters dutiful and conscientious Virgo. Mid-day when Luna makes a positive alignment with the Sun in Taurus we feel more grounded but may also feel bored or uninspired. Things might feel a bit routine and ordinary while our hearts are hoping for something more exciting.

Our lament won't last long. This evening Venus meets up with unpredictable Uranus. Did you say you wanted something exciting and out of the ordinary? Traditionally, when the planet of love is conjunct the planet of rebellion, we crave spontaneity, passion, and excitement. There is also a very independent streak to this energy so when it comes to relationships, we may feel less inclined to commit or stick to a routine, even if Venus is in faithful Taurus. We want to be free spirits and break some rules! We are attracted to people and situations that are spontaneous, eccentric, and unconventional. This could indicate the beginning of a passionate but unusual relationship. Watch for signs in existing relationships that partners want and need more freedom and personal space. If you intend to keep the relationship, try out some new ideas, attitudes, or behaviors. In your creative ventures be spontaneous.

The Venus conjunct Uranus energy spills through the evening with a little help from the Moon in Virgo aligning with both planets. We often think of Virgo as traditional, or maybe even a bit uptight. Remember this is a dual, mutable sign. Virgo has the reputation as the sinner and the saint. This Moon energy is likely to surprise us with her "other" side.

Daily Muse: Whatever you choose, however many roads you travel, I hope that you choose not to be a lady. I hope you will find some way to break the rules and make a little trouble out there. And I also hope that you will choose to make some of that trouble on behalf of women. (Nora Ephron � Sun conjunct Jupiter and Uranus in Taurus - Commencement Address, Wellesley College, 1996)

FRIDAY
April 23
Moon in Virgo
Mars enters Cancer 4:49am

Another cosmic shift occurs this morning when Mars, the planet of motivation and action leaves Gemini for the tidal waters of Cancer. The word "tidal" may prove to be prophetic as this period is likely to be marked as one of continual change. Like lunar cycles, tides have some predictability, and yet a lot of what we know for sure is these are not still waters; the situation is continually changing. Mars in Cancer draws our hearts and attention to home and family, community, our need for nurturing and protection, and our desire for safety and security.

As a psychological profile, Mas is masculine, active, and extroverted. You might imagine, the feminine, sensitive, and introverted sign of Cancer is not an easy match to the macho Mars demeanor. To better understand Mars in Cancer it's helpful to think about one of its archetypes, the crab. This small earth and sea creature rarely if ever walks in a straight line. Instead, it takes an unpredictable, circuitous, or meandering route to its destination. If you know any Cancer natives, you know exactly what I'm talking about! Keep this in mind during this period � from today until June 11 � while Mars is Crab-walking through Cancer. Maybe we see our destination but need to take an indirect route. Things may suddenly change, and we need to make adjustments or accommodations. Perhaps family and home responsibilities and activities pull us away from our professional pursuits or individual hobbies and projects. If so, go with the flow. This is the time to devote our attention to everything domestic.

The Moon in Virgo will help us make this adjustment today with her ability to take in her surroundings and serve as needed. No muss, no fuss, just taking care of business with little to no fanfare. Tonight, when the Moon opposes Neptune we are ready to take off our work clothes and relax. But stimulation increases with a late-night alliance between Mental Mercury and rebellious Uranus. This could make for a long night of provocative conversation and interaction.

Daily Muse: Art does not exist only to entertain, but also to challenge one to think, to provoke, even to disturb, in a constant search for truth. (Barbra Streisand � Sun, Mercury, Saturn and Uranus all in Taurus)

SATURDAY
April 24
Moon in Virgo/Libra
The Moon goes Void of Course at 3:50 am
enters Libra at 9:06am

Empowering dreams are likely in the pre-dawn and waking hours today as the Moon in Virgo makes a harmonizing connection to Pluto. By mid-morning, the Moon enters the partnership sign of Libra. We exchange I for We and Me for Us. Personal agendas are thrown out as being less important than spending quality time with a mate or partner. If we don't have one, we are still in a romantic and creative frame of mind. This is the feeling of loving to be in love. However, our romantic dreaminess is interrupted by an uncouth lunar square to Mars in protective Cancer.

Relationship bliss is further challenged tonight when Venus in Taurus runs afoul of Saturn in Aquarius. As Saturn is the planet of commitment, we rather like to see the planet of love getting along with him. Here is the temporary rub. Venus in Taurus is focused on and devoted to a single person or idea, whereas Saturn in Aquarius is notoriously detached and thinking more philosophically about individual rights than about a special intimate relationship. Saturn in Aquarius is more likely to be in love with an idea or a cause.

Hopefully, for those romantically inclined this will be a short blip on the overall journey and not a major hurdle to overcome. It can be a useful wake-up call (especially with the Moon in Libra) to be more than in love with the idea of being in love. Dreams and fantasies are fun; but being in a relationship with a real person requires grit, perseverance, tolerance, and the ability to look beyond appearances. Venus in Taurus can do that, and Saturn in Aquarius can add the necessary discipline to make love a living, breathing, evolving thing.

Daily Muse: How bold one gets when one is sure of being loved. (Sigmund Freud � Sun, Mercury, Uranus and Pluto in Taurus)

SUNDAY
April 25
Moon in Libra
It's a rough morning for conversations despite the Moon being in diplomatic Libra. We have a hang-over of sorts; Mercury the communicator tangles with Saturn in the pre-dawn hours (Pacific Time). Mercury in Taurus typically is not a sign that is as comfortable with words and communication as some other signs. As described on Monday when Mercury entered Taurus, this is an energy of doing rather than talking about doing. Keeping this in mind, if words are getting tangled up or scarce, you might want to rely on alternatives including touch, or behavior that communicates your feelings. Saying I am committed to this family may be less impressive than pitching in with breakfast preparation or cleanup.  

Interactions are easier with the Moon aligning with Saturn this morning; but once again, actions speak louder than words. This afternoon a promising hookup between Mercury and Venus helps put partners, friends, and family on the same page again. It's easier to find shared goals and feel like we are speaking the same language. It's the language of Taurus � food, affection, and faithfulness.

Daily Muse: Family is not an important thing, it's everything. (Michael J. Fox - Moon conjunct Venus in Taurus)