Where Are the Planets Now?

Here's a quickie breakdown of which planets are in which signs now.

The sun is still in Earth sign Taurus.
Mercury is still in Fire sign Aries.
Venus is still in Taurus.
Mars is still in Air sign Aquarius until April 30th, when it moves into Water sign Pisces.
Jupiter is still retrograde in Air sign Libra.
Saturn is still in Water sign Cancer.
Uranus is still in Water sign Pisces.
Neptune is still in Air sign Aquarius.
Pluto is still retrograde in Fire sign Sagittarius.

Overview for the Week of Monday, April 25th - Sunday, May 1st

Last week's lunar eclipse and full moon in Scorpio may have created some explosions in our lives, but this was a healthy time for purging. Sometimes, ya gotta bust a few heads to get things done. So if you found yourself blowing your cool and letting someone know what you were REALLY feeling, this was a good thing. Around the full moon, we all have the urge to get some things off our chest. It's just nature taking its course. Afterwards, it's best to calmly pick up the pieces, sweep up the broken bits, shake off those intense energies and move on.

This week we should be coasting along on relatively calm energies as the sun and Venus continue to provide grounding and stability in the sign of Taurus. There will be less of a feeling of foreboding and more optimism floating around. The Scorpio full moon and eclipse last week generated a bit of a lurking sense of doom, which is now dissipating. So if you've been going crazy from hearing the theme from Jaws playing in your head (DA-dum.....DA-dum.....DA-dum DA-dum DA-dum DA-dum AARRRGH!) that should be fading away. You'll no longer be searching for sharks in the waters. You'll be looking for rainbows. And you should find a few, thanks to the nice energies of Beltane coming in.

Two main events are happening with the planets this week. On Saturday, April 30th, ambition planet Mars moves into dreamy Pisces, creating a reflective mood. As you pursue career matters or personal goals you'll feel more "Zen," going with the flow, instead of trying to force things. All of the Water signs - that's Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces - will start to feel calmer about life and more pleased about how things are going. You'll be less outcome-based and more journey-based. What do I mean by that? Well, you won't be stressing out because you're dying to reach a certain outcome. You'll be in a gear where you are simply enjoying the ride, wherever it takes you. This easy-going mood will be strongest for the Water signs, but others will be feeling shades of this energy, too.

The other major thing going on is that we're coming up on one of the mini-solstices or mini-equinoxes. You may remember past articles I've written about the spiritual power of the various equinox and solstice days which were celebrated as holy days by the indigenous and pagan people. They understood that powerful energy vortices opened up at this time, creating gateways to the spiritual realms. The spring equinox on March 20th this year was one of these powerful days. Beltane or "May Day" which falls on Sunday, May 1st is another incredible day for tapping into sacred energy. Easter is also celebrated in the Orthodox faith on this day. It's a great day for meditation, visualization, prayer, and all forms of spiritual work. It's also a wonderful time for healing. If you want to release dense energies in your life, this is a powerful day to set the intention to lighten up and access high spirits. The angels and spiritual guides are very near to us on Beltane, as are all of our holy ones, gurus, Jesus, Buddha, and the saints. So tap into some positive guidance and healing vibes.

Note: You may wish to revisit a past essay I've written called How to Use the Energies of Halloween and the Eight Pagan Holidays. It explains the energy of Beltane a little more.

Aries the Ram

Tuesday and Wednesday will be your power days this week as the moon journeys through friendly Fire sign Sagittarius on those days. (If you're not on Eastern Daylight Standard Time, adjust this by a half day before or after.) You'll feel more confident and physically energized than you did last week, bouncing along like the happy, woolly creature that you are. As the positive energy of Beltane builds up heading into the weekend, explore passionate energy. Spend some romantic time with a luscious cutie. Take a break or a short getaway with a long-time love. This week can be a nice time for breakthroughs and positive change, so access the energy of May Day with a frisky feeling of celebration.

Taurus the Bull

The four weeks out of each year when the sun returns to your birth sign, Taurus, mark your personal New Year. The sun is still in your sign until May 20th, so look for lots of good things to be happening. You may be plowing under old structures that no longer serve you, doing some personal housecleaning. Or you may just be doing housecleaning. This is a perfect week to send those dustbunnies packing and to take arms against a sea of cobwebs. Your home is your sanctuary, and you always feel better if your living space is in order. Make things perfect and the rest of your life will start coming into alignment, too. You don't need those home makeover people to fix things. You know just what you want and don't want.

Gemini the Twins

As Mars completes its pass through friendly Air sign Aquarius and heads for Pisces on Saturday, you're finishing up a period of personal homework. You've sorted some things out and put them on the proper emotional shelves. Maybe you have grown distanced from an old friend or colleague, and you're making peace with this shift. Or perhaps you are releasing an old career goal that you've outgrown. It takes Gemini a while to make a decision, but when she finally gets around to doing it, she marches ahead boldly. Plant your feet firmly on the path you have chosen and keep moving. You're preparing to enter into your own personal power time after the sun moves into Gemini on May 20th. Until then, keep busy.

Cancer the Crab

After all of the intense energies that were assaulting you last week, now is your recovery time. You may feel like napping and kicking back. You need to recharge your batteries, so it's okay to be lazy. Put yourself in observer mode and watch things unfolding around you, but don't feel that you have to participate. Remove yourself from the exhausting process of action/reaction and opt for a more Zen approach. Watch, take note, and step back. A non-intervention policy is best for you this week. Thin-skinned Water signs need to monitor their energy levels and make sure that they're not being drained by energy vampires. Preserve your vitality and your emotional balance by taking it easy. You deserve a break today!

Leo the Lion

Mars has been in Aquarius, your opposite sign, for several weeks, and you've been feeling like a victim of Fate. "Why is everybody out to get me? Why isn't anything going my way?" Mars was challenging you to reexamine your goals and to refine your plans. As Mars moves into Pisces on Saturday, you'll feel less burdened and more hopeful. You won't find yourself hitting your head against as many brick walls. Instead, your path to success will be open and clear. Dust yourself off, shake off the emotional debris of these stressful weeks, and realize that you're likely to experience real improvement right away. Isn't it nice when the planets are kissing you instead of smacking you in the head?

Virgo the Virgin

This week you'll experience a gradual build-up of momentum, peaking Thursday through Saturday when the moon moves into friendly Earth sign Capricorn. (Adjust that time a half day or so either way if you're not on Eastern Daylight Time.) You may find that it's easier to focus on work as you head into the weekend, so you may want to bring some projects home with you. Remember to get out and play on Saturday as those joyful Beltane energies kick in. Call up some friends you haven't seen for a while and raise a toast to life, liberty, and the pursuit of comfortable footwear. Share some giggles and flirtation (remember what that's like?) and indulge in a little fun.

Libra the Scales

Librans tend to have wide psychic antennae, and they are very aware of what their loved ones and friends are going through. This makes you an excellent advice giver. This week people could pour out of the woodwork, seeking your guidance. Put on your psychotherapist's cap and start spreading words of wisdom. Or write some amazing insights about humanity in your blog. You'll be attuned to the pulse of people, psychology, and spirituality, and you'll want to share your insights with others. As Beltane gathers steam, you may experience a transcendental moment of connection with the Divine. Take notes in your journal to capture those elusive sparks of spirit.

Scorpio the Scorpion

As Mars moves into friendly Water sign Pisces on Saturday, you may feel a shift in your career sector. You'll find yourself more focused on building your finances, seeking education, and/or advancing at your current job. As you center your attention on improving your prospects, do a little research. You may stumble upon a book, a website, or a mentor who provides some excellent information which could save you time and money. Don't rush into action just yet. Gather data, seek advice, and synthesize it all into your unique personal recipe for success. Over the next few weeks, you'll be able to whip up some yummy new surprises.

Sagittarius the Archer

It's time to make like Olivia Newton John and Get Physical. (For you youngsters out there, that was a hit tune of hers in the early 80's.) Restless energy is building as Beltane approaches, and you'll want to stomp your feet and make a little noise. Exercise will help to ground you, especially long walks, jogs, or bike rides. You may have TOO much energy right now, and to avoid being manic, you'll want to sweat out the excess. Celebrate May Day with wine, women, and song, or dance, fun, and socialization. Maypole or no, you'll find a way to make Beltane your own special day.

Capricorn the Goat

"Who am I? Where am I going? What do I want to be when I grow up?" These questions could be on your mind as the sun's journey through Taurus stirs up some identity issues. You'll want to make sure that you have lined up the proper training, qualifications, and education to support your current path. There may be an area of knowledge that you need to dip into to increase your expertise in a certain subject. Consider signing up for a workshop, a seminar, or a home study course that will give you the certification you need. With the planets teaming up to make learning easy for you, you'll sail right through any courses that you take.

Aquarius the Water-Bearer

Mars has created a lot of changes for you as it traveled through your sign. When it moves into Pisces on Saturday, you may want to reflect on what has shifted. Take inventory of your emotions, your relationships, and your goals. What didn't work out, and what inspires you or draws you right now? Head in the direction of things that carry a vibration of passion and fun. Aquarians do best when they are involved with projects that stir them up and make them a little crazy (but in a good way.) You've released some things that were holding you back, and as Beltane kicks in, you may want to set some powerful new goals. Do a ritual, perform a prayer, or do a magic dance to set fresh stuff in motion.

Pisces the Fish

As Mars moves into your sign on Saturday, you may feel that the gods are smiling on you. (Or the God. Or the Goddess. Whatever.) At any rate, you'll be feeling like your hard work this past year might finally start to generate more concrete, explosive results. Maybe your name will be mentioned in the paper, and you'll suddenly become Miss Popular. Or perhaps your work will be favorably reviewed and you'll receive a raise or promotion. Ambitions that have been thwarted in the past will finally stand a chance of being rewarded as Mars kicks up heat in your sign over the next several weeks. You go, girl!

See you back here next Monday for more astro-updates!