Spring 2024 Astrological Forecast
An exciting conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus sparkles during April — get ready for a busy stretch of exhilarating events.
Artwork©pixander/123rf
Happy new astrological year! Verdant spring officially arrives during the night of Tuesday, March 19th. There are currently no retrograde planets, and there haven’t been any since late January. That will soon change. We are also in an eclipse cycle. Among the season’s celestial highlights are a lunar eclipse at the full Moon of March 25th, and a total solar eclipse at the time of the Aries new Moon on Monday, April 8th. Millions of North Americans will enjoy ringside seats. One of my favorite pairings, an exciting conjunction of Jupiter and Uranus, sparkles during April. We’ll also see significant planetary sign changes. Get ready for a busy stretch of exhilarating events, head scratching realizations and alliances, as well as spiritually inspired developments. The possibilities are huge.
The Sun In Aries
Shortly before midnight of Tuesday, March 19th, the Sun enters fiery Aries, the first sign of the Zodiac. The spring equinox is a time of balance between the forces of light and darkness. The equinox stars point to impending changes. Transformational forces are in play. On Thursday the 21st, the Sun reaches an exact sextile with Pluto. This first major aspect of the season heralds the growing power of progressive groups. Venus is also conjunct Saturn. Endings as well as new and deepening commitments are at hand.
On Friday, March 22nd, feisty Mars exits Aquarius and dives into emotional Pisces. For the next month feelings may be more volatile than usual. Control the tendency to overreact. The glow of the waxing Virgo Moon brings many wonderful moments over the weekend of the 23rd and 24th. It will be difficult to improve upon Saturday night parties and get togethers. Sunday brunches are also particularly enjoyable.
The full Worm Moon in Libra, a lunar eclipse, is exact at 3:00am on Monday the 25th. Plans and events the week before and after an eclipse are more likely to run into complicating circumstances. Improvisational skills will come in handy. If necessary, turn to your A-team of trusted friends and colleagues for advice and support. Partners make critical contributions during the midweek period of Wednesday the 27th, and Thursday the 28th. Venus’ Thursday morning sextile to Uranus is a cheerful life saver for some souls. Observe good decorum during the weekend of the 30th and 31st. Under mixed influences the outspoken Sagittarius Moon tends to make folks talk bluntly. Be aware, and right or wrong, respect other peoples’ opinions.
Mercury’s April Fool’s Day turn to retrograde motion is enough to make one wonder. Does the creator have a sense of humor? Expect the usual outcry, all manner of communications and travel will somehow go badly. However, the sky is not falling and there are other ways to look at retrogrades. Firstly, planets do not actually travel backwards. We are seeing an illusion. Use the coming Mercury retrograde weeks to review recent developments. Rethink positions. If in doubt, do additional research. Get in touch with friends and relatives. Mercury retrograde can also be handy in completing unfinished projects.
April begins with an upsurge in enthusiasm. The evening of Monday, April 1st, hosts the waning Capricorn Moon’s last quarter stage. The tense energies can be motivational. Under a gritty, achievement-oriented Moon, keeping busy and doing is the best answer to the day’s numerous challenges.
Less demanding and fruitful trends take hold on Tuesday the 2nd. Travel is facilitated and planning sessions are constructive. Venus is conjunct Neptune the morning of Wednesday, April 3rd, a magical combination for pursuits that require inventiveness and loving ways. This is a great time to take a leap of faith. However, bear in mind, we are amidst spring’s eclipses. Take intelligent leaps of faith. Not everything is what it appears to be.
As clocks toll midnight and Friday begins, Venus enters Aries. Affections take on more impulsive qualities for the next few weeks. Venus is in a sextile to Pluto. Declarations of love are persuasive and in some cases good relations are restored as the weekend gets under way. The afternoon of Saturday the 6th, is a good one for socializing. Energy levels subside on Sunday. The final day of the lunar cycle is a prelude to a total solar eclipse. Pay attention to premonitions and hunches.
On Monday, April 8th, the Aires new Moon eclipses the Sun at 2:21pm EDT. A leader may fall from grace. Other endings are likely. A personal realization can take life in an entirely unexpected new direction. In any case, each eclipse is a golden opportunity for checking inward. Notice where your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies are. Meditations can be especially deep.
The first major post eclipse aspect is Mars’ conjunction with Saturn on Wednesday the 10th. This is another cosmic invitation to pause and carefully consider options and plans. Quite fortuitously, the waxing Taurus Moon is conjunct Jupiter and Uranus. Visionary thinking is also promoted. As the old saying goes, when one door closes another one opens. It may be time to resurrect a skill or make new plans and commitments.
Mellower trends dominate most of the mid-month period. One exception is the first quarter Cancer Moon on Monday, April 15th. The stressful alignment could precipitate a change of strategy. Loyalties may be tested. However, forces leading us to focus more on the future than the past are gathering strength.
The Sun In Taurus
Fertile Taurus season begins the morning of Friday, April 19th. An abundance of positive celestial energies dominates the first half of the day. Venus overtakes retrograde Mercury as daylight breaks. Reunions are likely, as well as many fond memories. By late morning Mars is in a sextile with Jupiter. Ambitions are mixed with high hopes and good intentions. A late afternoon lunar opposition to Saturn in Pisces warrants meticulous planning and some caution. All the same, Mars’ evening sextile to Uranus keeps physical energy and humanitarian impulses humming along.
Evolutionary forces continue to be in play over the weekend of the 20th and 21st. In an aspect of immense potential, philosophical Jupiter and revolutionary Uranus form a conjunction on Saturday night. Jupiter has often been labeled lucky. In truth it is a planet of earned opportunity, expansive in nature, supporting growth, learning and confidence. Uranus is the planet of friendship and community awareness, as well as eccentrics and geniuses. It also rules awakenings, breakthroughs in consciousness, science and technology. This is an exciting time of invention and discovery. Group activities are supported, especially those that serve the greater good.
A waxing Moon adds to excitement levels, but use your energy wisely on Sunday when the Taurus Sun reaches a square to Pluto. Power brokers wield their resources to advance their aims. Their principal goal is holding onto power and stifling opposition. Monday, April 22nd, is Earth day. The waxing Moon is in socially aware Libra. Planting the seeds of peace is desirable. So too is beautifying the world. Start at home and cooperate with adventurous partners.
The full Moon in steamy Scorpio is exact Tuesday evening April 23rd. The opposing Sun and Moon square Pluto. Passions are high. The need to compromise is great. Cooler heads are in charge by midweek. Mercury resumes forward motion during the morning of Thursday the 25th. Don’t be too proud or stubborn to change your mind. Successful progress may require it.
During the last weekend of April, Mars is nearing an inspirational conjunction with Neptune. For some folks this pairing, exact shortly after midnight on Monday, April 29th, brings the fulfillment of a dream. In other cases, weather related incidents or allergies can be problematic. Play it safe. Keep an eye on the skies and be careful about what you put in your body. Venus also enters her comfort zone of Taurus Monday morning. By noon Tuesday, spark plug Mars gets revved up, having arrived in Aries.
The exuberant month of May gets off to a challenging start. Just minutes after midnight on Wednesday, May 1st, Venus is at odds with Pluto. Jealousies, demands and compulsions are antithetical to Venus’ giving ways. The morning’s ensuing last quarter Aquarius Moon adds to stresses. Fulfill your own needs. Give others the space and freedom needed to nurture themselves. Pluto has stationed and turns retrograde on Thursday, May 2nd. That evening partners find fruitful ways of co-existing.
The Taurus new Moon on Tuesday night May 8th, is a green light for launching projects and planting gardens. A supportive alignment with Saturn holds the promise of enduring success. The Sun and Moon are also close to Uranus and Jupiter. There will be many fine learning and travel adventures during the coming weeks. The social potential is also excellent. Wednesday the 9th, is an especially good day for networking or just enjoying pals.
Sunday, May 12th, is Mother’s Day and, with the Moon in Cancer, moms rightfully rule. Affections are strongly felt and moods are upbeat throughout the day. Mothers can expect to be pleasantly surprised thanks to a solar conjunction with Uranus. Monday’s changes can be disconcerting at times but progressive elements are nicely balanced by steadfast loyalty and appreciation of traditions.
Use tact and be constructive on Thursday, May 16th. Mercury is nearing a square with Pluto, making some souls unbearably and stubbornly opinionated. Hearts and spirits grow lighter as the weekend of the 18th and 19th gets underway. The Saturday conjunctions of Venus with Uranus and the Sun with Jupiter are brilliant. Loving friendship as well as unyielding optimism bring merriment and smiles. The magic continues. Sunday’s solar sextile to Neptune promotes kindness and an appreciation of artful beauty.
The Sun In Gemini
During the morning of Monday, May 20th, the Sun enters Gemini. The winds of change are gentle but insistent this week. Under the influence of the waxing Scorpio Moon, the Sun’s Wednesday morning trine to Pluto drives home the point, we can meet challenges and adapt to emerging needs.
On busy Thursday, May 23rd, the Moon is full in Sagittarius. This is an incredible day. The opposing Sun and Moon harmonize with Pluto. Venus is conjunct Jupiter at the last degree of Taurus and both planets are sextile Neptune at the final degree of Pisces. Well-meaning people have much to work with. Karmic lessons may be completed. Spiritual and intellectual growth are entwined with wisdom of the heart. Generosity and creative output can be stupendous. It is time to act on dreams and rock the world in good ways. By late afternoon, Venus makes her entry into Gemini. Ordinarily the Goddess takes on a lighthearted aspect in this sign, but a pending trine to Pluto sustains deep passions well into Saturday the 25th.
Jupiter begins a yearlong stay in Gemini during Saturday evening. There will be much discussion and debate but don’t believe everything you hear. Mellower, and for the most part, pleasant days follow. The last quarter Moon on Thursday, May 30th can precipitate a change of outlook or plans. The odds of an important realization are increased by mental Mercury’s pairing with visionary Uranus during Friday morning. A dream could be prophetic. Act on your premonitions Friday afternoon.
June begins under happy auspices. The weekend of the 1st and 2nd is well-suited for outings and parties. The Moon chips in with a series of enlivening aspects while optimistic Jupiter trines Pluto. Recreational activities are healing. Sunday night’s sextile between Mercury and Neptune is a fabulous omen for communing with nature or enjoying the arts.
Tuesday, June 4th is another user friendly day. Mercury is conjunct Jupiter, a consummate alignment of hope and good cheer. The pairing is also trine Pluto, reinforcing the idea that positive attitudes do make a difference. In addition, the Gemini Sun is conjunct Venus, an omen of pure enjoyment. Meetings for business or pleasure are favored. The Gemini new Moon of Thursday the 6th, marks the beginning of a new, fast-moving activity cycle. The conjoined Sun and Moon are aligned with Venus, suggesting good times are on the horizon. However, the trio is also in a testing square with Saturn. Be sure to plan carefully and weigh the comparative costs and advantages of various proposals.
By the weekend of the 8th and 9th it becomes clear that some partners will be unable to participate in adventures. Time may not allow it or other responsibilities could become priorities. Around Tuesday, June 11th a disagreement can further strain partnerships. Agree to disagree or the damage may be permanent. Compromise and cooperation are the best options.
Starting with the first quarter Moon in Virgo, mixed trends persist throughout Friday, June 14th. With its ups and downs, the day feels long and busy. It will be good to leave work behind and enjoy as stellar evening influences take hold. Sunday the 16th, is Father’s Day and once again, the celestial trends are mixed. Fortunately, the Libra Moon is in harmony with the Gemini Sun. Inner composure contributes to a satisfying day. However, the late night square between Venus and Neptune can leave some folks feeling disappointed. It’s better to sit with uneasy feelings than ignore them. Because Mercury is also at odds with Neptune, finding words that adequately describe feelings can be difficult. A kind word or caring gesture can ease worried hearts and minds.
Spring’s final aspect is the Gemini Sun’s square to Neptune on the afternoon of Thursday, June 20th. Once again, there may unsolvable mysteries or confusion. Emotions are running high as the Moon is nearly full. If not knowing is challenging, use your preferred tools for managing the stress. Breathe deeply, take a walk in nature, let your thoughts drift, meditate or pray. Have faith that you are on the cusp of a better world. Beauty is everywhere. With the illuminating hours of daylight at a peak, it is up to each of us to find and appreciate it. Keep looking up!
Eric Linter offers a complete range of astrological services including readings and classes. Contact him at stars@ericlinter.com or by telephone at 508-541-4115. Read his Daily Forecast on the Spirit of Change homepage at spiritofchange.org or sign up to receive Eric’s daily forecast right in your inbox each morning.
