© Terry Lamb

Allow Your Life to Transform

The April 2010 Forecast

by Terry Lamb

To subscribe, contact me at terry@terrylamb.net.

I have recently been focusing more attention on my process of inner growth, and one of the ways that I have been doing so is through the I Ching. Typically translated as “The Chinese Book of Change”, I became fascinated with it back in my post-graduate days because it offered a way to study the mysterious processes of how change occurs in our lives. More than that, it promises a way to affect the energies of change to create what you want in life.

I find this especially germane to our process this month, for April’s theme is transformation. With Pluto commencing its retrograde (backward) motion, Mercury entering another of its retrograde period and contacting both Pluto and Mars, an aware approach to transformation will enhance our experiences and outcomes tremendously.

The I Ching has a very precise notion of transformation (at least the Carol K. Anthony Oracle of the Cosmic Way does). Transformation is a hidden process that takes place on the (sub)atomic level as an interaction between dark and light. Dark and light are dynamic forces that attract each other due to their complementarity, so they bring about transformations from non-form (the image world) into form (the “real” world) and form into non-form. They are inseparable, two aspects of one entity. When we are in harmony with the universe, these forces are allowed to operate in our lives fluidly, and life unfolds as a series of miracles.

Anthony is very specific in making a distinction between change, which is (by her definition) an action taken in response to ego direction; and transformation, which is invisible, magical, and occurs automatically when our ego does not prevent it. Change replaces one form of ego with another because it only addresses symptoms, not causes, of difficulties. Therefore change produces more conflict, greater obstacles. Only transformation brings about true renewal and overcomes the “insurmountable” once and for all. (She calls the I Ching the “Book of Transformation”.)

Transformation occurs in the invisible realms, during which time we cannot detect any progress. Then, in its own time it wells up to the surface to produce the miraculous result that satisfies all parties (win-win, rather than the win-lose strategies of the ego). Whatever you think of this definition of change, making use of this distinction is likely to help us in April. We have activation of the planets of change versus transformation — Mars and Pluto — by none other than Messenger of the Gods Mercury. Pluto is also a focal planet in its own right.

Pluto & Transformation

By the time you’ve taken your first steps in astrology, the association of Pluto with transformation is already familiar; so it’s no surprise that transformation would be a theme at a time where Pluto’s energies dominate. Pluto is about to turn around and begin backward (retrograde) travel (Chart A). This means that we are currently entering 5 months of focus on transformation. What’s more, the actions we take now (the feelings, thoughts and beliefs) we place in motion now will be the mold into which we pour our transformative process.

Much of what we are experiencing now was seeded at Christmas time, and that in turn emerged out of our previous life situations. As we enter these five months, we know very well what we are working on, and we may feel like it’s a train on a track toward a known destination where our actions have little impact on what occurs.

However, since transformation takes place in the invisible realms, it only appears that way. In fact, the train track has curves, zigs, and zags that we create as we go on the sub-microscopic level with our thoughts, beliefs, and feelings. Thoughts and feelings that are open and free of conditioned beliefs can be used by the universe to create win-win outcomes. When we are locked into a particular way of seeing something, the universe cannot unfold its miracles for us.

Enter Saturn!

Saturn is rarely the star of the show, but he is this summer. Saturn has been making all kinds of connections, which include a square to Pluto, in effect since last November. Saturn brings structure and the need to take the right amount of responsibility where it is found in our charts. With Pluto, we must introduce “structured transformation” into our world — make something of our new inner forms in the “real” world.

I have been observing as we’ve entered the Pluto focus period (March 25 – April 6) that what bothers us is not the transformation process itself. Instead all the blocks we have to transformation come up into consciousness — blocks we have to clear for transformation to occur.

Not sure you want transformation, you say? Well, there is a part of you that very much insists on it, and it will come sooner or later because that part of us is the true self, through which we feel joy, love, and harmony. Transformation is not necessarily a huge event. It can be as small as a gradual lessening of temper tantrums in a child, or a reduction in cold-war feelings between partners. Sometimes it brings sudden relief, such as a new job after a long search or a new love union after months of casual contact.

This is a good time to observe what you are experiencing with transformative processes — the situations you might be tempted to “change” because they are not in a form you want now. By setting your intention for transformation and allowing it to take place invisibly, you empower the hidden forces of the universe to act creatively in your situation.

When we work through the hidden realms, circumstances may shift much more rapidly than we otherwise would expect. However, a sequence of events will show progress with specific turning points around December 24, March 25, April 6, June 25, September 13, and September 25.

If we enter the month saturated with Pluto energy, we have other distractions soon after. First is the return of Saturn into Virgo. Even before it makes it there, we may feel the push to clean up, clear out, organize, and tie up loose ends. While there is some of Pluto’s urge to transform in our plans, Saturn in Virgo plays a major role. On a deeper level, we’re clearing out to prepare for next doorway in consciousness, our next directive. We can’t take on anything new until the path is cleared of old material and circumstances.

Virgo makes us feel like sorting and organizing, but the return of Saturn to a sign it’s already been in for two years makes us feel like finishing things we started back then. We get until July 21 to complete our Virgo tasks.

Mercury’s Latest Retrograde Starts April 17.

By the 5^th, Mercury begins to slow down in preparation for its next retrograde; on the 4^th, Mercury enters its shadow (the degrees over which it will later retrograde). This is the time to start taking note of what situations are setting up in your life, to be experienced during the 25-day retrograde, from April 17 – May 11. (See Chart B.)

Contrary to popular belief, you are not supposed to stop your life during the time that Mercury is retrograde. This would mean taking down time at least 10 weeks every year! Instead, we are meant to listen to Mercury’s voice, which is louder during its retrograde than at other times. It teaches us that what we focus on is what we create. Indeed, for those who expect difficulty during Mercury’s retrograde that is what they are most likely to experience, so it confirms their fears. Try projecting for miracles instead of obstacles — not just during the retrograde but at all times — and you will be pleased with the results!

Mercury’s retrograde will be felt most in the area of our chart that is covered during its backward travel, and according to what planets are contacted both in your own chart and in the heavens. This Mercury retrograde promises to take us through a passage of transformation during its contacts with both Mars and Pluto. Pluto’s transformations are eased by three trines from Mercury, providing that we are willing to let go and allow transformations to take place. Meanwhile, Mars will represent the pressures we feel to take ego-based action to “change” our circumstances, because any change is better than no change — or is it? Key dates for these decision points are April 4, 6, 25 and May 3.

Mercury’s Theme: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

With Mercury in Taurus, our dilemmas will center on whether to stick with something that is difficult or move on to something new. Are we giving up or just recognizing the truth in the situation? It is almost certain that persevering through the difficulties is the better option for our growth, but there will be circumstances where this is not wise or even possible — we get to figure it out.

Bathed in Light: Chiron Enters Pisces

Since 2003, Chiron has been in Aquarius, working with Neptune’s energy in bringing new mental awareness and healing through modalities that focus on group consciousness, mental constructs, and absorption of invisible energies on a mental wavelength. On the 19^th, Chiron officially begins its eight-year visit to Pisces. Although it only stay in its new sign until July 20 before returning to Aquarius, we feel the new energy and pledge ourselves to a new directive fulfilling our growth needs and providing service to others through healing modalities.

Chiron in Pisces will work more with light energy instead of mind energy. Instead of words, we will work with images. We will be more attuned to the image world where our experiences in the manifest world are formed and dissolved. Most importantly, we will be healing our relationship with the image world, where inner truth lies. Inner truth is often not aligned with the “truths” we’ve been taught through society, culture, religion, and family. Discerning what is real (that is, the invisible world) versus false (coming from ego, including the collective ego of society) is one way to describe the core matter that needs to be healed through Chiron in Pisces.

Old Versus New: Saturn-Uranus Again

Perhaps the thing that has most thrown us off balance — the thing from which we have yet to completely recover — is the upheaval in culture that began with the Saturn-Uranus opposition in the fall of 2008. As this clash of structure and chaos heightened, people saw (what they thought were) foundations of their lives dissolve — jobs, retirement funds, home loans, equity. The day they conjoined for the first of five times, Barack Obama was elected President, overthrowing old political structures in many ways.

It was a brave new world, but one in which we didn’t know how to plan. We still may not know how to plan to future, but what if any plans are obsolete because plans as a concept is no longer relevant? No matter what world you inhabit — one where plans and goals are still useful, or one where anything long-term is (at least for now) irrelevant — we have two more contacts between Saturn and Uranus before they separate. The first of these occurs on April 26. (See Chart C.)

The one this month is in late Virgo-Pisces and carries the theme of balancing spirit and matter, or working with the image world to create the “real” world. As difficult, even shocking as this experience can be, mastering it is the key to lasting harmony and joy in our lives. All paths of spiritual development address this perceptual divide in some way. If we manage to bridge it, the resulting new awareness uproots the question of whether to stay with old structures (Saturn) or change them for new ones (Uranus).

Observe your experiences on the 26^th, but also on the days when the Moon is in contact with Saturn and Uranus: the 12^th, 19th, and 25^th. Your experiences on these dates will tell you how well you’re dealing with the energies — what trajectory you are on and what areas of your life are affected.

Relationship Matters.

Once Saturn goes back into Virgo from Libra, we may feel a release of pressure regarding unresolved relationship situations. However, this is only a temporary reprieve. The situations come back into full form if not dealt with unswervingly. The time that Saturn is in Virgo can be a reconstructive period if new perspectives are incorporated into old patterns. The tendency to slack off when the pressure is reduced will not benefit us. April 3 brings Venus square to Mars, which can be big if we’re finishing up unresolved relationship matters that have arisen since mid-October. If your life activates on the 3^rd, the Mercury retrograde (April 17 – May 11) will see the process finalized, whatever resolution is in the works.

Deep Days

Last month I referred to the days when Saturn and Pluto were triggered as “deep days”. These abate in intensity this month after the 7^th, but there will still be some tension, and certainly the opportunity to plunge into the depths to bring out more gold of self-understanding. These days are Mondays and Tuesdays as with last month. This creates a rhythm where the early week is generally more challenging than usual.

Mars Is Still Active and Relevant.

Mars was retrograde until March 10, and as April opens, it has hardly moved from its station. It is now making its third (and final) passage over the points in your chart that it triggered in the winter. We are still challenged to put the lessons we learned during the retrograde into play in our lives, including letting go of ego-based behaviors that obscure our connection to our true self. As Mercury triggers Mars during its retrograde, we feel tested as these lessons are spotlighted through our experiences.

The Planets Are Spreading Out.

We leave behind the giant planetary clusters of January – March as the inner planets move beyond the slow-movers. This gives us more perspective on our circumstances, even as they settle into situations that promise a better future if we work with them well.

April In Depth

April 1-10

On the heels of March’s Full Moon (the 29^th), we continue our process of deep transformation. As Pluto makes its standstill, the door to the Underworld swings wide open for us to explore and clear for Divine consciousness to enter. We get support on Sunday the 4^th when a series of contacts to Pluto connect the dots to head and heart. First, Venus trines Pluto: A friend/partner gives us insight into our transformative process, if we don’t isolate ourselves. At the same time, we could waver between two perceptions of our experiences, one based on fear and ego imprints; the other based on inner truth. This is an ideal time to clear misconceptions. As the Moon heads toward a conjunction to Pluto overnight, we experience a “deep night”. Pay attention to your dreams after your inner work on Sunday — they will be rich indeed!

This process culminates on Tuesday when Pluto stations, but we have the very great assistance of Mercury, which is trining Pluto at the time. We have access through our mind/mental body to our unconscious realms, not just now but throughout the 5-month Pluto retrograde. With no interceding planetary events, we feel Pluto’s intensity through the rest of the week (the 10th).

April 7, 11–12

Saturn returns to Virgo on the 7^th, re-emphasizing the processes of reconstruction that we began two years ago. This also puts the pressures of the Saturn-Uranus opposition back into focus, but we don’t feel them until after the 10^th. The 12^th is a Deep Day.

April 13–19

The New Moon, a quiet event, is overshadowed by Mercury’s near- standstill as it prepares to turn retrograde on Saturday (the 17^th). This is especially noticeable because the Moon is in Taurus on the 15^th, magnetizing energy to Mercury. Observe! You’ll see what issues are there for you and get hints on how to release them. (It’s not all about taxes.)

Moon gives us another perspective on Saturn-Uranus today as well, this time from the Uranus-Pisces “anything is possible” point of view. I recommend taking it seriously. (How else would Saturn take it?!)

A Deep Day occurs on the 19^th, but that’s not all. A Saturn-Chiron-Sun yod emphasizes responsibility and the gradual development process in our situations. If we are in a hurry, we will feel agitated. If we are patient, we will be at peace.

April 19–22

When the Sun enters Taurus, the energy slows, giving us a break if we need it and requiring us to exercise more patience in our endeavors. Slow can be sweet. Chiron enters Pisces on the 19^th. See if you feel an internal shift, find a new vision, or open a new book of healing in your life.

April 23–24

The 23^rd brings out where we have curried illusion in our lives, especially with respect to relationships, as Venus squares Neptune. This is an opportunity to shift to a more spiritual, loving perspective and disengage from trivial concerns. While the small matters need to be addressed, this needs to happen lovingly, objectively, and with the intention of discovering the deep underlying issues that the small matters are meant to reveal to us. Taking responsibility for our own behavior (Saturn) and being willing to recognize our errors (Uranus) take us to a higher plane.

April 25-27

Mercury retrograde makes its second of three squares to Mars on the 25th, tying the day’s events to those of April 3-4. We will be feeling the tension rise as Saturn and Uranus oppose on the 26^th while being triggered by the Moon. We’ll know much more about how we feel about the structures in our lives as they exist now and what still needs to be transformed. We’re likely to feel like change can’t happen fast enough, but an attitude of patience will get us there sooner.

April 27–29

The Full Moon on the 28^th moves onto the front burner of our awareness on the 27^th, This Moon in particular leads us to understand how we’ve split head and heart so that they urge us to head in different directions, conflicting and confusing us. If we go deep inside, we’ll find the block that prevents their unification; work through that obstacle and we’ll gain new clarity about a situation that has been confounding us.

April 30

The 30^th brings us into another period of insight regarding our Saturn-Uranus renewal process, now embellished by the grand overview we gain from Jupiter as it sweeps onto the scene. This energetic bubble lasts through May 2.

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In April doors to the image world open to us, permitting us to breathe new life into old situations, or set them appreciatively aside to go on to new ones. May we all make choices in alignment with our true self!

Significant Planetary Events

Saturn is retrograde. Venus and Jupiter are in rulership. Sun and Saturn are in exaltation.

All dates are based on Pacific Time.

Blue = harmonious/Red or orange = challenging/intense/black = neutral

Events in bold are more significant.

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Past forecasts

Why don’t I write horoscopes for each sign?