Up To Now ✩ Day-to-Day Transits

Mercury sextile Jupiter

You may have an abundance of ideas and words to express them under this transit. There is the potential (if you reach for it) to put ideas, facts and thoughts together into a cohesive whole. You may find you can understand the overall patterns in a situation, or you are able to see the Big Picture, better than usual. New insights and a change of perspective may abound, as your stream of consciousness flows abundantly with optimism and visionary possibilities. You may find yourself more talkative than usual, as you try to share and convey the new ideas, inspiration and knowledge coming into your mind. Write down your best ideas for later development, since you may be having too much fun now playing with ideas to want to stop and make them manifest just yet. There is a chance that you may be so elated and confident that you might come across as a bit overbearing or even as a "know-it-all," so be sure to listen too.

Pluto goes Retrograde

For up to a week before and after this date, Pluto's energy is especially strong and intense. You might experience this in the form of intensity, power struggles, deep psychological awareness or strong libido. You could encounter the need to face aspects of yourself or others that are disturbing or difficult to accept. There may also be some part of yourself or your life that has fulfilled its purpose and needs to be shed like a snake's skin. Over the next 5 months (while Pluto is retrograde), you will work at loosening and letting go of that "skin," and working toward the rebirth that will come out of it. This can also be a time when you become aware of the areas where you need to strengthen your personal empowerment or possibly need to tone down the way you wield power.

Moon comes In-Bounds

The Moon now comes back In-Bounds (InB) by declination after being Out-of-Bounds from Apr. 28 (25 TA 34) to May. 3, 2025 (03 LE 14).

While the Moon was Out of Bounds (OOB) your emotional state may have been a bit disconnected, detached, isolated, or pushing you to go beyond your usual potential. This could have been either a welcome change or a difficult energy for you to deal with. So, when the Moon comes In-Bounds, you typically return to whatever your "normal" is. If your OOB journey was stressful or intense, you may find some relief now that the Moon is back In-B, or you're now in a position to integrate what you've learned from your experience. If your OOB journey felt like a welcome reprieve from the everyday stress or "noise" of the world around you, coming back In-B will hopefully give you a fresh start, like coming back from a brief vacation. The Moon will go OOB next in about 10 days, give or take.

Venus conjunct Neptune

This can be a time of romance and dreamy desire on one hand, or deceptive manipulation and self-serving negotiation on the other hand. At its best, this transit can inspire enormous creativity and healing faith in love and abundance. We can be extremely open to the loftiest possibilities of our close relationships and our ability to attract what and who we desire. However, it may not be as easy to assess these areas in light of the realities that must be dealt with in order to realise that potential. We may find it easier to have faith in the power of negotiation – that the Universe will ensure our desired outcome – but it is also easy to slide into wishful thinking that loses touch with the reality of the situation. If you are considering a major change involving income, investment, spending or resources, it is probably a good idea to do a reality check with a trusted friend or advisor. If you are starting a new relationship or negotiating changes to an existing one, it might be wise to take a long-term view to wait and see if your dreams really will come true or if your hopes are colouring your thinking a bit too much. A reality check with a trusted friend might also help with this. This transit begins a new cycle that brings these issues into our lives to explore and gradually unfolds over the next 12 months (approximately).

Mars leaves the Shadow

Mars now leaves the Retrograde Shadow – the span of the Zodiac where it was retrograde up until about 2 months ago. Mars goes through 3 phases in its retrograde cycle. The pre-retrograde phase is where Mars enters the Shadow – the area of the Zodiac where it will go retrograde – and lasts for 6-9 weeks. The retrograde phase is where Mars appears to go backwards in the sky (retrograde motion), which lasts for about 8-12 weeks. The post-retrograde phase is when Mars makes his final pass through the Shadow, again lasting about 6-9 weeks.

If you think back to these time periods, you may notice a pattern involving Mars-related areas of your life. This includes physical and mental energy, anger and assertiveness, conflict and challenge, aggression and hostility, courage and risk-taking, motivation and enthusiasm, ambition and obsession, disruptive change and putting things into action. You might have experienced either an increase or decrease in some of these areas over the last 6 months, especially during the retrograde period.

Now, Mars is leaving the post-retrograde Shadow phase, which finishes this long retrograde cycle. If Mars-related areas became stronger and more noticeable, or if they seemed to fade into the background or dropped in strength for a while, they are likely returning to their "normal" state (whatever that is for you). We will not see another Mars Retrograde Shadow again for another 1. 5 years.

Mars is a more straightforward, regular Mars now, instead of being Mars with an especially pointed axe to grind (over and over... ).

Mars makes the following aspects during this retrograde cycle (all dates in North American Eastern Time):

• Mars trine Saturn ~ Sep. 30, 2024, Feb. 9, 2025, April 4
• Mars trine Venus ~ Oct. 8, 2024, Jan. 25, 2025, April 6
• Mars square Chiron ~ Oct. 13, 2024, Feb. 3, 2025, March 26
• Mars sextile Uranus ~ Oct. 24, 2024, Jan. 23, 2025, April 4
• Mars trine Neptune ~ Oct. 28, 2024, Jan. 12, 2025, April 19
• Mars opposite Pluto ~ Nov. 3, 2024, Jan. 3, 2025, April 26
• Mars trine North Node ~ Nov. 23, 2024, Jan. 5, 2025, April 11

Here are the key dates of this Mars cycle (for North American Eastern Time):

• Mars enters the Shadow: Oct. 5, 2024 ~ 17:00 Cancer
• Mars stationary Retrograde: Dec. 6, 2024 ~ 06:10 Leo
• Mars Rx oppsite the Sun: March 22, 2025 ~ 02:39 Aries
• Mars stationary Direct: Feb 2, 2025 ~ 17:00 Cancer
• Mars leaves the Shadow: May 2, 2025 ~ 06:10 Leo

Uranus sextile North Lunar Node

Uranus sextile the Lunar Node may invite you to take a new perspective on where you are going in your life. By considering different goals or different ways of getting to your current goals, you may discover insights and possibilities you hadn't noticed before. Your ability to see something new might mean you need to let go of your familiar way of seeing things, which might feel a bit risky or uncomfortable. However, you still get to decide what you want to do with this new information.

Alternatively, you might find that changing circumstances don't leave much room to make a careful considered decision. It's possible you will need to "think on your feet" and make adjustments as you adapt to changing times. This can be a very exciting time, if the changes are welcome, but could feel upsetting or unnerving if they're not. Either way, take some time out to find a quiet space inside the chaos and let yourself see the possibilities, opportunities and advantages that these changes can bring.

Venus enters Aries

Your style of handling relationships, finances, resources and values now take on an attitude of assertiveness, directness and the pursuit of freedom and independence. Impulse buying may be a stronger temptation than usual, so be sure you can afford whatever it is! Your way of interacting may be somewhat more direct, open or flirtatious during this transit. You may have opportunities to acquire money quickly and casually... and spend it too! You may also be more open to trying new things in the areas of finances, relationships, interactions and your values. Trying out new ideas can take you into uncharted territory... which may or may not be welcome depending on how comfortable you are with change. But this still may be just what you need to get you out of a rut in the affected areas. This can also be a good time to celebrate and appreciate yourself just as you are, as a unique individual.

Moon goes Out of Bounds

The Moon is Out-of-Bounds (OOB) by declination from Apr. 28 (25 TA 34) to May. 3, 2025 (03 LE 14).

During this time, your feelings and emotions may move in a different kind of rhythm. One possible effect is that you might feel more disconnected from the world around you; perhaps a bit alone, lonely or isolated. Or, this could be a welcome change where you can let the stresses of the world roll off your back more easily. Or, your emotions could be a bit erratic, extreme or harder to contain. The common thread through these diverse experiences is that your feeling state may reach beyond your usual range of feelings. If you're an artist, musician, writer or other creative person, this can be a very inspiring time as your creativity and imagination could more easily flow into unusual ideas, whims and impulses. Watch to see how you respond during this time. You can work on finding ways to channel this energy into positive, productive, creative experiences, or use it as an opportunity to take another step in your emotional healing.

NEW MOON IN TAURUS

A new 4-week lunar cycle begins with the New Moon in Taurus, ruled by sensual Venus. Taurus is the sign of material abundance, resources, values and pleasure. This lunar cycle can be used to work with this energy – to raise gratitude, appreciation, and bringing more enjoyment into your life, or to transform the constant hunger for more-more-more into valuing what you have. This Earth sign seeks an environment that is filled with pleasure, be it art, music, dance, or just creature comforts. As a Fixed sign, Taurus is most comfortable in situations that are enduring, stable, calm and reliable.

Mars opposite Pluto

Mars and Pluto doing battle in the skies can create a very intense showdown! This is a time when tempers can flare, power struggles can emerge, and aggressive action could seem like the only way to handle a conflict. If you feel yourself becoming entangled in a mounting tension with someone, you might do well to back off a bit to let the adrenaline subside on both sides. On the other hand, it is a time when we are often challenged to assert ourselves and strengthen our spirit, which can often be brought on by confrontation. This is the kind of atmosphere where our interactions with others can bring out deeply hidden and intense feelings inside us, which long to be expressed but are usually suppressed instead. This is an opportunity to observe what gets triggered inside of us and what kind of interaction triggers those feelings. It can be valuable to use the experience as a way to vent old frustration, work through unresolved anger, and ultimately heal our deeper wounds by letting go of whatever holds us back. Sexual energy can run very high under this transit, so handle it wisely.

Mercury leaves the Shadow

Mercury finally leaves the shadow—the part of the zodiac where it was retrograde. This means the confusion, delays and miscommunications of the last 2 months have mostly dissipated and things should be more or less back to normal (whatever that is). The difference is that you now have the benefit of seeing things from a different perspective after having reconsidered, rethought and rehashed information and perceptions over the past 2 months. This gives you more choices than you had before. In fact, you may find that although you thought something was a good idea a month or two ago, you now realize that a different approach, decision or way of understanding it is better. If you've been waiting until Mercury finished with the retrograde cycle before you made a final decision about something or taking action on something, this is the time to take another look at whatever that is. Just don't forget your common sense, and remember that Mercury is only one factor to take into consideration regarding the timing of a decision. Use your best judgment and wisdom.

Mercury makes the following aspects during this retrograde cycle (all dates in North American Eastern Time):

• Mercury conjunct Saturn ~ Feb. 25, (SD 01:29 orb, April 8)
• Mercury sextile Uranus ~ Feb. 27, (SR 01:44 orb, April 7)
• Mercury conjunct North Node ~ March 1, April 4, April 10
• Mercury conjunct Neptune ~ March 2, March 29, April 17
• Mercury sextile Pluto ~ March 5, March 25, April 20
• Mercury conjunct Venus ~ March 11, (01:04 orb, April 3)

Here are the key dates of this Mercury cycle (for North American Eastern Time):

• Mercury enters the Shadow: March 1 ~ 26:29 Pisces
• Mercury-Sun greatest elongation PM: March 8 ~ 05:49 Aries
• Mercury stationary Retrograde: March 15 ~ 09:35 Aries
• Mercury Rx oppsite the Sun: March 24 ~ 04:24 Aries
• Mercury stationary Direct: April 7 ~ 26:49 Pisces
• Mercury-Sun greatest elongation AM: April 21 ~ 04:28 Aries
• Mercury leaves the Shadow: April 26 ~ 09:35 Aries

Venus conjunct Saturn

The serious structure and responsibility of Saturn combines with the desire for pleasure, beauty and material abundance in Venus. This can be a good time to make concrete plans about financial matters (e. g. , investments, budgeting, purchases, etc. ), although this will work best if you do some serious research first, rather than simply going for whatever seems to "feel good. " This is a time to begin a process of commitment, whether that involves developing your resources to achieve a certain goal, or negotiating the terms of a relationship or partnership. However, in order to clear the way for new commitments to flourish down the road, sometimes old commitments must be brought to a close first. So this may also be a time when previous involvements or plans may come to an end, especially if they no longer fulfil your needs or lack enough potential to reach your desired goals. In a similar way, you might find yourself blocked from being able to move forward in the areas of relationships, finances or pleasures. These areas may require some reworking or reconsideration before you're ready to proceed.

Venus conjunct North Lunar Node

Sun square Pluto

This can be a challenging time, when your sense of purpose, identity and direction may feel blocked, overpowered or regulated by forces beyond your control. You may find yourself confronted by difficult situations or people, requiring that you rally an unusually strong show of power to keep from feeling powerless or overwhelmed. The trick is to center yourself in empowerment rather than simple power – that means your power comes from within yourself rather than from controlling people and situations outside of yourself. You might find yourself involved in power struggles or abandonment, either in the present or stirred up from the past. You might be forced to let go of your attachment to something or someone due to circumstances beyond your control. However, this can also be a time when you reach inside yourself and find you have more strength than you thought you did. Adversity may inspire new assertiveness and purpose in you – empowerment born of conflict and struggle.

Mercury Max Elongation from Sun
(Morning Star)

Mercury reaches its greatest elongation from the Sun today, meaning it's as far away from the Sun as it's going to get (from Earth's perspective). Mercury is the Morning Star, meaning it is visible in the Eastern sky just before sunrise, which occurs after Mercury has turned Direct and a few days before it leaves the Retrograde Shadow.

Thoughts, awareness and decision-making tend to be clearer, and your path ahead may be easier to see. It can be a good time to reflect on the information and awareness you've gathered in the last couple of months and finalize plans for how best to act on these. If you were feeling confused or frustrated during the retrograde period, things can make more sense now. Let this be a time of fresh perspective and awareness.

Mercury makes the following aspects during this retrograde cycle (all dates in North American Eastern Time):

• Mercury conjunct Saturn ~ Feb. 25, (SD 01:29 orb, April 8)
• Mercury sextile Uranus ~ Feb. 27, (SR 01:44 orb, April 7)
• Mercury conjunct North Node ~ March 1, April 4, April 10
• Mercury conjunct Neptune ~ March 2, March 29, April 17
• Mercury sextile Pluto ~ March 5, March 25, April 20
• Mercury conjunct Venus ~ March 11, (01:04 orb, April 3)

Here are the key dates of this Mercury cycle (for North American Eastern Time):

• Mercury enters the Shadow: March 1 ~ 26:29 Pisces
• Mercury-Sun greatest elongation PM: March 8 ~ 05:49 Aries
• Mercury stationary Retrograde: March 15 ~ 09:35 Aries
• Mercury Rx oppsite the Sun: March 24 ~ 04:24 Aries
• Mercury stationary Direct: April 7 ~ 26:49 Pisces
• Mercury-Sun greatest elongation AM: April 21 ~ 04:28 Aries
• Mercury leaves the Shadow: April 26 ~ 09:35 Aries

Saturn conjunct North Lunar Node

The light on where you're heading in life now shines on the planet of discipline, structure, responsibility and authority. The North Node is like a compass point that shows the direction where you'll find your greatest learning and growth. When that compass points toward Saturn, it's time to get serious about what you really want to accomplish in your life. If you already know what you want to achieve and know that it's realistic, this transit will likely involve a lot of planning, calculating, analyzing and preparation. If you've already been doing those things, then Saturn on the North Node could be a time when you"make it so!"

Sometimes Saturn is experienced as an obstacle in your path or a giant stop sign. Understandably, this can make for a very frustrating transit! When you hit a roadblock, it's usually because it's been there the whole time while you've tried to push past it. Sometimes pushing past something shows courage, strength and determination, although sometimes being blocked shows that you've missed something. The way you're going about it isn't working, or maybe there are consequences you haven't anticipated that will negate the results you're trying to achieve, or perhaps you're just not ready for what lies beyond the roadblock and you need to go back and do more preparation. You're bound to get a lot farther in this process if you can treat Saturn as a stern, tell-it-like-it-is friend who just wants you to do it right, than as a punitive parent determined to say no to anything you want.

Saturn last conjoined the North Lunar Node on Jun. 04 2002. The next encounter after that is on Sep. 16 2013, and following that on Apr. 21 2025.