2018 April Celestial Timings

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1 2018 April Celestial Timings by Cayelin K Castell April features Sun Mercury conjunction April 1, Mercury stationing direct at 12 Aries, Chiron enters Aries and Saturn stations retrograde on April 17, Pluto stations Retrograde on April 22, Full Moon conjunct Jupiter on April 29. Article on Chiron s move into Aries Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change. ~ Wayne Dyer April begins with Mercury Retrograde in Aries, Sun is always in Aries until April 19 or 20, Uranus is in the last degrees of Aries before moving into Taurus next month after about 7 years in Aries. Eris ( is hanging out at 23 degrees Aries most of this month near a star known as Baten Kaitos or the Belly of the Whale. (read on for more about that). Of all the archetypal energies, Aries is the most black and white in its world view. Mercury has to do with our perception and perception has to do with how we experience the world. Uranus in Aries, is all about change, especially changes that facilitate radical evolutionary leaps regarding how we perceive the world. One of the quickest ways to create change is by changing your point of view. Even a slight shift in perspective can change everything. From the ego, or our more human point of view, it often seems life is happening to us. From Spirit s point of view what is happening is happening through us or said another way - the divine is always expressing through us. From the ego s point of view, it seems that what is happening to us is outside of us. This is the result of living in world that has conditioned us to have externally focused perception keeping us from greater happiness or aliveness especially if we are operating from a victim point of view. As my youngest son likes to say, pain is inevitable, suffering is a choice. This means we have a choice about how we engage the experiences life presents us with when we cultivate our inner awareness and realize we aren t victims but rather we have been given an opportunity to practice Accepting What Is and that often instantly changes our experience. From the limited point of view of the victim whatever is happening is happening to them causing them to suffer. This often is exacerbated by feeling sorry for themselves, holding onto grievances, telling the story of how unfair life has been to anyone who will listen, complaining and projecting fault onto others and circumstances outside of themselves. This behavior guarantees life will continue to feel miserable. Shifting our outer reality requires an internal shift. Radical change happens quickly when attending to our inner thoughts, beliefs and feelings and noticing the lies we have been telling ourselves are only true because we believe they are true. It starts with Awareness! When we continually have the same experience over and over is meant to get our attention. Once we shift our awareness internally everything begins to change - even if initially our outer circumstances seemingly remain the same. It can take some time for the outer reality to reflect the inner shift in perspective but it is guaranteed to shift. April 2018 Celestial Timings by Cayelin K Castell Page 1

2 If your outer reality is challenging you might find it helpful to ask what it would take to shift your current perspective to one that is more expansive, freeing and fun? Perhaps it would be helpful for you to forgive yourself and others? As long as anyone is acting from the belief that the outer conditions are unfair, or they have been wronged, and they are looking for an external fix, via an apology or restitution, then the external conditions will continue to recur with the same results. It is helpful to consider the possibility that it may be about accepting what IS in the moment, letting go of attachments to what the outcome or results should look like, and cultivating gratitude for everything (yes even the challenging unfair stuff) as it reflects to us where our growth edge is in the moment? Accepting what IS, and practicing gratitude for all the gifts you already have is a radical way to change how you look at things so the things you look at change before your eyes. Not because you are making them change but because they are changing in response to the changes inside of you. Another helpful strategy is to ask Spirit (in whatever way works for you) for guidance in effectively changing how you see or perceive your reality. A useful daily practice (as suggested by the Course in Miracles), is to ask Spirit: What would You have me do today? Where would You have me go today? What would You have me say, who would I say it to, and how can I say it - so the voice of Spirit is speaking through me today? April Sky April Constellations and Stars The bright stars of winter are still prominent in the April evening sky, but are seeting 4 minutes earlier each night. Looking west after sunset is the Sacred Hoop of stars with Orion, the Hunter, inside the hoop. The Red Orange star Betelgeuse, marking the shoulder of Orion the Hunter, is shining to the upper left of Orion s belt stars and blue white Rigel shines below marking the outer rim of the Sacred Hoop. More about the Hoop here The Gemini Twins, the bright stars Castor and slightly brighter Pollux, shine left of Orion. From Orion s belt, looking down and to the left is Sirius, the brightest fixed star in the sky. Sirius marks the nose of the Greater Dog, Canis Major, the faithful companion to Orion. These stars also mark the rim of the Sacred Hoop. The Spring Triangle is worth checking out in the evening sky looking east to south east after sunset. The stars of this triangle are Arcturus the guardian, Spica the divine feminine, and Regulus the Heart star of the Lion. The Big Dipper is high in the northeast about one to two hours after sunset. The two end stars Dubhe and Merak, marking the bowl of the dipper, point to Polaris, the current North Star. See image next page. April 2018 Celestial Timings by Cayelin K Castell Page 2

3 Polaris marks the end of the handle of the Little Dipper and is also a direct indicator of latitude. This means Polaris is the same number of degrees above the horizon as the degrees of the observer s latitude. For example, in Tucson, Arizona Polaris is about 30 degrees (one fist at arm s length measures 10 degrees, so 3 fists) above the northern horizon. Polaris does not move from the Earth s perspective because the Earth s North Pole axis points toward Polaris. The Earth s rotation causes the stars to appear to rotate around Polaris and creates the experience we have around the rising and setting of the planets. This is why Polaris is one of the primary stars for navigating at this time because it always remains at almost exactly the same point over the Northern Hemisphere landscape, day and night, and currently is marking due north for our lifetime anyway. Coming back to the Big Dipper and following the curve of the Dipper s handle across the sky it is arcing around to one of the brightest stars known as Arcturus. Drawing a straight line from Arcturus it is possible to spike to Spica as these two stars traveling fairly close together bringing you back to the Spring Triangle. Below is another version of a more perfect Spring Triangle using the star Denebola marking the tail of the Lion, The Milky Way Prominent in the Morning! The Milky Way shines brightly in the April pre-dawn sky with Saturn and Mars to its far left and Jupiter to its far right. The Milky Way Galaxy is prominent all summer long, but is especially prominent in the April morning sky after 2 a.m. To see it, you ll need to get away from city lights to a dark location, and look on a night when there s not much interference from the Moon. The Milky Way appears as a cloudy band (like a river or highway of stars) clear across the sky. The constellation of the Virgin Priestess (a.k.a. Virgo) contains seven main stars. Of these sevens main stars the most visible is Spica, meaning "spike of grain." Higher in the sky and off to the right of the Virgin Priestess is the constellation of the Lion. Prominent in the Lion s tale is the star Denebola marking the end of the tale. Gazing from Spica to the bright red star above it is the bear star known as Arcturus. These three bright stars Arcturus, Spica, and Denebola form a star group that has been called the Spring Triangle or the Virgo Triangle. The best time to view this triangle is April through June looking South Southeast Sunset. See this link for in-depth article on the Spring Triangle. April 2018 Celestial Timings by Cayelin K Castell Page 3

4 The Lyrid Meteor Shower peaks on Earth Day April 22. The First Quarter Moon is setting around midnight. These meteors are bright and move fast as they disintegrate after hitting our atmosphere. They move at a moderate speed of 29.8 miles per second and are known to produce luminous trains of dust that can be observed for several seconds. This year the shower s peak on the morning of April 22 after the Moon has left the sky. It is Best seen after midnight until the beginning of morning twilight. Face the summer triangle of the bright stars Altair, Deneb and Vega rising before midnight. As with nearly all meteor showers, it is not necessary to look at the radiant (where the meteors appear to originate from) to best see the shower. Meteors can appear almost anywhere in the sky. Reminder: All the events listed in the Celestial Timings have a minimum three day impact including the day before and the day after. In many cases, the planetary effects extend into weeks, months and even years. Noting the sign and degree of the aspects and planets helps you to know if these events are directly affecting your own natal chart. The Celestial Timings then are a great guide to sensing into how these energies affect us collectively and also when to pay extra close attention to the personal initiations we all go through. All our life activities are structured by the day, month, year cycles but we forget that these cycles are founded on astronomical data used by astrologers since very ancient times. ~ Cycles of Becoming by Alexander Ruperti April Planets Mercury conjuncts the Sun at 12 Aries on April 1 and stations direct on April 15 at 4 Aries 47 at 2:21 AM Pacific time. On April 1 in its metamorphic shape shifting phase is conjunct the Sun and it's metamorphic shape shifting phase is conjunct the sun and it's metamorphic shape shifting phase around 12 Aries. The Sun is the source of life and light for our planet. This means that when Mercury is conjunct the Sun it helps to remember we are always connected to source. Mercury as messenger and guide in the Aries archetype, suggests the messages available now are related to the next phase of our noble cause or mission, not from a dominator warrior perspective, but rather from a warrior protector and champion of justice and equality perspective. We might ask what actions will most support that cause or mission? This is similar to when the hero or heroine is given a magical tool or new information that helps them to accomplish the purpose of their quest. Mercury enters the evening sky around April 10 at reaches greatest elongation or 27 from the Sun on April 29 close to its greatest elongation possible of 28 but Mercury is only about 10 above the horizon before sunrise in the Northern Hemisphere so not easily visible. April 6 Moon and Saturn with Mars nearby In the Morning Sky April 2018 Celestial Timings by Cayelin K Castell Page 4

5 Venus now shining brightly in the evening sky is increasing in altitude from 18 to 24 during the month of April for those in mid-northern latitudes. Venus is visible for about 95 minutes after the sunsets as April begins and will be visible for just over two hours after the sunsets by the end of the month. Venus is around -3.9 magnitude. The waxing New Moon is about 6 to the left of Venus on April 17 and passing to the lower left of the Pleiades on April 24. Venus passes through the second gate from the Underworld reclaiming a healthy relationship with her sacral chakra on April 17. Find out how to ceremonially work with this last ever in our lifetime Wild Warrior Woman Venus Aries Goddess Cycle here. April 17 Evening Sky looking West Uranus (28 Aries 31) is exactly conjunct the Sun on April 18 activating and highlighting unusual, cutting edge, out of the ordinary, expansive visionary possibilities and messages, with plenty of energy to take action and bring them into manifestation. Jupiter is rising about three hours after sunset as April begins and within about 30 minutes after sunset by the end of April. Jupiter is also brightening front of -2.4 magnitude to a -2.5 though still nowhere near as bright as Venus. Retrograde Jupiter is traveling back across the sky toward the ecliptic star Zubenelgenubi marking one of the pans in the constellation of the Scales that weighs the balance between the heart and the mind. Jupiter is exact with this star again around June 6, Mars and Saturn (both appearing golden) continue their close association as April begins rising together around 2:15 AM, visible high in the sky around sunrise on April 2 and are 1.3 from each other but visually as close on the mornings before and after. Both planets are near the star Kaus Borealis in the archers bow. Kaus Borealis (7 Capricorn) is thought to be a star associated with the great goddess Istar or Ishtar to the Babylonians and Inanna to the Sumerians. In Arabia Kaus Borealis was thought to be a keeper of the entrance to and from the Milky Way or Celestial River. [Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889]. We might imagine that Mars is ready to take action and Saturn is ready to support that action with a wise plan supported by the wisdom of the Goddess as a gatekeeper into the deeper mysteries of the River of Stars (Milky Way) Although not visible Pluto at +14 magnitude is only 1.4 north of Mars on the morning of April 26 suggesting this is a time for taking action to further release any beliefs and feelings that we are somehow NOT worthy of living the fullest most passionate, inspiring and empowered life possible. Feeling what you feel without judgment or blame and being willing to feel fully is the primary action needed as this brings these feelings to the light of awareness and awareness changes everything so we can make more conscious choices. Mars rises around 1:30 AM and Saturn rises around 12:15 AM by the end of April. Saturn goes Retrograde April 17 at 6:47 PM Pacific time (9 Capricorn 09) remaining retrograde until September 6 when Saturn stations direct at 4:10 AM Pacific time (2 Capricorn 33). April 2018 Celestial Timings by Cayelin K Castell Page 5

6 At the time of its station retrograde Saturn is furthest from the Sun or is at aphelion. This is the furthest distance Saturn has been from the Sun since The closest perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) of Saturn will happen in The still very Full Moon is about 5 above Jupiter on April 2 and below Jupiter on April 3 with the exact conjunction occurring at 9:06 am at 22 Scorpio. And the Last Quarter Moon is about 2 to the upper right of Saturn and 3 to the upper right of Mars on April 7. The waxing Gibbous Moon is 3 to the left of Regulus on April 24. April 29 Full Moon is with Jupiter. The Sun conjuncts the fixed star Baten Katos (22 Aries) on April 12 and Eris is hanging out here most in Baten Katos is located in the belly of the whale in one of the largest constellations (Cetus) covering 50 degrees of the sky by length and 20 degrees by width. (In other words, it is really, really BIG!) The head of Cetus is located directly under the Ram (a.k.a. Aries) and its body stretches from the bend in the river constellation known as Eridanus to the Stream falling from the Urn of the Waterbearer (a.k.a. Aquarius). That is a huge chunk of the sky. Joseph Campbell in a Hero With a Thousand Faces indicates that the belly of the whale is a passageway through a magical threshold of initiation taking the hero or heroine into the deep, dark, unknown interior of their own psyche. This also corresponds to initiations of selfannihilation where the hero/ine s journey goes inward beyond ordinary time and space for the purpose of rebirth. This is a magical realm that can be scary but also wondrous and empowering. Sun moves into Taurus at 8:13 pm April 19. The seasonal move of Sun into Taurus marks the phase of the year when we begin to see the fruits of accelerated rapid growth. Taurus explores beauty, intimacy and pleasure as its creative artistic expression and reminds us of the art of savoring and enjoying each moment and the importance of receiving all the abundant gifts life has to offer in this NOW moment. Taking time to savor life is easier when we consciously choose to relax, slow down, breathe deeply, and recognize with gratitude the boundless beauty of life. The Taurus mysteries also teach that physical love and pleasure in our bodies is a sacred experience. This is the gift of sacred pleasure, of joy in living, and flourishing with all of life. Chiron moves into Aries on April 17 at 1:09 am Pacific Time. Find out more April 2018 Celestial Timings by Cayelin K Castell Page 6

7 April 2018 Data All times are PDT Apr :53 AM Sun Cnj Mercury 11 Ar57' D 11 Ar57' R Apr :44 AM Mars Cnj Saturn 08 Cp57' D 08 Cp57' D Apr :05 AM Mercury Sqr Mars 09 Ar51' R 09 Cp51' D Apr :22 AM Mercury Sqr Saturn 09 Ar01' R 09 Cp01' D Apr :36 AM Venus Tri Saturn 09 Ta03' D 09 Cp03' D Apr :53 PM Sun Sqr Pluto 21 Ar15' D 21 Cp15' D 11:02 PM Venus Tri Mars 13 Ta35' D 13 Cp35' D Apr :26 AM Venus Sxt Neptune 15 Ta20' D 15 Pi20' D Apr :58 AM Jupiter Sxt Pluto 21 Sc16' R 21 Cp16' D Apr :27 AM Mars Sxt Neptune 15 Cp24' D 15 Pi24' D Apr :20 AM Mercury Direct 04 Ar47' D Apr :59 PM Venus Opp Jupiter 20 Ta58' D 20 Sc58' R Apr :09 AM Chiron enters Aries 00 Ar00' D 00 Ar00' D 6:03 AM Venus Tri Pluto 21 Ta17' D 21 Cp17' D 6:46 PM Saturn Retrograde 09 Cp09' R Apr :00 AM Sun Cnj Uranus 28 Ar29' D 28 Ar29' D Apr :12 PM Sun enters Taurus 00 Ta00' D 00 Ta00' D Apr :25 AM Pluto R 21 Cp17' R Apr :39 AM Venus enters Gemini 00 Ge00' D 00 Ge00' D 5:40 PM Venus Sextile Chiron 00 Ge24' D 00 Ar24' D Apr :27 PM Mercury Sqr Saturn 09 Ar06' D 09 Cp06' R Apr :00 AM Mars Cnj Pluto 21 Cp17' D 21 Cp17' R Apr :03 AM Sun Tri Saturn 09 Ta03' D 09 Cp03' R 2018 April Moon Apr :57 PM Moon enters Scorpio 00 Sc00' D 00 Sc00' D Apr :54 PM Moon enters Sagittarius 00 Sg00' D 00 Sg00' D Apr :01 AM Moon enters Capricorn 00 Cp00' D 00 Cp00' D Apr :17 AM Last 1/4 Moon square Sun 18 Cp24' D 18 Ar24' D Apr :49 PM Moon enters Aquarius 00 Aq00' D 00 Aq00' D Apr :39 AM Moon enters Pisces 00 Pi00' D 00 Pi00' D Apr :25 PM Moon enters Aries 00 Ar00' D 00 Ar00' D Apr :57 PM New Moon conjunct Sun 26 Ar02' D 26 Ar02' D Apr :50 AM Moon enters Taurus 00 Ta00' D 00 Ta00' D Apr :02 AM Moon enters Gemini 00 Ge00' D 00 Ge00' D Apr :12 PM Moon enters Taurus 00 Ta00' D 00 Ta00' D Apr :26 AM Moon enters Cancer 00 Cn00' D 00 Cn00' D Apr :08 AM Moon enters Leo 00 Le00' D 00 Le00' D Apr :45 PM First 1/4 Moon square Sun 02 Le42' D 02 Ta42' D Apr :40 PM Moon enters Virgo 00 Vi00' D 00 Vi00' D Apr :12 PM Moon enters Libra 00 Li00' D 00 Li00' D Apr :11 AM Moon enters Scorpio 00 Sc00' D 00 Sc00' D Apr :58:06 PM Full Moon Opp Sun 09 Sc39' D 09 Ta39' D April 2018 Celestial Timings by Cayelin K Castell Page 7