Libra, April 2017

The month opens with Venus retrograde in Aries, stirring up issues in your relationships, but the energy soon shifts on April 2 when Venus reenters Pisces. Pisces is a sensitive, psychic Water sign, so expect the energy to be ultra emotional! Keep yourself grounded by engaging in activities that stimulate and soothe your senses—and don't be surprised if you find yourself unusually weepy (Pisces vibes will do that to you).

Venus is the planet of love, beauty, and money. On an emotional level, Venus retrogrades push us to reconsider issues surrounding worth and value (specifically, what we value and our own self-worth). Venus retrograde in Pisces will activate the sector of your chart that rules your day job as well as your habits (good and bad) and even your health, so watch out for issues around these themes to get kicked up.

This is a good time to reconsider your work/life balance, and, while it's not recommended that you get any wild make-overs while the planet of beauty is retrograde, this is definitely a good time for you to hit the spa for some self-care.

Venus retrograde finally ends on April 15; until then, watch out for issues around self-esteem, expect to run into some exes, and anticipate some major mood swings. Think back to springtime of 2009—that was the last time Venus was retrograde in Aries and Pisces, and surely there are some lessons you learned then that could benefit you now!

I'm happy to report that good vibes will come your way, especially in your relationships, toward the end of the month when Venus reenters sunny spring lamb Aries on April 28! Venus retrograde sucks, but it doesn't last forever.

April 7 is a day to watch out for: The Sun, in Aries, will oppose Jupiter, in your sign, which will certainly result in some big egos and over-the-top energy! Lucky vibes are in the air, but, again, a big ego could get in the way. This is certainly a notable day around your relationships: Extreme is the word that comes to mind. A good sense of humor is the best way to work with today's energy. Keep an open mind, and some fantastic opportunities could come your way.

Your ruling planet, Venus, squares Saturn on April 8 and on April 21. Squares are tense astrological aspects, and these are two days you should definitely mark in your calendar to avoid any important meetings or dates.

Venus is already sensitive as hell due to the retrograde (at least, during the first square), but Saturn's shitty vibe is just going to make things feel like even more depressing. Rejection is in the air. No one will be feeling cute or lovable. Our skin will be tougher by the time the second square rolls around—but, still, don't plan to propose to anyone then, Libra!

Mercury begins its retrograde in Taurus on April 9, kicking up issues in your intimate relationships. Talking about sex, intimacy, and trust can be hard, but Mercury is moving backward through solid, sensual Earth sign Taurus, helping you sort this stuff out! Additionally, problems concerning debt, taxes, or inheritances could also pop up, but, again, Mercury retrograde is here to encourage us all to pause and review these problems.

The best way to work with the energy is to focus on addressing old problems or projects instead of starting new ones. There are plenty of warnings attached to Mercury retrograde: It's an inopportune time for signing contracts or dealing with paperwork, so double-check any important documents! Also, watch out for communication issues. Mercury retrograde is also a bad time to make important or expensive purchases, so wait until after Mercury goes direct on May 3 to buy a new phone or go on that trip.

A day to watch for is April 19 when the Sun enters Taurus and meets Mercury. Some deep realizations about intimacy issues could take place then, or perhaps a discovery concerning a complicated financial situation will occur. Endings and goodbyes may also arise—but will they be permanent? It's often said that whatever you lose during Mercury retrograde will come back to you.

Mercury retrogrades back into Aries on April 20, again highlighting relationship issues. Don't come to your partner with new problems—you're just asking for trouble from messenger planet Mercury if you do that while it's retrograde! Instead, take time to reflect on your own, or discuss issues that you two have already been working on.

Mercury was last in Aries this March, and it should be noted that Aries is an impulsive, action-taking sign. Be aware that ideas or projects you committed to last month might not work for you anymore. Use this Mercury retrograde to renegotiate the terms of agreements you made in March. Don't be afraid to back out of a commitment, Libra: If ever there was an appropriate time to be flakey, it's during Mercury retrograde.

A full moon in your sign arrives on April 11, Libra! If you've been looking for answers, they'll arrive now. As exhausting (and confrontational) as full moons can be, they also bring us much needed perspective. So much focus has been on your relationships this month, but this full moon asks that you focus on yourself and your own emotional needs instead.

Full moons are fantastic for bringing us a better perspective on things, but even more is on the way for you this month: Surprises in your relationships will pop up when the Sun meets wild Uranus on April 14, and when Mercury retrograde meets Uranus on April 28. You could meet someone really exciting or receive some thrilling news! On an emotional level, a powerful breakthrough around your own need for independence within your relationships could take place on these days.

Action planet Mars enters Air sign Gemini on April 21, inspiring you to break out of your normal routines. You'll be eager to take a trip or learn something new. This is an especially energizing time if you're in school, if you're a writer who is hoping to get published, or if you're otherwise trying to get a project out into the world.

A new moon in Taurus arrives on April 26, bringing a fresh start in your life around the issues that we usually find it difficult to work with: sex and intimacy, debts and taxes, and even endings and death. Taurus is a grounded, stable energy, making this new moon a supportive, anchoring one. Mercury retrograde in Taurus taught you a lot about how to deal with these issues, so by the time the new moon rolls around, you'll be ready to work with the energy. (By the way, this is a fantastic time to engage in some sex magick!)

Retrogrades bring up confusing feelings and can make us feeling like we're moving backward. Let yourself take a break, Libra! By the end of the month, things will feel way clearer. See you in May!