Virgo, April 2017

The month opens with both Venus and the Sun in Aries, stirring up issues in your intimate relationships, as well as around complicated financial issues like debts, taxes, and inheritances. On an emotional level, Venus retrograde has been a massively intense time for processing hard emotions and letting go of the past, and for letting go of your fears of the future. Issues around worth and self-esteem will be magnified at this time, so if you're feeling stressed out every time you look in the mirror, at your bank account, or at your sex life, Venus retrograde is why.

Venus retrogrades back into Water sign Pisces, the sign opposite from you on the zodiac wheel, on April 2. This will intensify issues in your relationships. Expect the vibe to be deeply emotional and moody. The energy can swing from deep, lusty passion to paranoia as the tides of Pisces's ocean churn during Venus retrograde.

What's the best way to work with the energy? Get in touch with your five senses, don't overthink things (that's nearly impossible for you, Virgo, but you can do it!), and remember that any issue in any partnership can be worked out as long as you're both willing to compromise, or, at least, as long as you're both willing to sympathize with each other's needs. Pisces is an empathetic sign, and being able to understand someone else's position will be hugely helpful to you during this transit.

Venus finally ends its retrograde on April 15. Expect to run into a few exes before this date! In the meantime, reflect on what you went through in the spring of 2009, which was the last time Venus was retrograde in fiery Aries and psychic Pisces. The lessons you learned then will help you now. Venus reenters Aries on April 28, at which point you will be prepared to move forward, Virgo! Venus is the planet of love, beauty, peace, and harmony, so once it goes direct, things will feel so much lighter.

Your ruling planet, Mercury, begins its retrograde in fellow Earth sign Taurus on April 9, so expect miscommunications and delays—especially around travel, schoolwork, or any kind of publishing you're doing. Because Mercury is your ruling planet, Mercury retrograde is especially brutal for you—but it doesn't have to be! Focus on revisiting old projects instead of pushing ahead with new goals to make the most of the energy. Slow down: Taurus, the bull, likes to take its time, and Mercury retrograde isn't in a rush to go anywhere, either.

Also, avoid signing contracts at this time. Mercury rules the mind; you want to be as clear-headed as possible when making decisions, and you definitely want to have the focus needed for reading all the fine print! Mercury also rules commerce, so avoid important and expensive purchases during while it's retrograde. Again, expect to run into people from your past!

April 19 is a day to watch: The Sun enters Taurus and meets Mercury, bringing you some interesting news as well as some deep, philosophical realizations. Getting in touch with your spiritual side is recommended today. Messages from faraway places may arrive at this time as well.

The energy shifts when Mercury retrogrades back into Aries on April 20, stirring up issues around your sex life as well as around financial issues. If you have any outstanding debts to pay off, now it the time to do it.

Aries is an impulsive, fearless energy; while Mercury in Aries in March, you may have bravely agreed to some things that you're now realizing aren't in your best interest. Mercury retrograde is the time to renegotiate, so don't worry too much about backing out of an agreement. And if they're annoyed? Well, fuck it. Mercury retrograde in Aries doesn't mind burning a bridge if it needs to! A new one will be built—to someplace way more interesting and exciting.

A full moon in Libra arrives on April 11, activating the financial sector of your chart and encouraging you to get clear on issues around self-worth, and, on a practical level, your finances. If your spending habits have been really bad, this will be when you need to get real about things. If a situation has been building in your life that's making you question your self-worth, this full moon is when it will reach a climax.

Full moons can be exhausting, but they can also bring amazing opportunities to compromise—but that's where things get tricky, Virgo. Find a middle ground, but don't put yourself in a compromising position! Stand up for your worth!

Warrior planet Mars enters Gemini on April 21 and ignites the fame and fortune sector of your chart. Expect to feel way more motivated to tackle issues concerning your professional goals and to feel more driven to be popular and in the public eye. Gemini loves to multitask, and Mars is the planet of action—but be careful not to put too much on your plate!

Your ruling planet, Mercury, trines (an easy, harmonious aspect) Saturn on April 24, bringing some supportive vibes your way, especially at home and with your family. Venus retrograde was an emotional rollercoaster, but toward the end of the month, you will receive some supportive energy as you process the emotions you've been experiencing, even though Mercury's still retrograde. Again, take time to slow down—Mercury retrograde wants to you pause, not push forward.

A new moon in fellow Earth sign Taurus arrives on April 26, bringing a fresh start around all those complications you dealt with concerning school, travel, and communication during the Mercury retrograde in Taurus. Where do you see yourself going next? This new moon is a fantastic time to make a vision board of your next journey. Get out of town if you can, or at least go check out a new restaurant or gallery. Do something new and different to honor this new moon!

A retrograde Mercury meets electric Uranus on April 28, bringing some surprising news your way, Virgo—though it could also be something that you feel you should have already known or understood a long time ago. Don't overthink it—if the message or realization was meant to come to you in the past, it would have done so then. Things happen when they should. See you in May, Virgo!