Pisces, April 2016

March was a massive month of change, Pisces; April will be much more relaxed, despite the three retrogrades that begin toward the end of the month: Mars, Pluto, and Mercury. During a retrograde, a planet reverses its movement, retracing its steps through the zodiac. As a Pisces, you're pretty chill with this; after all, you're symbolized by two fish swimming in different directions. Backward, forward—you don't really give a fuck, Pisces! Let's take a look at how April will work out for you:

On April 5, Venus enters Aries, and Mercury enters Taurus. Sweet Venus—the planet of harmony, luxury, love, and beauty—entering go-getter Aries will stimulate the financial sector of your chart. Aries is a sign that's not easy intimidated, which is exactly the antidote you need for how awkward you can sometimes feel asking for cash or talking about money in general.

Mercury, the planet of logic, in sensual Earth sign Taurus will be activating the sector of your chart that rules the mind: This means your focus will be on conversations, messages, and problem solving. A contract or agreement could be up for discussion, too. This section of your chart also rules your local neighborhood and your siblings, so conversations with your community are also likely to go down.

Energetically: Mercury is swift and flexible, but Taurus, the cow, is a little clunky. Have you ever tried moving a cow? Cows like to lay around, eat grass, and enjoy sunshine. They're not into Mercury business: hustling around collecting phone numbers, analyzing the meaning behind a text message, or enjoying a debate. Communication can feel a little blocked when Mercury's in Taurus; however, you have a mind that's constantly preoccupied by other dimensions, so perhaps Mercury in grounded Earth sign Taurus will do your brain some good.

April 7 brings the new moon in confident Fire sign Aries, activating the financial sector of your chart. New moons mean new beginnings: Are you ready for one concerning your cash flow and self worth? This is a great time to plan a ritual around your cash flow, as well as embrace to activities that boost your self-esteem. Perhaps work out a budget or find an inspiring mantra you can say when you're feeling insecure. Creating a vision board that reflects what luxury means to you is an amazing way to work this energy!

On April 12, logical Mercury in solid Taurus connects with your modern, co-ruling planet (dreamy Neptune) in your sign. Back in the day, before Neptune was discovered, astrologers tied your sign to expansive, lucky Jupiter, but now you have two planets on your team!

We love it when rational Mercury gets along with imaginative, spiritual Neptune—the energy is poetic, connected, and fantastical. Neptune rules art and imagination, but also illusion and delusion. Fortunately, savvy Mercury knows how to sort through the BS, so when these two have an easy connection, we feel inspired, our psychic abilities are ramped up, and creativity flows.

On April 12 you may have a conversation that's held exclusively through ESP, a knowing glance, a song, or some other whimsical means. If there's a tough discussion that needs to be had, the vibe today is very empathetic, so this could be a great time to go for it. If you're working out any deals or agreements and you have a funky feeling about it, today is certainly a day to listen to your gut.

Your other planetary ruler, Jupiter, which is currently in Virgo, also connects with Mercury on April 14. Virgo is your opposite sign on the zodiac, meaning that it rules over your relationships! This is a fantastic day to connect with people. Jupiter is a super generous energy; it can have a tendency to exaggerate, whereas Mercury is all about the details. When these two planets share good vibes, the opportunity for growth is huge.

Both Mercury and Jupiter love to travel and communicate. Mercury prefers the local hood and slang, while Jupiter's all about far-off place and exotic languages. Perhaps a trip is in order today? One more thing Mercury and Jupiter have in common is their desire for knowledge. An inspiring learning experience could go down between you and a lover, business partner, or bestie today.

On April 17, the first retrograde of the month kicks off: Warrior Mars stations retrograde in fiery Sagittarius. Mars is the planet of war; it adores the chase and is associated with the color red… do any of these symbols suggest to you that this is an energy that likes to go backward? No, Mars wants to charge ahead, but the fact is that even warriors need to retreat.

This Mars retrograde begins in Sagittarius, which occupies the sector of your chart that rules career, fame, and popularity. Sagittarius is a centaur, aiming its arrow toward its goals—but during this Mars retrograde, you'll have to wonder: Have your goals changed? Also, because this is a very public sector of your chart, questions about recognition and popularity are likely to intensify. In May, Mars will dip back into fellow Water sign Scorpio, where the questions this retrograde inspires you to ask will become much more philosophical.

The next day, April 18, power planet Pluto stations retrograde in Capricorn, which means you'll begin reflecting on the dynamics in your friend groups, organizations, communities, and cliques in a new way.

On April 19, the Sun enters Taurus, illuminating that logical, communicative section of your chart. Taurus season is a big time for conversation and connection for you, Pisces. The full moon in fellow Water sign Scorpio comes soon after, on April 22. Scorpio is all about depth and emotion—kind of like you, Pisces, but in a way more intense way. Lots of talk goes on during Taurus season, but the full moon wants you to stay balanced: Don't believe everything you hear, check the facts, and look deeper.

April 28 kicks off Mercury retrograde in Taurus. Again, you know how to swim backwards, so it's no biggie. The usual Mercury retrograde recommendations—watch out for delays or technical difficulties, don't sign contracts, etc.—don't mean much to you, since you're often running late anyway and rarely a year goes by that you don't drop your phone in the toilet. Your eyes glaze over when any contract is put in your face. But anyway, as your astrologer, I still need to be responsible and warn you: Mercury retrograde is coming, and your Instagram and Twitter feeds will be annoying AF for about three weeks because of it (you know, filled with memes on how to survive this time period).

Because Mercury is about communication and this retrograde is taking place in the sector of your chart that rules the mind, honestly do think twice about making agreements or having important conversations. Decisions that have been recently made will likely be overturned, and choices you make now will likely come up for discussion again in the coming month. Now's a time to reflect, not to act.

On April 29, affectionate Venus enters sensual Taurus, bringing some lovely vibes to the same area of your chart that's being effected by Mercury retrograde. Decadent Venus loves being in luxurious Taurus! Embrace this beautiful vibe by reading a romance novel, enjoying love songs, and sending flirtatious texts.

I suspect that, this month, you will go with the flow as you usually do. But if you find yourself frustrated by the changing directions, know that you will eventually be reoriented—you can't help it, Pisces, it's a gift you were born with! See you next month!