Gemini, April 2016

Lots of retrogrades are coming up this month (three, to be exact: Mars, Pluto, and your ruling planet Mercury). How will this change in direction shake up your plans? Let's take a look at how April will affect you:

On April 5, lovely Venus enters lively Aries, and Mercury enters stable, solid Earth sign Taurus. This is a very funny combination of planets and signs, Gemini—but you love contradictions, so whatever. On one hand, Venus in fun Fire sign Aries will reenergize your social life, but on the other hand, your ruling planet, logical Mercury, in lazy (let's be real) Taurus will find you craving silence and solitude.

You'll appreciate quality over quantity when it comes to going out this month, Gemini. Deep talk will beat out small talk, and bonus points will go to whoever can communicate with you via ESP. Dreams—both daydreams and those you have while sleeping—will also be a big theme for you this month. You'll find new sources of inspiration during the day and psychic breakthroughs at night.

If you're open to a fun astrological experiment, keep a dream journal during the month of April: It's likely that things which pop up during Mercury retrograde, which begins on April 28, will tie into your dreams earlier this month in some way, since Mercury in Taurus activates such a subconscious sector of your chart.

Gemini is known to be one of the friendliest, chattiest signs in the zodiac; however, during this time period, you will be feeling a lot more private—even secretive! That said, do note April 7: There will be a new moon in Aries, which will bring renewal and a fresh start around your friendships, the organizations you belong to, and your hopes and dreams for the future.

Your ruling planet, Mercury, makes two awesome connections this month. The first is a trine (a super easy astrological aspect) to lucky Jupiter on April 14, which will bring lovely vibes to your home. The second is a trine to power planet Pluto on April 17, which will bring a big transformation to one of your intimate (or possibly even financial) relationships. Both of these dates in April are also amazing for emotional healing.

But what about romance, you ask? April 17 kicks off Mars retrograde in Sagittarius, which will intensify any relationships you're currently in! Geminis are famous for being fickle, but in truth, you guys spend much of your life looking for your twin. Whether than means a lover, friend, community, or cause, "teaming up" is a big part of the average Gemini's life! The Gemini's life journey is all about learning how to communicate and express oneself, and partnership is one of the fastest ways to learn those lessons.

Mars is the warrior; moving retrograde, retracing its steps through the zodiac, can be a huge drag for this planet. But the review is necessary. You've made some choices around commitment and partnership (whether it was to a lover, colleague, or sworn enemy) that need to be revisited and reassessed. Remember, Mars is a warrior: Have you been fighting for the right things in your partnerships?

This retrograde takes place in a very philosophical, optimistic sign, Sagittarius, so many of the questions you'll ask about partnership will be lofty and likely unanswerable. Like, I'm sorry, Gemini, but there's really no way to figure out if someone is your soul mate. Your questions will become a little more practical in May when Mars reenters deep, probing Scorpio. At that time, you'll began analyzing how your day-to-day, mundane world has really been affected by your choices and partnerships.

On April 18, the lord of the underworld, Pluto stations retrograde in grounded Earth sign Capricorn, one of the most driven, industrious signs in the zodiac. Capricorn has a lot to do with responsibility, and during this Pluto retrograde you'll find yourself reflecting on the power you hold over people. Do you ever manipulate people with sex, money, or emotions? Or is anyone doing this to you? This retrograde will help you untangle some intense, intimate issues.

On April 19, the Sun enters Taurus, shining light down on to a very sensitive and psychic area of your chart. It's nearly your birthday, Gemini, and when the Sun finds itself in the sign before you on the zodiac wheel, it's time for you to catch up on rest and get some quality alone time. Soon it will be your birthday, and you'll need energy to party!

But it won't be all about unwinding at the end of the month: The full moon arrives on April 22 in Scorpio. Full moons demand balance, and in your case, this will mean a good balance of getting shit done and resting up.

This full moon in Scorpio, the sign of rebirth, is an amazing time to check up on your health, consider your schedule, make any adjustments that could help you create a better work/life/party/rest balance, and tackle any items on your to-do list that have been lingering for too long.

Mercury turns retrograde on April 28, and I won't bore you with the warnings—I'm sure you already know them, Gemini. (Don't sign contracts, buy electronics, or plan trips, and watch out for delays and people from the past returning to say hi. Just log onto Instagram or Twitter anytime during the retrograde and I'm sure you will hear every warning people can come up with.)

Instead, let's talk about the deeper side of the Mercury retrograde. Mercury rules the mind, and just as the mind needs rest, so does Mercury. The retrograde is a chance for Mercury to unwind (or rewind, really), and reflect on the conversations and information it's collected over the last few weeks. Because this Mercury retrograde is in Taurus, a very psychic and private sector of your chart, this Mercury retrograde will be a very deep, personal time for you. You will be processing a lot of feelings that you've stuffed away for a while. Secrets are likely to come to the surface.

You might find yourself feeling much more emotional that usual. Fantasy is calling you now, so indulge your whimsical side. If you're exploring your spirituality, this will also be a very special time for you. In therapy? You may have some huge breakthroughs around ways you've been shooting yourself in the foot. What is this Mercury retrograde in Taurus not good for? For the Geminis of the world, this is an important time not to indulge in any escapist activities because it may be a long time before you're able to return to the real world. Don't fall down the rabbit hole.

The next day, April 29, sweet Venus enters Taurus, bringing some good vibes to this same sensitive area of the chart that Mercury retrograde will be hitting. You've already been in a private mood for much of the month, but now you'll feel especially private about your romantic relationships or about anything having to do with Venus (your finances, or even your beauty routine). A secret lover could even enter the scene! Please, though, if you ever take a secret lover, remember that (sadly) your sign is the one that's referred to as "two-faced," being that you're the twins, so don't be upset if you get busted and this phrase is hurled at you. It's just too easy to call a Gemini "two-faced;" it's like calling a Virgo a prude or a Capricorn a lusty old goat. It's just conceptually true.

Make the most of this month, Gemini. Reflect on your partnerships and enjoy some solitude— you rarely get the chance to (but whose fault is that?)! See you next month!