TRANSCRIPT Ep. 340 | Aries New Moon: An Extra Dose of Trailblazing!

TRANSCRIPT Episode 340 | Aries New Moon: An Extra Dose of Trailblazing (4.13.26)

Hello, Invisible Friend, April here, and the date today is April 13th, 2026. Welcome to Episode 340 of the Big Sky Astrology Podcast.

This week, Venus makes a sweet sextile to Jupiter. Mercury makes a final exciting aspect with Uranus to end its time in Pisces, then it enters fiery Aries but gets off to a little bit of a confusing start thanks to Neptune and gets messages from Pluto that we may not want to hear. However, Mars makes an aggressive sextile to Pluto and hits a brick wall as it conjoins Saturn. A lively New Moon brings the Aries season to a close, as the Sun eases into the calmer pastures of Taurus.

As you might have guessed, there’s a lot to cover, so there will be no listener question this week. But keep sending your questions for future episodes!

Venus sextile Jupiter (April 13, 2026, 1:21 am PDT)

On Monday, April 13th, at 1:21 a.m. Pacific Time, Venus makes a friendly sextile to Jupiter at 16º47’ Taurus-Cancer. And this is one of those quietly supportive, feel-good transits. Both planets are very much at home. Venus is in Taurus, the sign that it rules, where it knows how to enjoy life’s pleasures. And Jupiter in Cancer is in the sign of its exaltation, where growth comes through care, connection and nourishment. There’s an opportunity now to cultivate more of what brings you comfort and satisfaction, especially if you’ve been preoccupied lately with whatever it feels that it’s missing. Maybe that’s around money, or resources, or your home and inner circle.

This aspect can help remedy some of that, but it comes with a caution. How much of a good thing is too much? Venus shows us what we enjoy, which is not always the same as what we actually need. And Jupiter wants more and more and can tend to overdo it a bit. So if we go overboard, buyer’s remorse is entirely possible. The sweet spot here is learning what truly makes you happy and content. And it usually is a balance of indulging a little bit without sacrificing too much in the way of money or space or peace of mind.

Mercury sextile Uranus (April 14, 2026, 10:10 am PDT)

Mercury sextiles Uranus on Tuesday, April 14th at 10:10 a.m. Pacific Time. And that’s at 29º24’ Pisces and Taurus. These are the very last degrees of the signs, and it gives this combination a little bit of a buzzy and edgy feel to it. You might get the sense that people are not really listening when you’re talking. Or that it’s just hard to speak up because you feel a little bit different, and you might not always feel as if you’re in your element with people that understand you.

But you know what? Go ahead and speak up anyway. Your words can land with a lot more impact than you expect. And this is just a really great transit for talking about ideas that are a little bit out of the mainstream, that are rebellious and unconventional, or are just very you.

You could run across a person or a book or a movie, some other catalyst that suddenly wakes up a desire to be more free, more independent. And you can get breakthroughs around what needs to change in your life, sometimes seemingly from out of nowhere. This aspect is happening at the anaretic or final degrees of both signs. So there is more of a sense of urgency. It can feel like something is trying to resolve itself before moving on.

The Sabian symbols here really underscore that. Mercury is on 30 Pisces, The great stone face. And that is a symbol that is about becoming what it is that we idealize, and the need to realize there is no single right version of ourselves. And Uranus is on 30 Taurus, A peacock parading on an ancient lawn. And it’s a reminder that our own personal style, our personal flair didn’t just come out of thin air. It has roots.

Mercury enters Aries (April 14, 2026, 8:21 pm PDT)

Mercury enters Aries on Tuesday, April 14th at 8:21 p.m. Pacific time. And honestly, let’s all just take a moment to celebrate Mercury getting out of Pisces, because in particular, that retrograde period in Pisces was something else. This ingress into Aries is like a pop quiz on the Aries archetype with a lot of planetary activity that’s piling up in that sign. So words will get sharper and faster and sometimes more combative when Mercury is in Aries. We form impressions very quickly. They’re usually incomplete.

So, it helps to keep communication short and direct in small little chunks. I’ve always said that with friends, especially that have who have Mercury in Aries, if I’m writing an email or a text to them, I’ve learned to put what’s essential at the very beginning, because I can’t be sure they’re going to be patient enough to work their way through the rest of the communication. But this is a really good Mercury placement for quick decisions and decisive action, especially for people who need to think fast on their feet, in their job or whatever it might be.

It’s also much easier to speak your mind when Mercury is in Aries, because the urge to avoid conflict has pretty much left the room. If you’ve been avoiding conflict with people in your life that really needs to be resolved, Mercury in Aries is going to be a pretty good time to tackle that. You’ve got the courage of your convictions. Mercury will stay in Aries until May 2nd.

Mars sextile Pluto (April 16, 2026, 11:56 am PDT)

Mars makes the first aspect in the sign of Aries on Thursday, April 16th, when it sextiles Pluto at 11:56 a.m. Pacific time. And although sextiles are usually pretty friendly aspects, this is one between two very aggressive planets, so it tends to be potent and high octane.

Whenever we see a connection of Mars and Pluto in any aspect, there is this fierce drive that emerges to get what you want and to fight hard for it. If that intensity doesn’t have a healthy place to go, very quickly, we can see it turn into frustration, impotence, or just the sense that nothing you do is ever enough. That’s that feeling of futility that can come with Pluto.

This transit asks a blunt question. It says, ” Do you have what it takes to keep going, or are you just going to give up?” Donna Cunningham was a wonderful astrologer who once wrote that Pluto shows where we can sometimes fail for spite, and there are moments when quitting feels like the only way to regain control, like you’re just going to take your toys and go home, so at least you get to make the decision about how the game ends.

So, this is an aspect that can show up as power struggles, and that’s especially around work or career, which are ruled by Mars, and sometimes that can involve big changes, or maybe a really difficult boss who is making the work situation feel completely intolerable. It can also bring out an awareness of the limits of your personal power, which is Pluto.

No matter how hard Mars pushes, however angry you get, however much effort you pour into a situation, this is an aspect that shows us that some things are just beyond our control. So in the end, what really matters now is how we handle weakness, anger, frustration, to not let those kinds of challenges defeat us, and instead to let them push you towards a deeper kind of empowerment.

Mercury conjunct Neptune (April 16, 2026, 7:01 pm PDT)

Mercury conjoins Neptune on Thursday, April 16th at 7:01 pm Pacific Time at 2º47’ Aries, and even though they are in Aries, this is a dreamy Mercury that can find it a little bit difficult to focus and stay on task, which is very unusual for Aries.

Neptune is like a sponge that soaks everything up, and Mercury is a cheerful little collector of words and images. So, it really matters what you expose yourself to now. This is not the best moment to try to really analyze things or for logic. If you’re looking for spreadsheets, certainty and systems, this probably isn’t the best aspect for it. What it is really strong for, though, is intuition, and real breakthroughs are possible, but you have to let your mind wander a little bit. There is a powerful attraction toward creative expression during an aspect like this one, making music, writing poetry, taking beautiful photos, painting, anything that lets your imagination off the leash.

“What if” is not only a valid question right now, it’s actually the perfect question, and instead of answering it with facts and spreadsheets and arguments, try responding with a song or an image or just a few kind words.

The Sabian symbol for this conjunction is 3 Aries, A cameo profile of a man in the outline of his country, and it talks about seeing ourselves not just as individuals, but as part of something greater, which is also Neptune’s greater message.

Aries New Moon (April 17, 2026, 4:52 am PDT)

And now it’s time for the Moon Report, and as always, we begin with the week’s major lunation. This week, that’s the Aries New Moon on Friday, April 17th at 4.52 a.m. Pacific time at 27º28’ Aries. New Moons always mark the beginning of a new cycle, and Aries is the very first sign of the zodiac, so the two are pretty compatible. This New Moon has an extra dose of pioneering, of trailblazing energy. It’s not subtle either, because now there are six planets in Aries, and they are the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars, Saturn, and Neptune. So the emphasis is very much on taking action and developing your courage.

This is what I like to call a real Nike Moon. It tells us, “Just do it.” No excuses, no second-guessing. This lunation asks us to push past self-doubt and fear, and to summon the bravery to live a life that’s right for us, not one that’s designed to meet somebody else’s expectations.

With the New Moon in Aries, it’s a terrific cycle for breaking old habits, standing up for yourself, tackling the things that you’ve been avoiding because they scare you a little. What people want under Aries Moon energy is action and speed, courage, and a little bit of sassiness. But the Sabian symbol for this New Moon, 28 Aries, A large, disappointed audience, is a reminder that big hopes and big hype won’t be sustained forever, and that what really matters is keeping your word, speaking with honesty and power, even when it’s uncomfortable.

This is the New Moon in a lunar phase family cycle that will unfold over the coming three years, with major lunations near the same degree every nine months. Pay close attention to what you’re thinking of at this Aries New Moon. In particular, if 27º Aries is prominent in your birth chart, or if it makes an opposition or square to something in your chart, because this is an especially important New Moon cycle, and whatever it is that you are focused on that is a new start for you, something very unusual, something maybe you’ve wanted to do for a long time, but you haven’t been in a position to do it, this is going to be an important cycle for you.

In nine months from now, the First Quarter Moon on January 15th, 2027, is at 25º27’ Aries, and is a moment when we are asked to take action, to instigate or initiate something that’s important to us now at this New Moon. If this degree of Aries falls in the 10th house of your chart, and you’ve been dissatisfied with your career path for a long time and wanting to do something new about it, then at that First Quarter, January 2027, will be the moment to take some kind of action. Maybe it’s about preparing a new resume, or applying for a different job, maybe even in the same company that you currently work for, but the keyword here is new, trying a new challenge.

Nine months later, there’s a Full Moon on October 15th, 2027, at 21º58’ Aries. That might be the moment in this scenario that the perfect career opportunity presents itself to you, and you notice it, and you know what you might need to do to fully prepare for that opportunity.

Then, nine months later, at the Last Quarter Moon on July 14th, 2028, at 22º55’ Aries. This is also an action point in the lunar cycle, but this is when we take action based on what we have learned along the way since this New Moon. So, with that Last Quarter, maybe that’s the time when you’ve had a couple of different job offers, and that is when you get to choose the one that feels most appropriate to you. So it’s just one example of how this lunar phase family cycle might play out.

Void-of-Course Moon periods

Let’s look at the Void-of-Course Moon periods for this week.

On Monday, April 13th, the Moon in Aquarius squares Uranus at 12:42 a.m. Pacific Time. It’s Void-of-Course for 1 hour 13 minutes, then enters Pisces at 1:55 a.m. When we see the Moon in a square aspect as it’s going Void-of-Course, it means there’s a conflict that we’re trying to resolve. Uranus will be moving into Gemini next week, so this week all but one of the Void-of-Course Moon periods involve Uranus because it’s at the very end of its sign.

As for the Moon in Aquarius square Uranus and Taurus on that last degree, the anaretic degree, it might be difficult to shut your mind off. You could really be ruminating during this Void-of-Course Moon period over the events of the day. Sleep could be difficult.

Both Aquarius and Taurus are fixed signs, and so they have a hard time often with change. With Uranus about to change signs for the first time since 2018, and all of these planets currently in Aries, there’s a lot of change and volatility in the air. So, if you find yourself not able to sleep because you’re worrying about uncertainty and the lack of security in the world, consider breaking out a book, you know, a good old-fashioned print book that isn’t flashing sensational headlines at you while you’re doom scrolling on social media. Use this Void-of-Course Moon period to maybe get back into that habit of reading a print book from time to time to lull yourself to sleep.

On Wednesday, April 15th, the Moon in Pisces sextiles Uranus at 6:07 a.m. Pacific time. It’s Void-of-Course for 57 minutes and then enters Aries at 7:04 a.m. The Moon in Pisces is very sensitive and when it meets up with Uranus in Taurus, and again on these volatile anaretic degrees, you could really feel overwhelmed and that can come bubbling up. Instead of reaching for sugar or quick fixes that may not be the healthiest, try to ground yourself through some kind of spiritual practice. Pull a tarot card and write some notes about it. Take off your shoes and go stand on the cool morning ground for a minute. Light a sweet-smelling candle and recite an uplifting mantra. Use this Void-of-Course Moon period to get in the habit of leaning into the spiritual in order to center and ground your psyche.

On Friday, April 17th, the Moon in Aries makes its conjunction with the Sun for the Aries New Moon. This is at 4:52 a.m. Pacific time. And after it makes that conjunction, it’s Void-of-Course for four hours and six minutes, then enters Taurus at 8:58 a.m. There’s so much energy in the sign of Aries, and people really could wake up grumpy, including you. That energy really needs to be released. So, first thing you do, get out and get some physical exercise. Find the steepest hill in your neighborhood and run up and down it a couple of times, or if you’re not quite up to that level, just take a really good brisk walk, but get some kind of movement going. Use this Void-of-Course Moon period to get in the habit of doing some kind of exercise first thing in the morning because it’s really an excellent way to set yourself up for success for the rest of the day.

And on Sunday, April 19th, the Moon in Taurus makes its conjunction with Uranus at 8:45 a.m. Pacific time. It’s Void-of-Course for 32 minutes and then enters Gemini at 9:17 a.m. The Moon is exalted or especially strong in the sign of Taurus, and Venus is in Taurus close by, which is great because Venus rules Taurus.

So, you’ve got a lot of strength in the Taurus area of your chart. This would be a great time to just enjoy some kind of earthly delight that you’ve never experienced before. Make something special and new for your breakfast. Give yourself a facial, paint your nails different colors. Someone told me they had a Taurus friend who, for years, has painted each one of her nails a different color, and it’s kind of turned into her signature look. I love that that’s quirky like Uranus, but kind of beautiful like Taurus.

Uranus enters Gemini soon next week. So maybe perform a little ritual, something luxurious and thank Uranus in Taurus for the lessons that it’s given you over the last eight years. Use this Void-of-Course Moon period to get in the habit of connecting with and appreciating these sensuous pleasures of life.

Mercury sextile Pluto (April 18, 2026, 1:34 pm PDT)

On Saturday, April 18th at 1:34 pm Pacific time, Mercury sextiles Pluto at 5°26’ Aries and Aquarius. This echoes the Mars-Pluto sextile we had at the same degree a couple of days earlier. Mercury can act like the messenger here and bring news and insights or conversations that connect directly to whatever was being stirred up during that Mars-Pluto sextile.

This is a mentally intense transit, and it can open a door to confronting some of our darker or more uncomfortable inner material. So, ugly thoughts or jealousy can sometimes trigger compulsive habits. This aspect can also tilt the mind towards seeing your life in a really harsh way.

But there is a little bit of a gift in that. Some of the stories that you’ve been telling yourself for years about who you are, about who other people are, may simply turn out to no longer be true. Or maybe they’ve just expired over time. Either way, Pluto does not let us unsee what we’ve seen. With Pluto, the only way out is through. The work here is to replace destructive mental loops with healthier ones; any kind of repetitive activity that helps settle your mind.

Mars conjunct Saturn (April 19, 2026, 3:44 pm PDT)

Mars makes a conjunction with Saturn on Sunday, April 19th at 3:44 pm Pacific Time. That’s at 7º51’ Aries. And honestly, this is a tough one. Mars, of course, is very much at home in Aries. It’s fired up. We’re ready to act. Saturn is not especially strong in Aries. It is in its fall. It’s uncomfortable and it will tend to kind of throw up roadblocks. So this one can feel like driving with one foot on the gas and the other foot on the brake at the same time. The real question with this transit is what lesson you are going to take from the frustration of it.

Can you use it to develop more control and discipline around your temper and your impulsiveness, those raw drives? Or will you just let yourself sink into rage and frustration against authority systems, against “the man?” If negative self-talk starts knocking, don’t answer the door. Instead, channel that energy into getting your life organized in a way that actually moves you forward from a stronger, more stable foundation.

Sun enters Taurus (April 19, 2026, 6:39 pm PDT)

And on Sunday, April 19th at 6:39 pm Pacific Time, the Sun leaves fiery Aries and enters earthy Taurus. And you’re going to almost feel the collective nervous system take a small breath. Taurus energy is slower and steadier and more patient, with a strong appreciation for comfort and what feels good in the body. With the Sun settling into these calmer Taurus fields, the overall vibe starts to mellow out at least a little bit.

But again, we still have four planets in Aries at this point and that’ll keep things lively for a little while longer.

In Taurus, the Sun takes its cues from Venus. And happily, Venus is right at home also in Taurus, which helps us orient ourselves towards pleasure and stability and the things we really value.

Taurus season is a time to enjoy the gifts of the physical world, to celebrate being alive and with the potential to evolve in the ways that we can only do when we’re living in a physical body. The Sun stays in Taurus until May 20th.

Donor Thanks

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That’s it for this episode! Join me again bright and early next Monday – and until then, keep your feet on the ground, and your eyes on the stars!