TRANSCRIPT Ep. 284 | Venus Meets Mars in a Heartfelt Swoon!

TRANSCRIPT Ep. 284 (3.31.25)
Venus Meets Mars in a Heartfelt Swoon!

Hello, Invisible Friend, April here, and the date today is March 31st, 2025. Welcome to Episode 284 of the Big Sky Astrology Podcast. This week, Mercury and Venus retrograde revisit the North Node in Pisces for a second look at old ideas and relationship opportunities. Mars and Saturn connect with Uranus for sparks of the unexpected and of inspiration. The Cancer First Quarter Moon is the perfect moment to implement those Aries New Moon Eclipse plans. Look for lucky breaks when the Sun sextiles Jupiter. The week ends on a luxurious note, as Venus and Mars meet in a romantic trine. And I answer a listener question about retrograde shadow and storm periods.

Venus conjunct the North Node (April 1, 2025, 1:39 am PDT)
Mercury conjunct the North Node (April 3, 2025, 11:53 pm PDT)

Venus, still retrograde, makes a conjunction with the Moon’s North Node on April 1st at 1:39 AM Pacific Time. Retrograde Mercury also makes a conjunction with the North Node on April 3rd at 11:53 PM Pacific Time. Venus last visited the Moon’s North Node on February 1st, and it will reach it again on April 23rd.

The North Node really represents what it is that we are aspiring to in life. And when Venus is making a conjunction to the North Node, we are inspired by love or by beauty or by desire to chase after an elusive goal – and sometimes, we find that it’s not quite as out of reach as we thought it was.

And Mercury comes along to add fresh insight about how to achieve those North Node desires. And that’s possibly with the help of some information that’s linked to Mercury’s last conjunction with the North Node, which was on March 1st before it turned retrograde. It will revisit the Node again on April 10th after its direct. But for the time being, let’s keep our eyes and ears open to new connections, to people reappearing from the past, and to seemingly random comments or old ideas that resurface to spark a desire to move in a new and promising direction

Saturn sextile Uranus (April 4, 2025, 9:20 am PDT)

On April 4th at 9:20 am Pacific Time, Saturn sextiles Uranus at 24º55’ Pisces and Taurus. This is a really interesting combination of planets that symbolize very different things, but when they come together this week, you might find that the authority figures in your life represented by Saturn can surprise you, and might even open up an unexpected opportunity for new experiences – especially if you have planets in your chart near 24º55’ of Pisces or Taurus. You might find that the world is suddenly ready to embrace your individuality, that you are finally seen for who you feel you truly are…by most everyone at least, but possibly not yourself. Saturn has this way of bringing out our deepest insecurities and our fear of failure. These are kind of internal struggles that can really weigh heavily on us. But I love to see Saturn come together with Uranus because Uranus transits offer a chance to break free from our self-imposed limitations, and often that’s what they are: self-imposed.

During this time, you might be able to begin to imagine living a life without this constant shadow of doubt and fear. If you’ve been doing the kind of inner work that Saturn asks us to do, when Uranus comes along, it can really help you break through to the next phase of your life. You’ll realize that you hold the key to your own prison door and that you have the power to move forward.

Saturn’s Sabian symbol at the sextile is 25 Pisces, The purging of the priesthood, and it seems to say something about the importance of rooting out whatever is not true or authentic. Even when intentions start off pure, corruption can eventually creep in, and sometimes the best way to move forward is to just wipe the slate clean. It’s an invitation to refresh your mindset and to rid yourself of negative thoughts that can be keeping you from growing.

Uranus’ Sabian symbol, on the other hand, is 25 Taurus, A large, well-kept public park. It speaks to the power of community and collective action, and it reminds us that working together and sharing responsibility with others for collective projects can propel us toward greater success, greater fulfillment. These are energies that are creating a perfect opportunity to renew and refresh and to move ahead with a new sense of purpose.

Mars sextile Uranus (April 4, 2025, 4:05 pm PDT)

Also, on April 4th at 4:05 pm Pacific Time, Mars sextiles Uranus at 24º56’ Cancer and Taurus. When Mars and Uranus come together, we can always expect a certain amount of volatility. Mars is in Cancer and that is a really emotionally charged water sign, and this sextile can really stir up a whirlwind of emotions.

And with Mars and the Moon both in Cancer during this transit, there’s emotional intensity that is heightened even further. It’s a little bit like a tsunami, an overwhelming surge of emotions that are crashing on the shore. This sets the stage for the approaching Cancer First Quarter Moon, which is exact just a few hours later when the Sun is in Aries and Mars is in Cancer.

This is a time of action, and it’s pushing us to make bold moves. First Quarter Moons always have that nature of initiating change and taking decisive action, but with so much emotional volatility in the skies, stability is kind of no longer on the scene.

The energy here is raw and unsettled, so it’s an ideal time to take action, in one way, because we don’t hesitate. We don’t work just from our minds. We work from our intuition and our feelings. This is a transit that activates a really deep instinct for self-preservation. If your basic needs are met and you feel reasonably safe, this is an aspect that can awaken your competitive spirit. Maybe there’s a chance for a promotion at work and you will really be driven to prove your worth, whether it’s in technological advancements, as we might expect with Uranus, or interpersonal skills. We have the ability to adapt and show our strengths.

With an aspect like this, it is really important to avoid taking unnecessary risks. Be mindful when you are out on the road. Don’t get into road rage incidents. Keep your reactions in check. When the world feels really shaken up, it is easy to trip over the debris that is left behind.

Cancer First Quarter Moon (April 4, 2025, 7:14 pm PDT)

And now it’s time for the Moon report. And we begin as usual with the week’s major lunation. This week it is the First Quarter Moon in Cancer at 15º33’, on April 4 at 7:14 pm Pacific Time. The Sun, of course, is still in Aries and it’s very strong. It’s in the sign of its exaltation, and the Moon is in its rulership, being in this nurturing sign of Cancer. Both of them are in pretty comfortable positions, and this just means neither one of them really wants to compromise too much.

The difference between these two cardinal signs is that the Sun in Aries is kind of fearless. It never met a new path that it didn’t want to follow. The Moon in Cancer is greatly concerned with safety, so getting things done or making things change at this First Quarter Moon means that these two have to find an approach that satisfies both.

That’s why the Quarter Moon phases are so dynamic and motivating: the Sun and Moon are in a square aspect to each other. Each of them has its equally strong point of view that is quite different from the other’s. Mars is also still in Cancer, as we talked about a little while ago, and it continues to create conditions for emotional outbursts or for frustrations. That, combined with this First Quarter Moon in Cancer, could mean emotional meltdowns are pretty easily triggered during this time, so it’s important to be aware of how easily tempers can flare and people can react impulsively to conflict.

This lunation marks the First Quarter Moon following that Aries Solar Eclipse that happened on March 29th. First Quarter Moons are considered the moment to take action on whatever we were formulating at the previous New Moon. First Quarter Moons are propelled by that square between the Sun and the Moon, and they push us to move forward with a purpose, whether or not we really have a clear picture of what’s coming next. We’re supposed to just act on what feels like the best course of action.

Now this is a particularly good Quarter Moon for tackling important things around your home because the Moon is in Cancer, and because we still have Mars in Cancer. And given the somewhat grumpy emotional climate, it might be best to focus on some projects that you can do on your own, organizing your space, diving into a creative project, working on something personal.

Lunar Phase Family Cycle

This is the First Quarter in a lunar phase family cycle that began at the New Moon on July 5th, 2024, at 14º23’ Cancer. So the ideas that were in development at that New Moon, which you might be able to remember by finding where 14º Cancer falls in your birth chart – in what house? In aspect to what natal planets? – because now is the time when forward motion is possible.

The Full Moon in this lunar phase family cycle is on January 3rd, 2026, at 13º01’ Cancer. This is when we get a much better perspective on what we began at that July 5th New Moon in 2024, what it’s taken to get to this point and what we can reasonably expect to have to do in order to get to the finish line with these projects.

The Last Quarter Moon in this cycle comes on October 3rd, 2026, at 10º21’ Cancer. The Last Quarter is another action point in the lunar phase cycle, but this one asks us to look back and with the benefit of hindsight, to understand where things might have gone off the tracks a little bit, or how we may need to readjust and in order to complete what we began at that New Moon on July 5th, 2024.

Void-of-Course Moon periods

Let’s look at the Void-of-Course Moon periods for this week. First is on April 1st when the Moon sextiles Mercury retrograde at 10:43 am Pacific time. It’s Void-of-Course for two hours and 43 minutes before it enters Gemini at 1:26 pm.

Sextiles that begin a Void-of-Course period provide an opportunity or an invitation, and this particular Void-of-Course Moon period presents a really nice opportunity to try to learn how to approach important conversations calmly and with compassion. With the Moon in Taurus, there is this underlying emotional stability, and that makes this a time when we can stay pretty grounded. But Uranus is still pretty nearby in that part of Taurus, so that stability might feel a little more unpredictable than usual. Uranus has a way of shaking things up, but in this case, it could be just what’s needed to spark some important conversations. It brings authenticity to the table and encourages real and honest communication.

Mercury, of course, is still in Pisces, and that lends a little more of an empathetic touch to this situation. This is a placement of Mercury that supports communication that gets to the heart of the matter in a fairly gentle and understanding way, and it makes it a little easier to express emotions without creating unnecessary tension.

So this is a really nice Void-of-Course Moon period for meaningful conversations that prioritize compassion and connection. Might not be too easy to find on April Fool’s Day, we’ll see how this one goes!

On April 3rd, the Moon in Gemini squares Mercury at 11:26 am Pacific Time. It’s Void-of-Course for four hours and 24 minutes before it enters Cancer at 3:50 pm. Void-of-Course Moon periods that begin with the Moon squaring another planet introduce conflict or say there is some kind of blockage or barrier that you’re trying to overcome. When the Moon in Gemini is square Mercury, its ruler, retrograde in Pisces, the problem is communication. It can feel very scattered and disjointed. Thoughts and emotions may not align as smoothly as we would like – the Moon being more about our emotional state, and Mercury being about the way we think about those emotions, so we can get a little bit of mental chaos here.

This is the perfect moment to embrace the Void-of-Course Moon spirit by developing a habit of pausing before you react. Take a couple of deep breaths to center yourself and gather your thoughts before you share information. And again, Mercury is still retrograde, so it’s even more critical to take those few extra seconds to review and reflect on what you’re about to say. Just having a little bit of patience and mindfulness can go a long way in helping us avoid misunderstandings or miscommunications. Sometimes we just need to slow down and give ourselves space to reflect.

On April 5th, the Moon in Cancer trines Mercury at 3:54 pm Pacific Time. It’s Void-of-Course for five hours, 40 minutes, and then enters Leeeeeooooo at 9:34 pm. The Moon trine another planet as it goes Void-of-Course, says, here is a moment to enjoy a gift or a reward.

Both the Moon and Mercury are in water signs. This is a Void-of-Course period when our reward comes in the form of maybe being able to just spend a little quiet time to ourselves or with the ones that we love the most, having some kind of fun and sweet experiences with them, having heartfelt conversations that aren’t too confrontational.

We have to be a little careful here because the Moon is kind of close to Mars at this trine, and that can make things a little more combative or conflict-prone. But the gift here is to share our feelings, bond over shared experiences. This actually can be a good time for exploring a serious romantic connection.

Sun sextile Jupiter (April 6, 2025, 2:44 am PDT)

The Sun in Aries makes a sextile aspect to Jupiter in Gemini on April 6th at 2:44 am Pacific time at 16º50’ Aries and Gemini. What a great time this is to put ourselves out there, to explore our creativity and to get a little well-deserved attention.

When the Sun connects with Jupiter, we can see opportunities kind of pop up out of nowhere and give us exciting chances to shine, to be noticed. It could just be a burst of inspiration or stroke of luck. This is a great moment to take risks and go after what we want. There’s no guarantee that these things will work out exactly as we hope, but usually it is a time that boosts our confidence, makes us feel a little more popular and more like seizing the moment with enthusiasm.

We do have to be a little cautious with Jupiter, because too much of a good thing, which Jupiter can certainly represent, can lead to a little bit of an abrupt fall. Think of the hangover that comes after a night of partying or the crash after a sugar high. We can also risk becoming a little too full of ourselves when the Sun specifically comes together with Jupiter. So, we do need to stay grounded even while we are enjoying the limelight. And I think maybe in this case, Mars, which is the ruler of the Sun in Aries, being in Cancer can be a little bit of a grounding influence. Just don’t let the excitement carry you away. And remember to balance your exuberance with a little dose of humility.

Venus trine Mars (April 6, 2025, 5:13 am PDT)

And on April 6th at 5:13 AM Pacific Time, Venus retrograde trines Mars at 25º29’ Pisces and Cancer. This is kind of the perfect day to indulge in a delicious Sunday brunch at home, savoring good food and even better company, connecting with our loved ones, enjoying the simple pleasures and nurturing the meaningful relationships that always make us feel warm inside.

Venus is in Pisces, the sign of unconditional love. Mars is in Cancer, specifically about the way we love our family and those who are nearest to us. But this is also a very romantic combination, Venus with Mars, and in these water signs, it speaks of that soulful connection that we may have made with someone.

And Venus might also be about money, and how it is motivating you to work harder – Mars – or pursue new opportunities. It could be a desire to chase after what you enjoy, go after the things that you want, pursue the objects of your affection. This is an aspect that not only gives us the desire for something, but the motivation to pursue it.

Listener Question: Retrograde Storms and Shadows

In this week’s listener question, listener Elliott asks, via SpeakPipe, “Hey, April and Big Sky fans. It’s listener Elliott with a Mercury retrograde question. So, I was born with Mercury direct, Gemini Sun, Virgo Moon. Excellent for me. Big fan of Mercury. Mercury’s retrogrades do tend to seem to affect me more than you know, the average bear.

But the question is, I feel like the storm periods, when Mercury really slows down before and even kind of after the stations, are so much worse than when Mercury is actually tik-tocking along in its steady retrograde motion. The retrogrades have their own energy, sure. But I feel like for me, I’ve noticed that the storm periods and the station periods are ultra strong.

Is that a thing? Do you agree, April? What does everybody think? Okay, thanks.”

Great question, listener Elliott, especially as we’re still in the throes of Mercury and Venus retrograde. For those of you who are not familiar with the concept of a retrograde planet’s storm period, it refers to that time a few days before it stations retrograde, and then again in the days just before the planet is preparing to station to go direct. Storm periods can feel really chaotic and really tense, but there also a signal to slow down and reconsider and reflect.

You may have also heard about the retrograde shadow periods, which occurred before and after the actual retrograde. The shadow begins when the planet first crosses the degree that it will later retrograde back to, and it ends when it passes the degree where Mercury turned retrograde. This period can bring similar themes and energies as the actual retrograde and both the shadow periods and I think the storm periods, offer a signal, a time to prepare, to reflect on what’s going on with the retrograde planet.

So just to give a counterpoint to Elliot’s example, I’ve got the Moon in Gemini square Mars, Pluto, and the Midheaven in Virgo. I never know how Mercury’s retrograde times are going to affect me, but on the very day that I’m recording this episode, about exactly halfway through Mercury’s latest retrograde, the retrograde feeling is really coming down on me like the proverbial ton of bricks. But in general, I’m inclined to second your observation, Elliott. The retrograde seem especially strong in the days leading up to the actual station. I’m on record as having mentioned many times when slower-moving planets are preparing to change direction, that that’s when we tend to notice them the most.

And I suppose it could be said of all planets that their retrograde vibe can be felt a bit in advance of changing direction. I would think that would be especially true for people like Elliott who have the planet, in this case, Mercury, prominent in their charts or in signs that are ruled by that planet.

So, if Mars is going retrograde, it would presumably be an especially strong influence for people with Mars very near the angles of the chart, say, or in close aspect of the Sun or the Moon or the ascendant. Or even with prominent planets or points in the Mars-ruled signs of Aries or Scorpio.

So, listener Elliott, what I will say is, although I can’t claim that I’ve made a close personal study of this, what you propose makes a lot of sense to me, and maybe some of us are a little more sensitive to certain planets going retrograde than we are to others. I haven’t come up with a hard and fast theory about it yet. I know some of them really seem intense and it would make sense that, especially in those days, just before the planet is going to change direction, that we would feel it really strongly.

Elliott, I hope that answers the question, and thank you so much for writing in. Best of luck with everything during this Mercury retrograde period.

If you have a question you’d like me to answer on a future episode, please leave a voicemail of one minute or less at speakpipe.com / bigskyastrologypodcast, as our friend Elliott did. Or you can drop me an email april (at) bigskyastrology.com and be sure to put “Podcast Question” in the subject line.

Donor thanks

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