Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Storm

The Storm represents the trouble and discord that creep into our lives from time to time. The storm is represented by a tornado whirling its way across a fertile plain. Tornados are powerful but relatively small, short lived storms, which means that while the turmoil they indicate may be strong it will at least pass quickly. Like the tornado, The Storm is a force outside yourself and beyond your control. During a stormy period you may lose ground. However, knowing one is upon you can certainly help you keep your losses to a minimum, or even turn what might be a disaster into a windfall.

As a daily card, The Storm denotes a time when you should be prepared to face some large challenges in your life. You may find yourself losing more than you gain for awhile. The key to weathering the storm is preparation. You know its coming, so be ready for it and there is a possibility that you can transform a tumultuous event into something good.

Witches Rune for the Day

The Blank Rune

Meaning: This is a rune of difficulty and negative influences will rule your life for a time, but as all difficulties are a learning experience it will lead to improved personal perspective and progress on your life’s path. Always consult the surrounding runes with this stone. If it lies with a positive stone, it indicates that the pain of this experience will lead to a beneficial change in circumstances

Get A Jump On Tomorrow…..

Your Horoscopes for Friday, April 19th

Aries

The Moon moves into your social sector early morning, dear Aries, and you’re ready to entertain goals that reflect your needs outside of career and business. Venus enters your solar second house today, and will continue to transit here until May 24th. Mercury just turned retrograde in this sector and will remain retrograde for most of this period. You may find some gems in the past or in areas that you may have missed. This is a time when you benefit from slowing down, building, and revamping. You can have good luck with seeing value in projects, objects, and situations that you may have otherwise overlooked. There is a stronger attraction to comfortable and valuable objects and situations now. Monetary gains and losses can have more to do with a partnership than usual. There is increasing attention to personal possessions, money matters, natural talents, and matters of security and comfort, and this will continue for much of May. Build, repair, gather, stockpile, and review for best results now.

Taurus

Venus enters your sign today, dear Taurus, and will grace your solar first house until May 24th. This is one of the stronger times for personal attraction – for magnetizing what you want. This time around, you have Mercury retrograde in your sign virtually the whole transit. This points to a nice boost to your appeal and a good time to build and develop personal plans, but some need for further review and attention to what worked for you in the past. It may be best to edit and refine rather than push projects and initiatives ahead. Good energy for your love life is with you now, although you may not be ready to make any solid decisions. Certainly, people are finding you more attractive than usual. Your softer, more receptive side is enhanced and more noticeable now. Romantic matters, as well as pleasure-seeking activities, come to the fore. You may not be feeling the power of this period quite yet, but you will very shortly.

Gemini

Venus moves into your privacy zone today, dear Gemini, where it will transit until May 24th. The Sun and retrograde Mercury are already in this same sector, and Venus here turns your even stronger attention to the past as well as to your inner world. For some, this cycle is a time when merging with another person can be a yearning, and this can be expressed as discontent or spiritual longing, or you might express your love in ways that are selfless. Dealing with private matters of the heart or affairs, unrequited love, or longing for something that cannot manifest in real terms, might figure now. Otherwise, you might take special pleasure in your private life. In fact, benefits can come from behind the scenes. Someone or something from the past can re-emerge and this can be helpful. Making decisions about money and love is not as straightforward during this cycle, and it’s wise to take your time.

Cancer

Venus begins its transit of your ideals and friendship sector today, dear Cancer, where it will stay until May 24th. The Sun and retrograde Mercury are already in this area of your chart, and now there is even more emphasis on your social life and goals. Charm and grace are energies readily and naturally brought to your friendships during this cycle, and this can come in especially handy with retrograde Mercury here – it may help minimize or soften misunderstandings. There can be more pleasure and satisfaction from groups of like-minded individuals, or with friends and associates. There may be a focus on the past when it comes to groups and friendships, with the possibility of old friends reappearing. Camaraderie is especially important in your life now.

Leo

Venus enters your career and reputation sector today, dear Leo. The Sun and Mercury are already in this area of your solar chart, and Mercury has just turned retrograde. While this is a good time for public appeal and attention to life path and career goals, you will benefit from some review of these things in the weeks ahead. This is a time for cautious moves and edits or adjustments rather than bold new beginnings. Romantic opportunities, or more chances to socialize and network, are likely through the pursuit of business goals. For some, your love life or relationships can come into stronger view. Today is strong for connecting with others one on one.

Virgo

Venus moves into harmony with your sign and your adventure sector today, dear Virgo, and will continue to transit this area of your solar chart until May 24th. The Sun and Mercury are already here, and Mercury just turned retrograde. Venus can help soften some of the problem areas associated with Mercury’s retrograde. This move reinforces the idea that treasure is to be found by looking to the past – to ideas, plans, and projects that were put on a shelf. This is an especially good time for reviewing, editing, revising, and reconsidering, particularly in educational and publishing matters. It’s a strong time to pick up an old interest or study that deserves a second look. You might become inspired by a loved one now, or someone might awaken a new perspective or way of thinking in you.

Libra

Venus begins its transit of your solar eighth house today, dear Libra, where the Sun and retrograde Mercury are currently transiting. While you should be moving forward slowly and working on refining and revamping what you already have, Venus here can bring more happiness and joy in doing so. Venus can also bring rewards and benefits – typically in small ways, but noticeable. Focus on the past helps you to get into better touch with knowing where you’re coming from. Future decisions will be stronger if you take the time to understand the past. Attracting resources from outside sources comes more easily. You might be working through or sorting out money problems or issues of sharing with a partner. This can also be a strong time to better understand your dependencies.

Scorpio

Venus moves into your partnership sector today, dear Scorpio, and will transit here until May 24th. This is generally a strong transit for relationships and negotiations. This year, Mercury is retrograde in the same sector and will remain retrograde for most of Venus’ transit here. Close relationships get special attention now, and there can be a stronger focus on matters of the past or past relationships themselves. This is a time for more hospitality, adaptability, and accommodation. People are drawn into your life quite magnetically. Decisions about people and love in general tend to stay on the fence, however, during this period. This may be experienced as your own indecision or through others – someone is a little distant or undecided. People need a little space, but it’s also a good time for teaming up and spending time with people you care about.

Sagittarius

With Venus entering your work and health sector today and with Mercury’s retrograde in the same area of your chart, dear Sagittarius, there are benefits to slowing down, processing, and looking to the past before pushing plans forward. Redoing and refining past work can be of benefit, and returning to old routines and health programs may also be rewarding now. Venus’ transit of this sector lasts until May 24th, and helps to promote harmony and good will on the job. For many, this can be a time for finding more pleasure in your routines, work, and efforts to enhance health. Look to past methods that truly worked for you.

Capricorn

Venus enters your romance and pleasure sector today, dear Capricorn, and will continue to transit this part of your solar chart until May 24th. This is one of the more favorable transits of Venus as it enhances and supports your natural charm. During this cycle, it’s natural for you to turn on the charm without even truly trying. You feel a little more playful now, and love matters tend to be laced with a touch of drama. Mercury has just turned retrograde in this same sector, which tends to complicate matters a little. While love and attraction are favored, there can be some turning to the past or indecision involved. Old creative projects might be revived now. For some, old relationships or forms of entertainment and hobbies can reappear. The Moon moves out of your sign early morning today, and this can act to settle your emotions – needs don’t feel quite so urgent.

Aquarius

Today, you’re beginning a cycle that lasts until May 24th in which home improvement is a focus, dear Aquarius, whether it involves redecorating or boosting your relationships with family. There is more comfort and joy experienced in home life and with familiar situations, people, and things. Bringing peace, harmony, and beauty to your home environment becomes a strong need, and with the Sun and Mercury also in the same sector, a lot of your attention is turned to your personal life. Mercury has just turned retrograde in this sector, and not everything is likely to run smoothly, but the effort you put into redoing, refining, and adjusting will be rewarded down the road. This can be a time of reunions and/or the revival of old projects, especially those related to home and family.

Pisces

There is stronger emphasis on learning and communications in your life recently, dear Pisces, and today, Venus enters the sector of your solar chart that rules these things. This cycle that lasts until May 24th can stimulate more enjoyment, opportunities, and rewards through making connections, siblings, studies, short trips, and transportation. Your need for company increases. Mercury has just turned retrograde in this same sector, and this can mean that you can’t count on smooth sailing in these areas of life. However, doing some backtracking, strengthening, editing, and building can be quite satisfying now. Some of you will be returning to old interests, projects, studies, or channels for communication. Old acquaintances or classmates could re-emerge. Today is strong for connecting one-on-one with a partner or special friend.

If Today is Your Birthday: April 28

You are a practical, security-minded person who feels most comfortable in the world of the five senses. Gentle and intuitive, you form close relationships with others that last. Although you are considerate and concerned, you can also be quite stubborn and fixed in your ways. You are a very hard worker, often taking on more than your share. Famous people born today: Jay Leno, Penelope Cruz, Jessica Alba, Ann-margaret, Jorge Garcia.

Your Birthday Year Forecast:

With the Sun and Moon in harmony in your Solar Return chart, the year ahead should be satisfying and balanced overall. You are in comfortable demand and personally popular, and you are able to achieve a decent balance between work and play; personal and professional life. For the most part, you are on top of your game this year, and positive connections with others can be made fairly easily. With the ability to handle your emotions successfully, there is less stress on both your mind and body. Your self-confidence and positive attitude will reward you!

This is an excellent year in which to advance projects revolving around communications – writing, speaking, selling, and so forth. Your reputation may be enhanced through word of mouth. Making new contacts through learning and mental pursuits figures strongly as well.

You are willing to put in the effort and dedication to a mental interest or project. You are focused, detail-oriented, and may be perfectionistic.

It’s a good period in your life for taking necessary steps towards making yourself feel more secure and safe, and for family or domestic activities. This is also a period when you more readily support or defend others.

Relationships can prosper as you deal with one another in a more balanced, fair, and peaceful way. The platonic elements of a relationship may be emphasized now. This can also be a very creative, artistic time, and an excellent period for opening up communications with others, as you are more sensitive than usual and more willing to listen. Getting your point across is easier, as it’s not only about what specific words you choose to communicate, you intuitively express the meaning and intention behind the words. You can effectively use words to soothe, heal, and teach this year. You are also especially open to new ways of looking at problems, thus it’s considerably easier to find solutions. You may be gaining respect for your ideas and intelligence.

However, you need to be aware of a tendency to be attracted to impractical ventures at times this year. As well, your energy can vary greatly from one period to the next, so take advantage of the “high” periods in order to offset the possible loss in productivity during the low-energy stages.

This is a strong period for cooperation and friendship, as well as for communications, learning, and connecting. You may be making good contacts with others, particularly through shared interests or schooling. Positive plans and lifestyle changes can be made at this time in your life. There will be times when you battle with varying energy levels, so take advantage of the periods of high motivation.

2016 is a Number Five year for you. Ruled by Mercury. This is a year of exploration and freedom. It’s a time when exploration and reaching out to others brings opportunities. It’s a good time to advertise and sell. Surprises are in store, and the routine is broken. This is a year when exciting relationships can be formed, or, if you are already in a partnership, new life is breathed into the relationship. Advice – explore, look for adventure, keep your eyes open for opportunities, mingle.

2017 will be a Number Six year for you. Ruled by Venus. This is a year of relative contentment. It is a time when love is the easiest to attract, and partnerships formed under this vibration have a better chance for longevity. You are able to attract others, and material things as well, this year. This is a good year for establishing harmony in the family and in the home. Advice – develop existing relationships, be positive and receptive because these kinds of energies help you to attract what you desire.

Courtesy of Cafe Astrology

Your Daily Horoscopes for Thursday, April 28th

Aries

With Mercury retrograde from today until May 22nd, dear Aries, there can be a change of mind or interest, possibly even a bit of regret when it comes to those things said or begun right now and recently. This retrograde occurs in your sector of assets and there may be the need to review your finances or budget, or you could be dealing with lost or misplaced possessions. Take the time to re-think your sources of income and how you spend your cash during this period, but put off finalizing anything important for the time being. In fact, some money-making ideas or ventures may be put on hold due to circumstances beyond your control. Come at old problems from a new direction or perspective. Open your mind to new ways of thinking and new approaches.

Taurus

Mercury turns retrograde in your sign today, dear Taurus, and will remain retrograde until May 22nd. This period is best used for re-organizing and reflecting. You are looking at the world a little differently, through different filters, and can come up with some very important inner revelations. It may be difficult to communicate them under this influence, but not everything needs to be rationalized. This is a time of heightened inner awareness, when meditation, reworking old plans, and reviewing past work are favored. For some of you, someone who has been gone or distant can reappear, and yet remain emotionally distant. Some personal plans may stall or appear to move backwards, but can benefit from some refinements. Take extra time coming to decisions and making commitments for now. Today, be especially conscious of being fair and using common sense, as there can be a tendency to overdo. Enjoy yourself, but keep things real and avoid going over the top.

Gemini

Mercury turns retrograde in your privacy sector today, dear Gemini, and this retrograde cycle lasts until May 22nd. This cycle turns your thought processes inward (even further than they have been recently). Some of the decisions made and projects started in the last couple of weeks can come up for review now. Your thinking is more spiritual and less factual. Your dreaming world is vivid during this cycle. Extra care should be exercised when it comes to privacy matters, however. You may find that you are less able to rely on your intuition, and both inner and outer “signals” are difficult to read, until you recognize that you are looking at things in entirely new ways. Keep an eye out for deceptiveness and falseness in others. It would be wise to be especially clear when it comes to communicating about your inner world now; or take this time to re-examine issues rather than communicating about them prematurely. Minor breaks in the mechanical aspects of communication can actually re-connect you to other perfectly valid means of communication.

Cancer

Mercury is retrograde starting today and until May 22nd, dear Cancer, making it a good time to look to the past for answers, as well as to do refinement and editing work. For you, Mercury is retrograde in your friends and dreams sector, and this places emphasis on your communications with associates, groups, and friends. It also is a time for the hatching of ideas for the future, but watch for missing information or fuzzy thinking. You are required to be more alert than usual when it comes to dealings with friends and groups, as well as business income and dealings with business associates. Some of you could meet an old friend during this cycle. Some of the seeds you recently planted in terms of long-term goals are likely to need review or revision. Today, with the transition and minor challenging aspects, there could be false leads or poorly researched advice circulating around you. Keep things light and aim to enjoy yourself rather than focusing on the little things that may be going wrong.

Leo

Mercury turns retrograde today, dear Leo, and it would be a good idea to aim to be as flexible as you can with your schedule, as mix-ups are possible as the station occurs. Mercury retrogrades in your solar tenth house and lasts until May 22nd. While it’s a strong time for refining long-term goals and career projects, there can be some confusion surrounding business plans or communications. It’s a good time for review, but not the best period for clear-cut answers. Reconsider things, but wait it out before drawing conclusions, if possible. Extra care should be exercised when communicating with the public, superiors, associates, friends, and co-workers. Strive to be as clear as possible so that you are not misunderstood. Keep in mind that information received or perceived today may be emotionally biased or incomplete.

Virgo

Your ruler, Mercury, turns retrograde today, dear Virgo, as it does for approximately three weeks, approximately three times a year. This is a strong period for review, refinement, and editing work. It can be a time to catch your breath and to learn more about what you want and need. With Mercury as your ruler, your mind often moves much more quickly than the rest of you, and this is a time for catching up. This time, the retrograde occurs in your solar ninth house, and there can be some need to review legal, educational, and/or travel matters. Publishing efforts may require some review and editing before moving forward. Take care when it comes to presenting ideas, writing letters and emails, and any detail work. You may not be seeing the whole picture, but you could be looking at things with a new perspective.

Libra

You’re in a withdrawn but not necessarily solitary state of mind today, dear Libra. This is generally speaking a day for gathering yourself emotionally and mentally. With Mercury retrograde from today until May 22nd, this is a good period for doing research, refining plans, and personal introspection. Now and over the coming weeks, there can be some confusion surrounding financial commitments and shared resources. Review your finances, and realize that facts may be fuzzy for the time being. Rather than taking out new loans, focus on going over the debt and shared resources you already have. This energy can also play out on an intimate level, and you may find yourself frequently turning to the past in order to better understand the present. Keep in mind that judgment may be colored by wishful thinking at the moment, so try to focus on confidence-boosting activities.

Scorpio

Mercury is retrograde from today until May 22nd, dear Scorpio, and some of the things you’ve started or communicated recently might need some touching up. You are likely to be seeing a relationship from a different perspective in the coming weeks. It’s not the time to look for a clear commitment. Give others space and hope that they return the favor. Communications can be muddled for the time being, but delays can also help you to better understand your situation as you see details you may have missed. Past partners can figure strongly during this cycle, whether this is in your mind or in the flesh. Watch for self-deception, particularly when it comes to love and friendship. Today, there can be a tendency to take things too personally or to entertain nervous energy. Keep things light and keep your sense of humor.

Sagittarius

Mercury is retrograde from today until May 22nd, dear Sagittarius, and this can serve to sway your thinking and change your mind about past decisions. Think in terms of review rather than pushing something entirely new. Slow down and tend to those things you’ve passed over in haste. Mercury’s retrograde occurs in your work and health sector, and there can be some rethinking, delays, or editing related to health, work, and daily routines. It can be difficult to see all of the facts before you, so that schedules can easily become mixed up, or projects you began in the last few weeks need revision. Work-related mess-ups can frustrate you, or you might need to redo work that you thought was complete. However, you might find that the refinements you make now will be very valuable later. Today, watch for red herrings and impractical thinking.

Capricorn

Mercury is retrograde from today until May 22nd, dear Capricorn, and this is a time for slowing down, taking stock, and reviewing in-progress projects. This is a period for filling in the details and checking that the decisions you’ve recently made are still viable. Particularly during the transition, communication breakdowns are possible. Mercury’s retrograde occurs in your sector of romance, creativity, and children. The creative process might feel as if it’s moving backwards, when in fact it’s more of a realignment process. You are thinking and expressing yourself in different ways. There may be the need to revisit old issues with your children or lover, or there could be some communication problems with the same. People from the past tend to come back or become a mental/emotional focus.

Aquarius

Mercury is retrograde from today until May 22nd, dear Aquarius, and this cycle can help you see your life from an entirely different perspective, particularly your emotional life and matters related to family and home. Past errors can crop up today, or you might feel vaguely guilty about a responsibility you haven’t fulfilled. Instead of stressing yourself out, take advantage of the time you have now to reevaluate what you are doing. You could find an error or an inconsistency that needs correcting. Communication with family may not always be as straightforward as you’d like, or there can be some level of chaos or mechanical problems around the home that require your attention. New initiatives may not be wise at the moment, but reworking and reorganizing your home can be especially fruitful now. Today is better for taking stock rather than pushing something forward.

Pisces

Mercury retrogrades in your sector of communication from today until May 22nd, dear Pisces. Now and in the coming three weeks, matters surrounding school, transportation, and basic communications can involve some delays, reworking, or editing. Be flexible and vigilant with marking important appointments and errands on your calendar. There may be the need to revisit old, unresolved issues with siblings or neighbors, subjects may need further revision and study, and there could be mechanical issues with communication and transportation devices that prompt some rethinking of how you connect and get around. Through these experiences, you might discover new ways to express yourself – ways that wouldn’t have come to mind otherwise. Get all the facts before you jump into something today.

Mercury Retrograde in Taurus Horoscopes

Money and self-esteem are up for review as Mercury retrogrades this spring

By Maria DeSimoneTaurus, Mercury Retrograde, Horoscopes, Astrology

Aries Horoscope (March 21 – April 19)

With Mercury retrograde in Taurus, smack-dab in your earned income sector, you’ll have a special lesson to learn regarding your financial world. Perhaps you have been overspending or not considering how much your expenses have changed in recent months. Now, you may have a reality check that forces you to cut back in certain areas. This will also be a great time take stock of your possessions and consider if you’re defining too much of your self-worth on your material possessions.

Taurus Horoscope (April 20 – May 20)

Mercury retrograde in your sign might feel like you’re walking around in a mental fog at first. You try to convey your thoughts with clarity, but somehow others aren’t getting it. Or, it’s possible that you’re second-guessing yourself and a few major decisions you made recently. Now is not the time to make any radical changes or new decisions. It is, however, a good time to reconsider what you can do to make yourself a better communicator all around.

Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – June 20)

With Mercury retrograde in your 12th House of Secrets and Hiding, it’s possible that your unspoken words will begin to frazzle you more than usual. Consider what it is that you’re trying so hard not to confront. If you’re pushing problems away in the hopes that a “speak no evil” approach will work, then you’re about to be sorely disappointed. The good news is that you’ll be able to gain awareness that can help you move on with the help of someone you trust.

Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – July 22)

If you and a friend begin to have problems during this Mercury Retrograde cycle, do your best to exercise patience and understanding. Miscommunication in your social life is all too possible when Mercury is retrograde in your 11th House of Friendship. The good news however, is that you may reconnect with a friend from your past who finds you through a social media outlet or at a function you attend. That would be wonderful.

Leo Horoscope (July 23 – Aug. 22)

If you notice that career plans are stalled, do your best to remain calm and carry on. Because Mercury will retrograde through your professional 10th house, communication with higher-ups might not go as planned. Another possibility is that you’ll have an opportunity to revisit an important decision about your career. Re-evaluating your goals will be an excellent way to use this retrograde phase. Don’t push for success now. Let ideas and plans simmer.

Virgo Horoscope (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

If you’re embroiled in a legal battle, you may have to endure some frustrating delays ahead. It’s possible that a court date will get pushed or that you’ll have a series of missed calls/appointments with your lawyer. Another possibility is that you will have a difficult time locating important documentation that will help your case. Remember, Mercury Retrograde is not trying to derail you. This cycle is merely helping you refocus on what requires your attention and clarity.

Libra Horoscope (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

This Mercury Retrograde will be an ideal time to reassess your financial goals. Have a discussion with your advisor and take a good look at your current portfolio. You might make a few adjustments that will be quite helpful in the long run. Another possibility is that you may feel that your accountant or advisor is not the right person for you. Before you fire this person, think it through. Decisions made during Mercury Retrograde often don’t stick. If you’re certain, wait until Mercury turns direct. Then find someone new.

Scorpio Horoscope (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

It’s time for relationship rehab. Mercury will be retrograde in your partnership sector, and it’s possible that you and your mate will experience a bit of miscommunication. If you are sending each other confusing messages, or if you are having a difficult time making a vital decision together, take a giant step back. Go within and decipher what it is that you might be doing that is detracting from more positive exchanges with your mate. It’s not all on your partner.

Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

Mercury retrograde in your work sector might feel like a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, you’ll have an excellent opportunity to polish up any of your assignments in order to truly make your projects shine. Editing will go exceptionally well. On the other hand, however, you might notice a few communication snafus at the office. If you and a colleague start to have a misunderstanding, try not to allow it to get out of hand.

Capricorn Horoscope (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

If you’re dating someone, it may be difficult to decide how you really feel as Mercury retrogrades through your 5th House of Love and Romance. You may vacillate between feelings of love and uncertainty about your future together. If that happens, allow it. Don’t try to figure out everything now — it’ll only drive you crazy. Also, it’s possible that a misunderstanding between you and your lover will prompt you to make a rash decision. Do your best to remain calm, and recognize that your perspective may be a little off during this retrograde.

Aquarius Horoscope (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)

Mercury will retrograde in your home and family sector. As a result, you might have to navigate some frustrating communication waters with your clan. If you and a relative can’t see eye to eye on a vital matter, try to shelf it for now. Give each other time to marinate your respective viewpoints, and for now, agree to disagree. You’ll likely find that once Mercury turns direct, you’re able to compromise much more easily.

Pisces Horoscope (Feb. 19 – March 20)

With Mercury retrograde in your message sector, you might be more susceptible to communication snafus during this cycle. Be sure to obey the usual do’s and don’ts of Mercury retrograde, which include not signing contracts, not making important new decisions, and avoiding buying any electric or big ticket items. Double check all vital correspondence and be sure to allow for extra time if you’re traveling. Thinking about buying a new car? Wait.

Part of the Daily Insight Group

Astrology of Today – April 28, 2016

Summary:

The Moon is in Capricorn all day (until Friday, April 29th, at 4:46 AM).
The Moon is in its Waning Gibbous phase.
A Full Moon occurred on the 22nd, and a Last Quarter Moon will occur tomorrow.
Mercury stations retrograde today (Mercury is retrograde from April 28-May 22).
Mars is retrograde (Mars is retrograde from April 17-June 29).

Mercury retrograde – Be kind. Rewind.

a message from Kari Samuels

To view more of Kari’s insight, please visit her website, Kari Samuels

Can you feel it?

Everything in the Universe is telling you to s.l.o.w. down.

In this western world where our value is measured in productivity, every part of you might be resisting that.

Resistance won’t win during a retrograde. You might as well relax!

We have FIVE planets in retrograde now, as Mercury begins it’s three week journey retrograde in Taurus.

Our Sun is also in the slow-moving sensual sign of Taurus. People often confuse this idea of slowing down with losing productivity. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Taurus is ruled by Venus – who attracts abundance with her alluring beauty and love, rather than force or strain. Venus is responsible for the art and creativity you enjoy. It’s a pleasurable productivity rather than a tedious one.

Just a like a seed that has been planted, most of your growth now is not yet visible to the eye. There’s so much growing for you beneath the surface. It’s important to create the right conditions to nurture this new life.

Make sure you slow down and appreciate the earthly beauty around you, and enjoy the life you’ve already created.

When you realize how beautiful your life is right in this very moment, you won’t feel the need to rush. You can fill your heart and mind with gratitude for the immense blessings you have right now.

Be in awe of your life, being the precious gift that it is. Enjoy every moment.

Keep calm and look at the stars.

~Kari

_{P.S. Retrogrades are a wonderful time to refresh, review, rejuvenate, recreate, repair, and re-evaluate. It’s a wonderful time to revisit the 2016 yearly forecast with a renewed perspective. You can check it outhere.}

28th/29th April – 22nd May 2016: Mercury Retrograde in Taurus

a message from Sarah Varcas

To view more of Sarah’s insight, please visit her website, Astro-Awakenings

Mysterious Magic

Mercury stations retrograde at 5:15 p.m. UT on 28^th April in the 24^th degree of Taurus. Forming an alignment with Uranus, Eris, Chiron and the Moon, this passage of Mercury promises to expose truths, reveal missing puzzle pieces and offer what we need to rebalance mind and spirit. In Taurus, Mercury seeks certainty and fact, preferring to avoid the more ephemeral world of fantasy and imagination. It favours clear communication and the expression of thoughts and feelings that have taken time to percolate through the many levels of being before articulation. If life has been somewhat puzzling of late, throwing up questions and queries we’ve struggled to address satisfactorily, this passage of Mercury retrograde offers hope in the form of new information, opportunities thus far overlooked and some good old fashioned common sense to ground insights.

Mercury’s about-turn means we now have five planets retrograde (Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto), three in earth signs and two in fire. This distinctive heavenly signature speaks of a time to ground inspiration by turning within to nourish and nurture our most treasured dreams. It affirms we can safely take our foot off life’s accelerator for a while and allow our soul to whisper encouragement in the quiet of our own hearts. Life is not always about activity and action, being seen to be doing and achieving on the outer plane. That is part of the human realm, yes, but so is turning within to connect with the pulse of being that flows through us every second of every day: awake or asleep, in love, in pain or in the supermarket! The cosmos currently supports those who seek the silence of inner enquiry and the heartbeat of the divine, ever rhythmic at their core.

Of course, life itself is busy I know. Schedules must be maintained, responsibilities met, work done, bills paid and mouths fed. Few of us can simply switch all that off and go on retreat for the next three weeks (But if you can, do it!! There’s rarely been a better time!). Instead we can be sure to set aside time for quiet reflection and gentle repose. Time to cherish our own company and embrace all our thoughts, feelings, hopes, dreams and fears as a mother does her new born child, with a heart replete with love and a mind ablaze with the wonder of what is now to come.

There may be a few surprises in the coming weeks. We may discover that thing we thought we wanted doesn’t look so attractive after all; that plan we’ve been sweating to implement looks tarnished in the light of inner revelation. Even our greatest achievement upon which we have built so much begins to look decidedly more ball and chain than a passport to fulfilment. So be it. What we see now, whatever it is and however it looks, reveals itself for a reason and does so imbued with the creative power of a world forever unfolding before our very eyes. The awesome mystery of life is ours to embrace. What we think we know with such certainty may simply be an illusion, whilst those hopes we dismissed as mere Walter Mittyish imaginings suddenly become real. Be open, as much as is possible now. Open to everything, all possibilities, for the cosmos is an infinite place filled with wonders we have yet even to suspect may be there.

This is no ordinary passage of Mercury retrograde and there is magic in the air. On 9^thMay an occultation of Mercury occurs, when it crosses the face of the Sun. Such an event occurs only about fourteen times in a century, the last one being in November 2006. Mercury, planet of the mind, will be hyper-charged by the power of the Sun, our very life force. Forget any doom and gloom Mercury retrograde scare-mongering! Any chaos of this time is profoundly creative and filled with potential. This transit of Mercury supports manifestation at a material level and will imbue our thoughts and speech with great power. As we speak so it shall be, so speak well and clearly, with clarity of intention. As we think so shall life unfold, so honour your highest potential, not a diminished and disempowered self-view.

During this retrograde passage of Mercury, who delights in keeping us on our cosmic toes, we may discover that fulfilment lies not in pursuing long held dreams but in building new ones; not in being who we thought we wanted to be, but in being who we are right now. Only then will we find out what actually happens next and the part we have to play in its unfolding…

Floralia: The Roman May Day Celebration

The Romans had a celebration for just about everything. Certainly, any Roman deity worth their salt got a holiday of their own, and Flora was no exception. She was the goddess of spring flowers and vegetation, and one of many fertility goddesses. In fact, she was so well respected as a fertility deity that she was often seen as a the patron deity of Roman prostitutes.

 
Her holiday originated around 235 b.c.e. It was believed that a good festival ensured that Flora would protect the blooming flowers around the city. At some point the celebration was discontinued — but it clearly took its toll when wind and hail did some serious damage to the flowers of Rome. In 173 b.c.e., the Senate reinstated the holiday, and renamed it the Ludi Floralis, which included public games and theatrical performances.

 
Oxford professor and anthropologist E.O. James discusses the Maypole and its connection to Roman traditions in his 1962 article, The Influence of Folklore On the History of Religion. James suggests that trees were stripped of their leaves and limbs, and then decorated with garlands of ivy, vines and flowers as part of the festival of Floralia. Other theories include that the trees, or poles, were wrapped in violets as homage to Attis and Cybele.

 
The Floralia took place during the five days between April 28 and May 3. Citizens celebrated with drinking and dancing. Flowers were everywhere, in the temples and on the heads of revelers.
Anyone making an offering to Flora might give her a libation of milk and honey.

Source:

Author: Patti Wigington
Article found on & owned by About.com

28 April – 3 May

Floralia

On April 28, 238 B.C., the Romans dedicated their first temple to the Goddess Flora. At the time there had been a food shortage, and, according to the Sibylline Books, the dedication cation of a temple to the Goddess would ward of the impending famine.

 
The festival was designed to ensure that the crops blossomed somed well, so that the harvest would be good. The games and festivities lasted for six days, to May 3. It began with theatrical cal performances and ended with circus games and a sacrifice to Flora.

 
The Floralia came to be regarded by prostitutes as their feast. The games drew crowds of commoners, and prostitutes were more licentious than during the Saturnalia-December 17 to 23.

The Witches Correspondences for Thursday, April 28th

Thursday (Thor’s day)

 
Planet: Jupiter

 
Colors: Purple, Deep Blue

 
Crystals: Amethyst, Lepidolite, Sugilite, Tin

 
Aroma: Melissa, Clove, Oakmoss, Jupiter Oil, Cinnamon, Musk, Nutmeg, and Sage

 
Herb: Cinquefoil

 
Ruled by the planet Jupiter and dedicated to Thor, god of thunder and agricultural work. His parallels in various European Traditions include Zeus, Taranis, Perun, and Perkunas.

 
Magical aspects: controlled optimism, energetic growth, physical well-being, material success, expansion, money/wealth, prosperity, leadership, and generosity.

 
Thursday is the day of Jupiter, the largest of the planets and said to be the most powerful. Spellcasters would be wise to use this day for attempting wealth, success and prosperity spells.

 
Thursday is also associated (in Greek mythology) to Thor – Thor’s day – and some even say that Jupiter and Thor are one in the same. Both are strong and powerful, yet wise and just. Try a small prayer to Jupiter before commencing any ritual on Thursday as a sign of respect.

 
This is the proper day of the week to perform spells and rituals involving luck, happiness, health, legal matters, male fertility, treasure, wealth, honour, riches, clothing, money, desires, business, group pursuits, joy, laughter, and expansion

The Witches Almanac for Thursday, April 28th

Thursday (Jupiter): Expansion, money, prosperity, and generosity.

Floralia (Roman)

Waning Moon
The Waning Moon (from the Full Moon to the New) is a time for study, meditation, and little magical work (except magic designed to banish harmful energies).

 
Moon phase: Third Quarter

 
Moon Sign: Capricorn
Capricorn: Develops strong structure. Focus on traditions, responsibilities, and obligations. A good time to set boundaries and rules.

 
Incense: Clove

 
Color: Green