Drag Out The Telescopes & Look Up At The Spectacular Night Sky This Week

(April 1 – April 6)

Monday, April 1

• The huge, bright Winter Hexagon is still in view just after dark, filling the sky to the southwest and west. Start with brilliant Sirius in the southwest, the Hexagon’s lower left corner. High above Sirius is Procyon. From there look even higher for Pollux and Castor, rightward from Castor to Menkalinan and bright Capella, lower left from there to Aldebaran, lower left to Rigel at the bottom of Orion, and back to Sirius.

Tuesday, April 2

• Bright Capella shines high in the northwest after dusk. Its pale-yellow color matches that of the Sun, meaning they’re both about the same temperature. But otherwise Capella is very different. It consists of two yellow giant stars, larger and brighter than the Sun, orbiting each other every 104 days.

Moreover, for telescope users, it’s accompanied by a distant, tight pair of red dwarfs: Capella H and L, magnitudes 10 and 13.

Wednesday, April 3

• In this dark-of-the-Moon time, explore springtime galaxies for your small scope using a sky atlas and the Deep-Sky Wonders article in the April Sky & Telescope, page 54. And for much tougher dark-sky challenges, try for big, dim galactic cirrus clouds using the Going Deep article and charts on page 57.

Thursday, April 4

• This evening, you’ll find that Mars is right on the line between Aldebaran and the Pleiades.

Friday, April 5

• Shortly after the end of twilight at this time of year, Arcturus, the bright Spring Star climbing in the east, stands just as high as Sirius, the brighter Winter Star descending in the southwest (for viewers at mid-northern latitudes).

These are the two brightest stars in the sky at the time. But Capella is a very close runner-up to Arcturus! Spot it high in the northwest.

• New Moon (exact at 3:50 a.m. on this date EDT).

Saturday, April 6

• The asteroid 2 Pallas is at opposition and detectable in good binoculars at magnitude 7.9, the same brightness as Neptune. It’s only 4° from Arcturus tonight, on its way to passing very close by Eta Bootis on the evening of April 10th.

And, smaller 7 Iris is also about at opposition. It’s farther south in Corvus and only magnitude 9.4.

New Moon 5 April 2019 – Journey To Success

The New Moon on Friday April 5, 2019 at 15° Aries is square Saturn. Although this is a challenging aspect, the new moon is more promising because of the fortunate fixed star Alpheratz.

The April 2019 new moon brings opportunities for honor, wealth, promotion, good friends and business success. But first, any fear, self-doubt or pessimism must be overcome with patience, perseverance and hard work.

New Moon Meaning

A new moon represents the end of one cycle and the beginning of another new 28 day cycle. Sun conjunct Moon gives an invigorating burst of energy and initiative. So this is an excellent time for making a fresh start, turning over a new leaf, or starting a new project. You can also question old habits, behaviors and beliefs as you search for new and inventive ways to make progress.

The effects of the April 5 new moon will last four weeks up to the May 4 New Moon. The best time for making a fresh start and for beginning new projects is during the first two weeks of this new moon cycle. This waxing phase of the Moon lasts from April 5 to the April 19 Full Moon.

New Moon April 2019 Astrology

The April 5 new moon makes a challenging aspect to Saturn but this is only a very mild influence because the orb is over four degrees. A stronger and more fortunate influence come from the bright fixed star Alpheratz in the Head of the Princess, Constellation Andromeda.

14 ♈ 33 – Fixed Star Alpheratz
15 ♈ 13 – Asteroid 144 Vibilia
15 ♈ 17 – New Moon
20 ♈ 01 – Square Saturn

New Moon Star

Fixed star Alpheratz gives independence, freedom, love, riches, honor and a keen intellect. ^[1] It also gives a harmonious nature which brings about good relationships and popularity. ^[2]

Alpheratz conjunct new moon gives honor, wealth, promotion, favors from others, perseverance, many good friends and business success. ^[1] Popularity and fame are possible but can also be easily toppled over and become unpopular. ^[2]

Constellation Andromeda bestows purity of thought, virtue, honor and dignity, but can also cause a battle with chimerical fears and a tendency to become easily discouraged. It gives love between husband and wife and reconciles adulterers. ^[1]

New Moon Planet

New Moon square Saturn with the wide orb of 4°44′ suggests there may be some tests and challenges to overcome before reaching the honor, promotion or happy marriage promised by Alpheratz.

If you suffer from depression, self-doubt, pessimism or low self-esteem, the new moon conjunct Alpheratz may trigger discouragement and “a battle with chimerical fears”. If so, this is a great opportunity to face your fears head on and beat them, once and for all.

Or you may feel that certain duties and responsibilities are holding you back from success. If so, the new moon is also test of your character. Strive to meet your responsibilities with patience, determination and a strong work ethic.

New Moon Asteroid

Asteroid Vibilia is named after the Roman goddess of journeys and traveling, “who prevented people from losing their way”. ^[3]

Astrologically, Vibilia does seem to relate to all kinds of traveling, especially the frequent, habitual or especially significant kind. ^[4]

Asteroid Vibilia could also symbolize a spiritual journey to gain enlightenment, self understanding, or happiness and contentment in your soul.

New Moon Summary

New Moon April 2019 offers wealth, happiness and success because of the star Alpheratz. But the square to Saturn means you have try hard and really want it. There can be no short cuts to success with this new moon.

This new moon will help you identify any sadness, fears or inhibitions that stand in your way professional success or companionship. Asteroid Vibilia may bring travel for work or romance, or she may help on an inner journey to get back on the path to success.

New Moon April 2019 Times and Dates

• Los Angeles, April 5 at 1:50 am
• New York, April 5 at 4:50 am
• London, April 5 at 9:50 am
• Delhi, April 5 at 2:20 am
• Sydney, April 5 at 7:50 pm

References

1. Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923, p.26, 133.
2. Fixed Stars and Their Interpretation, Elsbeth Ebertin, 1971, p.2.
3. Encyclopaedia of Antiquities and Elements of Archaeology, Thomas Dudley Fosbroke, 1843, p.582
4. Asteroid 144 Vibilia, Mark Andrew Holmes

Mercury Conjunct Neptune 2 April 2019

Mercury conjunct Neptune natal heightens your senses to such a level, that the amount of information coming in can be difficult to process. It may become a problem deciphering what is real and what is not, what is important and what is just background noise, and what to keep secret or not. It is likely that you will see, hear, or notice with other senses, things which most others do not. This could include imaginary friends or entities when very young.

How others, especially parents and teachers, react to your stories about this imaginary world is critical. For in fact, what you “see”, may not be that imaginary at all. Being told that what you see is not real, or that you are just imagining it, may not be of great help as you grow older. This also applies to your general sensitivity, because you will pick up the feeling of those around you, even being weakened and debilitated if you are in a negative environment for a length of time.

With reassurance and acceptance, your abilities can turn out to be valuable talents. This would need some high standards though, learning to decipher truth from fiction, and using your gifts for moral and just causes. You not only perceive a great amount, but can also project much verbal and nonverbal information, plus psychic energy. Your incredible creativity and imagination can lead to career in the arts such as painting, dance or theater, as well as healing or other fields of communication, where your ideas can touch and inspire others.

Mercury Conjunct Neptune Transit

Mercury conjunct Neptune transit focuses your thinking and communications on spiritual topics, mysteries, the occult and secrets. It would be the ideal time to take up studies in artistic subjects because of your enhanced imagination and creativity. Valuable insights can be gained through meditation, dreaming, and practicing occult fields like astrology and Tarot. You may become involved in some intrigue or secret affair, where it is important to maintain the highest of moral standards to avoid scandal and slander.

Transiting Mercury conjunct Neptune can also impact on your thinking and communications in a positive or negative way. In its highest manifestation, this transit gives accurate psychic perception at all levels, with unbiased processing of this spiritual information. Ultimately, you can express these insights through compassionate, supportive and selfless words and thought projection. In the negative expression of this transit, thoughts and words are twisted by misconception, irrationality, confusion, fear and paranoia. This results in deceit, treachery, lies, poison and all manner of underhand tactics.

Mercury Conjunct Neptune Celebrities

Martin Luther 0°02′, Christos Tsiolkas 0°06′, Ian Holm 0°18′, Julio Iglesias 0°30′, Jewelle Gomez 0°32′, Egon Schiele 0°32′, Maria Shriver 0°34′, Lady Davina Lewis 0°36′, Neil Armstrong 0°40′, Twitter 0°43′, Meg Ryan 0°44′, Phil Andros 0°44′, Robert Currey 0°48′, Brexit 0°49′, Wikipedia 1°08′, Mary I of England 1°14′, Alyssa Milano 1°26′, Jeff Buckley 1°29′, Christian Doppler 1°29′, Melville Davisson Post 1°33′, Ray Bradbury 1°44′, Louis-Ferdinand Céline 1°47′, Richard Rodgers 2°23′, Demi Moore 2°24′, Robert Redford 2°29′, Tatum O’Neal 2°40′, Christina Aguilera 2°47′.

Mercury Conjunct Neptune Dates

Weekly Look At The Planets for April 1 – April 7

Monday April 1

• 10:47 am – Moon enters Pisces

Tuesday April 2

• 05:36 am – Mercury conjunct Neptune at 17 ♓ 08 focuses your thinking and communications on spiritual topics, mysteries, the occult and secrets. It would be the ideal time to take up studies in artistic subjects because of your enhanced imagination and creativity. Valuable insights can be gained through meditation, dreaming, and practicing occult fields like astrology and Tarot.

Friday April 5

• 04:50 am – New Moon at 15 ♈ 17 offers wealth, happiness and success because of the star Alpheratz. But the square to Saturn means you have try hard and really want it. There can be no short cuts to success with this new moon. This new moon will help you identify any sadness, fears or inhibitions that stand in your way professional success or companionship.

Custom Planetary Positions
April 02, 2019

Upcoming Astrology Events for April

Apr 1 Moon enters Pisces
Apr 4 Moon enters Aries
Apr 5 ~* New Moon *~ Aries
Apr 6 Moon enters Taurus
Apr 8 Moon enters Gemini
Apr 10 Jupiter Sta. Rx
Apr 11 Moon enters Cancer
Apr 13 Moon enters Leo
Apr 15 Moon enters Virgo
Apr 17 Mercury enters Aries
Apr 17 Moon enters Libra
Apr 19 ~* Full Moon *~ Libra
Apr 19 Moon enters Scorpio
Apr 20 Sun enters Taurus
Apr 20 Venus enters Aries
Apr 21 Moon enters Sagittarius
Apr 23 Moon enters Capricorn
Apr 24 Pluto Sta. Rx
Apr 26 Moon enters Aquarius
Apr 28 Moon enters Pisces
Apr 30 Saturn Sta. Rx

The Goddess is Alive

Moon shines down upon a sea of Light,
Shifting sands lay singing in the Heart of the Night.
I looked upon a scene that gripped me to the core,
White-clad maidens below were dancing on the shore.

Sweet sounds slipped from moon-lit throats,
Wind whipped hair abound,
Lit by the light within and without,
The Women circled ’round.

As I stood, water engulfed my feet,
My body swayed to your Heavenly Heart beat.
Wind and wave and fire light,
Paled in my mind Earthly delight.

Time slipped by me as you held your embrace,
And windblown spray covered my face.
Protected deep within your Womb,
I could feel the tender pain of Life’s bloom.

Candles flared high as the Dance progressed,
Deep inside with a healing touch you blessed.
All around, wind, wave and fire shouted of your life,
Your light speared deep within, soothing my strife.

Divine Mother, Goddess of Light,
To you I come seeking protection from the night.
Come home to shelter within your arm,
Surrounded by Love, hidden from harm.

Holy Mother, Queen of Heaven and Earth,
From you we all trace our Birth.
Heavenly Goddess, light from above,
Shine down upon us, we pray for your Love.

–Author Unknown
Published on Pagan Library