Venus Conjunct Pleiades

This week the second planet from the sun will pass directly in front of the Pleiades star cluster. It's a rare sunset conjunction that's easy to find with the unaided eye, but best seen through binoculars or a small telescope.

Venus approaching the Pleiades on March 31st, photographed by astronomy professor Jimmy Westlake of Stagecoach, Colorado. The astrological interpretation of this beauty is found in the April predictions.

The action begins on Monday evening, April 2nd, when Venus enters the outskirts of the little dipper-shaped asterism. Look west at sunset for Venus--it's the brightest thing around--then scan the area using binoculars. The conjunction will be immediately clear. The best evening to look is Tuesday, April 3rd, when the brilliant planet glides just south of the dipper's bowl. Venus exits by the handle on Wednesday, April 4th. Venus passes through the Pleiades in this way about once every 8 years. To say this is a mixture of dissimilar things would be an understatement.

Click to view a sky map of the conjunction. The Pleiades are elusive. You rarely find them on purpose. They're best seen out of the corner of your eye, a pretty little surprise that pops out of the night sky when you're staring elsewhere.

Venus is just the opposite. Dazzling, bright enough to cast faint shadows, it beams down from the heavens and grabs you when you're not even looking.

The Pleiades, also known as the "Seven Sisters," are a cluster of young stars. They formed barely 100 million years ago during the age of dinosaurs on Earth from a collapsing cloud of interstellar gas. The biggest and brightest members are blue-white and about five times wider than our own sun.

Because of their distance, about 400 light years away, the Pleiades are near the limit of naked-eye visibility. When Venus joins them in conjunction, it will look like a supernova has gone off inside the cluster. Venus's thick clouds reflect so much sunlight, the planet outshines every thing in the night sky except the Moon. Strangely, though, the Pleiades do not look puny in comparison, just delicately beautiful. Look west just after sunset, and see for yourself.

Author:

Dr. Tony Phillips| Production editor: Dr. Tony Phillips

April Predictions

This month there are three important happenings: Venus and the Pleiades are conjunct between March 31 and April 3. Mercury goes direct on the 4^th at 05:12 Eastern Time. Yay!!! Mars goes direct on the 13^th, double Yay!!!

Venus and the Pleiades are conjunct in the sign of Taurus on March 30, April 1 and April 2. The Pleiades is a nebulae of seven stars in the constellation of Taurus at about 27 degrees. In mythology, they are the seven sisters. Venus is traveling through the last degrees of Taurus until April 3, joining the Pleiades. Both Taurus, the Pleiades and Venus are associated with sex, money and possessions. If your birthday is the last few days of Taurus, you will be strongly radiated with this energy. Be careful of wanting more and more, and trying to control the checkbook against the wishes of others. If your birthday is the last few days of Scorpio, expect control issues over money and sex. Those of you whose birthdays are the last few days of Leo and Aquarius can expect situations concerning control of money, sex, children and friends. Be careful.

The compatible earth signs of Virgo and Capricorn are somewhat shy or understated in sexual advances, and you could enjoy your loved one coming on stronger than usual. Beneficial financial situations are here for you, too, but please act on your intuition. The compatible water signs of Cancer and Pisces have an easier time of it, with Venus and the Pleiades bringing opportunities to change your financial situation for the better by being more frugal. There could also be opportunities for an intimate encounter with a loved one. Aries is neutral, but Libra and Sagittarius adjust to what they think is too much financial or sexual pressure. Gemini is supposed to be neutral, but Venus goes into Gemini on April 3 at 10:17 Eastern Time, which is nice for Gemini. The pressure from the Pleiades is somewhat less, but Gemini could be confused about being close with someone and wanting to gad about. This only lasts for a few days.

April 1: The Moon goes into Leo at 03:34, creating some drama. By work time things are weird for about half an hour and you hear from friends. Astrology tip of the day: in the drama, be flexible.

April 2: The Sun and Moon are getting along and things are good for Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. Astrology tip of the day: be as creative and social as you can to enjoy the day.

April 3: The Moon goes into Virgo at 08:51 changing the atmosphere to common sense and attention to detail. Venus goes into Gemini at 10:17 through early August. Venus goes retrograde May 15. When Venus is in Gemini, your loved one wants a social life and may be flirty. Gemini has a great time meeting new people: Sagittarius may find their loved one being the butterfly. Libra and Aquarius enjoy this time of more social life and friends. Aries and Leo have opportunities to invite sparkly Gemini to your adventures and social functions. Scorpio and Capricorn adjust to what they think is frivilous activity, but you could relax and enjoy it. Taurus and Cancer are neutral. Virgo and Pisces could be irritated with all the communication and social interruptions, although Pisces usually enjoys this unless it interrupts their sleep. Astrology tip of the day: enjoy any social interruptions as an opportunity to lighten up and have fun.

April 4: Mercury goes direct in the sign of Pisces. Now communications will be right and your internet, computer and printer will work. It is wise to wait until after today to let the energy settle down before signing papers, though. The Sun and Moon are at odds with each other, portending a day full of interruptions that ask you to accommodate minor changes. The detail person is asking for minute details which can irritate everybody. Astrology tip of the day: be patient and pay attention to the detail.

April 5: the Moon goes into Libra at 10:31 changing the energy to that of getting along graciously. Venus is challenging Neptune, not always a successful endeavor. Ideas are impractical, the weather is not good and any romantic encounter or wishes are entirely unrealistic. Be very careful of repeating gossip because it most likely is not true. Astrology tip of the day: indulge any dreaminess with a night out to escape the doldrums.

April 6: Full Moon in the signs of Libra and Aries. There are leadership challenges, especially between Libra and Aries, but also with Cancer and Capricorn. Gemini can help by communicating all sides of the situation; Aquarius can help by inviting them to go out with friends. Leo can be a colorful anchor to Aries; Sagittarius can bring peace (the astrology books don’t usually say Sagittarius is a peacemaker). If Cancer and Capricorn get drawn in, Scorpio can quietly bring stability to them. The areas of the body associated with this full Moon are the adrenal glands, the bladder, the head and upper jaw. Astrology tip of the day: let the leaders figure it out.

April 7: The Moon goes into Scorpio at 10:17 and things quiet down and become focused. There are challenges because younger people or women, who want to be social and frivilous when the project demands discipline and attention to detail. A suggestion would be to have the party after hours. Gemini and Virgo have the hardest time with each other, followed by Sagittarius and Pisces. Libra can try diplomacy, Aquarius and Sagittarius leave the scene, with Capricorn and Taurus bringing common sense to it. Astrology tip of the day: discernment is required.

April 8: the Sun and Moon are at odds again, this time between Scorpio and Aries. Scorpio wants Aries to think ahead, which Aries usually does not do; Aries is impulsive. Expect the day to be full of interruptions, asking you to accommodate requests for financial plans. Astrology tip of the day: research what is asked before bringing your answer.

April 9: The Moon goes into Sagittarius at 10:12, lightening up emotions, with talk about travel and foreign affairs. The planets indicate an opportunity for a breakthrough in communications or the internet that benefits many and costs relatively little. Gemini can bring an opportunity to Aries to communicate Aries idea. Libra provides leadership to Aquarius for the group. Leo can administer the project, with Sagittarius offering to promote it. Today is a good day for everyone. Astrology tip of the day: be alert for and accept opportunity.

April 10: The Sun and Moon are getting along, with Sagittarius and Aries benefitting the most, followed by Leo. Gemini, Libra and Aquarius have opportunities for either travel or new projects. Cancer and Capricorn adjust to a new, mild challenge, Pisces is tired from all the activity. Taurus and Virgo enjoy a good day with your practical projects. Scorpio offers long-range financial advice. Astrology tip of the day: be as creative as possible.

April 11: The Moon goes into Capricorn at 12:02 and the energy changes to paying attention to career and work. It will be a good day for the earth signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn, and the water signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. The energy is practical, which is not much to the liking of the air signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius; and the fire signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. However, it is a nice day, so everyone is happy. Astrology tip of the day: pay attention to the down-to-earth plans and work.

April 12: Communication to is vague and impractical with ideas misunderstood by the leaders or directors. Reports are incomplete, some don’t show up, and new ideas are considered weird. There could be interruptions to power and the internet, especially in the early afternoon. Astrology tip of the day: be flexible and friendly.

April 13: Mars goes direct and time speeds up to normal. Your projects move out of being in slow-mode, your relationships with men are better, and if anything mechanical had malfunctioned, they all of a sudden work again. Quarter Moon in the signs of Capricorn and Aries, revealing challenges in leadership. One leader is commanding careful planning, the other is impulsively directing speed and they clash. Cancer and Libra could be drawn in and have a challenging day. Taurus and Virgo can advise common sense, Leo and Sagittarius can present creative solutions. Gemini, Aquarius and Pisces get out of the way, with Scorpio retreating. Astrology tip of the day: enjoy the activity but don’t get drawn in.

April 14: Ideas are premature, but with youthful enthusiasm presented to the one in power anyway and are rebuffed. Your loved one may want to be social, but has to face the reality of a reduced budget. The communication breakthrough of April 9 may have to now present the business plan or work within an unexpected smaller budget. The budgeteer is stronger. Gemini could be disappointed because nobody comes out to play. Astrology tip of the day: be focused and frugal.

April 15: Opposition between leaders, especially Aries and Libra, creating a stressful, challenging situation that calls in Cancer and Capricorn. The leader with the new idea wants to work alone against the established one and the established one is stronger. Peace negations are not going well because of anger and each wanting their own way. Internationally it is a stressful day. Later in the day there is an opportunity for a solution that is good for everybody. This is an opportunity; it needs to be accepted in order for a solution. Astrology tip of the day: stay as silent as possible.

April 16: The Moon goes into Pisces at 00:38 and is conjunct Neptune. We cannot see it because Neptune is too far away, but the energy changes to that of being creative and wanting escape. However, Mercury goes into Aries at 17:41 through May 9. Communication now changes to fast, courageous ideas and talk. The energy of Aries likes to provoke, so you can expect spirited conversations. This is the time for Aries to present ideas. Libra may experience verbal challenges, with Cancer and Capricorn enjoying spirited conversations. Leo is urged to action, with Sagittarius seeing daring travel plans. Aries and Gemini are supposed to get along, but each likes provocation, so there could be arguments if you are not careful. Aquarius has the opportunity to successfully put new ideas to the group. Pisces and Taurus are neutral. Virgo and Scorpio adjust to impulsiveness. Astrology tip of the day: be open to daring or bold ideas.

April 17: A calm day with opportunity for creative ideas to be put to practical use. Astrology tip of the day: use your intuition.

April 18: The Moon goes into Aries, joining Mercury and Uranus and may be far enough away from the Sun to be seen. You can at least see the Moon. Expect a very active day full of impulsive change, perhaps brought by your Aries friends. Libra can expect a day of confrontation, with Cancer and Capricorn also having challenging circumstance. Leo and Sagittarius have a great day, but Leo will need to let go of the old to enjoy it. Gemini and Aquarius have the opportunity for change for the better. Pisces and Taurus are neutral, Virgo and Scorpio need to adjust, which is not in their natures. Astrology tip of the day: have a great ride with the change.

April 19: the Sun goes into Taurus at 11:11. The energy slows down somewhat. Taurus consolidates and manages what Aries begins and is concerned with money, sex and food in varying order. This is the time for planting, with it best to wait until the new Moon in Taurus to plant seeds and outdoor plants to make sure there will be no more frost. We thought we could plant last month, but the beginning of April it was cold with frosts. Since the focus is on money now, Scorpio could experience opposition in that quarter. Leo and Aquarius will be challenged to stay within the budget (ugh!). Virgo and Capricorn are happy that finances and work are going smoothly. Cancer and Pisces have the opportunity to consolidate finances and take the opportunity for good, but small investments. Next door neighbors Aries and Gemini are neutral. Libra and Sagittarius adjust to budget constraints. Since Taurus is concerned with food, there could be good bargains at the food store. Astrology tip of the day: balance the checkbook or your projects.

April 20: Bold, daring ideas throw the project manager off balance. The manager wants detail, not innovation. Aries could provoke Virgo, resulting in biting criticism. Expect a day of interruptions before the Moon goes into Taurus at 23:05. Astrology tip of the day: turn criticism into humor.

April 21: New Moon in Taurus, exact at 02:18. Now it is safe to plant your seeds and outdoor plants. This is the day for Taurus to begin - yes begin - new projects, which will succeed. Scorpio has opposition; Virgo and Capricorn have a great, practical day. Cancer and Pisces have the opportunity to join a project. Aries and Gemini are neutral, with Scorpio and Sagittarius adjusting to activities they think are boring. Leo and Aquarius experience control issues. Astrology tip of the day: plant seeds, whether in the garden, for new relationships or projects.

April 22: There is an opportunity to combine the economical and the creative, meaning a creative activity can be brought in under budget. It is a great day to have an inexpensive holiday or romantic outing. The one in charge is quietly in control, especially of the money, so please cooperate. There are daring, innovative ideas put forth for a new group, association or community. Communication today is impulsive, fast and new. There could be strong, gusty east winds. Taurus is in control and Aries is communicative, and if they meet, it is okay. Astrology tip of the day: allow control of the checkbook, and welcome the innovative ideas.

April 23: Moon goes into Gemini at 19:59 with emotions light and variable. The Sun and Mars are in agreement, with the day quiet, practical and nice. The one in charge works well with the detail manager, getting things done harmoniously. Especially favored are the earth signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces have the opportunity to join in practical projects. Astrology tip of the day: pay attention to the practical and detail.

April 24: The Moon in Gemini joins Venus in Gemini, bringing pleasant conversation to the day. Gemini is their scintillating self, flirting with everyone, although Sagittarius may want to argue. Virgo and Pisces could be irritated, but Libra and Aquarius have a good social day. Scorpio and Capricorn adjust to people flitting about instead of being serious. Aries and Leo have the opportunity to join fun social time. Pisces and Cancer are neutral. Astrology tip of the day: be more social than normal.

April 25: Stressful, challenging communication, with a new idea or a war-like person challenging the one in power and control. There could be arguments or explosions, pulling Cancer and Capricorn into the situation. It would be wise to step aside. This is a leadership challenge which should be noticeable. Sagittarius could try peacemaking, with Taurus attempting quiet common-sense solution. This is very tense day. Astrology tip of the day: if you are a leader, express compromise.

April 26: The Moon goes into Cancer at 00:41. Yesterday’s challenge is calm today and your day should go well except for about half an hour around 19:30 when there is another leadership challenge. The challenge is again with the leadership signs of Cancer and Capricorn, and Aries and Libra. This is much milder than yesterday. The Sun and Moon are getting along, revealing the opportunity to resolve issues and for good finances and family relations. Astrology tip of the day: be caring of others.

April 27: If any issues are still around from the 25^th, today has an opportunity for resolution. Astrology tip of the day: take the opportunity to resolve issues, either by accepting or creating peace.

April 28: The Moon goes into Leo at 11:08. It is a calm day, except that Leo brings drama to the fore, today in a good, creative way. Astrology tip of the day: be a little more dramatic.

April 29: Quarter Moon in the signs of Leo and Taurus, revealing stubborn control issues over money. Scorpio and Aquarius could also experience money control issues. However, the Sun is in a beautiful relationship with Pluto, meaning the situation is good for practical solutions to stubborn problems. Taurus and Capricorn are the ones laying the structure for lasting practical resolution of a long-term problem that could be financial. The Moon in Leo is creatively and dramatically a good communicator of the resolution. Astrology tip of the day: be ready for varied communication, most of which is offering answers to problems.

April 30: The Moon goes into Virgo at 18:02, changing from drama to quiet attention to detail. The business from yesterday is quiet today, with those ideas being put into a plan. Toward the end of the day, there could be rain, or someone does not show up. Astrology tip of the day: put your plan into sequential order.