We kick off April in a noticeably different headspace. Mars is newly in the water sign Cancer, after seven months of limbo in the air sign Gemini, so there’s bound to be some adjusting. Additionally, we’re a month into Saturn in the water sign Pisces, after three years in the air sign Aquarius. Therefore, there’s a real element of landing our planes and switching to traveling by boat. The fact that Mars and Saturn have been in air signs for so long means many of us feel dried out and mentally exhausted; rehydration happens by allowing ourselves to deeply and fully feel joy, grief, and everything in between. Those looking to travel this month might find comfort and healing in water, from spas and lakes to waterfalls and the ocean.
In contrast to the collective softening we experience in April is the blazing, enthusiastic energy of the Sun and Jupiter in Aries. The fire element is associated with the spark of life, the undying light within us all, and the passion, bravery, and zing that gets us out of bed and motivates us to do what we do. On Tuesday 11 April, the Sun and Jupiter make their annual exact alignment, which tends to be an auspicious day every year as it brings what we’re most grateful for into focus. The following week on Wednesday 19 April, a solar eclipse in Aries further underscores these themes and marks the beginning of eclipse season. This is the first eclipse in Aries since 2015, beginning a new cycle that will last until late 2024.
Taurus season begins immediately following the eclipse on 20 April, shifting us once again to a slower, more tempered pace. Taurus is a sign ruled by Venus and is associated with love, beauty, nature, and our senses. In Taurus season, we’re invited to slow down and enjoy the sweet parts of life. Prioritise pleasure and things like good food, music, and comfortable surroundings. That’s what makes life worth living, right? Mercury stations retrograde the following day on Friday 21 April, leading into a messy weekend for travel. Stay closer to home from 20 April to 23 April as transport and communication are bound to be slower than usual. This Mercury in Retrograde lasts until 14 May, so do your best to plan around those days, but don’t sweat it if you can’t! Just give yourself more time than you think you need on travel days, triple-check your belongings, itineraries, and documents, and you should be fine.
Here’s everything else to expect this month, according to your April 2023 horoscope.
Aries Rising
It’s Aries season – your time to shine. The Sun in Aries lights you up, boosting your confidence and sense of self. Your chart ruler, Mars, finally left Gemini in late March after seven months in the sign, which likely left you ruminating, busy, and probably a little lost and confused. Now that Mars is in Cancer, your fourth house of home, family, and heritage, you could find yourself settling down somewhere familiar for a few months. It’s a great time to visit family or ancestral lands, or simply return home from a journey. Let yourself adjust to the change of pace: Mars will be in Cancer until 20 May, so you have time to settle in and get comfortable.
At the top of the month on Monday 3 April, Mercury leaves Aries and enters Taurus, your second house of finances, spending, and income. You may feel compelled to splurge in travel, such as on new camping gear or language classes. Hold off if possible, though, for Mercury will station retrograde in Taurus on Friday 21 April, which could have you second-guessing travel plans or purchases prior. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spend at all, but be sure to save receipts and purchase travel insurance. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
This is contrasted with all of the exciting self-discovery work you’re moving through, especially as Jupiter’s presence in your 1st house of self, identity, and appearance has bolstered your self-esteem and overall optimism about life. On Tuesday 11 April, the Sun makes an exact alignment with Jupiter in Aries, which some astrologers refer to as the luckiest day of the year. This is an excellent time for travel, especially long distances. This alignment marks the beginning of a new cycle regarding travel, solo exploration, and self-discovery potentially involving spirituality or education. On Wednesday 19 April, eclipse season begins with the first eclipse in Aries since 2015 – so believe it or not, this self-discovery journey is just beginning. There’s momentum flowing toward you like never before, so soak it up.
Taurus Rising
At the top of the month, Mercury enters your first house of self, appearance, and identity on Monday 3 April, where it will stay for an unusually long time, until 11 June. For you, Mercury is responsible for your finances and creativity, bringing those topics to the forefront over the next few months and making life a little busier as well. While you may feel overwhelmed with a to-do list during this time, be sure to give yourself plenty of space to complete it, especially with Mercury going retrograde on Friday 21 April. Remind yourself of your priorities and remember: you don’t need to accomplish everything all at once. With Mercury in Taurus, spending will be on your mind quite a bit, which makes it a great time to re-strategise your quarterly budget and look for ways to save.
A full moon in Libra on Wednesday 5 April lights up your sixth house of work, health, and lifestyle, drawing your attention to aspects of your career that feel unbalanced. What isn’t working for you? Perhaps you require more alone time or more time to rest. A new cycle starts this month around these themes, and it isn’t temporary. This full moon in Libra is the last one that won’t be an eclipse for the next two years, meaning you should take this as a gentle nudge toward inevitable change. This is all underscored by the exact alignment between the Sun and Jupiter on Tuesday 11 April. It’s an excellent time to escape your day-to-day; if you can’t make it happen this month, don’t sweat it. This pull toward solitude is underscored by an Aries solar eclipse on 19 April that triggers a new cycle raising questions: Who are you when you’re alone? Who are you when you have space to come apart and put yourself back together again?
Gemini Rising
On Monday 3 April, your ruling planet Mercury will enter Taurus for an unusually long stay until June 11. Taurus is your twelfth house of solitude, retreat, contemplation, and mental health, so to have your ruling planet there for an extended period speaks to a significant time of being a bit removed from your normal day-to-day. This could be a great time for a longer-term trip or journey, especially one that allows you time and space for solitude in nature. A full moon in Libra on Wednesday 5 April lights up your fifth house of pleasure, creativity, and entertainment. Revelations about your creative processes could come up around this time, as will realisations about your access to play.
On Tuesday 11 April, the Sun and Jupiter form an exact alignment in Aries, your eleventh house of friends, collaborators, and community. This is a special time to meet new people and form connections that could be especially impactful. There’s potential for both romantic and business partnerships with this alignment, as well as receiving support from someone in your field. Luckily, this new energy around community connections isn’t going away anytime soon. A solar eclipse in Aries on Wednesday 19 April will open the door for new community connections.
Cancer Rising
Aries season tends to be a very career and work-oriented time for you as the Sun in Aries lights up your tenth house of vocation, profession, and visibility. Early in the month on Monday 3 April, Mercury will enter Taurus, which could be an important time for reconnecting with old friends and colleagues. You may feel like there’s a bit of a spotlight on you until Wednesday 5 April, when a full moon in Libra lights up your fourth house of privacy, home, and family. This is an excellent week to visit family.
Leo Rising
If there’s a month for you to travel this year, this is it. Aries season tends to be an excellent time for you to take big trips, as the Sun lights up your ninth house of international travel, journeys, and foreign cultures. The Sun is your chart ruler, so its shifts through each sign of the zodiac are the most palpable to you. When the Sun is in Aries, you get a confidence boost. If you aren’t able to get out of town in April, it’s still a great time for research and planning future trips.
Virgo Rising
Aries season tends to be a quieter time for you externally, yet a powerful time for processing and healing internally. This Aries season is an excellent time to approach topics related to therapy and emotional processing. The eighth house is considered a difficult place in the birth chart, associated with topics we tend to disregard, such as facing emotional wounding. This comes in contrast to the full moon in Libra on Wednesday 5 April, which pulls focus to your second house of finances, material items, and spending.
Libra Rising
Aries season tends to be a social time for you, but the themes of connection and relationships are here to stay. We start the month with Mercury entering Taurus, your eighth house of therapy, giving and receiving support. Mercury will stay in Taurus for an extended period this year, as it will station retrograde on 21 April. A full moon in Libra on Wednesday 5 April lights up your first house of identity, body, and appearance, putting the spotlight directly on you.
Scorpio Rising
Finally, a breath of fresh air. Work has likely taken up a big part of your life, but now that your ruling planet, Mars, has finally left Gemini, you’re offered opportunities to get out of your day-to-day and have some experiences that might shift your perspective on life. Mars is now in Cancer, your ninth house of international travel, journeys, and spirituality. It’s a great time for foreign travel, especially as Mars will be here until 20 May.
Sagittarius Rising
The month kicks off with a full moon in Libra on Wednesday 5 April, spotlighting your eleventh house of friends, network, and community. This is an excellent time to reconnect with friends as well as meet new people. Your relationship dynamics see some relief now that Mars has finally left Gemini. The most exciting day of the month involves your ruling planet, Jupiter, which is currently in Aries, your fifth house of pleasure, entertainment, and creativity.
Capricorn Rising
How does it feel to stretch your wings a bit? Since your ruling planet, Saturn, left Aquarius after three years, you’ve likely felt more comfortable getting out of your comfort zone. On Wednesday 5 April, a full moon lights up your tenth house of career, profession, and reputation, leading to revelations about your titles and roles. You may begin to ask yourself questions about how you want to be seen and what roles and titles you hope to take on.
Aquarius Rising
April has the potential to be a very fun and busy month for you. On Wednesday 5 April, a full moon in Libra lights up your ninth house of international travel and journeys. If you’re traveling during this time, immerse yourself in the culture you’re visiting. The first solar eclipse in Aries since 2015 will also take place on Wednesday 19 April, greatly underscoring active community themes.
Pisces Rising
Money’s on your mind lately, and that isn’t going to change anytime soon. Your ruling planet, Jupiter, has been moving through Aries, your second house of finances, resources, and livelihood. A full moon in Libra on Wednesday 5 April lights up your eighth house of taxes, debts, and loans, as well as trauma healing and counseling. This full moon will put a spotlight on the ways in which you need support. These themes will be relevant later on in the year when eclipses hit this part of your chart.
