What is it with April?

The "shot heard around the world" which started the Revolutionary War was fired on April 19, 1775. The shots at Fort Sumter which started the Civil War were fired on April 12, 1861. Does April 19 ring another bell to you? Well, that was the day of the final attack at the Branch Davidian Ranch in Waco in 1993 and it was also the day of the Columbine High School massacre in 1999. The Falkland’s War started in April. Abraham Lincoln was shot in April. Heck, Adolph Hitler was born - and died - in April. For a month of new life and new beginnings it can be a bit on the violent side. Why? Blame in on Mars, the ancient god of war.

Mars is the ruler of Aries, the constellation in which the Sun enters at the Vernal Equinox, March 20th. So April is the time when the Mars archetype of male, aggressive warrior energy is at its peak. This year, I am particularly concerned with the march on the D.C. area by the radical right wing. These people are announcing that they are coming with their "guns loaded but they won't shoot first." Gee thanks. With the increase of right wing violence and the threat of more, what we do not need is a gun march anywhere!

Here is a biwheel - the chart of the United States combined with the transiting planets over Washington, DC on April 19 - at high noon. I figured that would be a good time. At the time of the its' birth, America's Mars was in Gemini in the 7th house - no wonder we can't help getting involved in other people's business - 7th house is the house of partnerships. At the time of the March - the Moon will be opposite Pluto - a time when hidden emotions will come to the surface. These two planets are making a square to the US's Neptune - so reality won't be the order of the day. Neptune is all about illusion and confusion.

So this will be a highly charged - electric day but what about Mars? Mars will be in Leo in the 8th house - the Sign of Fire and "me first" in the house of power. More importantly, this year Mars is moving VERY SLOWLY - and is in retrograde. (A planet is retrograde when it appears to be going backwards in the sky.) A retrograde slow Mars in Leo - a fire sign.....Can you see the scenario? Rising emotions, illusion, confusion -and Mars surrounding by fiery power . It could get tense.

Fortunately, there is little to intersect with the major planets in the chart of the U.S. so it doesn't appear to be destined to be a memorable date in history - any more than it already is.

Just everyone please remember, we don't need any fuel added to any fires in April - Mars is taking care of that himself quite well.

More to come on the outlook for the rest of the year for the US and President Obama,