Welcome spring with exciting new growth and purposeful action. Winter is over or on its final glacial gusts. We are on time to break out of heavy layers, and shake ourselves free. Nature bursts out of dormant branches into buds. She has to push out of buds into blooms. Finally she calls the bees and butterflies to pollinate and set fruit. It all happens in a few months. There is nothing quite as tenacious and determined as a chick pecking its way out of the egg: Or as patient as a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. Slow down and watch. Prepare to do what is needed to transform your own life. We are one of Earth’s creatures and like the rest, we are compelled in one way or another to break free and embrace the gift of birth. Perhaps the powerful Mars transits are the push you need to start pecking free. Perhaps you are waiting for the kiss of sunshine to emerge and stretch your wings. There is no guarantee except that the process is part of us. It will be a mix of pain, joy, struggle and ease. It is filled with opportunity. Some will fall into change, while many more are compelled to move out of the womb into action. Just like the beginning of all life, it is natural. No matter how you emerge; You are right on time.

Mars, the planet of action and energy, is moving forward. There is no better use of Mars’ momentum than purposeful action. In many ways, nature’s creatures only know purposeful action. They have work to do and emerge with the assignment to live, play, procreate, protect, and enjoy food. Often they have loads of fun in the midst of very busy lives. They do not feel sorry for themselves.

Two years ago my dear husband suffered a crippling stroke. Since that time it’s been a daily–even hourly–commitment by both of us to regain his speech, cognition, mobility and use of his right arm. One day I asked him why he didn’t feel sorry for himself. He said that he has much to do to recover, and that if he did that, he wouldn’t be able to do what it takes to heal. This was such a gift to me. I was feeling sorry for myself and it literally sapped my energy and joy. Mars is now moving forward.

April: Mars is moving and we are emerging. Mars is all about activity. “Let’s do it my way now!” “Are you with me or against me?” The desire for purposeful action is strong. Watch as properties move on the market and economic news tentatively gets stronger. Think of Mars as the Market. When Mars gains momentum after a lull, folks stop worrying about risk as much as they worry about missing an opportunity. Take care of the details. Get your taxes or extension done. Mars is moving forward and while Mercury goes retrograde this month, it doesn’t confuse communication until the 17th. Retrograde Mercury is good for mental rest and miscommunication until May 11th. April is more than taxes and duty; she brings a lovely transit of Venus, the planet of love and money. In Vedic astrology Venus is happy in Taurus from April 20th until May 15th. There is action, play and romantic potential everywhere. Get on out of that chrysalis and spread your gossamer wings! It’s what’s natural.

May: May begins with Venus at her best. That means spending more to get the very best she can almost afford. This should be good for retail. If you are on a budget, then you had better be creative or shop resale. Think of it as recycled style. If you’re holding onto that cocoon, then it’s time to push on out. You could change your image with a makeover. Saturn, as structure, faces Uranus, the planet of change. They started their dance last year. Now they are facing each other again. Their push isn’t just seen in society…it is also evident in appearance and abundance and maybe even a big change in work or residence. Would you like to change your abundance? Jupiter joins Uranus: Jupiter’s lessons are about excess. What do you do with your cash? What brings you freedom and what holds you down? What did you learn from the last boom and bust? Think of Jupiter as your personal guru and Uranus as ways to set yourself free. Jupiter is in a constellation he enjoys: Pisces. However, he will teach us in some manner through excess. It could be through excessive fear or doubts. It might be through excessive caution, eating or spending. Venus is in the lunar mansion Rohini which means “the most beloved wife.” Venus here likes nice things. It doesn’t mean lots of them. It just means the ones you really like. President Obama has his Moon there. He likes to look good in his well-tailored suits. He didn’t get them until he made the money. We can learn from him there. Indulge where we can, appreciate and nurture what we’ve planted, and learn what fits us well.

June: Jupiter and Uranus spend the month together. We continue to learn: What liberates you and when do you feel trapped? I expect plenty of weddings. Commitment can liberate you when you’ve worked to develop a relationship. I expect plenty of mergers in the corporate world, too. The Uranus knot to untie is how to balance commitment and freedom: Is the notion that sharing life or debt or a name will cost you your individuality true for you? Or is that union what might just free you to evolve and grow through love and the desire to be protected or the strength to be the protector? Yes, there will be plenty of second thoughts. Some “mergers” might be delayed until the beginning of 2011. But overall, Saturn is the wisdom of age and time. He shows you the joy of simple daily experience and the truth that we will all age and ultimately die. Saturn facing the Jupiter-Uranus union reminds us that there is strength in commitment and there is value in being there for another. This might be a friend, a colleague, an acquaintance, family member or even a stranger. It is valuable to be there for another person and that investment will cost you some of your own freedom. Jupiter reminds us that it is a joyful investment, Uranus reminds us that it is ultimate liberation to give and Saturn shows us how we are more like the old folks than we could have ever imagined. It’s a good time to enjoy each hour of each day…Even if they look like a burden.

How the Love Grows: It grows cautiously. Planets in opposition are like a great scale weighing and assessing. Fortunately, Venus and Mars are both moving ahead. Venus is ready to love again and Mars is finally ready to lead her on the dance floor of romance. The only question for you: Who wears the Mars in your relationship?

Where the Money Flows: It too moves. Wise investors look at many different areas. The Mars momentum is actually good for risk. A busy Mars is often an indicator that more investors are in. Real estate and energy are gaining strength. I’m not a financial person, but I do know that when the economy makes an adjustment more people and businesses move to Texas. In general, money and risk are on again. Those powerful opposition planets indicate caution and ups, downs then ups again. Growth is everywhere, it’s just doing a shuffle rather than running a sprint.

Something old is New Again: The big transit this season is Saturn, the planet of structure and form, opposing Uranus, the planet of change. We all talk about change, but like a chick that suddenly outgrows his egg; we wait until the familiar no longer fits. In terms of the outer planets, the change is a long process. Uranus often brings a situation that looks crazy or people who seem to act out in odd ways. The balance with Saturn structure and Uranus change is to build something more useful rather than simply destroy something old. The “Tea party” movement is a great example of the Saturn-Uranus dance. In May, Jupiter, the politician of the heavens, joins Uranus. Watch faces in the news and in this movement. Sara Palin is its darling now. She’ll have plenty of competition for that spot this summer. Jupiter takes the Uranus-Saturn dilemma and turns it into a political platform. The hope of change is met with fear in all of life. But Jupiter steps onto the platform and says the hope of political power comes from the power to persuade and because “We the People” are what “they the candidates” need.

The Obama Presidency: Mars or action was stymied earlier this year. On March 11th, Mars finally started to move forward. In Vedic astrology, there are planets that can bring great success and those that could bring us down. Mars’ nature is to be of service: to push forward in the face of opposition and to take risks. In the President’s chart, Mars is in a very stressful position: At the very last degree of a constellation. As a candidate for the Democratic nomination, President Obama moved slowly and carefully. He allowed his opponents to charge ahead. He was the wise one with insight, tolerance and patience. His message was simple and spoke to the desire of many for vision and change within the structure. These traits are Saturn’s virtues with Jupiter’s enthusiasm. He has a beautiful Saturn in his chart. Saturn is uplifted by Jupiter’s optimism and they are both at the very front of his chart. They represent birth and faith in the process.

As I write this, I don’t know what happened with the Healthcare vote. I know that the President at least appears to be pushing ahead. I know that he must be impatient and frustrated. I would like to remind him of his Saturn gifts and of the potential for folly if he charges into battle without enough troops or experience. I know that this legislation will only succeed if he finds a way to bring the opposition to the table: Some way to convert them to the purpose and value of change without destroying the system that exists. Mars isn’t his friend. I suspect that there is much personal frustration behind the scenes. As the captain of this country, this legislation could be his albatross, and could ultimately pull his presidency down. I expect him to simplify the legislation and start with a foundation for success: To work with the planets and not against them. If not, it could turn his legacy into a sinking ship. Mars charges ahead and he will be tempted to push it through if possible. But that will not warrant success. It could be just the distraction the opposition needs. What I want personally isn’t the issue here. It’s which planets bring him success. I ask for wisdom and cooperation to restructure rather than destroy.

President Obama has the lovely Venus on his Moon in May. That should bring cooperation, charisma and charm through him. Throughout the year, the First Lady continues to enjoy lovely Jupiter transits without the Mars distractions. Her popularity will continue to grow and she will have measurable success with her campaign to stop childhood obesity. She is a rising star. Her husband is obviously successful, but he is at the end of a major cycle in his life. For any person it is filled with crossroads: It could lead to a one term Presidency or failure. I do expect some sort of bill to pass. Will it thrive and be a success or will it be mired in bureaucracy? That is the question.

Cynthia Novak is a professional astrologer. She can be contacted at metro 817-261-2984. Read Cynthia’s daily astrological message at www.HolisticNetworker.com/dailymessage/ or see www.CynthiaNovak.com Come hear Cynthia’s talk at the Wellness Expo in Fort Worth on Sunday, April 18 at 11:30am entitled “Astrology & You”.

Tags: Astrology