019 | Jupiter Meets Pluto: Two Thumbs…Up?

Feisty Mars enters Aquarius this week and teams up with Saturn to start the work of serious social change. Venus in Gemini downloads some new eBooks, the First Quarter Moon in Cancer prompts our salute to The Fonz, and Mercury meets The Fog (Neptune). And Jupiter makes the first in a series of aspects to Pluto that promises to be...interesting. Plus: April & Jen pull into Conjunction Junction (what's your function?) and learn how August-born April got her name.

While Venus in Gemini is at the bookstore for you, have her pick up April’s book, Astrological Transits!

Can you spare a dollar or ten to support the BSA podcast? April & Jen thank you!

To join the podcast conversation and leave a comment for April & Jen, go to www.BigSkyAstroPod.com.

Read more about this week’s astrology at the Big Sky Astrology website.

Subscribe to the podcast and April's mailing list.

Follow Big Sky Astrology on IG, Twitter, and FB @BigSkyAstrology

Read a full transcript of this episode.

Episode links:

00:53 – April shows off her sultry, good-cup-of-coffee (allergy attack?) voice.

02:15 – Mars leaves Capricorn and enters Aquarius' less grim neighborhood on March 30. (Read all about Saturn entering Aquarius here.) In a preview of December's coming attractions, we contemplate collectivism and what we want to create together.

04:05 – To hear techniques for staying in the moment, listen to Episode 18 (and take a gander at Episode 18’s helpful links/resources for dealing with stress while you’re at it).

05:42 – To hear more about the sign of Aquarius and Charlie Brown's evocative shirt, listen to Episode 9 (It’s Aquarius Season, Charlie Brown).

06:00 – The gas pedal meets the brakes as Mars immediately joins up with Saturn at 1° Aquarius on March 31. April reports from the trenches of Mars transiting her personal Saturn on the day we record this episode. Spoiler: It is aggravating. A-g-g-r-a-v-a-t-i-n-g.

09:27 – In December, Jupiter and Saturn will meet on the Sabian symbol 1 Aquarius, “An old adobe mission.” What will we take from the past into the future?

12:10 – At year's end, Jupiter and Saturn will begin new 20-, 200-, and 800-year cycles. An explanation of sorts about what the heck that means.

14:05 – Schoolhouse Rock offers another way to view conjunctions!

14:36 – ** Moonwatch**! This week we’re a-okay with a First Quarter Moon at 12°9’ Cancer on April 1! (And April's heard all the wisecracks you could possibly throw her way on that day, so just settle down.)

15:31 – How did April get her name?

16:03 – …Um, where were we? Right - contemplating the Moon's Sabian symbol, “One hand slightly flexed with a prominent thumb.” (The Fonz likes this one.) The Sun's symbol is, “An unsuccessful bomb explosion.” Maybe things aren’t as bad as we expected?

19:00 – Here’s the link to sign up for the Big Sky Astrology newsletter. Each month you will receive a free “Working with the Moon” e-book! For real.

19:22 – On April 3, Mercury and Neptune sit down at “A table set for an evening meal.” (See Episode 16 for more on that Sabian symbol.) Jen shares her family's experiment with communal meals at a virtual table.

21:56 – Venus grabs her writing materials and office supplies to sit for a spell in Gemini (April 3). She and Saturn take a ride on a “A glass-bottomed boat.” Peer into the depths, and be sure to grab a copy of April’s book, Astrological Transits, which would be an ideal way to learn right now. (Way back in Episode 1, Venus was our first topic, ever, because nobody puts Venus in the corner!) 

25:25 – Venus entering an air sign is a cue to try some tactile learning, or learn via a physical activity.

26:52 – Jupiter and Pluto meet for the first of three times this year, at 25° Capricorn (April 4). Societal changes both great and small are the work of this combination. Here is Dana Gerhardt’s article on previous conjunctions of Jupiter/Pluto, which feature a history of pandemics. Here is Ray Merriman’s latest financial astrology column.  

30:21 – You often can’t start something new without something else ending. To hear April & Jen’s first conversation about life cycles, head over to Episode 7 (Saturn & Pluto Go to The Repair Shop), and tune in to one of Jen’s favorite pieces of BSA podcast conversation, ever.

31:49 – Things are intense right now on planet Earth, and a sense of humor comes in handy. Yes, life is serious. And yes, it’s okay to laugh sometimes.

32:47 – The show goes on! To help April & Jen keep the lights on, make a contribution of any amount, which would be supremely awesome! To help spread the word, subscribe and give the BSA podcast a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, or a big Fonzie-style thumbs-up wherever you listen. Last but not least, to help April & Jen feel toasty warm, write them a positive review on the BSA pod page. Thanks, friends!

018 | Aries New Moon and a Kerflooey World

As the world’s anxiety level is turned up to eleven, April and Jen share some mindfulness techniques to help you be here now. And in the Big Sky this week: the Aries New Moon, this year’s eclipse season midpoint, and Venus offers Jupiter and Pluto an earthy elbow-bump. Plus: monarch butterflies, tortilla chips, a new imaginary sponsor, and Larry, Moe, and Curly. Oh, and pie. Always, pie.

Order your copy of the Followed by a Moonshadow Eclipse Report to understand 3 years of personalized eclipse cycles in your birth chart!

Please support the BSA podcast by making a contribution of any amount! April & Jen thank you. 😊

To join the podcast conversation and leave a comment for April & Jen, go to www.BigSkyAstroPod.com.

Read more about this week’s astrology at the Big Sky Astrology website.

Subscribe to the podcast and April's mailing list.

Follow Big Sky Astrology on IG, Twitter, and FB @BigSkyAstrology

Read a full transcript of this episode.

Episode links:

01:10 – The word of the week is kerflooey! Or better yet, nibling!

02:11 – How to override your lizard brain and help keep your cool during times of stress. Three cheers for the almond-shaped amygdala! (If you prefer, you can join April and imagine this famous reptile.)

02:47 – To put the prefrontal cortex back in charge, count your breaths, pet your dog, or meditate. (Here's a free meditation for adults or kids. And if you have some extra buck, our newest imaginary sponsor Headspace offers a great app!)

03:44 – HELPFUL STUFF: Episode 12 features a method to ground yourself. In Episode 13 you’ll find a breathing technique. And here are many more useful articles and resources: "Guide to Well-Being During Coronavirus", "6 Steps for Getting Out of a Panic Spiral", "Taking the Fear Out of Coronavirus"  and creating a home retreat during difficult times.

06:55 – Is the future static, or are we co-creating it right now? In the present moment, April contends, is the seed of the future. (Hang on while Jen grabs a tissue…)

07:38 – Take April’s mom’s advice: When things get overwhelming, clean one drawer! What are the things on your list that you DO have control over?

09:48 – You definitely have control over what you’re grateful for! Try to focus on that. Just… stop, notice, breathe. There you go! You got it. 😊

10:20 – Let’s play the Moonwatch theme, which reminds April of dramatic chipmunk!

10:42 – ** Moonwatch**! There is a New Moon at 4°12’ Aries on March 24. This is our fifth New Moon on the BSA Podcast! (And listen to Episode 14 to find out why April loves the number 5!)

11:13 – The Sabian symbol is, “A triangle with wings.” Jen thinks of monarchs, the 3 Stooges, tortilla chips… and, of course, pie! April’s imagination summons the trine aspect, and in the season of the fast-moving Ram this speaks of the world’s accelerating pace.

13:40 – The Sun’s square to the Lunar Nodes (March 23) marks the midpoint between the December 25/26 Solar eclipse (4° Capricorn) and the upcoming June 21 Solar eclipse (at 0° Cancer). Any planets in your chart between 0-4° Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn? This New Moon kicks them in the shins.

16:01 – Don’t forget to order your Followed by a Moonshadow Eclipse Report! It’s exclusive.

19:25 – Doesn’t an open-air tabletop garden sound fun? If you’re not into terrariums, try starting seeds indoors.

20:00 – Venus and Jupiter meet in a cooperative aspect on March 27/28. With both in earth signs (cheat sheet on the elements here), this transit is generally a positive one … use it to reach out to people in generosity and fellowship. We always like fellowship (that story is in Episode 13)! And make sure to pick up a copy of April’s lovely book “Astrological Transits,” which is funny, accessible, eloquent… and you’ll learn a few things, too.

21:35 – Jen’s side note: Alert listeners know that we record a week in advance, and my get-together with friends took place before small gatherings were verboten. Now, as April discussed in Episode 5, “We go nowhere, we see no one, and we do nothing!”

21:40 – On March 28, Venus in Taurus trines Pluto in Capricorn. April shares the myth of Persephone with Pluto (also called Hades in Greek mythology). April shares Michelle Gould’s interpretation of this transit. Add something lovely to the parts of life that are difficult or trying. And hey, maybe channel your focus in a way that helps others.

26:29 – Jen enjoys the idea of Venus bringing the aspect to Pluto, not the other way around. It’s a useful way to think of transits. Thanks, April!

27:45 – April and Jen’s convivial elbow bump brings this episode to a close! But before you go, please do subscribe to the BSA podcast if you’re able, and tell a friend about us. If you’re enjoying the show, please consider leaving us a positive review, or write us a nice note! Finally, this week, give your dollar to someone in need. It’s intense here on planet Earth… so help someone out! Peace. ❤

017 | Saturn in Aquarius: All in This Together

April and Jen recorded this episode early last week, at what now seems like a gentler moment - when citizens bravely assembled in public without respirator masks and toilet paper was plentiful. In a conversation that touches only briefly on the COVID-19, we spend a good amount of time talking about Saturn entering Aquarius, the Aries equinox, a planetary traffic jam in Capricorn, and time-traveling between the early 90s and 2023. And in the here and now, we’re wishing every one of you love and good health. As Saturn in Aquarius reminds us, we’re all in this together.

Please support the BSA podcast by making a contribution of any amount!
April & Jen thank you. 😊

To join the podcast conversation and leave a comment for April & Jen, go to www.BigSkyAstroPod.com.

Read more about this week’s astrology at the Big Sky Astrology website.

Subscribe to the podcast and April's mailing list.

Follow Big Sky Astrology on IG, Twitter, and FB @BigSkyAstrology

Read a full transcript of this episode.

1:24     How will you celebrate the 27^th Annual International Astrology Day? Sponsored by the Association for Astrological Networking (AFAN), this holiday celebrates astrology in all its forms with events around the globe! See this page for suggested events, including AFAN’s own free online Marathon: Saturday, March 21, from 10 am-6 pm Pacific time! Join April, other AFAN members, and a variety of international speakers – free and open to everyone!

3:32     ***Moonwatch!*** This week, we’re cautioned to be gentle with each other at a time of tension at the Last Quarter Moon in Sagittarius (March 16, 2:34 am PDT), which asks, “What can we learn from all this?” Which seems like exactly the right question for the moment! (And oops, Jen mis-remembered the first Last Quarter Moon episode! It was Episode 4. Did we mention that Mercury was stationing as we recorded this?)

5:17     April and Jen are pretty tired of talking about Mercury, which finds its way back into Pisces this week (March 16). And there was much rejoicing. For a more extensive discussion of Mercury in the sign o’ the fishes, you’ll find a thorough examination in Episode 11, Saturn Returns We’ve Known and Loved. (And if you crave even more, swim over to Episode 13 and Episode 14.)

6:27     Welcome the Aries Equinox (March 19, 8:49 pm PDT), the beginning of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere (Autumn down under) and the starting gate of the energetic New Year! Here’s what it looks like in the sky. And here’s what it looks like if you’re a Disney heroine in 1937!

7:42     Five out of ten planets in Capricorn call for reason and pragmatism on March 18, which is tough news for the Sun entering Aries the next day. Obstacles will appear, but put effort into what you want!

9:55     What’s a stellium? Several different planetary voices at one table talking about a single subject! April urges a visit to the late, great Donna Cunningham’s website, and specifically her eBook on the subject, which is now available in two parts here and here. (Note: the link to buy the ebook on Donna’s site is no longer active.)

13:01   Saturn enters Aquarius! (Mar. 21, 8:58 pm PDT). Looking ahead for three years of shaking up old structures, rebelling against restrictions, and setting forth into a bold future! If you were born when Saturn was previously in Aquarius (Jan. 1962-March 23, 1964 and Sep. 16, 1964-Dec. 16, 1964; Feb. 6, 1991-May 21, 1993 and June 30 1993-Jan. 28, 1994), you’ll be having a Saturn Return! More about that in episode 11, Saturn Returns We’ve Known and Loved.

15:13   April & Jen share memories of how their lives changed the last time Saturn was in Aquarius. April rebelled against corporate America, and Jen was a Lady of Spain! [“Here is proof that April wrote the show notes this week; I would never refer to myself as a lady! 😂“ ~ Jen]

18:05   Will Capricorn planets get a twist of Aquarius as their ruling planet enters this zippy sign? You betcha!

19:03   Celebrating the collective, as Saturn in Aquarius reminds us: it’s not just about us, it’s about the future! A look back at big Saturn in Aquarius moments in recent history.

19:43   If you’d like to get a reading with April to talk more about your Saturn return, avail yourself of a discounted 1-hour reading! Through March 31, use this discount code at checkout: saturnaqu

20:24   Jen’s future-oriented 11^th-house planets peek ahead to March 2023, as Saturn enters Pisces and Pluto enters Aquarius. What will that far-off future bring? In the U.S., much depends on how we weather our country’s first-ever Pluto return! (Exact dates: 2/20/22, 7/11/22, 12/28/22).

21:31   Mars makes a conjunction with Jupiter (March 20, 4:34 am PDT). Inevitably, the subject of the coronavirus comes up, and April connects it with January’s Saturn/Pluto conjunction. Jen points out April’s prescience in Episode 7, Saturn and Pluto go to the Repair Shop (although it’s actually  Episode 8, Saturn and Pluto Need a Party when she warned of a worse than usual flu season… have we blamed Mercury yet?)

23:55   Mars and Jupiter remind us of our potential for heroism during this time of worldwide tumult. Be brave, be optimistic, be generous!

26:09   Hear more about Jupiter’s current transit through Capricorn in Episode 2, Falstaff in a Business Suit, and about Mars in Capricorn in Episode 12, Mercury Retrograde: Where Are My Pants?

26:34   Mars comes together with Pluto (March 22/23, 2020, 8:08 pm PDT) for the first time since April 26, 2018. Mars, the warrior, can feel beaten before it even begins. Overcome the dark side with pleasure and positive brain food. And, if you’re April, avoid board games.

28:49   Donna Cunningham continues to influence us this week. Here’s her classic book Healing Pluto Problems.

30:07   The ever-future-oriented Jen looks ahead to Mars’ extended stay in its home sign of Aries later this year (June 27, 2020 – Jan. 6, 2021, retrograde Sep. 9-Nov. 13, 2020). What’s planted in the next few weeks as Mars conjoins Jupiter, Pluto, and Saturn will reach a critical point during those months. What lessons from this time will you be able to integrate later in the year?

016 | Let’s Talk About Sextiles

Join us on a Virgo Full Moon Caravan, as Mercury mercifully turns direct at the end of Aquarius to help us get to our destination. Also, a flurry of planetary sextile aspects this week prompt April’s free mini-lesson on this friendly aspect, bringer of opportunities and information! Plus: Wise words of inspiration from our favorite leadership guru, Coach Taylor; and – wait for it – a Moonwatch theme! It’s April and Jen, saving time – for you.

Please support the BSA podcast by making a contribution of any amount! April & Jen thank you. 😊

To join the podcast conversation and leave a comment for April & Jen, go to www.BigSkyAstroPod.com.

Read more about this week’s astrology at the Big Sky Astrology website.

Subscribe to the podcast and April's mailing list.

Follow Big Sky Astrology on IG, Twitter, and FB @BigSkyAstrology

Read a full transcript of this episode!

Episode links:

00:23  – April and Jen invite you to save time with them today.

01:25 – Coach Taylor reminds you: Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose!

02:02 – Here is Episode 14 with comments on final dispositors – thanks, listener Dora!

03:43 – Friends: Introducing our Moonwatch theme song! The March 9 Virgo Full Moon is at 20 degrees on the Sabian symbol, “An automobile caravan,” with the Sun at 20 degrees Pisces on the Sabian symbol, “A table set for an evening meal.” Both suggest moving ahead collectively toward a common destination, where we’ll sit together in fellowship (see Episode 13) for a common purpose.

09:17 – Mercury, the ruler of Virgo, stations to turn direct on March 9. Learn how that impacts this Full Moon. Here’s how to find where the Mercury retrograde and Full Moon action affect your birth chart.

10:53 – When planets appear to move backwards, do astrologers ever “round down” to the lower degree, instead of rounding up? (And for an explanation of the shadow period, or to hear why April and Jen don’t trust Alexa, head on over to Episode 3.)

12:32 – Please tip your server while listening back to our Jupiter-sized episode from the week of December 23 (Episode 5, Unboxing Eclipses).

13:00 – If it’s possible (and sometimes it’s not, because Mercury likes to paint us into a corner, just for fun), wait until Mercury leaves purgatory before finalizing big purchases or making life-changing decisions. (Have April and Jen mentioned they went to parochial school?)

13:59 – There are a flurry of sextile aspects this week: the Sun with Jupiter on March 11 and with Pluto on March 14; Mars sextile Neptune on March 14; Venus sextile the North Node on March 9. Which prompts…

15:53 – …A mini-lesson on the sextile aspect! And what’s the deal with orbs? (Here is the link to the blog post about dissociate aspects.) Includes a good insight about how aspects are similar to signs, courtesy of Bil Tierney via April’s friend and colleague Kelly O’Tillery. (And to hear about the elements, here’s Episode 13.)

22:15 – Enjoy Pi Day!

23:04 – If you’re enjoying the show, please give us a 5-star rating, and/or subscribe, and/or leave us a friendly comment, and/or toss us a dollar or ten to help keep the show going. Thanks thanks thanks!

015 | Venus + Pie: 0-29 Degrees of Separation

From a curious Gemini First Quarter Moon to a cat-of-many colors Sun/Neptune conjunction and all the hot Venus action in-between (changing signs, duking it out with Saturn, starting over with Uranus). But first…pie.  Plus: Planets at 0 and 29 degrees of a sign, 3rd house versus 9th house learning, and why April hates peaches.

Please support the BSA podcast by making a contribution of any amount! April & Jen thank you.

To join the podcast conversation and leave a comment for April & Jen, go to www.BigSkyAstroPod.com.

Read more about this week’s astrology at the Big Sky Astrology website.

Subscribe to the podcast and April’s mailing list.

Follow Big Sky Astrology on IG, Twitter, and FB @BigSkyAstrology

Read a full transcript of this episode.

Episode links:

00:37 – It’s time to make your Pi Day plans and preparations! And if you plan to send April a pie on Pi Day, take heed: Do not send peach. (Here is the link to Episode 1, which has the delicious pecan pie recipe!)

03:50 – ** Moonwatch** First Quarter Moon on March 2 is at 13 degrees Gemini and on the Sabian symbol, “A great musician at his piano.” It’s time to step into your curiosity, and get started with something that interests you. (And the reference to Groundhog Day in this discussion is a throw-back to Episode 10!)

07:59 – Jen wonders aloud, what’s the difference between learning when it comes to Gemini (3 house) versus Sagittarius (9th house)? Luckily, April’s superpower is explaining stuff just like this.

09:11 – Mercury, still moving backwards, jumps from the fish pond into the arms of the water-bearer this week (March 4-16)! Yay… let’s air the place out! (For a refresher on Mercury in Aquarius, set your sights on Episode 9.)

11:22 – Venus’s calendar is jam-packed this week! April proclaims her brand loyalty and will keep a close eye on her Venusian peeps, as it’s a big week for the Bulls and the Scales.

12:00 – Venus in Aries squares Saturn in Capricorn on March 3. Hey April, if your birth chart has big aspects between Venus and Saturn, does that matter? Hey April, when planets are at the ends of signs having aspects, is that important? Hey April, what does it mean if you’re born at 29 degrees of a sign? (Thank goodness for April, who also threw in what it means if you’re born with a planet at 0 degrees! This week’s tangent? Check.)

18:43 – Speaking of Venus (we were, at some point), she moves into Taurus on March 4 to stay for about a month. Breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate the beauty that’s yours for the taking.

20:40 – But wait! Venus joins up with Uranus on March 8/9 at 5 degrees Taurus on an ominous-sounding Sabian symbol. April recounts a personal story of this degree, while emphasizing that these symbols usually express themselves much less literally. Reset your own new Venus/Uranus relationship/money story now! (For more about rulerships and final dispositors, have a cup of joe with Episode 14. Alongside some breakfast pumpkin pie, maybe.)

25:15 – The week ends with the Sun’s annual meet-up with Neptune on March 8. Leave logic and rationality behind and meditate, write a poem, sing a song, have a nap. And remember: When one cycle ends, another begins!

29:00 – Do you like the show? Oh, good! Could you do us a favor? Go ahead and give us a 5-star rating, subscribe in iTunes, tell a friend, leave us a friendly comment, and/or toss us a dollar or ten to help keep the show going. Yay! Thanks!

014 | Retrograde Minds, Cazimi Hearts, Can’t Lose

Is Mercury retrograde in Pisces making you fuzzy-headed and tongue-tied? Come and sit next to April & Jen, whose struggles to stay in a lane – any lane – this week will make you feel right at home. What this episode lacks in a major lunation and a Moonwatch theme, it makes up for with an overworked Aries Moon and a vintage movie intermission jingle that your mind will be singing all week long. Plus: a Sun/Mars/Node traffic jam, Venus faces off with Pluto, planetary rulerships, and a discussion of final dispositors that proves what we already knew: it all comes back to Saturn in the end.

Please support the BSA podcast by making a contribution of any amount! April & Jen thank you. 😊

To join the podcast conversation and leave a comment for April & Jen, go to www.BigSkyAstroPod.com.

Read more about this week’s astrology at the Big Sky Astrology website.

Subscribe to the podcast and April's mailing list.

Follow Big Sky Astrology on IG, Twitter, and FB @BigSkyAstrology

Read a full transcript of this episode.

Episode links:

02:30 – Mercury is still retrograde in Pisces! Are people born during times of Mercury retrograde less affected by it?

04:29 – If your Mars in Capricorn wants to get stuff done while Mercury is being retrograde-y, try starting your day with a list of your three "Most Important Tasks".

04:55 – Learn why April loves the numbers 5 and 8!

05:33 – Mercury joins up with the Sun (cazimi!) in an inferior conjunction on Feb. 25th at 7 degrees Pisces. Head over to Episode 8 for a refresher on the hazards of Mercury drinking the Sun’s Kool-Aid.

07:48 –When two planets come together, they begin a new cyclical dance. April and Jen talk about lunar cycles every week, of course, but the whole cosmos tangos to a similar rhythm.

10:33 – ** Moonwatch**! There are no major lunations this week, but keep an eye on the Moon as it moves through Aries (Feb. 25-27). Also, the Moon in Gemini opens a window on March 1 and airs things out a little bit.

13:41 – Thanks to April’s imaginative coda to last week’s stimulating conversation about her backyard gopher civilization, Jen now pictures the enterprising rodents sporting powdered wigs and brocade finery.

14:00 – The Sun sextiles Mars on Feb. 24, offering an opportunity to express yourself more fully and fearlessly. The Sun’s trine to the North Node, with Mars on the South Node (Feb. 25), asks: What’s holding you back from growth? Time to let that go, maybe.

16:59 – If you’re feeling self-critical and – oops! – lapse into negative self-talk, remember Jen’s household rule: Say three good things about yourself!

17:40 – Two meaningful quotes on anger that Jen likes: “I sat with my anger long enough, until she told me her name was grief” (unknown). And a second one, ascribed to Liza Palmer, “Angry is sad’s bodyguard.” And the Byron Katie book Jen recommends is Loving What Is.

18:32 – Early in the week, Mars passes over the degree of the Dec. 25 Solar Eclipse at 4 degrees Capricorn. April explains how fast-moving planets can act as “activation points” for prior eclipses. (Check out Episode 5, “Unboxing Eclipses,” to hear more about that Solar Eclipse, and eclipses in general.)

20:02 – Venus squares Pluto on Feb. 28th, when something that was conceived in mid-December (listen to Episode 3 for details) now demands action. Consider this the first intermission in a Venus/Pluto 4-act play - hum along as we go out to the lobby for a treat!

23:57 – Through the sorcery of planetary rulerships, Jen demonstrates that all the current transiting planets ultimately answer to either Saturn or Neptune. April makes the case for using traditional rulers instead and helps Jen understand what “final dispositors” are. (Aha! So THAT’S why Jen feels uber-Virgo sometimes!) And take a look at this free rulership handout that April created just for you! Yes, YOU!

26:05 – To hear mutual reception explained using a valiant but doomed housesitting analogy, lend your ears to Episode 4.

26:39 – A quick rundown of which planets rules which signs.

28:00 – We were well into this rulership chit-chat before we thought to mention it was prompted by a listener question. Might have been good to have led with that. (We blame Mercury.) Which reminds us: Do you have a question that you’d like to ask April and Jen? Go to www.bigskyastropod.com and add a comment! (Hint: Your question is more likely to be read if it’s a general question that applies to everyone. 😊)

29:01 – April’s pal Christopher Renstrom’s website on ruling planets is here.

29:45 – If you’re enjoying the show, please take a sec to give us a 5-star rating, and/or subscribe, and/or toss us a dollar or ten to help keep the show going. Those befrocked Victorian gals are, yes, April and Jen. In some past life, where we were wan and sober sisters. And April wore brooches. And Jen snuck pants under her skirt.

013 | Pisces Season: Gopher It!

April and Jen would like to buy a vowel or two, please, as they paddle furiously against the muddy Mercury Rx in Pisces conversational tide. This week in the Big Sky: A New Moon in Pisces, the Jupiter/Neptune sextile, and Venus and Jupiter in joyful, excessive cahoots. All of this, plus gophers, the four elements, Lady Gaga, kites, Game of Thrones, and more!

Please support the BSA podcast for as little as a buck! April & Jen thank you. 😊

Read more about this week’s astrology in April's weekly column!.

Subscribe to the podcast and April's mailing list.

Follow Big Sky Astrology on IG, Twitter, and FB @BigSkyAstrology

Read a full transcript of this episode

Episode links:

01:05 – A big thank you to listeners who have left such lovely comments! Please keep them coming, and perhaps your co-hosts will read your comment aloud in a future episode! Because we are all about fellowship.

01:40 – More than you probably wanted to know about April’s affinity for Bob Ross in Episode 8!

03:36 – If you love the podcast, please consider kicking in a few dollars to help keep it going! Thanks thanks thanks!!!

04:59 – The Sun wades into Pisces on Feb. 18th, sextiling Uranus on the 22nd and Mars on the 24th. Fire sign April attempts to describe water signs here (more on them in Episode 3!).

05:58 – A description of the four elements: fire, earth, air, and water.

08:18 – Free cheat sheet on the elements!! Grab it here. And while you’re at it, wouldn’t you like to sign up for April’s fantabulous newsletter?

09:19 – Jen wonders whether the Sun/Mercury in Pisces and no planets in air signs right now are making it harder to think clearly? (Because something is!) April gives her two cents, which are worth at least a dollar.

09:58 – Jen is fascinated by April’s casual mention of the gopher civilization taking over her backyard. Plus, hello? The “coincidence” of the connection between April’s backyard and the University of Minnesota's mascot surely means April is meant to move to Minneapolis… which, happily, April realizes on her own.

10:40 – What does it mean if you are missing one of the four elements in your birth chart?

12:06 – Jen shares an exercise called box breathing as a possible remedy to the current lack of planets in air signs. (Could be helpful, too, if your birth chart is light on this element!). And if earth is what you need, listen to Episode 12 for a quick grounding exercise.

13:10 – Lady Gaga is the avatar of the moment!

14:38 – It’s ** Moonwatch** time! A New Moon (Feb. 23rd) at 4.28 Pisces is on the Sabian symbol “a church bazaar.” (And though April seems to picture it as a Midwestern Mayberry, Minneapolis is a fairly large city, and is officially a terrific place to live!) [“Hey, San Diego is a good-sized city, too, and we have church bazaars!” ~ April]

19:24 – If you have a planet or point at 5 Virgo, go fly a kite! And more about chart configurations.

20:55 – *We interrupt our regularly scheduled program to bring you a fleeting Game of Thrones reference.*

23:47 – Listen to last week’s Episode 12 for more about the Jupiter/Neptune sextile, in effect throughout 2020!

24:40 – Venus squares Jupiter on Feb. 23rd… curb your indulgences and know your return policies! Plus, a mini-lesson on astrological grammar.

26:52 – Want to hear more on Jupiter in Capricorn? Check out Episode 2!

29:18 – Check out Episode 3 to hear about Friday the 13^th and days of the week.

012 | Mercury Retrograde: Where Are My Pants?

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, or the birthday of famed American suffragette Anna Howard Shaw, join April and Jen for a breakdown of the week’s astrological highlights: a Last Quarter Moon in Scorpio, Mars joining the Capricorn clown car, and Mercury turning retrograde in Pisces. Also: What goes well with Chinese food, who lost her pants, and this year’s criminally underreported Jupiter/Neptune sextile!

***Extending this special offer for podcast listeners: Want to learn more about your own Saturn return (See episode 11!)? Use the discount code bsapod10saturn at checkout for 10% off a 60-minute reading with April! Offer valid through Feb. 14, 2020.***

Please support the BSA podcast for as little as a buck! April & Jen thank you. 😊

To join the podcast conversation and leave a comment for April & Jen, go to www.BigSkyAstroPod.com.

Read more about this week’s astrology at the Big Sky Astrology website.

Subscribe to the podcast and April's mailing list.

Follow Big Sky Astrology on IG, Twitter, and FB @BigSkyAstrology

Read a full transcript of this episode.

Episode links:

00:40 – For the first time [“But not, I vow, the last.” ~ April], Jen regrets not living in San Diego. Because…gimongous Galentine's Day Mexican brunch!

01:09 – April digs into the history and astrology of Valentine’s Day, briefly unearthing Geoffrey Chaucer and name-checking Courtney Love along the way.

02:12 – Venus squares the Lunar Nodes (see Episode 7) just before V-Day. What’s missing is 8 degrees Libra – there’s a blazing fireplace in a deserted home at that point, so pull up a chair and stay awhile.

06:20 – Does your birth chart have a T-square? Here’s the lowdown on your missing table leg.

08:49 – Valentine’s Day features a Moon in Scorpio - a passionate Moon sign whose trust and loyalty must be earned!

10:00 - Hear the story of when April met Jonny on this episode of American Public Media’s TBTL podcast from last year! April appears in a segment that begins at the 25:40 minute mark.

10:36 – It’s ** Moonwatch** time! A Last Quarter Moon (Feb. 15) at 27 Scorpio lands on the Sabian symbol “A military band on the march.” The Sun is at 27 Aquarius on “An ancient pottery bowl filled with violets.” Need an explanation? Challenge accepted!

14:29 – Fear not: April has not forgotten about The Repair Shop!

15:56 – Just when you think the Capricorn clown car is filled to capacity, Mars grabs his hammer and nails and shoehorns his way into the sign of his exaltation (Feb. 16) for a six-week stay.

18:40 – All this talk of recent Capricornian history makes Jen think of the upcoming Jupiter/Neptune sextile (throughout 2020). Rose-colored glasses are optional, but wouldn’t a little hope and optimism feel good right about now?

21:47 – *We interrupt our regularly scheduled program to bring you a quote from Breaking Bad.*

21:51 – Mercury turns retrograde in Pisces on the 16th. This might feel like a long transit, as the planet closest to the Sun usually only stays in a sign for three weeks, and this time he’ll fog up his swim goggles for ten weeks! To learn – or, more appropriately, *re*learn – all about Mercury’s shadow period, check out Episode 3!

24:27 – Feeling lost at sea? Here’s some info from the Mayo Clinic on how to ground yourself.

27:18 – April’s Spidey senses tingle at open houses; maybe yours do too, if you have planets in water signs.

28:45 – Hi, you! Did you like the podcast today? Might you be willing to toss in a dollar or five to help keep the show going? Just look for the little frock-wearing Victorian depictions of April and Jen on the podcast page… it might be the only time you see your co-hosts in dresses!

011 | Saturn Returns We’ve Known and Loved

As April faces down her second Saturn return, we explore these important astrological rites of passage, as well as how astrocartography can help you find your place in the world. Plus, this week in the Big Sky: Mercury in Pisces, Venus in Aries, and a Leo Full Moon that reeks of Neptune – complete with disillusionment and drunken chickens. All in under thirty minutes!

***Special offer for podcast listeners: Want to learn more about your own Saturn return? Use the discount code bsapod10saturn at checkout for 10% off a 60-minute reading with April! Offer valid through Feb. 10, 2020.***

To join the podcast conversation and leave a comment for April & Jen, go to www.BigSkyAstroPod.com.

Read more about this week’s astrology at the Big Sky Astrology website.

Subscribe to the podcast and April's mailing list.

Follow Big Sky Astrology on IG, Twitter, and FB @BigSkyAstrology

Read a full transcript at our website

Episode links:

00:35 –Check out April’s observations on astro*carto*graphy in this Shape magazine article! A shout-out, too, to BSA pal and astrolocality whiz Ralph MacIntyre. And a warm welcome to any new listeners who found the BSA podcast this way. 😊

03:01 – Using astro*carto*graphy, April suspects that when she lives in Minneapolis, she might have a Scorpio rising sign. [“Ascendant confirmed. Relocation confirmed only by Jen.” ~ April]

04:14 – Mercury enters Pisces on February 3rd, and like a fish out of water, he’s in the sign of his detriment. Be forewarned: He’s retrograde beginning February 17th. Still, we could all stand to emulate Fred Rogers in our communication style (see Episode 8); and in the cartoon thought balloon of Jen’s imagination, this Mercury sports a cardigan and comfy slippers. (Though we suspect the trickster will complete his ensemble with a hat like this.)

08:18 – Venus enters Aries on February 7^th, and although Venus is in her detriment here, April convinces Jen that this can be a courtly and romantic placement – though Venus in Aries will always be Wonder Woman (or maybe Captain Marvel!) to Jen.

11:39 – ***Moonwatch!** A Full Moon on February 8/9 (click this link for time and date in your city) at 20 degrees Leo is on the Sabian symbol (see Episode 7) “Intoxicated chickens,” with the Sun on the opposite, less buoyant, but surprisingly related degree symbol. And here is the article about inebriated Minnesotan birds. You’re welcome.

14:58 – Talk of drunken chickens prompts April to wax nostalgic over a recipe from her pre-vegan days. And to French speakers yelling, “Tu ne peux pas parler français!” throughout this segment, we offer a sheepish “Pardonnez-nous!”

15:26 – Nothing stands in the way of the truth being shown, as this Full Moon is trine Mars in Sag.

16:21 – April hears the SATURN RETURN train a comin’! Hop aboard and learn about this important transit at ages 29 and 58, when Saturn in the current sky returns to its position in your birth chart. As April faces her second Saturn return, BSA is having its first (aw… ❤). How are the first and second Saturn returns similar and different? April and Jen reminisce about their own Saturnine experiences. Ask yourself: Is *this* how you want your life to look? If not, the cosmic principal will call you to his office to tell you, “You’re responsible for you, my friend.” For more about Saturn returns, here's an article at the website!

27:44 – If it suits your fancy, and you like the podcast, it sure would be nice if you took one second to give the BSA Podcast a 5-star rating, and maybe hit that “subscribe” button. And do join us over at https://www.bigskyastrology.com/episode-11/. Thank you!

010 | Neptune & The Zen of Groundhog Day

It’s a quieter week in the Big Sky, with only a First Quarter Moon in Taurus and Venus/Mars vs. Neptune on the cosmic agenda. So, finding themselves with a little time on their hands, your intrepid co-hosts roll up their jeans and wade into a Neptunian miasma of topics, including how January’s Big Astrological News hit Buckingham Palace and why astrology is like theater. Plus: Grab some popcorn and join April and Jen at the (decades-old) movies!

To join the podcast conversation and leave a comment for April & Jen, go to www.BigSkyAstrology.com/podcast.

Read more about this week’s astrology at the Big Sky Astrology website.

Subscribe to the podcast and April's mailing list.

Follow Big Sky Astrology on IG, Twitter, and FB @BigSkyAstrology

A full transcript of the episode is available here.

Episode links:

Technical note: Apologies for some audio issues this week which left April sounding like Prince Albert in a can. We’ve isolated the problem and will return to form next episode!

00:53 – April (a Leo) admits to a fascination with royalty, as she and Jen link the astrology of the times with Meghan and Harry’s decision to step back from being senior royals.

07:27 – ***Moonwatch!** A First Quarter Moon (see Episode 2) on February 1st at 13 degrees Taurus is on the Sabian symbol “A man handling baggage.” Is this baggage physical or emotional? Is Jupiter carrying your bags? Why are airlines so hard on your baggage? And why are there a couple of different versions of the Sabian symbols out in the world? Plus: still no theme song, but much lively humming.

11:47 – Venus sinks into a soothing Neptunian bubble bath with a conjunction on January 27th. Is what you *think* you want what you *really* want? And the next day…

15:23 – … It’s Mars vs. Neptune! Having touched on planes during the Moonwatch segment, we move on now to trains - along with a raftload of other metaphors. Plus: Are you more like Joan of Arc or Don Quixote?

17:36 – The birth chart as a theater set… oops! Jen had no idea April used this analogy in her book The Essential Guide to Practical Astrology  (*takes sheepish glance at keyboard and hugs April’s book, which recently arrived, closer*). [“Probably not original to me, Jen. Hold your head high!” ~ April] One of your co-hosts loves theatre of all stripes, the other prefers her theatre in iambic pentameter. If you’re a regular listener with keen insight, you might just be able to figure this one out!

21:04 – “Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don’t forget your booties cause it’s cold out there!” Groundhog Day, oh Groundhog Day, how April and Jen do love you!!

22:52 – The plot of this episode’s eponymous film is belatedly laid out. Should April and Jen have led with that? Yeah, probably. They blame Neptune. (Note that April uses this film as an example of the 6th and 12th houses in her Followed by a Moonshadow eclipse report!)

25:36 – The history and symbolism of Groundhog Day. The holiday, not the movie. Think: fertility and purification. Did you know that February comes from the Latin term februum?

26:40 – Jen’s mini-monologue on movies about rebirth and redemption. She pivots briefly from Groundhog Day, makes a pitstop at It’s a Wonderful Life, and drives past The Wizard of Oz while she’s in the neighborhood.

27:20 – April makes the case for February’s vaguely Neptunian/12^th house bona fides; Jen scratches her head and has many follow-up questions… it all sounds so Plutonian to her. Things gets deep.

30:11 – Why do we use the birth chart for astrology instead of a conception chart? April untangles that particular knot, first referenced all the way back in Episode 1.

31:33 – Realizing that it’s been ages – maybe four minutes! – since they’ve referenced anything from the 70s, 80s, or 90s, your co-hosts would like to thank you for joining them “At the Movies with April and Jen” (with apologies to Siskel and Ebert)!

32:25 – Hey you! Yeah, you! The one who must’ve not only listened to the podcast, but made it to the end of these show notes! 😊 Have you subscribed to the BSA podcast in your podcatcher? Have you taken one second to give us a 5-star review? You’ll do that, right? To help spread the word? Thank you, thank you!!