Big Sky Astrology Podcast

022 | Taurus New Moon and Venus Gone Wild

It’s Taurus New Moon time, but April and Jen explore the mounting tension between rule-making (Saturn) and rule-breaking (Uranus) that interfere with this sign’s legendarily calm vibe. What does it mean when Venus, the planetary ruler of this bullish New Moon, is out-of-bounds and totally unsupervised? And what will her protracted aspects to Neptune mean for your relationships? Also, April 25th is brought to you by the adjective intense, so mark your calendars. Plus: encyclopedias, carbtacular shelter-in-place snacks, and music of the 80's - featuring a cameo appearance by Jen’s parents!
April’s fantastic books can be found right here!
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:
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01:40 – A celebratory shout-out to World Book Day on April 23! And, since Jen forgot to mention April’s books at the beginning of the episode, she’ll add them to the show notes right off the bat in an effort to redeem herself: The Essential Guide to Practical Astrology is the book that made Oprah's list of top astrology books. But you also can’t go wrong with Astrological Transits!
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03:20 – ** Moonwatch**! There’s a New Moon at 3°24’ Taurus on April 23! Jen is always reminded of a certain Duran Duran song at this time in the lunar cycle. And as Jen waxes nostalgic about 80’s icons Culture Club, April’s spidey-senses tingle: did tweenager Jen have posterd of these groups on her bedroom wall?
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05:34 – Let’s hop in the wayback time machine and ask Jen’s parents! It wasn’t just preteens who enjoyed Boy George… Karma Chameleon is a timeless classic. 😊
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08:02 –The Sabian symbol for this New Moon is, “The rainbow’s pot of gold.” Let’s appreciate what we have, shall we? Especially with the Moon in uneasy relationship to unpredictable Uranus and stern Saturn – yikes!
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09:20 – The Sun stirs up the growing tension between Saturn and Uranus: Saturn is like, “I’m gonna make the rules!” and Uranus is all, “Nuh-uh, I’m gonna break the rules!” (Do listen to Episode 21, Cardinal, Fixed, & Mutable: Signs a la Mod-alities to learn how and why signs of the same modality struggle to get along.)
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13:00 – As Venus slows down to go retrograde, she is out of bounds! Out-of-bounds planets are outside the Sun’s apparent path, and are operating beyond the pale. For more about this phenomenon, here’s a helpful article at Steven Forrest’s site.
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16:32 – Since Venus is in the spotlight this week, April and Jen preview her upcoming squares to Neptune (May 3, May 20, July 27). Are we seeing our relationships, and our own worth, clearly?
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18:45 – Speaking of Neptune, a shout-out for April’s upcoming webinar at the International Institute of Astrology’s Breaking Down the Borders conference, “Saints and Suckers: Neptune in Relationships” (Nov. 7, 3:30-5:00 PM Pacific). Only $20, but grab your seat fast, because this reflects early-bird pricing!
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19:55 – Again, April’s books and Oprah’s list. And for the record, Jen blames Neptune.
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20:44 – April 25 features three intense maneuvers, starting off with Mercury in Aries squaring Pluto in Capricorn… which will be coming off a couple of feisty days of triggering the Saturn/Pluto conjunction point from January (see Episode 7, Saturn and Pluto Go to the Repair Shop). Then the Cosmic Hand rises up to say…
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22:42 – …STOP! Pluto pauses in the sky, as the woolly-mammoth-sized (in spirit, at least) planet stands still to turn retrograde. And finally, Mercury, the cosmic messenger, squares Jupiter. What news will emerge around Jupiter/Pluto matters, especially the pandemic? (For a review, go back to Episode 19, Jupiter Meets Pluto: Two Thumbs...Up?)
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26:38 – Be April & Jen’s podpal! Subscribe, rate & review, or kick in a few bucks! Thanks, you are the super duper-est of friends!

021 | Cardinal, Fixed, & Mutable: Signs a la Mod-alities

April and Jen bring you exactly what you didn’t know you needed: a lengthy mini-lesson on modalities! (To achieve the oxymoron trifecta, listen while eating “jumbo shrimp” during your “working vacation”!) Learn which signs lead the parade, which do the organizing, and who’s in the drill team. But, wait! There’s more! Listen now, and receive a complete set of the Sun entering Taurus and a Last Quarter Moon in Capricorn… And if you sign up for the Sun’s square to Pluto, you’ll get the Sun’s square to Jupiter absolutely free! Plus: Venus enters the valley of her retrograde shadow. And Oprah, friends… Oprah.
April’s fantastic books can be found right here!
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.
00:37 – Yay, April! Congrats on making Oprah Magazine's list of "best astrology books"!! We at the BSA podcast are so proud of you! 😊
01:11 – The Essential Guide to Practical Astrology is the book that made Oprah’s list, but Astrological Transits is also fantastic!
02:16 – ** Moonwatch** Here comes the Last Quarter Moon at 25.26 Capricorn (April 14). But first, let’s all sing Quarter Moon in a Ten-Cent Town! Then pause, reflect, and pivot as needed – all of which are appropriate during this time in the lunar cycle.
06:00 – The Sun squares both Pluto (April 14) and Jupiter (April 15) this week! As soon as the Sun entered Aries, it started building toward this point. If it feels stressful, remember to breathe! And for a J/P review, go back to Episode 19 (Jupiter Meets Pluto: Two Thumbs...Up?).
07:48 – Jupiter is huge compared to Earth! And the Sun is ginormous compared to Jupiter. Here’s a 3-minute video to help you put it in perspective. Do you have 7 minutes to spare? If so, watch this excellent, moving video that shows a guy building the solar system to scale in the desert. Wow!
08:15 – The house/s where Leo sits in your chart might be affected this week because the Sun rules Leo. For more on rulerships, visit Episode 14 (Retrograde Minds, Cazimi Hearts, Can’t Lose). And here’s a free info sheet on rulerships for you.
09:12 – Back to… our Last Quarter Moon! The Sabian symbol for the Moon at 26 Capricorn is, “A water sprite.” And the Sun is at 26 Aries, “A man possessed of more gifts than he can hold.” Celebrate how much the Earth nourishes us; behold the bounty!
13:05 – The Sun saunters into Taurus on April 19. And watch the movie Cast Away for a delightful astrological metaphor! Taurus and the second house urge us to appreciate what is ours for the taking that doesn’t cost anything – the beauty all around us. Consider: What do you value, and what is your place in the scheme of things? And, do you value yourself?
17:30 – Here’s how to find your birth chart!
19:11 – Venus is mooooving very slooooowly right now, just missing a harmonious link to Mars. The two relationship planets are emphasizing connections that we aren’t quite making right now. Venus turns retrograde May 14. Stay tuned on that one! As for right now – Venus sees her shadow on April 10!
25:21 – Many planetary retrogrades converge later in the year, and Venus squares Neptune 3x over the coming months. (Thank goodness, because Neptune has been so neglected lately… NOT!) Venus retrograde is an opportunity to reevaluate what’s important to us, and… how are we seeing reality, anyway?
27:00 – A free mini-lesson on modalities! Yay! First up: Cardinal, since they are the initiators of the zodiac.
30:07 – Fixed signs can be stubborn (said your Leo/Scorpio co-hosts). But hey, someone’s got to keep things going!
34:07 – The mutable signs are the disseminators of the cosmos. Someone has to spread the word, right?
39:01 – Jen was looking out her windshield, wearing a windbreaker, looking at a windstorm, when April leaned out her window and said, “Hey Jen, let’s play the wind game!”
39:25 – Learn why signs of the same modality tend to argue.
40:12 – Here is your cheat sheet on modalities!
41:20 – To support the BSA podcast at no cost to you, please take one second to give April & Jen a 5-star rating – they’d appreciate it muchly! You could also leave them a comment on Apple Podcasts or at the BSA pod-site. And, if you have an extra dollar or twenty, would you be willing to make a contribution to keep the podcast going? Thanks, friends! You rock. And roll.

020 | Libra Full Moon: A Magic Carpet Ride

April and Jen parse this week’s intense Libra Full Moon, contemplate how to use this week’s innovative Mars/Uranus aspect to rethink how you’re doing things, and explore why Mercury entering Aries says it’s okay to think about yourself a bit. This Full Moon highlights Jen’s own birth Moon in a big way, prompting a mini-lesson on Lunar Returns… happy birthday, Moon! Plus: Hobnobbing about old-timey TV, spinning the Wheel of Fortune, and doing a feelings-check…because it’s a very lunar kinda week.
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:
00:47 – Do you prefer The Twilight Zone in black-and-white or color? Of course Schitt's Creek is always colorful!
01:37 – How are April & Jen doing? And hey, how are you doing? Perhaps you’d like to watch a timeless Brené Brown video. Or peruse these free practices, resources, and articles regarding the pandemic. And to hear techniques for staying in the moment, listen to Episode 18.
07:11 – ** Moonwatch** Here comes the Full Moon at 18.44 Libra (April 7), where much is revealed about our relationships! The Sabian symbol for 19 Libra is “the magic carpet” (Take me away!) while the Sun is at 19 Aries, “a gang of robbers in hiding.” (Jen pictures this movie, which she urges you to watch in the original B&W - not color!) This Full Moon squares Jupiter and Pluto in Capricorn, which feels… like a lot. How will you get your life back in balance at this time?
11:11 – The Full Moon also squares the Lunar Eclipse point from January 10. You’ll want to review eclipse season midpoint info on Episode 19 (Jupiter Meets Pluto: Two Thumbs...Up?), or go all the way back to Episode 5 (Unboxing Eclipses) to learn about the Lunar Nodes and eclipses.
13:48 – Uranus stationed on the same day as the January Lunar Eclipse, and it is squaring Mars on the same day as this Full Moon. Also, Saturn entered Aquarius last week and is gearing up to square Uranus in Taurus. Has anyone noticed the growing tension between restrictions and freedoms? It will show up in relationships this week, too.
15:35 – Mars in Aquarius squares Uranus in Taurus (also April 7). This is a mix of “I want action!” with “unpredictable results.” Proceed with caution. This is the closing chapter of a story that began February 2019, and it winds down January 2021.
20:23 – Mercury (finally!) peels off his Pisces bathing trunks and signs up to run a 5K, entering Aries on April 10. Just the facts, please!
21:20 – New to the BSA podcast? When planets move into new signs, they change mood and quality. You know… that yin yang stuff! (Apologies to Jen’s friends who actually know Traditional Chinese Medicine! Her qi was off that day.)
24:06 – Mercury squares the Lunar Nodes on April 11/12 and asks, “What about me?”. The nodes are getting ready to move into Gemini/Sagittarius, but first they’re finishing up their journey in Cancer/Capricorn. Oh, and info on the nodes lives here: Episode 5 (Unboxing Eclipses).
26:15 – With cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) emphasized, the Wheel of Fortune is spinning this week. (April gets to be Vanna!)
27:56 – A mini-lesson on Lunar Returns! It’s like your little-bitty Luna-versary: Each month, the Moon meets up with the patch of sky that the Moon was in, on the day we were born. It’s your Moon birthday! Where and how will you fill your empty cup over the next 28 days? (To hear all about Saturn Returns, go to Episode 11 (Saturn Returns We’ve Known and “Loved”).
35:27 – Regular listeners know that your co-hosts look for meaning in the world. But that’s probably why you’re listening, right?
35:49 – To help keep this meaning-full podcast going, might you be willing to become part of an ongoing base of community support that we can count on? Or perhaps contribute as little as a dollar? Thanks, podpals!!

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 27th 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 11th-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.
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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!