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Astrology tells us that the nature of life is one of constant vacillation between contraction and release, pleasure and pain, success and failure. The planetary cycles reflect this, showing us that these inevitable and eternal ups and downs can be reflected in the beauty of the natural world. Developing appreciation and gratitude for this interplay in our own experience can deepen our awareness and wellbeing and help us to form a stronger relationship with life itself.

Often we find we need the deepest awareness, the greatest gratitude and the clearest mind for those experiences of overwhelming pleasure, or else we may let wonderful experiences pass us by without having fully experienced them. This is one such week.

Two alignments in particular mark this week as arguably the most astrologically positive and exciting of 2022: the conjunction of Venus and Jupiter in Pisces and the partial solar eclipse, conjunct Uranus, in Taurus.

Ancient astrologers distinguished Venus and Jupiter as the two “benefics” of the seven traditional planets, meaning that these two gods carry with them all things people experience as good and pleasurable. Venus brings harmony, romance, attraction, sensuality and beauty. Jupiter brings abundance, success, optimism and joy. Conjunctions of these two planets bring a blending and augmentation of these themes. With this particular conjunction occurring in Pisces, the sign of Jupiter’s rulership and of Venus’ exaltation, over-the-top bliss and indulgence are likely to find you.

Expect an expansive and abundant sense of beauty and pleasure to take root towards the end of this week as these planets move into their conjunction, perfecting in the afternoon of Saturday, April 30. This is a wonderful time to host a get-together with friends, soak in the beauty of springtime with a walk in Oakwood Cemetery or Thornden Park, indulge in the syrupy-sweet bliss of romance or simply invite the joys of life however you see fit.

While Venus and Jupiter indicate overflowing joy, the solar eclipse in Taurus, also perfecting Saturday, indicates the lightning strike of powerful new beginnings.

Eclipses are an astronomical phenomenon in which the sun, moon and earth align exactly. The paths of the sun and moon, though generally close, meet exactly at two points, known in astrology as the nodes of the moon. When lunations occur within about 15 degrees these nodes, the light of one of the two luminaries is blocked, creating an eclipse. Currently, the nodes are in Taurus and Scorpio, meaning eclipses will occur in these signs until mid-2023, when the nodes move into Aries and Libra.

Astrologically, eclipses can be thought of as markers of major plot twists, shake-ups and disruptions. With this eclipse occurring in a conjunction with Uranus, the planet of revolution and freedom seeking, the shake-ups of this particular eclipse may be doubly shocking and powerful. Occurring in Venus’ fixed earth temple of Taurus, this revolutionary energy could be directed towards those things which we take for granted as being the most stable in our lives, including food, housing or finances for example.

If this sounds frightening, fret not. With Venus, the host of this eclipse, meeting Jupiter at almost exactly the same time, all indicators point to overwhelmingly positive and exciting developments. Sometimes, major disruption is just what we need to reorient our lives towards the pleasure we seek.

While experiences of beauty and bliss may be especially prominent this week, let the coming events point you toward the natural beauty that is ever-present. When you pause to appreciate a flowering tree in full bloom, a bumble bee cuddling up against a flower, one of the Quad’s family of red-tailed hawks heroically leaping out of their Bowne Hall nest or a simple cloud lazily floating by, it is as if you are in conversation with Venus herself.

If we can collectively strengthen our relationship with this natural beauty, we will be more apt to fight for the desperately needed changes necessary to preserve it. In light of Earth Day having just occurred, I encourage you to take up this challenge.

In the words of astrologer Diana Rose-Harper, “there is no astrology, there is no you, there is no me, there is no future for us and our more-than-human kin without earth.”

Published on April 24, 2022 at 9:08 pm