Saturn Returns to Virgo (April 7-July 21); Pluto Retrograde in Capricorn (April 6-September 13); Mercury in Taurus (April 2-June 10)

Saturn is the planet associated with responsibility, maturity, restrictions, limitations, obligations, structures and boundaries of our existence. Saturn is the most distant planet known by classical astrologers. It is associated with time and travels through the Zodiac in the course of 30 years. The last time Saturn was in Virgo was 30 years ago—1977.

Saturn is the planet of concentrated effort—no short cuts—and he will now be spending time in the practical earth sign of Virgo. Virgo excels at performing tasks until these become acquired skills and loves hard work. Virgo is also analytical, discerning and excels at organization, taking care of details and looking after others.

Saturn is the taskmaster of the zodiac, whose job is to teach us our life lessons as he transits through each sign of the zodiac. Although, he expects nothing less than commitment and hard work, he also believes in rewarding sincere efforts.

Under any Pluto transit, we feel pressured to eliminate and release the old, outworn, outdated and obsolete in our lives. When Pluto is transiting retrograde, we are urged to let go of attitudes, thinking or communication patterns, security drives, rigid emotions; a time to undergo an internal form of house cleaning. It is a good time to research into our own Souls in order to determine exactly what we do or do not need. Because Pluto retrograde imparts an intense power for investigation, we should use this time to assess what reoccurring patterns in our lives make us feel out of control, where and why do we continually give our power away, and under what circumstances do we react so defensively that we elicit attacks from others. Pluto retrograde marks a time wherein we should seek to gain greater control over our personal life; Pluto direct is better for gaining control over professional and financial areas.

Mercury governs all manners of thinking, communicating, transportation and commerce. Mercury in Taurus is reliable, determined, persistent, patient, purposeful with a clear and exhaustive mind. While Mercury is in Taurus, we are encouraged to take our raw ideas and develop a plan to implement them, think beyond the now, and secure future goals. There is no reason to rush when Taurean energy is at the helm.