The world holds its breath after Pakistan brokered an unlikely pause in the Middle East conflict with the Trump bunker proclaiming mission accomplished. GW Bush declared the same years ago and the Iraq War dragged on for another 8 years.
April was always going to be a fractious month with Mars moving into fiery Aries on the 9th, ratcheting up the aggro – though it comes round every two years so is not always a calamity. But this year there is a collection of planets already in Aries. First it crosses Neptune on the 12th for a gulp of panic with plans not working out; then Mercury moves into Aries; a New Moon in Aries on the 17th is followed by an accident-prone and can-be-aggressive Mars conjunct Saturn on the 19th which is associated with military action.
Mars in Aries is a reckless act-first think-second energy, with a tendency to stir up arguments. It lacks tact and sensitivity for others’ feelings as it crashes ahead. More heat, less light. More haste, less speed. Though in mythology Mars, the god of war, was deemed a peacemaker.
In addition, the New Moon on the 17th is conjunct Eris and Chiron in the day/two days before. Quite a congregation of planetary/Fixed stars and asteroids all linked.
From previous Post: April – messages from the universe
1st April 2026
Mercury in Pisces will conjunct Nessus on April 9th. Usually associated with deceit Nessus has a positive role, making us better equipped to deal with risks and cons. It might suggest the ‘negotiations’ in the Middle East and elsewhere are hindered by treachery and insincerity. Nessus is also linked with ancestral and collective trauma – unresolved issues passed down through family lines or cultural groups which like the Shirt of Nessus slowly poisons or wounds. On the upside it encourages individuals to stand up against injustice and toxic patterns to ensure the past does not repeat itself, demanding that these hidden wounds be given voice and visibility. Which certainly sounds accurate for the ancient blood feuds of the Middle East.
On the 9th Mars in Pisces is conjunct the Fixed Star Scheat, which generally is regarded as unfortunate, likely to occur with accidents, natural disasters and in this case because of combative actions.
On the 15th the Aries Sun is conjunct Eris, the dwarf planet, recognized for its similarities to Pluto. Although thought to be a force that disrupts, provokes and shatters illusions, it can also be a potent force for personal evolution. Both conflict and catalyst, it highlights fractures that already exist. It calls for a stand against falsehoods and prompts a confrontation with uncomfortable truths. With awareness it brings a moment where it is crucial to challenge distortions and say ‘No More’.
On the 16th the Aries Sun is conjunct the centaur asteroid Chiron which suggests that progress will not be made on the basis of pride, ego or ‘winning’. Healing can only come from a place of selflessness – which in a fight between alpha males, fuelled by ancient blood feuds and egged on by a rampant narcissist, may give the fates pause for thought.
The Aries New Moon on the 17th pulls together with the Eris Chiron conjunction – with all four tied in a bow. At best it could point to new beginnings where there are enough voices saying ‘no more’ and healing of collective and generational trauma can begin. But that does seem to be a gigantic ask.
On Trump’s natal chart his Mercury in Cancer will catch the tr Mars and tr Saturn from April 22nd square which is likely to provoke an angry outburst, followed by discouragement on his part as tr Saturn continues to square his Mercury. Tr Mars won’t get to square his Saturn Venus until just before mid May for another assault on his pride, denting his popularity. Later in May a Mars in Taurus square Pluto will bring more tensions and perhaps destructive events.
On his midpoints he has tr Jupiter conjunct his Sun/Pluto midpoint exactly today as he exults in his ‘triumph’. Though also from today till near the month’s end he has a tricky tr Uranus opposition his Saturn/Neptune midpoint bringing painful circumstances, weakness appearing suddenly, perhaps illness, a strong streak of dissatisfaction and neurosis.
Pete Hegseth has the same mix of euphoria with underlying panic and mental strain. His relationship with Trump may blow up in July and on with tr Uranus square their composite Mars Uranus conjunction.
“On Trump’s natal chart his Mercury in Cancer will catch the tr Mars and tr Saturn from April 22nd square which is likely to provoke an angry outburst, followed by discouragement on his part as tr Saturn continues to square his Mercury.” – Marjorie
Thanks Marjorie for all your posts around our current, very anxious, times. They really do help to bring a kind of calm, and a welcome reminder of repeating patterns and eventual resolutions.
I noticed that tr Mars will square the USA natal Venus in Cancer, then Jupiter in Cancer. Financial security/homeland implications perhaps, since Saturn has already squared those planets.
The Saturn-Mars conjunction aligns with Venus in Aries in Abraham Lincoln’s natal chart. That Venus trines his Neptune in Sagittarius. In George Washington’s natal, kingly Jupiter is 8 Libra, opposing Saturn 2 Aries – so his ghost chart has just had a Saturn Return. Although he had a Pisces Sun, both Washington and Lincoln’s charts have plenty of air and fire, so seem to connect with our new fiery/airy era? I can’t begin to imagine what either man would be thinking at the moment. I chose them because they are both so deeply entwined with US history, and this is a notable year for that, amongst other things…..
April’s rather loaded looking new Moon in Aries, with Eris and Chiron, opposes Lincoln’s Mars in Libra, and is conjunct Washington’s Chiron in Aries. That Moon and friends also squares the US natal Pluto in Capricorn.
It could be worth noting that May’s New Moon, 25 Taurus, aligns with the fixed star Algol, which suggests a powerful moment for good or ill that month. It is sitting at Donald Trump’s MC. May’s full Moon, 9 Sagittarius, brings links with both Antares – heart of the Scorpion, and Aldebaran, alpha star of Taurus. These are two of the four Royal Stars of Persia, and bring great energy with them, military themes, and tests of integrity. Since the USA’s natal Uranus is 8 Gemini, I think that full Moon could be significant.
Thanks Jane, the celestial connections to Lincoln’s and Washington’s chart are so fitting given the Constitutional crisis the US is currently going through for sure.
Those timings again!!
Saturn and Mars squaring his Mercury is going to cause obstacles and frustration for him. I was wondering – now that Pope Leo has cancelled his planned visit to the U.S. for the country’s 250th anniversary in July 2026 – if King Charles would do likewise. Moreover there have been as yet unconfirmed reports that the Pope was issued threats from the regime for not supporting its actions in Iran and the papal ambassador was summoned to a Pentagon meeting.
First Post reports:
‘A report has claimed that a closed-door meeting was held between a Catholic official and the Pentagon in January. In the meeting, senior US defence officials gave a “bitter lecture” to the top Vatican diplomat, demanding that the Catholic Church get on board with the Trump administration’s military actions.
‘As per a report by The Free Press, earlier this year, American Undersecretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby summoned Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Vatican’s US representative, days after Pope Leo XIV delivered his State of the World speech.’
Judith Dyal writing on substack:
‘According to reports of the meeting, officials conveyed that the United States has overwhelming military power and that the Church should take its side. That is not diplomacy. That is a threat. That is a pressure-filled, confrontational message backed by force. And just to make sure the point landed, one of them even referenced the Avignon Papacy, a moment in history when political power quite literally bent the Church to its will.’
Trump choosing to do battle with the papacy is quite bizarre, so I’m not sure he can be trusted with King Charles either in his current volatile state of mind.
Fascinating, if horrifying, VF. Leads to all manner of thoughts about the Crusades too, and the many other ‘religious’ references of recent weeks. I’ve always thought that King Charles could cite his health as the perfect excuse for cancelling the US trip. I realise he’s under much pressure from the government, who seem to veer towards seeing the UK’s ‘relationship’ with the USA in a rather romantic, rather than pragmatic, light.
The US Saturn in Libra is conjunct the UK’s South Node, suggesting that we do have a ‘fateful’ bond with roots in the past. The Aries North Node is in the UK’s Seventh House of partnerships and ‘open enemies’. Tr Saturn will test the UK Nodes and the US Saturn during the summer. And the upcoming April Saturn/Mars/Mercury energies will highlight the UK descendant at 7 Aries, another potential ‘partnership’ message? I imagine these could all have wider implications. But Saturn doesn’t mess about, on the whole…..
Thanks, Jane for those details. What a punch those Aries planets are delivering! World turned upside down.
Just out of interest I looked up the date, 20th September 1378 – the date of the ‘Western Schism’. Saturn and Neptune were both in Aries, with Saturn retrograde at 3 Aries. Currently transit Neptune is at 2 Aries, Saturn at 6 degrees.
A celestial battering ram approaches! The Western Schism Saturn and Neptune in Aries is amazing, thanks very much for looking it up. I can’t define my thoughts exactly, but have many questions regarding the three Abrahamic religions at this point, and the tensions and aggressions we are seeing erupt. Plus, I suspect, cynical manipulations of those beliefs.
@Virgoflake, there is a CBS report now with a service member debunking Pentagon’s account on Iranian strike to Kuwait. I actually think Hegseth has been seen overstepping too many lines not only by the Military, but also by prominent Trump Admin members.
Hegseth does have a 29′ Pisces Moon and IC around at 4′ Aries. I think his zealot talk ultimately scared Trump, too.
Hegseth’s Mercury is at 9 Cancer – close to that of Trump – so he will be frustrated and blocked by Saturn in square to that placement over the next months, along with Neptune on his Nadir as you say. That transit will of course undermine his Midheaven, his public face. So yes, it looks like it’s pretty much curtains for Hegseth. Hegseth too has a close synastry with Iran, with his Virgo Saturn conjunct Iran’s Midheaven, NN and his Mars conjunct Iran;s Saturn, not to mention his Scheat Moon in Pisces conjunct Iran’s Mercury/Mars conjunction in Pisces – a hostile interaction imbued with Piscean religious fantasies it seems. I agree, it’s likely he’s in the firing line as things fall apart.
April also has Venus conjunct Uranus right before they both enter Gemini and Sun square Pluto (24th-26th). I need to dig into the headlines to see what came up when Uranus ingressed last July.
9th April is the day the Jewish Passover ends. Feels significant.
Passover:1 April to 9 April 2026.