Your Monthly Nebulous Nomad Forecast: April 2018
This year’s April monthly horoscope finds us in the midst of everyone’s favorite time: Mercury Retrograde.
While the first half of this month could certainly feel like a drawn-out version of April Fools’ Day, the transportation and communication hiccups should mostly end by the 15th, which is when the messenger planet stations direct again. Until then, give yourself extra time to get to the airport, and double-check your directions around town if you’re traveling in an unfamiliar place. Things could get screwy and your words might get misinterpreted, so this would be an especially good time to bone up on your language skills!
Also happening on the 15th: a galvanizing new moon in Aries, backed up by the change-inciting power of Uranus. If you’ve been waffling on the edge about a trip you want to take, a foreign language you want to learn, or another exciting possibility to expand your world further, this cosmic moment will provide a big launchpad for new beginnings. You can honor your inner ram by taking a leap.
A Jupiter/Pluto alignment that’s been influencing the sky throughout 2018 will also be especially prominent this month, and we might discover a lot about our own hidden dimensions while we travel and learn in April.
On April 19, the sun leaves the feisty, pioneering territory of Aries and settles into a more peaceful groove with Taurus. Our annual month-long appointment with the bull will remind us how to chill out, slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of life (like eating, sleeping and being in nature). Foodie adventure and/or camping trip, anyone?
The month ends with a full moon in Scorpio on the 29th, which will be cooperating with Saturn to help us see things for what they really are — and also make some solid plans and judgments based on what we learn around this time.
What adventures await you in April? Read on for your April monthly horoscope.
Aries
Happy birthday, Aries! This birthday season will serve up plenty of fun, but it might come with more mishaps than usual. That’s because Mercury has been retrograding through your sign since March 22. You know the drill: avoid purchasing new electronics if you can, read the fine print before you sign, and don’t race to the airport to board your flight with 15 minutes to spare. More than anything, Mercury Retrograde is about slowing down, being more deliberate with your words and wrapping up old projects before starting anything new — all things that probably sound like foreign languages to your famously impulsive sign. Speaking of foreign languages, how’s that whole “following through on what you start” thing going with those French lessons you took at the beginning of the year? This retrograde could give you an opportunity to get back on track with all your latest endeavors.
Watch out for some potential misunderstandings early in the month as your ruler, Mars, meets uncompromising Saturn in your 10th house of reputation on the 2nd. This duo will then face off with retrograde Mercury on the 4th and 5th. Things you say now (or post on social media) could have a less-than-desirable impact on how you’re known in the world. Speaking off the cuff (and even being a little brash) comes naturally to you, but people might have trouble understanding your true intent around this time, so at the very least, make sure you don’t accidentally say something that could be seen as culturally insensitive. You’re a nomad, not a numbskull!
Mid-month (moreso around the 14th), your travels will be colored by an impetus to deepen your self-knowledge, especially if it helps you find your calling. Jupiter, which rules your 9th house of travel, will sextile plumb-the-depths Pluto, activating the parts of your chart associated with deep transformation and career. Jupiter is also retrograde, so the travel you undertake now could be super conducive to introspection. On the 26th, Mars will meet Pluto, further motivating you to make moves and embrace competition.
On the 15th, Mercury stations direct, and there’s a new moon in your sign! Don’t immediately jump into action today, but do set some inspiring new goals for the coming year. The seeds you plant today will be especially potent.
Watch out for some overindulgent spendy tendencies around the 17th — do you really need the chef’s tasting menu to fully experience Rome? — and get ready for a month of getting up close and personal with your finances starting on the 19th, when the sun moves into Taurus.
On the 29th, the full moon in Scorpio will perhaps come with a payday in your investments — or just bring a buried psychological issue bubbling to the surface. Fortunately, Saturn is making it a little easier to face reality and take measured, practical steps.
Taurus
April is shaping up to be a turbocharged month for your adventures, but with Mars powering up your travel sector from mid-March to mid-May, you’ve probably already been feeling the aggressive demands of your wanderlust.
Your biggest challenge right now: escaping to a place that’s quiet enough for you to really hear your thoughts. The first half of April will find you especially tired and in need of a retreat, and with Mercury retrograding through your house of spirituality and endings, you could really benefit from wrapping up some loose ends in your life — and also getting away from it all, where you can meditate and dream in peace. Giving yourself a chance to fully integrate your recent experiences is crucial at the moment, and Mercury might point you to one or two gaps in your understanding.
Whether you’re traveling or not, look out for potential misunderstandings with gatekeepers and authority figures from the 2nd through the 5th. Do mark the 11th and 12th as potential romantic high notes. Your ruling planet, Venus, is in your sign most of the month, and this is probably making you feel especially gorgeous and in-demand. On these days, Venus links up with Mars and Neptune to generate a mixture of fairytale romance and good social game. You’ll mingle well with people who are not from your part of the world, and you’ll feel especially inspired by the sense of community around you.
By the time Mercury stations direct on the 15th, you’ll be fully ready to move on to the next chapter in your life, and with a new moon in Aries on the same day, you can fully turn a new leaf when it comes to your sleep, mental health and self-effacing tendencies.
Then, get ready to celebrate your birthday. The sun moves into your sign on the 19th, renewing you with energy and inspiration for the new year ahead of you.
On the 24th, your ruling planet, Venus, enters Gemini for the next couple of weeks, convincing extra cash to come your way. The full moon on the 29th could bring things to a head in one of your close relationships.
Though some intense and potentially challenging energy might complicate your travels, studies or your worldview on the 17th, 22nd and 26th, this stands to be a transformative month for how you approach your jetsetting.
Gemini
April could serve up its fair share of potential miscommunication within Team Gemini, as well as some technological glitches that may frustrate a multitasking tornado like you. With your ruling planet Mercury backpedaling through your teamwork and technology sector until the 15th, things might not function as smoothly as they normally do within your groups and networks. If you’re traveling with a large group, be especially mindful of commuting and transportation logistics. The silver lining of Mercury Retrograde? It might show you how to rely less on your gadgets and be more in the moment — and it might leave you with a new perspective regarding the organizations you’re a part of. If, for example, you’re taking a humanitarian trip to another country with a mission-oriented focus, that would fit the current astrology quite nicely.
Look out for a sudden moment of clarity that arrives in the eye of the storm on the 1st, and gird your loins for potential difficulty on the 4th and 5th. News you get from your network around this time might force you to confront some of your inner demons.
You can breathe a sigh of relief on the 15th as Mercury stations direct and a new moon in Aries wipes the slate clean. What have the last three weeks taught you about your hopes and dreams, or about the people you associate with? The new moon will be a fine occasion to set some new intentions related to these themes.
On the 19th, the sun moves into Taurus, slowing down your normally frenetic pace of activity and encouraging you to tune out distractions for a month. You might feel unusually tired or low-energy throughout this next month, and that’s okay. Listen to your body and prioritize rest, dreaming and meditation. Relaxing vacations certainly count, especially if they take place in nature. Taurus is an earth sign that loves to stop and smell the roses.
You’ll feel especially seen and appreciated after Venus moves into your sign on the 24th. For the next couple weeks, you’ll be in the mood to socialize and make connections — perfect for having memorable experiences abroad. Just watch for a brief bout of pessimism on the 25th, likely related to what Mercury Retrograde forced you to face early in the month. This time, at least, you’ll have a little more wisdom and understanding on your side.
The month ends with a full moon in Scorpio on the 29th, which might show you the tangible results of any actions you’ve taken to support your health or boost your productivity since this fall. And if you’re not happy with where you are on this front, you’ll have enough awareness now to know where to start.
Cancer
You’ve been raking in the career acclaim since the seasons officially turned in March, and the first part of April will continue to bring you exciting opportunities, promotions, publicity and recognitions. If you’re a travel blogger or social media buff, this period will also come with its fair share of visibility, so make sure to sail with these headwinds and put your best foot forward.
With Mercury also backtracking through this part of your chart, however, you might have had to muster extra patience for technology snafus and transportation headaches that may have slowed you down in your climb to the top. Avoid committing to any new career-related possibilities just yet, because you probably don’t know all the facts yet.
Your close relationships could be a source of potential tension for you this month, especially as Mars meets Saturn in your partnership sector and Mercury butts heads with them both from the 2nd to the 5th. It could be that bae is feeling neglected with all the attention you’ve been pouring into your work. The last quarter moon on the 8th could show you what’s been missing from your approach, and you might adjust your perspective around this time.
The 12th could be an especially dreamy day for your travels, and the forecast advises you to seek community wherever you happen to be. You’ll love being part of a group around this time, especially if it’s made up of people who don’t necessarily hail from your part of the woods.
On the 15th, Mercury turns direct again, and a new moon in Aries provides a potent blank slate for you to write your ambitious career intentions on. Expect a few more hiccups over the days ahead, but feel free to start slowly taking decisive steps again.
On the 19th, the sun moves into Taurus for a month, bringing the focus to your scene and the folks you associate with. Teamwork can mean many things, especially if it’s for a good cause. If you’re going to travel anywhere for the next month, see if you can join a mission or organization that’s working on a worthy humanitarian cause.
The full moon in Scorpio on the 29th ends the month with a fun, creative bang. If you’re an artist, this might coincide with the completion of a cherished creative project of yours. If you’re a person with a hobby, you might reach an important milestone at this time. And for everyone else, you might simply take this time to “be in the now” and give yourself over to fun and pleasure. Sounds like a perfect occasion to jet to a bustling city.
Leo
April stands to be an interesting time for your adventures, Leo. The kind of “interesting” that only Mercury Retrograde can deliver. Don’t fret too much, though — while you might run into annoying flight delays or experience frustrations with transportation and tech abroad, this could also be a good time for you to reconsider and review some of your long-held beliefs about the world. And nothing opens you up to new perspectives like travel. In the meantime, hopefully you have a good international data plan, or at least the ability to access WiFi when you’re lost so you can check a map on your phone.
You should also double-check your prescriptions and over-the-counter meds before you jet anywhere. You might experience a minor health flareup from the 2nd to the 5th that could be complicated further by logistical issues associated with being on the road, so you’ll want to make sure you know how to ask for the nearest pharmacy in the local language. This could also manifest as tension between your work and your personal politics, or between your self-care routines and your values and principles. Is it time to finally go veg?
You’ll be especially aware of any destructive habits that stand in the way of your vitality on the 11th, or perhaps have to deal with a controlling boss at your survival job who isn’t happy with how much you travel. Venus in your career zone hooks up with Mars on this day, however, allowing you to balance sweet-talk and self-assertion to define your own role.
On the 15th, Mercury stations direct again, and the new moon in Aries will encourage you to set some daring intentions for taking on the world this year. Brace yourself for some exciting surprises on this front around the 18th as well.
On the 19th, the sun moves into Taurus for a month, ushering in your annual month of career hustle. You love being seen and appreciated, Leo, and the following few weeks could bring plenty of recognition and acclaim to your door. The first quarter moon in your sign on the 22nd could be an especially good time to put yourself out there and take decisive action.
The month ends with a full moon in Scorpio on the 29th, ushering in a grand finale in your domestic sphere. Is this the end of a home renovation project, or just a sign from the universe to spend more time with the fam? If you’ve been truly nomadic for the past few months, this lunation could come with an opportunity to finally put down roots somewhere.
Virgo
You may have been processing a lot of heavy feels for the last few weeks, and with Mercury Retrograde potentially stirring up forgotten traumas and obsessions, you could have too much on your emotional plate right now to really think about where you want to vacation next.
Of course, there’s a method to this madness, and this cosmic imperative to examine old hurts and intimacy hang-ups could put you on the road to healing — most likely by leading you to a new way of looking at things. Mercury Retrograde could also stir up potential for miscommunication as you explore intimate topics with another this month. And if it’s not doing anything for you emotionally right now, you might encounter some potential logistical errors related to your taxes, debts, and investments. Hopefully you already filed your return, Virgo, but knowing you, you were probably done with that in early February.
The 2nd through the 5th could be an especially challenging few days. Feisty Mars meets nay-saying Saturn in your 5th house of pleasure, and Mercury squares both of them. It might be hard to let go and have fun when your deeper issues are in your face.
Regardless of how life’s been playing out for you, getting away from it all could actually be excellent balm for these troubled times. And with lovely Venus in your travel zone since late March, you’ll find pleasure and value in foreign perspectives — and you’ll really enjoy connecting with people you meet abroad. The 7th could be a good day for conversations that may eventually give form to your creative output, and the 11th and 12th will be good days to go out and party. You’ll have more fun in pairs, so bring your S.O. or a close confidante. Just watch for a potentially overindulgent mood on the 17th, or a tendency to talk a big game among your international friends. Whether you manage to avoid the hyperbole or not, you might possibly talk your way into a steamy connection around this date.
On the 15th, Mercury turns direct, and a new moon in Aries gives you a fresh start related to all the heavy themes you’ve been turning over in your mind all month.
Then, on the 19th, the sun moves into Taurus for the next month, marking your official annual primetime travel season. Where to next, Virgo? Like you, Taurus is an earth sign, and you might crave a nature escape around this time. Taurus also loves luxury and creature comforts, however, so we could totally see this being a glamping trip, or perhaps a detour to a 5-star hotel with very high-thread count sheets.
The Scorpio full moon on the 29th coincides with the blooming of a situation involving your siblings, neighbors or local community. All this travel might be exhilarating, but you’ve still got exciting things brewing close to home. Maybe it’ll coincide with you finding your voice in a transformative way — perhaps in a new language you’ve been studying?
Libra
For such a partnership-oriented sign like you, April might come with its fair share of relationship rumbles. As Mercury retrogrades through the partnership zone of your chart, make sure to be especially deliberate with your words, because the potential for misunderstandings will be especially high during this time. If you happen to be traveling with your boo or your buddy this month, give yourself extra time to get places, thereby minimizing the stress (and the reasons to yell at each other).
Look out for heightened tension between the 2nd and 5th, especially if it involves your home or family. That extended upcoming visit from the in-laws cold prove to be especially contentious around this time.
Your ruling planet, Venus, is also trawling through some intimate waters for most of the month, and you might find that you have less patience than usual for surface-level small talk. The 7th and 11th will both be potentially good days to have a heart-to-heart with the fam, or perhaps even capitalize on some home equity.
Breathe a sigh of relief on the 15th, which is when Mercury turns direct and a new moon in Aries gives you cosmic permission to turn over a new leaf with an important person in your life.
You might be prone to overdoing it with some spendy choices on the 17th, so try not to dip into your savings. Once the sun moves into Taurus on the 19th, you’ll have a month to focus on your debt, taxes, investments, and joint finances, so make sure those are in order, cause it would suck to have to delay an upcoming trip because you still owe the government money. Hopefully, you’re enjoying the possibilities that a nice, fat tax return can bring your way, like a trip to Cabo or Buenos Aires.
On the 24th, your ruling planet Venus enters Gemini for a few weeks, which is the area of your chart associated with travel and foreign cultures. Gemini likes to sample a little bit of everything, and you’ll take a lot of pleasure in gobbling up a smorgasbord of cultural experiences. See if you can book a cruise that stops in a number of port cities, or a backpacking trip that allows you to dip your toes into as many places as possible.
Look out for some green on the 29th, which is when the full moon in Scorpio brings a wad of cash to your bank account, or perhaps turns your attention to a budgeting shortfall. Either way, mind your money this month, Libra, even if it’s merely the means to the end of your ability to see more of the world.
Scorpio
If you’ve been thinking (and rethinking) your approach to your projects, health, routines and workflow, expect the review session to continue through the first half of April. Mercury Retrograde is asking you to hit the brakes regarding any new initiatives you’re eager to jumpstart. Instead, this time will be best spent wrapping up loose ends and reconsidering what being healthy and organized actually means to you. Bonus perk: if you contemplate this long enough, you might come up with a genius idea for organizing your life around your travel, and not the other way around.
Mercury Retrograde also comes with its fair share of technical glitches and misunderstandings, and you might feel this in a big way between the 2nd and the 5th, especially if it creeps into your work life. This dynamic might surface again on the 11th, but perhaps with a little more power-tripping on your end this time. Venus and your modern ruler, Mars, will be cooperating on this day, however, so you can at least look forward to a productive conversation with bae or another important person in your life — one in which you can assertively communicate your needs.
On the 15th, Mercury stations direct again, and a new moon in Aries gives you the cosmic green light to draft up some bold new initiatives related to your work and health.
Feel free to tap into the “me first” vibes of Aries when you do so, because once the sun moves into Taurus on the 19th, your focus will turn to balance and compromise, particularly as these themes play out in your closest relationships. If you’re on the road during this time, two will be better than one, and you could possibly get even more out of your experiences when you’ve got a partner to bounce your impressions off of.
Your modern ruler, Pluto, also stations retrograde on the 22nd. The couple of days surrounding this event might stoke especially intense vibes from your siblings or neighbors, or perhaps from you. Pluto has been working its deep, transformative magic on the way you communicate for the last decade. As it grinds to a halt, you may notice yourself exhibiting some potentially shady verbiage, or maybe just working your powers of persuasion on someone. On the 26th, Mars will meet Pluto in this part of your chart, which might bring up some buried anger for discussion.
Soon, though, the full moon in your sign on the 29th could bring cause for celebration to close out the month. This lunation might coincide with the completion of a major self-improvement initiative you’ve been working on since your birthday, or perhaps encourage you to redefine yourself in the context of an important relationship. In other words, it’s good to be two, but you need to learn to be one first.
Sagittarius
You may be especially focused on your creative output as April begins, but that’s probably because Mercury Retrograde is compelling you to wrap up old projects before you impatiently dive into the 10 million other ideas that are bumping around in your brain. You might also find yourself revisiting old hobbies that once gave you joy, or maybe just suddenly seeing the ghosts of Tinder past haunting your phone.
Though this will generally be a good time to socialize and have fun, you should still be wary of the typical Mercury Retrograde pitfalls, like miscommunication, tech glitches and transportation fails. In other words: party on, Garth, but take extra precautions — especially if you’re in a foreign place where you’re not as familiar with the lay of the land.
A financial setback might get in the way of your revelry between the 2nd and the 5th, so make sure not to heedlessly overspend.
Around the 14th, you’ll feel some beneficial (and powerful) growth vibes helping you behind the scenes, which might generate a powerful leap in your sense of self-worth thanks to the spiritual growth you’ve made over the last several months. The nice thing about this alignment? It could lead to actual growth in your wallet, too, so hopefully this counterbalances the numismatic nuisance of early April.
On the 15th, Mercury finally ends its retrograde, and a new moon in Aries finds you starting fresh with a new creative project or pleasure-seeking initiative. Use what you learned over the last couple of weeks, but don’t be afraid to take things in a bold new direction.
Once the sun moves into Taurus on the 19th, you’ll heed the cosmic signal to slow down with the partying long enough to get your life back in order (and your health back on track).
While you’re getting organized, don’t let the quarter moon on the 22nd pass you by, because this could be a critical time to snag those plane tickets to Bali, or make a move on some travel plans you’ve had in the works.
The Scorpio full moon on the 29th rounds out the month with some receipts and results, especially if they pertain to the more spiritual side of your self-care. Perhaps that meditation retreat you went on in the fall left a lasting impression on you, and you can really see how much you’ve changed for the better now. It’s your subconscious calling, and it’s calling on you to celebrate your progress.
Capricorn
Distractions at home may be keeping you from focusing too much of your attention on travel this month, but if you do happen to be out of town while things are going wrong around your house, make sure you know who to call. Mercury Retrograde backpedaling through your domestic zone could work its glitchy ways into your smart home appliances, and it can also lead to plain old miscommunication with the fam.
So long as you can muster enough patience to deal, the frustration should mostly end after Mercury stations direct on the 15th. A new moon on that same day can be the perfect opportunity to set your sights on a new home if you’re thinking about moving — perhaps to a new country? If you’re happy where you are, draft an interior design vision board, turn a new leaf over with your parents or begin delving more deeply into your cultural roots instead.
Until then, you’ve also got lots of activity going down in your sign that might empower you and totally stress you out at the same time. Mars meets Saturn in Capricorn on the 2nd, and Mercury squares both of them on the 4th and 5th. You want to assert yourself, but you also want to be the adult in the room. The good news is you can do both, and you can even have fun while doing it on the 7th.
Around the 14th, you’ll feel some powerful, transformative vibes coming your way thanks to the help of your friends (or maybe even your acquaintances). This is the next leg in a story that’s been playing out since January, so pay attention to the people who are in your corner at the moment. You may have discovered a brand new scene or network since October, and it’s doing great things for your personal growth — especially now. The month also wraps up with a full moon in this part of your chart on the 29th, bringing a satisfying moment of fruition and revelation to this process.
On April 17, your ruling planet, Saturn, stations retrograde in your sign, and you might feel the familiar specter of self-doubt and “taking yourself too seriously” once again. Don’t buy into it too much, because when the sun moves into Taurus on the 19th, you’ll have a month to focus on your self-expression, playfulness, and need to just cut loose and have fun once in awhile (yes, Capricorns have this need, too). Just try not to get too bombastic on the 26th.
Aquarius
Short-distance trips may be where your head’s at as April begins, but that doesn’t mean it won’t come without its fair share of headaches. Hosting Mercury Retrograde in the part of your chart associated with communication and your local scene could lead to plenty of misunderstandings and annoying problems with local transportation. Definitely give yourself extra time to commute to work for the first couple weeks of the month, because lord only knows you already got a taste of this in late March.
Make sure to slow down when you’re talking, be more deliberate with your words and don’t jump to conclusions if you think someone else is playing the aggressor. You might feel especially down in the dumps about a perceived slight on the 5th, and again around the 25th — only the second time, you’ll know a little better.
You’ll start to feel the relief on the 15th when Mercury goes direct again, with the added power of the Aries new moon creating a launchpad for your new endeavors. Don’t jump into action today necessarily, but do make a plan for a weekend trip to a nearby city soon.
The sun enters Taurus on the 19th, slowing down the busy pace of last month and encouraging you to get nice and grounded at home. It’s fun to be out and about, but the next few weeks will remind you of how important it is to have a stable home base where you can settle down between your trips abroad.
The full moon in Scorpio on the 29th ends the month with a big exclamation point for your career. Something’s blooming now, and if you’ve been hard at work over the last six months, expect to see some beautiful results around this time. The moon is also in cooperative alignment with your traditional ruler, Saturn, so all signs point to “building something strong that’s gonna last.”
Pisces
April finds you hustling hard for those dollars, but with Mercury backtracking through your financial sector since late March, the money funnel may be a little more twisted than usual. Be extra watchful of your account balances this month, and avoid making impulsive purchases. This might not be the easiest thing to do when just-do-it Aries is ruling your house of spending, but Mercury Retrograde is all about slowing down, rethinking and reconsidering.
There’s always a silver lining with Mercury Retrograde, though. If you can get past the annoyances and frustrations, you might actually get something useful out of this review period — like a better budget. Maybe one with more room left over for travel.
In the midst of all this activity, you might experience a dreamy, pleasant break on the 12th, when Venus hooks up with your modern ruler, Neptune. Give yourself an opportunity to get lost in music, art or poetry around this day, especially if it gives you a chance to bond with your neighbors or local community.
Mid-month could also be a pivotal moment for you due to your traditional ruler, Jupiter, making its second sextile to Pluto this year on the 14th. This is a dynamic that’s coloring most of 2018, and it already made itself felt strongly in January. And with Jupiter currently touring your 9th house of travel for a year, expect some transformative growth of the horizon-widening variety. You might have a powerful ally in your network — or perhaps your network itself is acting as a dynamic resource. It’s all in who you know, Pisces. How are they helping you take on more of the world this year?
On the 15th, Mercury finally turns direct again, and a new moon in Aries gives you a chance to turn over a new leaf financially.
Then, on the 19th, the sun moves into Taurus for a month, which is the part of your chart associated with local community and short trips. Let your carry-on rest a little this month and try to check some weekend getaways off your bucket list instead. Distant adventures are often more aspirational, but you shouldn’t overlook the gems in your own backyard, Pisces.
Mark your calendar for the 29th, though, because the full moon in Scorpio might bring an exciting international opportunity your way — perhaps the ripening of plans you’ve had in the works for the last several months?
