The new Moon

The Moon in Aries is ruled by Mars,which is currently conjunct Uranus. This can be an explosive combination. There is a stellium in Aries with Mars, Uranus, Sun, Moon, Jupiter and Mercury. Aries is a fire sign. According to Michael Meyer (A Handbook for the Humanistic Astrologer, 1974),

The fire element in astrological symbolism represents the principle of animation, vitality, and action. It refers to experiences that are intense, emotional, and individual.

The modality of Aries is cardinal: it is the "form of energy expressed at the equinoxes and solstices. It refers to the principle of change and momentum. It represents active and intense life experiences. This mode generates power." (Again Michael Meyer)

Mercury turned retrograde March 30/31. Cafe Astrology has an excellent article (as all of their articles are) about retrograde Mercury. Here is an excerpt:

As the planet of communication, Mercury retrograde tends to breed a certain level of confusion. Mercury rules our "lower" mind--how we perceive and interpret information that we receive from our environment, and how we relay that information to others. Mercury has rulership over such things as speaking, negotiating, buying and selling, listening, formal contracts, documents, travel, the mail and shipping, and so forth. All of these areas of life are affected when Mercury is functioning in a sluggish state. Decision-making is challenged during Mercury retrograde. Needless to say, it is not advised to sign contracts, engage in important decision-making, or launch a new business. Delays and challenges are more probable with Mercury retrograde. It's a time when being careless with money, our personal information, or paperwork can be costly.

There is a T-square with Pluto (now retrograde) in Capricorn exactly square the midpoint between Mars-Uranus and Sun-Moon with Jupiter tagging along. For a good description of the influences of Mars, Uranus, Saturn and Pluto check out the Real Astrologers' new Moon post for this month.

This lunar cycle begins with the Sun-Moon dyad at the cusp of the sixth house. The sixth house denotes service of most kinds -- civil (including police and firefighters), health, military -- and the workers who provide service to employers. Traditionally, Mercury is the natural ruler of the 6th; but, with the discovery of the asteroids, Ceres, Vesta or Chiron may be more suitable rulers. At any rate the Sun, Moon and Jupiter in Aries positioned on the cusp of the sixth energizes the house's affairs. The new Moon coupled with Jupiter's optimistic expansiveness may give the employment numbers a boost.

During April, aspects between Saturn, Pluto, Mars and Uranus will be highlighted and affairs of the 2nd, 5th and 11th houses activated. The common thread between these houses is that their emphasis is reactive -- expanding, focussing and consolidating processes initiated earlier. Topics such as the economy, financial speculation, political ideologies apply.

The full Moon balances Sun against Moon on the Libra/Aries axis. From her position at new to the one at full, the Moon has traversed Aries through Libra and encountered only Juno in Virgo and Saturn in Libra, both retrograde. In other words all of the other planets, lights and asteroids are posited in the signs Capricorn through Aries. The fourth quadrant of the zodiac Capricorn through Pisces traditionally denotes impersonal integration with society -- "taking responsibility for working with others for the public good" (Jan Spiller).

The majority of planets and lights (Sun-Jupiter-Mercury-Mars-Uranus), however, are positioned in Aries. This is a strong combination and occupies the first, or personal, quadrant. Mars rules Aries, but the Sun in Aries is exalted. Considering all the factors, it's probably safe to say the Moon in Libra favors equilibrium, following the Martian (read martial) excesses earlier in the month.