 Calendar Page
Special Days and Aspects
for April 2003
Welcome to
April! Click
on a date in the calendar to see the current aspects and events for that
day.
April 1, 2003
Moon
Phase
New Moon in Aries. To read about the astrological effects of New Moons, with
interpretations by Linda Goodman, please see the article
Lunations à la
Linda in this issue.
April
Fool’s Day: Sorry, but there are no holidays of any kind this month.
April Fool! This day for playing tricks on friends by getting them to believe
false information (at least momentarily) dates to the adoption of the Gregorian
calendar in 1582. New Year’s Day was moved to January 1 from its more
natural occurrence near the vernal equinox. People who continued to celebrate
the old form of the new year and to make new year’s visits to loved
ones in late March and early April were mocked as April Fools. In the French
version of the day, the fool is a fish, the poisson d’avril,
and the prankster’s goal is to pin a paper fish on the back of
someone’s shirt without getting caught.
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April 2, 2003
Mercury at
23 degrees Aries sextile Saturn in Gemini
Saturn’s influence adds an element of sobriety to the often light-hearted
Mercury, although today this soberness is not likely to cause any great feelings
of depression, as the sextile aspect works to create a day that is suited
to disciplined mental work, serious thought and deep reflection.
Sun at 12
degrees Aries sextile Neptune in Aquarius
Physically, today may be a day of low energy, as dreamy Neptune interacts
with the normally robust Sun in Aries. Psychically, however, this aspect
offers an excellent opportunity to deeply and wordlessly understand all who
cross your path.
Chandraman
Ugadi: A Hindu Lunar New Year celebration in Andhra Pradesh in India.
This New Year’s observance, determined by the New Moon, is also celebrated
in Maharastra, India, as Gudi Padwa.
International
Children’s Book Day: Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday was
chosen by the International Board on Books for Young People as the day to
celebrate children’s literature.
Florida
State Day: Explorer Ponce de León landed in Florida around Easter
time in 1513 and called the land “Easter Full of Flowers” - Pascua
Florida. The Florida Legislature proclaimed April 2 a state holiday in
commemoration of the landing.
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April 3, 2003
Have a
great day!
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April 4, 2003
Megalesia:
An ancient Roman festival, Megalesia honored the Great Mother, a goddess
called Cybele. The cult of Cybele was introduced to Rome by the Phrygian
people about 200 B.C. Beginning about 200 A.D., Cybele’s festival became
the first day of a series of annual days devoted to pleasure and recreation,
days during which business must cease for fear of offending the gods. The
Ludi Mengalenses lasted from April 4-10 and were followed by two other
sets of spring games.
Feast
of San Isidro de Seville: The Spanish saint, who was bishop of Seville,
founded many schools in late sixth- and early seventh-century Spain and brought
together all the scholarly knowledge of the time into a 20-volume encyclopedia,
the Etymologies. Latin American countries, as well as Spain, celebrate
this holiday.
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April 5, 2003
Mercury enters
Taurus
The quick-thinking, fast-talking style of communication so prevalent while
Mercury was in Aries slows down today as Mercury starts his turn in Taurus.
Communication and thinking during this time is characterized by a slow, steady
and even-handed approach, with an emphasis on subject matter that is practical
and down-to-earth.
Qing Ming
Jei: Variously celebrated on April 4, 5 or 6, two weeks after the vernal
equinox, the celebration of Qing Ming - Clear Brightness - is one of a few
Chinese festivals recognizing the solar calendar, rather than the culture’s
more prominent lunar calendar. In ancient times it was more of a celebration
of spring and new life. These days it is also known as “Tomb Sweeping
Day,” a day to honor the ancestors.
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April 6, 2003
Mercury at
1 degree Taurus sextile Uranus in Pisces
An exciting day with unbridled potential. Any combination of these two planets
ignites a spark of unexpected possibilities, unexplored genius. The earthy
sensuality of Venus-ruled Taurus combined with the dreamy oceans of Neptune
offer a myriad of innovative and creative possibilities today.
Daylight-Saving
Time begins: Set your clocks forward an hour if you’re in the part
of the world that saves summer daylight.
Chakri
Day: This national holiday in Thailand honors the establishment of the
Chakri dynasty, which has been in power since 1782, although the absolute
power of the monarchy ended with reforms in 1932. The holiday marks the
enthronement of Chao Phraya Chakri, a general who assumed the throne after
a coup. After his death he became known as Rama I.
Founding
of the Mormon Church: The birthday of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints is generally a formal observance by church officials, who
hold their annual conference at their Salt Lake City, Utah, headquarters
at this time. The church’s founding prophet, Joseph Smith, established
the church on April 6, 1830, in Fayette, New York.
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April 7, 2003
Have a
great day!
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April 8, 2003
Buddha
Day: There are different celebrations of Buddha’s birthday on other
dates, but in the northern tradition, his birth is celebrated April 8. The
Buddha was born about 563 B.C. as Prince Siddhartha Gautama in Nepal. He
renounced his royal privileges at age 29 and became a wandering ascetic.
Meditating under a ficus tree, now called the Bodhi Tree, he achieved
enlightenment at age 35 and went on to teach ethics and work against the
caste system. The core of the religion he established teaches that one must
free oneself of worldly fetters to attain the enlightened state of Nirvana,
freedom from sorrow and selfish desire.
Hana
Matsuri: Japan’s celebration of Buddha’s birthday is known
as the Flower Festival. In a custom dating to the seventh century, people
use a special sweet tea, made of hydrangea leaves, to anoint a small statue
of the Buddha, which stands in an open lotus flower.
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April 9, 2003
Moon
Phase
First-quarter Moon in Cancer.
Linda
Goodman’s Birthday: On this day, probably in 1925, author and astrologer
Linda Goodman was born. She died in 1995.
Appomattox
Day: The American Civil War ended on this day in 1865 in the Virginia
village of Appomattox Court House. The surrendering Confederate soldiers
were allowed to keep their horses and return home.
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April 10, 2003
Sun at 19
degrees Aries trine retrograde Pluto in Sagittarius
The strong Arian Sun is magnified today by the intensity of its trine to
Pluto. A perfect day for problem-solving, as you are able to insightfully
penetrate the inner workings of everything around you. Keep yourself in check
when dealing with others though - the strength of this transit can bring
out the most militaristic side of your nature.
Mercury at
8 degrees Taurus square Jupiter in Leo
A providential transit that enables one to enthusiastically and optimistically
grasp the big picture. The downside is the bossy and assumptive manner that
such insight can create. Combined with the effects of the Sun trine Pluto
(see above), today is likely to be your best day this month to work on mental
projects - but do the work alone.
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April 11, 2003
Rama
Navami: Hindu temples fill with people chanting the name of Rama on this
holiday, their prayers focused on gaining freedom from the reincarnational
cycle of birth and death. The day celebrates the birthday of Prince Rama,
who was the seventh of 10 reincarnations of the god Vishnu in Hindu belief.
The faithful recite stories from the Ramayana, an epic poem with Rama
as its hero.
Uganda
Liberation Day: The anniversary of the 1979 overthrow of dictator Idi
Amin, accomplished with the help of Tanzanian fighters, is a national holiday
in Uganda.
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April 12, 2003
Songkran:
A three-day festival in Thailand, April 12-14, celebrating the traditional
New Year. The public holiday includes Buddhist services and the custom of
people splashing each other with water.
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April 13, 2003
Venus at
19 degrees Pisces square retrograde Pluto in Sagittarius
Sensitive and emotional Venus in Pisces tangles with Pluto’s heavier
tones. Look for shifts in the power balance in your relationships and watch
for situations that dissolve into struggles for power and control.
Palm
Sunday: A week before Easter, Christians commemorate Jesus’ triumphant
entry into Jerusalem, when crowds welcomed him with praise, waving palm fronds
symbolic of victory. The original day occurred during Passover, and the people,
who had heard of Jesus’ miracles, expected him to lead them in freeing
the land from Roman domination. These days on Palm Sunday, the beginning
of Holy Week, Catholic and other churches distribute specially blessed palm
fronds, or small branches of other trees where palms are unavailable, to
their congregations. Many people hang the blessed leaves in their homes all
year to bring continued blessings.
Baisakhi:
This New Year’s celebration is a major festival in Punjab, India. For
the Sikh population it also has religious meaning, commemorating the date
of the founding of the Khalsa brotherhood.
Thomas
Jefferson’s Birthday: The author of the American Declaration of
Independence was born this day in 1743. Founder of the University of Virginia
and co-founder of the Democratic Party, Jefferson was a philosopher, linguist,
engineer and farmer in addition to being an American president and political
writer.
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April 14, 2003
Mercury at
12 degrees Taurus square Neptune in Aquarius
Another difficult day for communication, as the sometimes hazy energy of
Neptune casts a fog of confusion over your mental energy. A day where it
is as easy to misunderstand others as it is to be misunderstood. If you must
speak in public, have meticulous notes prepared and rehearse them well!
Sun at 24
degrees Aries sextile Saturn in Gemini
Saturn in Gemini has a structuring effect on the mind and, combined harmoniously
with the Sun, lends a serious note to your thoughts. The question today is
which aspect will prevail - the delusional haze of the Mercury/Neptune square,
or the grounded stability one can find here.
Ambedkar
Jayanti: Birthday of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, also called the architect
of the Indian Constitution. Ambedkar led the committee that wrote India’s
Constitution after India achieved independence from Britain in 1947. He was
a lawyer who belonged to the class of Hindus called Dalits (the untouchables
in older, more intolerant times). He was a firebrand activist who fought
for Dalit rights.
Hindu
New Year’s celebrations: Some of the various Hindu New Year’s
festivals described below on Tuesday, April 15, are observed in some areas
on Monday, April 14.
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April 15, 2003
Mahavir
Jayanti: A festival of the Jain faith, celebrating the birthday of Lord
Mahavir, the 24th and final Tirthankara, who popularized the religion
in its present form. For more about Jainism, please see the article
Ahimsa parmo dharma
- A look at Jainism in this issue.
Souryaman
Ugadi: Hindu Solar New Year’s Day in Karnataka, India. It is said
that Lord Brahma began the creation on this day.
Bengali
New Year’s Day: Also New Year’s Day in the Indian state of
Assam, where the holiday is called Bihu, and in Kerala, where it is
celebrated as Vishu, and in Tamil Nadu, where it is called
Pongal.
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April 16, 2003
Moon
Phase
Full Moon in Libra.
The
Lord’s Evening Meal: The major annual celebration for the
Jehovah’s Witness faith, commemorating the Last Supper, Jesus’
Passover meal, on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Nisan.
Hanuman
Jayanti: The Birthday of the Monkey God, Hanuman, who was the greatest
devotee of Lord Rama and helped rescue Rama’s wife, Sita (an incarnation
of Goddess Lakshmi), who had been kidnapped by the demon king Ravana. This
war to rescue Sita forms a major chunk of the
Ramayana.
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April 17, 2003
Venus at
24 degrees Pisces square Saturn in Gemini
If you’ve been wearing rose-coloured glasses in your relationship, today
is the day they will come off! Saturn’s exacting standards and calm
sense of detachment mean that today’s energy provides the ideal setting
for a balanced analysis of how you are handling the people in your life.
While upsetting truths may be uncovered, strong relationships will withstand
the test and move forward stronger still. Weak relationships can dissolve
under this influence, but before despairing, ask yourself why you would want
to hold on to a weak relationship anyway.
Passover
(Pesach) begins: The week-long celebration of the Jewish exodus from
slavery in Egypt is April 17-24 this year, although officially beginning
at sundown the night before. The Egyptian Pharaoh’s refusal to allow
Moses to lead the Hebrew people out of Egypt prompted God to send a series
of plagues to the country, according to the Biblical book of Exodus. In the
10th plague, the Angel of Death visited every Egyptian household, but passed
over the Jewish households, sparing those families from the tragedy. As the
Egyptians mourned their dead, Moses roused his people to make their escape.
The holiday period is celebrated with retellings of the story and with special
meals, called Seders, incorporating many foods that symbolize the experiences
of slavery and freedom.
Maundy
Thursday: Also known as Holy Thursday, the day commemorates Jesus’
Last Supper - and the origin of the sacrament of Holy Communion or the Eucharist,
using unleavened bread and wine, as the Last Supper was a Passover supper,
or Seder. Jesus took the bread and wine, offered thanks and praise to God,
then gave the bread and wine to his disciples, telling them it was his body
and blood, which would be given up for them and all people so that sins may
be forgiven. “Maundy” is said to come from the Latin for commandment,
referring to Christ’s words: “A new commandment I give unto you,
that you love one another as I have loved you.”
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April 18, 2003
Sun at 27
degrees Aries square Mars in Capricorn
One of the last major aspects the Arian Sun forms before it moves on to Taurus,
and it’s bound to be memorable! Strengthened by being in the signs of
their exaltations, these two ego-fuelled planets demand recognition. Channeled
well, today promises raw creative power and unbridled energy to get things
done. The difficulty will be in not succumbing to the sheer force of either
of these monoliths.
Good
Friday: The day commemorating Jesus’ crucifixion is a solemn one
in Christian churches. Crosses in churches are often draped in black. Some
churches hold special services from noon to 3 p.m. in honor of the last three
hours Jesus hung on the cross and the last seven things he
said.
Passover
(Pesach) continues: The week-long celebration of the Jewish exodus from
slavery in Egypt is April 17-24 this year.
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April 19, 2003
Ceralia:
Festival in ancient Rome, a favorite of the common people, in honor of Ceres,
goddess of grain and harvests.
Holy
Saturday: The last day of Lent is time for the Easter vigil in many churches.
Orthodox Christians in Slavic countries bring baskets of food prepared for
Easter feasts to church to be blessed this night.
Lazarus
Saturday: Orthodox Christian celebration of the resurrection of Lazarus
by Jesus, celebrated on the eve of Orthodox Palm Sunday. The celebration
honors Jesus as “the resurrection and life.”
Passover
(Pesach) continues: The week-long celebration of the Jewish exodus from
slavery in Egypt is April 17-24 this year.
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April 20, 2003
The Sun enters
Taurus
A shift from the fiery and impetuous energy of the Sun in Aries to the quiet
strength of the Bull. Earthy, fixed and ruled by Venus, Taurus is concerned
with resources, and managing them in a stable and practical way. Material
possessions and the practical creativity of home décor and gardening
are highlighted during this time.
Easter:
Most Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ on this day, the Sunday
following the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. The most holy
of Christian sacred days includes worship services beginning at sunrise,
special music, feasting and parades. Eastern Orthodox Christians figure in
some additional elements in setting the date for Easter, including the date
of Passover. This year, Easter Day in western churches is Palm Sunday for
Orthodox churces, who celebrate Easter on April 27.
Passover
(Pesach) continues: The week-long celebration of the Jewish exodus from
slavery in Egypt is April 17-24 this year.
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April 21, 2003
Venus at
29 degrees Pisces sextile Mars in Capricorn
Like the Sun/Mars aspect on the 18th, this is another example of two planets
working though the signs of their exaltations, however this time the energy
is combined much more harmoniously. The sextile aspect between Venus and
Mars promotes a balance between Venus’ concern for the relationship
and Mars’ concern for the individual. A great day for making new friends,
and for singles to pursue friendships that may develop into romance.
Venus enters
Aries
A tough spot for Venus here in her detriment in Aries, opposite to Libra,
her ruling sign. At its best, Venus in Aries offers an exuberant and animated
approach to love and relationships. Aries’ childlike qualities may not
produce the most sophisticated approach to love, but its naiveté carries
with it a certain charm, provided the tendency towards selfishness is overcome.
Parilia:
Ancient Roman observance honoring Pales, protector of shepherds and their
flocks.
Ridvan
begins: Technically beginning at sunset April 20, Ridvan is a 12-day
festival of the Baha’i faith, which teaches the unity of all religions
and all people. The faith’s founder, Baha’u’llah, stayed in
a garden he called Ridvan, or Paradise, near Baghdad for 12 days in the spring
of 1863 when he declared that he was God’s messenger for the age. Days
1, 9 and 12 of the period are holy days, when no work is to be done. Ridvan
lasts until May 2.
Passover
(Pesach) continues: The week-long celebration of the Jewish exodus from
slavery in Egypt is April 17-24 this year.
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April 22, 2003
Mars enters
Aquarius
The transit of Mars through Aquarius presents us with a time where considerable
energy can be directed towards the Aquarian ideal of service to humanity.
Less tradition-bound than Mars in Capricorn, there is an opportunity here
for reform, and even revolution. Although Mars is not normally strong in
the arena of teamwork, the Aquarian influence grants Mars a little more patience
in cooperative efforts.
Sun at 1
degree Taurus sextile Uranus in Pisces
Unexpected possibilities are around every corner today. Not normally a disturbing
influence, this transit can generate surprising experiences and interesting
situations. Even normally straight-laced people will feel the need to cut
loose today. A fun day to go shopping and buy that item you’ve secretly
yearned for but never dared to try. But unless you are ready for a more permanent
change, avoid the salon.
Earth
Day: A day for promoting environmental awareness, Earth Day has been
celebrated in the United States since 1970 and has become popular in other
countries since then. In some cities, it has become an occasion for interfaith
religious services promoting responsible treatment of the Earth.
Passover
(Pesach) continues: The week-long celebration of the Jewish exodus from
slavery in Egypt is April 17-24 this year.
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April 23, 2003
Moon
Phase
Last-quarter Moon in Aquarius.
St.
George’s Day: The patron saint of England is known in legend for
converting a town to Christianity by vanquishing a threatening dragon. His
day is celebrated with parades and fanfare in a number of European countries
and even in Syria, where he is honored by both Christians and Moslems.
Shakespeare’s
Birthday: The English town of Stratford-on-Avon, birthplace of William
Shakespeare, hosts parades and pageants on this day in honor of the great
poet and playwright. Controversy exists over whether Shakespeare wrote the
prolific body of work published under his name or whether a nobleman was
the author, using Shakespeare’s name to protect his anonymity. But the
man known as Shakespeare, who was born in Stratford-on-Avon and buried there,
gets the honor on this day. His actual date of birth is unknown, but he was
baptized April 26, 1564 and died April 23, 1616.
Passover
(Pesach) continues: The week-long celebration of the Jewish exodus from
slavery in Egypt is April 17-24 this year.
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April 24, 2003
First
Day of Summer in Iceland: The Thursday between April 19 and 25 is a major
holiday in Iceland, celebrating the end of winter. People exchange gifts
and stage performances of drama and song.
Armenian
Martyrs’ Day: One of this century’s holocausts, a genocide
based on ethnic and religious differences, was the Turkish massacre of Armenians
in 1915 and 1916, in which 1 million people - half the Armenian population
in Turkey - were killed. The martyrs are memorialized on this day in Armenian
communities and churches around the world.
Passover
ends: The week-long Jewish freedom celebration concludes.
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April 25, 2003
Secretaries
Day: Established in 1952 by the trade organization Professional Secretaries
International, the occasion provides an opportunity for employers to give
their secretaries and office assistants special recognition.
Anzac
Day: Australia and New Zealand’s memorial day for those who have
died in the wars of this century is observed with veterans’ parades
and religious services. The holiday is named for the Australia and New Zealand
Army Corps (Anzac).
Sinai
Day: This Egyptian holiday commemorates the withdrawal of Israeli troops
from the Sinai Peninsula in 1982 as promised in the 1978 Camp David agreement
between the countries.
Italy’s
Liberation Day: The anniversary of the Allies’ 1943 invasion, leading
to the overthrow of Mussolini’s fascism, is a national holiday in Italy.
Liberty
Day in Portugal: The Portuguese holiday celebrates a coup in 1974 that
ousted a government with unpopular military policies.
River
Kwai Bridge Memorial Day: The Kanchanaburi War Cemetery in Thailand holds
services for the nearly 7,000 American, Australian, British and Dutch prisoners
of war buried there who died while being forced by their Japanese captors
to build a railroad through the jungle from Bangkok to Burma during World
War II.
Orthodox
Holy Friday: The somber day commemorating Jesus’ crucifixion, according
to the Eastern Rite churches’ calendar.
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April 26, 2003
Audubon
Day: The National Audubon Society, an American group dedicated to the
conservation of wildlife, celebrates the birthday of John James Audubon,
born in 1785. Audubon published 435 realistic paintings of birds of the New
World in his book Birds of America. The Audubon Society, originally
set up to study and protect birds, was founded by a George Bird Grinnell,
a student of Audubon’s widow, Lucy, after the illustrator’s death.
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April 27, 2003
Holy Pascha:
Easter for Orthodox churches.
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April 28, 2003
Have a
great day!
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April 29, 2003
Venus at
9 degrees Aries trine Jupiter in Leo
This month, the best transits were definitely saved for last! Venus trine
Jupiter is typically one of the most bountiful, lucky and pleasant planetary
combinations. A day where anyone would be hard-pressed to feel less than
content. Even those in the most negative situations will find a glimmer of
hope and a sense of peace today.
Sun at 9
degrees Taurus square Jupiter in Leo
The bounty of Jupiter is so fortuitous that even a square aspect really
can’t be considered negative. In fact, the slight tension created by
the square may actually help to keep this great-feeling day on track, since
the only danger of two so enjoyable transits on one day is the possibility
of being mired in lazy feelings of self-indulgence. And really, what’s
so bad about that?
Yom
HaShoah: The first Nazi concentration camp to be liberated by the Allies
when the war against Germany ended in 1945 was the camp at Buchenwald, Germany,
liberated on the 27th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan. Israel’s government
established the anniversary as Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Day. The holiday, which
technically begins at sundown the evening before, has a threefold meaning:
it memorializes the 6 million Jews killed in the Nazi holocaust, honors the
survivors, and reminds humanity what human beings are capable of doing to
one another.
Greenery
Day: Celebrated with parades, costumes and fireworks, this Japanese holiday
originally was established in honor of the birthday of Emperor Hirohito.
The world’s longest ruling monarch, Hirohito led Japan during World
War II. In 1946, he renounced the divinity the Japanese traditionally associated
with the emperor and had a reduced role in post-war Japan’s parliamentary
democracy. He died in 1989.
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April 30, 2003
St. James
the Great Day: Orthodox Christian recognition of the martyrdom of the
Apostle James the Great in 44 A.D.
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Astrology
by Terri Smallwood; holidays compiled by Maria Barron
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