April is upon us with a fury of cosmic activity and challenges that will keep your head spinning! And even if the month may begin with a struggle, it's set to end on a pleasant note.

Almost immediately, on April 2, Mars moves to join the Sun in Aries. It'll be go, go, go with this super dose of Aries energy ... but not necessarily with much tact. At least your directness will help get the job done -- and with this much Aries, people won't hold grudges.

Then on April 3, Mars conjuncts Uranus, triggering even more Aries energy. But at the same time, tentative Saturn opposes the Sun, and even with all this vigor, moving forward will still pose a struggle.

Not one to remain on the sidelines, Jupiter tangles itself in the mix on April 6. Enjoy the good luck planet while you can! This lighter, more confident mood will be fleeting.

On April 11, Mars squares off with Pluto, leaving you trapped and frustrated. It's time to practice that old motto of 'Change what you can, and accept what you can't.' Mars eventually frees itself from Pluto, only to fall into a cranky opposition with Saturn on April 18 -- the same day as the Full Moon. Try to practice self-discipline, and watch your feet as you may become accident-prone.

April 20 brings relief when the Sun moves into placid, indulgent Taurus. The very next day, April 21, Venus moves into say-what-you're-feeling Aries, a contact that makes everyone become more romantically courageous.

An amorous tug-of-war ensues between April 23-27, as Venus meets up first with flirtatious Uranus, then with jealous Pluto. Remember that tug-of-war is a game to enjoy -- even if you find yourself pulled into the mud!

Also on April 23, Mercury turns direct, at which point the communication issues plaguing everyone this month will, at last, come to an end.
 
On April 28, a meeting between the Sun and Pluto brings closure to a major problem you've been battling; you'll feel great, and the lessons you learn will last a lifetime!

In the backdrop of all this activity, Neptune slowly slides into Pisces on April 4 for the first time in over 150 years. Neptune takes 15 years to move through a sign, but this month, you should start to feel some of the heightened Piscean effects this transit will bring.

While all these transits present influences that impact everyone on a cosmic level, the same planetary motions also affect us individually. Astrology.com's detailed, personalized April Forecast -- written by renowned astrologer Art Poppe -- analyzes every single transit for the entire month with respect to your own natal chart. This forecast provides information about the best times to take action, as well as how to weather challenges with grace and ease. Prepare yourself for everything this month has in store for you with your personalized April Forecast -- all for only $8.95!
Sincerely,

The small wren and the red-breasted robin are considered very magical birds.  A sight of these two birds is a sign that the birth of a new season has begun.  

The wren is known as cave dwellers, that live in the dense thickets.  In myth, it is believed that the wren flew too close to the sun, which turned the ends of their feathers bright red. 

 The birds have been described as being born and reborn of fire.  

The robin and the wren arrive side by side, bringing the sun's warmth and light.  It is said the robin, in anticipation of their union, flew to the heavens to greet the wren and flew too close to the sun, scorching his breast.  The robin is a symbol of fertility and rejuvenation.  There is so much magic surrounding the two.  The gods will surely seek compensation from anyone who harms them.  
FEEL THE POWER OF THE SUN,
GENTLE BREEZE,
THE SMELL OF SPRING.
 HIGH IN THE TREES,
BENEATH THE GROUND,
SEEDS STRETCHING, TO THE SKY,
SHOW ALL THE BEAUTY,
HELD DEEP WITHIN.  

The three fox sisters, Kate in the middle, Margaret on the right, and Leah on the left.      

The Fox sisters, Margaret the middle daughter.  Her sister Kate the youngest and Leah, considerably older made "contact" with the spirit world on March 31 1848 sparking the spiritualist movement.       

In 1955 a shrine was erected at the rear of the replica cottage; the original burned down and an exact replica was built by John Drummond.  A memorial stone that reads, The Birthplace of Modern Spiritualism now marks the location of the Fox sister's cottage in Hydesville, Newark N.Y..  

THERE IS NO DEATH - THERE IS NO DEAD       

The three sisters interest and belief in rapping's that could be heard in the cottage led to the establishment of Spiritualism.  Even before the Foxes moved into the cottage had a reputation of mysterious noises beside rapping.  Gurgling sounds from the throat, a death struggle, heavy dragging of a body across the room have all been reported by prior tenants.       

Kate, Margaret, and Leah, made history by being the first to establish a dialogue with the dead after disturbing series of raps and noises in their cottage.  Margaret was an innocent ten year old when the first strange rapping's were heard.  John Fox, her father inspected their home for a reasonable explanation.  Kate at the tender age of seven proved to her father Spirit was real.  "Do as I do," said Kate as she clapped her hands. The same number of raps was heard made by invisible hands.  "No, do just as I do.  Count one, two, three, four," Margaret interrupted.  Exactly four raps were heard.  Margaret became to afraid to continue the game they started.       

The three sisters devised a system where they would ask a question to the unseen entity that could be answered one rap- yes, or two raps-no.       

The presence identified itself as the spirit of a murdered peddler whose body had been buried beneath the Foxes home.  Neighbours came to hear the rapping's and volunteered to dig for the murdered peddler.  When water was struck, the search was abandoned.  A few months later the digging in the cellar resumed.  At a depth of 5 feet fragments of hair and bones believed to be part of a human skeleton.  Fifty-six years later workmen unearthed an almost complete skeleton.  There was a peddler's  box near the bones.  The discovery led to the theory that murder first buried the body in the cellar, then fearing discovery, dug it up and buried the peddler between two walls.  A maid, Lucretia Pulver who lived four years before the Foxes in the cottage confirmed of a peddler's visit to the house and stayed for a night, and her employers sent home to her parents.  On return she was told the peddler left.       

The Foxes moved from the house to live with other members of their family.  unexplained noises and actions followed the sisters.  Leah decided to communicate with the invisible entity like she had when she was a child.  She would recite the alphabet and raps would respond a certain letter.  The first message Leah and her household received was, "Dear Friends, you must proclaim this truth in the world.  This is the dawning of a new era; you must not try to conceal it any longer.  When you do your duty God will protect you and good spirits will watch over you."        Leah took the reins over her sisters.  She became the first professional medium.  Kate, her younger sister followed Leah's example six months later.  Margaret followed suit.       

Even though their lives were threatened they toured the U.S. and Europe to, proclaim spirit communication to the world.  In 1854, America's first Spiritualist organization, the Society for the Diffusion of Spiritual Knowledge was founded in New York by a wealthy merchant.       

Margaret Fox, (1833-1893) in 1888 claimed that the effects were fraudulent.  After a fall out with Leah she attempted to turn Spiritualism into a farce.  Her published confession said that the raps had been made at first by bumping or dropping a apple on the floor. Margaret confessed she and Kate, perfected control of their muscles that they could snap the joints of their fingers and toes without detection.  She demonstrated her technique before an audience at a New York theatre.       

Kate and Leah Fox seances were accurate concerning matters of the heart, career or other enterprises, conflicts and struggles as well as practical affairs.  They were able to correctly predict destiny and the actions of others that had an important influence.  Kate was known to produce spirit forms which proved there was obvious connection.  Her communication took place mainly through raps and writing.
 
  Footnote- To learn more about the Fox sisters and Spiritualism, I suggest the book Supernatural - Spirits and Spirit World.  Arthur - Roy Stemman.  Publisher - The Danbury Press.  A Division of Grolier Enterprises Inc.

When experiencing past lives either in the dream state or through hypnosis, a person look into a soul companion's eyes in that time period and they recognize and know them.  Whether in heaven or on earth, they sense a vibration or energy, and it is the same as their loved one's.  They glimpse the deeper personality, and there is an inner knowing - a knowing from the heart.  A connection is made.  

You will not always marry your most strongly bonded soulmate.  There may be more than one for you, because soul families travel together.  You might choose to marry a less bonded soul companion, one who has something specific to teach you or to learn from you. 

 Your recognition of a soulmate may occur later in life, after both of you are already committed to your present-life families.  Your strongest soulmate connection may be to your parent, or to your child, or to your sibling.  Your strongest connection may be to a soulmate who has not incarnated during your lifetime and who is watching over you from the other side, like a guardian angel.
 
  Sometimes your soulmate is willing and available.  He or she might recognize the passion and the chemistry between you, the intimate and subtle bonds that imply connections over many lifetimes.  Yet he or she may be toxic for you.  It is a matter of soul development.  

If one soul is less developed and more ignorant than the other, traits of violence, greed, jealousy, hatred, and fear might be brought into the relationship.  These tendencies are toxic to the more evolved soul, even if from a soulmate.  Frequently rescue fantasies arise with the thought, I can change him; I can help her grow. 

If he does not allow your help, if in her free will she chooses not to learn, not to grow, the relationship is doomed.  Perhaps there will be another chance in another lifetime, unless he awakens later in this one.  Late awakenings do happen.  

A soulmate who is available but unawakened is a tragic figure and can cause you great anguish.  Unawakened means that he or she does not see life clearly, is not aware of the many levels of existence.  Unawakened means not knowing about souls.  Usually it is the everyday mind prevents awakening.   We hear the excuses of the mind all the time; I'm too young, I need more experience; I'm not ready to settle down yet; you are of a different religion ( or race, region, social status, intellectual level, cultural background, and so on).  These are all excuses, for souls possess none of these attributes.  

The attraction is definitely there, but the source of the recognized chemistry is not understood.  It is delusional to believe that this passion, this soul recognition and attraction, will be easily found again with another person.  You may only run into such a soulmate once or twice more in a lifetime.  Divine grace may reward a good heart, a loving soul.  

Meeting soulmates is a matter of destiny.  They will occur.  After the meeting, the free will of both partners reigns.  Whatever decision made or not made are a matter of free will, of choice.  The less awakened will make decisions based on the mind and all of its fears and prejudices.    Unfortunately, this often leads to heartache.  The more awakened the couple is, the more likelihood of a decision based on love.  When both partners are awakened, ecstacy is within their grasp.

Welcome, energies of earth, air, fire and water.  Let us create a life of beauty, reverence, and wonder.
 
With each season, let us rejoice.
Through every phase of sun and moon, let us be in harmony.
 
In every direction shall we offer our love.  

Great Spirit, Mother Creator, bless the Earth through my life. Source of all nourishment, we seek to replenish your sacred world.

Guide us now through these images, words, and feelings within as we reach into the wholeness. 

Lets all that is needed be known.  

Patrick was born in Britain around 385.  His name originated in Latin "Patricious," meaning father.  To Pagans Patrick was worshiped and honored as the companion to the goddess. 

When Patrick was old enough he moved to Gaul to study with the Catholic monks who in return made him a saint.  They called him the apostle to Ireland.  He spent his life spreading the word of the Catholic God leaving the Goddess out of his sermons.  He took a part in ending witchcraft in Ireland by outlawing any form of worship with nature, banning all chants, incantations and burning many of the Celtic literature's. 

In 441 he journeyed to Rome to receive the pallium from the pope.  Later he became Archbishop of Armagh converting many to the Catholic faith until 457 when he retired.  Patrick lived until the year 561 then buried at Downpatrick.
 
  Patrick lived in the region of the former capital of Ulster at Emain Macha and at Ard Macha, the present day Armagh, which still claims descent from him.  King Daire held court here and St. Patrick set up his church within the royal rath.  It grew into a monastery which is now the site of the cathedral.  

Easter Day, 25 March 433, saw him confronting the pagan Druids by lighting a paschal or Easter fire.  This act coincided with the Druid spring festival, when all the fires in the land were extinguished and then relit from the one fire burning on the Hill of Tara, the royal residence and pagan sacred place.  The outraged Druids saw Patrick's fire burning on the distant slopes of Slane and prophetically warned  King Laoghaire that if it was not put out very quickly then the light of Christ would never be extinguished in Erin.   As a consequence of his challenge to Druidical authority, a trial of powers was arranged.  

According to legend, Patrick put forward a scheme which seemed to favor the Druid.  A hut was constructed in two sections, one half of dry wood and the other half of green wood.  Lucetmael unknowing stood inside the green part wearing the saint's cloak while Benen, a follower of Patrick's, entered the dry half wearing the stolen mantle of the Druid.  The shelter was set on fire.  Lucetmael was completely consumed in the flames.  The Druid cloak burned only on the outside to ashes.   Depicitions of the Saint generally show him with snakes at his feet, recalling the legend that he banished all the evil, from the land.  

The Columbia-Viking Desk Encyclopedia Third Edition The Viking Press 1953-revised 1960, 1967 The Celtic Book of Saints Courtnry Davis text by Elaine Gill Blandford Book 1995    

Listen to your heart, to your own wisdom, when making important decisions, especially when deciding about a gift of destiny, such as soulmate, spouse, or lover.  Destiny will deposit its gift at your feet, but what you subsequently decide to do with this gift is up to you. 

If you rely exclusively on the advice of others, you may make terrible mistakes.  Your heart knows what you need.  Other people have other agendas.   

Love dissolves fear.  When your intuitions, your gut-feelings, your spiritual heart all know beyond any doubt, do not be swayed by fear-based arguments of others.  Sometimes meaning well, and sometimes not, they might lead you far astray from your joy.  

The Three Ladies of Fate - Greek and Roman mythologies include three spiritual beings called in Greek the Moirai, in Latin Parcae or Fatae, who were supposed to control the destiny of a person.  They were named (probably after Hesiod) Clotho, who held a distaff on which was the material of life; Lachesis, who spun the thread of material; and Atropos, who made that final cut of the thread which ended life.  Clotho, who spun the threads of life; Lachesis, who measured them; and Atropos, who cut them.  

Lachesis measured the threads, Atropos cut them.  The cutting was not merely at the terminal end; the threads had to be started, too.  So after Lachesis had analyzed, measured, and marked each potential life, on the endless thread Clotho spun, Atropos would cut and place it.  The beginning of a cut thread was the conception of a baby; it had to be tied in to the threads of its parents before moving out its own course in the Tapestry.  The physical, mental, and emotional qualities of a life were determined by heredity, provided by the parental tie-in, and its development was influenced considerably by environment.  But its circumstance-the odd coincidences that governed every life-was arranged by Fate.  Some excellently endowed lives were doomed to disappointment and failure, while some seemingly weak strands were destined for greatness.  Lachesis planned these threads with an eye to the esthetics of the larger picture.  Some she regretted, as when a thread had to be measured short, meaning that a child would die.  But it had to be done, for stresses in the fabric of the Tapestry could distort the whole, and lead to the damage of many more innocent threads unless the correction was made in the key region.  

It would not have been easy to explain to the average mortal why he should suffer, as the stresses were cumulative and subtle; indeed, there were generally several ways in which to given stress could be alleviated.  But it was Lachesis' job to select a course and implement it, and this she did.  

Fate is not all-powerful or sudden whims; Fate is merely needs to accomplish a purpose that mortal man is not properly equipped to appreciate.  

Sometimes the three are called the Harsh Spinners, even though they do not all spin.  Their spinning' was said to take place at birth, and in some periods also marriage, when new life or fate was made.  The general word moirai means 'share' or 'apportioned lot'.  Lachesis means approximately 'obtaining by lot' and astropos 'irresistible'.  

The three witches in Macbeth have been linked with the three spinners, from the old English term weird, which means approximately 'destiny'; the three weird sisters' were the Fates who control destiny.