I work as a career and business strategist. But my secret passion is… astrology!
About once a month, I post an overview of what’s happening in the cosmos and how it might influence your career. It’s called: Your Career Forecast.
Whether you’re job-hunting, running your own business, or wondering about the ideal time to ask for a raise or take a vacation, each Career Forecast will reveal the important dates and cosmic shifts that you need to know about.
I am joined by my dear friend, Heidi Rose Robbins, a master astrologer who will provide expert insight into what’s going on in the stars.
Let’s dive in!
OVERVIEW
What’s going on this month…
HEIDI: The Sun moves into Taurus on April 19th at 1:26 pm PST. Taurus is an earth sign, one of great manifestation and beauty. Taurus lands us in the middle of spring when everything is blooming and beauty abounds. One of the signs of financial success, Taurus can make us rich on many levels. But money is not the only signature of wealth. Taurus asks us to look for abundance in the realm of beauty. It asks us to be thankful for the light hidden in all things. Taurus deeply appreciates being alive and sees the replenishment available in the natural world. A sunset can restore a sense of hope. A little flower breaking through the crack in a cement sidewalk can instill a new sense of courage.
Taurus is also a sign of tremendous Will. This is a sign that has the WILL to get something done or to stand, immovable and unshakeable, in the name of what is true and good. If you want steady strength, invoke Taurus.
This is a busy month astrologically. Mercury retrogrades into Aries on April 20th. It was in Aries just a short while ago and its return can signify another chance to plant new seeds. If you missed the window of launching new ideas, you have until May 16th to brainstorm and discuss what next wants to be created. It’s a dip back into feisty and fierce creation process.
Mars moves into Gemini April 21st, which ignites the warrior of words. If you have something to say, Mars will give the words a punch. The only danger here is scattering your thoughts and energy. Your choice of words and how you deliver them will be very important for the next couple of months. Be careful of reacting too quickly with too much force. Pause before sending that fiery email.
On April 24th (and again on May 11th) Mercury trines Saturn. This is a great transit for clear, practical thinking. Saturn gives structure to your thought. If you’ve been putting off writing a blog (or a novel) get started now. You have time and structure on your side. It’s also a great time for favorable outcomes when talking to people in positions of authority.
On April 28th, Venus moves into Aries. It has been swimming in the waters of Pisces and now dries off with the fires of Aries. You can fall in love quickly now—with a person or your work. Watch the impulsivity, but use this transit to take a leap into the new.
Mercury will conjunct Uranus (which is another way of saying that the planets will occupy the same degree of the zodiac) on April 28th and again on May 10th. There is a lot going on with Mercury this month. This transit is responsible for brilliant brainstorms and new ways of solving problems. Lightning can strike with the transit or you can just shake up the way you’ve been thinking or talking about things.
Use May 12th, when Mars trines Jupiter, to take bold action. This is generally a time of good fortune and positive movement forward. It is often associated with right timing. This is great for repairing relationships or forging new ones.
Finally on May 16th, Mercury will move into Taurus, which slows us down a bit. We can take a breath and a break and move more methodically. We study things carefully under this transit. We don’t skim what we are reading. We steep in it. Use this time to ruminate, meditate and activate a clear thinking process.
Remember, Taurus is a great sign for providing steadiness while you manifest. You can take clear, rhythmic action forward during this month. Don’t let the sometimes laziness of Taurus win the day. Absolutely have a gorgeous picnic in a field of flowers but then apply yourself. You can achieve much during the Taurus month.
What does all of this mean for your career? Let’s look closer…
JOB-HUNTING?
Here’s what you need to know…
ELLEN: Use May 12th, when Mars trines Jupiter, to take bold action. Not sure what type of “action” you ought to be taking? Here’s a suggestion…
Make a list of 30 people that you know pretty well—including friends, family, colleagues, teachers, classmates, Internet buddies, anybody you can think of.
Then on May 12th, write a personal email to each person—30 emails in total. In each email, say, “Hey! You probably don’t know this, but I’m hunting for a new job right now.” Describe your dream job. Then say, “Please tuck me in the back of your mind. If you happen to hear about a job like that, let me know! Or if there’s anyone you think I should meet, or any companies you think I should check out, please let me know that, too.”
If you email 30 different people on May 12th, that’s a huge step! That’s 30 people who might be able to help you find your dream job. The more people that know about your job hunt, the better! You never know… someone might write back right away to say, “I know the perfect opportunity for you!”
And no, it really doesn’t take much time to fire off 30 emails—especially if you’re saying almost exactly the same thing in each one. You can probably send out 30 emails in less than three hours… while sipping a latte. Buckle down and get it done!
ALREADY HAVE A JOB?
Here’s what you need to know…
ELLEN: Mercury aligns with Uranus on April 28th and again on May 10th. Both of those days are fabulous for brainstorming and creative problem solving. You’ll feel a “shake it up” energy in the air. If you’re having a meeting at work to discuss a recurring challenge, these are great days to wipe the slate clean. Rip up the old blueprint. Erase the chalkboard. Start from square one. Brainstorm together and see if you can come up with a fresh solution that hasn’t been tried before.
April 28th is a double-powerful day, because on that day, Venus moves into Aries. Venus is all about love, warmth, and harmony. Aries is all about new ideas and fiery action. Combine these forces together, and you’ve got a day where you might find yourself falling deeply in love with your work—or falling in love all over again. (Or falling in love with a co-worker, for that matter!)
April 28th is also a fantastic day to start a new project at work—especially a project that that’s driven by your heart and your emotions. Maybe you’re passionate about helping young women build confidence and reach their potential. Why not start a mentoring program at your office so you can work directly with teenage girls, and help them explore exciting career opportunities? Or maybe you’re passionate about mental health. You could collaborate with your company’s HR department to start a “de-stress club” where you get people away from their desks, outside in the fresh air, taking a 20-minute walk—without their phones. What type of project or initiative lights up your heart? Do it! April 28th would be the perfect day to get things started.
SELF-EMPLOYED OR RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Here’s what you need to know…
ELLEN: On April 21st, Mars moves into Gemini. Mars is the planet of fiery, passionate action, and Gemini is expressive, sociable, and chatty. Put these together, and you’ve got a powerful day for communication! If you need to send a newsletter to your customers, make a big product announcement, or send out a press release, this would be a great day to do it.
Just make sure your writing isn’t too hot-headed and aggressive (Mars can have a militant, war-like quality). And make sure you’re not rambling all over the place (Gemini loves to explore both sides of any situation, which can create a scattered feeling). Tap into your emotions, definitely, but stay focused on the main point you’re trying to make. Before you hit “Send,” check in and ask yourself, “What’s my intention with this piece of writing? Is my intention coming through loud and clear?” If so… excellent! Send it out!
On April 24th and May 11th, Mercury trines Saturn. This combination of planetary forces is excellent for entrepreneurs, because it creates clear, focused thinking. Goodbye, brain fog! Use these days to focus on the skeleton of your business. The bones. The foundation. The systems and structures.
Look at your website with fresh eyes. Does the website navigation structure that you set up three years ago still make sense today? Think about your business model. Is it time to retire a few of your products or services, and clear the way for something new? What about that new project you’ve been percolating on? Maybe it’s time to title it, outline it, and create a clear structure and timeline for completion.
Saturn gives structure to your thoughts. Instead of feeling dreamy and starry-eyed, on April 24th and May 11th, you may find yourself feeling extra-focused and authoritative, like an architect determined to create a new building. Put this stone here! That beam goes there! That should be pine, not cedar! Create new structures that will support the next chapter of your business.
THIS IS A GREAT MONTH FOR:
• Brainstorming. Shaking things up. Starting a passion project—something born from your heart. Finding beauty in everyday moments. Writing and communicating with energy and intensity. Planning out the second half of the year.
• MONEY! With the Sun in Taurus, it’s a great time for anything money-related. Ask for that raise with confidence. Launch a new product. Increase your hourly rate. Search for all kinds ways to feel more abundant and prosperous—new bed linens, more free time, a nightly bubble bath instead of a shower, whatever sounds “luxurious” to you.
• However, Mercury is retrograde for a big chunk of this month — April 9th to May 3rd — so be sure to back-up your computer, double-check for typos, and anticipate plenty of unexpected travel delays and other time-consuming hiccups. Take some time to “put your house in order,” literally and emotionally. Tidy and de-clutter. Tie up loose ends. Get back to basics—good eating habits, an energizing morning routine, a full night’s sleep, a gratitude practice. That’s the best way to use the retrograde energy in a productive way!
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
April 19th – Sun moves into Taurus. (Blooming, abundance, wealth, renewed hope.)
April 20th – Mercury retrogrades into Aries. (Today’s theme: “A second chance.”)
April 21st – Mars moves into Gemini. (Be a word warrior. Whatever you need to say, say it now!)
April 24th – Mercury trines Saturn. (Clear, practical thinking. Create sensible new systems and structures.)
April 28th – Venus moves into Aries. (Love is in the air! Fall in love with your work all over again—or fall in love with a new project.)
April 28th – Mercury conjuncts Uranus. (Shake things up! Fresh ideas. New solutions.)
May 10th – Mercury conjuncts Uranus again. (Another opportunity to shake things up!)
May 11th – Mercury trines Saturn. (Another round of Clear, practical thinking.)
May 12th – Mars trine Jupiter. (Take bold action. Get out there. Don’t hide at home watching Netflix.)
May 16th – Mercury moves into Taurus. (Take a deep breath. Take a break. Move a little more slowly and methodically.)
YOUR CAREER MANTRA FOR THIS MONTH:
“It’s a beautiful day. Don’t let it get away.” —Bono
Bono, the lead singer of U2, was born under the sign of Taurus. His song “Beautiful Day” is a perfect example of the Taurus spirit. Work hard, but not too hard. Keep marching forward with your goals, but don’t forget to pause and appreciate the sunrise. Find beauty in ordinary, everyday moments. Earn money, while remembering that there are many types of “wealth.” Enjoy all of life’s basic pleasures—good food, good conversations, and the simple joy of having a home, a bed, and a roof over your head.
Taurus invites us to work steadily but also live fully—don’t let life “get away” from you while you’re bent over a computer screen. Look up occasionally. Breathe. Feel. LIVE.
Whatever you’re working on this month, I’m wishing you great success.
Have an amazing month!
Learn more about my career & business coaching services here.
Learn more about Heidi and her astrological services here.