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celticbarb · 3 years

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Book: The Highlander’s Irish Bride

By Vanesssa Kelly

Series: Clan Kendrick , Book #4

Publisher: Zebra Books

Release Date: July 27, 2021

Book Rating: 5/5 stars

Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Stars

London, England

Glasgow, Scotland

September 1823

Kathleen Calvert ‘s latest unladylike behavior and scandalous stunt was absolutely appalling, according to her prudish and snobbish stepmother, Lady Helen Gorey! This will harm and cause their Irish noble family an embarrassing scandal! Also it will ruin their reputation so her stepmother claimed! Now her father Lord Gorey allowed his second wife to punish his daughter and gave the discipline reins to her. She even insults Kathleen’s perfect looks, telling her to use lemon juice to fade her adorable freckles! On top of that, telling Kathleen she is lucky she doesn’t have red hair like most Irish women, something her dead biological mother had! It is no wonder she detests her fathers second wife!

Now Kathleen’s latest escapade could possibly harm her brother Richard’s chances for a betrothal, to Lord Bevington’s daughter, Melinda. Now her friend the Duchess of Leverton, Gillian Penley, (My Fair Princess) comes to the rescue and agrees that Kathleen should remain out of sight for awhile to keep tongues from wagging . Kathleen automatically thinks she will return to the country of her birth and go to Ireland. A place she misses so much as all she cares about Ireland, horses, and her best friend Denny. It is decided Kathleen must go convalescent in Scotland, however she will assist her newly married cousin Sabrina, her husband Graeme Kendrick, ( The Highlander’s English Bride) to assist them with their newborn bairn. Now Kathleen is happy to see her cousin, but absolutely horrified to help them care for their newborn bairn! Kathleen has always been uncomfortable around bairns and terrified she might drop them or not cradle their head correctly. In addition their slippery bodies feels like a fish out of water! At least Kathleen’s friend the Duchess, will provide as her companion to Glasgow. Plus Gillian had always wanted to meet her cousin Vicky Kendrick, countess of Arnprior (The Highlander’s Princess Bride). This will be before Kathleen has to go to the cold, isolated, highlands.Except days later they realize that Kathleen’s sixteen year old stepsister Jeannie is a stowaway in a hidden luggage compartment on their carriage. Now her dragon of a stepmother will definitely blame Kathleen, even though she had no inclination of this crazy plan her stepsister made!

It is decided Grant Kendrick will be Kathleen’s guard and escort to the highlands from Glasgow. He is the twin of his brother Greame,and has become a very worthy and prosperous businessman and he is definitely unstoppable where it comes to making money! Now his matchhmaking family can’t seem to keep their noses out of his life! They all love him and feel Grants needs more out of life than just work! He is very disagreeable with this concept even though he and his brother were wild rogues in the past. Grant Kendrick is also the dullest man in Scotland in Kathleens’s eyes. Yet after they are attacked by highwaymen he plans to show her a different side of himself and open his heart. Will Grant be able to tame this wild tiger Kathleen?As they say opposites attract, but are they really all that different?As the attraction is instant they both feel the moment they meet. Readers will feel the chemistry between dull and boring money maker Grant and Kathleen, the non conformist, free thinking lass, who just wants to spread her wings and fly! Will Grant be able to tame this free spirited Lass and open his heart? Read and find out

Again Vanessa Kelly pens another Kendrick novel that totally captured my heart. I loved the free spirited heroine that follows her own tune and couldn’t care less about society and their suffocating rules. I was also captivated by her tender heart for the ones she loved. She knew she was being a wee bit naughty, but would never hurt anyone in the process. She was only enjoying life to the fullest degree, that some closed minded individuals would call a kook, eccentric, or crazy. People called Albert Einstein by these same exact names! Of course the Kendrick’s are hilarious again, especially the matchmaking Grandfather Angus who I always adore and is a definite scene stealer in every Kendrick book! Jeannie reminded me of myself as I too was bratty and self absorbed as many teenagers are. My mother always told me she wanted to give me away when I was fifteen, so her antics I thought were hilarious and was a great addition to this tale.

The heroine, Kathleen just wanted to take life by storm and enjoy every wonderful moment life has to offer. This was so beautiful and eloquently written in a articulate manner, which is also impressive, that was absolutely extraordinary. The chemistry between Grant and Kathleen was like a moth to a flame, which was truly beautiful. I absolutely could not get enough of the story and highly recommend it,

Clan Kendrick Series by Vansssa Kelly

1)The Highlander Who Protected Me

2)The Highlander’s Christmas Bride

3)The Highlander’s English Bride

4)The Highlander’s Irish Bride

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy and an advance reader copy from the publisher. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

Buy Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Highlanders-Irish-Bride-Clan-Kendrick-ebook/dp/B08MBG4B94/ref=nodl_

https://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/The-Highlanders-English-BrideVanessa-Kelly/1132868180?ean=97814201470

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/The_Highlander_s_Irish_Bride?id=TzoGEAAAQBAJ&hl=en_NZ&gl=US

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-highlander-s-irish-bride

https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-highlanders-irish-bride/id1553354925

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howaminotinthestrokesyet · 4 years

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Dexys Midnight Runners: Random Quarantine Thoughts

1. Dexys Midnight Runners formed in 1978 by Kevin Rowland and Al Archer. Rowland would be the dominating figure in the band for its duration as the vocalist. The name was derived from a nickname for the drug dexedrine that fans of Northern Soul would take, so they could dance all night.

2. In the very beginning, Rowland made sure that the image of the band was emphasized quite a bit. They began wearing leather jackets and donkey hats that made them all look like they were straight out of the movie Mean Streets to look like Robert De Niro.

3. The band released their debut album, Searching for the Young Soul Rebels in July 1980. Rowland had told the band that he did not want them to give any interviews because of the mixed reactions by music writers about the album. Gradually, members of the group began to leave until there was only Rowland and other member Jim Paterson on trombone.

4. The band with the new lineup released its first single in 1981, but they also had a new look as well. They were dressed in hoodies, boxing boots, and they all had ponytails. At this time, EMI made the decision not to renew their contract, which led them to signing with Mercury Records. At this time, Rowland began to explore using strings in the music with his first idea being the horn section could play strings.

5. As the band began recording their debut album with Mercury, Rowland finally decided to bring in some actual violin players to the group. The first one was Helen Bevington, but she changed her name to Helen O’Hara so it sounded more Irish. She brought in two other violin players, who made up what was now called the Emerald Express. The new strings section greatly reduced the role of the horn section, which led to both members quitting the band. The album Too-Rye-Aye was released as a mix of Celtic folk and dance music. After the recording of it, half the band quit. They also had a new look now, which was dungarees, scarves, and overalls. This was essentially a farmer look.

6. In 1982, Rowland desperately needed a hit in order to keep going with the band. The record company would no longer foot the bill for touring, if they did not have one. They were able to score a hit with “Come On Eileen,” which went number one on both sides of the Atlantic that year.

7. They would not release a new album for at least three years. At this time, the band went through a wide variety of lineups as members were quitting all of the time. These departures became so common for the band that it was not news anymore. One member called the recording process one of the most painful musical experiences of his life. On the new album, Rowland had inserted conversational dialogue as well to augment the music. Their new image was to dress like Ivy League students or the Brooks Brothers catalog. Critics called the album awful and the new look ridiculous. Rowland also refused to release any singles for the album because he wanted to compare his group to Led Zeppelin, who never released singles. Yet, the strangest thing is there are diehard supporters of the album today. Don’t Stand Me Down has been looked upon in some quarters as a masterpiece that should not be overlooked.

8. For the next 15 years, Rowland would perform as a solo artist, but all of the time trying to reform Dexys Midnight Runners. Yet, he was usually unsuccessful in reforming the band and continued to release things under his solo name. In 1991, he filed for financial bankruptcy as the lack of success took its toll on him leading to drug abuse and depression as well. After years of trying to reform the group, he was able to finally successfully reform the band as they released a greatest hits compilation in 2003.

9. They finally released a new album, One Day I’m Going to Soar in 2012. Yes, it took nine years for them to complete an actual album after once again many lineup changes within the group. The band was no longer Dexys Midnight Runners, but their new name was Dexys. They went on to release another album entitled Let the Record Show: Dexys Do Irish and Country Soul.

10. If you would like an idea of the incredible amount of turnover in this band, then simply go on Wikipedia to look at the list of former members. I counted the number of people that have been officially a part of this group at one time, but not anymore. 47 people have been in this band. Yes, I said 47 freaking people.

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sarahjbray-blog · 7 years

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I have learned this strange thing. One may return to a place, and quite unexpectedly, meet oneself still lingering there from the last time.

Helen Bevington, quoted in Romancing the Ordinary by Sarah Ban Breathnach

#quoted

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speechless-in-midsentence · 5 years

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The seasonal urge is strong in poets. Milton wrote chiefly in winter. Keats looked for spring to wake him up (as it did in the miraculous months of April and May, 1819). Burns chose autumn. Longfellow liked the month of September. Shelley flourished in the hot months. Some poets, like Wordsworth, have gone outdoors to work. Others, like Auden, keep to the curtained room. Schiller needed the smell of rotten apples about him to make a poem. Tennyson and Walter de la Mare had to smoke. Auden drinks lots of tea, Spender coffee; Hart Crane drank alcohol. Pope, Byron, and William Morris were creative late at night. And so it goes. — Helen Bevington, When Found, Make a Verse Of

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showbizchicago · 6 years

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Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, concludes its 2017/18 season with the Asolo Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage, Pasadena Playhouse production of The Originalist by John Strand, directed by Molly Smith with Associate Director Seema Sueko, and featuring Edward Gero as Antonin Scalia. The Originalist runs May 10 – June 10, 2018 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave.

When a Harvard Law School graduate with decidedly different views takes on a clerkship with Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, one of America’s most brilliant and polarizing figures, she discovers in him an infuriating opponent and an unexpected mentor. Their relationship faces the ultimate test as they confront one of the most polarizing cases to reach the nation’s highest court. Written by Charles MacArthur Award winner John Strand, this daring new work shows just how much passion for the law and risk it takes to defend one’s version of the truth. Court is thrilled to introduce this brilliant play to Chicago, with Edward Gero at its center. Molly Smith’s production is a sensation in Washington, D.C., where it premiered and has been revived twice.

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The cast of The Originalist includes Edward Gero (Justice Antonin Scalia), Jade Wheeler (Cat) and Brett Mack (Brad). The creative team includes Misha Kachman (scenic design), Joseph P. Salasovich (costume design),Collin K. Bills (lighting design), and Eric Shimelonis (sound design). The production stage managers areSusan R. White and Amanda Weener-Frederick.

About the Artists

JOHN STRAND (Playwright) has had works commissioned for Arena Stage including Snow Child, TheOriginalist, The Miser, Lovers and Executioners (MacArthur Award), and Tom Walker. Recent works include the book and lyrics for Hat! A Vaudeville (South Coast Reperatory); Lincolnesque (Old Globe); Lorenzaccio(Shakespeare Theatre Company), and the book for the musical The Highest Yellow (Signature Theatre). Additional plays are The Diaries (Signature Theatre) and The Cockburn Rituals (Woolly Mammoth). Strand spent 10 years in Paris, where he worked as a journalist and drama critic, and directed NYU’s Experimental Theater Wing in Paris. His novel Commieland was published by Kiwai Media, Paris in 2013. He is currently at work on a new play about President Teddy Roosevelt for Arena Stage and on the film adaptation of The Originalist.

MOLLY SMITH (Director) has served as Artistic Director of Arena Stage in Washington DC since 1998. Her more than 30 directing credits at Arena Stage include Carousel, Oliver!, The Originalist, Fiddler on the Roof,Camp David, Mother Courage and Her Children, Oklahoma!, A Moon for the Misbegotten, My Fair Lady,The Great White Hope, The Music Man, Orpheus Descending, Legacy of Light, The Women of Brewster Place, Cabaret, South Pacific, Agamemnon and His Daughters, All My Sons, and How I Learned to Drive. She recently directed Our Town at Canada’s Shaw Festival. Her directorial work has also been seen at The Old Globe, Asolo Repertory, Berkeley Repertory, Trinity Repertory, Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre, Montreal’s Centaur Theatre and Perseverance Theater in Juneau, Alaska, which she founded and ran from 1979-1998. Molly has been a leader in new play development for over 30 years. She is a great believer in first, second and third productions of new work and has championed projects including How I Learned to Drive; Passion Play, a cycle; Next to Normal; and Dear Evan Hansen. She has worked alongside playwrights Sarah Ruhl, Paula Vogel, Wendy Wasserstein, Lawrence Wright, Karen Zacarías, John Murrell, Eric Coble, Charles Randolph-Wright and many others. She led the re-invention of Arena Stage, focusing on the architecture and creation of the Mead Center for American Theater and positioning Arena Stage as a national center for American artists. During her time with the company, Arena Stage has workshopped more than 100 productions, produced 39 world premieres, staged numerous second and third productions and been an important part of nurturing nine projects that went on to have a life on Broadway. In 2014, Molly made her Broadway debut directing The Velocity of Autumn, following its critically acclaimed run at Arena Stage. She was awarded honorary doctorates from American University and Towson University.

SEEMA SUEKO (Associate Director) joined the Arena Stage staff in July 2016 as Deputy Artistic Director and made her Arena Stage directorial debut with Smart People. She previously served as Associate Artistic Director at Pasadena Playhouse and Executive Artistic Director of Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company. Her directing and acting credits include Pasadena Playhouse, People’s Light, The Old Globe, San Diego Repertory, Yale Repertory, 5th Avenue Theatre, and Native Voices, among others. As a playwright, she received commissions from Mixed Blood Theatre and Center Stage. Her work has been recognized by the California State Assembly, NAACP San Diego, Chicago Jeff Awards, American Theatre Wing and American Theatre magazine. Seema developed the Consensus Organizing for Theater methodology, has done research on the neuroscience of acting and serves on the Diversity Committee of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

EDWARD GERO (Justice Antonin Scalia) is a four-time Helen Hayes Award winner and 15-time nominee. Regional credits include The Originalist (Arena Stage, Asolo Repertory, Pasadena Playhouse); The Little Foxes and Red (Arena Stage); Red and Gloucester in King Lear (Goodman); Nixon’s Nixon and Night Alive(Round House); Sweeney Todd (Signature Theatre); Scrooge in A Christmas Carol (Ford’s Theatre); andAmerican Buffalo, Shining City and Skylight (Studio Theatre). In 32 seasons with Washington DC’s Shakespeare Theatre Company, his over 70 roles include Helen Hayes turns in Henry IV, Richard II andMacbeth. Film/TV credits include House of Cards, TURN: Washington’s Spies, Die Hard 2, Striking Distanceand narrations for Discovery Channel and PBS. He is a Ten Chimneys 2015 Lunt-Fontanne Fellow and associate professor of theater at George Mason University.

JADE WHEELER (Cat) returns to the role of Cat in The Originalist following productions at Pasadena Playhouse and Asolo Repertory. Jade has performed extensively along the east coast from Massachusetts to Florida. Most recently she appeared in The Legend of Georgia McBride at GableStage. Her one-woman show Who is Eartha Mae? played Off-Broadway at the 2016 United Solo Fest and won for Best Cabaret. Local credits include Debbie Allen’s Alex in Wonderland and Lost in the Stars (the Kennedy Center); An Octoroon (Woolly Mammoth); The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare Theatre Company); and Ruined(Everyman Theatre). Regional credits include GableStage, Central Square Theatre and Stoneham Theatre. She received her B.A. in theater and French from George Mason University and additional training from La Ferme de Trielle and The Actors Space.

BRETT MACK (Brad) has appeared in The Originalist (Arena Stage), The Great Society (Asolo Repertory);Mezzulah 1946 and The Muckle Man (Pittsburgh City Theatre); Leveling Up and The Tempest (The Hippodrome Theatre); Twelfth Night and Julius Caesar (Orlando Shakespeare Theatre); and The Illusion(Chautauqua Theatre). Brett is a recent M.F.A. graduate from Florida State University. He can be seen in season two of Scandal on ABC.

Court Theatre will be hosting a number of events related to The Originalist. Upcoming events are as follows:

The Originalist Discussion Series

May 10 – June 3, 2018

In the spirit of The Originalist, a play about listening to and engaging in civil discourse with those who have opposing viewpoints, Court is pleased to host a series of post-play discussions to delve deeper into the art and its related themes. Even if you are attending the production on a different day, we invite Court patrons to attend any of the discussions. The production runs approximately 100 minutes and discussions begin promptly at the end of the performance.

Thursday, May 10: First Preview Tasting with CHANT and Discussion

Enjoy samples from Dining Partner CHANT pre-show in the lobby, and a post-play discussion led by Seema Sueko, Arena Stage Deputy Artistic Director.

May 11-17: Preview Performances with Post-Play Discussion

Following all preview performances, Seema Sueko, Arena Stage Deputy Artistic Director, or Edward Gero who portrays Justice Scalia, or other members of the artistic team lead a discussion with the audience.

Friday, May 18: The Originalist Playwright John Strand

Following the Friday 8:00pm performance, Charles MacArthur Award winning playwright John Strand leads the audience discussion.

Sunday, May 20: Martha Nussbaum and John Corvino on Religion, Law, and LGBT Rights

Following the Sunday 2:30pm matinee, Martha Nussbaum, Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor of Law and Ethics at the University of Chicago, joins John Corvino, Professor of Philosophy at Wayne State University and author of Debating Same-Sex Marriage, to discuss Supreme Court decisions on religious liberty and LGBT rights.

Thursday, May 24, 2018: David Bevington Discussion

Following the 7:30pm performance, join us for a discussion with theatre scholar David Bevington and members of Court Theatre’s artistic staff.

Saturday, May 26: Elliot Feldman, Attorney and Legal Advisor for The Originalist

Following the Saturday 3:00pm matinee, enjoy a discussion led by Elliot Feldman, Senior Partner at Baker & Hostetler LLP in Washington, D.C., UChicago Alumnus, and Legal Consultant for The Originalist.

Sunday, June 3: Alison LaCroix and Jason Merchant on Rhetoric and Legal Interpretation

Following the Sunday 2:30pm matinee

In celebration of Alumni Weekend at the University of Chicago, the discussion will be led by Alison LaCroix, Robert Newton Reid Professor of Law at the University of Chicago Law School, and Jason Merchant, Lorna Puttkammer Straus Professor, Department of Linguistics and Humanities Collegiate Division at the University of Chicago.

Staged Reading of Thurgood

By George Stevens, Jr.

Featuring A.C. Smith as Justice Thurgood Marshall

Directed by Charles Newell

Saturday, June 2 at 5:30pm and Monday, June 4 at 7:30pm

Thurgood is a one-man tribute to Justice Thurgood Marshall’s pioneering career and legacy as the first African-American to sit on the Supreme Court. Justice Marshall revisits landmark civil rights victories, likeBrown v. Board of Education, and the moments in history that are still charged with a moral urgency today. For a short time, Thurgood Marshall served on the Supreme Court with Antonin Scalia who is the subject of the final production in Court’s 2017/18 season, The Originalist. Court favorite A.C. Smith (Gem of the Ocean, Waiting for Godot, Fences) will bring to life this vivid portrait of a civil rights icon in a special staged reading event. Subscribers enjoy free tickets as part of their benefits. All other tickets are $10 general admission.

Open-Captioned Performance of The Originalist

Sunday, June 3 at 2:30pm

Please call the Box Office at (773) 753-4472 to purchase tickets, as we may have seating suggestions.

The Originalist is sponsored by The University of Chicago Women’s Board and Charles Custer.

Court Theatre is guided by its mission to discover the power of classic theatre. Court endeavors to make a lasting contribution to American theatre by expanding the canon of translations, adaptations, and classic texts. Court revives lost masterpieces, illuminates familiar texts, and distinguishes fresh, modern classics. Court engages and inspires its audience by providing artistically distinguished productions, audience enrichment activities, and student educational experiences.

Court Theatre’s Chicago Premiere of “The Originalist” Featuring Edward Gero As Justice Scalia Runs May 10-June 10 Court Theatre, under the continuing leadership of Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director, concludes its 2017/18 season with the Asolo Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage, Pasadena Playhouse production of The Originalist by John Strand, directed by Molly Smith with Associate Director Seema Sueko, and featuring Edward Gero as Antonin Scalia.

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phynxrizng · 7 years

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JANE'S COSMIC WEATHER HOROSCOPES, APRIL 2017

Jane's Cosmic Weather Horoscope - April 2017

Cosmic Weather: April 2017

by Jane Lyle

Thoughts for April:

“The seasonal urge is strong in poets. Milton wrote chiefly in winter. Keats looked for spring to wake him up (as it did in the miraculous months of April and May, 1819). Burns chose autumn. Longfellow liked the month of September. Shelley flourished in the hot months.

Some poets, like Wordsworth, have gone outdoors to work. Others, like Auden, keep to the curtained room. Schiller needed the smell of rotten apples about him to make a poem. Tennyson and Walter de la Mare had to smoke. Auden drinks lots of tea, Spender coffee; Hart Crane drank alcohol. Pope, Byron, and William Morris were creative late at night. And so it goes.”

Helen Bevington, ‘When Found, Make a Verse Of’

April is full of natural creativity. It offers abundant opportunities to pick up something we’ve done, and find new ways to re-do or recreate that project, love affair, attitude, or journey.

During April, Saturn, Mercury, and Pluto turn back. Jupiter is already rewinding in Libra until June, while lovely Venus – one of the many goddesses celebrated in pagan springtime – will be retrograde until mid-month. The Sun enters Taurus, the Bull, on 19th April, favouring a down-to-earth, hands-on approach. It’s time to look back, look within, and tune in to the spirit of spring, 2017

Monday, 3rd April – Friday, 28th April:

Venus sashays back to the oceans of Pisces

April was, for the Romans, a month that began by celebrating Venus in her role as Venus Verticordia, changer of hearts. This festival, the Veneralia, was a time when Romans asked the goddess for her help with love and marriage. Astrological Venus is strong in Pisces, and many of us will be in tune with those ancient Romans this April.

April 2017’s Venus in fishy Pisces brings a subtle change of atmosphere in the realms of the love goddess. The allure of the past will be very strong – vintage fashion and beauty, classical music, ancient artefacts, and retro designs are all having an enchanting moment. The shimmering glamour of old Hollywood hooks us in again. Older artists, designers, musicians and creative people step into the limelight.

Past discussions about money continue – and can link back to talks and thoughts from late January – early February this year. Nailing down anything now could be tricky – there are pitfalls, or hidden factors lurking. So it’s wise to be cautious, and take things one step at a time.

In love and friendship, we feel an urge to be kinder or more compassionate. In many ways boundaries weaken or dissolve between self and other, past and present, tangible and elusive. There is empathy and bliss. There is also secrecy and potentially, sacrifice – of love, of expectations and dreams, or of time and personal ambition. Venus in Pisces can be in love with clandestine love, or hidden art and money.

Venus in Pisces can symbolise a dream lover, a passionate ghost, a partner who is far away – maybe in hospital, prison, online, or even on a ship at sea. With Venus rewinding, our past connections continue to influence the present with old friends, lovers, and crushes in our thoughts, or back in our lives. All these things are expanded by Jupiter, currently in Venus’ home sign of Libra, while Venus is in one of Jupiter’s traditional home signs, Pisces. There are big love hearts being drawn in the sand.

Romantic reshuffles are especially likely between April 15th – 20th when Venus in idealistic Pisces and Mars in sensuous Taurus connect. For some, it could be sex with an ex. For others, it’s about where a relationship is going, and what each partner wants.

Needless to say, there are a few little flies in the celestial ointment…..

April Venus also aligns with the potent fixed star, Scheat, at 29 Pisces, in the constellation of Pegasus the Winged Horse. This star emphasises mental creativity, ambition, and enthusiasm. Yet it warns against vanity leading to poor decisions.

Scheat is associated with shipping and ocean voyages. In it’s most sinister expression, Scheat signifies downfall – and is therefore associated with accidents, notably airline crashes and shipwrecks.

Saturn is challenging lovely Venus all month long as well. Saturn underlines the past, and what endures in friendships, love, art and music. Saturn represents the need for solidity, restrictions, and boundaries. We can expect many fluctuations and tensions around emotion, love, and finances this month. At best, we appreciate how small is beautiful, and how pleasure doesn’t have to be extravagant to be fulfilling. This looks like a global mood, for Saturn is aligned with the Galactic Centre at 27 Sagittarius this April.

Venus herself is retrograde in Pisces until 15th April, returning to Aries on 28th April. But I don’t expect much to change immediately when she turns direct. It’s still old territory, first crossed in January and February. We move towards something new by mid-May. Until then, what we’ve experienced so far this year offers a feast of food for thought.

Venus travels from 1 degree Aries, back through 29, 28, 27, 26 Pisces, and then forwards again to reach 0 Aries by the end of April. An astrologer can tell you more about what this means in your own horoscope.

Sunday 9th April – Wednesday 3rd May:

Mercury retrograde

Mercury reverses in earthy Taurus today. Revising or redoing practical jobs, and checking computer security and financial records all over again might be top of the list during this time – 9th April until the 20th, when Mercury backtracks into Aries, finally turning direct on the 3rd May.

Generally, we should – as always on a Mercury retrograde - be prepared to check everything twice during this whole phase, particularly travel arrangements. And are you quite sure you’ve been understood? Sometimes we need to find various ways of communicating an important point during this phase.

This is a helpful time to reconsider or redo things. During the Taurus phase that tends to mean very slowly…….

But Mercury retrograde is usually a doubtful time to launch a new PR campaign, internet-based business, or anything involving communications, such as unveiling new technology. Things could simply go wrong – technical difficulties for example - or lead to unintended consequences. Delaying signing an important agreement or contract could be a wise move too, if at all possible. What’s agreed now may have to be unpicked and done again later on.

After 20th April, the pace quickens. Mercury, back in active Aries, will be bursting with ideas, things to say, and a mischievous love of chaos. At this point, we have a few days when we can firm up practical details of clever plans and ideas. And when Saturn flows with Mercury, it’s a productive time for research. Digging around in the past works well, for both planets are retrograde and Saturn is the Lord of Time.

And then….

Between the 26th April – 10th May we take a jaunty little walk on the wild side. Mercury aligns with Uranus, and there are electrifying light-bulb moments popping up all over the place. These can be exciting, yet disruptive days. Some jaw-dropping truth telling can shift beliefs and attitudes at this point too. Mercury and Uranus bring sudden, sometimes shocking, news. Rebellion and revolution are a strong theme.

Mercury turns direct on 3rd May, but we’re likely to be dealing with existing issues, or addressing this year’s misunderstandings until 20th May.

Mercury’s next retrograde is 13th August – 5th September.

Tuesday, 11th April:

The Full Moon rises in airy Libra, the Scales, at 21 degrees.

What’s fair? What is justice? What is strategy and what is manipulation? This full Moon provokes such questions.

Diplomats of the world unite – we’ll be needing you!

There’s more in the Moon Diary.

The Moon is square Pluto, opposite Uranus, and widely conjunct Jupiter in Libra. These are dynamic aspects, their flavour is familiar, their mission is to encourage breakthroughs and moves towards constructive changes in our world. Easier said than done, of course.

Image: ‘La Justice’ tarot card, Tarot de Marseilles. PD

Friday 14th April – Monday 17th April:

Happy Easter!

During the Easter weekend the Moon travels through humorous Sagittarius, favouring friendship, gatherings, and weekends away. Do check your travel plans though. Mercury is retrograde, so plans tend to go awry due to those annoying events – such as strikes - outside our control.

On Friday, 14th April, The Sun in Aries joins with Uranus – promising some Easter surprises, illuminations, inspirations or upsets. The UK, USA, France and Eire are amongst places that may experience turbulent times (more so than usual) this weekend.

On Sunday and Monday, a flowing trine between the Sun and Saturn settles things down a little, and emphasises our sense of history and tradition.

Venus in indulgent Pisces is simultaneously challenged by austere Saturn. Potentially, this could limit our Easter egg habit, and our weekend spending on frivolities, just a bit. There may be Easter break-ups or endings for some of us.

Image: The White Rabbit by Tenniel, from ‘The Nursery Alice’ (1890), British Library via Wikimedia Commons

Saturday, April 22nd – Friday, April 28th:

International Dark Sky Week

“The soul of the newly born baby is marked for life by the pattern of the stars at the moment it comes into the world, unconsciously remembers it, and remains sensitive to the return of configurations of a similar kind.”

- Johannes Kepler, brilliant astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer. ‘Harmony of the World’ (1619)

There was once a time when astronomers were also astrologers. When you see the night sky in all its glory, you see the visible patterns of stars and planets that all astrologers once used to guide them. With ever-increasing light pollution, many of us never see the night sky as it really is, or understand the awe and wonder it once inspired in every human being.

For more about the dark skies movement:

http://astronomerswithoutborders.org/gam2017-programs/dark-skies-awareness/3547-international-dark-sky-week-2017.html

Wednesday, 26th April:

April’s New Moon rises in earthy Taurus the Bull, at 6 degrees

Yes, A new Moon in Taurus says why not get down and dirty?

Nature, pleasure, food and frolics are calling you!

There’s more in the Moon Diary.

there's a twinkle in someone's eye or a thought of an impulsive…

Source, the ASTROLOGY Room.com

Posted by, PHYNXRIZNG

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