Life is full of surprises, but we often don't like surprises when they involve money. It is hard to say which way things will go for your finances this month - exceedingly well, or shockingly bad. Let's think good thoughts and stay positive. The first half of April will be almost all about money, thanks to a new moon, April 7 in the entrepreneurial sign of Aries, 18 degrees, lighting your house of other people's money. This is not the month to take big risks, however, even if you feel like doing so. With Uranus and Pluto going rogue, you are best to keep your financial decisions conservative and well researched.

This new moon of April 7 may have you thinking about taxes, credit cards, a student loan, or mortgage, or other funds you may owe others or that others owe you. The matter at hand may have to do with the fair division of property in a divorce, an insurance payout, or a court settlement. Before you freak out at news of all this emphasis on money (you are not a materialistic soul), realize that Saturn will be in beautiful angle to the planets in your eighth house of finances, indicating a nice resolve. Also, Aries (the place of the new moon) is governed by Mars, and so it will be important for me to see what Mars is doing at this new moon. Will he be friendly? Indifferent? In a bad mood? This time, the answer is Mars will be very friendly, in wide mathematical agreement to that new moon, promising a favorable outcome to all this financial talk if you keep your wits about you.

Be careful about identity theft this month and check all statements carefully. When the planet of unexpected developments, Uranus, is conjunct the Sun, anything could happen, but it is never what you would guess it to be. If you should find anything amiss, the credit card company or bank will work with you and help you, as long as you notify them quickly.

Pluto will also be in hard angle to the new moon from your fifth house of love, so you might be asked to write a check to help a lover, but with Pluto acting up, you may never see that money again. If that's fine with you, then do it, but if you need to be repaid, be careful, as that might not happen. Pluto can be very domineering and unfair, so wear your armor and stick to your point of view.

The eighth house, which is so brilliantly lit, also rules surgery, so you might decide this month to have an operation or procedure you've been putting off, or to schedule some dental work, which is also considered surgery. I would prefer you wait until July, August, or October if your procedure is not urgent, but if it is, then do it now. If you want to do surgery now, I like April 5, when Saturn will be nicely angled to the Sun, bringing comforting results for years ahead. Saturn is based in your fourth house, ruling among other things, and "the end of all matters." That's where you would want rock-solid, stabilizing Saturn when you are having a procedure. I cannot see your entire chart from where I sit, but I do know that day would promote healing and stability for most people. If you are unsure, consult an astrologer in your own city. (In the US, see if a large city near you has a chapter of the National Council of Geo-Cosmic Research, a wonderful club you can trust for recommending an astrologer.)

Make all your most decisive moves early in the month, for Aries' ruler, Mars, will go retrograde from April 17 to June 29. We don't feel all retrograde planets in similar fashion - we feel Mars, Mercury, and Venus the most because those are the planets that orbit closest to earth. When Mars is retrograde in a financial house, as you have now and in months ahead, financial negotiations and details usually take time to sort out, and money that is due to you tends to be slow to come. It has been said that it is unwise to start any new action without the force and power of a strong Mars behind you. Mars retrograde is sleeping and not able to give you the element of power and luck that you've become to expect in all your ventures. Mars does not retrograde often (only once every two years), so you may not recall the last time this happened, which was March 1 to May 14, 2014. Nevertheless, don't start a competitive new venture between April 17 and June 29. You need a strong Mars in the DNA of the birth of your venture, and a strong Mars will give you a competitive advantage.

On top of this, Mars' brother, Mercury, also your ruling planet, will go retrograde too, beginning April 28 and continuing to May 22. Get as much done in early April as you can, for in May we will have five out of eight planets retrograde for at least part of the month. You will be far more productive now than you will be at the end of April or through most of May. With all these retrogrades, if you have to buy a car, computer, smart phone, TV set, iPad, kitchen appliance (including a refrigerator, dishwasher, or stove, for example), you would do best to get it quickly at the start of April. You should never buy electronics when Mercury is retrograde, nor shop for machines with gears while Mars is retrograde. (Mars rules machines and all things made of iron.) Be kind to yourself and avoid problems by shopping early in April.

Retrograde planets are helpful in many ways, and that's why the universe in its wisdom made provisions for planets to go retrograde. Your schedule will open up, and you will have more time for your children and other family members, and to reconnect with friends. You may discover one or more items you assumed you lost, much to your relief.

There is a very strong chance you may reassess your plans for a home or family-related matter. For example, you may have assumed you wanted to live in the suburbs, but now may switch your preference to living in the city - and then waffle back and forth for a while. Or, a house you wanted to bid on, that you thought you wanted so badly, may not seem to be the prize you first assumed it to be. There are many possible examples, but you get the idea. Nothing will stay "set" for now. With Mars in your home sector, the decision is most likely to be centered on a home or family-related decision. Don't pressure yourself for an answer. You have time. This is not the right moment to make any hard and fast decisions.

You may have time to take a vacation this month while chaos reins at the office or at home. Getting away would be a good idea, for it would give you the quiet time to think, deliberate, and weigh all sides of a question you seem to be pondering.

One of your best days of the month will be April 14, when your ruler, Mercury, still in direct orbit, will be in ideal align with Jupiter, giver of gifts and luck. On this day you can travel, get superb news about a career development, sign papers, give a speech, send in a finished manuscript, or get an important editing or translation assignment. No matter what you choose to do, this day is a standout and will bring you forward toward a goal. You will feel as lucky as a Leprechaun and you will be very happy by day's end when you think about how smoothly things went your way.

Another sweet day will be April 12 when Venus and Mars are beautifully angled, bringing you all kinds of happiness involving a condo, apartment, house, or other living space. You may sign a lease (or, wait for April 14), close on your house, or find a home-related bargain, say in furniture or other item you need. News about your family should be happy and bright too. This will be a gorgeous day, so even if you only feel like improving your home space on a small scale, bring a bouquet of flowers or a flowering plant inside. This is a Tuesday, but you will start to feel the glow as early as Saturday, April 9, so consider giving a party at home. The transiting moon will be in Taurus, another ideal spot for you. You will like April 12, I promise!

After much of the financial talks you've had earlier in the month, by the time you reach the full moon, April 21, you may want to plan a little getaway. This full moon, in Scorpio 2 degrees, is a particularly lyrical one. The only planet that will send a message to this full moon will be Neptune, and will be in flawless angle to this tender moon. Choose to go to a location near water - perhaps you can take a three-day holiday in a resort close to your home base that is situated at the shore or a lake, or that is situated on an island. Although you may not have thought about going away, you can be spontaneous now and enjoy every minute of being away.

This same full moon may bring news you've waited to hear by email, text, fax, or by post office mail. Keep an ear to the ground for any rumblings, for the news should inspire you and make you feel lighter than air.

If your birthday falls on August 26, plus or minus four days, you will benefit very much from this graceful new moon. The same will be true if you have Virgo rising at 3 degrees (within five degrees) or have a natal planet at 3 degrees with the same mathematical tolerance, in Virgo, Taurus, Capricorn, Cancer, Pisces, or Scorpio.

Your finances will be an area to watch in coming weeks. The new moon, April 7 in Aries, will fall in your eighth house of other people's money and will bring both opportunity and possibly an unexpected expense. Much of how things go will depend on how you've handled money in the past, for no new moon appears in a vacuum. Uranus, the planet of unanticipated results, is conjunct the Sun and new moon. This means news may swing to one of the extremes - either you will have a chance to get a large sum of money, or sadly, need to pay out or lose a sum. Keep watch over your possessions, for you may become distracted and lose something valuable.

Uranus is a planet of extremes and will be in hard angle to big-money planet Pluto. This is no month to speculate on investments or deals. Your house of other people's money includes insurance payouts, student loans, scholarships, credit cards, inheritance, child support, court settlements, book advances, bonuses, venture capital, a new mortgage or refinancing plan, or similar types of funds that come to you outside salary, usually in one large payment. However, this part of your chart also includes money you owe, such as for taxes, so it's money that comes in and money that goes out, usually in large chunks. You need to be present in all financial dealings this month, rather than leave that task to others. You will need to voice your opinion and set priorities, as others will not be able to guess how you will want to proceed.

This financial area appears to be an area that you will be focused on for months ahead. Mars rules your sector of other people's money, however, this month Mars will retrograde from April 17 to June 29. This suggests that during this time, you may opt to change past financial agreements that may not be working for you any longer. If you find yourself in a tight spot, you will need to look at your options. On the other hand, if you make a windfall, you will need to find ways to manage your bounty wisely.

Mars first entered Sagittarius and your home sector on March 6, to stay for an unusually long period, so it is clear where your attention will be: at home, through September 27. Mars typically remains in a sign for seven weeks, but in 2016 Mars will remain in Sagittarius nearly seven months and all that time will focus you on your house ruling home, other property, and family matters.

Not only will Mars begin to retrograde this month, but your ruler, Mercury will too, from April 28 to May 22. No matter what you choose to do about your financial matters, it appears you will need to refine your decision later. Don't etch anything in stone. Allow time for reflection, and as you decide, seek advice from financial advisors, your accountant, and other money types.

You will have a hugely positive day on April 14, when Mercury, your ruler, will reach out to the giver of gifts and luck, Jupiter. You will do well on this day, so have talks and work earnestly to reach accord. You can sign a contract, or come to a plan that seems to benefit you.

You will need a carefree diversion from financial thinking and calculating, and you will have it at the full moon, April 21. Within four days of this day, you appear to be traveling, most likely for fun and love. Neptune will be friendly, so it appears you will leave with your romantic partner (or if you don't have one, take a business trip with your platonic business partner who will come with quite original ideas).

The same house that will be so beautifully lit, your solar third house, also rules writing and communication of all kinds, an area where Virgo excels, so you may be finishing up an important manuscript. Thanks to Neptune's presence at this full moon April 21, your work will be unusually poetic, and possibly even cinematic in your descriptions. If you aim to inspire those who read your work, you can do easily so now.