As you begin the month, the Sun will fill your seventh house of marriage, a house that also covers close, committed partnerships. This happens once a year, and this year, a gaggle of planets will follow the distinguished Sun. When the Sun is six months away from your birthday, the planets are found on the Western side of your chart, so it's hard to feel the Sun's warmth - it's far away. Many people feel they have little control over events and that they have to try harder to be in agreement with the team. It is true that when several planets, including the mighty Sun, fill the seventh house, you may have to compromise on matters that usually would not require you to do so. As a Libra, however, you are not like other people. One of your greatest assets is to know how to rally others together and to find a way to bring mutual benefit in the unity you create, whether the matter pertains to personal or professional. You are a master negotiator, always looking for the fair path to the future - and you do succeed in your quest, over and over.

The new moon of April 7 in Aries, 18 degrees, will underscore partnership matters and begin on this trend. You may be about to hire someone as a one-on-one collaborator in your business or be represented by someone who can bring much to the table. A new moon in Aries indicates that you would be doing something new - pioneering into new territory, such as high tech, medicine, property development, or another field. No matter what, others seem not to have the background on this area that you do, the reason why you are confident that you should press forward and take hold of this opportunity. You seem to be right. Or, you may get engaged or wed within days of this new moon, and if it happens, it will be unexpected. If you do get engaged or wed, it will be to a self-made partner, someone who owns his own business and who is quite a self-starter.

The moon will be conjunct Uranus in very tight mathematical aspect, so you will encounter surprising partnership developments that you would never have expected. There appears to be a spirit of impulsiveness going on too, but if so, take time to think things through, as this relationship will have the power to stay in place a very long time.

Mars will be in friendly angle to this new moon from his perch in Sagittarius, but the mathematical spacing is ten degrees, a bit wide. This means Mars will be helpful, but I wish he were a little closer in his "trine" position to these two heavenly bodies, to be super-helpful. (Trine comes from the word triangle, a lovely aspect denoting harmony). I feel Mars is close enough to the new moon to be your friend, and that's important, for Mars rules Aries, the place of the new moon. This tells me the final outcome of this new moon can, and should, be positive.

You may be looking over papers you need to sign this month as a result of Venus, Uranus, the Sun, and new moon all heading to this partnership house and about to make their presence known. If so, I would like you to hurry up and sign, assuming your lawyer agrees. Do so April 5, when the Sun and Saturn are in ideal angles, adding stability and purpose to your agreement. The new moon will also have staunch support from Saturn, which is a blessing, for any venture you begin after April 7 will have Saturn's favor, giving the alliance stability.

I worry about Pluto being in hard angle to the new moon, however. Pluto is in your house of home and property, as well as the people and professionals connected to your home, such as your landlord, roommate, real estate broker, decorator, contractor, architect, or neighbor. Alternatively, it may be someone in your family, most likely your mother or father, or someone you think of as a parent.

One way or another, it seems that someone connected to your home may try to push you into a corner, and you may feel upset at the unfairness of what transpires by this person's behavior. Or, could be you are trying to sell a house or condo, and feel the buyer is being difficult or manipulative. (Or vice versa if you are the buyer; you may feel taken advantage of by the bank or the seller.) You have support from this new moon, so it's not all one-sided. Your sibling may prove quite helpful at the new moon, so see how your sister or brother may fit into the situation.

If your birthday falls on October 10, plus or minus four days, you may feel both stress and support at this new moon. Remember that you are outstandingly talented at diplomacy and for bringing two sides together, even when you on one side of the table.

If you cannot sign papers on April 5 (a fine day to sign, mentioned early in this report), you have another stellar day to sign, April 14, when Mercury will receive golden beams from Jupiter. As a matter of fact, I like April 14 even more. Legal matters will go well, as will any deal that requires you negotiate with people overseas or at a far distance. This day, April 14, will also be excellent for any project involving the media - publishing and broadcasting, including Internet video programming and writing.

The full moon on April 21 in Scorpio at 2 degrees will be friendly too, and it will culminate a financial deal, bringing you final closure. The matter on the table appears to be an artistic or creative effort that will now bring payment or funding. I say that because Neptune will be in your sixth house of work projects, and Neptune is the patron of the arts.

I say that because Mars is about to go retrograde, from April 17 to June 29. Mars is the planet that acts as a booster rocket to any strenuous or difficult-to-achieve ventures. When Mars is lagging and tired, a state he will be in during his retrograde, it is nearly impossible to enter into a highly competitive situation and expect to win. You would be best to wait until July or August to act, or put things in motion in early April. I like July and August for a launch (personal or professional), because by then, you will have had Mars retrograde completed and behind you.

On top of Mars retrograde, you will also have his brother, Mercury, retrograde too starting on April 28 to May 22. Next month we will have five out of eight planets retrograde at some point in May, including Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto. It will be a while before the planets point us forward, but for now, we all will be looking back on previous projects and ongoing or past relationships to decide what went right and what went wrong. All signs will feel this the same way, although for you, contracts and certain short trips will run into delays and obstacles because Mars is in your contractual agreement and travel (third) house. Your ability to reach accord during Mars and Mercury retrograde will be near impossible, so don't press against this - go with it, and take your time. The planets you feel the most when retrograde are the three that orbit closest to earth - Venus, Mars, and Mercury. Venus won't retrograde until next year, March 4 to April 15. (Venus is important to you, as it is your ruler, but the other two are leaving to have a long, long lunch now.)

If you have to buy any electronic items, like a computer, tablet, smart phone, new headphones, a flat screen TV, or kitchen appliance, like a refrigerator - even a car - do so quickly in early April, or put off until July. Mercury rules the moving parts in machines, and all electronics. His brother, Mars, rules machines made of iron or metal (including cars too). Mars rules sharp instruments, including the surgeon's scalpel, so you may want to put off non-urgent surgery for now. Of course, if you need the operation urgently, by all means have it.

As said, this is not the time to begin key new ventures. Go slowly - double-check all your assumptions. Ancient astrological text says what you begin when Mars is out of phase you lose. That's a fairly strong statement. I feel you always have to test any advice given, including that one. Here is my experience.

While Mars was retrograde, I gave my exclusive license to the Walt Disney Company to host Astrology Zone on their servers, starting in March 1999 and extending until September 2001. By March 27, 1999, Astrology Zone was moved, and the Walt Disney Company hosted my website on their huge portal, GO.com. It was a strenuous time for me - lots of new demands were on my shoulders, and I was expected to stretch to complete new standards - but it was an excellent decision and I learned a lot from the partnership. I felt it was the right decision, so I don't agree with the adage, "What you start with Mars retrograde, you lose." I do believe that with Mars retrograde, you cannot count on any lucky breaks - you have to do all the heavy lifting yourself and be prepared to do it with plenty of drive and determination. Your commitment and belief in your venture will be tested - that's what Mars retrograde does. That will be necessary for you to make up for the temporary lack of Mars' energy, and believe me, you will feel the difference.

Now let's turn to romance. When it comes to love, you have a very sweet day coming up on April 12, when Venus, now in Aries and your house of committed partnerships, including marriage, engagement, and business alliances, will reach out to Mars. This is a gorgeous day for you if you are single, so plan to be out and about, and socializing up a storm as only a Libra can do. Venus is your ruler, so this day has your name written all over it. Does your birthday fall on September 22 or close (within four days) to it? Then you will get a double dip of pleasure.

Another special day for love will be April 22, when Venus and Uranus will be aligned. This gorgeous aspect comes filled with surprises in your marriage house, and it also falls near the inspirational full moon. This time, rather than singles, those who are attached will have the edge. If you are single, keep in mind that Venus IS your ruler, so you will be favored. I am splitting hairs here (married versus not married), but you get the idea - all Libra will have something to celebrate. Happily, it's a Friday, which is date night. If your birthday falls on October 10, plus or minus four days, April 22 will be extra special for you.

As you see, you have an active month. It will be important to hit the ground running and get much done in the first twelve days or so. Mars will slow us all down, but there is value in looking at what was achieved in your professional and personal life, and how you can make things better in the future.

The new moon, April 7, in your opposite sign of Aries, appears to be on a mission to bring you full disclosure from a romantic or business partner, whether that person wants you to have that information or not. Or, you may get a sudden opportunity to collaborate with a business expert, or to get engaged and married! News may come from any quarter and may be delivered to you in an offhand, random way, possibly by accident. Because the planet of unanticipated news, Uranus, will be conjunct the Sun and new moon, whatever comes up will take you off guard. This may be about something your partner did or decided to do in the future that will affect you, or it may be about his/her health. In the possibility that heath is the topic of concern, you will need to support your partner all the way.

Keep in mind that "unexpected" does not necessarily mean bad news - news may well be positive. No matter what comes up, you will need to make an adjustment and, clearly, that news will stem from your partner, not you. With planets on the Western part of your chart, you won't have full control, so adopt a conciliatory attitude. Fortunately Venus will be in Aries too, and brighten your partnership house, suggesting you can find ways to talk together in a warm way, and that your partner will listen to what you have to say. If your birthday falls on or within five days of October 10, you will feel this influence the most and may be jarred by news. Pluto will be in hard angle, so it appears you may want to change or adjust your living situation by what you hear. Or, it may be that your family will inject an opinion that makes the situation more complicated than it needs to be. Your Libran diplomatic skills will come into play here and help you sort out details.

If you would like to take a spontaneous short trip with your partner, go on April 12. If you can, begin your trip on Friday night, April 8, and stay through Tuesday evening, April 12 (this is assuming you can take two vacation days off). Venus and Mars will be in ideal sync, making for a loving, private, long weekend together. Romantic planet Venus - your ruler - will receive a greeting from Mars, her cosmic lover, and together create a setting that can build a memory. Another sweet day will likely be April 22, when your partner may surprise you - attached Libra will have the edge here. Venus will again be involved, and this time, contact Uranus, planet of unanticipated events.

Mars rules your partnership house, and Mars is about to go retrograde from April 17 to June 29, throwing partnership matters into limbo for a while. Whatever you decide to do in regard to a romantic or business partner will take a long time to institute, for after Mars goes direct June 29, he will not fully regulate his orbit until August 22. Between then and now, you may change your mind several times on the best way to handle the impending partnership (if you want to do it at all). Allow yourself the privilege of taking your time.

Mercury will retrograde this month too, from April 28 to May 22, indicating you may not have all the facts. If you do, you may misunderstand what is being said to you. Aim for clarity and proceed slowly and don't jump to judgment or the quick answer. It is not the time to make final decisions.

Money - in terms of a sale, investment, or purchase - will take your full attention within four days of the full moon, April 21. Neptune will support this full moon, so it's possible you might get a chance to buy or bid on a piece of art that you've had your eye on. Or you may be the creator and find the right buyer, willing to pay the right price for your art. Money will come in and money will go out, but overall, you seem happy with all that transpires, suggesting the balance of this activity will be in your favor.