Horoscopes for 4-15-2025

“I am debating of my present store,
And by the near guess of my memory,
I cannot instantly raise up the gross
Of full three thousand ducats. What of that?”

Shylock in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice (I.iii.29-32)

Horoscopes for 4-15-2025

• Full Moon 23°19’ Ari./Lib. 4/12
• Mercury into Ari. 4/16
• Mercury conjunct Neptune 0°38’ Ari. 4/16 10:58 PM
• Mars into Leo 4/19
• Sun into Taurus 4/20

Aries

Happy birthday. One of the oddest occurrences? I got into certain books, reading, buying more, then looking for them in various locations, books about Roman authors, and ancient philosophies, as handed down through the ages, and then? The books that I was reading most recently? All “interpretations” and “updates” to older, classical material. A new take on old material. My “western” astrology and its lore? Stems from ancient authors. So there’s a real connection that I feel, and the materials themselves, they’ve been eye-opening, just as a new way to look at older material. Then, too, I’ve seen this done with Shakespeare’s works, digging in, and explaining what something means rather than what we think it might mean in modern vernacular. It isn’t a big deal, but it is, and for the Aries birthdays, and weeks ahead? There’s a hint that new, interpreted, or reinterpreted works, classics, or classic to ourselves, those are worth digging back into. See what’s there, or see if someone translated new meaning to older works. It’s there, Aries, just dig a little.

Taurus

Through travel, experimentation, and exposure? I’ve had an opportunity to try numerous styles of cuisine. I’ll admit, there’s a hole in my culinary education as I don’t know a lot about “East Coast BBQ.” As a bit of a snob, in that area, even though I try to eat more plant-based these days, I still harbor my own prejudices in respect to BBQ. I know what I like and the Slow, Low And Banging BBQ — Texas style — its still my favorite. However, I’m always open to new culinary delights, and I admire fusion cuisine, where cultures meet, greet, and combine.

For me, this was a happy accident in a kitchen as I grabbed the wrong spice and added to stew — a green chili mix. It was originally just green peppers, mostly mild, and I didn’t really think about it as I was stirring in the usual accoutrements, like garlic and sea salt. My spice addition accented a flavor, and in the future, I might try this again. I’ll be the first to admit, it was accident, I was distracted and listening to music, hips swinging in the kitchenette, not really paying attention. Taurus hint: happy accident. Taurus clue: don’t know? Give it a try, what’s thew worst that can happen?

Gemini

I glanced at the charts, then I got to fine-tuning particular Gemini aspect, worthy of note. The little blip to other signs? Not really a big deal in and of itself, but as a worthy note? 11:00 PM, on the 16th, Mercury and Neptune are briefly, perfectly, aligned with each other. Strange aspect, and one that leaves a sense of wonder, but not a sense of surety. It is less about a singular astrological event and more about what this symbolizes. What doorways it opens. What new directions are proffered. My dear Gemini, do not turn down ten the most limited of offers. Ever heard about the power of “Yes?” I know, it hasn’t worked well as of late, and Saturn is player on this as well, but just for a moment, just for a chance, just to see where this might go? Try answering yes even to the most apparently unsubstantial offers. Test, or, alternatively, give them a tentative “yes,” like, even if you don’t mean it, it could lead to something, and you won’t know if you don’t try.

Cancer

One would think, as Mr. Mars moves into Leo, that the gentle sign of the crab, Cancer’s life would get easier, almost immediately. There’s a small sticking point, and one that would be best to observe, as Mars exits Cancer? It moves into opposition to Pluto. Not exactly fun times for them. Not bad for the moon children, Cancer. But? But tough stuff up and over the hill. Not bad stuff, just a few minor obstacles, and the reactions from other people are the problem for the moon children. It’s not about the live defined by Cancer, the sign of the crab, no, not about that slice of the heavens — not at all. But there’s an obstacle or two for other people, just up and over that hill ahead. A perspicacious cardinal water sign can clearly see this is coming, and the problem, the biggest issue? Using one of those crab claws to reach out and latch onto that problem — even though it isn’t yours. Didn’t cause it; can’t fix it; why bother?

“Well, because….”

No. Just, no.

The Leo

Due, I guess largely, to my position and relatively accessible nature? I always feel like I’m both a target and gatekeeper for my friends and their “Once in a lifetime opportunities,” which, to me, looks a little too good to be true. “Imagine if you bought (Apple/Amazon/Microsoft) when it was just starting out?” That’s the usual kind of come-on, opening line. Most of this, especially if there is a pejorative bit of fine print? It’s highly speculative, and the few people I know who have gone off and dumped a life savings into such a vehicle? Usually wind up broke. The deal is, as The Leo? You’re good target for “fantastic investment opportunities,” which, as the original suggestion ran? Too good to be true? Guess what? In time, that pans out as “Too good to be true.” Up front, the person selling the deal? That person gets a commission, and that commission, is the entire profit. Not quite an illegal scheme, but almost. I see far too many of these, and therein is the problem. Maybe I’m a target, maybe I’m too accessible, or maybe I look gullible enough. I think it’s the last one. I have neither time nor resources to invest and chase down every one of them but before dropping the hard-earned Leo cash? Do some looking into the background.

Virgo

It was a happy accident for me, and I’m not sure this works for vocal Virgo, but I’ll give it a spin. We will see. Each winter, I get in the habit of spilling a few herbs into the morning coffee mix, usually cinnamon, but also nutmeg and sometimes cardamom. Varying degrees and varying associations, some mystical, some flavorful. I also like Mexican Vanilla as an herb-like substance. Use in lots of things, and the morning coffee, I hadn’t hit upon a proper way to include it until recently. It’s also a “winter addition,” and it’s not longer winter-like here. Might not apply, but I want to remember how I did this, so I can pass it along to good Virgo. I’ll take a drop, not much more, just a drop of big quart bottle of Mexican Vanilla, usually the bottle with the rooster? I’ll add just a drop to the coffee filter, then? Let that sit over night. The solution dries out, but the flavor remains, the essence is still there, and it leaves a hint of musky vanilla on top of the usually coffee beans, and this week? They are mix of leftover Mercury Retrorade coffee (in bulk). My biggest problem with this? The Virgo girlfriend wanted to clean up the mess, and didn’t want coffee made with a dirty coffee filter.

“No! Don’t touch that — it’s a thing.”

Virgo: silent shrug.

Libra

Scrying is the most common form that I’ve seen. Scrying usually involves looking into a crystal ball, in its most common current iteration, as in, “Look into your crystal ball to see what the future holds for this.” Early on, I was introduced to “Water Scrying,” and that’s when a reader would gaze into a bowl of water. I thought about using holy water, until I found out the amount of water required, and I think tap water would do just fine. It’s about fixing the steady Libra gaze on a single point, then listen to what pops into your head. The real answer? It’s the term, “Listen to what pops in your head.” Might be mystical, might be magical, might be spiritual, might be inspirational, can never tell. As we go slipping on the back side of the Sign of Aries, the moon and all that? The trick is to fix that Libra eye, your steady gaze, on a point outside, away, or just a different space than usual. One of the most common elements I’ve seen? A glass sphere, perched on an ornate stand, used for “Crystal Ball Gazing.” The real magic occurs when you look outside of yourself.

Scorpio

Fight with this all you want. You’re not going to win, not this week. It’s not bad, and this is more like a skirmish rather than an all out war. But this is a battle you won’t win, and as such? The best Scorpio action is to stop fighting, and gracefully retreat. Just easier, call it a tactical retreat. I like the term, “Conflict Avoidance,” and while that’s not always the Scorpio Way, as a rule, I’d like to think that it is the quickest way to get ahead. “Conflict avoidance,” or “tactical retreat,” or “live to fight anther day?” Pick whatever expression fits, but diving headlong into the problem might not work the way you think it should, at lest not over the next few days. Or few weeks.

Sagittarius

How to talk about sex without talking about it? Bit of a challenge, and given our usual Sagittarius proclivities, this kind of sublime chatter doesn’t fall within our natural state. But take this as a challenge, through the days ahead, how to talk about it without actually covering the topic itself? Sagittarius lessons learned from Scorpio? The sublime, the stated innuendo, myth, metaphor, and occasional dark humor? It all works, and the trick is to talk about it without talking about it. Skirt the issue. Avoid direct explanations. Talk around the problem, but not directly at the point. There’s a little verbal dance, and I was, one time, good with the ability to avoid talking about it while directly talking about it by not talking about it. Sex is the ticklish subject, and one I tend to address directly, but in this situation, these days ahead? Metaphor, allegory, or any other fanciful linguist dance is better than talking about it directly.

Capricorn

Ever close yourself off from all negative vibes? The Capricorn consciousness gets in a place where there’s the idea if you just don’t open up — at all — then nothing bad will happen. In part, this is true, but in part, this doesn’t play well, as we all benefit from some human contact with other people.

“Have you met ‘other people’? They’re awful!”

It would be nice to ensconce yourself in an artist’s garret, alone, and left that way to pursue your Capricorn heart’s desire. Great idea, but doesn’t work well. There’s a certain amount of human interaction that’s required, and all I suggest, limit it in a way that suits your own, internal indication. Sort of varies, individual to individual, and to limit that interaction, but whatever you do? Don’t close yourself off completely. I mean, nice idea, and you’re correct, some people are awful, but not all of them. Most? Maybe, but not all.

Aquarius

I have been “gardening by the moon” since the good old days in Austin, when I was neither good nor old. The trick is to time this with the moon’s phase, and then, make sure there aren’t pejorative motions, otherwise. The most basic break-down? Plant under the new moon, harvest under a the full moon. However, this can get fine-tuned a bit as they’re evergreen perennials with pointed leaves and thorns, those can be grafted under the waning aspects of the full moon. Means early next week, get ready, as there’s one last “gardening by the moon” time that’s on fast approach, and there’s a chance to do something with it, just after the weekend. One last task that is accentuated by the phase post-Full Moon timing, one last little Aquarius goal? Know what it is? What to get it done? Anchor it next Monday, like those spiky perennial plants.

Pisces

The Full Moon neatly divides this time into two, distinct categories — 1) Before and 2) After. Before is ebullient, eloquent, marked with praise, success, and great plans for the near future. After is marked with doom and despair. This is a verbalized feeling that the week ahead concludes with fear and loathing, but the lead up to the event is brilliant, enjoying — embodying — hope and optimism. To balance the two? Recall this is a simple lunation, just the motions of the Moon, and she’s having a bit of a fun with gentle Pisces. The split lunar cycle can be served better with a simple trick: look around. Got an internet connection? Be glad about that. Good a place to stay? Be glad about that. Got something to eat? Be happy for the little details. In doing so, happy for the littlest of details in Pisces land? The bigger pictures will resolve themselves in your favor. Eventually.