Eclipse season, Mercury retrograde, truth bombs—April has got it all! As we get involved in Act Two of the astrology of 2023, the stage is set for intrigue and surprise throughout the month. You don’t have to wait for the big dramatic changes to happen to you, you can just as easily be the initiator. Take your lead from the sky by stepping up to the plate and shaking things up. The energy looks perfect for telling people how you really feel. Hold on tight! Things are about to get interesting.

New here? I always recommend reading for your rising sign rather than your sun sign. You can find out your rising sign by casting your chart here. Want to learn more? Check out my new book The Astrology Of You: Finding Love, Creativity and Soul Purpose In Your Birth Chart or find me on Instagram at @emma_vee.

A desire to run before you can walk will be your biggest challenge in April. After literally months of astrological blahs (feel free to use that as an excuse for any lacklustre efforts), you’ve got more momentum than you’ve had since quarter three last year. But walking, or at least jogging slowly, will serve you much better than sprinting from a standstill. Get excited for the eclipse (20 April AEST and GMT) which kicks off a new 18-month chapter transforming the way you define yourself and think about your closest relationships.

Tip: The full moon (April 5 AEST, April 6 GMT) is just right to lay the foundation on something creative, especially in the form of a collaboration. 

The first few weeks of April are best spent recalibrating for Taurean folks. The good news is that it coincides with big makeover energy. Lay low and invest in you, tune into Venus in your home sign (until 10 April AEST; 11 April GMT) with a big beauty reset. It’s your best moment this year to try something new, get out of your comfort zone and invest in something that makes you feel a little bit terrified (but extremely excited). Book a no one-saw-it-coming hair colour or cut, change up the makeup look or skincare you’ve been reaching for or book a session with a stylist—the scarier the physical challenge, the better. 

Tip: Take extra care with big decisions after 21 April (AEST and GMT) when Mercury retrograde has you feeling uncharacteristically scattered.

With Mars finally clear of your home sign, there’s cause for celebration in April. As the Sun and Jupiter blaze through your social sector, expect invites to come in hot. Let off steam on the full moon (April 5 AEST, April 6 GMT) with people who make you feel brave, spontaneous and truly alive. With Venus entering the chat (10 April AEST; 11 April GMT), it’s a great moment to invest in some pampering. Extra points if you get a friend involved. The eclipse (20 April AEST and GMT) marks a bubbly new chapter for friends and play. 

Tip: Amp up the self-care after 21 April when Mercury retrograde could leave you feeling a little more anxious than usual.

It is all happening for crabs in April. Mars gets you all fired up and a new eclipse cycle marking a brand-new era in The Story Of You. Putting yourself out there, especially at work, will feel significantly easier. If you’ve been faltering over whether to send that email/go for the promotion, now is the time. While your career sector is hot-to-trot, things could feel a little intense with friends. Tread carefully and reserve judgement to avoid conversations being blown out of proportion. The eclipse (20 April AEST and GMT) sets the scene for a brand new chapter at work. Brace yourself for a big, exciting shake-up.

Tip: Channel excess energy into workouts to keep the crabbiness of Mars in your home sign (all month) at bay.

The cat is out of the bag early in the month when truth bombs and/or surprising confessions could catch you off guard. How you use the information and the aftershocks of what they mean for you, will have a lasting effect as the month wears on. Play your cards close to your chest and prepare for decisions that seem like a done deal to be revisited once Mercury retrograde (from 21 April) begins. Staying curious but coy is your best plan of attack. 

Tip: The full moon (5 April) and eclipse (20 April) pull focus on learning and study. Consider what you don’t know, but wish you did. It could soon be time to hit the books (or at least a little LinkedIn learning).

Your ruling planet, Mercury is in the spotlight this month, bolstering you to have difficult conversations and face your fears. But with most of April setting up the themes of the next four to six weeks, any important conversations won’t be done and dusted as fast as you’d like. Despite the back and forth, the skies look supportive for committing to something serious around the middle of the month. Hot tip: what you commit might come as a huge surprise.  

Tip: Eclipse season (20 April AEST and GMT) mark a season of change around what (and how) you share your money and energy.

With Aries season firing up your romantic sphere (until 20 April AEST and GMT), finding excitement and energy in your closest relationships should come as a genuine pleasure in April. Spontaneity, confidence and a sense of adventure should inspire you to reconnect if you’ve been feeling a bit detached the past few months. It’s a sweet counter to the mood at work, where you’ll be feeling extra emboldened to stand up for yourself. Don’t panic, remember your version of standing your ground is probably still much more polite than most people’s regular MO. 

Tip: Carve out time to do something playful and sexy around the full moon (April 5 AEST, April 6 GMT) when the energy is *chefs kiss* for fun.

Some ‘this-changes-everything’ intel (around 3 April) sets the scene for what will be an intriguing month for Scorpio people. With Venus and Uranus shaking things up for those nearest and dearest to you (until 10 April AEST, 11 April GMT), the seeds will be sown for an ongoing plot that will dominate the following six weeks. Expect decisions or conversations that seemed done and dusted to require further consideration once Mercury retrograde kicks off (21 April)—especially when it comes to matters of the heart. 

Tip: Just say “yes” to something physical around 11 April when the Sun, Moon and Jupiter give you an extra nudge to set a goal, and achieve it.

With the pressure off your closest relationships after seven long months, things look a little less intense in your immediate line of vision in April. Bask in the warmth of Aries season (until 20 April) and let loose on something creative, playful and spontaneous. Short-sighted hook-ups, late-night karaoke and art for art’s sake are all heartily encouraged, especially around 11 April. The eclipse ushers in a new 18-month chapter of shake-ups and transformation around your creativity. 

Tip: Avoid overscheduling later in the month (20 April AEST and GMT) when Mercury retrograde poses delays and hiccups in your day-to-day schedule.

You’re firing from all cylinders this month with both ambition and grit on lock. With the Sun and Jupiter energising your domestic sphere, the sky is on your side to quit talking about something and just do it. Whether it’s a renovation, a big real estate purchase or a move, you’ll have confidence and momentum to take the leap. Later in the month the eclipse (20 April AEST and GMT)  kicks off a new chapter of change around your home and career. 

Tip: Make some noise and celebrate the people who make you feel your most brave—at home and at work—around the full moon (April 5 AEST, April 6 GMT).

There’s drama in the air from the get-go this month as Mercury and Pluto signal some bold home truths (4 April AEST, 3 April GMT). While Aries season (until 20 April AEST and GMT) has you feeling fired up and ready to ask for exactly what you want, there’s indecision brewing on the horizon. Pay attention to the themes and questions that arise around where you’re living, who you live with or family (especially parents) in the first three weeks of the month. Even the most clear-cut issues could be up for review once Mercury goes retrograde (21 April AEST and GMT).

Tip: Mid-month (around 11 April AEST and GMT) looks especially sweet for pitching that crazy idea you’ve been stewing over. Catch the wave of confidence and put it out there.

The focus on all things financial continues for the first three weeks of the month, while the Sun shifts your focus to how you spend and save. With eclipse season just around the corner (20 April AEST and GMT), there’s big shifts on the horizon as you begin a new 18-month cycle focussed on your finances. Mid-month an opportunity to commit to something serious and long-term (that may impact where you’re living, or who you’re living with) could emerge. It might seem difficult at the time but trust your gut, your intuition is always 20/20.

Tip: Invest in something exciting (OS ticket perhaps?) around 11 April when the Sun and Jupiter tee up all the greenlights to just do it.