April ends with a cosmic bang as we experience Pluto retrograde and the start of the first eclipse season of 2022. When eclipses roll around to a specific house (or sign) in our charts, we experience big changes in those areas of our life. First up though, we’ll be reflecting on a personal transformation as Pluto goes retrograde on April 29. On the following day, we receive a beautiful celestial boost from the new moon solar eclipse in Taurus on April 30. Then, on May 16, it’s time for a reality check with the full moon lunar eclipse in Scorpio.
Pluto Retrograde in Capricorn
Pluto is the first outer planet to go retrograde. With the keeper of time leading the pack, you’ll begin to notice things slow down over the coming weeks. This isn’t any old Pluto retrograde. Like all the other heavy hitters (outer planets), he goes retrograde once a year. This one is pretty special because it’s the last one to fully occur in Capricorn. Next year, Pluto moves into Aquarius, where the retrograde will start, and eventually bring the planet back to Cap. Think of this as a final review of the last 14 years, and the major progressions that occurred. How can you take that experience and move forward? This is a time to do some grunt work on a soul level.
Pluto represents deep rooted emotions, repressed memories and subconscious beliefs (i.e. the things we tend to bottle up). Its retrograde can help bring any issues to the surface, so we can deal with them once and for all. It’s time to make peace with the past and release it. There is no longer a need to carry baggage, just take the wisdom gained and move forward. As much as Pluto represents the death of things, its lighter side is the rebirth. It has a regenerative quality and we’ve been working towards this moment since Pluto first entered Capricorn in 2008.
Pluto Retrograde in Capricorn l Image by TheSpaceway from Pixabay
When Pluto moves through a particular sign or house, it cleanses and then reconstructs. This area of our life goes through a long and drawn out transformation. It certainly will be interesting to see how America’s Pluto Return will continue to play out, as this retrograde will take Pluto back to the exact 27 degrees of Capricorn, our country’s natal Pluto. This is the first time we are experiencing a transit like this, as Pluto takes 264 years to circle back. This particular retrograde will bring Pluto back to 26 degrees of Capricorn, meaning it will hit that sensitive spot (America’s natal Pluto) twice more this year. Pluto will begin to move direct again on October 8, 2022.
Not only is Pluto going retrograde, but the planet also has a role to play in the eclipses of 2022. Pluto is the ruler of Scorpio, which makes it the dispositor of the South Node.
The First Eclipse Season of 2022
First Eclipse Season of 2022 l Photo by Ramiro Martinez on Unsplash
This is the first full-set on the Taurus-Scorpio axis. This time around, they’ll have a different flavor. These events have been known to shake things up. We got a taste of this set last winter, with the full moon lunar eclipse in Taurus in November. However, at that time, the “lunar nodes” or “Nodes of Fate” were at the very end of Gemini-Sagittarius. Now they have officially moved on, with the North Node occupying Taurus and the South Node in Scorpio. This puts a greater emphasis on the subject of value and security that is highlighted by this particular axis.
When it comes to eclipses and the nodes, it’s important to remember that the North Node represents what we are working towards, and the South Node represents what we are walking away from. This spring, we’ll experience two eclipses with themes that truly align with the nodes themselves. These two cosmically fated events have very different vibes.
The Solar Eclipse in Taurus
There is a ton of bountiful and benefic energy surrounding this new moon solar eclipse. First and foremost, this meet up between the Sun and Moon is at 10 degrees of Taurus, happening dangerously close to Uranus, currently at 14 degrees. We are certainly in for a surprise with this one. Uranus and eclipse energy are kind of one in the same. They both are “wild cards.” Unpredictable in nature, but they push us to progress.
This solar eclipse will also take place in an applying sextile to Mars in Pisces, which will inspire us to take action. We’ll really be able to feel the moment and roll with it. New moons in general always bring a new beginning or fresh start to something in our lives. This can happen internally, like changing our attitudes or mindsets, or externally like moving homes or switching jobs. Eclipses, particularly solar ones, have a similar but supercharged effect. Being a North Node solar eclipse, what happens around this date is leading us on the path to our destiny.
The change that comes with this solar eclipse will likely be one we’ve been hoping for. The depositor of this eclipse is Venus, the ruler of Taurus. Just as the Moon is crossing over the Sun, Venus forms an exact conjunction with Jupiter. Not only is there an eclipse on April 30, but a meet up between both of the benefic planets. Whatever comes into your life, whichever new direction you start to take—it’s meant for you and it’s a blessing.
Solar Eclipse in Taurus l Image by ipicgr from Pixabay
The Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio
While the solar eclipse has a ton of support from the other planets, this lunar eclipse in Scorpio on May 16 has some big Saturn energy. The nodes have been square to Saturn for the last month or so. During this eclipse, the Moon and Sun will also be joining this T-Square to Saturn. Whatever we have to deal with, it’s been building for a while, as squares tend to create tension. It’s time to own up to responsibilities and commitments.
Saturn is also the planet of restrictions and limitations, so we may face obstacles that we’ll need to work a little harder at overcoming. This is an ideal time to let go of what no longer serves and take a cold hard look at what blocks our paths to success. This planet teaches us we learn from failures, and how to turn those lessons into victories. It’s this quality that makes Saturn and Pluto (the dispositior of the South Node) so similar. Their influence is all about breaking down and rebuilding, which tends to be a difficult process.
This eclipse puts a greater emphasis on Pluto’s retrograde and a need to let go of what isn’t working out. This may also be a time when we are realizing the power behind our innate abilities or desires, which can be ultra empowering. However, it may require some sort of release to reach this state. Pluto retrograde might not even be “felt” until the lunar eclipse in Scorpio. Coincidentally, both Pluto’s retrograde and the effects of the eclipse season will last for the next six months. We can expect a lot of reflection, healing and transformation to take place over this time.
Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio l Image by vicky gharat from Pixabay
With both the Sun and Moon in opposition, this may be a day of heightened emotions—it’s best to remain grounded. We must step up to the plate and make the right decisions. There is a serious tone to this lunation. Once we face limitations, do we let them remain obstacles or do we overcome them? Both Saturn and Pluto are encouraging us to transcend.
The fixed signs of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius will feel these eclipses the most. As the Sun, Moon and nodes are either in conjunction, opposition or square to any natal placements in these signs.
For more on how Pluto Retrograde and the first eclipse season of 2022 will impact you, be sure to read your April 2022 horoscope!
About the Author/s
A writer and astrologer, sustained by iced coffee, sunsets and decorating her home. For more on her services and where her insights can be found, visit cosmickait.com.
