Tales from the Crypt

Astrology Insights for the Week of April 20, 2025

This week, the cosmos invites us into a reckoning. With a potent last quarter moon in Aquarius, Venus and Saturn’s final conjunction in Pisces, and a climactic Mars-Pluto opposition, revelations abound. The theme? "Tales from the Crypt." What lies buried within our psyches, politics, and collective systems is stirring awake.

The Last Quarter Moon: Cratered Illusions

This is the first of two lunar quarter moons in Aquarius, the second arrives at 29° on May 20. Mark your journal now: where are you today in relation to your hopes, dreams, and ideals? Then revisit next month to reflect on what’s shifted. There’s an intense urge to take action under this sky. Mars in Leo squares both the Sun and Moon, stoking the fire of impulsive moves and theatrical displays. But caution is key. Acting too quickly could alienate allies and create ripple effects across your entire kingdom. The sound of silence may be the wisest course, even as the temptation to stir drama is loud.

Do you notice the clash between individual values and collective realities? This lunation initiates a crisis of consciousness, asking us to reflect on revelations from the Aries solar eclipse three weeks ago. With the Moon inching toward Pluto, truths long hidden may come to light with intensity. We learned of Signal Gate 2.0. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth again shared confidential military information with another group chat that included his wife. Also, one of his closest allies wrote an opinion piece for Politico about the chaos in the Pentagon under his leadership.   

We’re also at the turning point of a 27-month lunar phase family that began on January 21, 2023. Consider how your life has evolved since then, check the dates below for important markers, give two weeks on either side. The Full Moon last July, when President Biden stepped down and endorsed Kamala Harris, marked the cycle's peak. Now, under pressure, we are again faced with a leader who has lost the confidence of the rank and file.

Saturn Conjunct the North Node in Pisces: A Karmic Crossroads

Saturn merges with the North Node in Pisces this week, creating a sobering energetic field around collective responsibility. Pisces rules the invisible, the confined, the spiritual. Saturn governs reality checks. When they meet at the karmic North Node, issues surrounding compassion, loss, confinement, and suffering take center stage. The planet Saturn is associated with the World card in the tarot. The Pope died on Easter Monday, and the world is in mourning. 

Humanitarian crises intensify. From Gaza to Sudan, Ukraine to El Salvador, we see the cost of lost empathy. Saturn and the North Node’s conjunction may feel like divine judgment, especially with Venus nearby, bringing themes of popularity, pleasure, and financial stability under review.

Venus and Saturn: The Final Pisces Chapter

On April 24, Venus and Saturn meet for the final time in Pisces. This cycle began in late January and intensified at the April 12 full moon. Ask yourself, what does love require of us when illusions fall away? Many will experience psychological integration, especially around relationships, money, and self-worth.

This conjunction also coincides with a Balsamic Moon, a time of closure. Take space to reflect. Let what no longer serves dissolve.

Mars Opposes Pluto: The Finale

On Saturday, Mars in Leo opposes Pluto in Aquarius for the final time in this retrograde story. This aspect began last November and was activated again on New Year’s Eve. Its themes involve explosive power struggles, ego clashes, and the consequences of overreach.

This aspect echoes through the U.S. astrology chart. Mars stationed retrograde on the U.S. North Node in the 8th house of debt. Now, as the opposition perfects, we may hear of credit downgrades, financial fallout, or further unrest. Individuals and governments alike face the consequences of actions rooted in dominance rather than discernment.

Financial and Geopolitical Unrest

This week could bring more revelations about the global economic shake-up. China’s refusal to export rare earth minerals, its cancellation of U.S. contracts, and its ripple effect through industries like aerospace and agriculture is hitting home. Meanwhile, the U.S. president’s popularity plummets as Venus, ruler of the U.S. Midheaven, is constrained by Saturn.

Personal Impacts: Body, Mind, and Soul

Aquarius rules circulation, nerves, and group consciousness; Leo governs the heart and spine. Watch for physical manifestations of stress. On a spiritual level, this week may feel like a gauntlet, but also an opportunity for empowerment. Pluto strips illusions. Mars ignites willpower. Use this cosmic heat to cut ties with internalized fear.

Final Thoughts: Twilight Before the Dawn?

While much of this week is sobering, it also holds potential for profound growth. The astrology challenges us to rise, even as foundations crumble. Let these "Tales from the Crypt" become a testament to our collective awakening. As the Taurus New Moon nears, we prepare to plant seeds in more solid ground.

Stay grounded. Trust your intuition. And allow this cosmic season of endings to make way for a bold new beginning.

Subscribe to the Celestial Insights Podcast on your favorite pod catcher. This week’s Word of the Day:

Sunday – Crater
The last quarter moon in Aquarius exposes fractures in collective systems. Something collapses to reveal a deeper truth. Let this be a wake-up call about where expectations and reality diverge.

Monday – Rejection
Saturn conjunct the North Node in Pisces brings hard truths. If something doesn’t go your way, it may be divine protection. What feels like a loss could reroute you toward something more authentic.

Tuesday – Disturbance
The Aquarius Moon squares Uranus, bringing disruptions to group dynamics or collective plans. Innovations or protests may arise—expect the unexpected and prepare to pivot.

Wednesday – Songbirds
Venus joins the North Node in Pisces. Messages carry deep emotional resonance. Music, art, and poetic expressions help us process complex feelings stirred by the Sun’s square to Pluto.

Thursday – Twilight
The balsamic moon in Pisces invites stillness. This is a time for release and reflection. With Venus and Saturn’s final conjunction in Pisces, long-standing emotional patterns are ending.

Friday – Unrest
The Aries Moon reports to Mars in Leo—impulsive actions or surging passions may erupt. Channel anger or frustration into intentional movement or creative fire.

Saturday – Finale
Mars opposes Pluto, delivering the final act of a long transformation. Power struggles, endings, or revelations may surface. Acknowledge what must be released to step forward with clarity.