Aquarius

Aquarius (Ruling Planet: Uranus; Element: Air) The most loyal of the air signs, Aquarians are known for their ability to make a lot of friends and their wide range of interests. The Water Carrier is the weird but charming, creative, independent type. But your independence can easily read aloof and detached. And like any air sign, you can be particularly inconsistent and unpredictable. Though, of all the air signs, you’re the most set in your ways, partially because of your strong moral compass and humanitarian instincts.

There are two important retrogrades this month. On the 17th, Mars in retrograde means an inclination to make impulsive decisions, as the decision-maker planet transits fire sign Sagittarius. Sidestep some of this frustrating influence by looking to the past. Reconnect with old friends or groups, or refocus on an old dream around this time, and try especially hard not to get defensive about your goals and ideas this month. Then, Mercury retrogrades at the end of the month, this time in Taurus, which may rattle you and convolute your sense of subjectivity. Try to remain aware of how logically and emotionally you interpret situations from the 28th of April through May. The planet of love experiences two shifts this month, first into Aries on the 5th, then to Taurus on the 29th. Overall, you’ll be feelin that need to talk to your romantic partner(s) for hours upon hours throughout the month, with clear lines of communication and intellectually stimulating conversation– and the energy from a new moon in Aries may even fuel this state of mind. Mercury’s location in Taurus for the majority of the month will help you express this need more clearly. The Sun also shifts into Taurus on the 19th, prompting your need for comfort. Use this energy after the retrogrades to get in touch with your heart and your emotions. You may find that the watery full moon in Scorpio on the 22nd lends its energy to this way of thinking, but it may not be the best time to take on a life-altering activity.

Your April Trax: Long winded conversations and the chance to re-dream this month sounds like a Lady Lamb rec is in order. Today, that’ll be Lady Lamb’s wordy and winding 2013 indie-folk album Ripely Pine. Ghosting by Mother Mother is a layered, kitschy folk-pop tune that almost reaches the 5 minute mark, but remains engaging. For something totally different, Space Lion by The Seatbelts is a seven minute long, sax heavy hit from the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack.

Dates to watch: 10th, 11th
Your events: Iggy Pop, Noveller @ The Orpheum, April 11th
Yuck, Saintseneca @ The Sinclair, April 11th
Weatherbox, Enemies, Leaner @ Charlie’s, April 11th
Owen Winter, John Cushing, Eisenberg-Winter-Harper Trio @ Out Of the Blue Too, April 11th
Foxes in Fiction, Emperor X, Emily Reo @ Mid East Up, April 11th
Crusher, Black Sky, Maxi’s World, RUUNE @ Flywheel, April 11th