Towards the end of April 2026, between the 18th and the 22nd of the month, we will have many planets lining up and moving through the first sign of the zodiac, Aries. This stellium includes Mars, Mercury, the Sun, Neptune and Saturn, plus the planetoid Chiron and then the Earth’s satellite, the Moon. There will be a strong impetus around this time to start things; to have a new beginning.
The sign of Aries
From approximately 21 March until 20 April, we move into the time of year where the Sun occupies the sign of Aries. This coincides with the Vernal Equinox, signifying the start of Autumn in the southern hemisphere, including here in Australia (or Spring in the Northern Hemisphere).
Aries as a Cardinal Fire sign
Aries is a Cardinal sign (along with Cancer, Libra and Capricorn). The Cardinal modality signifies the changes of the seasons. Cardinal energy is initiatory; they are action-oriented starters and like to, “get new things going.” Aries is one of the signs (along with Leo and Sagittarius) which is also associated with the Fire element concerning inspiration, optimism, energy and animation.
Some keywords for Aries include: initiative, action, drive and enthusiasm. People born under the sign of Aries may be pioneering, courageous, spontaneous, impulsive, assertive, self- motivated, independent, direct, self-oriented and headstrong. The Ram head is the glyph or symbol after all.
Ruling planet Mars
Aries is ruled by the planet Mars, known as ‘the lesser malefic.’ Some keywords associated with Mars include: daring, competition, anger, sexuality, being entrepreneurial, and active. Strong Martian types, or people with Mars dominant in their chart could display these tendencies (eg Mars in Aries, (in Domicile) or Scorpio (Mars in its co-Ruling sign), Sun in Aries, many personal planets in Aries (which are the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars) or Mars in the 1st house of personality (‘Accidental Dignity’)).
In the body, Aries rules the head, and Mars rules the blood, the adrenal glands, the genitals and represents our energy and stamina. People with a strong Mars are susceptible to ‘burn-out,’ anger, burns, cuts and scrapes, and possibly accidents.
Mars in Aries
Aries is therefore not known for holding back and being patient, it wants to move forward, to get ahead quickly, and can be volatile and reactive. Cardinal Fire is the spark of conception, the ignition point. With ruling planet Mars strong in Aries at this time, in one of his Domiciles, we may have the desire to sever and separate from something old in our lives, in order to commence and create something new.
Mars enters Aries
Planetary ruler Mars enters Aries on 10 April, joining Saturn, Neptune, the Sun, Chiron, and shortly thereafter, Mercury will enter Aries, followed by the Moon towards the end of the month. Many planets will therefore be co-present in Aries, together with host, and Warrior planet Mars, offering strategic direction and initiating action, after his recent swim in the fluid and oceanic waters of Pisces. The current global conflict concerning the Strait of Hormuz notably occurred whilst Mars was in Pisces.
Mars conjunct Neptune
During this time, tempers may fray, we may feel irritable and restless, and there may also be increased conflict in collective events around this time. When Mars is applying to and making his conjunction with the modern ruler of Pisces, Neptune (exact on 13 April at 2 degrees Aries), there may be battles which concern water, which is currently topical, and/or some lack of clarity, illusion or confusion around which path to take next. All may not be as it seems.
Mercury enters Aries
Communication Mercury moves into Aries on 14 April, and out of its difficult placement of both Exile and Fall in Pisces. It is now also moving Direct as of the 21 March, after being Retrograde for three weeks. In Aries, it will be thinking about moving forward, and putting plans into action. Be mindful of your communications around this time, as we may be speaking too directly or bluntly, which can unintentionally escalate into verbal debates and arguments. Soften your words during this volatile time, and think before you speak, or write. Aries is the sign of ‘me first’ so it may hard to see and accommodate others’ points of view.
Mercury conjunct Neptune
Mercury conjuncts Neptune on 16 April, so be crystal clear in your communications with others as Neptune tends to cloud things, so your words may be misconstrued or misinterpreted.
Mercury / Mars / Saturn conjunction
On 20 April 2026, Mercury will be enclosed (or sandwiched) between planets ‘go’ Mars and ‘stop’ Saturn, at 7 degrees, creating what’s known as a ‘malefic enclosure.’ We could receive, or send, difficult messages around this time, which could be inflammatory (Mars), or cold and hard (Saturn).
New Moon in Aries
There will be a New Moon in Aries on 17 April at 27 degrees of the sign as the Moon makes her ingress, and is hosted by Mars. This New Moon will be covered in a separate post.
Buckle up for an active time while these seven celestial bodies occupy the same sign next month!
What house (area of life) cusp does Aries fall on in your chart:
1st house: Self, physical body, character and the beginning of life.
2nd house: Managing physical resources and money. Our innate skills and talents, and what is of value to us.
3rd house: Siblings, learning, expressing ideas, learning, local neighbourhood and short trips.
4th house: Home and living conditions, parents, family, roots, ancestry.
5th house: Hobbies, creativity, sex, romance, children and leisure.
6th house: Day-to-day work and routines, subordinates, small pets, health – diet and exercise and illness (physical).
7th house: One-to-one relationships, marriage, partnerships; either personal or business. Other people.
8th house: Death, inheritances, other people’s money, taxes, insurance and shared resources.
9th house: Overseas travel, foreign places, foreigners and higher learning (university, religion, philosophies).
10th house: Career and public standing, reputation, superiors, vocation, a parent.
11th house: Networks and connections, groups, community, and friendships and alliances.
12th house: Loss, sickness (mental), places of confinement or seclusion, and enemies.