ARIES: The fiery burst of New Moon energy followed by Venus’ charm in your sign excites, delights, and adds extra allure to your every move, but there's a catch: How will you respond when/if faced with the threat of career adversity. Though your company (or main source of income) may be in a state of flux, and clients you depend on are in so-so financial shape, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be axed. Still, it’s time to explore other options and to work toward becoming what you always wanted to be when you grew up.

TAURUS: Your ruler Venus enters your 12th house of hidden affairs but don’t check into a hotel room with your favorite flavor of the month just yet: the challenging aspect from penetrating Pluto all but guarantees that you’ll have no secrets, and that it's in your best interest to assume that there are cameras everywhere and that nothing is below the radar. But don’t let the lack of privacy in public get you down. No one has access to your inner world and that’s where your focus should be for now.

GEMINI: This weekend’s New Moon shakes and wakes both financial and social aspects of your life and it couldn’t come at a better time. Pay close attention to who’s energy furthers you, and who’s energy depletes you. You’ve reached a point where liking someone isn’t enough. Frittering away your time and money in the weeks ahead will have serious consequences. On a lighter note, someone who behaved badly will get their come-uppance. Try not to gloat.

CANCER: After weeks of stalling, this weekend’s New Moon jump starts your career and things are about to take off like gangbusters. Venus helps you to look the part as never before. So, don’t be thrown by the drama of a partner’s insecurity or a competitor’s jealousy. Neither will diminish this victorious sequence unless you let it. Besides, all detractors will come around and soon. Monday and Tuesday are excellent for networking and following up on casual conversations. (Some will yield sizeable returns).

LEO: Going off into the wild blue yonder for a Spring excursion may just have to wait, darn it. But don’t be bummed: Duty calls and if you’re not around to handle the intense drama and fall out at work, there’ll be hell to pay later. Your noble sense of responsibility will be duly noted and rewarded in several ways and your travel adventure will be that much sweeter (and more luxurious) when the dust settles and the time is right.

VIRGO: Your quixotic ruler, Mercury, has you aggressively revamping your present and future money picture and the last thing you need is a chorus of interference from the peanut gallery-or so you think. Your every move is being challenged and questioned by your kids and/or a love interest. But their questions are valid and their ideas may be well-worth heeding. Some interventions are divine after all.

LIBRA: The possibility of reviving a relationship you thought was dead in the water is enough to get your heart pumping at a much happier clip and the April 5th New Moon will do just that. But what if the universe wants to go one better and up the ante with the some new and improved romantic prospects? Might you be willing to take a leap of faith and let that old energy go? While this is very exciting, know that a new love or partnership will set off a chain reaction that will impact every facet of your life.

SCORPIO: You’re on the verge of uncovering a very valuable piece of info that you’ve needed for a long time. But to get the entire story and all the facts straight, you must open to what others have to say. You don’t have to show your hand but if you can be a good listener, and I mean a very good listener, the Aries New Moon will deliver several exciting opportunities that will pleasantly transform your day to day work life and expand your power base. Hooking up with a new physician helps enormously. Don’t slack off on housekeeping either.

SAGITTARIUS: The Aries New Moon ignites a cycle of inspired creativity, and whether it seems viable now or not, please follow up on it. Your growth this year is dependent on the bridge you’re able to build between inspiration and perspiration, the mystical and the practical. Keep track of your observations and discoveries along those lines. You will be able to use it all to help others who are struggling with that same issue later on.

CAPRICORN: For months (OK, years), your family and/or partner have begged you to focus on getting the house in shape. Finally, you’re ready to go for it, and now they’re not the least bit interested nor are they willing to help even though they should! But your timing is and always has been superior to theirs. So without any further adieu, home improvement it is! They’ll be thrilled with how it turns out and grateful when the property value skyrockets.

AQUARIUS: You’re due for a new neighbor or a new neighborhood all together. So if you’re passionate about turning things around where you live (and moving the property appraisals north), why not get a team effort in motion and up the curb appeal one block at a time? If you’re buying a car, boat, or extravagant sound system, be sure, and I mean absolutely sure to read the fine print.

PISCES: Dreams of a new home may seem be squashed when the New Moon and Venus in your 2nd house of income is “challenged” by a judgmental group (i.e. a co-op board) who would do well to speak less and listen more. But any delay or rejection should be taken as the blessing in disguise that it is. When it comes around again for review, and it will, you will pay less and get more.

The Planets This Week: Times are EDT

April 3: Moon in Pisces, Mercury Sq Pluto @ 4:53 am
April 4: Moon v/c @ 5:43 pm, Moon in Aries @ 8:27 pm
April 5: New Moon 16 Aries 44 @ 11:55 pm
April 6: Venus enters Aries @ 1:35 am,
Moon v/c @ 11:02 am, enters Taurus @ 9:20 pm,
Venus Sq Pluto @ 11:47 pm
April 8: Moon v/c @ 11:13 am, enters Gemini @ 9:27 pm

Copyright, 2008, Shelley L. Ackerman, all rights reserved

Photo by Rich Press

When radio and television producers want the celestial skinny on the stars and politicians they turn to Shelley Ackerman, one of the world's leading astrologers. She is known for being insightful, warm, funny -- and accurate! Shelley has headed the New York affiliate of The American Federation of Astrologers and wrote many columns for Beliefnet.com. Her insights have appeared in The New York Times and she was recently on the cover of The Wall Street Journal. She writes regularly for The New York Post and The Westchester Guardian. As a media astrologer she appears regularly on TV, and has worked with Access Hollywood, Court TV, ABC’s World News Now, ABC Eyewitness News, The CBS Evening News, NBC’s ‘Extra’, and Fox News. Visit Shelley at www.karmicrelief.com