A new 7-year astrological cycle is starting now—and it’s all about pleasure and embodiment

This week there are a couple of major conjunctions happening, astrologer Jennifer Racioppi says. (What’s a conjunction? We’ve got you covered.) The first one’s all about pleasure and embodiment, and the second supports the healing of old wounds. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of these cosmic conditions.

This week begins with the sun, which now travels in the sign of Taurus, conjoining Uranus, the planet of evolution. Uranus, a slow-moving outer planet, entered into Taurus on March 6 and will remain in the sign of the bull until 2026. Take time on Monday (the sun-Uranus conjunction perfects at 7:06 p.m. Eastern) to consider this: What changes do I want to make in my life as it relates to how I nourish myself? How can I bring more pleasure and embodiment in my life? How can I better handle my money? How can I show up for the earth and the planet more fully too?

Taurus, after all, represents pleasure, embodiment, nourishment and the resources that fuel your life. Uranus offers new perspectives and encourages change. With the sun now in conjunction with this revolutionary planet, it’s the perfect time to set intentions for how you want to use this seven-year cycle to advance your spiritual journey.

Here comes some serious healing (if you’re ready)

On Tuesday, Venus (Taurus’ ruling planet) meets up with Chiron, the wounded healer, in Aries. This potent conjunction (the second significant conjunction of the week) offers yet another opportunity to tune into the potential of healing and set a goal for how you wish to unfurl your spiritual journey. Like Uranus, Chiron is a slow-moving asteroid that recently changed signs. Chiron entered Aries on February 18, 2019, and will primarily stay in this sign until 2027. Meaning: Chiron in Aries teaches us how to heal the wounded ego and bring more divine love into the world. Chiron illuminates the wound, helping to decipher lessons and learned through the pain while encouraging the transmutation of suffering into service. Aries represents the self.

The Venus-Chiron conjunction in Aries is asking you to live the words of Rune Lazuli and “Be the love you never received.”

The Venus-Chiron conjunction in Aries is asking you to live the words of Rune Lazuli and “Be the love you never received.” You are being asked to look at how you can bring more love to your pain, and to those around you who suffer.

Retrograde alert (but no, not Mercury)

On Wednesday Pluto, which has reached 23 degrees of Capricorn, stations for its apparent backward spin on April 24. So, this week’s hump day brings the turbulent shift of Pluto’s retrograde station. Pluto connects us to our shadow, and carries us through the cycle of death and rebirth. From the vantage of how things appear from Earth, it looks like Pluto will stop, and start moving backward (but this is just an optical illusion). Yet as Pluto apparently retraces its steps in Capricorn, it’s time to examine even more carefully how you show up on behalf of your goals (Pluto is in Capricorn, after all) and how you stay sovereign in your own life.

As Pluto apparently retraces its steps in Capricorn, it’s time to examine even more carefully how you show up on behalf of your goals and how you stay sovereign in your own life.

As the week closes out, the moon reaches its waning closing square with the sun on Friday, April 26, at 6 degrees of Aquarius. With the sun in Taurus at 6 degrees, forming a 90-degree angle to the moon at 6 degrees of Aquarius, it’s time to examine how you can become even more free in your life. What do you need to let go of? Which expectations and judgments are getting in the way of how you wish to show up in the world? Like the previous transits of the week, the Aquarius waning quarter moon influence invites you to recommit to what will help you feel more free, nourished, and liberated.

Come Saturday, Mars in Gemini squares Neptune in Pisces. This problematic moment may mean that taking a slower pace over the weekend will serve you well. Consider scheduling some serious downtime if you can—think mani, pedi, or massage for a self-care activity. Try not to put too much on your to-do list. Take a pause instead of pushing forward.

Jennifer Racioppi is the creator of Lunar Logic—a philosophy that integrates the deep wisdom of both science and spirituality, and blends her expertise in astrology, positive psychology, and women’s health—to coach high-achieving female entrepreneurs to reach their next level of success.