You'll be eager to spread your wings and fly to distant points as the month opens. Actually, with your career aspects due to show massive gains in early May, you'd be wise to pack up and go now, while you can. You truly have the perfect set of circumstances to leave town and enjoy a little rest.

You seem to be in the mood for an active, yet contemplative vacation. On one hand you seem to want to do something physically active, even a bit strenuous, such as to spend your vacation hiking, camping, rock climbing, water rafting, or skiing, as a few examples. If you are in great physical condition, consider a holiday in the great outdoors. With three planets in Aries, your spirit of exploration will be strong, so at the very least, you should try to visit a location you've never been.

Yet with Mars in the most private part of your chart, you won't want to vacation in a settling rife with tourists, crowds, and waiting lines. You seem to need time to quietly reflect on recent events and the direction you life is about to take. Going to a cottage in the mountains or by the shore, where you can set your own schedule and do sports, read, cook, or work on a creative project in peace would likely be divine now.

The new moon April 5 will spark your wanderlust. Now gathering in your 9th house of broad intellectual and spiritual exploration will be the new moon, Sun, Mercury, and one day later, Venus. This house also rules international relations, study, and communication, so you may even decide to go overseas. Money may be an obstacle, but if not, you will have the time and the interest to make things happen now.

If you are getting ready to go to college in September, whether as an undergraduate or graduate student, you should be able to file your paperwork and get everything shipshape this month between the dates of April 5 and 18 - the period of the new moon. If on the other hand, you are just beginning your search for the right school, you can now map out the list of institutions you want to visit and begin to line up appointments.

If you are a college professor or instructor, you'll find your ideas to be seriously considered by VIPs in your department. Bring up any new plans that you'd like to implement in the next semester early in the month, from April 5 onward. You may have some opposition behind the scenes, however, so to find out, check with a friendly official to know if you will need to combat any under-the-radar opposition. The more you know, the better you can address any concerns.

Publishing and broadcasting - and actually ANY media - will be another area of gain for you this month, so you may get a new assignment from a producer or editor if you work in this field. Alternatively, if you are expert in your field or recently did noteworthy and newsworthy work on one topic, you might be called for an interview. All media, from magazines and newspapers to Internet, radio, and television, will be lucky for you in the second and third week of April. Be ready for your close-up, dear Leo!

If you were born on August 8, or within five days of this date, this new moon will help you in a very obvious, helpful way. This new moon will be in a fire sign, Aries, so this new moon will be quite wonderful.

Your home and real estate will get a fabulous boost at the full moon, April 20, or in the four days to follow. This full moon will be unusually friendly, with Saturn and Pluto wildly supportive of the Sun, Mercury, and the full moon. This full moon brings very rare harmony, and if news is delivered suddenly, you'll need to come across as decisive and ready.

Saturn's position ensures that decisions made now would be in place a very long time, which when it comes to home is usually good news. Pluto's position suggests that changes you make on April 20 will help you to feel more secure financially. Not only does this real estate venture have a high probability of appreciating in time, but there is some indication that you would decide to set up a space to work at home, whether in a very defined separate office or studio or more informally. This is due to be one of the most positive full moons of the year for you.

You may find the space of your dreams on or near April 20, or find you are ready to sell, buy, or lease a house, apartment, or other property. You may see your home renovation reach a finale, or finally come to a decision, after much deliberation, over a future home-related project. If you have been concerned about a parent, you'll agree on a good direction at this full moon.

You've been through the mill on one financial matter, but your luck is about to change for the better this month.

Your first indication that this is true will arrive on Tuesday, April 22, when Mars and Uranus will bring a wonderful bolt of very good financial luck. You may earn a good commission or royalty, or hear that a court case has been settled in your favor. If you work in sales or are self-employed, you may hear you were awarded a big, lucrative piece of business. In fact, on April 22, you may even win a raffle or small lotto prize!

There is more good news to come! Watch these days: April 27 and April 28, when Mercury will first send a friendly beam to Uranus (surprises) and then to Jupiter (generous financial opportunity)! Wow! It's always good to have money! You may hear of good financial news a day or two earlier than the dates I just mentioned, or one day later. Stay optimistic!

Romantically, the theme of "I need a little secluded time" that will run softly in the background like beautiful music will also play a part in your love life. You seem not to be interested in large parties or any events that will demand a great deal of effort from you. You simply need to shut down a little and avoid the limelight. This is not quite like you to want to be so secluded, but you'll be energetically back in the saddle by mid-May. There's no cause for concern. Everyone needs a little downtime once in a while.

If single, the one area that will do very well for you now would be blind dates. If a friend or relative wants to set you up on one, by all means, give this idea a whirl. Friends truly do seem to know exactly the type of person you'd like, especially over the weekends of April 5-6 and April 26-27 (and even extending until Tuesday, April 29).

Married or single, Sunday, April 13 could turn out to be lyrical, when the Sun, your ruling star, will reach out to Neptune. Try your hand at a creative hobby or attend a foreign film, concert, or ballet.

Your most romantic evenings will arrive on April 5-6, 13-14, 23-24, and 28-29.

This looks like a month when you'll get a chance to catch your breath, relax, and rev up for a stunning May. April offers a wonderful time to enjoy being in a new setting, even if only for a few days. Later in the month, you'll need to be back home to attend to details that you will urgently need to focus on. While you can, drop out!

Summary

For months you seem to have been working behind the scenes, mainly in solitude, on a creative project that is apparently very reflective of the true, inner you. You will have all of April to continue to work on it, continuing into the first week of May, at which point it appears you'll be ready to show the world. Keep up your concentration! If you started a project and had to let it go, resume now in April and you will rediscover the joy you always experienced whenever you were involved with it.

This month, distant and even foreign cities seem to hold a certain allure. You may be planning an important trip abroad now, and if so the new moon April 5 will help you settle details. Hopefully your passport is ready and up to date, for when opportunity strikes this month, you'll want to pick up and go. The influence of this new moon is very adventurous, opening up all sorts of new and stimulating vistas.

Also this month you will be anxious to open yourself to fresh ideas, interests, and studies. If you are going back to the university in the fall, the new moon on April 5 (and days that follow it) will help you choose the right institution for you. So strong is the emphasis on study that you may sign up for any type of class, even casual classes - to learn Italian, Thai cuisine, or how to use your digital camera - anything! Investigate! You will be glad you did.

Be careful when you discuss controversial topics this month. You'll be reading up on lots of topics, but need to keep in mind that everyone may not share your views on current events, your favorite political candidate, or even your interest in a certain celebrity. With Pluto and Mars in hard angle to the new moon (April 5, but operative for two weeks), you may find yourself unexpectedly in a pickle without knowing how you got there!

Home will be your favorite place to be at the full moon April 20. This is one of the most benefic full moons of the year to make any domestic or family-related changes. Not all full moons are positive supporters of your efforts, but this one will be simply extraordinary. Our home environment is important because it mirrors who we have become. If your living quarters don't reflect the evolving you that you know is inside, you will now get your chance to update things beautifully.

To make small or large changes in your home, you may hope for a windfall, and that seems precisely what's in store for you this month on April 21 and 27-29, all superb days when you could pick up extra cash in surprising ways. The type of cash may come as a contest or raffle prize, a commission or royalty, a one-time lucrative freelance job, or even a gift. It's always nice to have a little extra money!

Will you have time for romance? Of course, as a Leo you always do! Venus will cooperate by being in fellow fire sign Aries from April 6 to 30, a great time not only to enjoy love, but also to polish up your appearance. If you do, you'll increase your confidence, too. Looking good is the BEST aphrodisiac!

Monday, April 28, could be special too, for Mercury and Jupiter will be beautifully angled, acting like two little relatives anxious to help you get a text message from someone special!