The last two weeks of March stirred up contention on many fronts. Perhaps you noticed increased tension in communications and decision-making in your personal life. The push of force was stronger than the willingness to come to consensus. Leadership is taking the upper hand now as an energetic of spring. This will be an advantage in business and in politics.

For a few weeks of late March into April, the power of leadership and strong intention will outweigh the struggle between the old ways of political negotiation versus the urge for radical change to get something done. Since Obama took office, the dueling forces in Washington have made it almost impossible to make real improvements for the nation. As a result, dissatisfaction and anxiety are mounting as a general state of the people. We might be surprised to see the President act powerfully in April.

This is a good time for gearing up to make personal changes. Physical energy in general is high. You might notice the urge to take a walk, get some exercise and be active. Take this in to account in your business planning. Use the energy as initiative to start new routines. It is a good period for sorting, recycling, and reviewing what you have learned in the winter.

April 18 to May 11 is that regular review phase we see three times a year. This time the focus will be around what we need to be more secure. In that, we find what we are willing to release. Social connections are a positive way to renew friendships and build alliances. Swap parties can be a way to find new homes for the “stuff” you don’t need anymore, while getting together with people you haven’t seen for a long time.

It is good to feel the energy in forward motion again after such a sluggish winter. There is potential for creative activities in the spring season that is exciting to watch unfold. The current of energy has brilliant and inspired ideas. There is a quality of achievements possible in this time that can bridge giant gaps of need and desire. If YOU have a great idea, pursue it. This can be a time of breakthrough and discovery. Just look at the level of genius some of our young people are displaying, like the winner of this year’s Intel Science Talent Search.

“Erika Alden DeBenedictis, 18, of Albuquerque, developed a software navigation system that would allow spacecraft to exploit low-energy orbits for the physics & space sciences project she submitted to the Intel Science Talent Search. According to the NASA-approved Interplanetary Superhighway concept, the gravity and movement of planets create a network of low-energy opportunities that allow for more efficient transit routes through the solar system.” (http://apps.societyforscience.org/sts/69sts/DeBenedictis.asp)

The spring of 2010 is the early bursting through of new social concepts, new answers to solving some of our community and national problems. While we still face a few dynamic hurtles in the way of big planet transits this month, they are a part of the ripening process of a changing world.

One good thing about Mercury having its regular retrograde phases is that we get the opportunity to give further attention to issues that are difficult to solve in a short time. The economy is one example on the larger scale. Last October Congress gave out Bailout funds without taking the time to give details a thorough review. The result has been continuing review and disclosure of what lead up to the crisis. Mercury was retrograde when the problem started. It was retrograde again through February and May, bringing the need to adjust the expectations between the corporations, banks, and the government.

With Venus also retrograde for March and half of April, the money issues have been paramount. In early June, both planets move into their own signs, which will help to settle some lingering issues of resent months. It also allows us all the feeling that we can take some control over our own resources and decisions. This is also a likely time for some new solutions for the general public, who are still unemployed and financially desperate.

The Full Moon on June 7 will bring an emphasis to women’s issues. This may support the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. She is getting powerful influences from Pluto to her personal planets, which challenges her to reach for greater power and influence. Her strong lineup of planets in the sign Cancer, match up well with planets in the USA chart. She seems like an excellent candidate to address some of the social inequalities of women’s rights, a focus that is important to President Obama.

The New Moon occurs on the 22nd, two days after the Summer Solstice. Venus and Mars will meet in the value sign of Taurus. This increases cooperation and sharing. The energy is good for agreements and especially good for romantic commitments. The shift in energy will lean much more towards collaboration that supports long range planning. This is finally a time of resolutions.

There are still looming international problems that require in a manner of diplomacy to try and settle old tensions. One country to pay attention to is North Korea. Their recent show of nuclear missile testing stands out as a play of power. The country’s chart suggests that the deeper desire of the people is to participate in the global family in a positive way. However, their leadership leans toward deceptive and egocentric actions. We might equate current trends for their government to a belligerent teenager who rebuffs all forms of discipline and control. The “parent/child” relationships need to be improved. Sanctions against North Korea have been in place since 1996 but most countries have not enforced them in recent years. The United States has just raised the cry to stand up against North Korea and their increased nuclear power. It will take strong, but diplomatic confrontations to quell this drama before it exacerbates.

One hopeful theme of this period is the joining of Jupiter, the planet of optimism and expansion, with Neptune, the planet of ideals, peace, and imagination, along with the healer, Chiron. They establish a new cycle that introduces fresh concepts of working together, and working to bring a stronger blending and alliances among people of diverse cultures and ideals. They meet in Aquarius, the sign of brotherhood and equality. At the level of communities, they enhance the process of bringing groups together to make the effort toward healing old wounds and encouraging helpfulness so that everyone benefits.