by Rick Levine

There are many kinds of love, ranging from the first blush of attraction that can turn into infatuation and then fizzle, to the kind that settles into something that endures. Stabilizing trines that dominate this spring landscape can transform the excitement of an emotional spring fever into a more practical love. Nevertheless, the excitement kicks up pretty quickly as mental Mercury, beautiful Venus and anything-goes Uranus travel closely together through the end of March. Romance can burn even hotter when Venus and Mercury enter impulsive Aries on April 2 and April 6. Be careful of coming on too strong to someone you like on April 10 - 13 when optimistic Jupiter is activated by the Sun and Mercury. The energy is high and it's easy to over-indulge, so pay attention to your limits.

Sustaining Love
A more grounded energy enables you to build a stable foundation when Mercury enters earthy Taurus on April 17, followed by the Sun on April 19. Both of these planets harmoniously trine stabilizing Saturn and passionate Pluto from April 18 - 21, inviting you to make the most of what you have rather than running off in search of something new. But tricky emotional currents on April 22 - 24 can tempt you to act foolishly, unless you think about the consequences of your actions first. The rough spots are easily smoothed over on April 28, as long as you are willing to talk about your goals. Then, when Venus enters her own sign of Taurus on April 30, you may become less frantic about getting what you don't have. Venus' sweet trine with Saturn and Pluto on May 1 motivates you to put in the necessary time and effort to create relationship stability, instead of expecting your demands to manifest results immediately upon request. Mercury's entry into lighthearted Gemini on May 2 and Mars' entry into demonstrative Leo on May 9 allow you to express yourself with an extra flair. Charm comes naturally and can be used when asking a loved one for something special. May 18 is potentially one of the most very special days of spring, for sexy Venus harmonizes with opulent Jupiter. Of course, you should be wary of overdoing or overeating, but remember that this is a time to enjoy yourself without feeling guilty about receiving pleasure. This expansive phase closes as Venus bumps into a harsh square with austere Saturn on May 26, signaling a temporary end to the party. Messenger Mercury begins its retrograde period the same day, suggesting that even well- intentioned communication can get very tangled. You may not get your way, and if you push someone you love too hard, you could end up feeling quite isolated.

Making Love Last
The cosmic lovers, Venus and Mars, form a supportive sextile on June 6, suggesting that your actions now support your desires. It feels good to get what you want, but Venus' dynamic square with surprising Uranus on June 12 can reveal instability in even the most secure relationships. This is an exciting time, though, as unorthodox expressions of love can inject excitement into routine. A harmonious trine between Venus and dreamy Neptune on June 13 turns up the heat on your fantasies and paints your world with beautiful illusions. If you work at making your relationships real by communicating honestly throughout spring, the stability created will enable you to elevate the love in your life and move it closer to your ideal. If, on the other hand, you are lazy about expressing love or just assume that a problem would solve itself, then spring will come to an end by showing you where you have fallen short. Venus' tense opposition to intense Pluto on June 18 will reveal a deeper level of love or it will expose a power struggle that can threaten what you have. Mercury ends its retrograde phase on June 19, indicating that whatever issues have dominated your life for the past few weeks can now move toward resolution.

About the Author
Rick Levine is the co-author of Barnes & Noble's Your Astrology Guide 2009, as well as the sole author of two books: Quantum Astrology: Essays on the Physics of Metaphysics and The Gift of the Magi: Christmas for the New Millennium. He's been a professional Astrologer since 1976, providing astrological consulting services for individuals, corporations and non-profit organizations.