4.14-4.20.2026: Truth to Power
This week calls for power struggles with the patriarchy.
With the Aries/Mars-ruled Emperor rearing his fiery, crown-clad head, we once again have a direct connection to the Astrology. In this week’s newsletter, Astrologer Chani Nicholas says:
“Buckle up, babe. This week, seven planets huddle together in Aries and bring a once-in-a-lifetime flurry of fiery energy. In case you’re curious: The last time this many planets gathered in Aries was 1821. And the last time the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Mars, Saturn, and Neptune specifically met up here was so long ago it glitches our astro software. We’re talking millennia. So enjoy your downtime while you can because this lineup will dare you to rally your courage. Plus, there’s a New Moon conjunct Chiron in the mix, which means doubt, old wounds, and/or fears of failure are likely to surface too. Do your best to use the friction as fuel and remember to pace yourself — this is tough astrology. As Mars (the planet of conflict), Saturn (the planet of obstacles), and Mercury (the planet of communication) all link up over the next week, frustration, burnout, and the sense you’re pushing against things that just won’t budge are highly probable. But wins are also possible if you work within your limits and find constructive outlets for the heat. This week marks the beginning of Taurus season, after all. Reframe every gruelling push and call for urgency as an invitation to slow down and ground.”
So about that patriarchal power struggle…
The Page of Swords + The Emperor is a bit of a David and Goliath situation. Here we see a tentative, hesitant young person with something important to say, but whose sword feels just a little too cumbersome in their hands. And who are they pitted against? None other than Power epitomized.
Perhaps you (like me, like this Page of Swords) might find yourself butting heads with someone who represents the patriarchy to you this week. Maybe it’s your own dad, a fatherly figure, or a powerful, influential person in leadership. Or perhaps you (also like me) are just plain fed up with the patriarchy as an entity. #matriarchynow
Either way, the message this week is clear: It’s time to speak truth to power, even when your voice shakes.
It may be uncomfortable to speak up, especially when you’re holding your ground with someone you haven’t historically stood up to. You may feel silly—absurd, even—as you stand there like the Page, wielding your too-big-for-you-sword. You may feel unprepared or unqualified. The thought of standing up to this person/institution/situation may fill you with dread, anxiety, shame, imposter syndrome, or insert-yucky-feeling-here.
Do it anyway.
Because here’s the thing: the patriarchy is not going down without a fight. It’s going down kicking and screaming and greedily clinging to whatever scrap of power it can cling to.
Here’s what it’s going to do:
It’s going to pull out all the tricks in its book. It’s going to throw a tantrum and kick up a fuss and hold its breath and make a scene and call you names and convulse and writhe and foam at the mouth and throw around false accusations and question your validity and try to make you feel crazy. It will gaslight you and make you feel small and appeal to your sensitivities. It will manipulate and triangulate and try to pit you against your people because it’s easier to move you around as individual pawns.
But you aren’t falling for it this time.
Here’s what you’re going to do:
You’re going to take a deep breath and center yourself. You’re going to stand your ground and hold your own and muster all the courage you have. You’re going to rally the troops, if you have them. You’re going to say what you need to say—even if your voice shakes. Even if you mumble or stammer or cry. Even if you lose your words or forget some of the key details. You’re going to try your best.
And when it’s over, you’re going to give yourself grace and time to process and a big ol’ pat on the back (and maybe a bowl of ice cream). And maybe you'll set down your sword for the night or hand it to a trusted comrade for awhile, and that's okay. But don't you dare put it away for good. Because this battle isn't over yet and we still need you.
(Psst… You should be damn proud of yourself. I am!)
