Did you start 2018 planning to make some big changes in your life? Perhaps with regard to your home or family life, job, health and exercise routines or your weight?

If so, then April is the month when change is going to be much easier. This is especially true if you started the year going in your desired direction but have somehow drifted off track.

There are a series of positive alignments between the planet of plenty, Jupiter, and the planet of transformation, Pluto. Jupiter/Pluto will affect everyone in different ways, no matter which sign you are. Your monthly stars will tell you more, but know this: if you want to change your life, the Universe strongly supports you in April.

So, forget about being an April fool and make a declaration – you can do this silently, out loud or write it down for even more power. If you are recommitting to one of the intentions you set for yourself at the start of the year, it will work extra well because the Jupiter/Pluto connections actually started back then.

Mercury also ends its latest retrograde cycle on 15 April. That means between now and the middle of April, there is going to be a lot of going over old ground. Again, this feeds into the idea of recommitting to whatever you decided you wanted for yourself at the start of 2018. There is a sense of a second chance and of going backward in order to move forward.

It’s a month to make changes in your life, that's for sure.

ARIES

21 Mar to 20 Apr

At the start of April, you might feel like someone is trying to put the brakes on you, or that they're trying to boss you around, get one over on you or even control you. Before you jump to any of those conclusions, ask yourself this: what can I learn from what’s happening? Your big chance for change is related to your career. If you don't work, it's about whatever you do that others ‘recognise’ you for.

Power date: 2 April – use your energies wisely today and you'll accomplish a lot

TAURUS

21 Apr to 21 May

We’re all scared of something. You, however, are the lucky sign of the zodiac right now because you have the chance to work through your concerns, as Mercury reverses in your Fears Zone, bringing up old worries for you to deal with. That might not sound like a lot of fun, but actually, it's a blessing. If you face up to at least one big fear, it will no longer have a hold over you.

Power date: 17 April – potentially great for love and/or money

GEMINI

22 May to 22 Jun

If you feel like you're banging your head against a brick wall over money, stop! Instead, devise a long-term strategy or financial plan. Whether you work or not, it's vital to have an idea of how much cash you have, how much you need and how you can generate more if necessary, be that via your work, a second job or a part-time earner. Financial change is possible.

Power date: 15 April – life should start to make sense after a period of confusion

CANCER

23 Jun to 23 Jul

There is so much power in the skies this month and a lot of the action is taking place in your opposite sign, aka your Love Zone. In other words, you can expect a great deal of change and excitement, stops and starts, and even some kind of magical transformation in at least one important relationship. It doesn't have to be a romantic relationship, either. It'll happen with someone who is very important to you.

Power date: 14 April – a magical time for you and someone very special

LEO

24 Jul to 23 Aug

It's the little things we do every day that create our lives. This month, use the Jupiter/Pluto alignment to think about the small things you do for yourself every day that shape the fabric of your life. Are you taking exercise? Do you need some daily downtime to de-stress and, if so, where will you fit that in? What about the food you're putting into your body? Think about all this and make tweaks where necessary.

Power date: 18 April – a day when anything could happen

VIRGO

24 Aug to 23 Sep

If you're having issues related to a romance, a creative project you’re working on, or a child or grandchild, stay very alert. There will be lessons coming through to you from the Universe about how to handle any problems you have in these parts of your life. The way to deal with them is to believe in change as a real possibility, be the grown-up in any situation and think long term.

Power date: 25 April – try to maintain a positive outlook today

LIBRA

24 Sep to 23 Oct

Your home life might feel like a powder keg at the moment, with all sorts of changes and dramas. That's actually the theme for you this year – your personal life is going to be subject to one thing after another. However, this isn't happening just to annoy you. It's because your personal life is all about transformation right now. Every upset with family or at home has a ton to teach you. Keep learning.

Power date: 12 April – the perfect time for you and someone you love to reconnect

SCORPIO

24 Oct to 22 Nov

Here's a phrase from 20th-century metaphysician Florence Scovel Shinn for you to repeat over and over: ‘My word is my wand!’ It means that every sentence you utter this month is creating your life in a magical way. Every time you complain, every time you praise and celebrate your life, you will attract more of whatever you're focusing on. You also have some big lessons to learn about communication.

Power date: 14 April – a powerful day for you. Use it to make some wishes

SAGITTARIUS

23 Nov to 21 Dec

There’s a lot of what you might call argy-bargy taking place in your Cash Zone now (and for a while to come). So there’s every chance that you're feeling pressured when it comes to cash, as though there isn't enough money to go around and/or you’re having disagreements with people about your finances. This too shall pass, but you need to sort things out with a very level head and believe change is possible.

Power date: 23 April – you should feel fired up with good energy

CAPRICORN

22 Dec to 20 Jan

The skies are on fire this month as incendiary Mars moves towards intransigent Saturn and then to combustible Pluto. And all this is happening in Capricorn, so it's a very high-energy time for you. For some, it's wonderful; for others, it's as though you're being reborn. If there are dramas, trust the Universe that everything is happening for a reason, and make the changes that are needed to secure your future.

Power date: 17 April – love (or kindness) is in the air

AQUARIUS

21 Jan to 19 Feb

It's the things that you're trying not to think about, refusing to talk about and generally fretting over that are highlighted this month. There are secrets you don't want to share and perhaps even some things you're a bit ashamed of. All this can turn toxic. Elevate any negative situation by bringing honesty, smarts and integrity to it. Talk things through, use your intuition and don't drive yourself crazy with the wheels of your mind!

Power date: 18 April – you're in the spotlight and change is possible

PISCES

21 Jan to 19 Feb

If your friends are driving you mad at the moment, could it be that you need some new ones? It’s not that there’s anything wrong with the people in your life now – however, if you find yourself constantly at odds with them, is it possible that you're simply not compatible? In other news, this is the time for you to rethink one part of your financial setup. Doing things differently could turn your money situation around.

Power date: 14 April – this could be your lucky day

Your monthly horoscope from Bon magazine's astrologer Yasmin Boland of www.moonology.com