The Sun — the fire of your Personality — can cause communication disruptions with solar flares during a Mercury Retrograde period (which we are now in)

Welcome to Friday — a powerful day. Not just because tomorrow is the weekend, and you can feel it coming on. Celestially, the Sun (Personality) is working with with the Moon (Emotions) to bring a feeling of balance. And the Moon is also working well with Mars (Initiative) to bring a certain potency to your work and relationships. That’s good — it’s been a trying week. Remember to focus carefully on how you communicate during this Mercury Retrograde period.

“Sometimes just learning something new — the learning curve — holds people back. Don’t let it.”

Did you feel like you just couldn’t find the right words in conversations, and also when writing emails this week? This happens from time to time, and there are a couple of celestial reasons why. On Thursday, the Moon (Emotions) squared off with Mercury (Communications), and we are also in a Mercury Retrograde period which throws some sand into our communication processes. Just remember that such things are often opportunities in disguise. How so? Well, editing your writing, and gathering your thoughts before speaking can really be a big help. You’ll look a lot more professional at work that way, and appear thoughtful in your personal relationships.

Remember that in a Mercury Retrograde period and you need to check and double-check your communications. Good listening skills are in order. Double-check that you have heard both your boss, and your loved ones correctly. Then use the energy you feel to make a reasoned and cautious move. Despite your perceived urgency, do not be hasty.

And on Listening Skills remember that Communications experts have found that there are always four different messages for each single communication: What the speaker intends to say, what they actually say, what you think you heard, and what you think it means. So the speaker could fail to get the point across, and you could misunderstand it. What’s the best thing to do? Check that you understood what a person wrote or said to you by asking if you heard correctly. It’s that simple.

Looking to the weekend, the celestial forecast shows the Moon (Emotions) squaring off with Jupiter (Growth), so don’t be surprised to find yourself hanging back from things that might bring growth. Ever heard of “growing pains?” Your opportunity is not to fear taking a needed step to get ahead, even if it seems like there might be some momentary aches. Sometimes just learning something new — the learning curve — holds people back. Don’t let it. The Moon is also working well today with Neptune (Spirituality) which can give you that needed boost to forge ahead. Keep it practical, though, and don’t bite off more than you can chew.

We honor those who stand for all we value.

Here’s to the blessings for, and the blessings we count as a result of all the brave men and women in our armed forces. It’s a powerful Memorial Day, celestially speaking, with a Mercury Retrograde and Neptune Retrograde kicking off your holiday. Mercury (Communication) in Retrograde makes for mischief and mistakes in correspondence, negotiations, and even face-to-face relationships. Meanwhile, Neptune (Spirituality) has a Retrograde which makes for a challenge in your belief systems. Just remember that challenges also bring opportunities. In a Mercury Retrograde the opportunity is to put off important business transactions until everything is right and double-checked — due diligence is in order. And Spiritual challenges are what builds character.

“Why block emotions? It’s human to avoid strong feelings. But only after raising them and dealing with what comes (let them teach you what you need to know)…”

Monday also sees Saturn (Practicality) squaring off with Venus (Romance) so your love vibes may have to be put on hold in favor of more pressing matters. That’s priorities for you. But you know, if there’s one thing military people understand… it’s priorities, so we can take a que from them and get things in order. And just as the pull and gravities of the great celestial planets are quite powerful, so are times and tides of our people on Earth. Memorial Day was first observed after the Civil War to honor the dead in that epic struggle.

We have two retrograde planets today, where retrograde means that they reverse their usual motion accross our sky (as it appears to us). This signal is interpreted as a period of caution when the planetary energy is in a stressful position. Reversals. Stress. Squaring off. Such is life, and such is how our lives and relationship orbits echo the forces above. And of course the harmonic periods are also ours to enjoy.

On Tuesday, the Moon (Emotion) squares off with both the Sun (Personality), and Venus (Romance), so your challenge will be to deal with your emotions which may be holding you back, or blocking where you need to go in your relationships. Why block emotions? It’s human to avoid strong feelings. But only after raising them and dealing with what comes (let them teach you what you need to know), can you get to the next phase of your life. Feel, heal, deal. And, it’s a great feeling when you make that happen.

Our Nations were formed in the heat of many battles. And our soldiers know how to stand tough, when to laugh, when to cry, and when to celebrate. We thank and pray for them, as we continue to live and grow through the tides in our own lives.

There’s an old saying, “as above, so below.” What better way to visualize the energy of the Cosmos than with this photo of dew on a Spider’s web?

On Thursday (05.15), the Sun is dancing with the Moon in such a way that you are personally tuned into your emotions. The Moon (emotions) is also strengthening Mars (initiative), and all together shows that you feel you can get things done today. It’s a good feeling. It’s a busy day, and you can also feel the influence of Neptune on your personality — which may leave you a bit sensitive to the people around you — at work, and at home. Use your imagination in your projects today.

“in the spirit of your heart, find what it takes to start anew. Start what anew? That’s up to you… “

On Friday, the Moon (Emotions) works well with both Mercury (Communication) and Neptune (Spirit), so get ready to speak your heart. This is usually a good policy, though you have to temper your emotions in the corporate arena, and you don’t want to get too worked up in your romantic relationships. Since the Moon is closer to the Earth, and so a great influence upon us, it’s important to follow how its energy is working with the other Planets which in turn affect us as well. Friday also finds the the Moon tugging with Saturn (Practicality). Are you feeling restricted? There’s a fine balance between what’s practical, and where your heart leads your imagination. Make sure you think things through.

As we head into the weekend, Saturday finds the Moon working nicely with Pluto (Transformation). This is a good transition using the energy of Friday in the spirit of your heart to find what it takes to start anew. Start what anew? That’s up to you… but whether it’s renewing an old relationship, looking up an old friend, or just finally getting to the Spring project, today is a good day for it. After a good sleep on Friday night, Saturday brings a clearer outlook on how you can achieve your goals.

As you read my posts, remember that though we perceive each day as somehow separate, that it really is all a great cosmic flow of energy. The influence of planets and celestial bodies are mixed in the flow, like a headlights crossing beams on a highway. And some of yesterday’s energies still are at work even as today ebbs toward tomorrow. Ride the flow, and remember you only have now.

Venus from the Painting by Boticelli, with the planet Venus photo from NASA.

Another Friday rolls around and the Moon (Emotions) is dancing with the Sun (Personality) which gives a wholesome feeling — a day when you can feel together. Now wouldn’t it be great if life were that simple. It isn’t. And the Zodiac isn’t either. There are other aspects playing in the heavens today, and so affecting us here on Earth. The Moon is also in a trine (favorable) position Uranus — the planet of Individuality — today. That along with the first aspect (Moon and Sun) make you potent indeed.

“Many adults think of play as a “box” you step out of when you grow up, but any good psychologist will tell you that play is good for the soul…”

Now add in the Moon’s work with Venus (Love), and watch out — if you enjoy a night out on the town after work, your strength of personality could draw admirers. Careful that doesn’t go to your head and make you act too fast. If you’re already in a good relationship, however, the night could be magical.

Remember that Venus also brings harmony, balance, beauty and the ability to sympathize with others into play. This is important in your work life, and your romantic relationships. And, of course it is of the essence in a family. Can you sense the harmony? If not — what is out of balance? Maybe your sympathy for another’s fate is what can put things back into the loving order of Venus.

As we look toward the weekend, “Play with the Moon,” is an excellent celestial recommendation and meditation. We have a New Moon building since last Monday, toward it’s current state about 24% Full – a waxing crescent. This fills one with a sense of youth, and high spirits, which is particularly heightened as the Moon enters Leo in the morning. Play is important. Many adults think of play as a “box” you step out of when you grow up, but any good psychologist will tell you that play is good for the soul — at any age. Play with your loved ones, if only in the back yard. Play with your friends, if only to throw a nerf football. Get out the board-games… and enjoy the light and laughter of life.

It’s the time of Taurus under the New Moon.

A Taurus New Moon from Monday brings possibilities, on Tuesday, to work with the positive energies of the sign of the Bull — persistence, staying down to earth, being tenacious. An Earth sign, Taurians are in tune with nature which is perfect to enjoy on these fine Spring days. Take a break from work and go out for a walk. Talk about “Spring in the air,” you can feel that positive, optimism that comes with the New Moon’s energy as you go about your business and enjoy your relationships.

“The Moon (Emotions), is now working with big old Saturn to make it feel like the Practical Structure is what you need. It’s a double-edged sword. Structure – good. Confinement – bad.”

Astrologically speaking “Taking the Bull” by the horns could figuratively mean, to take your ‘Taurus mate’ by the hand and head into a new pasture, a different direction; and you’re sure to create a new phase of your relationship that will take you both to new heights. Bulls are strong and stubborn, do you know anyone who is a Taurus… I rest my case! LOL… However, my precious Taurus children, you are all quite stubbornly lovable, all the while!

The Moon (Emotions) works well with Neptune (Mysticism), on Wednesday, to align your feelings with your Spirit. This is good when you are able to feel what is right, then review your plan with an eye toward keeping it real (bring it back down to earth). Are you stuck in a dead-end job? Is your relationship going nowhere? Follow your heart, to the root of the problem, but give it the proper time and consideration before you speak about it with those concerned. The Moon is also at odds with Uranus (Invention) today, so you might not feel too creative. That’s ok. Give it a rest… the drawing board will be there tomorrow, and you’ve earned the right to cruise for a day or so in the lane you’re in now.

Mercury (Communication), forms an aspect with Saturn (Practical Structure), on Thursday, which indicates you may be wanting to break out of a pattern, but feel confined, and unable to speak about it. Give the matter due consideration and ask for discernment to do what is right, Spiritually. You can’t go wrong with higher guidance.

The Moon (Emotions), is now working with big old Saturn to make it feel like the Practical Structure is what you need. It’s a double-edged sword. Structure – good. Confinement – bad. The trick is to learn just home much structure is good for you and those you love and work with. Sometimes you have to let go a bit, in order to get a better hold… just like a baseball player choking up on a bat. Then… hit your home run.

Astrologers study “aspects” — the relative positions of planets at a certain point in time — by charting positions, and tracking affects.

Often when I write blog posts, I talk about how the planets are working in the heavens, sometimes cooperating with one another, and sometimes at odds and how that impacts us here on earth. And in horoscope charts, aspects are patterns we check to ascertain elements of the personality. But what are these “aspects” exactly? I get the question a lot, so let’s take a closer look.

“Aspect patterns have a major influence on your personality and character by creating greater ease or resistance.”

You can think of aspects as way in which the planets work together to make things easier, or harder for you. You can track (chart) aspects by studying the angles that planets form to one another at particular points in time. And, when several aspects occur in the same chart (or simultaneously), they can create larger aspect patterns. Instead of one aspect, several planets in aspect can create a larger aspect pattern. These larger patterns can signify a complex personality pattern, referred to by psychologists as “complexes”.

Modern astrologers approach aspects more from data and reporting in current research with some consideration of historical reference. “Astrological harmonics” is an umbrella term having to do with the study and factoring in of all aspects for a given person, or situation.

Aspect patterns have a major influence on your personality and character by creating greater ease or resistance. They can also be set off and stepped up by transiting and progressed planets. A natal trine may become a Grand Trine whenever a third planet enters the part of the zodiac that trines both planets already in trine. A T-Square can become a Grand Square, and a sextile can become a Yod. This can also happen in relation to other people and their planets can form larger aspect patterns with yours. Having these aspects together can create feelings of immediate rapport and significant relationship dynamics or something you are both attracted to work on or understand.

Helpful Aspects: Trines & Grand Trines

Trines are formed between a couple of planets when they are roughly at a 120 degree angle from each other and generally are viewed as a favorable influence with the energy of each planet contributing to the positive energy of the trine. A simple example would be on a particular day when Mercury (Communication) forms a trine with Venus (Love), then it can be said to be fortuitous to speak what is in your heart — about love, on that day. But things are usually much more complex than that, and even following trines, there can be too many of them in a chart which might tend to make a person lazy.

“A T-Square is a challenging aspect that signifies a struggle that intensifies and eventually leads to a resolution.”

When 2 planets make a trine (120 degree angle), and there is a 3rd planet that also makes trines to both planets, this triangle is called a Grand Trine. Imagine a planet at 0 degrees Aries, another at 0 Leo and a 3rd at 0 Sagittarius, and this is a Grand Trine. The 3 planets that make up a Grand Trine are usually in the same ELEMENT. They don’t have to be, as some aspects are very close, yet out-of-sign. However, the principle of a Grand Trine is that there or 3 (or more) planets trine each other in the same element. When you see a Grand Trine in a chart, it looks like a large triangle.

A Grand Trine aspect pattern can create a feeling of ease and complacency because things seem to “just happen” seamlessly, without effort, friction, or force. This can signify a special talent or ability that appears effortless, but it can also signal a tendency to be lazy or complacent because things come so easily that there is nothing to prove and talent is never fully developed. Your tendency can be to leave the tough stuff for another day. With a Grand Trine, there’s always tomorrow….

Challenging Aspects: T-Squares and Grand Squares

When 3 planets square each other, they form a triangle called a T-Square. In a T-Square, there is one planet that squares 2 other planets that oppose each other. If you envision a planet at 0 degrees Aries with a planet square it from 0 Capricorn and another at 0 Cancer, this is a T-Square. If there is also a 4th planet in square with the others, for example a planet at 0 degrees Libra, this creates a Grand Square pattern.

A T-Square is a challenging aspect that signifies a struggle that intensifies and eventually leads to a resolution. While T-Square configurations are common, they signify an inherent challenge that forces growth or change that can lead to success in life. The focal planet, or planet that squares the opposing planets, is the key to the T-Square and shows where tension is most likely to show up. Conflict resolution may be aided by the missing or empty part of the Square (opposing the focal planet).

Above, Zytglogge tower in Bern, Switzerland. East facade fresco showing the gods for the planets Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and Mercury.

While T-Squares are often found in charts, Grand Squares are less common and often signify a weight to bear that keeps you on a short leash. It may seem like access is continuously denied and you are restricted to a small area where growth is only possible with discipline and hard work. For some reason or another, you are continually stressed and need to consciously maintain balance, always being forced to stick to the straight and narrow. Somehow, these people often learn to carry big loads and are capable of effectively handling large responsibilities. However, they can also feel overstressed and overburdened at times.

Cosmic Aspects: Yods

In a YOD pattern, 2 planets make a sextile, and they both make a quincunx (inconjunct or 150 degree aspect) to a 3rd planet, creating a triangle, or Yod. If you imagine a planet at 0 Aries and 2 planets sextile each other at 0 Virgo and 0 Scorpio, this is a Yod.

Yods are called the “finger of God” and have a connotation of being receptive to messages from higher states of consciousness. While Yods can be exotic and you can enjoy the adventure of feeling like a stranger in a strange land, you may also need to make consessions and be adaptive to unfamiliar situations when you have a Yod in your chart. It may be that you give in one direction and get your needs met from a completely different source, so it is not possible to measure how much others give you to decide how much you can give.

All of these kaleidoscope of patterns factor in together in your horoscope and the picture (a snapshot of patterns) that astrologers consider for daily, weekly, and monthly events.

Welcome to a nice Spring Weekend — a New Moon for Cinco de Mayo (Monday) is on its way and as the Moon winds down Saturday and Sunday it’s a good time complete projects, and conclude business. Even a good rest under a tree at a picnic is in order on this fine Spring weekend. Be careful with travel plans, though since Mercury (Communication) is in a tug-a-war with Saturn (Restrictions) so that you might experience some miscommunication over Hotel room availability, or travel bookings — another reason why just heading out to a nice park could be a good idea.

“Oddly enough, sometimes the emotions you feel don’t have anything to do with what you know in your heart is true.”

Last Thursday, Venus (Emotions) and Pluto (Transformation) were dancing together to make for a day when you feel your relationships — professional and personal — with a certain intensity. This could play out more on the weekend as you enjoy a deserved break with your mate. Cooperation is in order, and in the best spirit of negotiation, don’t be afraid to let something you’ve been holding onto go — so you can make the gains you deserve. Giving something up is often a good way to get what you want.

On Friday the Moon was working with Venus to bring emotions in tune with your heart. Oddly enough, sometimes the emotions you feel don’t have anything to do with what you know in your heart is true. On the one hand, you can have emotions like anger that lead you away from being centered. On the other hand, there’s the emotional intelligence that comes from the core — straight from the heart. Powerful. Potent. A good day to speak your heart, and then take a rest over the weekend.

Rest on the weekend? Sure — well, maybe you’ll get into some celebration and partying on Sunday as we head into Cinco de Mayo Monday… and the birth of the New Moon. The New Moon is associated with renewal and awakening, which is perfect for the holiday of the Mexican victory over the French in 1862, and which has become a festival that awakens both appreciation for Mexican culture and a time to renew an appreciation for the zest of Spring in the US. Enjoy it.