Cosmic Wonders: The “Sombrero Galaxy”, captured above by NASA’s Hubble telescope, features an amazing ring the size of our entire Milky Way galaxy. An old saying is “As Above, so Below”… so remember to wonder at the beauty of it all above in the heavens, and right here on Earth. Happy Holidays.

Saturday shows a day of great harmony as we bask in the glow of a great holiday weekend. The Moon dances in trine with Venus and Pluto. It is also in harmony with Chiron, Neptune, and Jupiter. It’s a healthy day, where the holiday Spirit can carry you far with those around you. Listen, love, and embrace this weekend. May the Spirit of the holidays carry through the weekend and the coming week.

“As always, communication is involved, so listen carefully to loved ones.”

Sunday brings some stress into play between Mars and Saturn. In the holiday season, this can mean though it still feels festive, you spend the day doing some practical things — just enjoying the family over mugs of hot cocoa, and TV. The Moon is in trine with the Sun which gives us a certain contented feeling. But some emotional tension is now showing with Uranus, Venus, and Pluto. Listen to the heartfelt messages from your family and friends today — you can learn a lot.

Monday comes in busy as people rush to get things done mid holiday break. The Moon (Emotions) is squaring off with Mars (Initiative), so while you take care of business, it’s not the best time to start anything new. Venus (Love) is in play working in conjunction with Pluto (transformation) — so, watch for opportunities to enrich your relationships. There’s also some natural emotional blockages to work through — life revolves around feelings and when you learn to face them, it will go easier.

Tuesday settles down a bit with the Moon playing nice with Saturn — planet of practicality. This is the sort of day for an extended coffee break with friends over good conversation. We see also a number of stress indicators which offer two types of opportunities for you: you can use the energy as motivation to get things done, and you can learn what’s at the root to get past any blockages. As always, communication is involved, so listen carefully to loved ones.

The Wonders of Time & Light: Approximately 100 million years ago, a smaller galaxy plunged through the heart of the Cartwheel galaxy, creating ripples of brief star formation. We “see” this image now because our sky images from NASA capture the past in the present due to the length of time for light to travel to our planet.

Astro-Weekend Update…

Saturday brings us a time when Love will heal your nerves and your soul — spend it with those close to you. There’s a feeling of just doing what you know is comfortable today — watch a game, enjoy a late morning coffee, play with the dogs. When it’s all “said and done” those simple pleasures are perhaps more important than the greatest projects of mankind which come and go, while the life of the soul is eternal.

“…the Winter Solstice (on Monday) signals the rebirth of the Light as the Sun starts to return to prominence. Think Spiritual rebirth.”

Sunday finds a harmony between Venus (Love) and Jupiter (Expansion) — a perfect aspect for the holidays. If there’s one thing the season is about it’s returning to the source of love in your life and feeling it grow as you do. The Moon (Emotions) is showing some tension with the Sun, Pluto, Saturn, and Mars. This can translate into uncertainty about what gifts to get for people. Follow your heart. Listen to your intuition. They will guide you toward what is true… this Christmas.

Monday comes in busy with eight astro-aspects to consider including harmonies with the Sun, Venus, Saturn — a nice down to earth configuration for enjoying your mate and loved ones. Have a coffee and good conversation together. It is also the Winter Solstice today, which signals the rebirth of the Light as the Sun starts to return to prominence. Think Spiritual rebirth. We also find the Moon working in conjunction with both Saturn and Jupiter to keep things real as you enjoy what the Christmas week brings.

Tuesday looks quiet as the Moon show harmony with Pluto, planet of Transformation, while showing some tension with both Saturn and Mercury. Last minute gift shopping and preparations can bring a bit of stress — but it is good stress that plays out later as the stuff that creates long lasting memories. Recall childhood when the Christmas season could bring new adventures, new friends, new approaches to life. The same opportunities are available in adulthood… if you watch for them. That’s the wonder of the holidays.

Other Star Systems, Other Planets: NASA artist’s concept of the star Fomalhaut and the Jupiter-type planet that the Hubble Space Telescope observed. Observations taken 21 months apart by Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys’ coronagraph show that the planet — named Fomalhaut B — is moving along a path around the star.

Friday finds the Moon in three trines, and two harmonies — a favorable day for getting things done. Pay attention to what your Spirit inspires you to do today, since that will perk up your personality and give you the initiative you need at work and at home. Neptune (Spirituality) is pleased with the Moon — a good feeling — but somewhat at odds with Mercury… a sign that you may need to express your thoughts about Spiritual matters with someone close to you.

“Listen to your intuition. It’s not the size of the gift or quantity that counts. It’s what is expressed from your heart.”

On Saturday, we see a balanced day with two harmonies, and two stress indicators. Remember, that there is such a thing as good stress — just like a bow requires tension to shoot a straight arrow, so does the right amount of stress bring an alert state of mind to help you reach goals in life. Keep your wits about you today, and watch for a breakthrough with friends and loved ones when you take time for honest communication.

Sunday brings an opportunity for healing those parts of your personality that need some new ideas to break through the hurdles of life. What hurdles? Well, sometimes when you follow what is in your mind, instead of what is in your heart, often there are problems to address later. There are four planets the Moon (Emotions) is squaring off with today. Look for where your Spiritual growth is blocked, and deal with it.

Monday shows the Sun (Personality) in harmony with Jupiter (Growth) while the Moon (Emotions) is in harmony with Saturn (Limitations). In the Holiday give season, this can translate to you thinking you have to buy more gifts, while in your gut you know you should stay on budget. Listen to your intuition. It’s not the size of the gift or quantity that counts. It’s what is expressed from your heart.

Rolling in on Tuesday is a good day for progress in your love relationships. The Moon is working in conjunction with Venus today, as the Sun plays nice with Neptune (planet of Spirituality). Again, Spirituality is your key — understand your mate and loved-ones Spiritual needs — listen to their desires and needs. Take a look at any emotions that blocking you from communicating honestly and fully. You can do it.

Beautiful Cosmos: NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope, Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory image of a bubble-shaped shroud of gas and dust that is 14 light-years wide and is expanding at 4 million miles per hour.

Saturday brings a lot of celestial activity. The Moon is making nice with Uranus, Venus and Saturn.  Think of some new, but practical ideas you can bring into your love relationships.  Could you spend the afternoon cooking together with some new recipes?  Then there’s some tension between Mars and Saturn.  Mars wants to get things going — Saturn wants to slow things down.  Go with your intuition there.  Remember to listen well to those around you — they have important ideas for you.

“What are you feeling that is holding you back?  Communication will lead you to your breakthrough answer.”

Sunday shows some emotional tension involving Pluto, Uranus, and Mercury.  This is a good day to practice good Communication skills. There’s a chance you can make a breakthrough if you listen well, and are open to new ideas.  The Moon is in trine with the Sun, also today, so your critical thinking and intuition should be in tune with one another.  This will bring greater understanding as you deal with family and friends.

Monday looks busy in the heavens as the week begins.  Mercury is cooperating with Pluto even as is squares off with Saturn. You will need to get beyond some restrictions in order to achieve a breakthrough.  Jupiter is working in conjunction with Chiron to bring healthy growth to your life. Meanwhile, the Moon opposes both Jupiter and Chiron throwing an emotional wrench into your plans.  What are you feeling that is holding you back?  Communication will lead you to your breakthrough answer.

Tuesday quiets down as Mercury (Communication) shows stress with Mars (Initiation), and the Moon (Emotions) squares off with both Venus (Love), and the Sun (Personality). What do you love about yourself?  What do you wish you could change?  Have a good talk about this with yourself, then consider who you need to talk with to take the next step.  A supervisor at work?  A college entrance counselor?  Someone in your family?  Prepare yourself with honest introspection… then go make the right moves.