Masterpieces of Art with Light: NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope produced the photo of the Sombrero galaxy, Messier 104 (M104). This beautiful tapestry of colored light is just one of millions of high “artwork” present in the universe increasingly revealed by powerful telescopes.

Astro-Weekend Update…

On Sunday, the Moon plays nice with Jupiter — planet of growth, while dancing in trine with Saturn — the discipline planet. Think disciplined growth, as in tending an investment portfolio, doing relationship “work”, or “paying your dues” in your career. Quick and easy ways to get there are an illusion. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the process. Embrace live and fight the “good fight”, and you can live long an prosper.

The week launches on Monday with favorable aspects for Mars (Initiation), Venus (Love), and showing tensions with six other planets. Tension and harmony… isn’t that the way of the World? The trick is to use harmonic moments to do what’s right and meet your goals, while working with a certain degree of stress as you get things done. Expect and welcome the kind of tension that gets you “good to go.”

Tuesday finds the Moon (Emotions) working in conjunction with both Chiron (Health) and Neptune (Spirituality). Spiritual health is always important, but in uncertain times and turmoil it is a rock on which to stand in the flood. Pray. A breakthrough is possible today when you get beyond any restrictions on communication. Is there a “taboo” subject you’re not supposed to talk about, but really need to with someone important in your life? Find a way to work it out.

At midweek, we find some tension Wednesday with an important person in your life who fears speaking to you about a matter you need to hear. There are things we all “know” based on gut instinct and intuition, even though there may be no direct evidence of it. Trust your emotional intelligence even though you might be blocking important communication, or putting it off until later. Don’t wait. Prepare yourself, then listen carefully to what a loved one has to say. This will open up your life to a number of good possibilities.

Moon, ruler of emotions, rises over the blue Earth atmosphere of our world which is mostly comprised of water. Even animals, plants and soil contain a lot of water, and humans are composed of 90% water. Water is also associated with emotions, and just as the Moon tugs on the ocean tides, so it tugs on the emotional waves that affect us all.

Astro-Weekend Update…

Sunday dawns with a distinct emotional harmony for Transformation. All around us changes. Life is change. And so, relationships have a life and are continually changing too. What are your plans for growth? Today have a good look at any tension you might feel about talking to a loved one. Often, it is the power of good communication that opens the doors we need to get through. And, as events happen that change our lives, your task is to grow and evolve into a better friend, mate, family member when this happens. Make yourself ready.

“Why would your feelings go against your intelligence and affect communication? This happens often when your gut tells you one thing, and your head another.”

Monday starts out the work-week with a busy set of ten aspects to consider. Look for this day to bring tension that helps you get things done — a good sort of stress, like creative tension. And, watch for signs that some tension (worrying too much, discord with co-workers) is not helpful in your life. How do you learn ways to proceed and succeed? Communication. Listen carefully to what people you must deal with really want. Find a way to give that to them, but don’t compromise your principles.

A very harmonic day comes our way on Tuesday. You will find yourself in harmony with your mate, and with new ideas for your projects at work and home. There’s an interesting effect today where avenues for both growth, and restriction are present. How do you grow, if you’re restricted? Well, one good form of “restriction” is the discipline it takes to do something well. You have to practice the piano before you become free to create great music. It’s the same throughout your life, so meditate on this a bit today.

Mid-week, we find the Moon (Emotions) squaring off with Mercury (Communication/Intelligence), on Wednesday. Why would your feelings go against your intelligence and affect communication? This happens often when your gut tells you one thing, and your head another. Listen to them both. Then, trust your instinct, but shape what you say with good “intelligence” about the situation. And Listen. Listening is the most often overlooked skill in communication. Listen intelligently instead of just waiting to speak. This will bring you the information you need for success.

Energy, Colors, Suns, and Galaxies: NASA and other space telescopes continue to reveal an intense, profound beauty in the Cosmos as shown in this beautiful color photo of “M82 Chandra” galaxy. What wonders are yet to be revealed?

Astro-Weekly Update…

Here comes Sunday, showing harmonies with Venus and Saturn. Sometimes, love likes restraint. Oh, there’s a time for wild abandon, but there’s also good days to know your boundaries, and this is one. Fix your mate’s favorite breakfast, then step back and give them some space. Meanwhile, take some time to puzzle over how you have been communicating your spiritual needs. It will not only be good for your health, but can lead you to some prosperous new ideas.

“Gut hunches and instinct will tell you more than brute logic this week.”

Monday starts out busy, with a New Moon initiating the week and harmonies along with Jupiter and Mars. This is the time to get things done, in late Summer before the Fall rush, at work. You will encounter the usual blockages by those who fear change and growth, but don’t let that stop you. As long as your plans are in the best interests of your business you should proceed. Romantic life is another story. This is not the day your love life is “going places.” Give it time. Love is like growing a garden — it takes patience.

Live could throw you a few curve balls on Tuesday with tension crackling in the air. Pluto, planet of transformation, appears four times — squaring off with Venus, showing tension with the Sun, and a mixed bag with the Moon. Emotionally, this can leave you feeling that something’s going to happen, but that you don’t have a handle on it. Pray and meditate on this — spiritual guidance is in order. What’s bothering you about your love life? You will need to solve this before you can move forward. Listen carefully to what your “emotional intelligence” is telling you. Gut hunches and instinct will tell you more than brute logic this week.

At midweek, we find just one celestial aspect in focus on Wednesday. The Moon (Emotions) is working in conjunction with Mercury (Communication). This is a good opening for you to work things out with those around you at work, and with your loved ones at home. When you feel you can talk to somebody, it makes all the difference in the world. Practice listening well. Most people simply wait to speak and miss key information that can help you learn about colleagues and friends, and get details you need for your success. Often a complaint in relationships is that he or she “doesn’t listen.” Can you do it? You will be better off when you do.

The Blue Marble: Earth photos never cease to amaze as you peer back at our own planet from a NASA photo, and put space, distance, the galaxy and life itself into perspective. We live on a whirling ball of energy.

Astro-Weekend Update…

Sunday comes in with an interesting mix of celestial energies — a day when your power to break through involves a harmony of health and spirit. Ok… let’s break down what that means. Simply put, when you are in good spirits, your health is positively impacted, and you feel a surge of power to move ahead in your projects and relationships. But someone may be resisting your new ideas — hey, there’s always a challenge along the way. Pay careful attention to your love relationships.

“The important thing is to strike the right balance between holding principles that allow your love to grow, and being too restrictive.”

The week jumps to a start on Monday with some tension in the air. Jupiter (growth), and Mercury (Communication) play multiple roles as does Pluto (transformation). A communication block may be preventing you from a move forward. To get to the root of this, double-check the feelings you have about growth. What is causing you stress and why? Pluto is there to help you make progress when you get over any emotional tension and use good communication skills, including listening well (not waiting to talk), to get to the root of the matter.

The Moon (emotions) plays a key role on Tuesday, squaring off with Chiron and Neptune, but dancing in harmony with Uranus, Saturn, the Sun and Mars. What is the source of the Spiritual blockage? What is preventing you from feeling good about one aspect of your life? Work on that. Use creative ideas, within bounds, to take action to address conflicts — you have the power.  Keep your emotions balanced and things will work out fine.

Midweek brings energies which work to give you an opportunity to grow in your romantic relationship on Wednesday. Remember that some boundaries are healthy in relationshiops (ie. giving each other space), and others are not good (ie. shutting another out). It’s worth it to spend some time on this today — as you know, relationships take work, but the rewards are great. The important thing is to strike the right balance between holding principles that allow your love to grow, and being too restrictive.

Mysteries in the Heavens: Two huge clusters of galaxies have been found slowly colliding over hundreds of millions of years, as photographed by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope in visible light and the Chandra Space Telescope in X-ray light. The photo also shows the mysterious “dark matter” (purple), created by the collision.

Astro-Weekend Update…

The weekend rolls in with the Moon in harmony with Mars (Initiation), and in conjunction with Pluto (Transformation), so what you launch today (even a simple new home project) can lead to some key change in your life. Meanwhile we also see some opposition to communication today and particularly a squaring off with change that brings growth.  Always take right action so you and those around you can grow in a principled way, but recognize that opposition is natural when it comes to change.  Work on this — it is the key to life.

“Is someone telling you the wrong plan for your Spiritual goals?  Only you can determine the right focus to meet your objectives.”

Sunday brings an interesting mix of celestial energies with Mercury opposing Pluto, Saturn upset with Neptune, and the Moon also showing tension with Neptune. Neptune is the planet of Spirituality, so there can be something within you that needs to break free of any restrictions on where you need to go in your life.  Is someone telling you the wrong plan for your Spiritual goals?  Only you can determine the right focus to meet your objectives.

The week starts off on harmonious notes with the Moon in trine with Saturn, and showing good will toward Neptune and Jupiter on Monday. Your new ideas about how to take a project to the next level will strike the right note based on careful planning.  There may be a bit of resistance to the launch of a project, you you can overcome this with good communication.  This is the right way forward in your career.

Tuesday presents a lot of energies with which to contend. It is not the best day for romance, though you do have an opportunity to look at what is blocking growth in your relationships.  Have a careful look at restrictive communication both in the workplace and at home.  Remember that your word is a very powerful tool, and just as you should make no assumptions or take anything personal when another person speaks, so should you use your own words wisely and the right amount of thought.

For centuries, Astrologers and Astronomers (the two pursuits were combined in earlier times) used Astrolabes, or “Cosmolabes”, to calculate the angles — aspects — between key planets which influence us in our own sphere.

Astro-Weekend Update…

Sunday, Father’s Day in the US, comes in showing a harmony for emotional communication — perfect for your interaction with Dad. Do not be hesitant to show what you feel — this will lift your spirit and be good for your help. The Moon (emotions) also shows a bit of tension today with Mars (Initiation), so enjoy the day as a celebration — this is not a fortuitous time to launch a new project. Remember to listed to emotions and be informed by them, but don’t allow them to block you from what must done.

“Your life is your own masterpiece, and it is actually healthy to use a certain degree of nerve as you create your personal future.”

Monday starts the work week off busy with 10 aspects to consider. Our harmonies today are workin with the energy of healthy personal strengths to get things going at work and home. That’s the Spirit that can lead to a transformation in how you see things and operate. As usual in life, you come up against some resistance to new ideas for growth. Many people fear change. But change is what makes the world go round, and embracing it will make you successful.

On Tuesday, there’s tension in the air — welcome it. Huh? Tension is a part of life which may be quite positive, as in the creative tension of an artist, required to complete a masterpiece. Your life is your own masterpiece, and it is actually healthy to use a certain degree of nerve as you create your personal future. There’s a tug and pull between limitations and growth. New ideas and transformation. What new ideas will you uncover that will get you beyond a blockage in your love life? Enjoy the challenge — that’s Life.

About Astrological Aspects: As you know, I report regularly on the planetary aspects and how those interacting energies influence us here on Earth. In astrology, an aspect is an angle the planets make to each other in horoscopes and each day in the heavens above. They indicate focal points in the horoscope where the energies involved are given extra emphasis. The astrological aspects are said to influence affairs on Earth according to millennia of astrological tradition.

Celebrate Our Milky Way: NASA has used its Hubble Space Telescope, an infrared view from the Spitzer Space Telescope, and an X-ray view from the Chandra X-ray Observatory to create one multiwavelength picture of the Milky Way — our home galaxy that is one of billions in the heavens above.

Astro-Weekend Update…

Saturday kicks off the weekend with the Moon dancing in trine with Venus… planet of love. Whoo Hooo.  You know what to do.  The Moon (emotions) also shows harmony with Mercury (planet of Communication) today.  Great.  Love and Communication.  At the core, this deep dialog with your mate and those you love is what it’s all about.  Don’t hold back.  Talk about what is in your heart.  Do what needs to be done.

“Remember that tension brings good focus on important details in your life. Embrace the tension.”

Sunday finds the Moon squaring off with Pluto, working in conjunction with Uranus and Jupiter and showing tensions with both Mars and Mercury. Ok… focus first on the emotional energy of new ideas and expansion.  Emotional energy?  Yes, your mind can think of new ways to proceed in your love relationships, and career — but it is when you feel good about moving forward that progress will happen.  Figure out your roadblocks, deal with them, then you can move forward.

The week starts out busy on Monday, as the Moon dances in harmony with the Sun. There’s some tension in the air, and that’s good.  Remember that tension brings good focus on important details in your life.  Embrace the tension.  Remember that creative tension is behind all inventions, and you should not block it because it is the key both to health and the success of your love life.  Work with good tension (creative tension) and seek to understand and so banish unproductive tension (holding a grudge) from your life.

Tuesday brings a lot of celestial energy to bear with the Moon dancing in trine with Saturn, Mars, and Pluto, and in harmony with Neptune and Chiron. Simultaneously, Mars stands in opposition with Chiron.  This sets up a pattern where you are close to settling something in your life that will do you much good — but there is one more hurdle to jump before you can get there.  What hurdle?  Communication with those close to you will bring this into sharper focus.  Seek to learn what has held you back so far, then set a course to “break through” that wall.

Midweek we find Mercury (Communication) again playing a key role, on Wednesday squaring off with Neptune (Spirituality). What concerns of the Spirit can you surface to smooth the way in your life?  At work, this could be the spirit of getting things done — just plow through it.  At home, this could be the spirit of healing and finishing any things that have become baggage and so are holding you back.  How?  Honest, heartfelt communication where a big part of it is listening.  Not waiting to speak… just listening.

What Wonders Still to Come: “M82 galaxy” as captured by NASA’s Spitzer, Hubble, and Chandra space observatories reveals another colorful and powerful play of the Light in deep space.

Astro-Weekend Update…

As the weekend dawns, we see the Moon (Emotions) struggling with Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus, on Saturday. Emotional churning as you contemplate restrictions versus growth, new adventures of the Spirit, and apply your intelligence to key issues that result. That’s ok — live is interesting when you have choices to make. Just align your goals with your principles, morals and values and it will work out fine. All you have to do… is do the right thing — that’s what pays off in the end.

“Let Spirit guide you and you can transform your relationship.”

Sunday finds a personal emotional strength surfacing as we see the Moon squaring off with Venus and Pluto. At the same time Venus also stands in opposition to Pluto. Recall that Venus is the planet of Love, and Pluto is about Transformation, so your opportunity today is to do some “work” on your important relationships. That’s right — it’s not always easy or fun — but the reward is the greatest when you communicate, show empathy, and do what needs to be done. Healthy relationships are what is best for your own health and for your loved ones.

Monday ushers in the work week with a good “can do” feeling to start it off well. There may be some resistance to expansion, and there are still those with whom you may “butt heads”, but that’s to be expected. Instead remember that all enterprises, from the family front to any business, require a certain amount of growth, and new ideas to maintain momentum and not become stale. Go for it, but stay mindful of any opposition and make plans to deal with it.

We find four harmonies on Tuesday, but you have to be careful with your communication as the Moon opposes Mercury. This can mean that you are receiving one kind of advice, but your gut is telling you something else. Go with your instincts — what is in your heart. It is a good day for Romance, too, so schedule a nice dinner with your mate. Let Spirit guide you and you can transform your relationship.

Our Own Galaxy has Two Arms: In 2008, infrared images from NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope have showed that our Milky Way’s spiral structure is with just two arms wrapping off the ends of a central bar of stars. Previously, our galaxy was thought to have four major arms.

Astro-Weekend Update…

As the weekend rolls in, we find a mixed bag of energies in the heavens on Saturday. Mind and emotion are back in harmony, but another communication tension is close to you. Sometimes you can just see clearly a problem between two people you know well — clearer than they can see it. But when you are involved, it’s hard to have the same perspective. Is there something blocking progress in your relationships… at work, and in your personal life? It takes two to tango, so learn what you need to do to dance better, then give your mate some room to do the same.

“Is there something in your way — blocking your path — at home or at work, that is keeping you from an important break through? “

Happy Mother’s Day! The Moon is working with Jupiter on Sunday, which brings a feeling of growth — a good thing because each year of life brings opportunities to learn and move forward. It’s also a good day to say what is in your heart, even if it makes you a little nervous. Life is short. Honor those you love, and yourself, by finding the courage to speak about your feelings. Sometimes a new approach is all that’s needed. Listen to your gut instincts.

The week starts out with Pluto, planet of transformation interacting with both the Moon and the Sun, on Monday. Is there something in your way — blocking your path — at home or at work, that is keeping you from an important break through? Find out what it is by understanding your inner tension and learning where it leads. There are good changes, and bad changes, but the only thing constant in life is change itself. Pray for discernment, then do what it takes to advance.

Tuesday comes in busy with nine aspects at play in the cosmos. We see Venus, Neptune, Saturn, and the Sun all doubling their interactions today, which makes for a powerful mix of energies. Love, Restrictions, Spirituality, and Personality are all in flux as you work your way through the day’s tasks. Set smart boundaries, follow the guidance from Spirit, and you will find opportunities for growth and breakthrough.