During its flight, the Galileo spacecraft returned images of the Earth and Moon

Greetings. As we head into the weekend, the Moon (Emotions) is a bit at odds with old Mars (Initiative), which can leave you feeling like new endeavors aren’t the best policy right now. Mercury (Communication) is also tugging with Saturn (Structure) so talking about future plans is not the best idea either. What’s that leave you with? Sit back, enjoy a cup of coffee at the bookstore… relax. It’s the weekend, and Spring is in the air. Enjoy what you have and live in the present — now, is all anyone really has.

“The Sun has been working with Neptune so that the compassion in your nature can come out.”

It has been an interesting week. The Moon entered Aquarius at the start the week — a sociable influence — and it also formed a nervous aspect with Uranus (New Beginnings). This can be why you feel comfortable being social, but you’re not rushing into anything new. That’s good. Enjoy the people around you and what they mean in your career, family, and relationships. There’ll be time enough to surge ahead later.

The Sun has been working with Neptune so that the compassion in your nature can come out. While this is a good attribute, you have to apply a certain amount of logic along with the good feelings to keep your head about you in business and relationships. Mercury (Communication) also is in position to encourage speaking your mind quickly. Is that an advantage for you, or a note of caution? Both. It’s good to balance that the urge to talk about what you’re feeling with some careful forethought. Running on feelings, and speaking quickly can get you in trouble sometimes. Give important matters the time they require before moving forward.

At the close of the week (Friday) the Moon (Emotion) works with Jupiter (Growth) to bring good fortune. This gives you a feeling of freedom as the Spring weekend slides into home. At the same time, the Moon is tugging a bit with Neptune (Spirituality), and you may feel that you need to deal with some deception in your ideals. That’s ok. Learning to see the truth means accepting some disillusionment. You can find prosperity in your life and relationships when you see things as they really are.

As the earth turns, so the moon revolves, and its affect cannot be underestimated.

As we journey through a new Moon (Emotion) in Pisces (Spiritual) weekend, it’s a good time to use imagination, meditation, and visualization to renew your Faith. This can be faith in your career, faith in your relationships, and yeah — the big Faith. Mars enters Cancer on Tuesday, which means that initiative has has to find its way through some emotional interference. You can do it. Take a deep breath, get centered, and thing logically about what you must do. Prioritize and get it done. There’ll be time to address your feelings after you cross off a few items — and you’ll feel better because you got things out of the way.

“…your independent streak may continue from the weekend (being by yourself), through your work-week (taking initiative to launch projects)…”

It’s a new Moon weekend and a good time to work with all of that new energy as Spring approaches. On Saturday, the Sun collaborates with Uranus to bring some light on new approaches to relationships and careers. It’s a good day to go to the book store and pick up a book about a new pursuit, business idea, or travel plan. Get a magazine you’ve never read before and see what possibilities that opens up for you. Remember to welcome uniqueness in yourself and those around you.

Venus (Love) remains in Aquarius (Freedom) through mid-week, so your independent streak may continue from the weekend (being by yourself), through your work-week (taking initiative to launch projects), though this influence is soon to play out. This is also a time when Mars (Initiative) is working its way through Cancer (Emotions), so as you enjoy a bit of freedom, you may find that the trip brings up some emotions you hadn’t felt in a while. That’s ok. Feeling is the first step toward dealing.

From a painting of Aquarius circa 1782

The Moon today is full of good energy for new beginnings, this has a lot to do with the New Moon that occurred earlier last week. You can really “bring it” this month. What new projects do you have to start? Is it time to take a new course of action in your career — in a relationship? There was a Solar Eclipse last week too, and that is another opportunity for you to look at things anew — as they are revealed again after being hidden during the eclipse. What will you see in a new light this week?

“February is a month to get things done, use this to get in tune with those around you so that your “team” can forge ahead.”

February looks like a busy month — a time when you can get things done… even on the weekends. How do you juggle multiple projects, deadlines, and manage to keep track of it all? Does your computer help you manage your tasks, or do you simply write a list and cross things off as they are completed? This is a good time to have a system so you can double-check — it’s a bit hectic, and communications can go awry because of the Mercury Retrograde. Just make sure you communicate with yourself well — use a daytimer, journal, or simple note system.

The Sun in Aquarius (thru. the 19th) brings a thirst for learning that can translate into innovation and creativity. You should be able to take a good look at your life, home, and surroundings and see what’s ready for a little change. On Monday (Feb. 11th), the Moon and Sun favor each other in such a way that you will feel confidence in your abilities. In fact, the Moon (emotions) also works with Mars (assertion) to boost confidence — just don’t take it too far. There’s a fine line between self confidence and an ego that’s a “legend in your own mind.” You can use this influence for strength of character as you “step up” to lead at work and home.

On Tuesday (Feb. 12th), the Moon (Emotion) forms a trine with both Saturn (Practicality), and Neptune (Compassion). This brings you down to earth as you approach business matters, and makes you open to understanding and empathy with others. Since February is a month to get things done, use this to get in tune with those around you so that your “team” can forge ahead.

This image shows the Sun as viewed by the Soft X-Ray Telescope (SXT) onboard the orbiting Yohkoh satellite.

Just in time for Super-Bowl Sunday, the Moon formed a “semi-square” position with the Sun, and this means that you could have felt one way (New York should win), and think quite another (it looks like New England will win). Looks like the emotions took that one — New York made the “upset” (an emotional term?). The same push-pull could be in affect early this week with regards to your relationships — you think everything is all right, but you’re feeling alittle uneasy about it. Remember to be careful in how you communicate, and in how you assess what you hear from others (ask questions for clarification) — it’s still a Mercury Retrograde time (until mid-February).

“Today, the Moon (emotions) is working with Uranus (Individuality) which again can move you to seek self expression, learning, and growth.”

On Monday, an interesting celestial influence is the Sun (Personality) working in conjunction with Venus (Love) to make for some good vibes and feelings — as you settle up at the office on those Bowl bets. Or maybe it has to do with a lunch with a new love interest. This is a good time to be honest about your feelings. Remember, Valentine’s Day is coming up.

The celestial influences are particularly potent this week, so expect a lot of activity (Happy Mardi Gras). Both the Sun and Mercury are in Aquarius, which makes us open to new experiences and is good for thinking outside the box. Today, the Moon (emotions) is working with Uranus (Individuality) which again can move you to seek self expression, learning, and growth. This is a good time to look into that training workshop you’ve been wanting to attend.

So emotions are high, and energy is active. Be careful how you communicate, and double check what others say to you. Use your emotions for “emotional intelligence”, but don’t let them over power you.

The Moon interacts with different planets, and the affect is gauged in Astrology by the Angle and alignments between them.

Have you seen the old blue and white full Moon in the clear, crisp January nights? It went full yesterday (Tuesday), in Leo a sign that is focused on the self. Meanwhile, the Sun is now in Aquarius, which takes itself less seriously. You therefore have a lot of energy for self indulgence, balanced by an interesting Aquarian objectivity. Will your friendship progress toward romance? Part of you wants that, while another part sees the bigger picture and wonders where it might lead. On Wednesday, the Moon (emotion) “opposes” Mercury (Communication) which can put you in a bind for what to say about the dilemma you feel between what you want in the short term versus what you see for the long term. You can find a way to turn this into an opportunity, with the right dash of introspection.

“The Moon (emotion), facing off with Mars (passion) creates some emotional fire that can ignite a romance.”

On Thursday, 1/24, one of the things happening in the heavens is a conjunction of Venus (Love) with Pluto (transformation). When planets are in conjunction, their energies can act on each other in quite intense ways. And, the propostion of Astrology is that energy generated in the Cosmos has its impact on Earth. So… put Love, and Transformation together, and what do you get? A couple of possibilities: passions become stronger as the need to move forward compels intense feelings of love/friendship, and that a love/friendship relationship is headed into a new phase as it evolves. The key is to let Pluto’s metamorphing energy guide you rationally through all the new feelings.

This weekend, the good old Moon, now in a powerful but waning stage, has decided to “square” two planets — both Mars and Pluto. Squares (the relative position of two or more planets), can create some tension, and also some great opportunities. The Moon (emotion), facing off with Mars (passion) creates some emotional fire that can ignite a romance. And with the Moon and Pluto (renewal), squaring off, we can see that deep feelings again come into play with potential for a transformation. So between friends and lovers you’re likely to feel some things that move you — and your relationship — to the next level. Go with it… but don’t let your emotions get the best of you. Take what time you need to think it all through.