In the above painting (“Astronomers Studying an Eclipse,” a 1571 painting by Antoine Caron), we see Astronomers plotting the effects of an eclipse. This involved both outward observance (eclipses influence human behavior), and also mathematical calculations, since in the middle ages astrology and astronomy were unified as one science. Modern Astrologers also use math to determine the position of planets in a horoscope.

Often we hear that horoscopes in newspapers can be “too general”. My weekly Astro-forecast (below) can appear that way too. In a long-form personal horoscope, we take into consideration your specific date of birth, and how the planets are positioned in “houses” to find symbolic meaning for your particular life. That takes a few pages.

Are we controlled by Astro-Energies? No. They simply set up patterns of force bringing certain opportunities where things are more likely to happen.

In the newspaper version of horoscopes, and in a similar way in my forecasts, we are looking just at the astrological energies in a more general sense. Newspaper horoscopes break things out in general for the different Sun (personality) signs corresponding roughly to the 12 months of the year (with overlaps depending on the sign). My forecasts look directly at the planets in play for a particular day of the week with a special focus on our emotional Moon.

So, are we concerned with “planets” or energy? The answer is energy — lines of force that a planet may exert in our lives. A good example we can outwardly sea is how the Moon (understood as a “planet”, or sphere of influence, in Astrology), controls the ocean tides. It pulls on the water, and since we are composed mostly of water, it pulls on us too. You should note that the Moon and its interaction with other Planets is very important every day, and often understated in brief Newspaper horoscopes. But we take a look at lunar play with other planets in Astro-forecasts.

Are we controlled by Astro-Energies? No. They simply set up patterns of force bringing certain opportunities where things are more likely to happen. You are blessed with free will and self determination. So, you can choose to work with energies in play all around you, or go against them. Will you turn your boat directly into the waves of the oncoming tide, turn sideways and risk capsizing, or “go with the flow” and wash gently into shore. That is up to you. All you have to do is what is right. Pray for discernment.

Astro-Forecast – Spiritual Motivation and Emotional Intelligence

Monday started the week simple — with a focus on limitations, and communication. There’s an old saying that a good person always knows their limitations. You’re human. You have strengths and weaknesses. The sooner you deal with the truth, the sooner you will be able to engage in the honest communication that will take you where you need to go in your career and in your romantic life. It’s that simple. It’s that tough. That’s life.

“It often feels good to stay safe, when a new strategy comes along that requires action. Don’t.”

Opportunities for you to take action for growth are swirling though the Astro-Energies on Tuesday. But to get going, you have to get over any emotional blocks in the way of new ideas and communication. What “emotional blocks”? Think comfort zone. It often feels good to stay safe, when a new strategy comes along that requires action. Don’t. Make sure you think things out well, and double-check your communication. Then move forward. This will also help if you are in a “holding pattern” in your romantic life. All things need to grow.

Midweek brings a healthy mix of Astro-Energies with emotional health of the Spirit at work on Wednesday. This positions you well for a break-through in your career, when you take a leap of faith and make the right moves. What moves? You will know what to do when your logical plans feel right in your gut — when instincts align with intellect, it’s a powerful indicator to move forward. Meanwhile, take a moment to consider anything blocking the way in your romantic life — becoming aware of stumbling points is the first step toward dealing with them.

Thursday looks quiet as Astro-energies go, presenting just one focal point — a nervous feeling about restrictions. How can this be good? In all parts of your life, there are boundaries — psychological, financial, interpersonal, and physical, that must be respected, even as you grow beyond them. This is why “graduation” is celebrated in schools — you are breaking your earlier limitations and moving forward with your life. Today is like that… look around you and consider where you must “graduate”. Then, celebrate the process (of life) with your mate over dinner.

Friday too is quiet in the heavens, yielding just two Astro-energies with which to work. The Moon (Emotions) is working in conjunction with Uranus (New Ideas) while showing some tension with the Sun (Personality). This sets up an opportunity to follow your intuition when you are temporarily stuck during the day and wondering what to do. You can’t always figure things out in your mind. Step back, and take a break. During your break pray for discernment and trust what your heart is telling you. Emotional intelligence will help you succeed.

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.

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.

Swirling Circles: The planets whirl around the Sun just as people in your lives flow in and out of it. As above, so below. And as we learned in high school physics — all energy. You can work with these energies as your week unfolds.

Astro-Weekly Update…

August arrived on Sunday with the Moon (Emotions) showing harmony with Neptune (Spirituality). This is a day to follow your feelings when it comes to matters of the Spirit. Meanwhile, Venus (Love) is showing some tension with the Sun (Personality). Is there something about your mate’s way of doing things that is bothering you? Remember, people don’t do everything like you would do — the best approach is to work on sharing goals and principles, but leave room for individual ways to approach them.  Work on this throughout the week.

“…listen to your feelings, this time in your romantic life… but don’t get carried away.”

Monday finds the Moon in harmony with three spheres — Chiron (Health), Pluto (Transformation), and Mercury (Communication). We all know that good Communication can actually heal relationships and even individuals — psychologically and physically. And if you listen — really listen — you can learn what is necessary to break through to a new level of understanding. Watch for restrictions on something you want to do, and consider them carefully.

Tuesday shows a day when the Moon squares off with the Sun, and Jupiter (Growth) squares off with Pluto (Transformation). Some things that seem like they will bring you what you want, are actually dead ends. Pray for discernment. Jupiter appears again in the mix, this time at odds with the Moon. Trust your emotional intelligence on this one. When you learn to trust your gut instincts, you will be in a better position to deal with any “stress tests” that come your way.

At midweek, Wednesday brings a busy day in the heavens with 11 aspects at work. Mars appears twice — in opposition with Jupiter, and in trine with the Moon. Feel your way through what actions to take, and take small steps. Venus likes the Moon today, but is wary of Neptune — another signal to listen to your feelings, this time in your romantic life… but don’t get carried away. Neptune (Spirituality) appears again, this time squaring off with the Moon. Sometimes there are people in your life who are vexations to the Spirit. Deal with them and move on.

Full Moon Power: Draw on the power from Sunday’s Full Moon to help you out over the week ahead as you cultivate strength of Spirit and resolve to face the challenges life brings.

Astro-Weekend Update…

Full Moon power comes your way on Sunday as the Moon also shows harmonies with Mars, Saturn, Uranus, and Jupiter. This sets up a potent time when you can move forward in your life to achieve goals you’ve been wanting. Beware — if you don’t communicate well, this can create tension with loved ones. Sometimes it is easy to get carried away by powerful emotions, and forget about ways to take a more measured approach. Seek balance as you proceed.

“Don’t second guess yourself, but do be very clear about your spiritual goals and how those relate to your life plans.”

Monday starts the week off with the Sun (Personality) playing a dual roles, and also Uranus (New Ideas) and Saturn (restrictions) lending double influence. This will make for an interesting week when there’s a clear tug between plans you’ve made, and nervous feelings about them. Don’t second guess yourself, but do be very clear about your spiritual goals and how those relate to your life plans. You can overcome obstacles with strength of Spirit.

Mercury (Communication) plans an interesting dual role on Tuesday, while the Moon shows some stress with new ideas for growth in your relationships. Think of your relationship like a garden — it needs tending because there is an ongoing cycle of growth. This also means that things change. That can be stressful at times. Today brings an opportunity to examine your communication and center yourself on core values — this will focus you on the best way to care for your relationship garden.

At midweek, we find the Moon working in conjunction with healthy Chiron and Pluto to help you break through some of the tension in the air as Wednesday dawns. You may have been feeling too restricted lately — like things are keeping you from what you need to do. Don’t be afraid to break through any apprehension you feel. Focus and courage are in order. Forge ahead.

More Mysteries in the Heavens: A mapping of the galaxies, by NASA scientists, has enabled us to learn more about what is called the “fabric of the universe” including “dark matter.” Of this, scientists have said that these discoveries confirm, “that our cosmos is much, much stranger than we ever imagined.”

Astro-Weekend Update…

Sunday dawns with a sense that you can talk about some great plans you have with those you love. The planets are aligned for you to kick off a new project, schedule that vacation, or take on some new work at church or with a social group. Don’t be nervous about talking about your own ideas. Explain them well and listen to input from others. You also have an opportunity today to examine what has been causing some stress in your love life. Are you on a path that feels right with your Spirit?

“Have a reality check with yourself and stay focused on the important things in life.”

Monday starts the week with good energy in the areas of mew ideas for expansion — as long as you factor in any key limitations. Usually this means you have to stay with your budget, as you launch a new work plan. Listen to your feelings. Huh? This is like listening to gut hunches — usually right. But sometimes there are old emotions that surface to block your way. Your job is to discern the difference and act accordingly.

You can reach a key turning point in your love life on Tuesday, but you have be willing to examine any tension within regarding growth. Growth? That’s what a relationship is all about — growing together as a team. One unit that works together on all that life throws your way. Sometimes we get complacent and don’t want to “change”. But to grow, and go forward in life, you and your relationships need to develop and things do change when that happens. Embrace your new opportunities.

At midweek, someone you love can help you breakthrough some things that are holding you back. Wednesday presents an interesting mix of energies and some signs that your emotions may be getting in the way of your well being. What’s that mean? Well, for one, what feels good isn’t always the right thing to do. Then on the flips side, if you put things off because you “don’t feel like it,” then you might just be closing an important doorway. Have a reality check with yourself and stay focused on the important things in life.

Planets of Our Solar System: In this NASA image you can get a good idea of our planets in the skies above — the family of celestial orbs that Astrologers watch to determine key interactions and their influences on earth. From bottom: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto.

The weekend rolls in with the Moon working in conjunction with both the energies of Uranus (New Ideas) and Jupiter (Growth), on Saturday. During warm days of Summer, you may have a lot of good ideas for how to develop both your property, and your key relationships. That’s good. But, don’t expect a break-through until you carefully examine all restrictions — both self-imposed and otherwise. Often the only roadblock lies within yourself. Seize the weekend.

“…you have to first discern any self imposed limitations… then break through them.”

Happy Independence day to all Americans on Sunday, as we see a bit of tension in the air. Remember that tension between planets can manifest as areas to look at in your relationships. So, today you have an opportunity to talk and really listen well to your mate about anything getting in the way of your progress. Things never stand still. It will be good for your health to reveal the way of the spirit so you can grow together.

Monday finds the Moon (emotions) squaring off with Mercury (communication), plus three harmonies and three stress points to deal with. When Mercury is involved, this is a sign for you to exercise all good communication skills, both those for sharing yourself with others, and particularly for listening well. The three keys for your growth today are Love, Spirit, and Health. When you exercise your love at the Spiritual level (beyond lust), it brings you great blessings in life. You will find that whatever you thought was holding you back will melt away.

We find just two aspects of focus on Tuesday, as the Moon dances in Trine with Pluto and show tension with Saturn. This is a clear message that in order to get where you need to go in life, you have to first discern any self imposed limitations… then break through them. Often the only thing holding you back is yourself. We box ourselves in, and throw up walls. Someone may have told us we can’t do something… and we agreed. Break that agreement. Do what you need to do. And do so with principles and the guidance of God.

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.

Star Light of Milky Way: Courtesy once again of NASA, we can wonder at the millions of stars in our home Milky Way Galaxy, of which our own Sun is but one. And mixed throughout at black holes, our physicists report. What more wonders above, and below are yet to be seen?

Astro-Weekend Update…

On Saturday, Love likes restrictions. Huh? You know — the boundary thing. It might be time to give your mate some space. This can be difficult, because emotionally you may not want to do this. That’s ok. Just let your Spirit tell you what to do, because what is beset for your own growth — your health — is to do what is best for your love. This is how relationships are balanced between two individuals, and also how you balance yourself within — the yin/female and yang/male parts of your psyche. Just let these things be. When love is true there is no real distance, so let your partner have all the room they need.

“Someone close to you may ask you to do something “outside the boundaries” and which you feel is wrong.”

Sunday finds Love uneasy with matters of the Spirit. This can come about when we are in a relationship with someone whose spiritual goals are different than ours, and Sunday is a good day to test this. Pray together. All relationships go through transformations, and those that go the distance need more than one breakthrough. But if you keep feeling something opposing you — like a certain message from your gut just when you get started — then sooner or later the time will come to examine that honestly and openly.

On Monday, Flag Day in the US, we find Venus (Love) leading one harmony and one aspect with tension. Love likes new ideas today, but they may not be good for your health. Someone close to you may ask you to do something “outside the boundaries” and which you feel is wrong. Follow your instincts in this matter. Remember that certain kinds of tension appear in your life as warning signs. Don’t over-think things… just stand on your principles and do what you know to be right.

Love fills you up to the point where you could burst on Tuesday, and this brings a renewed confidence and energy to your life. Remember not to get completely carried away, but celebrate the good fruits of life that come to you. Work with your Love in a compassionate way, and you can overcome any unhealthy restrictions in time. Then your mood, your attitude — your lifestyle — will match the splendid feelings that come with bright days in early Summer. Seize the day.  Love will lead you down the path, but you will need to put all your principles to the test.