This new years party mask configuration is 114 million light years away in the swirling cores of two merging galaxies called NGC 2207 and IC 2163 in the distant Canis Major constellation

Happy holiday Friday — here’s wishing you a good Thanksgiving weekend. We’re still rolling with the inspirational energy of the Thanksgiving day New Moon, so maybe that will help you on your shopping trips. Friday turned out busy with Venus (Love) playing well with Uranus (New Ideas) — perfect to help you figure out what to get your loved ones. And the Moon (Emotions) was playing well with Neptune (Spirituality) — so listen to those old Christmas tunes, and get in the Spirit.

“It is strength of Spirit that nurtures us in sudden misfortune, and resolving hard feelings is often an act inspired by and motivated within your Spirit.”

Earlier this week, the Moon (Emotions), was dancing well with Saturn (Practicality), and Jupiter (Growth). This fostered a nice feeling of practical growth as Thanksgiving rolls around. If you think about it that’s appropriate since Thanksgiving is a practical holiday where people are well-fed, and not without a bit of growth! The Moon was also in Trine with Uranus, so I wouldn’t be surprised if you found yourself brainstorming some new ways to proceed — at work, and in your private life. Remember that New Moons are times for new beginnings… and that will work out well… even in “old” relationships.

Saturday shows Venus (Love) working well with Saturn (Restrictions) — so if you’ve got to set some limits on how you go about your Romance and family life, this is a good day to do it. Limits? Sure — everyone does better when clear boundaries are set. Maybe you need some more time for yourself. Maybe you need to tell the kids to respect parents’ time. Maybe it’s time for a chat with your partner about your own needs and desires. This can actually bring about a change for the better — a renewal in relationships — and the Moon’s energy is working with Pluto (energy of transformation) to facilitate it today.

Sunday finds the Moon (Emotions) at odds with the tides of Neptune (Spirituality). People are sometimes surprised that their emotions tap into the Spiritual at all, but much does go on beneath the surface, and in dreams. It is strength of Spirit that nurtures us in sudden misfortune, and resolving hard feelings is often an act inspired by and motivated within your Spirit. Neptune has also represented Religion, and Illusion at times. Interesting that those two go hand and hand. Much of the Spirit’s highest calling can be misrepresented in life, so it is best to pray for discernment.

Above, NASA Hubble Space Telescope image of the Antennae galaxies (NGC 4038 & 4039) shows this merging pair of galaxies. During the course of the collision, billions of new stars will be formed. (Click to Enlarge)

Welcome to Friday…The Moon (Emotions) is doing a dance with Venus (Love) as we end our week, and cooperating with Mercury (Communication), so look forward to a romance filled Friday. But remember that the key is Communication, and that means BOTH talking and listening. It also means giving careful consideration to what you wish to say, and how to say it so the other person can hear it “in their own language.” What language? Well, I mean English, but relationship advisers often point out that people respond to different words and adjectives. Do you know your mate’s “love language?”

On Sunday, the Sun and Moon are in balance, and the Moon is playing with Pluto — a planet with energy vibrating for rejuvenation

Earlier in the week, there was a feeling of renewal in the air as the Fall season really came on and you took a look at annual projects to determine ways to do them better this year. This with the power of the Aries full Moon on last Tuesday evening brought a sense of purpose, heightened still more by the Moon’s conjunction with Mars — the planet of initiative. Time to get things done — you can carry this into your weekend.

Saturday finds the Moon squaring off with two big, but distant planets — Saturn (Practicality), and Uranus (New Ideas). Remember those new projects you brainstormed earlier? Go ahead and use those new ideas in a practical, down to earth (compare Lowes to Home Depot, for best prices, etc.) way. The Moon is also dancing nice with Neptune, paradoxically the planet of both Religion and Illusion. How do you discern the difference? You can pray for that discernment. Reminds me of the old Moody Blues poem that ends, “but we decide which is right — and which is an illusion.” To that I would just add that God already knows.

On Sunday, the Sun and Moon are in balance, and the Moon is playing with Pluto — a planet with energy vibrating for rejuvenation. You could use a little “R and R” — couldn’t you? After all, a certain amount of stress can come about from the “work” required in love relationships (shown by a stressful position with Venus), so a break will do you good. At least get away to a park — before the weather heads into the Winter zone.

The ESO (European Southern Observatory) shot this picture of galaxies interacting — part of the astrological forces that influence us on earth.

Welcome to Friday. It’s a busy day for the Moon (Emotions) with a number of planets forming a lively dance in the heavens — Mercury, Venus, and Mars are partnering with the Moon, and so it’s a good day to take the initiative to speak about your love life goals with your romantic interest. Probably an early Fall evening out with dinner and music are in order. But the Moon is also stressing a bit with Pluto (transformation) and the Sun (Personality), so things are not so simple. Are they ever? So, yes — it’s a good time to talk, but don’t expect an immediate change. Give it time.

“Harmony, then discord — so go the cycles of life. Remember that change, growth and development… all come with some ‘stress’…”

Earlier in the week Venus (Love, Women) was in conjunction (Interacting) with Mars (Initiative, Men). This made it a natural to work things out with coworkers of the opposite sex, and also with your family members or partners of the opposite sex. Remember the book, “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus”? That’s catchy — and true a lot of the time as the two sexes have different ways of relating to others and to the world. Did you find some easy going at work or at home? What about new brainstorms you had earlier in the week — did you right them down so you can work on them later?

The Moon was in the groove with Uranus (New Ideas), so you may have noticed good ideas percolating in your workplace, and also in your family life. Getting out of the rut — brainstorming improved way to do things. That’s the ticket, but you need to follow through now. There’s was also a little stress showing with Saturn — a planet that generally influences restrictions. Isn’t that the way it goes? You have a new idea… but others are resistant to change. Hang in there, real progress can only come from good new ideas and the change they inspire.

Looking into the weekend, the Moon (Emotions) is getting a little feisty on Saturday, showing some stress with Mars, Mercury, and Venus. That’s Initiative, Communication, and Love. This comes after cooperation with the same planetary energies yesterday (Friday). Harmony, then discord — so go the cycles of life. Remember that change, growth and development (in your family, career, romances, etc.) all come with some “stress” on the learning curve when you move ahead. That’s life. So, if you had a good conversation with a loved one on Friday, you could see a little “positive” stress on Saturday as the details get worked out. “Postitive stress?” Sure. Stress is a natural part of life and if it helps you get somewhere you need to go — that’s “positive,” right?

The Education of Achilles (ca. 1772) by James Barry (1741-1806), oil on canvas, depicting the education of Achilles by the centaur Chiron. Located at the Yale Center for British Art.

Welcome to March. Spring is on its way, and today Venus is working with Pluto to influence motives that might not necessarily be on the surface. Ever wonder what the intention is behind what someone says to you? It will be good to reflect on intention and motivation this weekend, and what you discern and learn can lead to a breakthrough in your relationships. Much of motivation is initiated by feelings — that’s why Advertising gurus insist that purchases are made on emotion, rather than logic.

“What a week. Heal, Deal, then Feel all over again. You have the sensitivity now to tune in to your higher self…”

We’re headed toward a new Moon (Emotion) in Pisces (Spiritual) this week (on Friday), so 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.

How was your weekend? Venus was working with Chiron for a couple of days in the heavens to bring you needed healing energy. In Mythology, Chiron, a Centaur, was a great healer, astrologer, and respected oracle, the last remaining centaur was most revered as a teacher and tutor. You can meditate on that image and think about how teaching, healing, and the energy from above are all interconnected.

Looking toward Wednesday, we can see that Venus (Love) and Neptune are dancing together to once again bring emotions to play for new beginnings. What a week. Heal, Deal, then Feel all over again. You have the sensitivity now to tune in to your higher self, and get what you need from groups, gatherings, and the new ideas and brainstorms that are generated. In two days, the New Moon will help you launch those plans that come from this time with a new energy and a Springtime surge.