Eccentric Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun. Like the other giant planets, Uranus has a ring system, a magnetosphere, and numerous moons, but it is tilted at an odd angle. It’s energy is that of new ideas, and new approaches to the plans in your life, and it is very active this week.

Sunday brought a double dose of both Mercury energy (Communication), and Venus — ruler of romance — showing a bit of tension with both Mercury and the Moon. The Holiday Season has arrived. As old friends and family get together, often there are emotional currents that find their way to the surface. Don’t hide from it, deal with it upfront, and direct, but in a nice ‘considerate’ way—remember the Golden Rule. Find a way to embrace these emotions like you would a good friend… because they are your friends.  Yes, all that you deal with in your life, including your emotions, are indeed your guides through the rivers and seas of life. Listen well, and learn.

“…look very carefully at how failed communication can block the growth you seek.”

We launched the holiday week on Monday with a triple appearance, this time by Chiron (Health), Uranus (New Ideas), and Mercury — (ruler of communications and also right now in retrograde) the intelligent planet of discourse. And tonight if you’re on the west coast or Hawaii, a Lunar Eclipse—-for others, eastern and central time, in the early am, Tuesday. It’s a bit foggy due to the excessive rain on the west coast and Hawaii, so it will be a bit difficult to see. It’s important this week, especially today and tomorrow, to Communicate healthy ideas. Avoid getting caught up in any drama—-you’ll be thinking in dramatic terms, perhaps even a bit confused, and even feeling as though you’re in the midst of chaos with all the information coming at you from all different angles stirring up your feelings. The New ideas you have will spark you to uncover a healthy dialog with others as well as yourself, but you may have to deal with a couple issues, to actually get there.  I recommend first that you engage in healthy self talk, enabling your internal “recorder” to remember to take the necessary steps to fulfill your communication dreams, wishes and desires. Could there be a better way to end one year and start another one?

On Tuesday, we find a very interesting mix of conjunctions, oppositions, harmonies and tension. In the big picture of things, there are always relationships that are working out well, even amid the usual amount of stress and turmoil. C’est la vie — that’s life! But look very carefully at how failed communication can block the growth you seek. This can be because you are not clear about your desires? Well, if you don’t know what you want, then who would?  Refrain from clamming up —-when you truly need to open up and talk. It’s time you express yourself clearly and positively.  Use presence of mind, meditation and  prayer or two to address any relational concerns.

At mid-week, we find a bit of tug and pull as you ready yourself to enjoy the holiday weekend. Your keys for Wednesday are all about trusting your gut or your intuition when deciding what to say to those important to you, respecting the right parameters set by you and others, and opening your heart to your family and friends. This also clears a pathway to the spirit so you can get beyond any roadblocks in your important relationships. You will get there — you always do. And the holidays are going to be your best ever, this year. Enjoy!!

Saturn, our only planet with distinct bounding rings (as captured by NASA’s Hubble Telescope), reminds us of the harmony we achieve when in balance within our boundaries. Countries have borders. Real estate has property lines. And so too, relationships have bounds and limits to be respected, including the values and principles of your mate.

Weekend Astro-Update

The weekend dawns Saturday, with a feeling in the air of embracing abundance. We are in challenging times, & especially during the holidays, when it’s easy to feel challenged about staying on a budget, dealing with less in the IRA and 401K, you certainly don’t want to even think about borrowing from those areas. The trick is to look around you and celebrate all the abundance within our natural resources, still here, surrounding us every day. Life itself is abundant. In the US, things are still in more generously abundant than anywhere else in the world. Celebrate this in your Spirit, offer gratitude.

“Pay special attention to your emotions and in particular to any subconscious assumptions you may have made.”

On Sunday we find Mercury (Communication) working in conjunction with Pluto (Transformation) — a clear indication that your discussions and social events will be very important for you in the upcoming weeks ahead, when. A mystery could be solved, although you may not recognize this until later in the month, during Mercury Retrograde. There’s a certain balance about you as the Moon (Emotions) works with the Sun (Power & Personality) enabling your light to shine, even over the most dark & difficult places. You’re feeling good about your circumstances & within your environment. Take a moment to pay special attention to your partner today, doing so will smooth out any tension.

The work-week launches with a mixed bag of astro-energies & influences as the Moon squares off with Jupiter and Uranus, dancing in harmony with Neptune and Chiron on Monday. It’s also working in conjunction with Mars (Action) planet of initiative, helping you forge ahead even though there’s some resistance to your new ideas. You overcome any stress with strength of Spirit, recognizing that a certain amount of ‘positive tension’ is necessary to actually get the work done & keep it interesting by allowing you to apply your individual creativity.  Seize the week.

Tuesday finds a recurrent of boundaries as the holiday season forges ahead, & romance is looking hot for the day. What boundaries? Budgets still remain one kind of “restriction”, and in relationships, each person sets up their own “parameters.” Once you establish, accept and are able to respect these boundaries, your life goes much more smoothly, allowing you actually, more freedom. Pay special attention to your emotions, avoid  subconscious assumptions. Being presumptuous only creates mind freaks & emotional melt downs, and really how does that help you or your situation? It doesn’t!

Mercury Retrograde on Friday! We’ll talk more about that next week!
Aloha!!

Wondrous Planets: This image from the Hubble Space Telescope in 2005 shows Pluto, its moon Charon (below and right of center) and two newly discovered moons to the right. All the planets exert influence (gravity, etc.) on one another… and so upon Earth.

Time changed, falling back one hour, on a sleepy Fall Sunday. We also saw the Moon (Emotions) working in conjunction with Mars (Initiation) to bring the right mood to get things done. These can be home projects, shopping, cleaning, or maybe some work on a work project to get the jump on the week ahead. Venus is also glowing on Sunday, so you might even add in some love spice to the mix this week.

“Emotionally, you can make a breakthrough at work which could lead to a transfer or promotion, and in your relationship you could come to new understandings about where you’re going.”

Monday starts off a bit slow with a feeling of staying safe within boundaries in the air. This is not the day to make a risky move at work, or even at home. There’s a time for change, and also a time to stay the course and let it run. You also have an opportunity to look at some tension in your relationships today. Learn more about it by listening carefully to those you love.

On Tuesday, we find the Moon working in conjunction with Pluto — planet of transformation. What does that mean? Emotionally, you can make a breakthrough at work which could lead to a transfer or promotion, and in your relationship you could come to new understandings about where you’re going. How does it happen? Celestially, we also see the Moon (Emotions) in harmony with Chiron and Neptune — healthy spirituality. Emotions provide the impetus, and the Spirit carries us forward.

Midweek dawns with a note of tension in the air on Wednesday. Remember that a certain amount of tension — even stress — is what is required to get things done. Think of shooting an arrow — no tension in the bow, and the arrow goes nowhere. Deadlines bring a kind of tension too. You will need to communicate well today, and that means really listening, to get what you need to do completed. Even though you might feel boxed in, that won’t last forever. Just do what you know is right.

Energy of Stars: This explosive release of energy from a star, packed the power of thousands of solar flares, as conceptualized by NASA which recorded the flare with its SWIFT Satellite. Flares release energy across the electromagnetic spectrum, and flares from our own Sun are capable of disrupting all communications on Earth, among other things..

Weekend Astro Update…

Sunday dawns with quiet certitude as your enjoyable day brings opportunities for growth. Talk with your mate about some new ideas for a quick outing. Go enjoy that bookstore. Have a good cup of coffee or tea. It is a time for entertaining all the new things you may create together. It is a day when your future shines brightly. What else are weekends all about?

“Remember — it’s healthy to be Spiritual. How to do this with your mate? Just talk about it.”

The work-week starts out with a lot of busy energy as Monday kicks off. There’s tension in the air, so remember to sort out the good kind and work with it. Good tension? Yes — like creative tension when you are working to solve something on a project. You will have a good gut instinct today about how to proceed, so use those good communication skills to put this across to your colleagues and mate.

Tuesday appears a bit quieter in the heavens as the Moon (Emotions) finds harmony with Saturn (Limitations), and the Sun (Personality) embraces transformation. Mercury is also nervous about growth, and this sets up a day when you would rather feel safe by sticking with what you know — staying in your comfort zone. That’s ok sometimes, but you need to make sure that your motivation is not simply fear of change. Breakthroughs come through growth.

At mid-week, we see the heavens becoming more active again, and Chiron (Health) and Neptune (Spirituality) will play key roles in your love relationship, on Wednesday. Remember — it’s healthy to be Spiritual. How to do this with your mate? Just talk about it. Even agnostics have a Spiritual position, and it is good for you to examine exactly where you stand. Life is a long series of learning about your principles, and so the choices you make. Pray.

The Universe on Fire: This galaxy, called Messier 82, or the “Cigar galaxy,” was previously known to host a hotbed of young, massive stars. According to NASA, the new Spitzer telescope image “reveals, for the first time, the “smoke” surrounding those stellar fires.”

Sunday finds Mercury (Communication) active twice — showing tension with Jupiter, and harmony with the Moon. You feel like you need to talk with someone, but there might be some areas out of bounds. Meanwhile we also show some favorable aspects for Spiritual health and so honest communication will do you good. Let your personality shine, but follow you gut and don’t push to much today.

“Trust your gut instincts as you work through new ideas for ways to get ahead.”

The work-week begins with a busy set of cosmic energies in play on Monday, as the Moon shows harmony with Pluto and Venus, while Mercury is active three times. Even though you feel a little tension about revealing yourself today, when you talk honestly with the right people… it will be good with your health. Sometimes it’s hard to decide to go one step forward, or take a step back. Let your intuition guide you today, more than logic.

Tuesday finds the Sun (Personality) dancing in harmony with Neptune and Chiron. Give yourself some credit for the strength of Spirit you have forged. This has been a theme since Sunday, and there are reasons to celebrate. Sometimes we’re too busy to notice as adults, the “wins” we savored as a child. But even though the playing field changes there’s still the good fight each day. A successful project. Getting all the To Do list items done. And as you make all these gains you are winning — enjoy it.

Mid-week, emotional activity picks up as Jupiter (growth and prosperity) come into play on Wednesday. Growth is what a family, or a business needs to be secure and prosper. Trust your gut instincts as you work through new ideas for ways to get ahead. And, don’t let fear of change hold you back. Keep your spirit focused on your goals, and take the initiative necessary to get things moving, and to get things done.

Mysterious Galaxies: NASA photo showing weak distortions of the many distant faint blue galaxies all over the image, however, that indicates the existence of the dark matter ring.

Weekend Update…

Sunday brings the energy of Jupiter (Expansion), and Neptune (New Ideas) into the realm of emotional power. How many good ideas have you had on a Sunday? Write them down. Discuss them with your mate. We also find the Moon (Emotions) squaring off with Neptune and Chiron. No matter your religious belief, each soul you meet and yours as well can find roadblocks from time to time. Follow your heart and right guidance from a mentor you trust.

“…make plans for growth that will bring the transformation you seek.”

The week launches with the Moon sharing strengths with Saturn and Mercury on Monday. Some people navigate through the workplace on gut feelings more than others, but today is a good day to trust an inner hunch about how to communicate the design of an important plan you have. Trust the instinct you have about it. Remember that where teams are involved — whether two in a relationship, or several at work — the key is the right communication at the right time.

Tuesday sets up astro-energies where you feel a certain inner balance and health as you work through your day. The spirit with which you approach your tasks to today is important. Get an important message done and out of the way first. And remember that your love relationships are as important and more important than your career. Take a moment during a break to meditate and pray about your important values then enjoy the day.

Midweek, the Moon is working with Pluto (breakthrough) to set up the potential for a real gain on Wednesday. But you know the old saying, “no gain without pain?” Athletes understand that well, but for the rest of us it means that real progress never comes easy. You might feel boxed in by certain restrictions. Don’t let that chew you up inside. Instead make plans for growth that will bring the transformation you seek. You have time. You can do this.

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.

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.