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.

Vision of Energy: Dwarf galaxy NGC 1569, in this NASA photo, apparently undergoing a burst of star forming activity, thought to have begun over 25 million years ago.

Astro-Weekend Update…

On Saturday, we the Moon showing three harmonies and two tension points, with Mars showing a bit of stress with Pluto. Challenge yourself by examining what you need to get done in terms of how it might lead to desired breakthroughs.  Is it better to study this weekend, achieve spiritual goals, or forget it all and just relax?  You might be feeling like putting some things off.  That’s ok for now.  A rich reward is years when you communicate well (that means listening) with loved ones.  Listen for ways to transform your life.

“…think of tension in two positive ways:  it is a way to prepare to launch, like the tension in a bow before firing an arrow; and it might indicate an opportunity to learn something to take you beyond what is “stressing you out.”

On Sunday, we see some stress between Venus and Uranus — indicating some tension in your romantic life around new ideas. Meanwhile the Moon is working in conjunction with Jupiter — the great planet of growth.  Emotional growth is the pattern, and just as we are always learning intellectually, we can also learn new and better ways to deal with things emotionally.  We also see some tension about getting things started today — ask yourself what you are feeling that is preventing you from moving ahead.  Then envision your goal, and bring it into sharp focus.

Monday shows energy for you to feel like you can get started on projects at work or home, but then some interesting tension. Tension is a double-edged sword… it can key you up for success, or block your progress, if you let it.  To make it work for you, think of tension in two positive ways:  it is a way to prepare to launch, like the tension in a bow before firing an arrow; and it might indicate an opportunity to learn something to take you beyond what is “stressing you out.”  Venus, planet of love shows stress with the Moon and Saturn — look at any restrictions between loved ones, and find creative ways to change things.

Tuesday comes in quiet with just two aspects playing in the Cosmos.  We see the Moon showing tension with both Neptune (Spirituality), and Chiron (Health). The Moon is ruler of emotions and often indicates messages from the subconscious realm.  This provides an opportunity for you to examine and surface a deep “issue” that you can resolve with strength of Spirit — a healthy outcome.  Are things really that simple?  Yes — except for the details.  You may have heard that God is in the details?  You can often find the devil there too.  Fix your mind on a desired big picture goal, and the details will work out.

What Wonders still may Come? The galaxy shown above, a type of object known as a “blazar.” Like many active galaxies, a blazar emits oppositely directed jets of particles traveling near the speed of light as matter falls into a central supermassive black hole. NASA scientists are not yet sure what it means, but one thing is certain — we are constantly influenced on earth by massive energies from the cosmos.

Astro-Weekend Update…

As the weekend rolls in, Saturday finds the Moon (Emotions) working in conjunction with both Neptune and Chiron. This makes for magical Pisces sort of day when your Spirit will carry you forward and heal some of the stress you may feel. If you have been trying to take action, but feel thwarted… relax. Let the Light of your Spirit shine today as you take a break from things. Recreation is in order as a light spirit carries the day.

“…your opportunity is to shine on as you enjoy talking with those close to you over a pleasant coffee break.”

Sunday finds Mercury — planet of intelligence and communication — working in conjunction with the Sun (Personality). The Moon (Emotions) shows harmony with Pluto (breakthrough). Putting these influences together means that your opportunity is to shine on as you enjoy talking with those close to you over a pleasant coffee break. Think about how much gets done in life by inspirations enjoyed in conversation. We also see a bit of stress regarding initiative — that’s ok… you can get started on bold new ideas as the week takes off.

Monday offers a rare day of quadruple conjunctions where planetary energies combine in several areas to bring about a strong start for your week. Mercury appears twice, lending its communicative energy to both the Moon and Uranus. Today you will find writing project plans, and communicating them to team members a successful effort. At home, the balanced feeling extends into family and romantic relationships. Enjoy it.

Tuesday looks good for starting new plans, and relationships. The Moon is dancing in trine with Mars — a good alignment to launch those things you may have put on hold. Pick up the phone and call that person you’ve been neglecting. Spring is here, and this is St. Paddy’s week — anything can happen now. That’s the magic that’s really all around us, and behind all that happens, at work.

Light Dance in Cosmos: NASA’s Swift satellite beamed back this image of Andromeda, our neighboring galaxy, in one of the highest-resolution views of a spiral galaxy ever attained in the ultraviolet. Planets, Stars, Worlds, all whirling in an endless kaleidoscope of Light.

Astro-Weekend Update…

As Saturday rolls in, we find a day where romance feels good — whoo hoo. That’s good, because now there are some celestial alignments indicating tension in the air. Remember, that life is about tension. You can’t shoot your arrows until your bow is drawn tense. So bring a focus in on what’s best, and use the energy to stay alert as you enjoy the day.

“…simple “cosmic” advice — it’s good for your health to communicate with Spirit.”

Sunday pops up with a swirl of energy in the heavens. We see the Moon (Emotions) squaring off with the Sun (Personality) — is there a gut hunch you need to listen to? The Moon is also playing nice with Mars (Initiative), Uranus (New Ideas), and Saturn (Practicality) today. That recipe is simple… use the day to try out some new ideas… but stay down to earth with them.

The week starts off with come creative tension in the air, Monday. Remember that a certain kind of stress is necessary as you prepare to move ahead. But sometimes someone, or some incident creates a block. Today, we see emotional blocks in your romantic and growth areas. Don’t bury it — use this as an opportunity to learn. Remember the prescription: Feel, Deal, Heal. That’s how you make progress in life.

The Moon dances in triple trine on Tuesday with Mercury (Communication), Neptune (Spirituality), and Chiron (Health). This is simple “cosmic” advice — it’s good for your health to communicate with Spirit. The double meaning is intended… prayer is your personal link to Spirit, and you should always be passionate about your ideas when presenting them to others. This will help you break through to the next level in your career, home life, and relationships.

Let your Love be a SuperNOVA: Using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, scientists have created a stunning new image of one of the youngest supernova remnants in the galaxy. When you burst with the energy in your own relationships, you too can bask in a beautiful after glow. As above, so below.

Astro-Weekend Update…

Here’s to a healthy celebration of Romance On Saturday, we see a triple Moon conjunction with the Sun, Chiron, and Neptune. Hey… that’s a good sign for Valentine’s day, and shows the spirit of the holiday will be good for your health. Valentines are about love and romance, so let your heart be open in this time of celebration. True, honest, open Love will guide you where you need to go.

“Let your personality shine, and it’s not only good for romance, but good for your health.”

Sunday looks busy for all you Valentines. Venus is not into restrictions and initiative today. Recall that Men are from Mars, and Women are from Venus. Guys — you’re up. Let your personality shine, and it’s not only good for romance, but good for your health. That’s the Spirit. With the right care, this can lead to a transformation in your relationship and move it to the next leve.

On Monday, Venus shows harmony with Pluto, and initiative loves restriction. Huh? Let’s take those one at a time. The first, about Venus and Pluto, shows some residual affects from Valentine’s Day — your relationship can still transform and grow as you enjoy the “day after.” It’s also President’s Day, so thanks to all our past and present Presidents (who would really want that job?). Today is not best to launch new projects, or if you do… do it with an eye toward efficiency and economy — the second part of our celestially inspired advice for the day.

Tuesday comes in relatively quiet in the heavens with the Moon showing some tension with Mercury, but working in conjunction with Uranus. This means while you feel inclined toward some new ideas today (a new project at work, a new recipe for dinner, etc.), you need to pay careful attention to how you communicate it to those concerned. Venus is also working in conjunction with Jupiter to set up a feeling of joy and abundance in your relationships. Enjoy.

Black Holes — Powerful Galactic Wonders: This artist’s concept depicts a supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy. NASA’s Galaxy Evolution Explorer found evidence that black holes — once they grow to a critical size — stifle the formation of new stars in elliptical galaxies. The grayish structure surrounding the black hole, called a torus, is made up of gas and dust. Beyond the torus, only the old red-colored stars that make up the galaxy can be seen. There are no new stars in the galaxy.

On Saturday, we see four harmonies, and three emotional square offs in play. This should be interesting since you will find it easy to talk about some new ideas with friends and family, but you will need to listen carefully to your own words, and those of others to see what blocks might be in the way. People resist change — that’s human. And, there are other emotions that get in the way sometimes. Have patience, and learn to work through these temporary challenges — the result will be all that much more worth the effort.

“Four strong harmonies lead the way into the start of the week on Monday, with Neptune (Spirituality) especially in play.”

Sunday finds the Moon (Emotions), dancing in harmony with Saturn, and in trine with Mars, but squaring off with Jupiter, and showing tension with Mercury. This configuration brings an opportunity to try some new things within the boundaries set by your relationships. It’s not the time to shoot higher. Listen well, and you may discover what the underlying tension in your communication is about. This will be healthy for your relationship.

Four strong harmonies lead the way into the start of the week on Monday, with Neptune (Spirituality) especially in play. Venus (Love) is working with Neptune, and the Moon (Emotions) is blending positive energy, so you will find that when you show your Spirit with your mate, it will be a positive force for growth. Keep your conversations to familiar subjects, and let your passion shine.

Tuesday brings a harmony with Jupiter — planet of expansion — as the Moon squares off with Saturn — planet of limitations. Around you at work and at home you will sense a feeling that growth is now possible. Financially, 2010 looks like a year when we continue to work out of the economic recession. This transformation will require careful consideration of the right moves to make for initiatives at work, and in your personal life. Move carefully, and strategically — and growth is possible.

Hurricane in the Heavens: Think of the immense, uncalcuable energy at play in this distant “whirlpool” Galaxy with its companion Galaxy of millions of Stars as caught by NASA’s deep space photography. All is energy, in the Universe.

Astro-Weekend Update…

Saturday arrives with some lingering tension, though the Moon is working now in conjunction with Mars to bring a feeling of progress to the table. Again, understanding emotional discord — getting to the root of it, is what’s called for now. Remember that what we see in others, is often a mirror of our own self — our projections. Use this wisdom to look in your own mirror so you can grow and move on. Full Moon energy is available to you today as you harvest what you began months earlier.

Remember that good, creative tension is what it takes to get things done.

Sunday finds the Moons emotional energies working well with Pluto — planet of Transformation. This is a sign that some of the tension you are feeling can be changed into something good. How? That’s the key question, and while the specific answer varies from person to person — there are some other clues today too. Emotional growth is being restricted by something Spiritual in nature. You can get beyond it, but you need to take some good, healthy, steps forward — have a good look in the self-help section of your favorite bookstore.

Monday users in February, as Winter cycles toward Spring. Today is a good day to talk things over and listen well, as the Moon dances in trine with Mercury. But Mercury is showing some tension with Jupiter — planet of expansion — so it is not the best day to propose new initiatives. Instead check in on projects, and relationships, and enjoy the collaboration and conversation. It will do you good.

Tuesday finds some sparks of tension in the air as the Moon works well with Mars — planet of beginnings — but shows some stress with five other planets. Remember that good, creative tension is what it takes to get things done — a hurricane of helpful energy may be generated and used wisely. You need a certain nerve to forge ahead. But don’t press too hard today, instead, take it easy. You will get more started by taking practical, well planned, small steps toward your goals. Save the bold moves for the right timing.

“As above so below” goes the ancient saying, and the heavens can be a mirror of our world and all its energies as this intriguing photo from NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope shows. The Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy to our own Milky Way galaxy, in some ways resembles a large world in the cosmos.

Astro-Weekend Update…

Saturday finds two astro-aspects brought to bear on the weekend, with the Moon showing tension with Uranus, and in opposition with Mars. You might be feeling you don’t want to do anything new today… just hang out in comfortable clothes at the coffee shop in the bookstore. It’s a perfect day for that… wind down and debrief after the holidays. Isn’t that what weekends are for?

“And, as life goes on, aren’t we all continually launching idea arrows, starting new projects, and taking new approaches to problems?”

Sunday shows some tension in the area of communicating about matters that might feel restrictive. One example — staying on budget. Listening well, and cooperating in the best Spirit of compromise can get you where you need to go. Remember to first consider what you are feeling and deal with it. Don’t hold any grudges. Speak your truth honestly and quietly. Then do what’s best for God, your relationships, and your self.

On Monday, the Moon joins forces with Jupiter, planet of abundance to indicated a time when breakthroughs may come. How so? Well nothing comes to you except through communication, so practice listening and speaking well — it is the secret to all success. There’s a bit of tension in the area of “restrictions” today. Feeling a mid-month budget pinch? Remember to plan ahead, and that it all works out in the end.

The Moon shows some stress with Mars on Tuesday. Recall that there is good stress in life, like that in a bow before you launch an arrow. And, as life goes on, aren’t we all continually launching idea arrows, starting new projects, and taking new approaches to problems? So remember to use any gut reaction to what you need to do, as the kind of stress that makes you attentive, and ready for growth. The heavens also indicate you should have a look at your love relationship today — what stress can you set to rest there?

Nova Blue and Red: The large pink area in upper right is part of N76, a large star forming region, while the blue wisp at bottom is remnants of a large Super Nova explosion — composite of several images taken by NASA’s Hubble Telescope.

Astro-Weekend Update…

Saturday looks like a fun one as emotions are lined up for Love. Whoo hooo. But there are some stress indicators too, so after the lovin pay some attention to health communication. You know… where you talk about some deep stuff. Hey, there’s more to romance than just sex, and one of life’s great rewards is connecting on a Spiritual level. That’s good for the health of the relationship… and your own health too.

Just like work-outs are good for the body, so reading, meditation, prayer and other activities are good for the soul.

On Sunday, the Moon dances in trine with Uranus a sign that you feel open to new possibilities. How will you explore them? An outing to a new part of town… or stay in and learn more about your mate? We also see the Moon (emotions) squaring off with Chiron, Neptune and Jupiter. This indicates some emotional roadblocks for growth that could go against your Spiritual health. Pray. Meditate. Feel, deal, then heal.

Monday looks a bit quiet, but a good day to seize the iniative and get things rolling. Interesting to see Venus working in conjunction with the Sun, while the Moon shows tension with both. One possibility here is that you might not be paying attention to your gut instincts. It’s sometime easier to go with your head (ie. “everyone loves my proposal”) than to listen to intuition. Don’t make that mistake.

Tuesday sees the Moon in triple harmony with Chiron, Neptune and Jupiter. I always like this alignment because it brings a healthy energy for spiritual growth. But even though the energy potential is there — you have to do some work, fun as it may be. Just like work-outs are good for the body, so reading, meditation, prayer and other activities are good for the soul. Don’t be blocked from exploring some new ideas.