Eclipse of the Moon: Just as the New Year wipes clean the old year, so a Lunar Eclipse, like the one that happened last Thursday, brings a moment of change, hope and Truth to bear on us all. The effect is even more striking due to the heightened intensity of a full Blue Moon for the eclipse. This is the perfect energy to use as you transform your goals and ambitions for the New Year.Astro-Weekend Update…

Astro-Weekend Update…

Happy New Year! The residual effects of the Full Blue Moon Eclipse of Thursday should be felt throughout the weekend and into next week. It comes with very astute timing as we end the first decade of a new millenium — Eclipses are times to take a personal look at your personal and public life, find what must change, and proceed accordingly.  Blue Moons, happen rarely, and in conjunction with a Full Moon can bring the energy you need for transformation in your life.

On Saturday, we see the Moon playing well with Saturn, Venus in tension with Neptune, and some other stress indicators. One is between the Moon (Emotions) and Venus again — the planet of love and romance.  What can you address spiritually that will be good for your relationships with mates?  There may be something of a practical matter to discuss.  Get it out of the way early — then enjoy the rest of the holiday.

“Change is always a bit of challenge.  But good change means good growth — and that’s what you need.”

On Sunday we see Mars, planet of initiative, appearing twice — at odds with Pluto, but in conjunction with the Moon. This translates to you feeling that changes must be made to embrace the New Year, but that this is not without a little stress.  Change is always a bit of challenge.  But good change means good growth — and that’s what you need.  Get to the root of what’s bothering you, and you will learn the keys to break through what might hold you back.

Monday begins harmoniously with the Moon dancing in trine with four spheres — Pluto, Venus, Mercury, and the Sun. This is a great way to start the week, and means that you can find ways to communicate, today, that can lead to breakthroughs with those close to you.  Venus, while emotionally pleased, is showing stress with Jupiter — planet of Growth.  Ask yourself how you might grow this year in your love relationships, and what hurdles you can leap over.

Tuesday shows some tension as the realities of work and projects take hold after the holidays. Time to focus in on work, and have a good look at ways to address challenges for practical growth… in the workplace, and also at home.  Did you make some resolutions?  That’s great… now the hard work of keeping them begins. But if you remember that work, can also be “play” — the job will go easier, and you’ll have more fun.

The Wonders of Time & Light: Approximately 100 million years ago, a smaller galaxy plunged through the heart of the Cartwheel galaxy, creating ripples of brief star formation. We “see” this image now because our sky images from NASA capture the past in the present due to the length of time for light to travel to our planet.

Astro-Weekend Update…

Saturday brings us a time when Love will heal your nerves and your soul — spend it with those close to you. There’s a feeling of just doing what you know is comfortable today — watch a game, enjoy a late morning coffee, play with the dogs. When it’s all “said and done” those simple pleasures are perhaps more important than the greatest projects of mankind which come and go, while the life of the soul is eternal.

“…the Winter Solstice (on Monday) signals the rebirth of the Light as the Sun starts to return to prominence. Think Spiritual rebirth.”

Sunday finds a harmony between Venus (Love) and Jupiter (Expansion) — a perfect aspect for the holidays. If there’s one thing the season is about it’s returning to the source of love in your life and feeling it grow as you do. The Moon (Emotions) is showing some tension with the Sun, Pluto, Saturn, and Mars. This can translate into uncertainty about what gifts to get for people. Follow your heart. Listen to your intuition. They will guide you toward what is true… this Christmas.

Monday comes in busy with eight astro-aspects to consider including harmonies with the Sun, Venus, Saturn — a nice down to earth configuration for enjoying your mate and loved ones. Have a coffee and good conversation together. It is also the Winter Solstice today, which signals the rebirth of the Light as the Sun starts to return to prominence. Think Spiritual rebirth. We also find the Moon working in conjunction with both Saturn and Jupiter to keep things real as you enjoy what the Christmas week brings.

Tuesday looks quiet as the Moon show harmony with Pluto, planet of Transformation, while showing some tension with both Saturn and Mercury. Last minute gift shopping and preparations can bring a bit of stress — but it is good stress that plays out later as the stuff that creates long lasting memories. Recall childhood when the Christmas season could bring new adventures, new friends, new approaches to life. The same opportunities are available in adulthood… if you watch for them. That’s the wonder of the holidays.

Other Star Systems, Other Planets: NASA artist’s concept of the star Fomalhaut and the Jupiter-type planet that the Hubble Space Telescope observed. Observations taken 21 months apart by Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys’ coronagraph show that the planet — named Fomalhaut B — is moving along a path around the star.

Friday finds the Moon in three trines, and two harmonies — a favorable day for getting things done. Pay attention to what your Spirit inspires you to do today, since that will perk up your personality and give you the initiative you need at work and at home. Neptune (Spirituality) is pleased with the Moon — a good feeling — but somewhat at odds with Mercury… a sign that you may need to express your thoughts about Spiritual matters with someone close to you.

“Listen to your intuition. It’s not the size of the gift or quantity that counts. It’s what is expressed from your heart.”

On Saturday, we see a balanced day with two harmonies, and two stress indicators. Remember, that there is such a thing as good stress — just like a bow requires tension to shoot a straight arrow, so does the right amount of stress bring an alert state of mind to help you reach goals in life. Keep your wits about you today, and watch for a breakthrough with friends and loved ones when you take time for honest communication.

Sunday brings an opportunity for healing those parts of your personality that need some new ideas to break through the hurdles of life. What hurdles? Well, sometimes when you follow what is in your mind, instead of what is in your heart, often there are problems to address later. There are four planets the Moon (Emotions) is squaring off with today. Look for where your Spiritual growth is blocked, and deal with it.

Monday shows the Sun (Personality) in harmony with Jupiter (Growth) while the Moon (Emotions) is in harmony with Saturn (Limitations). In the Holiday give season, this can translate to you thinking you have to buy more gifts, while in your gut you know you should stay on budget. Listen to your intuition. It’s not the size of the gift or quantity that counts. It’s what is expressed from your heart.

Rolling in on Tuesday is a good day for progress in your love relationships. The Moon is working in conjunction with Venus today, as the Sun plays nice with Neptune (planet of Spirituality). Again, Spirituality is your key — understand your mate and loved-ones Spiritual needs — listen to their desires and needs. Take a look at any emotions that blocking you from communicating honestly and fully. You can do it.

Beautiful Cosmos: NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope, Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory image of a bubble-shaped shroud of gas and dust that is 14 light-years wide and is expanding at 4 million miles per hour.

Saturday brings a lot of celestial activity. The Moon is making nice with Uranus, Venus and Saturn.  Think of some new, but practical ideas you can bring into your love relationships.  Could you spend the afternoon cooking together with some new recipes?  Then there’s some tension between Mars and Saturn.  Mars wants to get things going — Saturn wants to slow things down.  Go with your intuition there.  Remember to listen well to those around you — they have important ideas for you.

“What are you feeling that is holding you back?  Communication will lead you to your breakthrough answer.”

Sunday shows some emotional tension involving Pluto, Uranus, and Mercury.  This is a good day to practice good Communication skills. There’s a chance you can make a breakthrough if you listen well, and are open to new ideas.  The Moon is in trine with the Sun, also today, so your critical thinking and intuition should be in tune with one another.  This will bring greater understanding as you deal with family and friends.

Monday looks busy in the heavens as the week begins.  Mercury is cooperating with Pluto even as is squares off with Saturn. You will need to get beyond some restrictions in order to achieve a breakthrough.  Jupiter is working in conjunction with Chiron to bring healthy growth to your life. Meanwhile, the Moon opposes both Jupiter and Chiron throwing an emotional wrench into your plans.  What are you feeling that is holding you back?  Communication will lead you to your breakthrough answer.

Tuesday quiets down as Mercury (Communication) shows stress with Mars (Initiation), and the Moon (Emotions) squares off with both Venus (Love), and the Sun (Personality). What do you love about yourself?  What do you wish you could change?  Have a good talk about this with yourself, then consider who you need to talk with to take the next step.  A supervisor at work?  A college entrance counselor?  Someone in your family?  Prepare yourself with honest introspection… then go make the right moves.

Astro-Weekend Update

It is sometimes easy to forget the mysteries that life presents, as we go about our daily routines. Above, “Sagittarius A”, a supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way. Astronomers used NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory to look at stars within 70 lightyears of Sagittarius A. They believe a swarm of smaller black holes surround the supermassive black hole.

On Saturday, we see a very harmonious day come Saturday, as the Moon shows five harmonies with Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Chiron, and Neptune. Let your Spirit take the lead as you enjoy the day, and share it with loved ones. When you can put the cares of the world aside and truely engage in fun pursuits, it is then that you are true to your spirit and acting in the interests of your health.

“…remember that life is about meeting change, and enjoying growth, and you can’t get there without overcoming a few things.”

Sunday brings a day with lots of celestial energies in play — Mercury takes an active role dancing nice with both Jupiter and Chiron, why the Moon is in trine with Pluto, but showing stress with four other planets, including Mercury. Mercury is all about Communication, so keep your wits about you and if you listen carefully to family and loved ones today, you can find ways to grow your relationships, and even do some healing where that’s a factor.

Monday shows some squaring off between planets happening in the heavens. These are really opportunities to resolve problems — remember that life is about meeting change, and enjoying growth, and you can’t get there without overcoming a few things. Today, keep an eye on what your are feeling that can actually block your progress and pay attention to what new ideas you need to tell important people.

Tuesday finds the Moon (Emotions) at odds with Venus (Love), and the Sun (Personality) in opposition with the Moon. It is not uncommon to behave one way while feeling quite another. Different cultures are taught to cover up and hide certain emotions. This can give you an out of balance feeling. The tough part comes when what you’re hiding is directly related to Love. You an find resolution in the right timing, with the right message. First be truthful with yourself, so that you will be able to then speak truthfully and freely to those you love.

What created this huge space bubble? A massive star that is not only bright and blue, but also emitting a fast stellar wind of ionized gas. The nebula, also known as NGC 7635, is about six light-years across and visible with a small telescope towards the constellation of Cassiopeia. NASA Hubble photo.

Saturday rolls in with four good harmonies showing celestially. We see the Moon dancing nice with Chiron, Neptune and Pluto, while the Sun is in trine with Uranus. Great. Take advantage of all this positive energy and express yourself in new ways. Often it takes just a new approach in a relationship, to breakthrough to a new level of understanding. What can you do differently today, that will really help you reach your goals? It’s up to you.

“Sometimes limitations feel like restrictions. Sometimes they are actually the best road to freedom.”

On Sunday, we see Saturn squaring off with Pluto and the Sun squaring off with Neptune as the moon shows some tension with four planets. One of those planets is also Pluto, so check yourself and your mate on things that may be blocking progress. Is someone so “practical” that they fear new ideas? Are you resisting a Spiritual message that can help you break through to a new level of understanding? When the cosmos show tensions, that means opportunities for you to learn — and this is such a day.

Monday starts the week with the Moon squaring off with three planets, as it dances in trine with Uranus. This makes being receptive to new ideas a theme today, even as emotionally there are blocks with Spiritual growth. Find a moment for reflection and examine your Spiritual nature carefully. What is preventing your progress? The hardest part is admitting blockage to yourself — once you do, you can form a plan to break free.

Tuesday brings both the Moon (emotions) and Mercury (communication) in harmony with Saturn — a planet which deals in practical matters and the limits that must be set to stay down to earth. Sometimes limitations feel like restrictions. Sometimes they are actually the best road to freedom. For example, one must start with limited basics like scales and chords before you are free to play the piano well. Embrace current limitations in such a way that it will lead you to breakthroughs.

Imagine the energy generated in the Cosmos, when entire galaxies collide. Above is a NASA image of such an occurrence. The Hubble telescope caught this image of two gigantic systems containing millions of stars and planets on a collision course. If our little Moon tugs and pulls the great oceans of Earth, then what affect do galaxies have on us?

The end of the week winds down on Friday with a bit of tension in the air, as the Moon (Emotions) looks uneasily at five other planets. Just remember that nothing would ever get done if everything was easy and there was no stress — the good kind of stress, where you work for what’s right and get that good feeling of satisfaction when you’re done. Saturn (Practicality and Restrictions) plays a dual role with both the Moon and Mercury — both at odds. Use this as an opportunity to examine restrictions you feel, or even have co-created… and how to work through them to get what you want.

“Be careful of those around you who might be angling for their own gain.”

The Weekend comes in with a balance of the Moon in three Trines (harmony) and three stressful positions. So the tug and pull of life presents itself on Saturday when you find it opportune to talk about new ideas with your mate and family, but there are some things surfacing that show stress. Good. Stress is required to get things done. Stress reveals areas where you can heal and grow. Embrace it.

Sunday brings a mixed bag of a day — celestially speaking. We find Mercury squaring off with Jupiter, and the Moon squaring off with Venus. This indicates a day when talking about forward looking plans may not set well with your mate. Meanwhile, the Moon is making nice with Saturn (practicality) and working in conjunction with Mars to make a nice practical break in order — go to a movie, enjoy a bookstore… have a nice latte as the weekend concludes.

Monday comes up with a number of emotional tension patterns in the cosmos. Good. Good? Yes, it is emotional tension, handled properly, that creates a lot of the motivation to get things done. Be careful of those around you who might be angling for their own gain. Attempt to surface emotional motivations calmly and rationally — both your colleagues and friends… and your own. Venus is showing harmony with Pluto today… so some activity in your love life can lead to a breakthrough in the understanding of your relationships.

Tuesday is looking mostly quiet — but watch the communication carefully. Mercury (Communication) is squaring off with Chiron (Health), so the best policy is to listen well, and pray for discernment. Take your time and think carefully about what you hear before responding. The Moon plays nice with both Venus and Pluto today, so follow your heart and you can enjoy a new level of satisfaction with friends and in your important relationships.

Here’s to a Happy Halloween for all of the little “spheres” in your life.

Welcome to Friday, the Moon is comfortable with Uranus (New Ideas), but feeling a bit of stress with both Pluto (Transformation), Jupiter (Growth), and Mercury (Communication). This is a better day to capture your ideas in outline form — use your favorite office program — then organize them for presentation later. Clip out ads that intrigue you and save them for the right moment. Spend your time perfecting your message. Timing is important in life.

“Your mate may not be interested in new approaches right now, but will respond well to honest and heartfelt passion.”

On Saturday, we see a mixed bag of celestial energies into play as Halloween roles around. Happy Halloween. It is clear that you feel like taking charge of some of the festivities (good), and that Love will be good for your health… as it always is. There’s a bit of tension surrounding your spiritual beliefs and your personality. Good. This signals opportunities for you to examine yourself… and grow.

Sunday finds Mercury squaring off with Mars — not the best day to discuss new plans… just take it easy and enjoy the weekend. The Moon (Emotions) is dancing nice with Pluto and Neptune and in harmony with Chiron today. Concentrating on your Spiritual side can bring a transformation that’s good for your health. Remember — just like the body, the Spirit must be nurtured too… it is at the source of all you do and become.

Monday starts out the week busy with nine aspects comingling their energies. Venus, planet of Love, shows tension with Uranus (Inventions), but harmony with Neptune (Spiritual matters). Your mate may not be interested in new approaches right now, but will respond well to honest and heartfelt passion. Use the emotional tension in the air to search yoruself and find out what’s blocking you from making progress. Hint: communication.

As Tuesday rolls in, the Moon (Emotions) is found squaring off with Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune. There’s harmony with Uranus, however, so it’s going to take some creative thninking to deal with what’s been blocking your growth. Remember — what you imagine, you can do… and where there’s a will, there’s a way. Stand firm, but leave enough flexibility so you can listen to important people in your life and modify your plans accordingly.

Mysteries in the Sky: What a multitude of wondrous shapes, colors, and infinite configurations the stars form in the heavens above. Look up, on a warm Summer night, and the awe of our realm will reveal itself.

Friday shows more tension than harmony… probably the residual energy from a busy week. Remember that you can always choose how you use this energy. Just like you should let a harsh email sit and “cool” for a while, how you respond to stress is a result of discernment and wise choices. Pray for discernment. There are a couple of positive signs too, as the week ends, with the Moon in trine with Uranus, bringing new ideas to the table, and conjunction with Mercury and Pisces, allowing you to tap some hidden reservoirs within as you enjoy communicating with colleagues and mates.

“Celebrate the freedom to be who you are.”

Saturday looks quiet with the Moon opposing the restrictions Saturn likes to bring. Do you feel boxed in by plans, commitments — agreements with loved ones? That’s actually an opportunity for you to examine why and when to make such agreements… you don’t have to say yes to everything. Decide what you want. Then proceed by crossing off things that you need to do to refresh your own Spirit. After that you will be in a good place to help others. Enjoy your holiday and the celebration of freedom.

On Sunday, emotions find a kind of healing harmony, as the Moon dances in synch with Neptune (Spirituality), and Jupiter (Expansion). This brings about a pleasant mid-summer day to spend with friends and loved ones. It is also a good time to simply “take a break” and get in touch with yourself via reading, meditation, hiking and other solitary enjoyments. Not the best day to begin new pursuits, but better to get in touch with old ways, core beliefs, and long-time friends. Find your common ground that holds it all together — and enjoy the Summertime for those in the Northern Hemisphere. Celebrate the freedom to be who you are.

Looking toward next week, we see a bit of stress getting back to work after an enjoyable holiday (4th of July in the US) over the weekend. It might feel like a tough week to get going with a lot of colleagues and friends on vacation. But that also offers an opportunity for you to relax a bit, regroup, and approach your work with a new outlook. Pluto’s energy of renewal is shining today, so look for some ways to get exercise, read a book or magazine you have not looked at in a while, and enjoy the mid-summer days for those who live above the equator.