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.

Starburst Galaxy captured by NASA’s Hubble Telescope

What a week — we’ve made it to Friday. And Friday looks interesting as the Moon (Emotions) works with Pluto (Transformation) to bring about an energy where you can make some real changes. Venus is also working well with Pluto… and you know what that means — transformation is possible on Friday in your Love life. Follow your heart.

“On Saturday, the Moon is looking a little wild — no doubt emotions are raw after a very unusual week. “

Earlier in the week, The Moon (Emotions) was in a conjunction with Chiron (The Healer), and also working well with Mercury (Communication), and the Sun (Personality). Thus the energy was aligned well for you to “clear the air” at work, with your family, and in your romantic life. How did that go? Remember the Mercury is also in Retrograde (through Oct. 15th), so listen carefully, and double check any negotiations that are on paper.

On Saturday, the Moon is looking a little wild — no doubt emotions are raw after a very unusual week. But also on Saturday, the Moon makes nice with Mars and Saturn, but gets jiggy with the Sun. This can set up a situation where you must stress practicality (rent a a movie instead of going out, or cook a good meal instead of going to a restaurant), against your own idea of what would be fun. That’s OK. Practicality is a good thing now… if only the bankers and wall street had common sense in the last few years.

On Sunday, the Moon is making nice with Venus… the planet of Love. Grab some while you can. It’s not a good time to make new plans and discuss new projects… just kick back and relax for a nice relaxing Fall weekend day. I know, I know… sometimes it’s hard to rest, but resting will actually recharge you for all thos projects you have been thinking about.

Monday — Columbus Day — is looking a little off kilter. First, there’s Mercury (Communication) having a little problem with Venus (Love) — not much love is returned to you when you make your announcements today… know what I’m saying? The Moon then, is squaring off with Pluto… the planet of transformation. Ask yourself how you might be emotionally “blocking” (usually anger) something that can actually bring you needed renewal. Are you avoiding seeing an old friend? Holding a grudge against someone in the family? Clear it. The only person it is holding back is you.

A NASA image of Hoag’s Object, a non-typical galaxy of the type known as a ring galaxy, discovered in 1950 by astronomer Art Hoag.

Saturday finds the Moon under some stress from Mercury, Venus, and Mars. They are the planets closest to earth, and so spin closer to our Emotions at times. Remember that stress is not always a bad thing. The right kind of “creative tension” is what makes the world go around. Literally. In this case, while you may feel a bit nervous over your decision to speak about your lovelife with your partner — when you do so in a measured fashion based on right principles — it will go well.

“…Mars (Initiative) cooperates with Neptune (Spirituality) — a perfect early Fall day to concentrate on your religious beliefs and have a good talk with God.”

On Friday, the Moon squared off with Neptune, but danced well with Uranus — it was a good time for you to try out some new ideas in your job, and relationships. Earlier in the week, our emotional Moon was showing harmony with Saturn (Practicality) and Jupiter (Growth). Practical Growth. That’s a good theme in light of all the out of control problems in the stock market and financial markets. Back to basics are good in your personal life too.

The Moon does show some stress with the Sun (Personality) tomorrow, which usually means your head is not exactly where your heart is. Where is your heart? Always a good question. Take a look at your spiritual values now, because there’s also some stress in the air with Uranus (religion and illusion). Stay practical based on sound spiritual principles. We’re heading into the balancing time of the Autumnal Equinox, which a good reminder to stay balanced, mentally, spiritually, and of course Financially. Balance the books.

On Sunday, Mars (Initiative) cooperates with Neptune (Spirituality) — a perfect early Fall day to concentrate on your religious beliefs and have a good talk with God. The Moon (Emotions) is also cooperating with Mars which means that the spiritual initiative you take today will feel right to you. The other incentive is that the Moon is interacting well with Pluto (transformation) today which means that the renewal you need lies on a pathway from what you feel in your heart to what you learn from the Spirit.

Ready to howl at the Moon? Now’s a good time, under the light of the magnificent full Harvest Moon. A time of culmination, completion, finishing plans and a project together. Emotions run high during this time. A time of romance, fertilization, relationships, emotions, feelings. Welcome to the Harvest.

There are four distinct phases of the Moon, with the Full Moon falling in the third Quarter of the Moon’s cycle. This Harvest Full Moon in September (named so because in the extra light, people were able to continue working to gather the season’s Harvest), is a time of gathering, potent energy and success.

“A time of romance, fertilization, relationships, emotions, feelings. Welcome to the Harvest.”

A person born during the third quarter Moon will be sensitive to the needs of others and expects others to be sensitive to their own needs. There is an underlying sense of watchfulness similar to the energy in the zodiac signs Libra and Scorpio. The person will need friendships, colleagues and relationships, and will relate well to others. They will either be drawn to highly successful people and help them achieve their goals, or else achieve success themselves with the help of others. There is a tension and nervousness at play which can lead to a short attention span and a constant search for new people and experiences, and sex will play some kind of transformative role in their life. The most successful time of life will be in the middle years.

In Chinese Astrology, the third quarter Moon symbolizes organization, harvest, collection and storage, and is associated with autumn, the west and the element metal. This lunar phase governs the signs of Monkey, Rooster, and Dog.

Time to complete your work. Time to celebrate. The end of Summer, beginning of Fall. So go the cycles in the great celestial circle of the year as we bask in the full light of the Harvest Moon.

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 Autumnal Equinox is a seasonal highlight making it’s debut today and also launching the Sun’s entry into LIBRA — it’s all about diplomacy, balance, harmony, and justice. The expressive wildly communicative first part of the astrological year is over and now the energy is in harmonic balance before beginning a gradual six-month retreat that emphasizes the internal phases of our lives over the external development of our lives.

Today, was simply beautiful on both coasts and all across the United States as beautiful colors began to appear as illusive distractions carrying us away from reality and into brilliant fantasy or our personal state of perfect oblivion (whichever you prefer),  And, the brilliant Aquarius Moon rejuvinates Friday’s oppositions between sweet Venus and fanciful Neptune. So gear up to enjoy a most delightful evening and most delicious week and month ahead!  :lol: