One centuries old tradition at the time of the Winter Solstice is the lighting of the “Yule Log”.

Welcome to the Friday before Christmas. It probably feels like it’s been a long week. Today, the Moon (Emotions) is working well with Jupiter — the giant planet with a lot of pull toward prosperity. That’s a good sign for the coming year. Remember that is how you feel about things that draws you to them. The Moon is also squaring off with the Sun today, and this often means that your gut tells you one thing, while your brain tells you another. Use them both. Trust your intuition, but temper emotions with right and logical thought. One example — even though a really expensive item “feels” like it would be good to purchase and give as a gift — you’re probably right if you’re telling yourself you can find a more affordable gift they will love too.

“The wheel of the calendar is always turning and this time will past but once. Remember: moment by moment, this life is given… just as moment by moment, it is taken away.”

Earlier this week, the Moon was squaring off with Mars, so you could have found it hard to get going. The Moon was also working in conjunction with Saturn, so have been able to borrow a bit of that energy to get things done in a practical way. Remember to try and group your errands into a logical order to be more efficient. Keep your communications at work brief and to the point. This is not the best time to seek creative solutions — save those for when you have more time to explore them.

On Saturday, the Moon is working well with both Venus (Love) and Chiron (The Healer) — a perfect combination as you see old friends and family for the holidays. The Spirit of Christmas is in the heart, and letting those around you know you love them is a very healthy thing to do. The Moon also squares off with Mercury — the Communicator — today, so keep an eye on your emotions, and make sure that your feelings don’t inspire you to speak out of turn. Sure, seeing people you haven’t been with for a while can churn up some deep feelings — but they can do you good, if you manage them well.

Sunday is the Winter Solstice — a time to celebrate the reversal of the Sun’s ebbing presence in the sky, as the power of of the season is at its full, but the wheel now turns toward Spring, and the year is reborn again. The Moon is working well with Mars and Neptune today — an excellent configuration to help you get in the spirit of your last minute gift shopping. Don’t you love a quick Mocha as you dash from store to store? Savor this season, even as you savor your mocha. The wheel of the calendar is always turning and this time will past but once. Remember: moment by moment, this life is given… just as moment by moment, it is taken away. That’s the secret to staying focused on the “now.”  All is a cycle — a great ebb and flow on earth, in time, and in the cosmos.

Cone Nebula captured by NASA’s Hubble Telescope — The part pictured here is 2.5 light years in length (the equivalent of 23 million return trips to the Moon).

Welcome to Friday. Things are perking up a bit after Thursday felt “ho-hum.” On Friday, the Moon is in harmony with Jupiter (Prosperity), while Jupiter, meanwhile, is dancing nice with Saturn (Practicality). So sure, you feel like enjoying success, and you can attract it today, but you will truely prosper when you keep your plans down to earth. Make sure they are “doable”, and even in tough economic times, you can realize your reward. This scenario looks doubly promising since the Moon is also at play with Uranus (New Ideas), so get your pencil out and fashion a good, tight working plan for what you need to do.

“…look for healing to come on Sunday via your relationship with God and your Spirituality.”

Earlier in the week, the Moon was dancing in Trine with Pluto — the energy of transformation and renewal. That’s always a good time to get a burst of energy — you can use it in your career… and at home. Sometimes, more gets done when you are busy, anyway. You might have felt a bit out of sorts on the emotional side on Wednesday as the Moon squared off with both the Sun and Venus. Things go in cycles, and it is wise to embrace even the tension and some of the stress of life — it is how we change, grow… and renew ourselves.

As we head into your weekend, the Moon is playing nice on Saturday with Mercury (Communication), Mars (Initiative), and the Sun (Personality). So, you will feel that you can talk about plans for the holidays, end of the year, and looking forward to 2009. This is good on a Saturday afternoon as Thanksgiving approaches. Interesting now, that the Moon is also squaring off with Pluto — the planet of transformation. How can it be? Well, while it’s natural to talk a good game about new initiatives, it’s also natural to feel a bit nervous about actually moving forward. That’s ok — that tension will provide the energy you need to focus.

Sunday brings energy for positive emotions, via the power of Chiron — the great shamanic healer. The Moon is also moving into a Trine relationship with Neptune — the planet of spirituality. So, look for healing to come on Sunday via your relationship with God and your Spirituality. This is good because there is also heavenly turmoil occuring with Mars, Saturn, Mercury and the Sun. So, you may find it hard to voice your concerns about practical ways to proceed for your family and within your love relationships. Your Faith will help in that department too.

Welcome to the weekend. Today, Friday, the Moon squared off with Venus, but made nice with Mars and Jupiter. This sets up energy that helps you get things done in a practical way, but not necessarily in the most loving way. Will you cut costs and have hamburger helper, or take your mate out for a Steak Dinner? Tomorrow, you can rationalize that (Sun cooperating with Saturn), but was your savings really a gain?

“On Sunday, the Moon is in harmony with Venus… so a little love and romance are in the air. Go ahead — enjoy your relationship and celebrate it together.”

Earlier in the week, it was a good time to have a chat with a romantic interest, or a conference with your coworkers. The Moon was making nice with Mercury (Communication) and Pluto (Transformation) — so how did it go? Did you make any headway? That configuration can bring about a renewal in your relationships that is much needed, and sought after. Remember that good communication involves both talking… and listening. Remember also, that each person brings a different perspective to a project, or focus area.

Saturday is showing some interesting celestial movements — the Sun (Personality) shows some stress with Saturn (Practicality), and Mars (Initiative) is at odds with Pluto (Transformation). Might be a good day to curl up with a good book. Don’t over-spend today. The Moon is also at odds with Neptune (Spirituality), which leaves an unsettled feeling. That’s OK… you can simply kick back and take a rest from it all.

What about Sunday? Well… the Moon is in harmony with Venus… so a little love and romance are in the air. Go ahead — enjoy your relationship and celebrate it together. Mercury (Communication) is at odds today with Saturn (Practicality)… so the time is not right to talk about day to day matters. Focus instead on your close relationships, nuture them, and they will grow.

Monday is already looking interesting as Mars dances well with Saturn (there’s the big ringed planet again), but squares off with Chiron the shamanic healer of the celestial realms. Hmmmmm. Saturn can be a bit restrictive, so what is it you are doing that holds you back… even to the point of showing a health risk? Are you afraid to take a needed exercise break and get in a good walk? Don’t be. You’ll be better in your career and personal life for it.

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.

Relative sizes of the terrestrial planets, from left to right: Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. Mercury (Communication) is particularly active right now, Astrologically.

Welcome to Thursday. The Moon (Emotions) is dancing well in the heavens with both Pluto (Transformation), and Venus (Love) today. Hmmmm… a good time to have that talk with your romantic partner that can deepen your relationship. What talk? Well, talking about precisely what you each are feeling. That’s right. Feelings — remember those? Take a break from your busy week, pour a glass of wine and chat comfortably about them. With Pluto involved, there’s also a sense of renewal — and that is good for your partnership.

You’re in the mood for a new way to work things out, and you find you can communicate well about it.

Earlier in the week, the Moon was working well with Mercury (Communication), and Chiron (Healing), so you may expect some good news about health related matters for you or someone close to you. The Moon and the Sun (Personality) are also working well together today — another sign that you’re feeling healthy. Interestingly, both the Moon and Sun are a bit agitated with Jupiter (Growth), so today is not the right time to make plans to expand a project, or increase spending.

Friday looks interesting. The Moon (Emotions) is dancing well with Uranus (New Ideas), and Mercury (Communication) is working well with Pluto (Renewal). So far so good. You’re in the mood for a new way to work things out, and you find you can communicate well about it. But the Moon (Emotions) is squaring off with Neptune (Spirituality), and that can leave an uneasy feeling when it comes to Faith. What’s Faith got to do with it? Everything. At work, and in your romance relationships, Spiritual energy is of the essence.

And this weekend, Mercury is again active — making nice with Pluto (Transformation), but showing stress with Jupiter (Growth). Isn’t that a common thing that happens in our life? We want to bring about positive change, but we’re nervous about how the growth it requires might stretch us. All change is stress. But, positive growth (a promotion at work, a deeper commitment in our love live) is the kind of change where the temporary stress is worth it.

Portrait of Michel de Nostredame (Nostradamus), a French Renaissance Astrologer, painted by his son César de Nostredame (1553-1630?).

Welcome to your Father’s Day weekend. On Saturday, the Sun dances with Neptune, while the Moon (Emotions) shows some stress with the Sun, Venus, and Uranus. Your ideals — what you hold most important — are front and center as you wrestle a bit with your romance interests. You might have thought of a new way to move forward in relationships at work, and in your private life. That’s good, but often ideas get modified as you bounce them off those closest to you. Usually this works out for the best.

“On Father’s Day (Sunday) the Moon works well with Saturn, making it perfect to emphasize the practical side of things. “

On Friday, yesterday, the Moon was dancing well with the Sun, Venus and Neptune, and this brings an inner harmony with your Spiritual nature. It is within the “heart” that the Soul knows of Love. The Sun (Personality) squared off with Uranus (New Ideas), also on Friday, which means that you will need to work on your good feelings a bit in order to come up with ways to make them “real.” Plan a spiritual retreat with someone close. This could simply be a walk in an inner city garden, or a get-away to the ocean.

What do you believe is the right way to go in your relationships? That’s a question you may have asked this week, as the Moon squared off with Saturn. The Moon also danced well with Mercury and Mars, so you’re inclined to take the initiative in a matter with a practical way to proceed. And, you’re ready to talk about it — hash it out. Good. Practicality keeps you grounded — just try not to be to restrictive for the sake of common sense

On Father’s Day (Sunday) the Moon works well with Saturn, making it perfect to emphasize the practical side of things. How’s that? Well, who better to be practical about projects around the house than Fathers? Of course some of you Mothers out there are also practical when it comes to maintaining your homes, so this energy is for you too. Meanwhile the Moon squares off with Mars (initiative) today, so while you might have given Dad a gift card to the hardware store, this is a day to celebrate and not begin on new projects. That can happen next week.