All cultures have looked to the Heavens for wisdom on Earth, and this horoscope is from an Icelandic manuscript during the 1750′s. It shows the twelve houses of the Zodiac in a square with the corresponding astrological signs for each house.

It’s a busy end of week, celestially speaking, on Friday, with the Moon showing harmony with Uranus, Mercury, the Sun, and Saturn. New ideas presented in practical terms have a good chance of getting a favorable reaction. But the Moon is also squaring off with Chiron (the Healer), Jupiter (Growth), and Neptune (Spirituality). What is preventing you from the kind of spiritually healing growth you need now? Meditate on that when you take your breaks today.

“I always like seeing a harmonic trine with those planets on the weekend, because it represents an opportunity for the healing that comes from nurturing your Spirit.”

On Saturday, we see the Sun (personality) in harmony with Uranus (new thoughts) this weekend, and so you can be creative in your recreational plans. Get one of those small neighborhood newspapers and check out the calendar for a new event you might enjoy. The Moon is in conjunction with Mars, and so you can feel good about taking the initiative. Who will you meet? Perhaps it is time for some new energy in your circle of friends.

Sunday finds the Moon dancing in trine (harmony) with three planets — Chiron, Jupiter, and Neptune. I always like seeing a harmonic trine with those planets on the weekend, because it represents an opportunity for the healing that comes from nurturing your Spirit. This can be done in many ways, of course, and since it’s Summer, it’s good to get outside and celebrate the warm weather. Try to release worries and experience things as a child again. And, ahem… the Moon (Emotions) is also whirling in pace with Venus… planet of Love. Go for it.

Looking into the week ahead, we see Mercury (Communication) playing nice with Mars (Initiation) on Monday, which makes it a good time for you to negotiate projects and plans at work and with your family and loved ones. The Moon is showing some tension at the top of the week — so pay attention to what your emotional intelligence has to say. Sometimes it’s hard to shrug off the fun of the weekend and settle back down into the realities of work. That’s ok… the next weekend will be here before you know it.

Astrologers study “aspects” — the relative positions of planets at a certain point in time — by charting positions, and tracking affects.

Often when I write blog posts, I talk about how the planets are working in the heavens, sometimes cooperating with one another, and sometimes at odds and how that impacts us here on earth. And in horoscope charts, aspects are patterns we check to ascertain elements of the personality. But what are these “aspects” exactly? I get the question a lot, so let’s take a closer look.

“Aspect patterns have a major influence on your personality and character by creating greater ease or resistance.”

You can think of aspects as way in which the planets work together to make things easier, or harder for you. You can track (chart) aspects by studying the angles that planets form to one another at particular points in time. And, when several aspects occur in the same chart (or simultaneously), they can create larger aspect patterns. Instead of one aspect, several planets in aspect can create a larger aspect pattern. These larger patterns can signify a complex personality pattern, referred to by psychologists as “complexes”.

Modern astrologers approach aspects more from data and reporting in current research with some consideration of historical reference. “Astrological harmonics” is an umbrella term having to do with the study and factoring in of all aspects for a given person, or situation.

Aspect patterns have a major influence on your personality and character by creating greater ease or resistance. They can also be set off and stepped up by transiting and progressed planets. A natal trine may become a Grand Trine whenever a third planet enters the part of the zodiac that trines both planets already in trine. A T-Square can become a Grand Square, and a sextile can become a Yod. This can also happen in relation to other people and their planets can form larger aspect patterns with yours. Having these aspects together can create feelings of immediate rapport and significant relationship dynamics or something you are both attracted to work on or understand.

Helpful Aspects: Trines & Grand Trines

Trines are formed between a couple of planets when they are roughly at a 120 degree angle from each other and generally are viewed as a favorable influence with the energy of each planet contributing to the positive energy of the trine. A simple example would be on a particular day when Mercury (Communication) forms a trine with Venus (Love), then it can be said to be fortuitous to speak what is in your heart — about love, on that day. But things are usually much more complex than that, and even following trines, there can be too many of them in a chart which might tend to make a person lazy.

“A T-Square is a challenging aspect that signifies a struggle that intensifies and eventually leads to a resolution.”

When 2 planets make a trine (120 degree angle), and there is a 3rd planet that also makes trines to both planets, this triangle is called a Grand Trine. Imagine a planet at 0 degrees Aries, another at 0 Leo and a 3rd at 0 Sagittarius, and this is a Grand Trine. The 3 planets that make up a Grand Trine are usually in the same ELEMENT. They don’t have to be, as some aspects are very close, yet out-of-sign. However, the principle of a Grand Trine is that there or 3 (or more) planets trine each other in the same element. When you see a Grand Trine in a chart, it looks like a large triangle.

A Grand Trine aspect pattern can create a feeling of ease and complacency because things seem to “just happen” seamlessly, without effort, friction, or force. This can signify a special talent or ability that appears effortless, but it can also signal a tendency to be lazy or complacent because things come so easily that there is nothing to prove and talent is never fully developed. Your tendency can be to leave the tough stuff for another day. With a Grand Trine, there’s always tomorrow….

Challenging Aspects: T-Squares and Grand Squares

When 3 planets square each other, they form a triangle called a T-Square. In a T-Square, there is one planet that squares 2 other planets that oppose each other. If you envision a planet at 0 degrees Aries with a planet square it from 0 Capricorn and another at 0 Cancer, this is a T-Square. If there is also a 4th planet in square with the others, for example a planet at 0 degrees Libra, this creates a Grand Square pattern.

A T-Square is a challenging aspect that signifies a struggle that intensifies and eventually leads to a resolution. While T-Square configurations are common, they signify an inherent challenge that forces growth or change that can lead to success in life. The focal planet, or planet that squares the opposing planets, is the key to the T-Square and shows where tension is most likely to show up. Conflict resolution may be aided by the missing or empty part of the Square (opposing the focal planet).

Above, Zytglogge tower in Bern, Switzerland. East facade fresco showing the gods for the planets Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and Mercury.

While T-Squares are often found in charts, Grand Squares are less common and often signify a weight to bear that keeps you on a short leash. It may seem like access is continuously denied and you are restricted to a small area where growth is only possible with discipline and hard work. For some reason or another, you are continually stressed and need to consciously maintain balance, always being forced to stick to the straight and narrow. Somehow, these people often learn to carry big loads and are capable of effectively handling large responsibilities. However, they can also feel overstressed and overburdened at times.

Cosmic Aspects: Yods

In a YOD pattern, 2 planets make a sextile, and they both make a quincunx (inconjunct or 150 degree aspect) to a 3rd planet, creating a triangle, or Yod. If you imagine a planet at 0 Aries and 2 planets sextile each other at 0 Virgo and 0 Scorpio, this is a Yod.

Yods are called the “finger of God” and have a connotation of being receptive to messages from higher states of consciousness. While Yods can be exotic and you can enjoy the adventure of feeling like a stranger in a strange land, you may also need to make consessions and be adaptive to unfamiliar situations when you have a Yod in your chart. It may be that you give in one direction and get your needs met from a completely different source, so it is not possible to measure how much others give you to decide how much you can give.

All of these kaleidoscope of patterns factor in together in your horoscope and the picture (a snapshot of patterns) that astrologers consider for daily, weekly, and monthly events.

Astrologers Studying an Eclipse, a 1571 painting by Antoine Caron, oil on panel

Happy Weekend and Good Friday. One aspect on Saturday, is that the Moon (emotions) is in position to challenge Jupiter (Growth), so you have an opportunity to look at any feelings that are holding you back from where you need to go. Emotional intelligence is one thing, but feelings are also known to block people — fear is a good example. That’s one service Astrology does for us — bringing to our attention things we can look at so we can get past them instead of leaving them rumbling at the subconscious level.

“God is hope, God is light, and God is truth. And the Truth will set you free.”

A lot in Astrology is about “archetypes.” For instance, the Sun (Personality) is in Pisces now, which is noted for the archetypes of the Mystic, the Dreamer, the Story Teller. Archetypes are models for a personality type, and what they say about motivation, has a lot to do with the actual behavior you observe. So, under Pisces energy, you can take some time to dream your dreams, and when you manifest them — weave a story about it. It’s ok if people see you as the Dreamer, as long as you can come back to earth long enough to bring those dreams into reality.

Jupiter and Saturn were in position this week to get us to face the truth. Most of us value the truth. Many of us block certain parts of it from ourselves for a time. You should welcome this opportunity to be set free. The work of blocking truth doesn’t really get us anywhere and requires a lot of energy that goes wasted. There’s no way around it — no shortcut. That’s the truth. God is hope, God is light, and God is truth. And the Truth will set you free.

It is interesting that the Moon (emotions) often plays a bigger role in aspects which affect our days than the Sun (personality), which most people focus on regarding their horoscopes. On Wednesday, the Moon was dancing with Mars (intiative) to bring a feeling that you can get things done today. Bring it. It was also in favorable position with Neptune (ideals) to heighten the sense that you can reach for your dreams. As with most opportunities, there is a flipside — caution that your enthusiasm doesn’t blind you so you shoot right by the truth. Bring it down to earth, and think logically about things before making important decisions.

What can we learn from rigidity? On Friday (3/21) the Sun (personality) forms a square with Pluto (Renewal) — a position that creates a sort of celestial tug-of-war. This can mean that your ego, or someone close to you, is holding you back from what you need to get done. You know, “digging in your heels?” Here’s a good meditation: what lasts longer and gets more done, the ocean (fluidity), or a rock cliff (rigidity). So, your challenge is to go with the flow, even if it means shutting down the ego a bit.

Consider how this clock, in Prague, tracks time, and Astrology — a mechanism which reveals and links the passing of the hours with celestial influences.

A lot of what Astrologers look at has to do with how two or more planets are positioned to each other, and how the tension between them — in the heavens — can exert an effect on us on Earth. Remember, the Moon can cause the tides. So other planets, some many times the size of the Moon, though at great distance, have their influence on us as well. Right now, one thing that is going on in the Zodiac, is that Venus is positioned to “square” (at a 90 degree angle) Uranus. This can create a tension in your relationships and with people close to you where you may have some different ideas about how to proceed, then they do.

“This is a time for emotional intelligence. Trust what your feelings are telling you.”

On Tuesday (01/15) of this week, the Moon “squares” the Sun in the heavens. Then, later in the week, Venus enters Aquarius. Again, a “square” creates a kind of celestial tug of war. And, when the Moon — ruler of emotions — has tension with the Sun — the light of your personality — you may see some emotions affecting your behavior. Deal with them. Remember: feel, deal, heal. That will get you ready for the planet of Love (Venus) entering the somewhat unpredictable sign of Aquarius. Deal with your emotions up front, then you can deal, much better, with any unexpected things that come up in your relationships later in the week.

On Thursday (01/17), a couple of interesting planetary configurations include the Moon squaring Neptune, and then we have a Moon trine Sun configuration this evening. This is nice for the emotional side of things where your gut instincts may be important in what you create today. Your emotions may again play a key role in how you are perceived tonight and tomorrow, as you can be sympathetic with friends and sweethearts. This is a time for emotional intelligence. Trust what your feelings are telling you.

On Friday (1/18) the Moon creates a little tension with the Sun, based on its position celestially. They are at an angle known in Astrology as a “sesquiquadrate.” This can result with your feelings being at odds with what your “head” is telling you. Logic versus emotions. Each have their value. Put it down on paper, and sleep on it overnight, before making a decision. Again, the Moons role in providing signals for our “emotional intelligence” comes into play. Trust your gut instinct once again, but make sure you don’t act irrationally. Of course there are other factors involved like your own individual personality, your horoscope, and the influences of other planets.

So, just like there’s a mechanism to the universe, with orbits and gravities affecting planet sized bodies… so there are gears of influence that encircle and work their wills on our lives.

Twelve constellations of the Zodiac in this Vienese work of art circa 1354.

It’s New Moon time, perfect for those new beginnings that are also called New Years Resolutions. Or, if you like, just take some time to think about what you need to make new, and renew in your relationships, in you career, and in your spiritual life. The energy is perfect for that right now.

“The Sun is in Capricorn, and so is Jupiter — something that occurs once every twelve years (there’s that number 12 again).”

Twelve months, twelve Zodiac signs, twelve houses in Astrology. Now we embark on the first month of the new year in a calendar aligned and synchronized with the heavens and celestial bodies. It is about cycles. It is about numbers. In numerology, twelve is reduced to three (one plus two — adding its digits together), which stands for communication and interaction. It is also a divine “trinity” and sacred number. But we are in the first month. And number one is about the individual — no wonder it’s a good time for affirmations, goal setting, and new year’s resolutions. How are those coming?

And so, we start the turning of the year again — the cycle of seasons. For things to cycle, you need a wheel — just look at the circle of the twelve constellations in astrology, and the 12 houses in a horoscope that together form the spokes of a great circle. The twelve months of our calendar, spinning season into season. That’s what do wheels do. They turn, as the planets turn in rotation around the Sun. Full circle. And the wheel of your own life revolves around your spheres of influence — family, career, romance, finance, spiritual. If you don’t find a still place of peace to meditate, it can seem like the blur of a carnival sometimes. How do you sort it all out?

The heavens are in an interesting configuration with a number of planets at unusual angles, called “septiles”, to one another… and this makes for a period of changes afoot. The Sun is in Capricorn, and so is Jupiter — something that occurs once every twelve years (there’s that number 12 again). Jupiter can “keep things real”, and so you can commit to your dreams for the year and see them manifest for you. New Moon this week is Tuesday Jan 8th… It’s a Sweet Saturn trend, and structure, stability and everything you’ve felt chaotic suddenly begins to smooth out and become more balanced and routine toward weeks end. So take change and run with it — do some planning, and try some new things. This month can bring you more than one opportunity for growth.

Jupiter photo shot from NASA’s “Cassini” space probe.

This is a Virgo-Moon weekend. This serves to organize our thoughts and allows us to speak clearly about important things — now is the right time for communication. We are also in the Sagittarius time of the Zodiac now, and it is governed by the giant planet Jupiter. It is a season of good fortune and prosperity. If you are seeking justice in your worldly dealings, the influence of Jupiter is also good for that pursuit. Also, in astrology, we look to Jupiter as ruler of your 9th House (religion, law, and higher education), and 12th House (psychic matters). So, there’s quite a lot going on with Jupiter which also is headed toward an interesting conjunction with Pluto on December 11th.

“Because no two people share the exact same configuration (even “identical” twins come into the world at different time intervals) in their horoscope, so are relationships between two people unique.”

How are your growth plans coming along? Jupiter, the largest Planet in our Solar System, is active right now, as it moves toward a conjunction with Pluto on Dec. 11th. In Roman Mythology, Jupiter ruled over the Gods themselves… a very powerful influence. It was the Babylonians who used the approximately 12 year voyage of Jupiter along the Ecliptic to delineate the twelve constellations in the Zodiac. Astrologically speaking, Jupiter stands for prosperity, growth, and expanding fortune. Not a bad thing during these festive days.

Is your Holiday Season going well? During this busy time it is normal to come in contact with a lot of people — some new, some old friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Auld Lang Syne. What would the world be without friendships — without people? A bit like the sky without planets and stars, I think. How will you celebrate among all of these celestial bodies this year?

You are unique, and your time and place of birth is equally unique. It is on this — the precise location and time you were born — that Astrology bases your Horoscope with particular attention to the positions of the planets in the Zodiac at the moment of your birth. Because no two people share the exact same configuration (even “identical” twins come into the world at different time intervals) in their horoscope, so are relationships between two people unique. We can look at compatibilities between signs in general, but each partner you team up with represents a unique combination of personalities and combined traits.

Sagittarius is a constellation of the zodiac, usually shown as a centaur drawing a bow, and lies between Ophiuchus (west) and Capricornus (east).

Western Astrology (there are other “schools” of Astrology in different parts of the World), originated around 3,000 years ago, and it’s followers — Astrologers — study the Zodiac as a method of understanding the human personality. The Zodiac is the group of constellations through which the Sun and Moon pass on their sky journey. And, there are 12 constellations used in Western Astrology, where if the sun was in the constellation of Pisces (a grouping of Stars that looks like fish, when you “connect the dots”), then you are said to be a Pisces with Piscean traits in your personality. Of course, there are many other celestial patterns we look for in a persons horoscope, and in those they have questions about.

“The famous psychologist, Carl Jung believed that in Astrology, one could find, “the curious psychological qualities of the zodiac: a complete projected theory of human character.””

We are currently Leaving “Scorpio” (Oct. 24 – Nov. 23) which is the constellation of Scorpius (Latin for Scorpion), and heading into Sagittarius (Nov. 23 – Dec. 21)… the 9th sign in the Zodiac. This constellation generally resembles an Archer when you connect its star “dots”, and in Greek mythology was often associated with Chiron, a centaur that provided instruction for Greek heros.

These days that lead up to the celebration of the Birth of Christ can be filled with the Spirit of Sagittarius — a fun-loving, adventurous, philosophical, truth-loving sign. Of course, it is important to guard against the flip-side of the Sagittarian good points which can manifest as carelessness, over-indulgent, and scattered energy.

How was your Holiday synastry? Synastry? Ok… probably not a word you use to describe the time you had with family and friends hanging out on Thanksgiving. In Astrology, however, “synastry” is a word we use to explore how one person is compatible with another. It involves looking at the two person’s precise (need exact time and location of birth) horoscopes, and comparing the patterns we see there to one another. We look at houses, planets, and different configurations of these cosmic keys to determine how two people will get along. Pretty deep. But you can leave that to me, as you enjoy the turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes.

The famous psychologist, Carl Jung believed that in Astrology, one could find, “the curious psychological qualities of the zodiac: a complete projected theory of human character.” Jung also noted that Astrology provides a “bridge to nature,” (from “Archetypes of the Collective Unconscious”, by Carl G. Jung), meaning the association of the planets, stars & cosmos with the lives and happenings of human kind. He saw in it a link to the human unconscious psyche. And so, Astrology can reveal quite a bit about your self, and your motivations… and also about your close relationships.

From a French Painting from around 1415 illuminating the Book of the Hours for November.

It’s almost Thanksgiving… the year is passing quickly! Is your day restful? This week, on Thanksgiving, the Sun enters Sagittarius… a thoughtful and progressive sign with a positive outlook. Enjoy your conversations on the holiday. There has been so much written about “Sun Signs”, which is what most people know when asked, “what sign are you?”. In Astrology, we concentrate on all the other planets, the Moon, and a number of other symbolic influences too. The Sun is a very powerful force, associated with your ego — but to understand yourself, and others, through the Kaleidoscope of Astrology, you have to take the bigger picture — the whole cosmos — into account.

A lot of Astrology has to do with patterns — patterns in the Cosmos, translating and interpreted into seeing patterns in your life. Do you ever notice odd coincidences, or events that seem like they might be connected, but you’re not sure how? That can be due to a certain sacred synchronicity that Astrology can help you explore. For example, one “pattern” we can look at in Astrology, are “triplicities”. One simple understanding of a “Triplicity” is that people are attracted to people that with signs that share the same element — so a Pisces would get along well with a Cancer, and a Scorpio, which are all Water (element) signs. Do you see any patterns with types of people who frequently come into your life?

What do the patterns seen in Astrology (horoscopes) tell you about people and situations? Well, there are several types of “patterns” we look at. Here are a few examples:

• A “grand cross” — when four planets form a square to one another — creates a sort of inner tug-a-war in a person. This a configuration is not commonly found in most horoscope charts.
• A “cosmic cross” — when two planets are opposite each other, and a third forms a square to both — is more commonly found and seen in about 40% of horoscopes. It looks like a “T”, and your Astrologer can tell you the opportunity this represents in your life.
• A “conjunction” (also called an “occultation”) is when two planets appear close together when viewed from Earth. This creates a union of the energies of both planets, and the interpretation depends on which planets are invloved.

Much depends on which planets are in the key positions of these cosmic patterns. Just as relationships vary between two or more people, so do the tugs and pulls of the heavenly bodies in your horoscope.

Above, precession of the equinoxes as seen from ‘outside’ the celestial dome. Illustration by Tauʻolunga.

Did you know that the word “Astrology” is derived from two Greek words, roughly translated as “Star” and “Speak”? Well, the Stars (and Planets) do speak quite a lot about events on good old earth. Astronomers (Astronomy and Astrology used to be one field of study), look to the Stars to learn about history, geology, and make mathematical predictions about celestial events. Astrologers have developed a number of Psychological interpretations for the influence of heavenly bodies. Both believe that all things are connected. So often people turn to Astrology to learn about their own connections — relationships. And, as a framework for understanding the personality, Astrology can tell you quite a lot about yourself… and your partner.

“Your opportunities during this period are to relax, plan things out, and enjoy practices (like Yoga and Tai Chi) that build spiritual energy.”

On Nov. 15th, Mars went into retrograde — yes, Mars. Most people are used to Mercury Retrograde and know that during those times it is best to be cautious about your communications and negotiations. So what does Mars Retrograde mean? The long answer is that it means different things for different signs. A simpler way to understand it, though, is to remember that during a Retrograde things slow down, and Mars is the planet of feisty energy. Put those two things together and a lot of energy that goes into projects in general will now move slower. Moods, desires, and ambition all function on a lower level during this time (Nov. 15th thru Jan. 30th). Your opportunities during this period are to relax, plan things out, and enjoy practices (like Yoga and Tai Chi) that build spiritual energy.

Do you feel a slight depletion of energy today? That can be because Mars Retrograde — Mars is a very energetic planet. Of course there are other planetary influences at work too — Mercury is active and can bring you some stamina this weekend. Speaking of the weekend, it is a good time to relax and take it a bit slow. Do some spiritual and physical exercises. The week ahead is a busy one. Thanksgiving is ahead, and there is lots to be thankful about. Remember not to be over extravagant this week — fit things into a good plan. And, enjoy the conversations with family and friends — they are the roots in your life.

Most Astrologers, as do I, believe in a kind of Divine Government for our World, and a Map of it can be seen in the Stars. When we look at your horoscope, we see how the Stars speak about you as an individual. In the larger scheme of things, God, leads quite a celestial orchestra whose music will indeed inform you — when you listen.