Image of Uranus with its rings and moons as photographed by NASA.

On Wednesday, the Moon (emotions) is working favorably with Uranus (discoveries), but showing some tension with Neptune (spirituality). This can work out so that you’re into looking at new things in your career and personal life, but feeling spiritually held back from where you want to go. Is there a project or something in the past that you need to take care of first?

“…You could find yourself speaking from the heart, a bit too quickly — give yourself some time to reflect on what your emotional intelligence is telling you.”

As we started the week, the Moon was in position to influence how you feel about taking an active role at work, and in your relationships. Your confidence is a key factor, and you can find yourself taking the initiative on a project, or leading the way on a romantic outing. Mars is in Geminii through the 4th of March, and this keeps you flexible — it’s always good to consider the input of others as you forge ahead.

It’s an interesting Thursday this week as Mercury (Communication) is tugged by Mars (Initiative) in such a way that you could find yourself speaking before you’ve thought things through. The Moon (Emotions) is also working with Venus (Love) to bring feelings of compassion to the forefront. Put those two aspects together, and you could find yourself speaking from the heart, a bit too quickly. Give yourself some time to reflect on what your emotional intelligence is telling you. Choose your words carefully.

From a painting of Aquarius circa 1782

The Moon today is full of good energy for new beginnings, this has a lot to do with the New Moon that occurred earlier last week. You can really “bring it” this month. What new projects do you have to start? Is it time to take a new course of action in your career — in a relationship? There was a Solar Eclipse last week too, and that is another opportunity for you to look at things anew — as they are revealed again after being hidden during the eclipse. What will you see in a new light this week?

“February is a month to get things done, use this to get in tune with those around you so that your “team” can forge ahead.”

February looks like a busy month — a time when you can get things done… even on the weekends. How do you juggle multiple projects, deadlines, and manage to keep track of it all? Does your computer help you manage your tasks, or do you simply write a list and cross things off as they are completed? This is a good time to have a system so you can double-check — it’s a bit hectic, and communications can go awry because of the Mercury Retrograde. Just make sure you communicate with yourself well — use a daytimer, journal, or simple note system.

The Sun in Aquarius (thru. the 19th) brings a thirst for learning that can translate into innovation and creativity. You should be able to take a good look at your life, home, and surroundings and see what’s ready for a little change. On Monday (Feb. 11th), the Moon and Sun favor each other in such a way that you will feel confidence in your abilities. In fact, the Moon (emotions) also works with Mars (assertion) to boost confidence — just don’t take it too far. There’s a fine line between self confidence and an ego that’s a “legend in your own mind.” You can use this influence for strength of character as you “step up” to lead at work and home.

On Tuesday (Feb. 12th), the Moon (Emotion) forms a trine with both Saturn (Practicality), and Neptune (Compassion). This brings you down to earth as you approach business matters, and makes you open to understanding and empathy with others. Since February is a month to get things done, use this to get in tune with those around you so that your “team” can forge ahead.

This image shows the Sun as viewed by the Soft X-Ray Telescope (SXT) onboard the orbiting Yohkoh satellite.

Just in time for Super-Bowl Sunday, the Moon formed a “semi-square” position with the Sun, and this means that you could have felt one way (New York should win), and think quite another (it looks like New England will win). Looks like the emotions took that one — New York made the “upset” (an emotional term?). The same push-pull could be in affect early this week with regards to your relationships — you think everything is all right, but you’re feeling alittle uneasy about it. Remember to be careful in how you communicate, and in how you assess what you hear from others (ask questions for clarification) — it’s still a Mercury Retrograde time (until mid-February).

“Today, the Moon (emotions) is working with Uranus (Individuality) which again can move you to seek self expression, learning, and growth.”

On Monday, an interesting celestial influence is the Sun (Personality) working in conjunction with Venus (Love) to make for some good vibes and feelings — as you settle up at the office on those Bowl bets. Or maybe it has to do with a lunch with a new love interest. This is a good time to be honest about your feelings. Remember, Valentine’s Day is coming up.

The celestial influences are particularly potent this week, so expect a lot of activity (Happy Mardi Gras). Both the Sun and Mercury are in Aquarius, which makes us open to new experiences and is good for thinking outside the box. Today, the Moon (emotions) is working with Uranus (Individuality) which again can move you to seek self expression, learning, and growth. This is a good time to look into that training workshop you’ve been wanting to attend.

So emotions are high, and energy is active. Be careful how you communicate, and double check what others say to you. Use your emotions for “emotional intelligence”, but don’t let them over power you.

Mercury, captured from Mariner 7, shows a pock-marked surface, similar to our Moon.

On Monday, January 28th, Mercury went Retrograde in Libra. This is a most beautiful diplomatic placement for Retrograde because as most of you know, “Retro” means to Red-Do, or ReVisit — and for this particular Retrograde negotiations are quite favored next week. What this means for everyone is to be sure to ask for what you want, and be direct about it. You will be well respected for knowing exactly what you want, so get busy thinking about exactly what that is.

“…the eyes are known as the windows to the soul – the same soul that feels the pull of earth and of the heavens.”

Mercury Retrograde affects communications, so it’s good to remember that experts on the subject say that there are four messages given each time we communicate. What we mean to say. What we actually say. What the receiver hears us say. What the receiver (the other person in the communication) thinks it means. The last part can have a lot to do with our body language and the emotions and intonations that go along with spoken communication. And remember that Mercury in Retrograde disrupts communications, so pay special attention to the four messages, and how you can sort them out. How? Check to see if you’ve understood correctly by asking if what you think the communication means, is actually what the person speaking meant to say.

And on Wednesday, Jan. 30th, the Mars goes Direct adding its fiery passion to the mix of influences here on earth. You need to sharpen your focus on written and verbal communication in your career and personal life. What about subliminal communication? Every watch someone’s eyes carefully? They can tell you a lot. According to communication experts, blinking fast usually means a person is nervous — and peoples’ passions could be up this week. Eye contact regulates conversations, shows interest or involvement, and establishes a connection with others — in our culture. Dilated pupils indicate greater affection or attraction, while constricted pupils send a colder signal — usually a signal that your brain picks up subliminally. But you can tune in consciously and use what you see to help you understand what is being communicated. And of course, the eyes are known as the windows to the soul – the same soul that feels the pull of earth and of the heavens.

Mars coming back to “Direct” (it visually proceeds forward in its path through the skies), puts its fierce passions at work this week, and along with the Last Quarter Moon (Weds. Jan. 30th), this combination makes for a time to learn about what you truely care about. Give it some time — sleep on it. Then proceed with careful, clear communication — Mercury (Communication) in Retrograde now, means that you need to double-check the messages you are putting out. Get in touch with your feelings, get yourself together, and go forward like a skilled negotiator, to seek your opportunities.

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.

Planets and Zodiac influence the World.

When you are interested in the “influence” of the Planets, Sun, Moon — the celestial bodies, just how do you believe they may influence you as an individual? Well, one way is the way the Moon influences the tides — with gravity. Gravity moves water, and our bodies are 90% water. But don’t the heavens influence your emotional and spiritual “bodies” too? I think so. Just as those parts of yourself are all integrated in your own personality, so too are the mechanics of the universe intrinsic to our emotional and spiritual selves. And understanding how that works, and what is happening with people close to you is what Astrology is all about.

“…the Moon enters Pisces this weekend (12th & 13th), and that means it’s a good time to move a little dream or two into a reality.”

How is your love life doing as the year starts its course? Venus, the planet of Love, is being tugged a bit by both Uranus and Saturn, themselves in a tense aspect to each other. This can bring about a good time for you to examine things. What has been on your nerves regarding your relationships? What is at the source of any tension? You may not want to “go there,” but facing it will help you clean your house and make for a good healthy Springtime.

Do you enjoy a good fantasy… in your real life? Well, the Moon enters Pisces this weekend (12th & 13th), and that means it’s a good time to move a little dream or two into a reality. And with Venus (the love planet) in Sagittarius, this potent combination makes for some intense romantic possibilities. Costume party, anyone? Saturday is better than Sunday for this, since Venus comes under the influence of Saturn on Sunday which can mean pulling back in your relationships. That’s alright — have fun Saturday, then enjoy some reflection time on Sunday.

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.

Do you manage your emotions, or do they control you? This can be a key concern in relationships. It’s important to honor your emotions, and not try to bury them — there is even such a thing as “emotional intelligence” (see books by the same name) that can help you in trusting your feelings. At the same time, emotional outbursts — at work or at home — don’t usually score you many points. Using Astrology to understand key character traits (your own, and for those that are close to you) can help you get a handle on emotional hot spots.

“Emotions can come to the surface in these times, but it’s up to you to choose to deal with your emotions in a healthy way.”

In Astrology, it is said that the Moon has a great deal of influence on your emotions. Right now the moon is just waxing toward Full… a scant, 2% crescent moon. This is when the energy and power of the Moon is building up toward full power. New projects are best started now, so maybe you can get to work on those New Years’ resolutions early.

Have you heard the saying, “the spirit is willing”? It usually means that in old age, you may be wishing to do certain things (athletic activities, travel, etc.), but are unable because of certain bodily set backs. At any age, the idea that your Spirit is what moves you to action is important, and in Astrology, examining the Spiritual influences of the celestial bodies becomes of the essence. The Moon impacts our emotions. The Sun fires up our personalities. As we head for a conjunction of Pluto and Jupiter on the 11th, Tuesday, and this influence can fuel your emotions (the Moon is growing towards Full too). Keep your wits about you and listen to what your emotions tell you, but don’t let them control you.

Does this Christmas seem like the same old holiday season… or do things seem different, somehow, to you? From an Astrological view, there’s a lot going on in the heavens to shake things up a bit. Jupiter is moving into a conjunction with Pluto in a position not seen for thirteen years. There’s always an opportunity to see things from a new, fresh perspective when things change. Emotions can come to the surface in these times, but it’s up to you to choose to deal with your emotions in a healthy way. Nurture strength of Spirit.

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.