A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth so that the Sun is wholly or partially obscured — a potent time, Astrologically speaking.

On Friday, Mars (initiative) is in opposition to Chiron (Healing). This means it’s better to relax today, rather than drag through old wounds. The Moon (Emotions) has also moved into conjunction with Mercury (Communication), and the Sun (Personality). This gives you the feeling you can communicate what others need to know to help you accomplish your goals. Also, a New Moon Solar Eclipse occurs in the sign of Leo — a positive influence for confidence, creativity, romance and dating. So enjoy your hot Friday night.

.. our New Moon is playing well with Pluto (renewal) a great combination to rejuvenate yourself and your relationship

A New Moon is all about the initiation of energy, and the Solar Eclipse, being in Leo, is a sign of indulgence. It’s a great time to go dancing, to an art show, enjoy a five course meal… or maybe all of those things. Focus on new ways to spark your relationships, creative pursuits, and family undertakings. It’s a good time to meditate on some of the things that Leo energy brings to life: generosity, caring, warm, authoritative, active, and hospitality. You will shine at a party that you throw this weekend. Remember, New Moon — start something new. Solar Eclipse — helps ignite the energy it is associated with (here we talk about Leo, but you should also consult your own particular natal chart for more details — give me a call and I’ll help).

Earlier in the week, the Moon trined Neptune (Spirituality) which brings a good harmony to your life and makes this a good time to work on your romantic interests. Remember to go with your intuition here. The Moon is also at odds with Mars (Initiative), so while the spirit moves you in the right direction, you may find it hard to take the first step. There’s also some stress showing with Pluto (Transformation), so there may be something you need to deal with first before you can move ahead. No fear. Take courage and do the right thing.

Looking into the weekend, on Saturday… our New Moon is playing well with Pluto (renewal) a great combination to rejuvenate yourself and your relationships. Get away to the beach. Go up to the mountains. A trip to a spa could be in order (remember the indulgence of Leo?). The Moon (Emotions) is also in conjunction with Venus (Love), so your heart can really dance this weekend. In fact, dancing might be a great recipe for fun — go out and hear your favorite band. It’s time to kick up your heals.

Learn about the Current Moon and its Purpose in our lives…

The Moon, currently in the Last Quarter, is an important influence in day to day events.

Are you struggling with ways to express what is in your heart? Friday was an interesting Day, celestially speaking. The Moon (Emotions) squared off with Mercury (Communication) and this can make it tough to talk about your feelings. The Moon also squared off with the Sun (Personality) which can bring about a conflict between what you think… and what you feel. Ever think a lot about how you’re feeling in a love relationship, but can’t quite “sort it out”? That’s natural. “Relational astrology” can work for you. Allow me to help you identify the challenges and arrive at a solution. I can help you communicate better and in the language that s/he will perceive well, and non threatening, guaranteeing a result that is beneficial for you both.

Then there’s the last quarter moon, which can bring about a challenge or test for your spirit. The energy of the full moon is ebbing toward the new moon. So there’s a sort of dispersing of energy at this time which means it is crucial to figure out what you need to focus upon. Don’t get scattered. Sure, there’s also some playful energy here… The Last Quarter Moon is in Taurus, square (90 degrees) the Sun in Leo. Taurus is ruled by Venus. Venus currently is in Leo having fun. And Venus is the planet of Love and Romance. So enjoy that this weekend.

Looking into the weekend, on Saturday, Mercury (Communication) has a tug-of-war with Mars (Initiative). Recall that Mars is also an indicator of the male energy (remember, “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus”?). This can indicate difficulty communicating with a man you are close to, and also some uncertainty about taking charge. Meanwhile, the Moon (emotions) is playing well with both Mars and Saturn (practicality), which means you should look for a practical solution and make it happen. Your gut knows you can do it, but your head may be holding you back. Let go and get ‘er done.

It has been an interesting week, where you might have noticed more than one occasion when it was difficult to expres your feelings. Now, on Sunday, Mercury (Communication) is in position to synchronize nicely with the Moon (Communication). Finally. Take advantage and seize the moment. Prepare yourself to say what you have been wanting to say. How? Well, you listen to what you have been feeling. Deal with it. Then work out the right thing to do based on those feelings.

Venus from the Painting by Boticelli, with the planet Venus photo from NASA.

Another Friday rolls around and the Moon (Emotions) is dancing with the Sun (Personality) which gives a wholesome feeling — a day when you can feel together. Now wouldn’t it be great if life were that simple. It isn’t. And the Zodiac isn’t either. There are other aspects playing in the heavens today, and so affecting us here on Earth. The Moon is also in a trine (favorable) position Uranus — the planet of Individuality — today. That along with the first aspect (Moon and Sun) make you potent indeed.

“Many adults think of play as a “box” you step out of when you grow up, but any good psychologist will tell you that play is good for the soul…”

Now add in the Moon’s work with Venus (Love), and watch out — if you enjoy a night out on the town after work, your strength of personality could draw admirers. Careful that doesn’t go to your head and make you act too fast. If you’re already in a good relationship, however, the night could be magical.

Remember that Venus also brings harmony, balance, beauty and the ability to sympathize with others into play. This is important in your work life, and your romantic relationships. And, of course it is of the essence in a family. Can you sense the harmony? If not — what is out of balance? Maybe your sympathy for another’s fate is what can put things back into the loving order of Venus.

As we look toward the weekend, “Play with the Moon,” is an excellent celestial recommendation and meditation. We have a New Moon building since last Monday, toward it’s current state about 24% Full – a waxing crescent. This fills one with a sense of youth, and high spirits, which is particularly heightened as the Moon enters Leo in the morning. Play is important. Many adults think of play as a “box” you step out of when you grow up, but any good psychologist will tell you that play is good for the soul — at any age. Play with your loved ones, if only in the back yard. Play with your friends, if only to throw a nerf football. Get out the board-games… and enjoy the light and laughter of life.

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.

A Lunar Eclipse, like that which occurred on Feb. 20,
happens when the Moon and the Sun
are on opposite sides of the Earth. The
last Virgo-Pisces eclipse was 19 years ago.

Happy Friday!! The Moon (emotions) forms a square with Mars (initiative), so you may have a gut hunch — call it your emotional intelligence — today that leads you to take action. In business this can mean you have an intuition about a new product or service that could pay off. In your romantic life, trust your instincts about your relationship and act positively.

“Now reconsider that this your second chance now to begin again or add to what you began then, to make better what you started back then — 19 years ago.”

The Moon was in Leo (drama) a couple of days ago and that brings feelings of putting yourself “out front” to the fore. Did you feel like taking center stage today? The Sun (personality) is also working with Pluto (transformation) making for a certain powerful “performance” as you step forward. The trick is presenting yourself well, as others do the same — somewhat like two political competitors sharing the same stage. It can be done, but it takes a certain diplomacy.

What is it that you want? Whatever it is, you can have it, because your thoughts create your reality. Therefore, remember that what you believe — is! So you may as well, believe something good, happy & positive rather than something, bad, sad, & negative. True? Of course!! And suddenly… your life becomes exactly what you choose to believe! So, as we enter the season of Pisces, ask yourself, is your fantasy something you’d like to become your reality? You can make it so!

Last Wednesday, we had a Lunar Eclipse. Remember that Eclipses occur in 19 year cycles. The last Virgo – Pisces Eclipse was Feb. 20th, 1989. Whatever you were contemplating back then — stop for a moment and think about where you were and what you were doing, where you were going and why — what motivated you to go forward or stop whatever it was you were doing. Now reconsider that this your second chance now to begin again or add to what you began then, to make better what you started back then. This is your second opportunity for success — and you will reach your goal, simply remove the word Try! “Fear is the carpet in front of the temple door… Spirituality is the end of arguing with what is.” (Adyashanti)