The Blue Marble: Earth photos never cease to amaze as you peer back at our own planet from a NASA photo, and put space, distance, the galaxy and life itself into perspective. We live on a whirling ball of energy.

Astro-Weekend Update…

Sunday comes in with an interesting mix of celestial energies — a day when your power to break through involves a harmony of health and spirit. Ok… let’s break down what that means. Simply put, when you are in good spirits, your health is positively impacted, and you feel a surge of power to move ahead in your projects and relationships. But someone may be resisting your new ideas — hey, there’s always a challenge along the way. Pay careful attention to your love relationships.

“The important thing is to strike the right balance between holding principles that allow your love to grow, and being too restrictive.”

The week jumps to a start on Monday with some tension in the air. Jupiter (growth), and Mercury (Communication) play multiple roles as does Pluto (transformation). A communication block may be preventing you from a move forward. To get to the root of this, double-check the feelings you have about growth. What is causing you stress and why? Pluto is there to help you make progress when you get over any emotional tension and use good communication skills, including listening well (not waiting to talk), to get to the root of the matter.

The Moon (emotions) plays a key role on Tuesday, squaring off with Chiron and Neptune, but dancing in harmony with Uranus, Saturn, the Sun and Mars. What is the source of the Spiritual blockage? What is preventing you from feeling good about one aspect of your life? Work on that. Use creative ideas, within bounds, to take action to address conflicts — you have the power.  Keep your emotions balanced and things will work out fine.

Midweek brings energies which work to give you an opportunity to grow in your romantic relationship on Wednesday. Remember that some boundaries are healthy in relationshiops (ie. giving each other space), and others are not good (ie. shutting another out). It’s worth it to spend some time on this today — as you know, relationships take work, but the rewards are great. The important thing is to strike the right balance between holding principles that allow your love to grow, and being too restrictive.

Celebrate Our Milky Way: NASA has used its Hubble Space Telescope, an infrared view from the Spitzer Space Telescope, and an X-ray view from the Chandra X-ray Observatory to create one multiwavelength picture of the Milky Way — our home galaxy that is one of billions in the heavens above.

Astro-Weekend Update…

Saturday kicks off the weekend with the Moon dancing in trine with Venus… planet of love. Whoo Hooo.  You know what to do.  The Moon (emotions) also shows harmony with Mercury (planet of Communication) today.  Great.  Love and Communication.  At the core, this deep dialog with your mate and those you love is what it’s all about.  Don’t hold back.  Talk about what is in your heart.  Do what needs to be done.

“Remember that tension brings good focus on important details in your life. Embrace the tension.”

Sunday finds the Moon squaring off with Pluto, working in conjunction with Uranus and Jupiter and showing tensions with both Mars and Mercury. Ok… focus first on the emotional energy of new ideas and expansion.  Emotional energy?  Yes, your mind can think of new ways to proceed in your love relationships, and career — but it is when you feel good about moving forward that progress will happen.  Figure out your roadblocks, deal with them, then you can move forward.

The week starts out busy on Monday, as the Moon dances in harmony with the Sun. There’s some tension in the air, and that’s good.  Remember that tension brings good focus on important details in your life.  Embrace the tension.  Remember that creative tension is behind all inventions, and you should not block it because it is the key both to health and the success of your love life.  Work with good tension (creative tension) and seek to understand and so banish unproductive tension (holding a grudge) from your life.

Tuesday brings a lot of celestial energy to bear with the Moon dancing in trine with Saturn, Mars, and Pluto, and in harmony with Neptune and Chiron. Simultaneously, Mars stands in opposition with Chiron.  This sets up a pattern where you are close to settling something in your life that will do you much good — but there is one more hurdle to jump before you can get there.  What hurdle?  Communication with those close to you will bring this into sharper focus.  Seek to learn what has held you back so far, then set a course to “break through” that wall.

Midweek we find Mercury (Communication) again playing a key role, on Wednesday squaring off with Neptune (Spirituality). What concerns of the Spirit can you surface to smooth the way in your life?  At work, this could be the spirit of getting things done — just plow through it.  At home, this could be the spirit of healing and finishing any things that have become baggage and so are holding you back.  How?  Honest, heartfelt communication where a big part of it is listening.  Not waiting to speak… just listening.

Beautiful Cosmos: NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope, Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory image of a bubble-shaped shroud of gas and dust that is 14 light-years wide and is expanding at 4 million miles per hour.

Saturday brings a lot of celestial activity. The Moon is making nice with Uranus, Venus and Saturn.  Think of some new, but practical ideas you can bring into your love relationships.  Could you spend the afternoon cooking together with some new recipes?  Then there’s some tension between Mars and Saturn.  Mars wants to get things going — Saturn wants to slow things down.  Go with your intuition there.  Remember to listen well to those around you — they have important ideas for you.

“What are you feeling that is holding you back?  Communication will lead you to your breakthrough answer.”

Sunday shows some emotional tension involving Pluto, Uranus, and Mercury.  This is a good day to practice good Communication skills. There’s a chance you can make a breakthrough if you listen well, and are open to new ideas.  The Moon is in trine with the Sun, also today, so your critical thinking and intuition should be in tune with one another.  This will bring greater understanding as you deal with family and friends.

Monday looks busy in the heavens as the week begins.  Mercury is cooperating with Pluto even as is squares off with Saturn. You will need to get beyond some restrictions in order to achieve a breakthrough.  Jupiter is working in conjunction with Chiron to bring healthy growth to your life. Meanwhile, the Moon opposes both Jupiter and Chiron throwing an emotional wrench into your plans.  What are you feeling that is holding you back?  Communication will lead you to your breakthrough answer.

Tuesday quiets down as Mercury (Communication) shows stress with Mars (Initiation), and the Moon (Emotions) squares off with both Venus (Love), and the Sun (Personality). What do you love about yourself?  What do you wish you could change?  Have a good talk about this with yourself, then consider who you need to talk with to take the next step.  A supervisor at work?  A college entrance counselor?  Someone in your family?  Prepare yourself with honest introspection… then go make the right moves.

What wonders, yet to be explored in our Universe? Witness NASA photo of Galaxy NGC 4697 – The point-like sources are due to black holes and neutron stars in binary star systems.

Weekend Astro-Update…

Saturday shows a mixed bag of influence, with an indication you should watch your communication carefully and try to proceed by reason, instead of passion. You’re feeling “whole” today, but at the same time wondering if some new ideas you have can lead to the breakthroughs you seek.  They can, but you have to proceed with patience and the education it requires.

“Healthy, Spiritual Growth.  There… you have a recipe you can help your mate and family enjoy life… and what a great gift it will be.”

Sunday looks like a quiet, late Autumn turning to Winter day. Perfect for enjoying the weekend with loved ones, we see that the Moon (Emotions) is tuned in harmoniously with Mercury (Communication).  Talk about the little things — you know, the “small talk” that actually carries with it the deeper bonds that make it much larger than it is small.  That’s the art of conversation, and it is why community and communication share the same root word.

Monday comes in busy on a US Holiday week — Thursday we will celebrate Thanksgiving, but we have to get there first. Emotionally, you have an opportunity to see what’s blocking your love relationships from proceeding.  Beyond simply good communication, we see the Moon (Emotions) working in conjunction with Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune.  Healthy, Spiritual Growth.  There… you have a recipe you can help your mate and family enjoy life… and what a great gift it will be.

Tuesday brings the energy of Pluto to bear in a positive light, while Saturn places a dual rol — both harmonious with the Sun… but at odds with the Moon. Along with the Moon squaring off with the Sun, this day presents the option to see why your gut is telling you something different than your head.  Good instinct and a trust in your intuition will save the day as you could be locked into daydreams that take you away from what’s really important.

Fiery “galaxie 4261″ appears in this NASA photo glows red and yellow hot from its intense sun, creating brilliant circles of influence radiating outward.

Friday shows the Moon dancing in trine with Mars — a good day to get things done.  The Moon also is working in conjunction with Uranus to bring about new ideas.  So bring up your creative plans, and work with colleagues and family to put them in motion.  Take extra care to communicate patiently and carefully.  An opposition with Mercury (Communication), shows that some may resist messages about change.  That’s ok — it is a human trait to fear the unknown.  Just lay out your case for what must be done in compelling terms, and you will be persuasive.

“There will always be those who are uncomfortable with any kind of change at all, and then some who argue for a grand plan, instead of simpler tactics and tasks. The important thing in business, and private life is progress.”

Saturday provides a welcome opportunity to rest.  You may be feeling a bit jumbled, as the Moon is showing an opposition with the Sun — the emotions are out of sorts with the personality.  There’s also a bit of tension showing with Jupiter.  Jupiter is the planet of growth and prosperity.  We’re in difficult times, so that can be one explanation, but there is also a sense that the tension can work to your benefit.  When you get a feeling like this about a growth area of your life, it’s an opportunity to examine anything that could be holding you back.  Go to the library, or bookstore and check out some books on prosperity.

A busy time in the Cosmos, on Sunday, brings a lot of energy to bear for your day.  There’s a good chance to launch new plans as Mercury (Communication) works well with Mars (Initative).  But don’t try to focus those plans on your love relationships — Venus is at odds with Jupiter.  Instead, talk about ways to grow your family, and your career endeavors.  The Moon (emotions) is also working well with Chiron (healing) today, so take advantage of the good feelings to work out your plans for the coming week and months.

Monday starts the week off with progress looking likely in practical matters.  The Moon shows harmony with Mercury (Communication), so your plans may be received well when you keep them “down to earth.”  We also see some tension on the practical front.  There will always be those who are uncomfortable with any kind of change at all, and then some who argue for a grand plan, instead of simpler tactics and tasks.  The important thing in business, and private life is progress.  And, you can find the right opening for small, practical gains today.

On Tuesday, we see Mercury (Communication) in tension with Chiron (Health), while the Sun (Personality) shows harmony with Chiron.  This is a cosmic piece of advice to be sure to communicate (remember good communication includes listening and checking what you’ve heard) carefully and thoroughly.  The Moon is also in a favorable position (Trine) with Pluto — planet of transformation.  Play your cards right, and you could make a breakthrough at work, or home today.

Cosmic Clock: The astronomical clock of the Piazza San Marco, Venice — as the world turns, so do the gears of Astrology.

Saturday finds the Moon squaring off with Pluto, but working in conjunction with Uranus. Now you might have some new ideas for the fall season of life, but you have a feeling that you just can’t get there yet. That’s ok. New ideas take time to unfold and grow. Just plant the seeds — you can harvest later. Yesterday’s Full Moon will give you some much needed energy for recreation. Enjoy your time off this weekend.

“Monday: Moon is also in harmony with Jupiter (growth), Chiron (health), and Neptune (Spirituality) — a day of great blessings when strength of Spirit also brings you emotional healing.”

Sunday shows some stress points with Chiron — the Healer — so you’ll have an opportunity to examine your feelings. It’s possible you feel that something is holding you back. What is it, and precisely how does it bind you? It may also be that to someone close to you… it feels like you are forcing an issue. Maybe you don’t have to “push it”, but instead can actually get farther by listening and remaining positive. Pray for discernment in these matters.

On Monday, most in the US are on vacation before the busy Fall season starts. It’s a good day love relationships as the Moon (emotions) dances in trine with Venus — the planet of love. Use the time off to take your mate out for brunch and a walk in the park. The Moon is also in harmony today with Jupiter (growth), Chiron (health), and Neptune (Spirituality) — a day of great blessings when strength of Spirit also brings you emotional healing.

Tuesday brings an opportunity to take the lead on initiatives which will bring needed change in your projects at work, and relationships at home. Coming off the energy you gained from the Full Moon vacation weekend, you can use it to transform the playing field. Remember, change is always a factor, and you can wait and be tugged along by it, or embrace it and lead the charge. It’s like a wave — ride it, or wait let it break over you. Take some time to write down five ideas on how you can be instrumental with positive changes in your career and in your love life.

Medieval illustration depicting the zodiac’s influence for August and September shows the work of the commoners during the seasons of those months (from Wikipedia.org)

Welcome to Saturday… it’s looking good for Love! Whoo hooo.  The Moon (Emotions) is in harmony with Venus (Love), and Venus is dancing in trine with Uranus (New Ideas).  Do you have some new ideas about Love?  Maybe we should qualify that — right?  Do you have some creative ideas about fun place to visit, activities (been to the beach lately), and entertainment to enjoy with your mate?  Today’s the day.  Make sure that you are honest with your feelings about your relationship — it will do wonders for it.

“Most problems come down to communication for a solution — the lack of it, or poor examples of it usually due to a failure to listen.”

Sunday finds the Sun (Personality) making nice with Pluto — planet of transformation. This is an opportunity for you to ask what part of your inner nature is in need of overhaul, then to set out to do it.  Examples, are lack of a social life — go to an event; problems in love relationships — go find some self-help books, etc.  The Moon shows harmony with Jupiter (Prosperity) today, too, so you can do some work in that realm of your life.  Maybe it’s time to reassess your financial position?

Monday starts the week off looking well, with the Moon (Emotions) in trine with Chiron (wellness), Mars (Initiative), and Neptune (Spirituality). Take action for your health, and that will be good for your spirit.  The Moon is also in harmony with Pluto (Transformation) and the Sun (Personality) today.  Look for new approaches, and break-throughs which will bring you needed growth and success.

Tuesday brings Mercury squaring off with Mars – there is something that is getting “hung up” in either your relationship at home or work, due to a lack of communication.  Most problems come down to communication for a solution — the lack of it (search yourself to learn why); or poor examples of it usually due to a failure to listen. And, the Moon (emotions) is showing stress with five planets today, your focus and meditation should be on better communication with all involved.

“Personification of Astrology” painting, by Artist Guercino circa 1650.

Here comes Friday, and it looks quiet — can you sneak out of the office early and get some needed recreation? The Moon (Emotions) shows favor with Pluto — a planet that smiles on transformation and renewal. A good place for such a retreat is to relax near a body of water — the ocean or a lake. Reflect on your life. We are so busy with plans, projects, and work, that we often have trouble stepping outside that “box” and back to the “play” that renews us… and actually makes us better at what we do.

“When you have some quiet time, take a moment to see what emotions you are holding that may not be good for your health. Let them go…”

On Saturday, the Moon is working with Saturn to bring about a practical focus in our lives. Stay grounded. Pay attention to immediate needs in the morning, so the rest of the day will feel free of them. Examine your Spirituality once again — it is a big key to your overall health. In a relationship, ask, what are the Spiritual goals for this union? Remember the rule of threes in your love relationships — you choose, pledge and have faith. Choose a partner. Pledge to be true to the partnership. Have faith it is taking you where you need to go.

On Sunday, the Moon squares off with Pluto, dances nice with the Sun, and makes a Trine with Mars. Go ahead and do something you’ve been wanting to do today… a drive to the ocean, finding a new church, a hike, shopping for a home improvement project. Act on existing plans. When you have some quiet time, take a moment to see what emotions you are holding that may not be good for your health. Let them go… use prayer, and discernment.

Six trines make this a most harmonious Monday. Good feelings abound, so now you can get things done. Venus is at play with harmonies with Jupiter (growth) and Chiron (health) — so, take the next step in your relationship… keep growing. The Moon (emotions) is also in harmony with Jupiter and Chiron, for a double whammy — plus, with Venus. This is a powerful “Love” day. Hmmmm. Maybe you should take the day off?

A great healer, astrologer, and respected oracle, Chiron was said to be the last centaur and highly revered as a teacher and tutor.

Here comes Friday, roaring in with a symphony of celestial influences dancing above. The Moon works in harmony, today, with Chiron, Pisces, and Jupiter – an excellent combination to give you a sort of wild, end of week spirit as you finish out your work chores. Remember dancing to music you love? That sort of spiritual feeling is very healthy for body, mind, and soul. Jupiter also shows tension with Pluto, and this brings into question what is actually need for our growth and renewal? A day at the Mall, or simply a quiet walk in the country. And Mercury (Communication) shows some stress with Jupiter as well. Hmmmm. the expansive planet of Jupiter is playing quite a roll today, and Jupiter always calls for growth. Just make sure you temper your growth with the right balance based on strong core principles.

Venus is about love, and Chiron about health — the natural question is how healthy is your love life?

Earlier in the week, Venus was a bit on the outs with Chiron. Venus is about love, and Chiron about health — the natural question is how healthy is your love life? Just like a person does, your love relationships require feeding, care, and nurturing. And, often it is those things that get forgotten or taken for granted as time goes on. Don’t forget. I’m not just talking about “flowers”, though that’s become a cliche. Flowers just because, and to express your feeling — good. Flowers because someone is angry — ok, but why not do it during the good times too… as a celebration? And there are lots of other things to give, besides flowers. So, what can you do today to feed your relationship so it stays healthy?

On Saturday Mercury is working with Venus to inspire enjoyable conversations, and good social times. There’s also a feeling of transformation in the air as the Moon works with Pluto to bring the energy of change to the forefront. So good talk, combined with new ideas — not a bad day for negotiations… business or pleasure. Interestingly there is also a bit of resistance showing as the Moon shows some stress with Uranus. That’s always the case when something new comes up… you have to overcome initial resistance. People are like that — they tend to resist change at first. Yet it is change that is always needed for growth.

On Sunday, the Moon looks favorable upon Saturn, Mars, and Pluto — giving you the initiative to try some new, but practical things. Maybe you can organize your garage, or a closet. Boring? Still it feels good after you do those things. Maybe you’ll research a better banking deal at the local Credit Union. Talk it over with your mate, and you’ll be surprised what you can learn and achieve.