A “starburst” galaxy blazes with extremely active star formation in this NASA photo — worlds, suns, and moons all spiraling through the Cosmos.

How was your Thursday? Were you feeling a little “jiggy” today? Well, the Moon (Emotions) is at odds with the Sun (Personality) today, so you may feel a little on edge. This can actually be a good thing… you don’t want to be too complacent about your life, you know. Meanwhile, Saturn and Jupiter are tugging around in the Cosmos today too, and this can set up an opportunity for you to look at what is holding you back from growing — getting to the next level in your career, and relationships. Take a good reasonable look at things, and you’ll probably feel less jiggy by the end of the day.

“The Sun (Personality) is also working well with Mercury (Communication) — and Mercury is recently out of retrograde — which means that you have what you need to negotiate your way to success.”

Earlier this week you might have found yourself a bit tongue-tied when it comes to discussing your romance. Sometimes it’s hard to know the right thing to say. And even though your emotions are soaring, your mind just doesn’t form the right words. That’s ok. Concentrate on actions that afirm your relationship. You know — flowers? Ok… get a bit more creative… try a surprise gift card for a massage, or a weekend away. And get a card to go along with the gift… you’ll probably find what you want to say has already been written.

Tomorrow (Friday), the Moon squares off with Saturn today, but works well with Mars giving you a feeling that you can break out of the mold and accomplish what’s needed. Go for it. The Sun (Personality) is also working well with Mercury (Communication) — and Mercury is recently out of retrograde — which means that you have what you need to negotiate your way to success. Is it time to bring closure to an important project? Time to take your romance to the next level? This Summer Friday is a good time to take those initiatives and make it happen.

We honor those who stand for all we value.

Here’s to the blessings for, and the blessings we count as a result of all the brave men and women in our armed forces. It’s a powerful Memorial Day, celestially speaking, with a Mercury Retrograde and Neptune Retrograde kicking off your holiday. Mercury (Communication) in Retrograde makes for mischief and mistakes in correspondence, negotiations, and even face-to-face relationships. Meanwhile, Neptune (Spirituality) has a Retrograde which makes for a challenge in your belief systems. Just remember that challenges also bring opportunities. In a Mercury Retrograde the opportunity is to put off important business transactions until everything is right and double-checked — due diligence is in order. And Spiritual challenges are what builds character.

“Why block emotions? It’s human to avoid strong feelings. But only after raising them and dealing with what comes (let them teach you what you need to know)…”

Monday also sees Saturn (Practicality) squaring off with Venus (Romance) so your love vibes may have to be put on hold in favor of more pressing matters. That’s priorities for you. But you know, if there’s one thing military people understand… it’s priorities, so we can take a que from them and get things in order. And just as the pull and gravities of the great celestial planets are quite powerful, so are times and tides of our people on Earth. Memorial Day was first observed after the Civil War to honor the dead in that epic struggle.

We have two retrograde planets today, where retrograde means that they reverse their usual motion accross our sky (as it appears to us). This signal is interpreted as a period of caution when the planetary energy is in a stressful position. Reversals. Stress. Squaring off. Such is life, and such is how our lives and relationship orbits echo the forces above. And of course the harmonic periods are also ours to enjoy.

On Tuesday, the Moon (Emotion) squares off with both the Sun (Personality), and Venus (Romance), so your challenge will be to deal with your emotions which may be holding you back, or blocking where you need to go in your relationships. Why block emotions? It’s human to avoid strong feelings. But only after raising them and dealing with what comes (let them teach you what you need to know), can you get to the next phase of your life. Feel, heal, deal. And, it’s a great feeling when you make that happen.

Our Nations were formed in the heat of many battles. And our soldiers know how to stand tough, when to laugh, when to cry, and when to celebrate. We thank and pray for them, as we continue to live and grow through the tides in our own lives.

Welcome to a nice Spring Weekend — a New Moon for Cinco de Mayo (Monday) is on its way and as the Moon winds down Saturday and Sunday it’s a good time complete projects, and conclude business. Even a good rest under a tree at a picnic is in order on this fine Spring weekend. Be careful with travel plans, though since Mercury (Communication) is in a tug-a-war with Saturn (Restrictions) so that you might experience some miscommunication over Hotel room availability, or travel bookings — another reason why just heading out to a nice park could be a good idea.

“Oddly enough, sometimes the emotions you feel don’t have anything to do with what you know in your heart is true.”

Last Thursday, Venus (Emotions) and Pluto (Transformation) were dancing together to make for a day when you feel your relationships — professional and personal — with a certain intensity. This could play out more on the weekend as you enjoy a deserved break with your mate. Cooperation is in order, and in the best spirit of negotiation, don’t be afraid to let something you’ve been holding onto go — so you can make the gains you deserve. Giving something up is often a good way to get what you want.

On Friday the Moon was working with Venus to bring emotions in tune with your heart. Oddly enough, sometimes the emotions you feel don’t have anything to do with what you know in your heart is true. On the one hand, you can have emotions like anger that lead you away from being centered. On the other hand, there’s the emotional intelligence that comes from the core — straight from the heart. Powerful. Potent. A good day to speak your heart, and then take a rest over the weekend.

Rest on the weekend? Sure — well, maybe you’ll get into some celebration and partying on Sunday as we head into Cinco de Mayo Monday… and the birth of the New Moon. The New Moon is associated with renewal and awakening, which is perfect for the holiday of the Mexican victory over the French in 1862, and which has become a festival that awakens both appreciation for Mexican culture and a time to renew an appreciation for the zest of Spring in the US. Enjoy it.

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.

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.

Are you dealing with CONFLICT in your life?
Of course you are… We all are!!

Conflict is inevitable. It’s a natural part of all relationships, healthy or unhealthy. All relationships—with our spouses, teenagers, colleagues, friends, extended family, siblings, church acquaintances, and neighbors—will experience conflict because people differ so greatly as individuals. And we need to value those differences! Because we’re different in personality, gender, opinions, concerns, and expectations, it’s only natural that we disagree.

“It’s important that we become aware of the blessing of conflict and not be alarmed as we begin to experience disputes and dissagreements.”

Whether at work or at home, meaning in your personal or professional life, think of CONFLICT as a way to Embrace your relationships in a new way.

Conflict isn’t fun—and it’s rarely pretty, of course. But that’s because so many people rarely have good conflict resolution skills. OR perhaps any conflict resolution skills at all. So it’s no wonder most of us dislike it and try to avoid it whenever possible. And it’s perfectly normal for us to want to avoid conflicts.

It’s important that we become aware of the blessing of conflict and not be alarmed as we begin to experience disputes and dissagreements. Rather than worry about when and if a conflict will occur, instead determine now how you will handle any conflict when it does come up. Conflict is actually a valuable crossroads—a point of growth in all your relationships. This may be a major paradigm shift for many people, especially if you’ve been in the habit of avoiding conflict altogether. It’s important for you to see conflict as an opportunity to deepen your connection in your relationships, and not as a threat that will damage them, whether personal or professional, all family members and especially with your children—-Moms and Dads.

So your new goal is not to eliminate disagreements, but to reach the other side together, with a closer bond between you and that other person. When conflict arrises you do recognize that your relationship is changing, certainly; and you can either use this time to grow together or grow apart—whether personally or professionally. The way you handle the critical interactions and conflict will be a key tool in improving your relationship. It is possible to have a stronger relationship if you get a good handle on the conflict and learn to manage it rather than letting it control you.

Conflicts, if handled in a healthy manner, have the potential to draw you closer to one another. In fact, disagreements are a necessary part of the process of drawing nearer to one another and working thru things that perhaps you’d not be able to do any other way, it’s a bonding sort of ideal, that of course, we’d rather choose to run from or not to explore.

The best way to use conflicts is to agree ahead of time to always try to end up after a disagreement with a win-win solution. In other words, argue lovingly in a partnership type arrangement if it’s a personal type situation until you both understand each other and value each other’s different opinions. And in a friendship or work type situation, make sure you do so with kindness and consideration, and always with tact and diplomacy. Then spend a few minutes finding a solution that you both like and can live with. This is the best way to grow and draw closer in both personal and professional relationships, and especially so in love relationships to others when in disputes.
I do promise you that it may not be the most fun thing that you will ever experience, but it will be the most helpful and prosperous relational skill that you will ever learn. And you’ll personally, professionally, and relationally be better for having gone thru it all and learned so much!~