A quintet of galaxies captured by NASA probes.

Here comes Friday… seem like a long week?  Oddly enough it has also swept by as a new US President was swept into office. There were so many emotions surrounding this election that it is a welcome move in the heavens for the Moon (Emotions) to embrace Pluto (Renewal).  Time to put all that angst aside and hang on to what you truely love.  The Moon is also dancing well with Mercury (Communication) as the week ends, so go ahead and talk about putting things together again, and forging ahead.

“…it’s a good time to pray for discernment. Cut to the core values and stick with them.”

On Wednesday, as Americans woke up to the result of the election, Venus (Romance) was working well with Neptune (Spirituality).  Hmmmm… the Romance of the Spirit — sounds like a book title, doesn’t it?  Well, when you think about it, all of Romance is Spiritual in nature.  A political campaign and the move forward, once it is over, is about ideals and much about that… is of the Spirit.  On the home front — what can you do to bring transformation into your own relationships?  Trust your instincts.

Saturday finds our emotions and egos (Moon and Sun in a Trine — a harmonious configuration) in balance, with the Moon also playing nice with Saturn — the planet of practicality.  Time for a basic, wholesome weekend event… like a potluck dinner, or maybe just a simple drive in the country.  There’s also a feeling of newness in the air, because driving into unfamiliar territory (literally, or otherwise) is another likely component of your day.  We’re under a Pisces Moon this weekend, and  many age old questions prevail today and throughout the weekend, and you find yourself asking these questions: So why am I here? What am I doing? Where am I going? And what’s this ‘physical life’ all about anyhow?  Today Faith replaces Logic… so ask that question too, where and on what do I place my faith, trust, and loyalty?

Sunday brings about a sense of initiative as influenced by Mars — the warrior planet.  What can you get done today?  Well the Moon (Emotions) is in opposition with Venus (Romance) today, so it might be best work on projects from other parts of your life… even simple household chores.  We’re also showing some stress around the elements of religion and illusion (two things that often go hand in hand, when you think about it) today so it’s a good time to pray for discernment.  Cut to the core values and stick with them.

16th century Arabic manuscript and Zodiac

As we head into the weekend, the heavens offer us some interesting influences — the Moon (Emotions) is at odds with Mars (Initiative), and this while the Sun (Personality) shows tension with the Moon. It’s easy to see that your feelings could be holding you back from doing what must be done. How can you prevent that? Get your “to do” list out and make sure to cross off at least the top three items after you prioritize them. No matter if you list is much longer. If you’ve prioritized correctly, the top three things you must do will prove very beneficial on completion. Of course we’re still in Pisces — a water sign, which means emotions will continue to be important, so don’t hold them back… embrace them. Once you feel… then you can deal.

“Careers, families, and relationships require concentration on the details.”

It’s been an interesting week. Last Tuesday, (3.25), the Moon (Emotion) was in harmonic position with four different planets: Venus (Love), Mercury (Communication), Jupiter (Growth), and Uranus (Enlightenment). Quite a package. Did you notice gut instincts giving you vital clues? Wednesday offered more celestial fun.

Also this week, the Sun (Personality) was in harmony with the Moon (Emotions), but Mars (Initiative) was in a tug of war with Neptune (Ideals), and this probably made you a little crazy. At those times it’s good to meditate, and do some quiet journal writing. If you’re career minded, write down some goals and make a plan, then put it aside for a while. It’s possible to be creative at this time, but big old Neptune can pull you off track now, so sit back and enjoy what harmony there is. There will be time for right action in the near future.

Today (Friday), the Sun (Personality) was in position with Neptune (Ideals) to bring your dreams, and the bigger picture to the fore font. You will have to decide if that’s productive for you. Taking a moment to look at your annual calendar and factor in ways to make progress on major goals is a good way to use this impetus. Losing focus on work activities would be one example of how you might get sidetracked. It would be good to indulge in dreaming during coffee breaks, and focus back down to earth as you get back to your desk. Careers, families, and relationships require concentration on the details.

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.

As the earth turns, so the moon revolves, and its affect cannot be underestimated.

As we journey through a new Moon (Emotion) in Pisces (Spiritual) weekend, it’s a good time to use imagination, meditation, and visualization to renew your Faith. This can be faith in your career, faith in your relationships, and yeah — the big Faith. Mars enters Cancer on Tuesday, which means that initiative has has to find its way through some emotional interference. You can do it. Take a deep breath, get centered, and thing logically about what you must do. Prioritize and get it done. There’ll be time to address your feelings after you cross off a few items — and you’ll feel better because you got things out of the way.

“…your independent streak may continue from the weekend (being by yourself), through your work-week (taking initiative to launch projects)…”

It’s a new Moon weekend and a good time to work with all of that new energy as Spring approaches. On Saturday, the Sun collaborates with Uranus to bring some light on new approaches to relationships and careers. It’s a good day to go to the book store and pick up a book about a new pursuit, business idea, or travel plan. Get a magazine you’ve never read before and see what possibilities that opens up for you. Remember to welcome uniqueness in yourself and those around you.

Venus (Love) remains in Aquarius (Freedom) through mid-week, so your independent streak may continue from the weekend (being by yourself), through your work-week (taking initiative to launch projects), though this influence is soon to play out. This is also a time when Mars (Initiative) is working its way through Cancer (Emotions), so as you enjoy a bit of freedom, you may find that the trip brings up some emotions you hadn’t felt in a while. That’s ok. Feeling is the first step toward dealing.

The Education of Achilles (ca. 1772) by James Barry (1741-1806), oil on canvas, depicting the education of Achilles by the centaur Chiron. Located at the Yale Center for British Art.

Welcome to March. Spring is on its way, and today Venus is working with Pluto to influence motives that might not necessarily be on the surface. Ever wonder what the intention is behind what someone says to you? It will be good to reflect on intention and motivation this weekend, and what you discern and learn can lead to a breakthrough in your relationships. Much of motivation is initiated by feelings — that’s why Advertising gurus insist that purchases are made on emotion, rather than logic.

“What a week. Heal, Deal, then Feel all over again. You have the sensitivity now to tune in to your higher self…”

We’re headed toward a new Moon (Emotion) in Pisces (Spiritual) this week (on Friday), so it’s a good time to use imagination, meditation, and visualization to renew your Faith. This can be faith in your career, faith in your relationships, and yeah — the big Faith. Mars enters Cancer on Tuesday, which means that initiative has has to find its way through some emotional interference. You can do it. Take a deep breath, get centered, and thing logically about what you must do. Prioritize and get it done. There’ll be time to address your feelings after you cross off a few items — and you’ll feel better because you got things out of the way.

How was your weekend? Venus was working with Chiron for a couple of days in the heavens to bring you needed healing energy. In Mythology, Chiron, a Centaur, was a great healer, astrologer, and respected oracle, the last remaining centaur was most revered as a teacher and tutor. You can meditate on that image and think about how teaching, healing, and the energy from above are all interconnected.

Looking toward Wednesday, we can see that Venus (Love) and Neptune are dancing together to once again bring emotions to play for new beginnings. What a week. Heal, Deal, then Feel all over again. You have the sensitivity now to tune in to your higher self, and get what you need from groups, gatherings, and the new ideas and brainstorms that are generated. In two days, the New Moon will help you launch those plans that come from this time with a new energy and a Springtime surge.

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)

This Valentine’s Day was a good holiday, Astrologically speaking, for vital energy since the Moon (emotion), formed a trine with Mars (sexuality) – so, I trust you had fun with your romance. Where did the patron of Valentine’s day come from, historically speaking? Well, it’s interesting that up until 1969, the Catholic Church recognized ten Saint Valentines. Ten. The Valentines honored on February 14 are Valentine of Rome and Valentine of Terni. Also in February, many cultures celebrated fertility with festivals designed to promote and encourage love relationships upon which the survival of such cultures depend.

“Prepare for a delightful new week of straight forward communications as Mercury goes Direct tomorrow, Monday Feb 18th…”

So it is thought that a combination of February fertility festivals, poets, bards, and even law courts (the rituals of courtly love, a “High Court of Love” was established in Paris on Valentine’s Day in 1400), and of course the Catholic Saints (the Church was always interested in tying its traditions to a reformed version of older secular celebrations) over time inspired our modern holiday. Just remember you don’t have to wait to celebrate once a year, since there were ten original St. Valentines.

This is a good weekend for balance (Feb. 16th and Feb. 17th) — the Moon forms a trine with the Sun, and that means you feel self actualized. Get out and enjoy some “culture” — go to a play, a movie, a museum. This can lean you to self expression — sign up for an art class, drama lessons, get into digital photography. Of course, these are ideal activities to take on with that special Valentine you remembered this week.

Prepare for a delightful new week of straight forward communications as Mercury goes Direct tomorrow, Monday Feb 18th, finally ‘eh… and the Sun is entering Pisces on Tuesday Feb 19th, and with a grand ‘Ol Full Moon Lunar Eclipse on Wednesday, Feb 20th should launch our week straight away into one of the most Empowering Periods yet this year. Just wait, you’ll see, because if you’ve got something brewing in your life that you’ve been trying to launch, but just couldn’t get it up and going… never fear, your time is “HERE”…and your pathway has just been cosmically cleared for your journey to begin, so carry on precious dears and may your dreams come true during this Neptune Trend of Sun in Pisces soon to begin… where dreams and fantasy become your reality.

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.

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.