All cultures have recognized the influence of the planets on our lives… above, is an astrological illustration from Nepal, circa 1900. The energy “deities” of the planets are depicted colorfully.

Astro-Weekend Update…

On Saturday, we see a series of tensions and oppositions at play in the cosmos. Remember, that just like your muscles require tension in order to move you… in the same way, energetic tension can help you get where you need to go.  Think of sports matches — lots of tension on both sides.  Mercury (Communication) plays a key role today, for healthy spiritual progress.  Listen carefully to understand what your own emotions, and those of others are telling you.

There is “something you must say to someone close to breakthrough and solve a problem you’ve been having.”

Sunday finds the Moon (Emotions) in a favorable position with Pluto, planet of transformation. But we also see opposition with Jupiter and the Sun — growth and personality.  Sometimes powerful emotions in reaction to something that occurs in your life can set off a chain of events that changes things — forever.  The important thing is to not react blindly.  Jupiter is also working in conjunction with the Sun so that personal growth is the key today.

Monday starts of the week, and a new month with a swirl of nervous energy in the air. We see tention with Neptune, Chiron, and Mercury, and an opposition with Venus and Uranus.  This configuration points to something you must say to someone close to breakthrough and solve a problem you’ve been having.  Mercury (Communication) and Mars (Initiation), show tension between each other, but Mars is in harmony with the Moon.  You feel like you want to proceed — but that communication thing is bothering you.  You know what to do.

Saturn interacts twice on Tuesday, showing tension with Mercury (Communication), and working in conjunction with the Moon as it wends its way through tension in the air. This can mean that you must be the voice of reason at work, and with your family — and some will not like it.  “Laying down the law,” is the responsibility of a good manager, and part of the role of adults in relationships.  Done with careful deliberation, it will work out well for all.

Other Star Systems, Other Planets: NASA artist’s concept of the star Fomalhaut and the Jupiter-type planet that the Hubble Space Telescope observed. Observations taken 21 months apart by Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys’ coronagraph show that the planet — named Fomalhaut B — is moving along a path around the star.

Friday finds the Moon in three trines, and two harmonies — a favorable day for getting things done. Pay attention to what your Spirit inspires you to do today, since that will perk up your personality and give you the initiative you need at work and at home. Neptune (Spirituality) is pleased with the Moon — a good feeling — but somewhat at odds with Mercury… a sign that you may need to express your thoughts about Spiritual matters with someone close to you.

“Listen to your intuition. It’s not the size of the gift or quantity that counts. It’s what is expressed from your heart.”

On Saturday, we see a balanced day with two harmonies, and two stress indicators. Remember, that there is such a thing as good stress — just like a bow requires tension to shoot a straight arrow, so does the right amount of stress bring an alert state of mind to help you reach goals in life. Keep your wits about you today, and watch for a breakthrough with friends and loved ones when you take time for honest communication.

Sunday brings an opportunity for healing those parts of your personality that need some new ideas to break through the hurdles of life. What hurdles? Well, sometimes when you follow what is in your mind, instead of what is in your heart, often there are problems to address later. There are four planets the Moon (Emotions) is squaring off with today. Look for where your Spiritual growth is blocked, and deal with it.

Monday shows the Sun (Personality) in harmony with Jupiter (Growth) while the Moon (Emotions) is in harmony with Saturn (Limitations). In the Holiday give season, this can translate to you thinking you have to buy more gifts, while in your gut you know you should stay on budget. Listen to your intuition. It’s not the size of the gift or quantity that counts. It’s what is expressed from your heart.

Rolling in on Tuesday is a good day for progress in your love relationships. The Moon is working in conjunction with Venus today, as the Sun plays nice with Neptune (planet of Spirituality). Again, Spirituality is your key — understand your mate and loved-ones Spiritual needs — listen to their desires and needs. Take a look at any emotions that blocking you from communicating honestly and fully. You can do it.

Astro-Weekend Update

It is sometimes easy to forget the mysteries that life presents, as we go about our daily routines. Above, “Sagittarius A”, a supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way. Astronomers used NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory to look at stars within 70 lightyears of Sagittarius A. They believe a swarm of smaller black holes surround the supermassive black hole.

On Saturday, we see a very harmonious day come Saturday, as the Moon shows five harmonies with Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Chiron, and Neptune. Let your Spirit take the lead as you enjoy the day, and share it with loved ones. When you can put the cares of the world aside and truely engage in fun pursuits, it is then that you are true to your spirit and acting in the interests of your health.

“…remember that life is about meeting change, and enjoying growth, and you can’t get there without overcoming a few things.”

Sunday brings a day with lots of celestial energies in play — Mercury takes an active role dancing nice with both Jupiter and Chiron, why the Moon is in trine with Pluto, but showing stress with four other planets, including Mercury. Mercury is all about Communication, so keep your wits about you and if you listen carefully to family and loved ones today, you can find ways to grow your relationships, and even do some healing where that’s a factor.

Monday shows some squaring off between planets happening in the heavens. These are really opportunities to resolve problems — remember that life is about meeting change, and enjoying growth, and you can’t get there without overcoming a few things. Today, keep an eye on what your are feeling that can actually block your progress and pay attention to what new ideas you need to tell important people.

Tuesday finds the Moon (Emotions) at odds with Venus (Love), and the Sun (Personality) in opposition with the Moon. It is not uncommon to behave one way while feeling quite another. Different cultures are taught to cover up and hide certain emotions. This can give you an out of balance feeling. The tough part comes when what you’re hiding is directly related to Love. You an find resolution in the right timing, with the right message. First be truthful with yourself, so that you will be able to then speak truthfully and freely to those you love.

Ancient Charts of the Zodiac: From Andreas Cellarius Harmonia Macrocosmica, 1660/61. Chart showing signs of the zodiac and the solar system with world at center.

On Saturday, we see a good time for Love… whoo hooo! The Moon (Emotions) shows harmony with Venus (Love), perhaps as a cycle back to the positive from some stress earlier in the week. It’s always a cycle. We also see the Moon squaring off with the Sun, which can often mean that you are feeling like doing one thing, while your mind argues against it. What to do when logic and emotions collide? Well, there is such a thing as emotional intelligence, and ultimately the deciding factor will come from your own internal compass… pointing toward the right thing to do. Listen to your heart.

“If there is something bothering you, take some time to work through the emotional issues before talking about it… you do need to feel, deal, and heal.”

Sunday finds the Moon playing nice with Mercury, Uranus and Saturn, but opposing Mars. This may not be a day to start new projects, but you can have some relaxing conversations and talks with loved ones and friends — a good coffee and brunch sort of day. “Small talk” about practical matters will pay off. There will be a better time ahead to launch new plans. Just enjoy the day.

On Monday, the Moon forms a trine with the Sun (Personality), even as Mercury (Communication) shows stress on the emotional side. Don’t push it. If there is something bothering you, take some time to work through the emotional issues before talking about it. But you do need to feel, deal, and heal. Just remember that the dealing is best done after you work through the best approach to what you are feeling. Seek the counsel of someone you trust, first.

Tuesday finds the Moon (Emotion) in some creative tension with four planets, while working in conjunction with the energy of Jupiter (growth). This tells us that while you feel that you are making progress towards prosperity — there are still some “hoops” for you to jump through. Hey, noone ever promised you it would be easy. But you can do it. Make sure your heart is in the right place, then follow its lead.

On the equinox, the power of an eternally fighting bull (personifying the Earth) and that of a lion (personifying the Sun) are equal (from Persian Relief). This balanced transition time represents an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of our lives.

On Saturday, we see some stress in the areas of growth, health, and spirituality. This has been a theme during the week, so examine what you are feeling, and make some prudent decisions. This may take a prayer or two for discernment. The Moon also is squaring off with Mars, and so untangling the emotional blocks can help you break through the road blocks. Follow what is in your heart.

“Tuesday brings in the Autumn Equinox… It is a transition time of balance — an opportunity to look at what brings meaning into our endeavors and lives.”

Sunday is an interesting and opportune day as the Moon dances in trine with Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune — a fortuitous group of planets focused on Growth, Health, and Spirituality. It’s time for some Fall exercise, enrollment in community courses to help you develop yourself, and some Spiritual fun that will help you heal and move forward in your life. We also find Venus (Love) embracing Pluto (Transfomation). Transformation through Love — isn’t that what Love is all about? Listen to your heart today, and you will know what to do.

As Monday rolls in we see the Moon working well with Pluto and Venus to carry Love and Transformation into the work week. Wait a minute — what role does Love have in the work place? Well, since Love is a core emotion it is active even in your career. Do you love what you do? Do you enjoy the company of those around you? If the answer is yes, then you’re in a good place. If the answer is no, then the only question is, what are you going to do about it?

Tuesday brings in the Autumn Equinox — an opportunity to look at what brings meaning into our endeavors and lives. On a day of the equinox, the center of the Sun spends a roughly equal amount of time above and below the horizon at every location on the Earth, night and day being of roughly the same length. It is a transition time of balance. The Moon today finds favor with Mars, Uranus, Mercury, and Saturn, so you will find openings to both learn and discuss new ideas, within a certain balance. At work, your team may be open to new approaches as long as they are within the project budget. In your relationships it is a good time to talk about the future. Find the meaning, and enjoy the Equinox.

This artist’s conception shows a binary-star, or two-star, system, called HD 113766, where astronomers suspect a rocky Earth-like planet is forming around one of the stars. At approximately 10 to 16 million years old, astronomers suspect this star is at just the right age for forming rocky planets. The system is located approximately 424 light-years away from Earth. (NASA)

On Saturday we find busy energies in the heavens as the Moon (emotions) squares off with three planets, works in trine with two (Chiron and Neptune), opposes Pluto (Transformation). The clues here are Spiritual Health as you meditate on what may be blocking needed renewal. Look specifically at communication — is there something you’ve been putting off discussing with a friend or colleague? The sooner you get it cleared — the sooner you can move on. That’s the Spirit.

“It can be tough, but you need to look at emotions in this area. Remember, feel, deal, heal. Talk about it.”

Sunday finds the Moon (emotions) showing stress with Venus (Love), Chiron (Health), and Neptune (Spirituality). When your Spiritual side is not in balance in your relationships, it’s not healthy. Do you both have common Spiritual goals? That’s important. Meanwhile, the Moon is also working in conjunction with Mars, so you can find the energy to get some new projects started today.

Monday shows more conflict between Love and Health. It can be tough, but you need to look at emotions in this area. Remember, feel, deal, heal. Talk about it. The Moon is happy today, with The Sun (Personality), Saturn (Practicality), Uranus (New Ideas), and Mercury (Communication). This alignment can play out well in your career as you bring forward plans of a practical nature and are seen in a favorable light at work.

Tuesday is looking a bit “edgy”, celestially speaking, with the Moon showing some stress with The sun, Uranus, Saturn, Pluto and Mercury. In Life, and relationships, there are always emotions to deal with. This creates energy, which though at times feels unsettling, can be used as the inspiration to move forward. Pray for discernment, and the wisdom to understand your mate and colleagues. Then use the energy to do the right things.

NASA: Radio and optical image of the radio galaxy 3C75. What wonders there are in our universe!

Welcome to Friday. Today, we find the Moon quite pleased with Pluto (Transformation), and Venus (Love). If you’ve been truly listening to your partner, then today is a good payoff — schedule a dinner out on the town to celebrate. Mercury is also harmonious with Venus which means the lines of communication are open, but there’s still just a bit of emotional tension in it as the Moon opposes Mercury on the same day. Communication is great, and great communication requires complete honesty. Are you ready?

“You might discover it’s time to make a major move… or just a series of small ones to get beyond the current turmoil. Pray for discernment.”

Saturday brings a mixed bag of push and pull in the heavens, so it may seem like a day when you just want to kick back, and take a break. You’ve earned it. But take a good look at your relationships with friends, family, and loved ones. They may need some healthy nurturing. Follow your heart, and don’t get caught up too much intellectualizing. Sometimes your brain can get in the way of what really needs to be done.

On Sunday, we find the Moon cooperating well with Uranus, but blocked by Pluto. You may have some good new ideas today, but your gut will tell you to hold off a bit. That’s ok… Sunday’s are for relaxation — right? Meanwhile, Venus (Love) shows some tension with Neptune (Spirituality) so it’s a good day to examine the health of the Spiritual sides of your relationships. Is your romance healthy for you — Spiritually? What can you do to build a strong Spiritual foundation? Sunday is a good day to take a look at God’s work in your life.

Looking into the start of next week, we see the Moon in tension with five planets on Monday — Jupiter, Chiron, Neptune, Venus and Mars. Emotional tension with growth, health, illusion, love, and initiative. Whew. Where’d that come from? Answering that question is exactly the opportunity you have. You might discover it’s time to make a major move… or just a series of small ones to get beyond the current turmoil. Pray for discernment.

Mercury, Venus & Mars – three planets closest to the Sun play prominently as influences in our lives.

Welcome to Friday. Mercury works some mischief today, opposing Neptune (Spirituality), and showing tension with Uranus (New Ideas). The Moon shows some good feelings for the Sun (Personality), but is in opposition to Mars (Initiation). This leaves you feeling good about yourself, and “standing pat” — no new directions right now. But what is the remaining communication issue? Can you find a way to move through it? Hint: remember perhaps the most important part of communication… listening.

Saturday looks balanced for Celestial energies with the Moon in harmony with Jupiter, Chiron, and Neptune. Welcome to August. Emotionally, it’s always good to be true to your Spirit — do what’s needed for your growth and that will be healthy. We also find the Moon squaring off with Saturn, Neptune, and the Sun today. You may see some discomfort with proposals that seem to restrictive. You know what to do. Lead from the Spirit and show those close to you the way to enjoy the day.

“…perhaps the most important part of communication… listening.”

Sunday finds the Moon in Harmony with Mercury — have a good discussion with your mate. About what? Well, the Moon (Emotions) is showing some tension with Jupiter (growth) and Chiron (Health). There’s your topic — what kind of growth activities could we do in our relationship that would be good for our health — the health of each of us, and the health of the relationship? I wager that very few people stop and think about that. But if you ask the question, and solve it with a retreat, a class, a new church — just a long talk… you will be a lot farther down the path.

Monday finds Mercury in trine (harmony) with Pluto — this is a good day to talk about renewing old projects. Are you stalled or blocked because something seems stale and boring? Find a new angle, so you can renew your enthusiasm. The Moon (Emotions) is showing some tension with Jupiter, Chiron, Neptune, and Mercury. Embrace tension. It will either help you forge ahead with creative tension that facilitates solutions, or it might surface some emotions you need to deal with. Remember — feel, deal, heal. The Moon is also squaring off with Venus today, so dealing with emotional tension can help you unblock your love relationships.

All cultures have looked to the Heavens for wisdom on Earth, and this horoscope is from an Icelandic manuscript during the 1750’s. It shows the twelve houses of the Zodiac in a square with the corresponding astrological signs for each house.

It’s a busy end of week, celestially speaking, on Friday, with the Moon showing harmony with Uranus, Mercury, the Sun, and Saturn. New ideas presented in practical terms have a good chance of getting a favorable reaction. But the Moon is also squaring off with Chiron (the Healer), Jupiter (Growth), and Neptune (Spirituality). What is preventing you from the kind of spiritually healing growth you need now? Meditate on that when you take your breaks today.

“I always like seeing a harmonic trine with those planets on the weekend, because it represents an opportunity for the healing that comes from nurturing your Spirit.”

On Saturday, we see the Sun (personality) in harmony with Uranus (new thoughts) this weekend, and so you can be creative in your recreational plans. Get one of those small neighborhood newspapers and check out the calendar for a new event you might enjoy. The Moon is in conjunction with Mars, and so you can feel good about taking the initiative. Who will you meet? Perhaps it is time for some new energy in your circle of friends.

Sunday finds the Moon dancing in trine (harmony) with three planets — Chiron, Jupiter, and Neptune. I always like seeing a harmonic trine with those planets on the weekend, because it represents an opportunity for the healing that comes from nurturing your Spirit. This can be done in many ways, of course, and since it’s Summer, it’s good to get outside and celebrate the warm weather. Try to release worries and experience things as a child again. And, ahem… the Moon (Emotions) is also whirling in pace with Venus… planet of Love. Go for it.

Looking into the week ahead, we see Mercury (Communication) playing nice with Mars (Initiation) on Monday, which makes it a good time for you to negotiate projects and plans at work and with your family and loved ones. The Moon is showing some tension at the top of the week — so pay attention to what your emotional intelligence has to say. Sometimes it’s hard to shrug off the fun of the weekend and settle back down into the realities of work. That’s ok… the next weekend will be here before you know it.