This peculiar galaxy was photographed by NASA’s Hubble Telescope.

As we slide into the New Year, Friday looks relatively quiet — perhaps to match the slower work day, or day off most of us enjoy today. There’s a bit of stress with Mercury today, the planet of Communication, so keep things upbeat and positive.  The Moon (Emotions) is blending energy with Uranus — the planet of New Ideas — which reinforces the feeling of change which the New Year brings.  What will you try new this year?

“…the Moon is working well with Neptune, which means that your Spiritual work this weekend will empower you — it’s the focus you need as you face the first full week of the year. “

Earlier this week, the Heavens were providing some interesting alignments, including Mercury (Communication) joining forces with Saturn (Practicality), the Moon (Emotions) in Harmony with Pluto (Renewal), and mingling with the energy of Venus (Love). It looked like practicality is the focus in the coming economic climate, though there’s a feeling of transformation in the air as a new US President stands ready at the helm.  And of course, it’s a time to remember old friends, your family and aulde lang syne — that beautiful song we associate with the holiday, and translated means “days gone by.”  Remember them, but focus energy on what you can do now, as the New Year dawns.

On Saturday, we see a more active planet scape with the Moon in harmony with Jupiter and Mercury. This alignment makes it possible for you to talk out your plans for growth with your mate and those close to you.  But plans are one thing… wait for a better time to initiate them — there’s tension with Mars in the air.  Neptune is putting a bit of stress on our Moon today, which means that Spirituality could come into question.  That’s good — dealing with yoru Spiritual side is one of the most important things you can do.

On Sunday, the Moon is squaring off with the Sun — pitting emotions against personality… which can leave us out of sorts. After the energy of the holidays wind down, sometimes it takes a few days to get back on the track.  But now, the Moon is working well with Neptune, which means that your Spiritual work this weekend will empower you — it’s the focus you need as you face the first full week of the year.  Chiron, the great Healer, is also in favorable position today, so the time you spend in prayer, meditation, and reflection will really do you good.

The relative size of the planets are shown in this image — a composite of actual planetary photos by NASA. Note the Moon is smallest, but also closest to the earth, with the Sun so large only a small part of it is shown at top.

We made it to the weekend, and Saturday sees the Moon (Emotions) at play with three celestial bodies. It’s in a favorable position with Mercury (Communication) and Uranus (Inventiveness) which gives you a feeling of exploration, and also trying things out. Maybe you will take on a new project in the workshop or den. You could also get inventive in your romance… a little role play, anyone? At the same time, the Moon is in a stressful position with Saturn (Structure). This can be to your good, since to be inventive, you have to “think out of the box.”

“But under it all runs the current of emotions in the realm of the subconscious. And that, is what the Moon is all about.”

This past week, we celebrated Earth Day. Astrologically speaking, the Earth is still the center of the Universe, since all of the Zodiac influences come from a circular mandala of planetary influences in our heavens. What’s interesting is that we think of how all of the celestial bodies — the Sun, the Moon, the Planets — affect us on Earth. But we don’t spend a lot of time reflecting on how the Earth itself affects, influences, and sustains us. Climate sure makes a difference in our lives, doesn’t it? Ok… how does Earth awareness affect your job, your family, and your relationships?

Half way through the week, and Venus (Romance) squared off with Mars (Initiative) to make for an interesting Wednesday. When ever a water (Venus) mixes with fire (Mars) there’s bound to be some steam. How do you blow off steam? Do you have a healthy way to turn on the steam escape valve? Exercise, meditation, and maybe a get away are in order. Feeling competitive? That’s ok in the best spirit of ingenuity at work… but don’t let that spirit ruin your relationships.

On Friday, the Moon (emotions) was working hard in the heavens (again) — it forms an alliance with Venus (Love) for good feelings toward your coworkers, family, and in your romantic relationship. The Moon is also squaring off with Uranus (Inventiveness), which can create a feeling that going with something new is not the right thing to do right now. You may find yourself at odds with a group that puts out progressive ideas. That’s ok if you have good supporting reasons to back up your position. You can walk away from any conflict by concentrating on those loving feelings — pop in your favorite CD and enjoy the vibes.

Have you noticed the Moon’s important role in affecting day to day life? Most people focus on Sun signs and their influence (”what’s your sign” Astrology). That’s important too — the sign you are born under goes a long way toward determining key personality traits. But under it all runs the current of emotions in the realm of the subconscious. And that, is what the Moon is all about. Enjoy your weekend.

Mercury squares the Moon

The Moon squares off with Mercury today (Saturday), so you may have to think about how to express your emotions — before you speak. It’s always good to go with gut hunches and trust your emotional intelligence, but sometimes it’s difficult to put feelings into words. Poets are good at that. Don’t be afraid to speak from your heart — even if it doesn’t sound exactly logical. Just make sure to be true to your deepest feelings.

“It’s been a week of emotions, initiative, and reflection. That can feel like work.”

Earlier this week (after Spring Break vacation with the family), the Sun (Personality) was working with Mars (Initiative) to give you that “take charge” feeling at work. But Mercury and Neptune were dancing in such a way that what you communicate could sound a bit dreamy. So if you had all of your facts and figures together that would have brought it back down to earth when you talk about your latest plans and projects.

Later in the week, the Sun (personality) was wrestling with Jupiter (Growth) bringing some tension to your plans to move ahead. Where do you need to be in your career? What about moving forward in your personal life? You can get ahead, but you have to plan it out… then do it. You also feel that it might be taking too much time to happen — that things are progressing too slow — but remember how fast time really moves? You will get there… sooner than later.

On Friday, an opportunity occurred to touch in with your emotions and see what they’re telling you. Sometimes it seems easier to avoid them, but you really move ahead when you feel, deal, then heal. It would be good to write down, “journal”, or blog, about what you’re feeling as a way to get in touch. This also works as a reference where in a week or so, you can look back and sort out what you were feeling. Your emotions are keys to your motivation, and often the reactions of people around you. Don’t ignore them.

Tomorrow, Sunday, the Sun dances with Neptune to bring out your imagination once again. It’s been a week of emotions, initiative, and reflection. That can feel like work. So now, take what you’ve learned and imagine your future. Keep it real. Imagination is great — but you have to bring it down to Earth.

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.

Image of Uranus with its rings and moons as photographed by NASA.

On Wednesday, the Moon (emotions) is working favorably with Uranus (discoveries), but showing some tension with Neptune (spirituality). This can work out so that you’re into looking at new things in your career and personal life, but feeling spiritually held back from where you want to go. Is there a project or something in the past that you need to take care of first?

“…You could find yourself speaking from the heart, a bit too quickly — give yourself some time to reflect on what your emotional intelligence is telling you.”

As we started the week, the Moon was in position to influence how you feel about taking an active role at work, and in your relationships. Your confidence is a key factor, and you can find yourself taking the initiative on a project, or leading the way on a romantic outing. Mars is in Geminii through the 4th of March, and this keeps you flexible — it’s always good to consider the input of others as you forge ahead.

It’s an interesting Thursday this week as Mercury (Communication) is tugged by Mars (Initiative) in such a way that you could find yourself speaking before you’ve thought things through. The Moon (Emotions) is also working with Venus (Love) to bring feelings of compassion to the forefront. Put those two aspects together, and you could find yourself speaking from the heart, a bit too quickly. Give yourself some time to reflect on what your emotional intelligence is telling you. Choose your words carefully.

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.

The Adoration of the Magi, from a 14th century painting by Hans Baldung.

Do you remember that in the Biblical story, the three wise men found the Lord Jesus by following a star? These wise men, many historians believe, hailed from Persia and were priests of the Zoroastrian sect, schooled (among other things) in Astrology. The star they followed, the Star of Bethlehem, also called the Christmas Star, is not understood in modern times, though there are theories that it could have been Jupiter in conjunction with Regulus, and/or Venus. Do stars bless and recognize Kings? Are there connections between the heavens above, and the happenings on Earth? I think so. What star might bless you this season?

“Does not each persons’ soul seek this on earth — to find their spiritual heaven? “

Do you have three wise men in your life? Most of us do… if we think about it. The first will be someone in our family, usually a grandfather or uncle who always knew the right thing to say… at the right time. The second will be a teacher — at a school you attended, a community center, a church camp, or some other organized activity. This teacher really knew how to inspire you. The third… is an interesting one. It could be someone as close as the neighborhood Father who helped you with a project. It could be someone as far away as a helpful soul you met while traveling abroad. These “wise men” came into your life when you needed them, and provided a key role in your development. They could have, of course, been three wise women, or two men and a woman, etc. The important thing is to reflect on what they have taught you. Then… ask, for whom am I the wise man/woman this holiday season?

Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar — the three wise men. Who were they? What did they represent? Ultimately, like all of us, they are seekers. Learned, of course, but searching for a King — a spiritual leader. Does not each persons’ soul seek this on earth — to find their spiritual heaven? And what is the meaning of the gifts from the wise men to the King? Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Perhaps, gold as a symbol of earthly kingship, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of priestship, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a foretelling of death. Symbolic gifts. A gift also given by the example of their lives — they traveled from afar to honor him. If you are Spiritually discerning, this Christmas… what gifts will you give… and to whom?

Finally… why so many questions? As a wise man once said, “judge a person more by their questions… than their answers.” Merry Christmas.

What’s Merc. Retrograde All About?

Mercury from NASA Mariner 10 Mission.

We’re in a Mercury Retrograde period, right now (Oct. 12 - Nov. 1) and most followers of Astrology know what to look out for — communication errors, hold off on the big decisions, don’t sign important papers, etc. But are there some things that are GOOD to do during this time? Of course. Interesting enough, just like “Retrograde” begins with an “R”, many of the things that are good to do during Merc. Retrograde begin with an “R”: re-doing, revising, rehearsal, reflection. This is also a good time to reconnect with people from your past.

“Just remember to take time and slow down, and recheck your communication and your thinking in important matters.”

Since Mercury is influential right now (it’s in “Retrograde” — the perceived backward motion of the planet), we can take a look at what it means in our lives. Have you received any important messages recently? Mercury in mythology was the messenger of the Gods, and during retrograde it’s important to remember that messages can get mixed up. So while it’s possible you’ve received an important communication — proceed with caution. Mercury also governs thinking patterns, reasoning, and principles of communication. Pay attention to those at this time. One possibility for you is that now can be a good time to examine continuing education — formally with schooling, or perhaps just a trip to a bookstore to read up on your favorite subjects.

Have you had any personal misunderstandings with loved ones, or work associates lately? That can be another affect of the Mercury Retrograde (Oct. 12th - Nov. 17th). Of course Mercury affects different people differently, since it appears in different places in their charts. Just remember to take time and slow down, and recheck your communication and your thinking in important matters. Sleep on the matter, and you will find that given reflection, you can turn your misunderstandings into positive growth.