Energy, Colors, Suns, and Galaxies: NASA and other space telescopes continue to reveal an intense, profound beauty in the Cosmos as shown in this beautiful color photo of “M82 Chandra” galaxy. What wonders are yet to be revealed?

Astro-Weekly Update…

Here comes Sunday, showing harmonies with Venus and Saturn. Sometimes, love likes restraint. Oh, there’s a time for wild abandon, but there’s also good days to know your boundaries, and this is one. Fix your mate’s favorite breakfast, then step back and give them some space. Meanwhile, take some time to puzzle over how you have been communicating your spiritual needs. It will not only be good for your health, but can lead you to some prosperous new ideas.

“Gut hunches and instinct will tell you more than brute logic this week.”

Monday starts out busy, with a New Moon initiating the week and harmonies along with Jupiter and Mars. This is the time to get things done, in late Summer before the Fall rush, at work. You will encounter the usual blockages by those who fear change and growth, but don’t let that stop you. As long as your plans are in the best interests of your business you should proceed. Romantic life is another story. This is not the day your love life is “going places.” Give it time. Love is like growing a garden — it takes patience.

Live could throw you a few curve balls on Tuesday with tension crackling in the air. Pluto, planet of transformation, appears four times — squaring off with Venus, showing tension with the Sun, and a mixed bag with the Moon. Emotionally, this can leave you feeling that something’s going to happen, but that you don’t have a handle on it. Pray and meditate on this — spiritual guidance is in order. What’s bothering you about your love life? You will need to solve this before you can move forward. Listen carefully to what your “emotional intelligence” is telling you. Gut hunches and instinct will tell you more than brute logic this week.

At midweek, we find just one celestial aspect in focus on Wednesday. The Moon (Emotions) is working in conjunction with Mercury (Communication). This is a good opening for you to work things out with those around you at work, and with your loved ones at home. When you feel you can talk to somebody, it makes all the difference in the world. Practice listening well. Most people simply wait to speak and miss key information that can help you learn about colleagues and friends, and get details you need for your success. Often a complaint in relationships is that he or she “doesn’t listen.” Can you do it? You will be better off when you do.

Swirling Circles: The planets whirl around the Sun just as people in your lives flow in and out of it. As above, so below. And as we learned in high school physics — all energy. You can work with these energies as your week unfolds.

Astro-Weekly Update…

August arrived on Sunday with the Moon (Emotions) showing harmony with Neptune (Spirituality). This is a day to follow your feelings when it comes to matters of the Spirit. Meanwhile, Venus (Love) is showing some tension with the Sun (Personality). Is there something about your mate’s way of doing things that is bothering you? Remember, people don’t do everything like you would do — the best approach is to work on sharing goals and principles, but leave room for individual ways to approach them.  Work on this throughout the week.

“…listen to your feelings, this time in your romantic life… but don’t get carried away.”

Monday finds the Moon in harmony with three spheres — Chiron (Health), Pluto (Transformation), and Mercury (Communication). We all know that good Communication can actually heal relationships and even individuals — psychologically and physically. And if you listen — really listen — you can learn what is necessary to break through to a new level of understanding. Watch for restrictions on something you want to do, and consider them carefully.

Tuesday shows a day when the Moon squares off with the Sun, and Jupiter (Growth) squares off with Pluto (Transformation). Some things that seem like they will bring you what you want, are actually dead ends. Pray for discernment. Jupiter appears again in the mix, this time at odds with the Moon. Trust your emotional intelligence on this one. When you learn to trust your gut instincts, you will be in a better position to deal with any “stress tests” that come your way.

At midweek, Wednesday brings a busy day in the heavens with 11 aspects at work. Mars appears twice — in opposition with Jupiter, and in trine with the Moon. Feel your way through what actions to take, and take small steps. Venus likes the Moon today, but is wary of Neptune — another signal to listen to your feelings, this time in your romantic life… but don’t get carried away. Neptune (Spirituality) appears again, this time squaring off with the Moon. Sometimes there are people in your life who are vexations to the Spirit. Deal with them and move on.

Vision of Energy: Dwarf galaxy NGC 1569, in this NASA photo, apparently undergoing a burst of star forming activity, thought to have begun over 25 million years ago.

Astro-Weekend Update…

On Saturday, we the Moon showing three harmonies and two tension points, with Mars showing a bit of stress with Pluto. Challenge yourself by examining what you need to get done in terms of how it might lead to desired breakthroughs.  Is it better to study this weekend, achieve spiritual goals, or forget it all and just relax?  You might be feeling like putting some things off.  That’s ok for now.  A rich reward is years when you communicate well (that means listening) with loved ones.  Listen for ways to transform your life.

“…think of tension in two positive ways:  it is a way to prepare to launch, like the tension in a bow before firing an arrow; and it might indicate an opportunity to learn something to take you beyond what is “stressing you out.”

On Sunday, we see some stress between Venus and Uranus — indicating some tension in your romantic life around new ideas. Meanwhile the Moon is working in conjunction with Jupiter — the great planet of growth.  Emotional growth is the pattern, and just as we are always learning intellectually, we can also learn new and better ways to deal with things emotionally.  We also see some tension about getting things started today — ask yourself what you are feeling that is preventing you from moving ahead.  Then envision your goal, and bring it into sharp focus.

Monday shows energy for you to feel like you can get started on projects at work or home, but then some interesting tension. Tension is a double-edged sword… it can key you up for success, or block your progress, if you let it.  To make it work for you, think of tension in two positive ways:  it is a way to prepare to launch, like the tension in a bow before firing an arrow; and it might indicate an opportunity to learn something to take you beyond what is “stressing you out.”  Venus, planet of love shows stress with the Moon and Saturn — look at any restrictions between loved ones, and find creative ways to change things.

Tuesday comes in quiet with just two aspects playing in the Cosmos.  We see the Moon showing tension with both Neptune (Spirituality), and Chiron (Health). The Moon is ruler of emotions and often indicates messages from the subconscious realm.  This provides an opportunity for you to examine and surface a deep “issue” that you can resolve with strength of Spirit — a healthy outcome.  Are things really that simple?  Yes — except for the details.  You may have heard that God is in the details?  You can often find the devil there too.  Fix your mind on a desired big picture goal, and the details will work out.

Stars are being born here… what beauty in the Cosmos! Emission nebula NGC 604 lies in a spiral arm of galaxy M33, 2.7 million light-years away in the constellation Triangulum.

(join me on Twitter – @AstroDaija)

Here comes Friday, ready or not… but I’m guessing you’re ready. It’s been a busy week, Cosmically speaking, and so that’s been reflected here on our little slab of clay. Today we see an opening for your Romantic life as the Moom (Emotions) makes nice with Venus… planet of Love. The Moon is also in harmony with Uranus — the planet of new ideas… so if you put a little work into that play, there’s no telling where it could go. You do want to go to the next level, don’t you?  The Moon is also in first Quarter which makes us feel like it’s time to get something done.  Feeling spontaneous?  The Sun is in Aries now, and that also gives rise to enthusiasm for the good things of this life.

Meanwhile, both Venus and our Moon are showing some stress with Pluto — planet of Renewal. This along with Moon stress with Chiron the Healer, tells me you need a break to go do something you really love to do. Why have you waited so long? It will actually be good for your health.

Earlier in the week, a look in the heavens revealed some nice harmony for healing transformation at mid-week as the Moon danced nicely with Chiron (the Healer), and Neptune (Spirituality). But watch for a blockage (there are always those to deal with), since the Moon also shows an opposition with Pluto… planet of transformation and renewal. An opposition is actually an opportunity to look straight at something and let it pass over you and through you so you can move on. We also see the Moon square off with Venus (Love), so I’m betting that challenge has something to do with a relationship? Most do. Did you handle it already? If not, that could be causing the stress you’re feeling. Deal with it.

On Saturday, the Moon dances nice with the Sun bringing a nice harmony between mind and emotions. This is good for making decisions. Mercury (Communication) works well with Jupiter (Prosperity), and that makes Friday a good day to make a financial decision and explain it well to all concerned. Have a good look at the Stock Market again. There can be a bit of stress today about Love. That’s OK… the reward is in solving it. Just don’t sit on it… get it resolved.

Today, a potent Full Moon occurs in Capricorn — the goat. Expect an infusion of emotions into the practical side of your life… which can bring a good balance. That’s the spirit!

Welcome to Friday. Has it been a long, hot week? You could be feeling a little “off” today, since the Moon (Emotions) is tugging with the Sun (Personality). It’s always good to “center” yourself and get in balance, so a time out during the day for a walk in a park, tai chi, or a brief spiritual meditation is in order. Venus (Love … you knew that), is at odds with Uranus (new ideas) today, so you might find yourself objecting to a propsal from your partner. Probably not the “Big” proposal (like marriage), but maybe he or she wants to get away this weekend, and you just want to rest. You can work this out. Remember the art of compromise.

“…in your romantic life, you may find yourself speaking about a new direction that is uncomfortable for you. That’s ok. You have to get out of your comfort zone in order to grow.”

This is also a Full Moon day. And this one occurs in Capricorn — the sign of the goat, and practical, tenacious, strong people. The Moon’s fullness brings potency, combining with that of Capricorn to give energy and will power to your projects for the family and at work. There’s a sense of completion here, so you may find yourself toasting to the success of an achievement or two. And remember, the Moon is about emotions — matters of the heart, while Capricorn is more matter of fact. This combination brings heart to your business affairs, and practical reasoning to your plans. A good mix. Watch for a tad bit of vampirish mood swings just after midnite tonight — the Nite will be filled with a randy seductive sexual prowess that could turn your world upside down and inside out and well, all around make you want to Howl into the Nite!

Earlier this week, the Moon (Emotions) was happily dancing with both Mercury (Communication) and Saturn (Practicality) which is a good sign for your work life — you do well in meetings presenting no-nonsense plans to meet your goals. You’re also able to speak about what you’ve been feeling to your romantic partner. There’s also some indication of stress in your romance (Moon Quincunx Venus), but that’s OK — speaking about feelings can make you a bit nervous, but when honestly and fairly presented you will feel a relief.

Looking into the weekend, on Saturday, we see the Moon (Emotions) under stress from four planets — Mars, Mercury, Neptune, and Venus. Remember, it’s a full Moon, and so at the height of its’ power. But the pull of these four indicate that in your romantic life, you may find yourself speaking about a new direction that is uncomfortable for you. That’s ok. You have to get out of your comfort zone in order to grow. Follow your Spiritual Faith in these matters.