This NASA artist’s concept gives a good sense of the Sun’s influence on Earth. No one argues with how the Sun exerts light and heat necessary for growth and life. Everyone knows the Moon controls the tides. But the energies of the other planets seem less obvious even though at times they are more profound. Enjoy the heat of Love on Valentine’s Day.

Happy Valentine’s Day on Monday, as the astro-energies signal true values for the day — follow your heart and communicate what is in it. Of course there are nerves involved with that… there always are with matters of Love. This is precisely why you need to open up inside, and outside. You took a risk on love. Will it pay off? This depends on many specific things, but in the end — being brave always gets you where you need to go. The key to honest growth in a relationship is first to get real about your own wants and needs, then to listen first to your mate before you seek to be understood. After both of you reveal your heart… you will know what is next.

“…what’s important now is that you revisit the foundation — what your relationships are based upon — then work forward from there.”

Tuesday rolls in with some lingering tensions in the air, astrologically speaking. Remember that there are always tensions, and that some kinds of stress are good — they key you up to get going and get things done. Today, Mercury (Communication) appears twice showing some disfavor with both the Moon (emotions) and Jupiter (growth). So, you will need to consider what emotions are preventing your key relationships from moving forward. Use this time for reflection and prayer — the time for action is ahead.

At mid-week we find two astro-energies showing harmony, while three more show some stress on Wednesday. Focus on the positives of new ideas that lead to growth. Is there a new way to approach a project at work? How about something you haven’t tackled before in your love relationship? Relationships at work and at home grow by taking on new tasks and challenges — think teamwork. That’s the Spirit. And Spirit is precisely what you need these days, so nurture it in yourself and those you care about.

Thursday gets busy with ten astro-aspects in play and brings an opportunity to consider your love life. What doesn’t feel just right about the way things are? What can you do to change things for the better? Communication seems a bit strained now, but as you know, all things will pass and you will move to the next phase. So, what’s important now is that you revisit the foundation — what your relationships are based upon — then work forward from there. This introspection will set you up well for your next step… when the time comes.

Earth and Moon do a celestial dance 24/7/365. We accept this as our reality, with little thought for the influences above… until we see the tides, and until we feel emotions peak during Full Moons. All is Light and all is Energy. As above, so below.

The week starts off on Monday with two harmonies, two tensions, and two blockages in terms of Astro-Energies. It’s a good day to get tasks done. You’re feel stronger today as your personality powers through objectives. Tension occurs in the areas of Health and Spirituality — two linked areas of your life. Take a moment to meditate meditation and pray in order to address this. You are likely to have minor blocks in communication as you try to break through to better understanding with a very important person. Make sure you trust your gut about the best approach, then listen and seek to understand before being understood.

“Life is not about relaxing all the time, and you have to “key up” to make things happen. Have Faith, knowing you can do it.”

Tuesday brings three harmonies and two tensions. The tensions in the area of new ideas for growth are actually a good thing. What…Stress… a good thing? Yes! Life is not about relaxing all the time, and you have to “key up” to make things happen. Have Faith, and you can do it. This is also a great day to enjoy romance, so plan an intimate lunch or dinner with your mate. Your mate can provide the inspiration you need to succeed.

At mid-week, we find that restrictions block our Communication on Wednesday. Get beyond those roadblocks. Is email not getting your point across? Meet in person. You may have a feeling you can transform a relationship or two today, but you have to negotiate the obstacles. Handle any discord with your close partner at work and at home, then move swiftly to clear your desk of any stressful correspondence and communication. Next, take a break and celebrate all that you accomplished thus far this week. You’ll then be in the right frame of mind to forge ahead toward a very entertaining weekend.

Thursday finds a mix of Astro-energies that show opportunities to share some future plans with your coworkers and family, and maybe even that very special someone. Just remember that people fear change, and so at first you may get some resistance. That’s ok. Different people adapt to change at different speeds. But life is all about change, so your new ideas, built on careful planning, will carry the day in the end. It can be draining, perhaps exhausting to a degree… but it’s worth it. Enjoy your day & prepare to have the most extraordinary time this weekend, certainly you make a huge hit with ‘new’ introductions.

This black hole galaxy was discovered through the combined efforts of both space and ground-based telescopes, including NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, Hubble Space Telescope, and Spitzer Space Telescope.

Weekend Astro-Update

Saturday looks pretty quiet (3 astro-aspects) as the weekend rolls in. Venus (Romance) likes boundaries today — so just keep it light and do those simple things you always enjoy with your mate.  Things look good for conversation, so you might find a few hours slip past you as you talk about life, plans, dreams and goals.  Good.  What better to do on a quiet Saturday over a good cup of coffee?  Enjoy the day.

Work on changing your perspective. Only make agreements with yourself about what you will believe.

After a calm Saturday, the heavens get busy on Sunday with the Moon (emotions) showing mostly tension, except with Venus; Venus Squaring off with Chiron; Mercury squaring off with Mars; and the Sun in harmony with Pluto. This combines for an opportunity to work things out by listening and with understanding and compassion.  Someone close to you needs you to “lend an ear” — now is not the time for action.  There could be some restrictions or boundaries you have set that are causing friction.  Challenge yourself to grow beyond them.

Monday starts off the work-week as a good day to take the initiative and get past some of the tension in the air. Remember that some “stress” is good, as in gearing up for a project, and in the spirit of getting things done.  But have another look at anything that might be limiting you — often it is the mental box we put ourselves in based on the views of others.  Work on changing your perspective. Only make agreements with yourself about what you will believe.

A calmer day is in the stars for Tuesday with two harmonies and two tensions brought to bear. It will be healthy for you to pay attention to Spirit today.  What Spirit?  You know — the “get ‘er done” Spirit in your career, and the Spirit of cooperation and collaboration with your mate. Are you ready to grow?  Ok… then get ready for some new ways to get things done… you can brainstorm some with your team-mates at work, and at home.

Celebrate Light & Truth: Palm Sunday comes this week as a reminder of a life on earth upon which we base our modern calendars. Remember too, that the “Kings” who followed the Star to Bethlehem were also astrologers who searched the heavens for guidance in earthly matters. You can too. Follow your heart.

Saturday brings an opportunity for transformation  Again, the Cosmic alignments challenge us to examine very carefully any oppositions in our life. You can oppose ideas, and you might even oppose neighbors, former friends and family.  You can also forgive and let it go — that is your own free choice.  That is also your opportunity.  Take some quiet time today on a walk, enjoying coffee, etc., to look at what you need to do to make your future smooth.  You can do it.

“You know, when you have felt triumphant and good enough to dance?  Do what you need to do to get that reward again.”

Palm Sunday rolls in with some stress showing in the heavens. For Christians, this day is a celebration of Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem before the passion of Easter.  What does Astrology have to do with this?  Remember two things:  our calendars today are based on the days since the birth of Christ; and the old saying, “As Above, So Below,” holds particular relevance here.  Life itself is a celebration, underwoven with tensions that keep things moving.  Enjoy your day, but listen to the currents of things to come — learn, prepare and deal with them through communication and right action.

Monday launches the week with a busy time in the cosmos.  Venus is in harmony with Neptune, and the Moon likes Mars — so, by love of Spirit, you can get things moving today. Remember that scientists have learned that all of perception is based on emotion, and it is the Spirit that guides the emotions.  There are also signs of emotional “blocks” today — look straight at them and work to get beyond them.  Live is a continual dialog of tension and harmonies, and you task is to weave a good path through it all.

Love is good for your health — that is the strong “medicine” that Tuesday brings to bear. When you read it, it seems like simple common sense.  It is.  But developing and holding love in your relationships is not always easy.  The heavens have further counsel for you on this point:  listen to your deep emotions to see what may be blocking your spiritual development.  You know, when you have felt triumphant and good enough to dance?  Do what you need to do to get that reward again.

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.

The Zodiac has been followed in all cultures throughout the ages: Above, Molded bronze with molded and engraved decoration, from Seljuq Iran, 12th century.

On Saturday, we see the Moon (Emotions) doing a jiggy dance — positive energy flowing with Neptune and Pluto, squaring off with Mercury, and in opposition with Mars.  This is how it goes in our lives — avenues are open to us, at the same time there are tensions and harmonies interacting from other parts of our lives.  Think Spiritual Transformation.  What do you need to due to nurture your Spirit?  Answering that question will put you at peace with yourself, and often with all those around you.

Think about how stress plays a role in getting all things done…

Sunday comes in quiet (nice for the end of the month), with the Moon in Trine with The Sun, but showing a bit of stress with Chiron (Health), and Neptune (Spirituality).  Nurture your strength of Spirit — it will shield you in sudden misfortune.  Sunday’s are good times for that — go to a park, the forest, a nearby lake or stream and just reflect on what is important in your life.  Recharge the batteries.  It will be good for your health.

Monday begins the week as August ends and the Moon is happy with Saturn (Practicality) and Uranus (New Ideas).  New practical ideas — stay down to earth — will start your week out right.  Find a new meal to cook instead of going out.  Set goals that you can meet without stretching yourself financially.  Buy foods that are healthy for you — have you noticed more and more providers bringing “heart healthy” meal items to the stores?

Tuesday brings the energy of Mercury (Communication) into play as a key to dealing with natural stress and tension.  That’s right, stress in natural.  Think about how stress plays a role in getting all things done — from the stress in a bow to shoot an arrow, to decisions that are tough, but necessary to get to the next level.  And your success, in each case, depends heavily on communication.  Jupiter (Growth) is at odds with Mercury today, so you will do better to listen, than try to expand upon your own ideas.