From Andreas Cellarius Harmonia Macrocosmica, 1660/61. Chart showing signs of the zodiac and the solar system with world at centre.

Happy Mid-March Weekend. On Saturday, the cosmos are aligned in a couple of interesting aspects — Venus (Love) along with Jupiter (Growth) are positioned to cause you to think twice about what your heart is telling you to do in the way of moving ahead. Uncertainty can simply mean you need to think it through, and have a good plan. Interesting then that also on Saturday, Mercury (Communication) is in position to work with Pluto (Renewal), which means it is a good idea to talk over your growth plans with someone whose advice you trust. Listen well.

“When the Sun and Moon are in peaceful position, our level emotions may create a time when new ideas can come to the surface — jot them down, keep a journal, or write them in your blog.”

As Astrologers, we learn to listen to the Cosmos and what relative positions of the great planetary spheres may tell us. Last Monday came in like a breeze since the Moon was positioned well with a number of planets including Pluto, Saturn, and Mars. You may have noticed feelings of confidence, assurance, and even being pleased with accomplishments translating into smooth going at work, and in your relationships. Under these sorts of influences, it’s good to make decisions with your emotions balanced. Think things through, weigh the odds, and come down in a principled way. Then, enjoy the success.

Harmony. That’s what we all wish for in our lives. Sometimes the Moon and Planets move into position to further that desire. The Moon (Emotion), and the Sun (Personality), can working together in the heavens to bring about a feeling of peace. Just as the Moon controls the great tides of the ocean, it tugs on the waves of emotion. When the Sun and Moon are in peaceful position, our level emotions may create a time when new ideas can come to the surface — jot them down, keep a journal, or write them in your blog.

Consider how this clock, in Prague, tracks time, and Astrology — a mechanism which reveals and links the passing of the hours with celestial influences.

A lot of what Astrologers look at has to do with how two or more planets are positioned to each other, and how the tension between them — in the heavens — can exert an effect on us on Earth. Remember, the Moon can cause the tides. So other planets, some many times the size of the Moon, though at great distance, have their influence on us as well. Right now, one thing that is going on in the Zodiac, is that Venus is positioned to “square” (at a 90 degree angle) Uranus. This can create a tension in your relationships and with people close to you where you may have some different ideas about how to proceed, then they do.

“This is a time for emotional intelligence. Trust what your feelings are telling you.”

On Tuesday (01/15) of this week, the Moon “squares” the Sun in the heavens. Then, later in the week, Venus enters Aquarius. Again, a “square” creates a kind of celestial tug of war. And, when the Moon — ruler of emotions — has tension with the Sun — the light of your personality — you may see some emotions affecting your behavior. Deal with them. Remember: feel, deal, heal. That will get you ready for the planet of Love (Venus) entering the somewhat unpredictable sign of Aquarius. Deal with your emotions up front, then you can deal, much better, with any unexpected things that come up in your relationships later in the week.

On Thursday (01/17), a couple of interesting planetary configurations include the Moon squaring Neptune, and then we have a Moon trine Sun configuration this evening. This is nice for the emotional side of things where your gut instincts may be important in what you create today. Your emotions may again play a key role in how you are perceived tonight and tomorrow, as you can be sympathetic with friends and sweethearts. This is a time for emotional intelligence. Trust what your feelings are telling you.

On Friday (1/18) the Moon creates a little tension with the Sun, based on its position celestially. They are at an angle known in Astrology as a “sesquiquadrate.” This can result with your feelings being at odds with what your “head” is telling you. Logic versus emotions. Each have their value. Put it down on paper, and sleep on it overnight, before making a decision. Again, the Moons role in providing signals for our “emotional intelligence” comes into play. Trust your gut instinct once again, but make sure you don’t act irrationally. Of course there are other factors involved like your own individual personality, your horoscope, and the influences of other planets.

So, just like there’s a mechanism to the universe, with orbits and gravities affecting planet sized bodies… so there are gears of influence that encircle and work their wills on our lives.

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 Christmas Star burns brightly over Bethlehem as the Magi visit the Lord. From a 13th century painting by Giotto di Bondone.

Take heart, and joy — the Star of Bethlehem is risen today. It is the Christmas Star, and it shines for all in the Spirit of Good Will towards Men. Can you feel it? You see, I think there are stars in the heavens… and stars within. The stars within us burn brightly in our intuition, subconcious, and emotions. It was the wise men (in the Greek dialect, common at the time, the word for these men was “magoi”, indicating they were astrologers/astronomers), who followed a Star and found The Son — found the Light. There are a number of historical theories for this Star than burnt so bright over Bethlehem and led the Magi to the newborn Lord, including a nova, a planet, a comet, an occultation, and a conjunction (massing of planets).

“It is a time of new beginnings. A time to be reborn.”

There are also numerous prophecies that foretell the time of the Star. Some say the Star was a fiction. Is the night sky a “fiction” because you cannot touch it? And, don’t some “fictions” actually take on a life of their own in the myth lore of world cultures (Father Christmas, comes to mind)… because the play upon deep and eternal truths? So take heart and enjoy the Light and Warmth of the Star. May it guide you too, in all your endeavors.

It is Solstice time — a time of celebration throughout the world, and from throughout history. Of course, Christmas is the most famous Solstice time celebration, nowadays, there are other traditions and festivals ringing in this time of year. Most see the time as a sort of rebirth for the next year and seasons moving from Winter into Spring. What rebirth can you now find in your life?

As the year winds down during the Holidays, are you already making resolutions for 2008? Well, you might like to at least get a jump by thinking of them a bit as you scurry about on Christmas errands. The Winter Solstice occured on the 21st. The Sun stands still… is the literal meaning of Solstice. It is a time of new beginnings. A time to be reborn. So from the stillness of your Soul in a quiet moment, cast yourself forward into the next year… and ask, “what is the next step in my life journey?”

To what things in your life will you say goodbye, and what will you welcome anew into your journey as the seasons change, and the Christmas tide comes? This year’s Winter Solstice was followed closely by the Full Moon on the day before Christmas Eve — a celestial time of celebrations, and new beginnings, indeed. We all know that Moon energy fills people with lots of emotions, and the Solstice is a a time of renewal. You’ll probably find a classic holiday song or two reaching deep into your soul. And there, you can find the Christmas Star burning brightly with the Light you need in the New Year.

That good old Moon of ours was full last weekend. What can be its influence on our lives? Most know of the Moon’s affect on the tides of the ocean, and that it also stabilizes the orbit of the Earth. So if the Earth can feel it, and be changed by it — then it can reach into us, can it not? In Astrology, the Moon has been said to represent feelings, emotions, and the subconscious. So now that the Moon is Waning (in it’s fourth quarter), watch for insights in the week ahead.

“This is the first week of the Sun in Sagittarius, and the energy of that sign is both fun-loving and truth-loving…”

Are you focused on what you need to do? Sometimes, all that energy from the full moon can “get you going” a little too fast. As you head into your work week… take a look around you, and pause to gather your breath. Think more in terms of “quality time” both on the job and in your relationships to stay with what is important this week. This is the first week of the Sun in Sagittarius, and the energy of that sign is both fun-loving and truth-loving — that seems like an excellent mix for the kick-off of the holiday season.

What tools do you use to resolve conflict? We’re in the Zodiac time of Sagittarius (Happy Birthday Sagittarians), and Astrologers agree that this sign has a certain tug & pull associated with it. Generally speaking this is the struggle and tension between the higher and lower self that so many of us face, no matter the sign to which we are born. Just remember this need not spell crisis, but rather opportunity in your life, since this is part of becoming an adult and growing into a good citizen in your culture. How can you tame the beast within? Look to the Spirit, and call upon God to help.