A look at the week ahead

Moon starts the week in fun loving Leo, a tough energy to fight when you have to return to the weekday grind. People feel proud, need praise and long for romance under Leo Moon. If you have to make a presentation this Moon is for you. If straight talk is what you need to do or hear, this is the shoot from the hip Moon. Leo Moon rouses our ambitious and independent streak. There is a lot of warmth with this Moon but also the danger of becoming self-centered and arrogant. Confidence is good, conceit not so good. The Moon is here until early Wednesday morning when she enters Virgo, a totally different kettle of fish. Center stage Leo gives way to shy Virgo. Virgo Moon is great when you have to pay attention to detail, use critical thinking and analyze data or situations. Not a good time for seeing the big picture. People are fastidious and concerned about diet and health when Moon is in Virgo. This is a great time to clean out that kitchen drawer, you know the one that seems to grow “stuff” and is getting hard to close. Virgo likes to serve others. You don’t have to be a doormat to provide a sympathetic ear. Virgo Moon takes us through to early Friday morning when she moves into social butterfly territory, Libra. People are friendly, sociable and talkative under this Moon. Relationships become friendlier and everyone‘s oh so nice. Give a party this weekend, as everyone wants to and is ready to have a nice time with no arguments. While the Moon rules our emotions, it moves fast and usually doesn’t indicate major changes in our lives. If other factors indicate change, the Moon may trigger the change but by itself it is not the catalyst for change. This week a number of things are happening in the sky that point to a shift in the wind. First, as the day rolls over into Tuesday, just after midnight, Jupiter stops and turns in direct motion. In Mundane Astrology, the astrology of events, Jupiter rules many things. Such as, the Senate, the Vice-President, borders, treaties, foreign aid, judges, courts, credit, banks, the clergy and religion. When a planet turns and goes direct things connected to that planet that have been on hold, so to speak, generally move forward. Jupiter is the greater benefic and can bring honors and awards. Barack Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize last week with Jupiter set to make it’s station at 17 Aquarius, right on Obama’s Ascendant. The Ascendant in a horoscope is the sign that was on the horizon at the moment of one’s birth. It is how the world sees you, your personality and your physical body. Not everyone that has an Aquarius Ascendant will receive the Nobel Prize but at the very least they will be feeling good about themselves. Action and events related to Jupiter come to pass. Early Wednesday evening, just before 7PM, Venus moves into Libra, one of the signs she rules. Venus loves to be in Libra. This is great for lovers, for decorating, the arts and on a more serious side, for negotiations and diplomacy. Venus also rules culture and cultural events and has a say in treaties and peace talks. On Thursday Venus will butt heads with Pluto, which could be interesting. Pluto symbolizes extreme power, covert activities, and fun things like espionage and terrorism. It is hard to blend these two but Venus can be a tough chick when she needs to be. Friday morning, just before noon, Mars moves out of crabby Cancer into fiery Leo. Mars rules the armed forces, males, and those engaged in any form of dispute. War is Mars’ playing field. Mars in Leo shifts the energy to one of optimism and self confidence. Taken to the extreme those attributes can slip into “big ego” and arrogance. Sounds like Washington and Wall Street.