The Planets Stir It Up This Week

We begin this week in the Balsamic phase of the Luna cycle. The night sky is darkening as the Moon shrinks as it moves closer to the Sun to begin the next New Moon phase.

The Balsamic phase is a good time to give your brain a rest. Logic doesn’t work so well during these dark nights.  Dream, meditate and banish what is no longer useful in your life. Clean out your closets and through away or recycle the outworn.  Cut your hair if you don’t want it to grow fast, likewise weed your garden. Weed your life as well. Don’t begin anything new until the New Moon on Friday, August 17, 2012 at 11:54 AM EDT.

Before we make it to the New Moon there are some volatile and interesting planetary configurations this week.  On Wednesday morning Venus, ruler of love and money, opposes Pluto, ruler of power, control and debt. About an hour later, Mars, the action planet, the warrior and athlete joins up with Saturn the Lord of Time, the ruler of the structure and form of society. Mars wants to act; Saturn wants to contain that action. This can be a time of wise use of energy and favors tasks and projects that require controlled, systematic action.  Early the following morning Venus squares off with capricious Uranus.  Venus is the trigger gal setting off the unstable, unpredictable and at times dangerous Uranus/Pluto square. Anything goes.

These aspects are still in force at the New Moon which occurs at 25 degrees of Leo. Mercury another little trigger is moving into an aspect of ease with Uranus.  

With all of these planets involved in some complex configurations the energy is charged and change is in the air. Expect disruption in the daily routine and people acting and reacting in unexpected ways.  The Cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn will be rocking and rolling with the punches but the rest of the Zodiac will not be let off the hook. Where these configurations fall in your horoscope will tell the tale.

The New Moon is in Leo at 25 degrees. Leo is a fixed sign and a New Moon here speaks to the other fixed signs, Taurus, Scorpio and Aquarius, sometimes the talk is not so gentle. 

This week the Moon moves from Cancer, on Monday, a cardinal, water sign that brings emotion to the fore.  People are sensitive and usually speak from the gut.  On Wednesday Moon moves into Leo, here folks like to be appreciated for what they accomplish and do and for who they are.  After the New Moon on Friday night Moon moves into Virgo. Now is the time for intellectual pursuits. People have a need for order and tend to get in the organizing mode.

Try to remain centered as the energy moves and shifts around you.  Deal with issues that arise and be aware of the things you can change and those things that you have no control over.  Sometimes we have to accept what is. We can change ourselves but we cannot change others. Venus on the prowl this week brings the relationship and money issues to the front burner.  If these issues have been simmering on the back burner they will bubble up and boil over now. Remember to breathe.

Monday Again! Venus in Cancer – Mercury Direct – Last Quarter Moon

The week starts off with Moon in “get up and go” Aries. Folks are enthusiastic, ambitious and energetic. Not a bad way to begin the Monday morning grind. Be wary of impulsive actions; try to think things through before you start something new. People can be temperamental under Aries Moon and flare-ups and arguments often spark and burn before flaming out.

On Tuesday Venus the planet of love, money and relationships moves from talkative Gemini into emotional Cancer.  Venus in Cancer becomes the nurturer.  She’ll bring you a cup of tea, wipe your brow and offer a shoulder to cry on.  Watch out for emotional outburst with moody Venus in Cancer.

Mercury moves into direct motion early Wednesday morning.  All the communication snafus, missed appointments, and crossed wires come to an end as projects on hold move forward.  New information surfaces and new ideas blossom as we begin to understand what our friends, colleagues and relatives really meant.  Clarity arrives. 

Moon moves into Taurus shortly after Mercury’s change in direction.  Taurus Moon kicks aside the impulsiveness of Aries and settles into a routine.  Caution is the name of the game under Taurus Moon.  Change is not a word in this Moon’s vocabulary, maintaining the status quo is the primary focus. Folks get stubborn under this Moon as they dig their heels in from a sense of insecurity.  We identify with our “stuff” under this Moon and fear we don’t have enough.  Emotions can run high now as Taurus enhances the Luna attributes.

Thursday the Last Quarter Moon arrives as we enter fully into the winding down process.  We assimilate and prepare for the upcoming New Moon.  This is the time to incorporate and let go.  Take what is needed and shed what is useless. Make ready for the rebirthing process that comes with the next New Moon.

This Last Quarter Moon has Venus in Cancer forming a sweet little aspect with Neptune in Pisces. On the high level this can bring relationships of a spiritual nature.  Taking the low road can bring relationships that emphasize escapism whether through seeing the other through rose colored glasses or getting together for a round of drinks in order to flee from reality.

The work week ends with Moon in Gemini. Under this Moon making a decision presents a problem.  Dualistic Gemini sees all sides of every issue. Something as simple as choosing a restaurant or a movie becomes a major production. This is a good time for the intellectual, puzzles and mental challenges as under this Moon folks are curious, restless and looking for change.

Moon moves fast through the sky and throughout this speedy passage through the Zodiac Moon touches all planets. It rules the ups and downs of daily life.  Transits from the outer planets to an individual’s horoscope often get triggered by the swift moving Moon. When that happens life’s ups and downs can get a bit steeper. A consultation with an astrologer can prepare you for these bumps in the road.