I'm late with this analysis - I've been on vacation. (If you're interested, check out my blog to find out the details - http://www.tomsidebottom.com.) 

We’re looking at the week beginning 30 July. The Moon is approaching the First Quarter in Scorpio. With Mercury Direct this week it’s high time to put plans into motion and begin the work you want to accomplish in this lunar cycle. Having said that, there are significant configurations to watch this week that may alter our plans.

Theme transits this week: There are several planetary configurations that last most all week. The first we’ve seen it for more than a month now: Jupiter in Scorpio square Saturn in Leo. Just like last week Saturn is now opposed Neptune in Aquarius as well - and now the Sun in Leo comes to conjoin Saturn for the entire week. The  Jupiter/Saturn cycle has strong business and societal implications: we’re coming down to earth from being overly inflated. Jupiter/Saturn asks us to re-evaluate our relationship to our material possessions and our overall expectations about the world. It’s gaining a philosophy of life from experience. Experience may not be glamorous or exciting, but it’s vital to stay grounded.

Saturn opposed Neptune can be problematic. Saturn wants to create structure, to define the world. Neptune wants us to attain the transcendent. Combining these two we find ourselves groping for structure that we want and need but that we can’t quite grasp - or wanting to escape from stifling structure that we don’t need. Physically the energies are taxing to the body, so be sure to get great nutrition and plenty of rest.

Adding the Sun to Saturn increases the demands on physical energy and on our spirits. Being out of sorts - even depression - can be common during this configuration. Sun / Saturn asks us to define what our real goals are and to prepare for the hard work to realize them. Depression sets in when we’re not willing to leave our outdated ideas about ourselves - and Saturn acts as Lord of Time to force us to see things realistically. The best lesson is to do a brutally honest self-assessment right now and begin to act on it. Abandon the ideas that Neptune’s illusion may have brought - and use Neptune’s real energy to open to the spiritual through meditation - not through drugs, alcohol, or our own delusions.

On the 30th we start the week with the Moon in Libra squaring Venus. Moon / Venus opens us to art and to relationships. The square can create confrontations - but the positive influence  from the end of the Grand Trine in Cancer (Venus, Jupiter, Uranus) can bring novel and enriching experiences with others.

31 July: Venus and Mercury are conjoining today and this contact lasts through the week’s end. Mercury makes possible communications with those you love - so open the door to talk with those close to you. Consider literature - the combination of art and word - today as well. The square from the Moon continues today; avoid emotionally-driven confrontations. Instead, use the energy to communicate clearly and positively with those you love. 

1 Aug: The Moon in Scorpio is moving the conjoin Jupiter today, although we see the full flowering of this energy tomorrow. Moon / Jupiter normally is expansive emotionally, but the continued square to Saturn and a wide square to Neptune open the possibility that this emotional openness may be squelched by Saturn’s unremitting focus on reality or diffused by Neptune’s desire for the ideal rather than the real.

2 Aug: The Moon completes a T-Square today by conjoining Jupiter in Scorpio, squaring Sun and Saturn in Leo, and squaring Neptune in Aquarius. This configuration is the most powerful this week - and the energies may be difficult. Recall the theme transit comments from the beginning of the podcast: Sun/Saturn wants to bring us down to earth, to inspire some hard work - and possibly to blow away illusions. But the opposition to Neptune wants to hold onto those illusions - creating the conflict between wanting dreams or reality. The square to the Moon and Jupiter adds even more uncertainty: Moon / Jupiter wants to expand emotionally, but Saturn doesn’t.

Here are my suggestions:

• Keep perspective. The configuration reduces in power tomorrow, although the Sun/Saturn involvement lasts all week.
  
• Stay realistic. Saturn demands that now. Real problems may arise because we’re attached to what we want (Neptune - illusion) rather than what’s real. So figure out the difference between reality and unreality and make your plans accordingly.
• Open to spirit. Neptune at heart wants a relationship with the divine. We often translate that into mundane illusions - desires for things that aren’t the best for us. But underneath that is the continued hunger for the transcendent. Find out how to realize that desire in your life.

3 Aug: The Moon moves on to trine Mercury and Venus today - bring welcome relief from yesterday’s intense T-square. It’s time to open communications with those you love - and to explore the art of conversation and of writing.

4 Aug: We flip back into a tension-filled configuration today as the Moon forms a T-square with Mars and Uranus. This can be a tinderbox of emotional energy - watch for unexpected temper flares and jolts that you may not have foreseen. Avoid accident by acting prudently today.

5 Aug:  The week ends with the Moon conjoining  Pluto. Emotional energies now take on a more passionate feel - with the risk of control issues coming to the fore.

Thanks for reading CosmicExpress! CosmicExpress looks at the overall planetary patterns that affect all of us. Do check us out on the web at www.CosmicTiming.com where you can see how cosmic influences impact your own personal chart. Have a great week!

We’re looking at the week beginning 13 August. The Moon is approaching the Third Quarter on the 15th. It’s now time to be harvesting what you’ve been creating during this lunar cycle. After the 15th, shift your attentions to release what you no longer need - it’s time to let things go. Having said that, there are significant configurations to watch this week that may alter our plans.

Theme transits this week: There are several planetary configurations that last most all week. The first we’ve seen it for more than a month now: Jupiter in Scorpio square Saturn in Leo. Just like last week Saturn is now opposed Neptune in Aquarius as well. The Sun in Leo starts the week finishing up its conjunction to Saturn, and Mercury and Venus approach Saturn as the week ends. The  Jupiter/Saturn cycle has strong business and societal implications: we’re coming down to earth from being overly inflated. Jupiter/Saturn asks us to re-evaluate our relationship to our material possessions and our overall expectations about the world. It’s gaining a philosophy of life from experience. Experience may not be glamorous or exciting, but it’s vital to stay grounded.

Saturn opposed Neptune can be problematic. Saturn wants to create structure, to define the world. Neptune wants us to attain the transcendent. Combining these two we find ourselves groping for structure that we want and need but that we can’t quite grasp - or wanting to escape from stifling structure that we don’t need. Physically the energies are taxing to the body, so be sure to get great nutrition and plenty of rest.

Last week we experienced that adding the Sun to Saturn increases the demands on physical energy and on our spirits. We’ll continue to feel at the week’s beginning. Being out of sorts - even depression - can be common during this configuration. Sun / Saturn asks us to define what our real goals are and to prepare for the hard work to realize them. Depression sets in when we’re not willing to leave our outdated ideas about ourselves - and Saturn acts as Lord of Time to force us to see things realistically. The best lesson is to continue with a brutally honest self-assessment. Begin to act on what you find. Abandon the ideas that Neptune’s illusion may have brought - and use Neptune’s real energy to open to the spiritual through meditation - not through drugs, alcohol, or our own delusions.

The good news is that the Sun moves away from Saturn. Mercury and Venus begin to move closer to it. Mercury / Saturn is a positive force for constructive, deep thinking. Mercury / Neptune can promote idealistic thinking - even fantasy. Again we experience the push-pull of Saturn and Neptune with Mercury: it’s good for deep realistic thinking, but we may drift off toward the inspirational - or the unrealistic.

Venus / Saturn can be challenging in relationship, but it can also promote deeper understanding of those you love and sustain stable, long-lasting relationships. Venus / Neptune wants the ideal lover and projects those desires onto the physical world, often with troubling results. The push-pull with Saturn and Neptune with Venus: part of us wants the ideal lover, while the rest of us is hyper-critical of relationship. The ideal Venus / Neptune outcome is a relationship with the divine - mystical meditation. That may be hard to achieve this week because Saturn wants reality.

My suggestions for this week are similar to last week’s:

• Stay realistic. Saturn demands that now. Real problems may arise because we’re attached to what we want (Neptune - illusion) rather than what’s real. So figure out the difference between reality and unreality and make your plans accordingly.
• Open to spirit. Neptune at heart wants a relationship with the divine. We often translate that into mundane illusions - desires for things that aren’t the best for us. But underneath that is the continued hunger for the transcendent. Find out how to realize that desire in your life.

Mars in Virgo opposes Uranus in Pisces all week, too. Expect sudden surges in energy and mysterious ebbs of energy as well. Accident, argument, or inopportune action are the major risks with this configuration. Be a bit circumspect especially in your physical activities. Fortunately Jupiter is trine Uranus and sextile Mars, easing the risk and opening the possibility for gain through moderate speculation.

On the 13th we start the week with the Moon in Aries making a Grand Trine to Sun, Saturn, and Pluto. This contact is supportive emotionally and provides a good lift to the beginning of the week.

14 Aug: The Moon moves to square the Venus and Mercury conjunction today. Communication about emotional matters come to the fore: expand your energies relationship-wise. The major risk is of pushing too hard with your emotional demands, precipitating ill-feelings.   

15 Aug: The Moon in Taurus is moving to the Third Quarter today. This completes a very powerful and stress-filled Grand Square as it squares Neptune, opposes Jupiter, and squares Sun and Saturn. The real risk is the Moon’s desire for Neptune’s fantasies creating illusions, delusions, or miscommunication. Saturn, of course, insists on reality, not illusion, and this conflict is at the heart of today’s experiences. It’s likely to be a physically draining period, so plan for as much down-time as you possibly can. Reduce stress and avoid feeling down.

On the positive side, the Moon also completes a Mystic Rectangle with Mars, Uranus, and Jupiter. The real gain today is from inward experience, not external activity. Spend time profitably in meditation and inner experiences to open to sudden mystical awareness. Include bodywork (supporting Mars) to enhance body-mind development.

16 Aug: The Moon sextiles the Venus / Mercury conjunction today. Yesterday’s should dissipate and open us to the potential for easier communications about emotional matters with those we love.

17 Aug: The Moon moves on to form a T-Square with Mars and Uranus today, Emotions should come to life again - perhaps a bit spasmodically or uncertainly. Expect a few surprises emotionally, and open to relationships - and avoid making sudden demands on those you love. Argument is possible, so maintain your perspective.

18 Aug: The Moon in Gemini moves to oppose Pluto, intensifying emotional energy. The potential of obsessive behavior and control issue in relationships. Back off just a bit.

19 Aug:  The week ends with the Moon in Cancer making  a Grand Trine with Jupiter and Uranus. It’s time to kick back a bit, especially in emotional relationships. Open to unusual experiences with those you love - and enjoy!

Thanks for reading! CosmicExpress looks at the overall planetary patterns that affect all of us. Do check us out on the web at www.CosmicTiming.com where you can see how cosmic influences impact your own personal chart. Have a great week!

We’re looking at the week beginning 20 August. The Moon is approaching the New Moon in Virgo on the 23rd. It’s time to wrap up the work for this lunar cycle and to concentrate on what you can release in preparation for the New Moon in Virgo. Having said that, just as for the past two weeks there are significant configurations to watch that may alter our plans.

Theme transits this week: There are several planetary configurations that last most all week. The first we’ve seen last week: Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune form a T-square. The  Jupiter/Saturn cycle has strong business and societal implications: we’re coming down to earth from being overly inflated. Jupiter/Saturn asks us to re-evaluate our relationship to our material possessions and our overall expectations about the world. It’s gaining a philosophy of life from experience. Experience may not be glamorous or exciting, but it’s vital to stay grounded.

Saturn opposed Neptune can be problematic. Saturn wants to create structure, to define the world. Neptune wants us to attain the transcendent. Combining these two we find ourselves groping for structure that we want and need but that we can’t quite grasp - or wanting to escape from stifling structure that we don’t need. Physically the energies are taxing to the body, so be sure to get great nutrition and plenty of rest.

Jupiter square Neptune is a strange mixture of the mystical and the foolhardy. At its highest level Jupiter / Neptune is the opening to the transcendent and to profound mystical experience. Its lower manifestations, though, expose us to illusions and fantasies that can become delusive. The influences of drugs and alcohol magnify, as do risks in speculation.
This week Mercury and then Venus conjoin Saturn and impact the T-square.  Mercury / Saturn is a positive force for constructive, deep thinking. Mercury / Neptune can promote idealistic thinking - even fantasy. Again we experience the push-pull of Saturn and Neptune with Mercury: it’s good for deep realistic thinking, but we may drift off toward the inspirational - or the unrealistic.

Venus / Saturn can be challenging in relationship, but it can also promote deeper understanding of those you love and sustain stable, long-lasting relationships. Venus / Neptune wants the ideal lover and projects those desires onto the physical world, often with troubling results. The push-pull with Saturn and Neptune with Venus: part of us wants the ideal lover, while the rest of us is hyper-critical of relationship. The ideal Venus / Neptune outcome is a relationship with the divine - mystical meditation. That may be hard to achieve this week because Saturn wants reality.

My suggestions for this week are the same as last week’s:

• Stay realistic. Saturn demands that now. Real problems may arise because we’re attached to what we want (Neptune - illusion) rather than what’s real. So figure out the difference between reality and unreality and make your plans accordingly.
• Open to spirit. Neptune at heart wants a relationship with the divine. We often translate that into mundane illusions - desires for things that aren’t the best for us. But underneath that is the continued hunger for the transcendent. Find out how to realize that desire in your life.

Mars in Virgo begins the week by opposing Uranus in Pisces and then moves on to square Pluto in Sagittarius.  all week, too. Expect sudden surges in energy and mysterious ebbs of energy as well. Accident, argument, or inopportune action are the major risks with this configuration. Be a bit circumspect especially in your physical activities. As we progress to the Mars / Pluto configuration, we shift into intense activity with extreme dedication to a task – or to being subject to the power of others. Obsession can be a problem as can argument. Avoid accident and excessive risk-taking.

On the 20th we start the week with the Moon in Cancer sextiling Mars and the Sun in Leo trining Pluto. Moon / Mars gives us emotional warmth and support right now, while Sun / Pluto improves our physical energy and endurance. These contacts provide a good lift to the beginning of the week.

Mercury reaches its peak contact with Saturn: focus on detailed thinking, serious communication. The Jupiter and Neptune aspects to Mercury give us a chance to expand our thinking through meditation and inner experiences.

21 Aug: The Moon moves closer to a conjunction with Venus and Saturn in Leo today while Mercury begins to leave Saturn’s influences. Moon / Venus is normally warm and emotionally expansive, but the conjunction with Saturn forces us to analyze our relationships – it can be a bit of a downer. The Saturn and Neptune push-pull comes into play: emotionally we want our ideal vision, but physically we see reality all too well. Keep your perspective; avoid confrontation; and remember the contact lasts just a day.
  
22 Aug: The Moon moves past Saturn today and on to conjoin Mercury in Leo. Now’s the time to open to communications with those you love – possibly sharing some of what you learned yesterday.

This is the last day of the current lunar cycle. Release what you no longer need and take a moment’s pause for reflection. Inner journeys and divination – like the Tarot or the I Ching – may be especially valuable right now.

23 Aug: The Moon is New in Virgo today, putting the accent on the harvest, on positive ways to maintain health, and on analysis of the year and of your work. Now’s the time to think about your goals for this lunar cycle and to begin your work. 

24 Aug: The Moon moves on to oppose Uranus in Pisces today. Emotions should come to life again - perhaps a bit spasmodically or uncertainly. Expect a few surprises emotionally, and open to relationships - and avoid making sudden demands on those you love. Give yourself some breathing room to avoid excessive stress.

25 Aug: The Moon in Virgo conjoins Mars in squaring Pluto, intensifying emotional energy. The potential of obsessive behavior and control issue in relationships. Back off just a bit.

26 Aug:  The week ends with the Venus approaching Saturn. Venus / Saturn wants to define relationship, to analyze it and to judge it. Do your work internally first, rather than taking it out on those you love. Venus / Neptune wants the ideal relationship – truly relationship with the divine – which will never come to pass with a physical partner. Moderate your expectations and your fantasies.

Thanks for reading CosmicExpress! CosmicExpress looks at the overall planetary patterns that affect all of us. Do check us out on the web at www.CosmicTiming.com where you can see how cosmic influences impact your own personal chart. Have a great week!

We’re looking at the week beginning 27 August. The Moon is approaching the First Quarter in Sagittarius on the 31st. It’s prime time to push forward with your work for the month.

Theme transits this week:  There are several planetary configurations that last most all week. The first we’ve seen for a long time now: Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune form a T-square. The  Jupiter/Saturn cycle has strong business and societal implications: we’re coming down to earth from being overly inflated. Jupiter/Saturn asks us to re-evaluate our relationship to our material possessions and our overall expectations about the world. It’s gaining a philosophy of life from experience. Experience may not be glamorous or exciting, but it’s vital to stay grounded.

Saturn opposed Neptune can be problematic. Saturn wants to create structure, to define the world. Neptune wants us to attain the transcendent. Combining these two we find ourselves groping for structure that we want and need but that we can’t quite grasp - or wanting to escape from stifling structure that we don’t need. Physically the energies are taxing to the body, so be sure to get great nutrition and plenty of rest.

Jupiter square Neptune is a strange mixture of the mystical and the foolhardy. At its highest level Jupiter / Neptune is the opening to the transcendent and to profound mystical experience. Its lower manifestations, though, expose us to illusions and fantasies that can become delusive. The influences of drugs and alcohol magnify, as do risks in speculation.

This week Venus conjoins Saturn and impacts the T-square.  Venus / Saturn can be challenging in relationship, but it can also promote deeper understanding of those you love and sustain stable, long-lasting relationships. Venus / Neptune wants the ideal lover and projects those desires onto the physical world, often with troubling results. The push-pull with Saturn and Neptune with Venus: part of us wants the ideal lover, while the rest of us is hyper-critical of relationship. The ideal Venus / Neptune outcome is a relationship with the divine - mystical meditation. That may be hard to achieve this week because Saturn wants reality.

Mars in Virgo squares Pluto in Sagittarius all week, too. We shift into intense activity with extreme dedication to a task – or to being subject to the power of others. Obsession can be a problem as can argument. Avoid accident and excessive risk-taking.

On the 27th we start the week with the Moon in Cancer sextiling Venus and Saturn and trining Neptune. This is one of the best times this week to connect with those you love, and to take some time off to re-energize. We’ll need that energy later this week!

28 Aug: The Moon sextiles the Sun, Mercury, and Pluto today, giving a boost to physical vitality and energizing both mind and spirit. 
  
29 Aug: Today’s where the week’s fireworks begin. The moon moves into Scorpio to impact the T-Square with Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, and Neptune. Moon/Jupiter is normally expansive and loving, but there are real challenges with Saturn and Neptune. Saturn forces us to analyze our relationships, and can be a bit of a downer. The Saturn and Neptune push-pull comes into play: emotionally we want our ideal vision, but physically we see reality all too well. Keep your perspective; avoid confrontation.

30 Aug: The Moon in Scorpio moves out of the T-Square contact we felt yesterday, but we’ll all likely experience a continuation of yesterday’s tensions. The Moon now sextiles Mars, though, which affords a bit of warmth in relationship and some increased physical energy

31 Aug: The Moon moves on to square Uranus in Pisces and to square the Sun/Mercury conjunction in Virgo - another T-square. This one’s much more dynamic, with lots of communication and physical energy. Emotions should come to life again - perhaps a bit spasmodically or uncertainly. Expect a few surprises emotionally, and open to relationships - and avoid making sudden demands on those you love. Give yourself some breathing room to avoid excessive stress and avoid argument.

1 Sep: The Moon in Virgo conjoins Pluto and squares Mars. Emotional energy continues to be intense, with the possibility of obsessive behavior and control issue in relationships. Back off just a bit.

2 Sep:  The week ends with Venus finally leaving the conjunction to Saturn. Relationships and connections with others should begin to open a bit, leaving behind the tension we’ve felt for the last week. The Moon separates from its meeting with Pluto and forms trines to Venus and Saturn, supporting us emotionally and encouraging stable relationships.

Finally the Sun and Mercury are now both sextile Jupiter and opposed Uranus. Sun/Uranus is physical excitement and change – and the possibility of accident or rash action. Mercury/Uranus is energized thinking – possibly brilliance leading to breakthrough – or just a bit of nuttiness. Only you can decide which direction you go.

Thanks for reading CosmicExpress! CosmicExpress looks at the overall planetary patterns that affect all of us. Do check us out on the web at www.CosmicTiming.com where you can see how cosmic influences impact your own personal chart. Have a great week!

We’re looking at the week beginning 6 August. The Moon is approaching Full on the 9th. It’s high time to put plans into motion and push to realize the work you want to accomplish in this lunar cycle. Having said that, there are significant configurations to watch this week that may alter our plans.

Theme transits this week: There are several planetary configurations that last most all week. The first we’ve seen it for more than a month now: Jupiter in Scorpio square Saturn in Leo. Just like last week Saturn is now opposed Neptune in Aquarius as well - and the Sun in Leo continues to conjoin Saturn for the entire week. The  Jupiter/Saturn cycle has strong business and societal implications: we’re coming down to earth from being overly inflated. Jupiter/Saturn asks us to re-evaluate our relationship to our material possessions and our overall expectations about the world. It’s gaining a philosophy of life from experience. Experience may not be glamorous or exciting, but it’s vital to stay grounded.

Saturn opposed Neptune can be problematic. Saturn wants to create structure, to define the world. Neptune wants us to attain the transcendent. Combining these two we find ourselves groping for structure that we want and need but that we can’t quite grasp - or wanting to escape from stifling structure that we don’t need. Physically the energies are taxing to the body, so be sure to get great nutrition and plenty of rest.

Adding the Sun to Saturn increases the demands on physical energy and on our spirits. Being out of sorts - even depression - can be common during this configuration. Sun / Saturn asks us to define what our real goals are and to prepare for the hard work to realize them. Depression sets in when we’re not willing to leave our outdated ideas about ourselves - and Saturn acts as Lord of Time to force us to see things realistically. The best lesson is to do a brutally honest self-assessment right now and begin to act on it. Abandon the ideas that Neptune’s illusion may have brought - and use Neptune’s real energy to open to the spiritual through meditation - not through drugs, alcohol, or our own delusions.

My suggestions:

• Stay realistic. Saturn demands that now. Real problems may arise because we’re attached to what we want (Neptune - illusion) rather than what’s real. So figure out the difference between reality and unreality and make your plans accordingly.
• Open to spirit. Neptune at heart wants a relationship with the divine. We often translate that into mundane illusions - desires for things that aren’t the best for us. But underneath that is the continued hunger for the transcendent. Find out how to realize that desire in your life.

The good news is that the Sun configuration wanes all week. A week from now we’ll be through this period, so keep your perspective.

Venus and Mercury are conjoined in Cancer for the entire week. A welcome relief from Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune, Mercury and Venus combine to promote communications in relationship and enjoyment of literature – the art of words. Spend some time relaxing, reading, and relating to those you love.

Mars in Virgo opposes Uranus in Pisces all week, too. Expect sudden surges in energy and mysterious ebbs of energy as well. Accident, argument, or inopportune action are the major risks with this configuration. Be a bit circumspect especially in your physical activities.

On the 6th we start the week with the Moon in Capricorn trining Mars: a bit of relief from the tough transits this week. Emotions should be a bit smoother, energized, but fun.

7 Aug: The Moon moves to oppose the Venus and Mercury conjunction today. Communication about emotional matters come to the fore: expand your energies relationship-wise. The major risk is of pushing too hard with your emotional demands, precipitating ill-feelings. Back off just a bit and take advantage of this day of relationship support before the Moon moves to become Full on the 8th and 9th – under considerable stress.   

8 Aug: The Moon in Aquarius is moving into Full today and tomorrow. This Full Moon completes a very powerful and stress-filled T-Square as it conjoins Neptune, squares Jupiter, and opposes Sun and Saturn. The real risk is the Moon’s desire for Neptune’s fantasies creating illusions, delusions, or miscommunication. Saturn, of course, insists on reality, not illusion, and this conflict is at the heart of today’s experiences. It’s likely to be a physically draining period, so plan for as much down-time as you possibly can. Reduce stress and avoid feeling down.

9 Aug: The Moon is Full today. Check out my comments for yesterday. This energy should begin to dissipate a bit as the day goes on, so hold on for a lighter day tomorrow.

10 Aug: The Moon moves on to conjoin Uranus today, and it opposes Mars and trines Jupiter as well. Emotions should come to life again - perhaps a bit spasmodically or uncertainly after the last few days. Expect a few surprises emotionally, and open to relationships.

11 Aug: We still retain a bit of the Moon / Uranus emotional surprises today, but we add a square from the Moon to Pluto, too. Emotional intensity rises, with the potential of obsessive behavior and control issue in relationships. Back off just a bit.

12 Aug:  The week ends with the Moon in Aries trining the Mercury / Venus conjunction. This should be welcome relief from the week’s tensions, so plan to take a breather and relax.

Thanks for reading CosmicExpress. For an in-depth analysis of your own chart, please check out http://www.cosmictiming.com. Have a great week!