Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2017 March 20

The Aurora Tree
Image Credit & Copyright: Alyn Wallace Photography

Explanation: Yes, but can your tree do this? Pictured is a visual coincidence between the dark branches of a nearby tree and bright glow of a distant aurora. The beauty of the aurora — combined with how it seemed to mimic a tree right nearby — mesmerized the photographer to such a degree that he momentarily forgot to take pictures. When viewed at the right angle, it seemed that this tree had aurora for leaves! Fortunately, before the aurora morphed into a different overall shape, he came to his senses and capture the awe-inspiring momentary coincidence. Typically triggered by solar explosions, aurora are caused by high energy electrons impacting the Earth’s atmosphere around 150 kilometers up. The unusual Earth-sky collaboration was witnessed earlier this month in Iceland.

March equinox! Happy spring or fall

Published on EarthSky

The Wisdom of Buddha

A jug fills drop by drop.

Get A Jump on Tomorrow…..

Your Daily Horoscopes for Tuesday, March 21st

Aries

You can successfully blend personal and professional goals or activities quite seamlessly today, dear Aries. The day’s energies inspire your more clever and creative side, and you can find yourself devising plans and enjoying the design element of whatever you’re doing. There can be an opportunity to take steps to make yourself or family more secure, and it’s an excellent time for working hard and enjoying the feeling of productivity. You can gain an edge now in your career or come to a stronger position or more robust plan for achieving your goals. Being generous and charitable with others and offering your services freely can be a big key to this.

Taurus

You seem to be able to satisfy both your needs to lay low and venture out into new situations, dear Taurus. This is a powerful day for entertaining new ideas and seeking out more meaning from your experiences. You can be thoroughly excited by and invested in a project, study, or venture today, and you can make tremendous progress with this kind of dedication and focus. There is a gentle ease or flow between you and friends, co-workers, and associates. Tolerance, charity, and generosity are themes now in your social life. Satisfaction comes from helping others out with information or advice.

Gemini

You’re in a much stronger position for managing your relationships and emotions today than you were yesterday, dear Gemini. Part of you is craving more intimacy or depth in your connections, yet another part enjoys your freedom and a light approach to your relationships. This might normally pose a dilemma, but you seem to be able to find the right middle ground or blend today, leading to a real feeling of satisfaction. This is also a good time for developing your talents, working on a money-making venture, or putting effort into finding something lost or hidden. Business, career, and reputation get a boost today, and the key to this involves extending your help, services, advice, or expertise to someone in need.

Cancer

You can accomplish much more than usual today, dear Cancer, with increased motivation and dedication. You enjoy taking the initiative now, but you’re also in an excellent position to team up with or otherwise cooperate with others in order to get things done. You might find that you’re in the position of leader or manager now and you can be quite successful and efficient in this role. Attention to both your social life and your work can be much easier than usual to balance and perhaps even blend today. Giving a partner or friend the benefit of the doubt or a pass for something you may normally not let slip by can be in focus and can enhance your bond and make you feel quite proud of yourself to boot! While there can be some differences in your visions of where you’re heading or long-term goals, there can be great understanding and tolerance expressed now, and this carries you.

Leo

While yesterday you may have had a difficult time blending your mundane affairs and your desire for more free-form, exploratory activities, dear Leo, today you can get there far more easily. In fact, it can be very satisfying tending to both your need to take care of business and expand your mind or experiences. With some creativity, you might even be able to combine the two. As well, there can be much to enjoy hiding yourself away for some of the day doing work behind the scenes or in relative solitude. You can quickly become absorbed in what you’re doing. There is a sweet air of acceptance and understanding present around you today, and you might thoroughly enjoy providing a service or devoting some time helping others out now.

Virgo

You have the ability to combine your desire for intensity and need for freedom today quite successfully, dear Virgo. It’s an excellent time for creative power or dedication to a creative or design project. You’re excited about drawing up plans. Relationships thrive today with both tolerance and passion. Intimate matters can improve, and feelings seem to be reciprocated. Connecting with others and making a concerted effort to understand where they are coming from, or to give others the benefit of the doubt, can be satisfying now. You feel good about yourself when you put your faith in people you care about today. This can be a good day for productivity with others or for combining your resources and efforts so that you can get something done. You often find it faster and more efficient to do things on your own, but today, teamwork is beneficial.

Libra

While you may have had some challenges balancing home and family with your social life or a partnership yesterday, dear Libra, today you not only find ways to blend these needs, you could find them supportive of one another. This may alternatively play out as your need for personal space and your need for companionship. Today, you can find ways to fill both needs and feel quite satisfied. It’s an excellent time for putting effort into your work or health and wellness activities. You could find that being of service to people you love in some manner can be satisfying as well – you might thoroughly enjoy helping someone out or simply expressing your faith in a person you care about. Work might benefit from offering something freely and gaining the trust of others in the process.

Scorpio

While you may have found it difficult balancing your personal interests and social obligations with your duties and responsibilities yesterday, dear Scorpio, today you’re in a great position to not only balance them but possibly blend them as well. You are enjoying what you’re doing now, and it shows! You can make a lot of headway as a result. You’re also in an excellent position to convey what you mean and to communicate with impact. You can make a lot of progress by joining with a partner to get things done. This is an excellent day for expressing your faith in someone, extending help (particularly through words of advice or the relaying of information), and for finding new things to love about someone.

Sagittarius

There have been times recently when you’ve been torn with sticking with what’s safe or tried-and-true and going out on a limb and taking a personal risk, dear Sagittarius. Today, you find ways to combine the two creatively, and this feels right. You might feel particularly comfortable with a friend or lover now, or there is an opportunity to enhance a bond. There can be a nice bonus or a chance to splurge for some of you today. This is also an excellent time for work, research, and health or fitness pursuits. Motivation to improve and advance is with you, and this fuels you. You can accomplish far more than usual when you feel dedicated. There is excellent energy for forgiveness or acceptance in relationships, particularly with family, but this can extend to other relationships as well. It’s easier to overlook the small problems and see the value of your connections overall.

Capricorn

Blending your personal goals and those of family or loved ones comes much more easily than usual today, dear Capricorn, partly because you are especially motivated to make everything work. This is an excellent time for personal appeal and self-improvement efforts. You might thoroughly enjoy helping others out, particularly by providing them with advice, information, words of wisdom, and inspiring words. You can talk yourself into or out of virtually anything today! You can gain an edge of sorts for doing so, and this can benefit your professional life or marketing efforts, but the greatest rewards today are personal ones. You are willing to put in extra effort or to express your dedication in your relationships.

Aquarius

Part of you wants to get involved and engage with others now, dear Aquarius, but another strong urge is to lay low and keep to yourself. Somehow, however, you seem to be able to satisfy both needs, and quite creatively to boot! For some of you, this is a great time for connecting with others anonymously and resolving problems or for unloading problems through journaling or communicating on your own terms. You can be particularly generous with others, and they with you. You might also experience an intense drive to take care of home, family, and work. It’s a good time for concentration and dedicated focus – you can be very productive today.

Pisces

There is radiant energy with you for charitable, supportive relationships with others, dear Pisces. You’re very willing to be of service in some way to people in your life, and this is good for the soul. You are compassionate and tolerant, and you take pleasure in putting your faith in others or giving someone the benefit of the doubt. Part of you would like nothing better than to stick with what you know is safe and secure today, but another part wants some freedom to explore. While this might lead to a predicament on another day, today you can satisfy both needs by finding a good compromise or middle point. Creativity soars today.

If You Were Born Today, March 20

Extremely creative and enterprising, you are also very charismatic and warm. As much as you need stability and security, especially with close relationships, you crave variety in your daily life, balking at routine and needing to mix things up from time to time. You have an unmistakable innocent charm to your manner, and your optimism and friendliness help win you much success in life, both personally and professionally.Famous people born today: B.F. Skinner, Spike Lee, Carl Reiner, William Hurt, Fred Rogers, Brian Mulroney, Holly Hunter, David Thewlis.

Your Birthday Year Forecast:

Your birthday occurs around a Third Quarter Moon this year, and you are reaching an important turning point in terms of personal growth. You may be more emotional this year, and should watch for unnecessary conflicts and making hasty decisions as a result. Otherwise, this is a year of greater understanding and a strong desire to take care of business. This should be a busy, dynamic period in your life.

Relationships tend to be deeper than usual, or you may be focusing on particular ones more deeply this year. Relationships can be one of the biggest areas of growth for you during this period of your life. Creative impulses are also powerful. While you may struggle at times with motivation levels, you possess the endurance to further your goals.

You can be particularly prolific and creative with writing, speaking, or other communications fields this year – you have a strong sense of what your audience wants. You express yourself with more imagination and appeal.

You can experience a stronger desire to seek out meaning, wisdom, and mental stimulation in the year ahead. It’s a powerful period for unique, helpful ideas. You are willing to make changes, especially in your attitude, and conversations are two-way, mutually beneficial, healing, and inspiring. This is a potentially excellent year for putting dreams into motion and giving life to your ideas. You are capable of very hard work when you’re inspired, and you can produce some pretty fantastic things now.

In your relationships, you find it easier to express one another’s desires to each other. This can be a powerful year for shared activities.

You are willing to put in the effort for a mental interest or project, and you can feel pleasantly dedicated to your work or ideas. You are more able to focus on what you’re doing and communicating, and you are more inclined to notice and consider details.

You may be actively involved with teamwork and collaboration with others this year. For some, there can be the beginning of a significant new relationship or the intensification of an existing romance or an important passion project that reaches a turning point.

You’re able to bring both enthusiasm and practicality to your endeavors this year. It’s a potentially excellent year for making positive lifestyle changes and for dedication to your work or special projects. You are more patient than usual, having the follow-through to finish what you start. When you are motivated, you can accomplish great things, bringing new life to old goals. However, you may struggle at times with increased responsibilities.

2017 is a Number Six year for you. Ruled by Venus. This is a year of relative contentment. It is a time when love is the easiest to attract, and partnerships formed under this vibration have a better chance for longevity. You are able to attract others, and material things as well, this year. This is a good year for establishing harmony in the family and in the home. Advice – develop existing relationships, be positive and receptive because these kinds of energies help you to attract what you desire.

2018 will be a Number Seven year for you. Ruled by Neptune. This is a year of preparation, chance, and refinement. It is not a time of dramatic changes. Instead, it’s a year when reflection on the past is helpful, and when refinements to your life path should be made. It’s a good year to study and analyze. Unexpected twists to your life story and “chance” meetings are probable. Advice – take stock of your life in order to prepare for more exciting years to come, examine the past and plan for the future, get in touch with your deepest needs and uncover your personal power, don’t strain yourself or actively try to expand.

Your Daily Horoscopes for Monday, March 20th

Aries

The Sun enters your sign today, dear Aries, and this begins a month-long cycle that puts you, your goals, and your needs up front and center. Generally speaking, it’s a time for seizing the day, for shaping your life as you’d like it to be, as well as for being heard, noticed, and counted. With Venus retrograde in your sign for much of this cycle, you may not feel quite as outgoing as you typically do at this time of the year, but you are sure to feel the momentum start to pick up. While this is a very personal cycle, professional interests or concerns can demand your attention beginning midday. It’s probably best to take the path of least resistance now, or you could be prone to stress or unnecessary conflict. However, as the day advances, you’ll feel more comfortable tending to both personal and professional concerns.

Taurus

You are certainly in the mood for adventure today, dear Taurus, so if you can make time for an activity that takes you out and about, then do so. Some deeper insights into love can also emerge today if you tune in. Try to avoid the tendency for debates or disagreements to push out these opportunities. The Sun enters your privacy sector this morning, launching a cycle that spans the coming month in which you spend more than the usual time reflecting and resting. It’s a time to tie up loose ends, put a stop to projects or situations that no longer work in your best interests, and learn more about your inner or spiritual needs. It’s the right time for forgiveness and letting go – focus on healing for best results. You may have a difficult time seeing yourself as others see you, and decisions may require more time than usual. More than likely, however, they can wait.

Gemini

You might question the commitment level of a friend or partner today, dear Gemini, or there can be a matter of trust to deal with now. However, from this minor conflict comes more insight, and, as the day progresses, you feel relieved, supported, and productive. The Sun enters your solar eleventh house this morning and will influence this social area of your chart until April 19th. This is a period for prioritizing the connections in your life. During this cycle, you have increased influence on friends and groups which, in turn, boosts your self-esteem. While this transit typically promises a livelier social calendar, Venus is retrograde here concurrently, and there can be some tensions brewing or less social activity than usual.

Cancer

While you can be content to do your own thing this morning, dear Cancer, by midday, your personal agenda seems to be put on the back burner as you focus on compromising and allowing others to shine. Helping out a partner, or simply listening more intently to their wishes and needs, is the key to success and fulfillment today. It’s time to give due attention to those who support you and who are dear to your heart. While this may seem to conflict with your new focus on your professional affairs as a career cycle begins today, it’s temporary. The Sun enters your solar tenth house this morning, where it will continue to transit until April 19th. During this cycle, your ego and identity are tied to your professional or social standing, what others think of you, and your ability to meet your responsibilities. Letting these things slide will make you fret. Tend to your needs for approval – they’re real and not a sign of weakness as long as they’re balanced and moderate. With Venus retrograde in this sector concurrently, you may want to pay particular attention to your professional or public manner.

Leo

You can begin the day feeling rather light and breezy, dear Leo. By midday, you become very much aware of the flaws or inconsistencies in your life, and while this can lead to frustration or worry, you can take advantage of this state of mind by actively working on fixing problems. Take the time to reorganize, tidy, and handle nagging issues that will help to free your mind for more engaging experiences. You can’t seem to escape the fact that life goes on no matter where your head is at, and little tasks that you’ve neglected still need doing. Find the time to organize your life in small, helpful ways. This is of particular importance, even if it seems inconvenient, with the Sun’s entry into your solar ninth house today — a sector that rules adventure, learning, spirit, and life experience. During this month-long cycle, you crave and seek out a little more from life than the ordinary. While on some level you could be feeling as if you are re-awakened, Venus is retrograde in the same sector for most of the course of this transit, and there can be some ups and downs, delays, or rethinking related to adventure-seeking and mind expansion.

Virgo

The Sun enters your solar eighth house today, dear Virgo, where it will continue to transit until April 19th. You are motivated to understand yourself, your relationships, and a significant other during this period, and you are also interested in projects, people, and experiences that stimulate your deeper feelings or that demand more concentration and commitment. It’s a good cycle for developing self-mastery skills — some form of self-transformation is likely at this time of year. While the day can begin rather standardly, towards midday, energy can become tense. You want to be recognized and admired by people close to you, but they seem to be too busy dealing with their own issues and problems to take the time to give you feedback. Work on making yourself happy and things will come together naturally.

Libra

A minor conflict is possible today, and it’s one that revolves around partnerships and previously made agreements, dear Libra. You are not in the most conciliatory of moods right now, but neither is a significant other. However, you have a true advantage today, as you can easily get to the heart of an issue. You are particularly resilient and interested in true solutions rather than quick fixes. The Sun enters your partnership sector this morning and will transit here until April 19th. This cycle brings your need for others to the fore, and particularly a partner in some shape or form. This is a time for making adjustments and compromises as you come to a better life balance. With Venus retrograde in this sector concurrently, there can be some complications in close relationships, but there can be a second chance to get things right.

Scorpio

Your ability to communicate effectively is a gift, dear Scorpio, and today, using that gift wisely will help you to lessen some of the tensions around you. Personal interests and social distractions can be plenty today, and this can cause some stress if you have far too much to do. Intensity can translate into passion, or if taken too far, into power tripping. This morning, the Sun enters your work and health sector where it will transit for a month. During this period, your ego and identity are wrapped up in the work or services you provide, as well as the success of your self-care programs. As such, this is a time for paying particular attention to improving or maintaining health and wellness endeavors, daily routines, and work projects. Getting organized and enjoying what you do may be more complicated than usual this year with Venus retrograde in this sector for most of the transit, but you have a little more cosmic support now that the Sun is here.

Sagittarius

The astrological new year begins today, dear Sagittarius, and this brings the Sun into your solar sector of self-expression for the upcoming month. Until April 19th, you thrive on others’ feedback and good vibes, and you are more openly affectionate and playful. You might pay more attention to personal hobbies or recreation and entertainment. Romantic feelings are stirred. However, with Venus in this sector and retrograde for the first half of the Sun’s transit here, there can be some questions about personal enjoyment and satisfaction or complications in these areas of life but much creative power if you can tap into it. A question of whether you have enough money or resources, or a difference in values with a love interest, can crop up today. However, as the day progresses, you feel less conflicted. New insights into a family matter help you to prioritize and focus on what really is important to you now. Give your family and home the attention they need and find ways to increase your sense of security and stability, even if this requires a lot of effort.

Capricorn

The day can begin rather quietly, dear Capricorn, but shortly before midday, the Moon moves into your sign, and the focus is now on your needs and personal projects. You are driven to seek out those things that validate your emotions and boost your spirits. Conflicts with others or kinks in your plans can indeed occur now, but you can extract from them just the right motivation to set things right. Work on a pet project or intellectual pursuit fares well as the day advances. This morning, the Sun enters your home and family sector and will spend the coming month here at the bottom of your solar chart. Your identity and ego are more heavily invested in your home life and family relations. Worldly ambitions tend to take a backseat now. Your focus now should be on making yourself feel secure and content in your personal environment and in your own skin – it’s a critical time for working on your self-esteem and sense of security.

Aquarius

While the day can begin in a lively way, as you approach midday, you’re likely to feel the need for a breather, dear Aquarius. Avoiding situations that are highly competitive or stressful today is simply strategic and possibly necessary. You can use some time to regroup and recharge your emotional batteries. It can be difficult to avoid tension midday, however, with a Sun-Moon conflict that has everyone feeling a little edgy. However, as the day progresses, it’s far easier to find a balance. The Sun enters your communications sector this morning and will stick around here until April 19th. You take increased pride in your studies, communications, light travels, connections, and casual relationships or associations during this cycle. This is a time for exploring new interests and learning new things, but not the best time for concentrated efforts. With Venus retrograde here concurrently for the first half of this transit, you may be reassessing whether or not your current interests or studies are satisfying.

Pisces

While there can be a rather tense energy to the middle of the day, dear Pisces, you come into your own as the day advances. In fact, you’ll find that others are quite cooperative and helpful once past the obstacles of the Sun-Moon square. You may be an authority on a matter today and tomorrow. You can also discover something fascinating or new information on a situation that offers you more personal power and a sense of accomplishment, particularly related to your relationships. The Sun enters your solar second house this morning where it will transit until April 19th. You are more invested in your practical affairs, income, talents, and security during this cycle. You can be very motivated to build your resources and make yourself more comfortable. Venus is retrograde in the same sector for the first two weeks of this cycle, and you’d be wise to look back at what worked for you in the past before moving forward.

Astronomy for Monday, March 20th

• The Moon is in Sagittarius until 11:30 AM, after which the Moon is in Capricorn.
• The Moon is void from 6:37 AM to 11:30 AM.
• The Moon is waning and in its Waning Gibbous phase until 11:58 AM, after which the Moon is waning and in its Last Quarter phase.
• The Last Quarter Moon occurs today at 11:58 AM.
• Venus is retrograde (Venus is retrograde from March 4-April 15).
• The Sun enters Aries today (the Sun transits Aries from March 20-April 19).

FOR THE WEEK OF MONDAY, MAR 20TH, 2017

• General Horoscope

  The Spring Equinox on Monday marks a fresh start in every aspect of life — including love! With the Sun conjunct a retrograde Venus on Saturday, what has not served you well in the past concerning matters of the heart will be illuminated. Not so you can repeat the old patterns, but so you can get rid of them once and for all. In other news, communication will be dicey this week. Mercury rubs against Pluto and Uranus, offering the strong possibility of volatile, regrettable conversations. Mercury opposite Jupiter only exacerbates this. Handle with care.

• Aries Horoscope MAR 21 – APR 19

  Your personal new beginning arrives this Monday as the Sun moves into your sign, preparing for a dazzling New Moon in Aries next week. For now, you’re in what is known as the “balsamic” phase of the Moon, where it’s all about sitting quietly in the dark with what you know you must let go of in order to begin anew. With the Sun conjunct retrograde Venus on Saturday in your sign, this will be especially true about your love life. Listen carefully to the whispers of the universe. And your soul.

• Taurus Horoscope APR 20 – MAY 20

  Love is meant to touch us to the core. We are forever changed by a single romantic experience, and each one tends to color the next one we have. This week, you’ll spend time reviewing your relationship history. Don’t just dwell on the negative parts though; take this opportunity to re-visit the wonderful experiences as well. Thank the universe for the good, bad, and ugly and welcome whatever is meant to arrive next in order to open your heart even more.

• Gemini Horoscope MAY 21 – JUN 20

  Although you might feel caught up in social situations that prevent you from experiencing the best your love life has to offer, this week will invite the opportunity for a turning point. You might recognize that if you want change to happen, you’ll have to initiate it. Another possibility is that you’ll be confronted with the reality that one of your romantic aspirations may never come true. Move on. It won’t be easy, but you must.

• Cancer Horoscope JUN 21 – JUL 22

  This might be a tense week for you professionally, and as a result, you may pass on your aggravation to your mate. It’s possible that you’ll misdirect your anger, and instead of working on fixing what is wrong with your career, you lash out at your partner. An effort to control your world when you’re feeling out of control might be behind all of this, but that doesn’t mean your partner should absorb your frustration. Don’t turn your safety net into your punching bag.

• Leo Horoscope JUL 23 – AUG 22

  Your moral compass and your love life might be crashing into each other this week. Perhaps your sweetheart is behaving in a way that doesn’t sit right with you ethically. While he or she may not be doing anything criminal, you might still feel that it is questionable. As a result, your partner’s choices may begin to erode the feelings you have for him or her. Alternatively, it might be your partner who feels this way about you. If so, check yourself.

• Virgo Horoscope AUG 23 – SEP 22

  It’s time for you and your partner to shine a light on any darkness connected to your joint finances. If there have been any secrets hiding in the closet such as credit card debt, a loan, or an investment gone bad, now is the time to come clean. Another possibility is that you’ll be tempted to make a very bad investment together. Don’t. This will not be the time to pool your resources into anything risky. You may both feel impulsive, or even worse, desperate.

• Libra Horoscope SEP 23 – OCT 22

  Avoid the temptation to seek the advice of a family member or even to vent about whatever it is about your lover that is currently frustrating you. This relative may have your best interests at heart, but he or she may also overreact and assume that he or she knows what is best for the two of you. Before you know it, you may have a meddling relative on your hands that only makes matters worse. Handle with care.

• Scorpio Horoscope OCT 23 – NOV 21

  If you found yourself caught in a romantic entanglement with someone at the office recently, things may get ugly. You might still have strong feelings for this person but for one reason or another, the relationship is in the process of falling apart. The main problem could very well be the fact that you work together and other colleagues have meddled into your love life too much. Unkind words might be exchanged with at least one coworker as a result of this debacle.

   

• Sagittarius Horoscope NOV 22 – DEC 21

  There’s a glimmer of hope in your love life, but it won’t be easy to grasp. The Sun will embrace Venus, now retrograde, in your romance sector on Saturday. As a result, it’s possible that you and your sweetheart will recognize areas you need to work on in order to maximize your future harmony together. The problem, however, is that Mercury is also in this area of your chart, and will be quite angry. Words that you later wish you can take back are possible. Be aware.

• Capricorn Horoscope DEC 22 – JAN 19

  You might say something to your sweetheart this week about a domestic matter or one of your children that you later regret. Although you’ll feel strongly about working through this situation in order to get back to relationship harmony, how you go about trying to achieve this is likely all wrong. Before you speak, be sure to carefully consider how your words will affect your lover and your family. There are consequences to them.

• Aquarius Horoscope JAN 20 – FEB 18

  The only way out of a difficult situation is through it. This week, you and your lover may realize it’s time to come clean and share whatever you’ve been keeping from one another — including anything omitted because you believed you were protecting your relationship by doing so. You may not avoid hurt feelings or even a harsh argument, but you can be sure that unless you’re willing to have this tense conversation, you’ll never reach a place of harmony.

  Pisces Horoscope FEB 19 – MAR 20

  Your spouse or partner may be doing well financially, but it doesn’t give you free rein to mess up your own finances. This week it’s possible that you and your lover will have a moment of reckoning connected to this part of your relationship. You might have made a few mistakes recently with money, but thanks to your partner being your safety net, have coasted through them. Now, your mate wants you to take responsibility. Own up to it or else your partnership may suffer.

   

Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2017

Spring Love Horoscopes 2017

Love blossoms anew this spring

By Maria DeSimone

Videos, Spring, Love, Horoscopes, Astrology

The main event this spring has everything to do with recalibrating your love life. Venus, the planet of love and relationship, turned retrograde on March 4, and will remain retrograde into early spring (April 15, to be exact). As a result, you’ll continue to learn vital lessons connected to being true to yourself while still being in a relationship.

From April 2-15, Venus will retrograde through Pisces (having previously been in Aries), adding a different emphasis. Now, it’ll be about recognizing whether or not your romantic ideals are helping or hurting your relationship. After April 15 you’ll get to put everything you learned into practice. Lucky you!

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

With Venus retrograde in your sign since March 4, spring love might elude you until after April 15. Although you may very well be in a relationship, if you are, for the first half of spring you’re most likely renovating it rather than relishing it. If this is true for you, then hopefully you’ll see the importance of this process.

A Full Moon in your partnership sector on April 11 may bring a certain level of enlightenment to you and your mate which will ultimately help you move forward. June brings surprises in your love life: happy ones.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Your romantic prospects become exquisite after April 15, when Venus turns direct. In fact, on the 16th, pay attention to online dating possibilities. You may also notice that sparks are flying between you and a friend. Fortunately, you’ll have the green light to explore it now; before this time, you won’t have as much cosmic support. If you’re in a relationship. you and your sweetheart will spend a great deal of energy supporting each other’s dreams. Wonderful!

Life and love will really bloom for you however, after June 1. Venus will move into Taurus, making you gorgeous, confident, and more lovable than ever. Work it!

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

A Full Moon in your true love sector on April 11 might bring a turning point in your romantic life. A casual affair could end, but if you are developing feelings for someone new you’ve been dating, then this might be when you’re ready to tell him or her.

If you’re in a relationship, you might feel as if your partner is getting in the way of your professional ambitions near April 8, and again on April 21. Find out why the support is missing. If you’re single, sparks might fly with someone in your social circle near June 3. It’s too hot to let it pass you by!

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

You and your sweetheart might enjoy expanding your horizons socially and intellectually this spring. After April 15 when Venus turns direct, you’ll notice opportunities in this regard, with a special one showing up on April 16.

Don’t allow work-related problems to get in the way of your love life happiness quotient on April 8, and again on April 21. If your partner opposes your ambitions in any way near May 25, realize that he or she might feel threatened by them. After June 6, you and a friend might turn into lovers. Or, you could allow a friend to set you up with someone special.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22)

A Full Moon in relationship-oriented Libra on April 11 will allow you and your partner to effectively communicate. It’s possible that you’ll reach a pivotal decision together. Or, you’ll gain a new level of mutual awareness that allows you to strengthen your bond. Shared finances will become a focus after April 15 when Venus turns direct in your 8th House of Joint Resources. Until April 27 you and your sweetheart will make significant progress in this area of your relationship.

If you’re dating someone new, you might feel insecure about getting too intimate near April 8, and again on April 21. Work through it if he or she is worth it. If, however, the voice inside of you screams this budding romance is all wrong, then get out.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

Venus will retrograde into your partnership sector on April 2, and won’t turn direct until April 15. On March April 8 and again on the 21st, she’ll square off with constricting Saturn. What all of this suggests for you and your mate is a time of significant relationship effort. The two of you have an opportunity to make it through any rough patch, but it’ll require both of you being committed to doing what is necessary in order to get your relationship to the other side. Domestic problems might make this especially stressful, but again, if you love each other enough, you will persevere. By June 20 romantic bliss is possible.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

Your love life might feel like all work and no play as spring begins. Venus turned retrograde back on March 4 right in the middle of your partnership sector, and will remain out of phase until April 15. In matters of the heart, you and your mate are likely reconsidering much about what you both need out of your relationship. If one of you has been feeling unappreciated, or that most of the work in your daily lives is not equally distributed, you’ll have an opportunity to remedy this.

On June 1 you’ll begin to see sparks fly again. If you’re single, pay attention to June 3: someone sexy might approach you in the most unexpected way.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

This spring it’s possible that an old flame will pop back into your life. The question is: what will you do about it? Venus is retrograde from March 4-April 15, but from April 2-15 she’ll back track through your romance sector. This is the stretch of time you’re likely to consider whether or not you want to give an ex a second chance. If this isn’t a possibility, then you might spend time instead trying to release yourself from unproductive patterns or choices that prevented you from enjoying the most gratifying romance possible. You’ll feel renewed by early June. In fact, by June 6 Venus will move into your partnership sector, adding harmony and support to your love life once more.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

Your love life might feel like a shaky roller coaster ride for much of spring. You’re likely to second guess a budding romance with someone you’ve recently started to date. Or, it’s possible that you’ll be entertaining the idea of reconnecting with an ex. You may also be working through a problem connected to your domestic life with your sweetheart. Perhaps sharing the same space isn’t as easy as you thought it would be. Don’t make any final decisions until after Venus has regulated her orbit in mid-April. In fact, if you can wait until June, even better. Decisions about love made when Venus is out of phase are usually ones that are regretted. On June 1, you’ll know exactly what to do.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

Between March 4 and April 2, it appears that you and your sweetheart have a few domestic issues to work through. While it may not be anything too challenging, it’s enough of a headache to get in the way of romance.

Then, from April 2-15, you might have trouble reaching a vital decision together. Or, you’ll have to re-hash a conversation you thought was over and done with. While none of this sounds very romantic, take heart: you’ll have incredible prospects to enjoy passion and enchantment with your sweetie from June 6 through early summer. It’ll be worth the wait!

Aquarius (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

Spring might not be your best season for love, but that doesn’t mean it’s hopeless. The key is navigating through Venus Retrograde, which started in early March and will last through April 15. Until then, it might feel like you and your sweetheart are second guessing everything about each other. Or, if you’re single, you might question your judgment endlessly over your romantic choices in the past.

Between April 27-June 6, allow one of your siblings to set you up with someone he or she thinks is ideal for you. Or, introduce yourself to the sexy new neighbor who moved into your apartment building. If attached, after June 6 you and your love might talk about living together.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)

As spring opens up, the planet of love is already napping. In fact, since March 4 she has been in hibernation mode, which may be the reason why your love life (and financial life) is a bit sluggish. Moreover, from April 2-15, Venus will be retrograde in your sign. As a result, you may feel less confident. Use this time to make yourself over from the inside out so that after April 15 you’ll be ready to show the world just how magnetic you truly are.

A romantic conversation might be extra sexy on April 16. By June 20 your mind and heart will both agree: fairytale romance is yours for the taking!

Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2017

By Maria DeSimone

Spring-equinox, New-year, Astrology, Aries

Happy New Year! Oh wait, wasn’t that in January? Well, sort of. According to the Gregorian calendar, the beginning of an actual new year does fall on January 1. Astrologically, however, the New Year is a rather different concept, and it does not begin until the Spring Equinox on March 20. Those astrologers — they just love to complicate things!

But wait. Before you resign yourself to confusion about when to pop the champagne, consider the rich symbolism behind Astrological New Year and what it means. Think about the word “equinox.” It literally translates as “equal night.” There are two periods each year when the length of daylight hours is equal to the length of time with no sunlight. This will happen at the Autumnal Equinox (or first day of autumn) and again at the Vernal or Spring Equinox (first day of spring).

At the Spring Equinox the day and night are equal in length, but the daylight hours are beginning to soar. From the moment of the Spring Equinox until the Autumnal Equinox there will be more and more time for us to spend basking in the rays of the Sun. That can only mean one thing: new life.

Everything on our planet and in our hearts is once again encouraged to sprout. Something almost sacred is resurrected in our collective spirits and we tend to feel a dynamic urge to begin again with a fresh, perspective.

New beginnings with the Sun in Aries

How appropriate that we feel this way, because the first day of spring also happens to coincide with the ingress of the Sun into Aries, the first sign of the zodiac. Aries is all about beginnings. This is the sign of the pioneer, the entrepreneur, the self-starter. In many ways this is the baby of the zodiac because Aries is classic tabula rasa (Latin for clean slate).

The traditional New Year celebrated on January 1 might be the start of our new calendar year, and it does tend to have that same feel of new beginnings. Still, have you ever noticed how fleeting it is? Within a week or so we’re all back to our daily grind. January is, after all, the month of hardworking Capricorn.

However, if you pay attention to the energy around the Astrological New Year each spring, you may notice something different. There’s a pungent smell of possibility in the air and it lingers. Everything old has been washed away and we’re busy planting seeds of new beginnings everywhere (along with our flower and vegetable gardens).

This is what “spring fever” is all about! The restless energy we feel that haunts students everywhere is because now that the Sun is out the LAST place they want to be is cooped up inside a classroom. These psychological and physical urges have been documented at this time of year and often bring an increase in vitality — and even your sex drive! Not surprising when you consider that Aries is the sign ruled by passionate, assertive Mars.

It’s time to get out there…

Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2017

Weekly Astrology: March 20-26, 2017

Spring has sprung

By Maria DeSimone

Spring, Astrology, Weekly

Part of the Daily Insight Group ©2017

Weekly Forecast: March 19 – 25, 2017

a message from Kelly M. Beard

To read more of Kelly’s insight, please visit her website, www.KarmicTools.com

The Karmic Tools Weekly Forecast covers the current planetary transits which affect people in different ways and to various degrees of intensity. Take notice when it is a Personal planet (Sun / Moon / Mercury / Venus / Mars) interacting with a Social (Jupiter/Saturn) or Collective planet (Uranus / Neptune/Pluto). And pay extremely close attention when it is a Social planet interacting with a Collective planet because that means something *big* is brewing that will move large groups of people along their evolutionary paths. Tuning in to the energy and rhythm of the planets can serve as a useful *guide* as you move along your Individual Path. It also helps to understand your place within the context of the larger Social & Collective Story. Below, you will find out how these energies tend to manifest, as well as guidance and direction.

*NOTE*  There are some days when there are NO CONTACTS (besides the Moon), please note that there are no missing entries, we just list the actual Activations of each week + the day they happen.  

Weekly Forecast: March 19 – 25, 2017

3/23 ~ Mercury (ideas, thoughts & concepts) ~square~ Pluto (rebirth & transformation):

This energy is a tough, yet powerful one. Its Highest expression would be to focus on your inner deep-dig, discovery & development. It enables you to look beneath the surface to some core drives and gain some valuable insights and thus, choose a plan of action based on your findings. You will want to know all the hidden meanings behind decisions you’ve made or want to make soon. Dig – you will find more than you think you’re ready for, but apparently the Universe thinks differently! Pay attention and try not to worry about what anyone else thinks or believes. This energy’s flip-side is to make you obsess over one particular idea and try to force others to your way of thinking. That is a bottomless pit – you cannot truly change the way other people think – you can only change the way you think and hope it enlightens others along the way … and it will, for those who are tuned in to your level. Try to only focus on you and your direction.

3/24 ~ Mercury (thinking) ~oppose~ Jupiter (learning):

Any opposition requires us to work with two distinct energies and get them to work together for the good of all involved. It is also a MidPoint which allows you that 180* view from the other side of your starting point (roughly 6-months ago). Mercury & Jupiter are working out the push-pull within you between your Mind & Consciousness, between your Thinking & Beliefs, between your Thoughts & Imagination, between the Tedious Details and the Grand Vision. Because of all this, it would be tremendously beneficial to play amongst a group of like-hearted souls with varying points of view, mavericks who following their intuition as well as humble healers who also buck status quo by following their intuitive knowing within, something we all have the capacity for. This is great for what I call *Jam Sessions*, when my colleagues & I get together to discuss our ideas & insights about our professional goals, something like that is a great use of this energy: plan, strategize, discuss with others, get input and feedback, bounce ideas around and be open and receptive to others’ points of view (they may think of something you didn’t). Make sure it is a Circle, where all opinions are valued even if not shared. This is a good one for learning something new and looking at things from another angle, completely.

3/25 ~ Venus (relationships & resources) ~conjunct~ Sun (source & essential Self):

This activates your innate creativity and gets your wheels turning about what you want to bring to life in the world, what you want to invest in and be a part of. When Sun contacts Venus, the creativity is centered around you, however, here as Venus contacts the Sun, it is all about the creation! Use this Solar infusion to brighten and illuminate your self, your surroundings or your creative projects. This expands your magnetic field and opportunities result. There is a burst of new energy wanting to be expressed through you, and it’s based on your new values and priorities. It is the beginning of a new creative cycle. Love too is a creative force, so if your relationships are more center-stage than your creative projects, then this too lends new potency to what you create with others. Invite or allow support and guidance from men.