August 16/17/18 - The weekend's astrological trends: choose yours! Pallas, Uranus and cluster M10 balance situations out of control, Jupiter and the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) expand our consciousness and also radical attitudes, while the Sun, Ceres and spiral galaxy M90 bring help for a quick recovery of distressed projects

August 16/17/18: Asteroid Pallas is parallel to star cluster M10 and contra parallel Uranus. This configuration corrects the effects caused by excessive individualism and tends to stabilize situations after  drastic changes. A contra parallel always means a balance, and planets that are in that aspect are at the same distance from the Celestial Equator, one south and one north, like a pair of scales. In this case, the balance has to do with the Uranian tendency to cause radical changes and unexpected turns, with rebellious and individualistic attitudes. Pallas is the great corrector among the asteroids, while M10 is a  particularly stable globular cluster in the sense that it has only three variable stars. Therefore, it is possible during this weekend to correct the negative effects of situations out of control. And if your case is not so drastic, you can use this trend for successful home repairs.

     Jupiter is in parallel to the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) and trine the Moon's North Node. This trend representss basically an expansion of consciousness, but it must be applied in an adequate context to bring good results. M27 is a dying star in the constellation Vulpecula, whose outer layers have been ejected into space, exposing a high-temperature core. The higher the temperature of a star, the greater its relationship to conceptual and ideological aspects of human experience. The high temperature of M27 points to a connection with the higher mind: science, art, spirituality, politics. The transit of Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, emphasizes and expands this trend, which can cause extreme effects if ideas taken too far.

     At a personal level, if you happen to tune in with this frequency, try to avoid useless ideological confrontations, rather channeling this energy into research, studies, or in the worst case, to pure mental reflection or simply reading. In this way, you will probably find great progress in finding knowledge, whether it is scientific, sociological, artistic or mystical. Unfortunately, at the international level this trend is likely to reflect a particularly difficult time in which extreme policies are carried out of proportion, with serious consequences, as is the case in Egypt and other parts of the world.

     The Sun is at 135° from Pluto, and in opposition to star cluster M29. This trend is kind of a repeat of last Thursday's, referring to overcome obstacles that have been holding back the development of brilliant ideas and projects. If only for a couple of days, the transit of the Sun is an indicator of the energy needed to break the bonds around such projects, although in some cases this may involve the use of force, physical, emotional or mental. But the goal is not to dominate or manipulate, but rather to release a  potential that has been hindered. If this is achieved to some extent during the weekend, it is likely that projects are put into operation with excellent results, and very quickly. The Sun conjuncts asteroid Ceres, and makes simultaneously a parallel to galaxy M90, an indicator of support and encouragement to situations with lack of resources. Spiral galaxy M90 has anemic parts (without significant formation of stars) on its outer arms, but has a high fertility around its core. The conjunction between Sun and Ceres can help to compensate for the lack of supplies or fuel, but the process is fast: M90 crosses the constellation Virgo at the impressive speed of 1,500 kilometers per second!. This undoubtedly represents a fast and successful recovery of both projects in difficulty and physical or emotional health.

     And, at the very end of the weekend, Mercury is conjunct Vesta, both in opposition to star cluster M30. This astrological combination represents a necessary protection to prevent external disturbances. M30 is a globular cluster with a gravitationally collapsed core, symbolizing difficult relationships. Mercury and Vesta represent mental concentration, and the opposition with M30 indicates we must avoid falling into provocations, engaging in chaotic, aggressive or inharmonious situations. Those who are in tune with this trend can meditate or study, channeling the mind to escape the difficulties of the immediate environment or the world in general. On the other hand, in a negative sense, some may close their minds to external complications, but we must remember that denying reality does not help to resolve it. Don´t use this tendency to evade, but rather to protect yourself from disturbing interruptions: the goal is to remain calm amid the storm. Any complications will be best managed if one faces them with integrity, equanimity and mental clarity.

    I sincerely wish you a weekend with successful repairs and investigations, overcoming obstacles to your creativity and achieving inner peace amidst this troubled world. Good luck to everyone!

Carlos Duarte
Research Astrologer

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June 6/7: The Sun, the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) and asteroid Chaos make us think and structure, while Venus and the Eagle Nebula (M16) combine to make good investments

June 6/7: The Sun is conjunct asteroid Chaos and parallel to the Dumbbell Nebula (M27). This combination may terminate or accentuate the chaos around us. M27 is actually a dying star whose high-temperature is symbolically related to transcendent ideas and issues: religion, spirituality, politics, philosophy, science. The use of the higher mind can give structure to disorganized situations, and is also excellent for scientific experimentation, and the understanding of situations in which there is apparently no sense. The mind is in  power today, giving structure and order, clarifying all sorts of ambiguous circumstances.

     But M27 is a planetary nebula, a star that is deflating, releasing its atmosphere into space. In some cases, this will coincide with situations that, far from being structured, become more chaotic through a lack of order, clarity or understanding. Too much thinking can bring confusion rather than clarity ... It will be better to wait for another day to organize, releasing control when there is no choice. For now, it should be understood that chaos plays an important role in our lives, such as does order. Let us not fear chaos, because a new order always is born out of it!

     Venus is in semisextile to Mars and Pallas, opposed to M16, the Eagle Nebula. This combination promises to be excellent in the area of finance, and is especially auspicious for shopping or doing investments planned in advance. Venus/M16 opposition represents fertility and abundance, as M16, the Eagle Nebula, has a large region of star formation, indicating productivity. However, caution should be exercised, as it will be difficult to refuse buying attractive things. Mars and Pallas represent an impulse that can lead to buy what is not needed. Still, it's a good day to invest in things of value or that represent something precious to us...

  Carlos Duarte
  Astrologer Researcher

April 13/14: Nebulae weekend! Juno and the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) intensify relationships and bring on break-ups. Mercury, Chiron and the Horsehead Nebula do some interesting research, Venus and the Guitar Nebula accelerate financial and artistic issues, while Jupiter and the Witch Head Nebula calm things down and make us reflective

April 13/14:  Nebulae will play a leading role among astrological trends this weekend. To start with,  asteroid Juno is conjunct the Dumbbell Nebula (M27), squaring Saturn and Omega Centauri. The  Juno and M27 mix indicates the possibility of finding like-minded people at an intellectual level. Somehow, this means an ideological marriage, so we may expect interesting and profound conversations, as well as great attractions motivated by ideals, whether spiritual, scientific or artistic, causing a mutual admiration. This is because the Dumbbell Nebula has at its center a dying star of very high temperature, which relates to the higher mind: science, spirituality and the arts. Relationships may be particularly intense during the weekend, but they will be beyond emotional or sexual passion, they will be trascendent. Although they may have an erotic or emotional component, they are more like a friendship, as Juno is in the sign of Aquarius, emotionally distant and traditionally related to friends. It is therefore necessary to avoid triviality and emotional excesses to take advantage of this trend. But most friendly, professional or love relationships will undoubtedly be affected by this impulse that leads us to explore the ideological connections with those around.

     However, Juno is in ecliptic square (at 90°) to Saturn and the giant star cluster Omega Centauri, which represents a tensions caused by social conventions. While it is possible to chat and share in freedom, it is also possible to find strong disagreements about traditions, customs, conventions and expectations that are not met. Behind an atmosphere of freedom, many relationships may face attempts to control, whether conscious or unconscious, that may cause temporary discomfort or even break-ups or drastic and painful confrontations. This is more likely if there are previous tensions or if the limits and goals of the relationship have not been set clearly. In this sense, it may be helpful that Juno is in sextile (60°) to Uranus, which may give a positive turn to tense situations. Mutual goals may be renewed if there is the will to discuss things. But this also makes easier to break-up and to whithdraw from relationships where there is manipulation or power games. We need to drop these if we want to relate with freedom, spontaneity and mutual respect.

     Fortunately, Mercury, the planet of communication, negotiation and dialogue, is in the equinoctial point (0° Aries), in parallel with Chiron and the Horsehead Nebula. This indicates that therapeutic conversations can have good results. It is possible to address the most delicate issues and thus heal the dysfunctional corners of our relationships. But beyond therapy, this combination is excellent for research and study, as mercurial curiosity meets with Chiron's wisdom and the Horsehead Nebula tendency to highlight the occult. This famous nebula, located in the constellation of Orion, is actually a dark dust cloud located in front of a giant cloud of glowing ionized hydrogen, which serves as a bright and attractive backdrop which makes it a particularly attractive object visually. Therefore, it is an excellent day for intellectual, educational, academic activities, for reading a good book, or to find lost objects or hidden information. It is also good for health diagnoses, lab tests, to make repairs and buy tools, and of course to give and get good advice.

     On the 14th, Venus is contra parallel to Neptune, conjunct the Guitar Nebula, and at 45° from Jupiter and the Witch Head Nebula. Venus conjunct the Guitar Nebula represents either ruptures or reconciliations, as this nebula is actually an asymmetric supernova explosion in which the neutron star is moving on one direction and the cloud of debris on the opposite. This symbolizes separation, but also a great acceleration because the neutron star is apparently the fastest in our galaxy. So Venus issues, mainly related to love, art and finance, will tend to be accelerated by this trend during the weekend. Great advances in those fields can be achieved with relatively little effort. In any case, you should avoid impulsiveness (especially when spending money or making investments) as well as the tendency to emotional outbursts. A neutral attitude, moderate and thoughtful, will make things easier. Jupiter and the Witch Head Nebula indicate positive results of showing calmness, prudence and even indifference. The Witch Head is a reflection nebula, whose main characteristic is passivity and mental reflection, much needed in harsh or very energetic environments, which need objectivity, and a cool and reasoned approach.

     Have a very thoughtful weekend! To that end, I invite you to follow the astrological reflection about these nebulae during the weekend on our Facebook, Twitter and Soundcloud sites:

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Carlos Duarte
Research astrologer

June 6th: the Sun in parallel to Venus and the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) take ideas and desires to an extreme, inviting us to moderate and reach an harmonious middle ground...

June 6th: the Sun and Venus are in parallel and at 30° from Vesta. After the much publicized transit of Venus across the solar disk, which is actually an ecliptic conjunction (the technical term), Venus and the Sun form a parallel of declination. This means they are at the same distance from the celestial equator, the circle that divides the celestial sphere in two ... This is a significant alignment, perhaps more than the conjunction, although visually it does not constitute a show. But the effects can be felt strongly too!  

     The parallel Sun/Venus includes the Dumbbell Nebula (M27), located in the constellation Vulpecula and it is a star in the final stages of its life. M27 is ejecting its atmosphere into space through its two poles, giving it the appearance of the fresh remains of an apple. However, the trend is not as sweet as apple juice: the central star is extremely hot (85,000 degrees Kelvin!). This corresponds with extremist ideological tendencies and an opinionated mind.  

     The parallel Sun/Venus/M27 thus indicates the possibility of getting caught by extremist ideas, whether scientific, religious, political or artistic ... This can result in heavy fighting and discussions, that basically are looking to reach a middle ground, to find some objectivity. The harmony implicit in the combination Sun/Venus can help to moderate things, but the effort has to be for the sake of knowledge and not through trying to impose our own points of view, as wonderful as they might be. As most people are not aware of this, we will witness in various parts of the world, titanic duels between political opponents, religious clashes, students vs. government, an so on. On the other hand, this combination can give very positive results at an artistic and scientific level, and therefore great performances and interesting news in both fields are expected.  

     At a personal level, the combination Sun/Venus/M27 strongly emphasizes desire, sexuality, personal emotions, so the high temperature of M27 can make us boil inside... Venus is too very hot, as it retains almost all the heat that it gets from the Sun beneath its dense atmosphere. As we cannot avoid feeling a strong impulse at this level, the best solution is to channel it positively through a positive emotional expression, but above all, creating beauty, harmony around us, in our relationships and our work with the elements we have at our disposal. Trying to impose our own  idea of harmony would be absurd!  What we have in front of us is the material available to have positive connections with friends, family, family, colleagues, acquaintances... Don't look further! Artistic creations will be most favored by this combination and the best channel for this energy, so we do not get swept by it, but catapulted instead to reach our goals and have achievements.

     Do not let your ideas take precedence over reality! Harmony must prevail or we will get exactly the opposite... Maintaining peace and integrity is the humble contribution of the asteroid Vesta at 30° of this incandescent trio... (Vesta is also symbolized by fire, but as an icon of spiritual inner peace, like a candle).

     Finally, Mercury is at 30° from Jupiter, which emphasizes the need to adjust to different ideas. This also encourages trade, sales, distribution, advertising, exchange, travel and promises a relatively flowing daily life in general if you have some flexibility.