Sensitive, vulnerable, emotional, clear-sighted: Saturday’s New Moon promises to put our hearts on our sleeves. That is, if we’re ready. The upcoming New Moon could help us to express our own power in a more positive manner, which makes the next two days ideal for contemplating how best to go about expressing our unique paths and our higher purpose in the most beneficial way.

This New Moon presents the perfect opportunity to begin a fresh chapter in a positive frame of mind.

However, if we feel ‘bothered’ by someone’s behavior, or ‘covet’ someone else’s possessions, the way we acknowledge and act upon our feelings of annoyance, jealousy or anger this weekend will determine the outcome over the next few weeks (at the very least).

The more we can look for - and discover - positive options, the more they’re likely to eventuate around this New Moon.

However, our sensitivities and vulnerabilities may come to the fore, as this New Moon falls conjunct (at a similar degree to) Chiron, the planet-asteroid known as the Wounded Healer. Chiron tends to allow our vulnerabilities to surface, so that we are able to acknowledge them and deal with them in a positive, healing way; and move forwards in a healthier frame of mind as a consequence.

So, even though we may feel sensitive and vulnerable, Chiron’s example teaches us that, rather than falling at the first hurdle or obstacle, we may become stronger by facing our softer and more vulnerable sides; and ultimately we may heal our less favourable traits in the process.

Saturday’s New Moon suggests that a positive mind-set created through introspection, spirituality, yoga and meditation, and through acknowledging both our dreams and our dark sides (the latter as a means to improve ourselves), while simultaneously aspiring to be great – is the way forwards. Good luck x

New Moon, 10°39’ Pisces, March 1, 08h00m GMT; 18h00m AEST.

A breakthrough could be on the way this week; and most likely in an area you’ve been working on for some time…

Decisions and questions could be a large part of events; questions such as: ‘Should I break out into something new or should I stay put?’ ‘Would my life be better if…?’ The choice is yours, and decisions are always yours to make. Knowing the prevailing astro conditions will help you to make choices. And these are upcoming factors which may help you to make decisions this week:

Firstly: Events may come as some surprise (Jupiter-Uranus square), even if they’ve been building up, for some weeks, to the point that a decision must be made. Your own diligence and attention to detail will help you to attain the results you want.

Secondly, it’s possible you’ll gain a sense of healing this week; and also potentially a sense that an obstacle can be overcome. The sense of healing may arise out of the fact that either a/: you realise you must overcome an obstacle; or b/: you’ll feel you’re in a better place because you overcome the obstacle.

Thirdly: the imminent New Moon on March 1 means we’re all in a Dark Moon phase at the end of February, which is ideal for contemplation. You may potentially benefit by being very careful about the decisions you make now; and then subsequently, to get set to put them in motion on or around the New Moon during the first weekend of March.

Relaxed; philosophical and inspired: traditionally, as the Sun steps into Pisces (as it has done this week), we tend to appreciate a more relaxed outlook. Midweek, you may notice a shift in the way you feel: you’re more likely to be a little more relaxed, especially about the past; and to let bygones be gone.
However, this week’s astro events aren’t only about the Sun shifting into Pisces: a celestial challenge between Uranus, Mercury, the Moon and powerhouse Pluto will amp up the energy midweek; so much so that, wherever you've felt things simply haven't been working out, this astro configuration could motivate you to do something about it! 
So this week, as the Sun steps into Pisces, which generally signals a more reflective phase, we may feel motivated, on the one hand, to get things done; but on the other, we may feel simply too relaxed to do much about it; the pitfall being that we sacrifice a good opportunity in favour of doing nothing - or in favour of keeping the peace.
While there's nothing wrong with a philosophical and relaxed attitude, Mercury's tense aspect will challenge us to do something where we see injustice or plain-old difficulty.
Suffice to say: it's a great week to get your Mojo in gear: and you may even find that all the Pisces energy this week will add a sparkle of inspiration and magic to events, too. Good luck x

The Sun entered Pisces at 17:59 GMT on Tuesday, February 18; and at 04:59 AEST on Wednesday, February 19.

Introspective and illuminating: Mercury will be retrograde from February 7 (February 6 GMT) to March 1 (February 28 GMT); it will appear to be going backwards from our point of view here on Earth. But before you run for cover, a Mercury retrograde is not all bad news – despite its reputation! (Mercury retrogrades have assumed a tricky ‘tag’, most often being associated with interference, travel delays and communication glitches – to name only three effects.)
In fact, a Mercury retrograde phase can be a pensive and an enlightening time: it’s a perfect time for a re-thinkg…especially when Mercury is in Pisces, as it is now.
Yes, you may experience glitches with computers, phones or travel, and this depends on your own astro chart. But for most of us, Mercury retrograde is a good time for reassessment and renegotiation.
A lot depends on which sign Mercury is in when it goes retrograde. Right now, with Mercury in Pisces, we’ll get in touch with our dreamier, more instinctive sides over the coming week. Just before St Valentine’s Day, Mercury will step into inspiring and forward-thinkin Aquarius, helping us to brainstorm and to think up new ways to implement the inspiring new ideas we will gain over the next week or so...So enjoy an introspective, illuminating and revealing Mercury retrograde… it’s an excellent time to reflect on the deeper context of your circumstances.

Many thanks to Kim Waters at The Daily Mercury for interviewing me on New Year’s Day. The link below includes
some of my predictions for 2014:
http://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/more-financial-growth-cards-mackay/2130804/
 
My first prediction, which was for January 29 this year, has occurred: As reported by Kim, I predicted: 
‘January 29: An important date for Australia’s image or position possibly associated with government
policy’.
The front-page news on January 29 was the appointment of Retired General Peter Cosgrove as Australia’s new Governor General. He has said he will ‘seek to represent all Australians as the Nation’s next Governor General’.
He will assume the position for five years, replacing current Gov-Gen Quentin Bryce.

Also in the news was a policewoman who ‘shredded the floor’ at a Big Day Out festival; a great image for Young
Australia;
Also the Labour Minister who was caught in a photograph ‘Skulling beer’ upside-down during Australia Day celebrations. Also looming: tropical cyclone off the Queensland coast.
 
Quite a day both for Australia’s image – and for government policy. Retired General Peter Cosgrove will assume the position as government representative for the next five years.

For other predictions which have eventuated regarding Australia, please see 'Media'.

Spirited, dreamy, intuitive, insightful and meditative, Mercury's step into Pisces will help us to develop all these qualities in ourselves over the next few weeks. If you’re spiritually minded, you may feel particularly insightful and intuitive - and dreams will become more vivid and striking for us all. If you love meditation and gentle exercise, the next two weeks are excellent to boost your physical, spiritual and mental health.
Mercury, the pocket-sized planet (relatively speaking) which whizzes around the Sun, was so named after the Greek God Hermes, the God who relayed messages from Gods to men; and also between Gods. In astrology, Mercury rules communications - principally between people, but also from Gods to men, especially when Mercury is in Pisces. So, if you tune into your dreams and intuition over coming weeks, you, too, may learn all kinds of beneficial spiritual insight or news; Mercury in Pisces will encourage you to tap into your higher purpose in life, too.
This week, many of us will be in touch with people in our lives who mean more to us than we may yet be aware; you may enjoy a reunion; or you may meet important people - for some even soul mates - who could either be catalysts to a new phase in your life; or who may even be long-term friends or companions, so keep an eye out!
The next two weeks are ideal week to dream a little: and you never know which of your dreams may come true. x
Mercury entered Pisces on Saturday, February 1 and will exit again on February 13. It will enter Pisces again mid-March, where it will stay until early April.