PREVIOUS THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY August 6 2012 to August 12 2012 Monday August 6 Spica's Cornier When astronomers want to fault astrology, they wait for weeks like this, when Mars can be seen coming ever closer to Saturn in the early evening sky and say, 'How can you call this an imminent conjunction in Libra? That third bright object, forming a triangle with the two planets, is Spica - a grain of corn in the hand of Virgo, the harvest goddess.' Indeed it is! And not only is it beautiful to behold, it says plenty about the promise of a productive week. But it's still happening in the part of the sky astrologers call Libra! More tomorrow. Tuesday August 7 String Theory Why do astrologers say a planet is passing through the sign of Libra when an astronomer would take one look at it and say, 'that planet is in the constellation of Virgo'? The answer is probably best explained by inviting you to think of a piano or a guitar. If a musician strikes the note 'C', are they definitely playing a C? Not if the strings have slipped out of tune over time. To get a 'true C', you may well have to play a C sharp! The astronomer's note is a 'relative C'. The astrologer plays an 'actual' C! Wednesday August 8 Yesterday's Pizza Yesterday, I offered a musical analogy to explain the difference between the Tropical and the Sidereal Zodiacs. Today, for the benefit of those who don't play an instrument, I'd like to try a culinary metaphor. What we think of today as pizza is something rather different to the dish of the same name that was eaten several generations ago. Hungry time-travellers, going in either direction, would find themselves very disappointed by the flavour and texture of any 'pizza' that they ordered. Astrologers and astronomers mean different things when they refer to a zodiac sign. Both are technically 'correct'. Thursday August 9 Peace on Mars Though Mars is now visible each evening, even the most powerful telescope can't pick out the Curiosity Rover which Nasa has just sent to investigate this planet. Many people have asked me if missions like this will affect what it means to us. The official astrologers' answer is 'no'. Mars just continues to represent what it has always signified: conflict. But... I wonder. The Moon governs 'emotion' and, in the years since we walked on the Moon, many people have become 'closer to their emotions'. Perhaps greater insight into Mars will help more of us develop a greater appetite for peace. Friday August 10 Retro Rover Several astrologers were a little concerned about the success of NASA's mission to Mars. The robot rover, Curiosity, landed there on Monday, just before Mercury had fully completed its recent phase of retrograde motion. At such times, technical enterprises (especially those that involve transport and communication) have a notorious habit of developing difficulties. But I was not too worried. It was only when viewed from Earth that Mercury would have appeared to be retrograde. If you happened to be on Mars at that moment, you would have been looking at a very different picture of the sky. Saturday August 11 Your Week Ahead This week's biggest astrological event is the long-awaited alignment of Mars and Saturn. Each evening for weeks now, the planet of motivational energy has been edging closer to the planet of realism and structure. If you've been looking out on to the western horizon at twilight, you've probably seen this happening. And there's a big bright 'fixed star' called Spica, bestowing a blessing on this cosmic conjunction. It bodes well for all who have been trying, for some while, to reach a brave decision. No matter what sign you are, you'll find you get clear answers to pressing questions soon. Sunday August 12 Sunday Love Forecasts Linked from this page every Sunday, you will find the Sunday Love Forecasts. These are not 'week ahead predictions' in the usual sense. Those appear here every Saturday - and can be found, now, from the menu to the left. Week ahead forecasts cover all aspects of your week... including, when relevant, your love life. Love forecasts are only about love! If you're not interested in love at the moment, if you are interested but not unhappy or in need of something, if all your relationships are comfortable and rewarding... there may not be much for you here. But remember, 'Love' doesn't just cover romance. A love forecast may also have something to say about your family life! Back to Index   Click here for Jonathan Cainer's Daily Zodiac Forecasts