We are now entering one of the years sparsest periods of planetary alignments. This will last for just over 2 weeks and during this time there will only be the usual alignments of the Moon with various planets, as well as the long term opposition between Saturn and Neptune.

As a result moods and emotions will be more stable and less prone to swift and uncomfortable changes. Something of this may already be evident as the current phase of the Moon now favours more sedate moods and feelings. Consequently it may feel easier to relax and take things easy, though just enough restlessness exists to create a degree of apprehension or anxiety.

Coming days should see a further diminishing of the heightened moods of the last week, though this may be at the expense of feeling low, unmotivated, or simply bored and uninspired (however see the piece below on the Inter Planetary Magnetic Field)

In many ways this atmosphere is a perfect accompaniment to a vacational setting and provided one is able to make few demands on ones time and effort this may prove to be a great time to catch up on much needed rest and relaxation. For those unable to indulge this luxury it would be as well to move according to the slow, but steady energy of this time rather than force the boundaries of ones endurance. Similarly it may be as well not to expect too much help from others.

Although this atmosphere may not feel intensely inspiring it may still harbour the potential for thoughts and ideas that could give rise to a future change of direction or new and more rewarding activities.

It is interesting to note the Interplanetary Magnetic Field has now been southwards orientated for around a week.

The implications of a southwards orientated IMF are that it creates something like a window to the Universe through which matter from space can penetrate more easily. For example auroras generally occur when the IMF is south as this involves super charged particles from the Sun impacting with the Earth’s upper atmosphere.

With regards people’s moods there is some evidence that when the IMF is southwards orientated for a number of successive days there is an increase in both physical and mental sensitivity. This may mean added tensions and anxiety or simply a heightened state of perception with very alert and focused feelings. In addition there may be more by way of irritating physical complaints, such as nagging pains, irritable bowel syndrome, toothache, or generalised neuralgic symptoms. However there still needs to be a lot more observation done before these effects can be accurately categorised.

Alert is 7. Moon 38% illuminated.