Today sees the alignment of the Moon with Mars. This will last until around 23:00 GMT, or 18:00 EDT. At the same time the Moon is also in opposition to Jupiter, creating a powerful four planet alignment with the Earth in between.

Likely mood traits to result from this are an energetic flow of emotions with a keen sense of likes and dislikes. In addition there will be a robust sense of emotion with easily aroused passions. There will also be intolerant, brash, or forceful behaviour with impatient or restless attitudes.

Some measure of balance will come from the effects of Jupiter that will mange to impose more sympathetic and generous inclinations, but with the risk of exaggerated, careless or over adventurous gestures. Under these circumstances there may be a superior hauteur, with the feeling of self aggrandisement, and a tendency towards idealistic thinking of an authoritarian nature.

More subtle and restrained emotions may come from the current phase of the Moon, which at 48% illuminated is traditionally a a time of few great highs or lows and broadly reminiscent of the emotional doldrums. However this particular Moon phase can also tend towards self doubt and poor confidence with the risk of melancholia and depression. Fortunately this month has just enough cross influence to provide a zestful, keen and focused atmosphere even if some of its traits point towards extremes. This is particular likely with the fast developing opposition between the Sun and Uranus.

Although still several days from its peak the opposition between the Sun and Uranus has the potential to cause disruptive and highly changeable moods with independent and highly rebellious behaviour patterns. This can lead to extremes of circumstance with an emphasis on the drastic and dramatic. Consequently moods may be prone to very stretched emotions - even hysterical display of feelings - that although presently balanced by more tranquil forces, may, in the next week become ever more apparent. There will also be a tendency towards bizarre, eccentric, or even perverse moods and feelings with out of character thoughts and actions that could prove an embarrassment for some time to come.

Another source of a softening nature will come from the developing opposition between Venus and Neptune. This is likely to bring more balanced and harmonious feelings, but with a tendency towards deceit and self deception. It may also evoke sensitive or sentimental emotions with idealistic traits and aspirations. A probable influence of this may be a strong attraction towards artistic pursuits and particularly music.

Once again this represents a highly complex mood situation with a great variety of clashing moods and feelings. Under these circumstances extremes of mood are certainly possible but there are other sides to this celestial pattern that still make this a time of great opportunity - a determinative period in shaping ones future course of development.

Alert is 7. Moon 48% illuminated.