We are now just several days after the Full Moon and moods and emotions continue to be fuelled by increased nervous restlessness and anxiety. In addition we are now entering a short but intense period of further emotional turbulence as a result of numerous potent planetary alignments.

To place things in perspective the Moon is now in opposition to Jupiter and will remain so until around 18:00 GMT, or 13:00 EDT. Although this is likely to result in more generous and self expansive moods and feelings, with greater sympathy and sociability, it is also likely to result in exaggerated behaviour, with careless or unstable emotions, or extravagant gestures of a very spontaneous nature. As well as anything this may give way to foolhardy traits and feelings, with an adventurous or reckless disposition that may involve unnecessary risks.

The overall mood situation will become even more contentious with the alignment of the Moon and Mars. This will begin to become active around 22:00 GMT, or 17:00 EDT and the pair will be closely aligned for around 15 hours. Likely mood traits to result from this include energetic and responsive emotions with quickly aroused passions.

Under these circumstances there will be a keen sense of like and dislike with impatient, impulsive or intolerant attitudes that could prove to be highly demanding. Inevitably this will make the present atmosphere liable to arguments or contentious encounters with the possibility of friction within the family settling. Even if not outwardly expressed there may be suppressed anger with simmering resentments that may eventually give way to explosive or violent outbursts.

Faced with these possibilities it pays to adopt a tranquil and understanding attitude as those around us may at times be provocative, short tempered, or prone to give vent to their emotions. It should be warned that the effects of alcohol will be magnified at this time and may add an element of irresponsible behaviour to an already turbulent mood scene.

To a certain extent this is still a time of heightened apprehensions with increased worry and concern even over the most trivial of matters. As a result problems may loom large and assume undue importance. It may also feel harder to get going and although there may be an energetic zest to get things done there may be too little concentration or sense of focus to achieve all but the most mundane of tasks.

Coming days will likely see a slow downturn in the intensity of moods as the week progresses, although towards the end of the week numerous routine but unsettling Lunar alignments may cause problems.

Alert is 8. Moon 95% illuminated.