The principal feature of the current alert is the opposition between the Moon and Uranus. This has been active for around 24 hours, and will remain so until around 19:00 GMT (14:00 EDT). As such this constitutes a period to be wary of as any Moon/Uranus alignment has the potential for extreme events and happenings.

As frequent visitors to this site will know Moon/Uranus alignments have been associated with some of the more macabre, brutal, inexplicable, or otherwise heinous crimes imaginable. Often these involve a suddenly altered psychology that can transform a situation of moderate friction into one of extreme violence and confrontation.

It goes without saying that periods of this nature require the greatest of care and handling as delicate and testing conditions can very swiftly arise from even the most convivial of settings. This can lead to many upheavals within the family setting with highly strung and over excitable moods and the potential for drastic events and circumstances.

Other traits associated with Moon/Uranus alignments include changeable and restless conditions with the possibility of unusual modes of expression and out of character behaviour. This may involve pursuits and ideas never previously considered or an attraction towards areas of comportment that may later give cause for embarrassment. Also possible under these circumstances are unusual suspicions, paranoia, together with neurotic or even hysterical inclinations.

This month - and for some months to come - the effects of the Moon/Uranus alignment, or opposition will be cross influenced by Saturn, which is also in opposition to Uranus. While this may instil some degree of control and balance it may render the general atmosphere all the more dangerous since this level of restraint may tend towards premeditation of action, rather than just spontaneous fits of emotion.

Saturn/Uranus oppositions - which are a comparatively rare occurrence - can also give rise to ambitious, determined and hard edged moods, that may well be tinged with egotism and deliberate acts of cruelty. On the other hand this can quite easily be contrasted by more depressive and melancholic feelings and illustrate what a complex mood situation we now have to contend with. For the present it is the more quirky or confrontational elements of this celestial pattern that are of most concern. These will be of greater significance for people in Africa and Europe. In the America’s there will be some change after 15:00 EDT, and this may tend towards a quieter, and less contentious period, as may be apparent for those in Europe after 20:00 GMT.

Alert is 8. Moon 41% illuminated.