Today is the day of the New Moon and inevitably moods and emotions will be tense and on edge with increased nervous restlessness.

There is also an increased possibility of aggressive or belligerent moods and emotions that may tend towards confrontation or rebellious inclinations. Then again there is a firm potential for raised apprehensions with marked fears and concerns that on occasions may be of such an intensity as to approach crisis level. Indeed those vulnerable to sensitive or demanding atmospheres may find themselves especially challenged.

Under the circumstances it may feel harder to get going with reduced enthusiasm and inspiration together with a loathing for convention or the strictures of a humdrum routine. Consequently many tasks may be left unfinished or postponed for a better time, and there may be a certain lethargy in fulfilling ones daily routine.

Some may wish to take the edge off the atmosphere through drinking or eating more than usual, but it should be remembered that the effects of alcohol will be magnified at this time and may lead to the release of particularly forceful moods and feelings. It may also require more alcohol than usual to achieve the same calming effects, thus increasing the possibility of intoxication and all that goes with it.

It should be warned that this is an atmosphere will a low threshold of tolerance and that tempers may blaze brightly with very little provocation. Another important factor of this period is that it coincides with a time when most people in the western world are returning to work after the festive period. This too can lead to feelings of depression or disillusionment and there may be reduced motivation and enthusiasm, with no other ambition than to get through the day as easily as possible.

Then again this period - at least in the northern hemisphere - coincides with a time when many will succumb to seasonal ailments such as colds or flu, or as in Britain at this present time, the Norovirus characterised by repeated bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea. These are all important mood influencing factors and along with everything else contribute to make this one of the hardest periods of the year.

It may also be of some interest to know that divorce lawyers point out that this time of the year is when most disenchanted couples seek legal advice with a view to terminating their relationship. Quite why this should be is not immediately obvious but the period just after the Christmas vacation is well known as a matrimonial black spot, and is one more indicator of how stressful this time of year can really be.

For the fifth day running the Earth’s atmosphere is being buffeted by strong Solar winds leading to moderate levels of geomagnetic activity. As mentioned on previous alerts this can have subtle effects on moods as well as ones general sense of well being. For example there may be a sudden feeling of not quite feeling well with indistinct symptoms and sensations that may include nausea, dizziness, palpitations or neuralgic aches and pains.

Emotionally this may manifest as anxious and restless moods and feelings with irritability and touchiness, and acute sensitivity. Those prone to panic attacks may be vulnerable at this time, and the next few days may prove to be something of a challenge. It should be noted that any physical symptoms that may derive from increased geomagnetic activity are usually of short duration only, and if persisting for more than a few days are likely to be of some other origin.

All in all this constitutes a complex and demanding period of emotional instability with contrasting emotions that may have little by way of emotional encouragement. Indeed for a sizeable number this may come to represent a time of notable crisis. If so then be assured that like every other celestially induced mood pattern this one will be of short duration only, and that the end of the week should see a return to more sedate moods and feelings.

Alert is 8.5. Moon 0% illuminated.