The Stars This Week - 03/13/06 - 03/19/06

Full Moons are powerful -- but lunar eclipses are positively electrifying. And that's just what we'll get on the 14th, in efficient, analytical Virgo. It's prime time to let go of anything that's outlived its purpose, and to make room for new successes. Energy is also high on the 18th -- but due to Mercury's square to Mars, it could be of the testy variety. Don't worry: It's nothing that can't be fixed by a little distance from potential sources of irritation!

March 14: Lunar Eclipse (Full Moon) in Virgo

Eclipses are amazing things. In addition to the changes we can observe in the Sun and Moon, these events tend to affect us in startling, unseen ways. Today's eclipse is due to energize Virgo, the sign famous for creating order and cleanliness -- and for never failing to offer help. Virgo is also in charge of work issues, so if you wake up today and find yourself facing a challenging situation in that department, your first instruction is this: no panicking. When something leaves during an eclipse, it's because it's no longer useful to you. Let it go, whatever it is, and remember: If things stayed the same, we'd never have room for growth. It's time to stretch, and to reach for something new. Make room.

March 18: Mercury square Mars

Last Saturday was a bit on the volatile side -- remember? Everyone was cranky, unpredictable and more likely to start an argument than to consider anyone else's side. Maybe even you were a little testier than usual. Now that you've been reminded of how easy it is to let little things get out of hand -- and how unproductive it is to allow that to happen -- you'll be especially careful. Right? Well good, because today's agenda calls for the astrological equivalent of an argument: a square between communicative Mercury and Mars, the universe's most famous hothead. Don't let anyone irritate you unnecessarily. If you feel a dispute coming on, distance yourself, just for now.