By Milky Way Maid

The New Moon happens to fall on Mardi Gras this year. The Sun and Moon conjoin at 6 degrees Pisces at 8:35 pm Eastern Time, with Neptune close by. Actually the series of contacts is: Moon conjunct Neptune Monday night; New Moon Tuesday evening; Moon conjunct Uranus and opposite Saturn on Wednesday.

Neptune is idealistic, while the Uranus-Saturn opposition is the change/stability continuum -- a continuum that We the People voted on when it was exact last November. The public is not pleased by recent evidence that it is politics as usual in Washington; that is not what they voted for. People may rise up and shout not only Yes We Can, but You Are Changing Too If We Have to Drag You Kicking and Screaming. Politicians beware; expect an avalanche of phone calls to the White House and Congressional switchboards.

Readers can follow not only their Sun sign horoscope but also the sign of their Ascendant for further clues to how your week will develop.

ARIES - March 20-April 19 – The Moon is in Aries from Thursday afternoon till Saturday night. Mercury sextiles Venus in your sign on Tuesday; this favors sales and shopping, as you will find a fair price. The Moon in Aries squares Pluto on Thursday evening; this favors heavy-duty research and also sorting out what to keep or dump. Your eye is keener and your judgment steady, like a gardener pruning a tree or grapevine to increase the next harvest. Friday is productive with the Moon-Venus conjunction sextiling Jupiter in Aries; those in artistic fields, including hairdressers, may progress to another level. Your idea of relaxing tonight involves friendly rivalry (touch football or darts?) (Mercury-Mars).

TAURUS - April 20-May 20 – The New Moon energizes your solar eleventh house of friends, and formal and informal groups. Perhaps you join a group based on sharing skills and information so that everyone benefits. The Mercury-Jupiter conjunction on Monday may signal some positive moves in your career; sign up for a class or put out resumes.

GEMINI - May 21-June 20 - The New Moon energizes your solar tenth house of career. It may be a challenging situation like so many who are getting laid off or their hours cut, but you are flexible enough to see new opportunities to make a few bucks on the side. The Mercury-Jupiter conjunction on Monday may spur action on college plans or legal issues; call back the registrar or lawyer to find out the latest moves.

CANCER - June 21-July 22 - The New Moon energizes your solar ninth house of law, higher education, publishing and religion. Check up on your college applications, call your lawyer or agent; keep the channels of communication open because chance remarks may open up some new tips. The Mercury-Jupiter conjunction on Monday may bring news in eighth house matters like insurance or estate settlement.

LEO - July 23-Aug. 22 - The New Moon energizes your solar eighth house of generational issues like estates and heredity. Check your mom's drawers to see if dad left her another life insurance policy somewhere. Perhaps you will enjoy browsing old family photos and deciding who your kids most take after; scan the pictures onto a CD or an online family album. The Mercury-Jupiter conjunction on Monday may mean you meet a terrific new significant other, or enjoy a book club together.

VIRGO - Aug. 23-Sept. 22 – Ceres in Virgo gets a creative aspect from the Moon on Sunday morn; maybe creating a new omelette for family members gets your juices going, or sketching out the victory garden plans. BTW Mom probably won't feel like cooking supper on Tuesday. The New Moon energizes your solar seventh house of partnerships and marriage. Plan to spend quality time with your loved one; look for a marriage enrichment seminar for long-term returns on a modest investment.

LIBRA - Sept. 23-Oct. 22 - The New Moon energizes your solar sixth house of health and work/labor issues. You like the idea that fairness rules all human relations, even those that are inherently unequal. Perhaps you can volunteer some time to local community groups. There is always a chance that your own health may need attention; surely you didn't let your routine get out of balance, did you?

SCORPIO - Oct. 23-Nov. 21 – The Mercury-Jupiter conjunction in your fourth house of home may signal a real steal of a deal, or beginning a great new class in what realty is all about. The New Moon energizes your solar fifth house of arts and speculation. Artists may find a new source of inspiration just before the New Moon due to a lunar contact with Neptune. You might also find some bargains too cheap to pass up on the stock market.

SAGITTARIUS - Nov. 22-Dec. 21 - The New Moon energizes your solar fourth house of home and family. Sag is not known for hanging around the homestead but you might find some kindred soul among relatives, odd as it seems to you. The Mercury-Jupiter conjunction on Monday may bring a chance meeting with a relative or neighbor that is a real boon.

CAPRICORN - Dec. 22-Jan. 19 – Pluto in Capricorn is sextiled by the Moon on Tuesday; ask followup questions and conduct further research on pressing issues. The New Moon energizes your solar third house of neighbors, relatives and communications. Chance conversations over the back fence or at the local grocery can open up new contacts. Send out flyers or newsletters with special offers for informational lectures.

AQUARIUS - Jan. 20-Feb. 17 – The Moon is in Aquarius from the previous Saturday till Tuesday morning. On Sunday the Moon joins Mercury and Jupiter, (also Mars later in the day) which should incidentally boost sales of all kinds. Engage in sales, college studies or testing, write or lecture, or take to the stage. On Monday the Moon conjoins Neptune while Mercury conjoins Jupiter; you could misplace your keys but grasp a broader ideal, and talk inspirationally about it. (Neptune is also good for dance, enjoying films and arts, photography, and dreams; try checking out dreams.ca for info on how to incubate a dream. Mercury in your sign sextiles Venus on Wednesday; this also favors sales or at least pitching a presentation.

PISCES - Feb. 18-March 19 – The Moon is in Pisces from Tuesday morning till Thursday afternoon. The Moon sextiles Pluto about midday Tuesday; this favors research so hit the library, or relax with a good mystery novel. Later that day, the Moon joins the Sun in a Mardi Gras New Moon; this one affects you personally. You could feel pulled in opposite directions between change and staying the course, but try to find a way to adjust without costing too much. Some change is inevitable so take control early.