The astrological sky continues to be dominated by the dramatic T-square involving most of the outer planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto. So if your life continues to feel as if it's being bitten by 100 no-see-ums, or at least a bit crazy and transformed, consider 1) that you're not alone, 2) that this is a time of powerful shamanic-like healing, 3) that this is what Santa Fe is about (from certain perspectives), and 4) that it's okay to ask for some healing balm of kindness, peace, and beauty.
 

Because these outer planets are slow-moving, they have far-reaching, long-term effects. The continued shake-ups are about evolutionary re-birth on every level: global, social, personal, and spiritual. There's no inherent good or bad to it -- it's just what's goin' on. Fretting about it makes it worse. A more useful reaction might be a type of open-minded, flexible, spirited, ready responsiveness. Perhaps like a stance one takes when entering a karate competition, or sitting for a professional exam.
 

Throughout these rocketing evolutionary times, it is helpful -- or maybe necessary -- to find some balance in the aforementioned healing balm of kindness and peace. Fortunately, right now, we have just the astrological ticket for this.
 

Until mid-September, Venus and Mars, two of the faster-moving planets, are in the sign Libra, along with Saturn. Libra, as most people know, is the sign associated with peace, harmony, beauty, and love. So having three planets in Libra creates in us a desire for peace and harmony, a yearning for love and beauty, and a teaching about the imperative of kindness and gentleness in times of disruption and challenge.
 

Most of us could use a little Libra right now. Find it in yourself. Ask for it from others. Find someone or something beautiful and be present with that being. Let yourself be kind, gentle, or loving, even in trying circumstances. Or, if you need to be strong or defended with others, at least be kind to yourself.
 

Venus is the ruler of Libra. Now that it is in its own sign, it is particularly active, encouraging the artist and lover in us all. Mars is the ruler of Aries, the opposite sign to Libra. Now that it is in its opposite sign of Libra, its warrior-self is greatly tempered, urging us to lay down our arms and walk in peace. Because Venus and Mars are conjunct in the sky, we are actually asked to be simultaneously loving and strong, open-hearted yet capable of standing ground when necessary. But with both in Libra, it's just a relief when we don't have to fight.
 

A conjunction of Venus and Mars is a union of yin and yang. It is the ultimate combination of fertility and creativity. Use it for art, use it for love, and use it to re-create your life. Or life on this planet.
 

One of the best things to do right now is to go outdoors after sunset and look to the west as the sky gets dark. Venus is that very bright object in the evening sky. Stand quietly and look at it, letting its beautiful glow permeate your being. The light that you absorb, you can carry in your heart and mind and soul, and you can call on this light of peace at any time.
 

While you're looking at the western sky, you can also find Mars -- much fainter and redder -- a little above Venus, and further to the right of Venus as the days progress into late August and early September. Both planets are visible and fairly close to each other until mid-October, when Venus goes retrograde and heads back toward the Sun.
 

Saturn, also faint but off-white, is even further to the right of Venus, and disappears into the sunset by mid to late September. Make friends with Mars and Saturn as well as Venus, as they are your allies in strength (Mars) and wisdom (Saturn). Watch the three planets move against the backdrop of fixed stars, and dance with one another.  Know that the energies of all three planets are always available to you, even when you can't "see um."