Get up and go get organized — and put a playful spin on it. That’s your mission today after a bit of self-indulgence around 8:10AM ET, when the regal, love, love-me-do Leo Moon is energized by a pleasure-seeking Venus in Taurus. Give a little, and you’ll get a little, mmm-kay?

Planetary patterns for the rest of the day suggest a cooperative spirit and balance between the need to shine and the ability to rationally present whatever dreamy idea you’ve been incubating since last week’s New Moon. It’s also a good time to prepare for MERCURY TURNING RETROGRADE on Saturday, June 7th at 7:57AM ET.  Back up your hard drives on all communication gizmos. If you’ve been putting off taking your computer in for a tune-up, consider doing it now. Some are already reporting stalls, crashes and other communication glitches, which we would expect with last week’s dreamy/foggy New Moon.

Contrary to popular belief, Mercury retrogrades are no reason to freak out. Mercury retrograde gets a bad rap because we are geared, in this crazy modern age, to always be thinking, doing, moving FORWARD. Ya know what that gets you? BURN OUT. We need our down times, and Mercury retrograde is a perfect time to give our minds a rest. Why else would your computer, phone and/or car choose THIS time to malfunction? Because you are supposed to be slowing down. And as you slow down, it is vitally important that you re-adjust your FOCUS.

When Mercury is retrograde through July 1st, be prepared for travel delays, scheduling screw-ups, mechanical breakdowns, computer crashes, having to repeat what you’ve just said, misunderstandings, the past coming back for a second look, surprise reunions and having to repeat what you just said. Use your FOCUS and double check important details, like whether the restaurant you’ve chosen for a meet-up is still in business.

Adopt a playful attitude of flexibility to whatever twists you encounter, as with void-of-course Moons. Avoid signing contracts, making major purchases (especially mechanical ones), believing everything you hear or read in the papers and losing patience. Do plan on RElaxing, REviewing, REsearching, REorganizing, REgenerating, REconnecting and REcreating. Mercury retrogrades are excellent times to REview your life with your astrologer.

Your Moon voids for the week — use these times to take care of routine tasks, roll with whatever twists you encounter in your efforts to move forward in a straight line. Avoid impulse purchases, such as the six bottles of drinkable yogurt and coconut ice cream I bought at the farmer’s market yesterday, when the Moon was in Cancer. I really did not need them. Otherwise chill out, like this black bear did during last Thursday’s really long void — captured here on tape for your entertainment. What a surprise twist for that Florida homeowner, eh?

This week’s voids: Tuesday 10:42 AM ET until 10:20AM ET on WEDNESDAY; Friday 5:13AM ET until 10:01 PM ET. OK, class — pop quiz: in general, what days this week would be best suited for important meetings, major decisions and purchases?

And now, the news.

First, a general note about Mars. While no longer retrograde, it continues to be noticeably reflected in “if it bleeds, it leads” headlines. Guns, accidents, fires, wars, etc., etc. have been all over the news. On June 14th and June 25th, Mars will make yet another challenging contact with the disruptive Uranus-Pluto square, so more of the same is likely to continue.

Add Saturn’s continued sojourn in Scorpio to this mix, and nitty-gritty stories of life, death and decay, including harsh struggles with and judgements about sexual energy: rape, abortion, contraception, honor killings and other vengeful acts, etc. make news. Forgive me for not listing the never-ending plethora of recent stories in this vein; some days it’s too darn depressing. On the other hand, since this forecast talks about how planetary patterns are reflected in the headlines, I feel a need to note what planetary patterns are being reflected by this dark underbelly of information. You’ll find examples of it on the homepage of any news outlet — or see the examples in the link above.

I can’t wait for Saturn to leave Scorpio in 2015 and move on to Sagittarius, where it can demand righteous restructuring of collective beliefs and their outlets, including but not limited to, religion, education, the media and the law.

Meanwhile, as predicted here in January of 2013, President Obama is using his executive authority to move his agenda forward without the support of the Moon void, much-ado about nothing 113th Congress. With ambitious Saturn soon to reach the top of his horoscope and Neptune likely needing to act as a savior, bolstered by an expansive and energetic connection between Jupiter and Mars, his Administration will announce “one of the strongest actions ever taken by the US government to fight climate change”.  Which is encouraging, given that scientists now report that a big chunk of western Antarctica is now toast. For a lighter look at the continuing climate change debate, here’s ex-Daily Show correspondent John Oliver.

Last but not least, another RIP — this time to Ann B. Davis, whom readers of a Certain Age will remember played Alice, the down-to-earth, yet oh-so-quirky and independent housekeeper on The Brady Bunch. A glance at her horoscope delightfully confirms how perfectly cast she was for that part. Reflecting the down-to-earth: Sun in Taurus, Taurus Ascendant, Moon in no-nonsense, make-it-happen Capricorn. More no-nonsense: Saturn in karma cop Scorpio, projecting authority and control in one-on-one relationships.

For quirky: Venus conjunct rebel Uranus in empathetic Pisces. You know she appreciates just how you feel, though she may have a funny way of saying it. She would need to be unconventional in matters of social expression, while projecting a certain glamor and intrigue. That’s suggested by nebulous Neptune challenging her “Mother Earth” Taurus Ascendant. If Ms. Davis was ever romantically involved with someone, no one is talking about it.

More quirkiness: Mars and Jupiter, together in “Who’s yer buddy?” Aquarius. Both are challenged by Neptune and are expressed through that Taurus Ascendant, suggested a buoyant persona sprinkled with more magical pixie dust (and faith, combined with that practical Earth). For independent: all of what I’ve noted, plus Mercury in verrrry independent Aries, suggesting a quick mind and direct communication.

Fascinating to note that news of her sudden passing coincided with multiple planetary patterns suggesting connecting with the public and being loved. Seeing lots of tributes to her in my Facebook newsfeed…and deservedly so. RIP.