Here are some of my favourite images of the stunning Venus/Jupiter conjunction currently visible in the night sky. The main photograph was taken by Polish photographer Marek Nikodem in Szobin, Poland, on March 12. “They are like lanterns illuminating the darkness,” he said. “It’s a wonderful sight.”

In astrology, Venus and Jupiter are the benefic planets – they tend to be a positive, constructive influence and thus can be viewed as a good sign! You could say that, quite literally, optimism is in the air right now.

The two planets are conjoining in Taurus, which is the zodiac sign ruled by Venus. To astrologers, this means that Venus is at her strongest and her energy is being amplified by Jupiter. As Venus is the goddess of love, this is the time to appreciate beauty and open your heart to give and receive love. 

This is also a great time to be creative – to write, paint, draw, sculpt, craft, make music, whatever stirs your soul – and to reconnect to the earth, which is getting easier now that spring is almost here.

Venus also governs money, so cultivating a healthy relationship with your bank balance is a good move right now. Being grateful for what you’ve got will set the tone for abundance.

Rather than overindulging yourself, which is one of the negative manifestations of Venus and Jupiter, pay attention to whatever gives your life meaning and substance. Give to charity, give freely of your time and energy, be emotionally generous.

Then go out tonight, look at the sky and be in awe of those lanterns illuminating the darkness.