We don't need the planets to take our pulse this week—it's somewhere between sadness and euphoria, as people on either side of the great political divide celebrate a win or despair over a loss. Count on an uproar, anticipate tumult, and expect the turbulence to be physical, mental, and spiritual, as emotional bodies, already over-stimulated and over-excited, struggle to accept the result. The campaign lines that divided so distinctly are certain to solidify into concrete walls if we don't agree with or believe the outcome. If you want to "make love not war" you will need to stay connected to your Higher Power. And it doesn't matter whether that Higher Power is poetry, plants, or the rock-solid belief in a unifying spiritual force capable of containing a multitude of diversity—just stay connected. This week and the next several weeks reactions become chain reactions.

The emotional component at the core of this election was never hidden. Throughout the campaign, no matter what the facts, what a lot of us felt seemed more important. And the power of those feelings needs release, especially the profound disappointment of loss. Don't be surprised if it turns into rage. And also expect the thrill of winning to become a gloating self-righteous glee. We've forgotten how to play well with others, and that collective developmental damage could turn into extremely bad behavior. Which is why it's important to remember no matter who wins, the real work is before us, work that is completely independent of elections—the work of healing what turns our hearts against each other and makes us hate what we can't understand.

What the planets do portend is that this already highly-charged reactive environment is actually super-charged. A Saturn-Mars square turns the days before and after the election bitter and acrimonious, and that translates into an angry, aggressive climate that spoils situations that might be best left neutral. This fractious interaction is all about holding a harsh position and regardless of the consequences, refusing to soften that stance. From a collective perspective, political rhetoric turns threatening and toxic. From a personal point of view, this square produces the potential to make someone—anyone—a scapegoat for your frustration. So don't blame the dog for everything that goes wrong.

Other bits: A Uranus-Mercury square produces a nervous mind set that while creative, could under stress lean toward channeled messages from the Mothership. Don't laugh— Neptune squares the Sun, generating excursions into other dimensions, or at least the desire to escape from this one. Fortunately, a Jupiter-Venus conjunction in Libra fosters some degree of harmonious social interaction, even if it's only with our extraterrestrial space brothers.

Because this week and the weeks to follow are a rough ride, it's important to treat yourself and your fellow travelers with respect. And because most of us are weary to bone, try more than just a little tenderness.