Although the world will hardly be calming down in November, the skies are a little less volatile than in recent months. Eclipse season is behind us, and although there are some tense aspects and significant shifts, we might hope to avoid the kind of screeching intensity we’ve seen since the beginning of September. Still, as always, it’s up to us: the planets set the table but we serve the dinner.
The month begins with the Scorpio New Moon on the 1st, right in the middle of Halloween, All Souls Day, All Saints Day, Samhain, Dia de los Muertos. This is a powerful transformative energy that we might best let be. Do some meditation and have a little quiet time – it’s probably better not to try to do too much right around this time. A trine between Mercury and Neptune could signal the ability to connect with other realms, but make sure you dial the right number.
We won’t have much time to rest after the new moon, and may find that we’re moving faster than we would prefer. On the 3rd, Mars opposes Pluto as Venus is opposite Jupiter. Venus and Jupiter always get along well, especially with the goddess in Jupiter’s home sign. They’re working to create an upbeat atmosphere for the first weekend of the month. Mars and Pluto, however, may have other plans. Power struggles are a real possibility, especially with these two cosmic bad boys at the very last degrees of Cancer and Capricorn.
A Fiery vibe prevails as Mercury enters Sagittarius on the 2nd and Mars strides into Leo on the 4th. Fire is inspirational, but Mercury in Sag can cleave to belief systems despite the facts, and Mars in Leo prefers dramatic shows of bravery to more measured action. It’s quite a combination, especially as it’s coming just before the U.S. elections.
Venus makes a tense square to Neptune on the 9th, before leaving Sagittarius for Capricorn on the 11th. Venus and Neptune can help to put socializing and relationships into soft focus, making for a potentially pleasant weekend. Once she enters Saturn’s home sign, we shift towards a more formal approach to socializing that will last for the next few weeks. Planned activities are likely to go over better than spontaneous events, and don’t forget which fork to use for the salad.
At mid-month, we have mixed messages from the Cosmos. Saturn stations to go direct on the 15th, suggesting that we use the period between the 14th and 16th for work and responsibilities. Yet the 15th is also the day of the Taurus Full Moon, and this lunation is close to revolutionary Uranus, inciting us to break free and do our own thing. We may find that progress is slow around this time, and patience is in short supply.
On the 19th, Pluto leaves Capricorn – for good this time. He’ll stay in Aquarius until 2043, when he begins his transition into Pisces. Although he’s been at this degree several times in the past couple of years, it’s worth paying attention to the ingress day and the coming weeks, as Pluto signals some of his intentions for the next two decades.
On the 21st, the Sun enters Sagittarius. Although he’s approaching his maximum time below the horizon each day, Sol is relatively happy to be in a Fire sign. From a solar perspective the worst is in the past, the old year has died, and we’re awaiting the birth of the new year.
Less than an hour after the Sun gets into Sagittarius, it makes an easy sextile to Pluto in Aquarius. This should have some interesting ramifications for the collective – and it’s especially worth keeping an eye on the deeply divided U.S. political scene.
Mercury stations to retrograde on the 25th. Yes, it’s been three months and we’re back in retrograde season. The Cosmic Messenger will be backtracking in Sagittarius – not his best sign – until December 15th. Among other things, this could have consequences for holiday shopping, particularly when it comes to online orders. It might be best to get your shopping done early this year, especially if your purchasing electronics.
As the month ends, we wind down to the Sagittarius New Moon on December 1st. This suggests a potentially mellow Thanksgiving weekend, which will probably be welcomed by many.
