This November seems one where we are looking to get to the core of issues, strip away the hype of images and appearance, and truly consider what is going on in our lives. We all feel that we are on the threshold of change, whether that change is by our own desire and commitment or the change is brought about by the shifting tides of these times. Change is in the air, and we may not fully understand what the changes are likely to be. We just know that things are in process of significant change. While we might feel tentative about things going on in our lives, we also have our antennae up waiting for any signal that might give us a better grip on the changes unfolding. We are far less likely to believe in the spinmeisters or those who proclaim that everything is status quo and everything stays the same. We know better. We do have to watch for anxiety and recognize the potentials for whipsaws of emotions, behaviors and actions.
November begins with three planets in Fire Signs, two planets in an Earth Sign, two planets in Air Signs and three planets in Water Signs. We start the month with two planets in Cardinal Signs, three planets in Fixed Signs and five planets in Mutable Signs. Five planets are in Positive Signs, five planets are in Negative Signs.
While there is a fairly good balance among the Elements, the Quadruplicities and the Dualities to start the month, there are certain patterns that can prove frustrating and nerve-wracking if we are not attentive to the energies and if we choose to be inflexible of making necessary changes as we become more aware of the unfolding patterns. We have two T-Squares, one in Fixed Signs and the other in Mutable Signs to start the month and one Grand Trine in the Water Element.
The T-Square in the Fixed Signs is due solely to the fast-moving Moon being in Leo and by Sign squaring the Sun in Scorpio and opposing Neptune in Aquarius. Although we have been conditioned into a time of entitlement, and especially so during the 1990’s, we have to be wary that we don’t have grandiose expectations of what we want and what we feel we should have. We could easily be carried away by wish fulfillment with our desires masking a concern or insecurity as to whether we shall truly have enough. The pulls between accumulating more and more may be juxtaposed by a nagging need for conservation. The easy credit days of recent times may truly be behind us, and it would be wise for us to address our financial situation and budget for inflationary pressures with likely increased costs in some of our daily essentials.
It would be wise for us to break free of brief moments of news headlines and instant analyses and for us to consider the deeper ramifications.
Case in point: this past month’s fires in California. The news footage showed the destruction of the wildfires as they tore through sections of Los Angeles and San Diego counties. When the fires died down, so too did the news coverage. The dot was on the board, and the focus was solely on the fires and their immediate devastation. But what about our taking note of the longer-term consequences, the far-reaching impacts? When the rains come to California in the winter, will the destruction of the wildfires be followed by the devastation of mudslides? In a drought-ridden area, how much water was used to fight the flames and what will that water usage mean for the future? With some of the acreage burned being agricultural lands, will the prices of citrus and avocadoes go up significantly? With greater demand for building materials, will commodities continue their demand-driven increase in price with the developing economies of China, India, the housing boom of the past few years, the rebuilding in the US Gulf states after Hurricane Katrina and now the rebuilding of southern California? What of insurance premium costs as insurance companies find themselves paying vast sums to their affected California policyholders? And what of the psychological impact to those who suffered loss, the post-traumatic syndrome that could befall after the initial shock?
While we may see the California wildfires as a dot on the map of current events, there are increasing dots that are hard not to connect with the realization that we are in the midst of dramatic, even drastic, changes.
I raise the issue primarily because this November allows us to look at situations and determine options and alternatives for ourselves. Either we can assume that certain changes are merely blips on the screen with an inevitable and eventual return to a sense of ‘normalcy’ with which we are familiar and we do nothing but shrug our shoulders and say that ‘stuff happens’. Or we can consider how we can make changes in our lives, budget our time and finances, in order to be prepared, as best we can, for the changing parameters occurring in our lives and in our world.
The Grand Trine in the Water Element with the Sun in Scorpio, Mars in Cancer and Uranus in Pisces allows us to focus on the fundamentals and consider ways by which we can deal with the basics all the while appreciating a shifting backdrop of circumstances and conditions. Albert Einstein is attributed to have said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
The Grand Trine in Water allows us to come up with insights, understandings and innovative ways of dealing with any new reality that may become evident as we go along. We may take time to change things within our living space, to streamline our operations and to consider what is truly worth our energy and our expense and those things that are not. November is a good time for Fall cleaning, to rid ourselves of the superfluous, the irrelevant and the extraneous.
The T-Square in Mutable Signs could prove more problematic, by reason of the fact that November starts with five planets in the Mutable Signs, half the planets in Mutable Signs. While we may be operating from a high level of nervous energy, trying to deal with our overloaded daily lives of so much to handle; we may also go through some real whipsaws, times of irrational exuberance and looking to expand our activities, and times of glossing over the details and the specifics just to try and keep up with the fast-paced lives we have created for ourselves. We may also be feeling the dichotomy of the Saturn Uranus opposition that becomes exact next year, but is already in play. The battle of old and new is truly engaged.
I have written before of the Saturn entry into Virgo. It began in September and continues for the next two years plus. Health issues, work issues, our daily lives and our self-critique are all characteristics of Saturn in Virgo. Already, we are hearing of a virulent antibiotic-resistant staph infection. We have experienced short work stoppages with the UAW.
With Saturn in Virgo and Uranus in Pisces, by Sign we have an opposition that will reach exactitude next year. During this dance between the two, the battle between the old and new is engaged. Although change is asking us to reconsider past solutions for present problems, some people might go back to old answers or dig in their heels regarding traditional ways. At the same time, the sense of synchronicity, of things coming out of the blue, and the miracles and magic of unexpected situations are likely to be strong. We all have the opportunity of getting out of our own way and allowing the bountiful universe to provide us with some wonderful surprises… if we are open to it. If we are willing to look and to listen, we might discover the universe provides. But who will look? Who will listen? The old ways may seek to reinforce their patterns of trying to master, to control, to bend everything and everyone to their will. And the battle will be engaged.
For ourselves, it would be wise to heed the possibilities of doing things differently, of exploring new ways and new interests, of being more autonomous and embracing our individuality. We don’t have to effect change all at once. But the more that we compare our old ways with new methods, reflect on where we have been with where we want to go, consider that the past is the past and the program for the past may have been effective then but possibly not now; the more we are able to build a suspension bridge between whom we have been and where we have gone across to whom we are becoming and where we are going. We don’t have to try and jump the chasm. We just have to be aware of the possibilities of change, of transformation, of shapeshifting and re-identifying ourselves.
The beginning of November also brings to close the third and final Mercury retrograde for this year of 2007. Can I get a hallelujah? While we shall still be in the ‘shadow’ of the Mercury retrograde until the middle of this month, our thoughts and ideas, our communications and our conversations can be clearer and less confused. We can straighten out any relationship issues that might have come up since early October. We can move ahead with our projects and initiate our plans more effectively. We can even create a budget and see where we can conserve or cut back on our expenses and those areas we wish to prioritize for our disposable income.
The Water Grand Trine is reinforced on the 4th when the Sun trines Mars, again on the 7th when the Sun trines Uranus and at the time of the Scorpio New Moon on the 9th which holds influence for the next fortnight. The sense of being in the right place at the right time can reinforce the idea that everything works out in the end. Or, if you will, this energy configuration affirms the wise saying that god and the universe have far greater plans for us than we could ever imagine for ourselves. We are moving into magic time and we have the opportunity of stepping onto the magical mystery tour where nothing is impossible unless we believe it to be. Increasingly, we are likely to see how things can turn on a dime.
We could have a heads-up regarding relationships on the 6th. With Venus about to leave Virgo, not an especially comfortable Sign for Venus to occupy, Venus makes a square to Pluto. We might raise the bar high for other people to jump over. We may put people on pedestals without allowing them to have feet of clay. Consequently, relationships at this time could be under strain. Reality may not match our ideal. We might even assume the grass to be greener or consider how limiting our relationships are. If we become too judgmental of other people or insist on people jumping through hoops, we could do irreparable damage to our significant connections. Finding flaws in others might also be a way for us to free ourselves up. We’re looking to spread our wings and may chaff under any wing clippers.
Fortunately, Venus moves into Libra, it own Sign, on the 8th, at the same time that Mercury sextiles Pluto. If we have created consternation in our relationships, we can smooth it over by heart to heart talks that come to realize the depth and meaningfulness of our most intimate connections.
The New Moon on the 9th emphasizes the Water Grand Trine with the Sun Moon conjunction in Scorpio trine Mars and trine Uranus. We are also likely to be feeling the forthcoming conjunction of Jupiter and Pluto. Now is a time when we may seek spirit in action, a time when our lives must embrace the passion of living and the intensity of purposefulness. We are looking to follow our path, to engage in our journey, and to concentrate on doing our personal best. Like the separation of the chaff from the wheat, we may look at paring down our activities and our involvements, focusing on those people and situations that truly speak to us and what we are all about. We’re going for the gusto, and to get there we may have to get rid of various encumbrances or distractions.
We do have to watch for the Neptunian influence both at the time of the New Moon on the 9th and also on the 11th when the Sun squares Neptune. We could easily fall into illusions, accepting things at face value but doing so with commitment and devoted intent. If we draw upon other people for advice or suggestions, it would be wise for us to check the source. The greatest sounding board at this time would be the small voice within, our inner knowingness. If we will trust our instincts and be open to new directions, then we can proceed without being influenced by our old identities and what people would expect from us.
On the 11th, Mercury moves into Scorpio. Our mind may be razor-sharp, piercing and penetrating. Our thoughts are precise, our conversations succinct and concise. Mercury sextiles Saturn on the 16th, and we could blueprint our plans utilizing the most streamlined and best practices methodology. The following week, the Water Grand Trine is affirmed as Mercury in Scorpio trines Mars in Cancer on the 19th and trines Uranus in Pisces on the 21st. Not only can we blend brain with brawn and accomplish a great deal in a short period of time. Our insights are also likely to be startling. We can gain some great ‘ah-has’ at this time, although we do have to watch that it doesn’t trigger us into going too far too soon, since on the 24th Mercury squares Neptune that could entice us by appearance and leave us dazed or confused.
Mercury turns direct on the 1st and on the 15th Mars turns retrograde. The Mars retrograde continues on into the New Year. We will need to watch our health. Our vitality may not be the strongest during this latter part of Fall into the Winter. With Saturn in Virgo, we are being asked to develop a good health regimen for ourselves and with the Mars retrograde we will need to be careful of the flu, colds and infections.
On the 22nd, the Sun enters Sagittarius creating a stellium of three or more planets in the Mutable Fire Sign as the Sun joins Jupiter and Pluto in Sagittarius. Our enthusiasm is turned up. From a strong sense of self-confidence and optimism, we might be looking at how we can broaden our perspective and expand our operations. The holidays are upon us, and we might find ourselves getting ever more involved with the hurly-burly of holiday time. The more we can rein in our exuberance, the less likely we are to miss the signals and step into a mess.
Confusion can be evident at the time of the Gemini Full Moon on the 24th. Not only do we have the Mercury still feeling the Water Grand Trine influence of everything going our way, but the Mercury squares Neptune tempting us to step beyond probability in a world of make-believe or possible deceptions. Also on the 24th, Uranus turns direct, and sudden changes could pop up, adding more to our ‘to do’ list or changing the parameters in which we thought we were operating. We have the Gemini Full Moon with a Mutable Sign T-Square as the Sun Moon opposition squares Saturn in Virgo. Amidst all the change whirling around us, possibly confusing us, we have our obligations and responsibilities like dogs nipping at our heels. The whirlwind in which we find ourselves could prove exhausting. Not only are we juggling everything that is our daily norm but we may find a few curveballs thrown at us.
If we can keep everything in mind, prioritize and time manage our activities; then the beginning of the holiday season can be fun and entertaining.
On the 26th, Venus trines Neptune and our relationships can be close to idyllic. Our appreciation for other people and their appreciation for us can be nurturing, comforting and enlivening.
It is important that we stretch during the latter part of November but with the Saturn restrictive influence, we do have to be sure not to allow things to fall between the cracks or to wear ourselves out. The month ends on the 30th with the Sun square Saturn. Exhaustion is a possibility. Rest may be needed. And the balance between our involvement with others and time for ourselves may prove an artful act.
All in all, this November is a time to keep our antennae up, our eyes wide open, and to see from peripheral vision. The dance between old and new is surely engaged, and we are likely to see things turn on a dime as miracles become ever more an every day occurrence.
November… delving below the surface, going for the gold…
