November 2016 Forecasts

Antares Launch Success. NASA/Bill Ingalls

Mars in Capricorn Nov. 1 - Dec. 11

It's not going to take a rocket ship, to get to where you want to get!

Mars enters its sign of exaltation from November 1, moving through its strongest position until December 11. Now, even though having Mars in such a strong position may be a good thing for some, and for some things, e.g., those with Aries and Scorpio prominent, others find Mars a tough cookie to deal with. I have consulted enough client's with an exalted Mars in their birth chart to know the havoc it can wreak on the nerves. Nervous exhaustion is often the result of a strong Mars. It depends on what it rules in your personal chart. 
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Saturn has a very strong influence on Mars' transit through its own sign, Capricorn, keeping an eye on proceedings - not allowing things to get too far out of hand, thankfully. In fact, Mars and Saturn are so intricately linked by being placed in each other's signs, that we must take slow, deliberate actions, if we are to make the most of it.

​Use this transit to be more calculated in your efforts, taking as much time as you need to set off on a course of action. Don't let anyone push you into anything, as others may not be able to deal with the increase in their own powerful internal urges. When you're ready, take off and go for it! Jupiter's influence to Mars in Capricorn brings the cushioning which allows for a safe lift off.

Capricorn is Saturn's feminine, more introspective sign. So use the inner control and will power of this transit to direct your attention to where you need to go in the long run - not where someone or something may be pushing you in the interim. 

​True power is an inside job. If you require outside influences  - whether people or events - to make you feel powerful, then you are not truly powerful. True power comes from the Sun, the sense of Self which is far beyond any childish displays of strength. The Sun's position in debilitation until November 16 is leading to a sense of lack of confidence which can easily be hijacked by this Mars transit, creating the possibility of over extending yourself as an overcompensation. 

That all changes when the Sun enters Scorpio on November 16...

Godspeed. 
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Venus in Sagittarius Nov. 7 - Dec. 2
Venus' previous transit in Scorpio was a testing time for decorum and tact, creating a need to feel our vulnerabilities without Venus' usual reassuring influence. As Venus transit's Sagittarius, it's usually a more optimistic period leading up to the holidays. This year, however, Venus is hemmed in by Mars on one side, in Capricorn and Saturn on the other, in Scorpio.

This creates a tense relating environment in November, which is overall a better month for working on weaknesses, building on our strengths. The Sagittarius idealistic approach to love and sources of happiness is a tall order because of other stresses and strains taking our attention. 

Use this time to get the job done, while giving others enough space to do what they need to do for themselves.  
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Mercury in Scorpio Nov. 8 - Nov. 28
Mercury moves from a position of negotiation, to a more selfish need in Scorpio. The debate is over - not just the US presidential one! What follows is a need to tend to our own minds and how they are influenced by powerful forces. 

It's time to take back some control, with Mercury moving through Mars' sign, as Mars is placed in exaltation. Search your mind for any weakness and replace the negative mindset with a 'can do' attitude. Communications are strained as this process is under way. We need to figure out how we feel about recent events, and may not be able to articulate our deepest feelings so easily. 
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This may create struggles in our relationships, as we struggle with our own inner demons. But if we can deal with our own negative thoughts, we have more positive feelings to share with others. ​
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Full Moon in Aries Nov. 14
The Moon reaches the exact opposite position to the Sun in Libra on November 14 at 13.52 UT. This full Moon is in the Sun's lunar sign, Krittika, which bridges the solar signs Aries and Taurus. The symbol for Krittika is a blade or sword, granting the mind the possibility of cutting away negative thoughts, bringing the Moon into its sign of exaltation, where it feels supported. There is further support from Mars being placed in exaltation, while the Sun's position in weakness dims the light enough for us to see where our source of light is coming from. 

When the light is low enough, we can see our true source of light and power - our spiritual essence, one we share with everyone. 

This new Moon phase grants us the opportunity to balance our point of view with our ability to see others' standpoint. 

Illustration © Mark Willenbruch

Sun in Scorpio Nov. 16 - Dec. 15
The Sun moves out of debilitation on November 16, entering Mars' sign along with Saturn. Mars is transiting through its sign of exaltation for most of the Sun's journey through Scorpio, creating a powerful surge of internal energy. We will need to focus its power to direct its flow in more positive directions, if we are to make the most of these transits. Intimacy is highlighted in Scorpio, finding representation in the body through the private parts and hidden impulses. 

The Sun is coming together with Saturn's restrictive influence, leading to a need to concentrate our energy. Otherwise we can end up spreading ourselves too thin, feeling scattered. This transit is more challenging for those with Leo ascending in their birth chart, but we must all adhere to the need to withhold and recruit our immense inner reserves to uplift ourselves and each other. 

The Sun and Saturn are exactly conjunct by December 9, a low point in the year energetically, but a time which can be used to focus our efforts with the help of Mars reaching its exaltation in the 3rd house from Scorpio, representing an inner confidence and primal vigor. 

Use the force!
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Neptune and the South Node Conjunct
Neptune and Ketu, the south node, come together by exact degree in Aquarius in November, as Neptune stations direct on November 20. This conjunction has been brewing for some time - since Ketu moved into Aquarius in January 2016.

Both represent an idealism which does not necessarily meet with the reality of the situation. Saturn's exchange of signs with Ketu, does show the reality of the situation is quite clear for us all to see - if we are willing to look, that is! We can, however, just as easily slip out of reality and into fantasy at this time in history. And who would blame anyone for doing that?! What we do about it depends on our ability to make positive changes, versus time spent daydreaming. 

The opposite sign, Leo is creating a divisive response because of the perceived threat of dissolution of boundaries in Aquarius. In other words, we feel threatened by having to blend in, and react strongly by pulling away and restating our individuality. This has played out in a worldly sense, by a blurring of boundaries through migration, while countries restate their national identity.

How this plays out in your personal life depends on the positions of Leo and Aquarius in your birth chart. The Aquarius part of your life shows where you have to blend in. The Leo part shows where you seek to reclaim your individuality. 

Mars' subsequent transit to this conjunction degree for Christmas and the New Year will ensure many wake up to the reality of their own situation, doing what needs to be done for themselves. Some of those things may be unthinkable to us, but we should, at least, have more of an understanding of what someone is capable of because of their experience. 
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Mercury in Sagittarius Nov. 28 2016 - Feb. 3 2017
Mercury leaves Scorpio as the Moon enters the sign by the end of the month. Once Mercury enters Sagittarius, we can open our minds to something else, something beyond our fearful story, which is further lightened as the Moon joins Mercury in Sagittarius from December 1.

This may take the form of religion for some, leading up to the Christmas period. Whatever gives our minds some sense of hope and Divine order is welcomed. For many, it is simply the traditional way of preparing for Christmas which brings a sense of order. Buying presents, trading gifts etc. 

Mercury in Sagittarius allows a space to open up for our thinking to become clearer, more vibrant and optimistic. This is mixed with a lot of mental tensions this year, until Mars leaves Capricorn on December 11, as Mercury is hemmed in by Mars and Saturn, creating a tense period which needs our higher perspective to negotiate.

​Take the high road whenever possible. 

Mercury will retrograde in Sagittarius from December 19 to January 8 2017, (more on this in next month's forecasts) which means Mercury will spend all of winter in Jupiter's fiery sign. This adds more a more philosophical approach to how we think and communicate, which is further accentuated by Jupiter being placed in Mercury's sign Virgo. Mercury and Jupiter are exchanging signs as a result of their transits, just as Mars and Saturn exchange signs. Mercury and Jupiter's exchange is more flexible and optimistic, as opposed to Mars and Saturn's tense negotiations.

This flexible and philosophical approach will be needed as the intensity continues this winter. 
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Sri Garuda

New Moon in Scorpio Nov. 29
Just as the month began with the Moon transiting Scorpio, the month ends with this new Moon in Scorpio. This is a low point in the year, as the Moon wanes for us to retreat into the darkness. 

The darkness can be used to confront our own demons, rising from the ashes in the process, represented by the pheonix or by Sri Garuda (pictured).

Fearing the darkness, we may take action to break free from negative thoughts through disciplines which strengthen the mind. Mars' exaltation during this new Moon in Scorpio is a time to find this inner resolve, and to take the steps needed to find inner strength. 

Be still. 


OM TAT SAT

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