November begins with a Full Moon in Taurus on the 3rd, while Mars in Leo makes a difficult alignment. The Moon in Taurus wants to be sensual, indulgent, relaxed and to take its time, but Mars in Leo wants action, excitement, drama and to make instant progress. The Full Moon in Taurus says ’slow down’; yet Mars says ‘hurry up’. Throughout November we are challenged to be both slow and quick. In moving slowly we’re less likely to make hasty decisions and get tripped up by fate; yet moving too slowly might get us bogged.
The ’slow theme’ is emphasised on the 16th by Saturn meeting Pluto in challenging alignment. This ‘Saturn square Pluto’ alignment (which started climaxing late last month and will continue into next month) brings an intense negotiation between these two planetary archetypes that won’t fully conclude until August next year. It’s as if these two have entered into combat. The last time they were significantly aligned was back in 2001 when the world witnessed the collapse of the Twin Towers in the tragic September 11 event. Saturn represents the old ways – traditions, conventions and customs that give structure and stability. Saturn likes things to stay the same and appreciates the slow, persistent path to success.
Pluto represents the subliminal accumulation of all that has been building and gaining strength in unseen realms. When Pluto is active, sudden eruptions are possible. It’s interesting to note that the atomic bomb was devised in the years when Pluto was discovered (1930s). When Pluto says ‘I’ve had enough’, change tends to come quickly. We all experience this in ourselves when we blow up, as if our inner selves have detonated. Our inner ‘terrorists’ fight against any form of reality (Saturn) that we can no longer tolerate. I’m reminded of that scene from Monty Python in which the obese guy eats just one more mint and his stomach explodes. The mint represents Saturn (the reality) and the explosion represents Pluto (the final protest against the last indigestible bit of reality).
In a way, the world of the Muggles as depicted in ‘Harry Potter’ illustrates Saturn, and Hogwarts with its witches and wizards illustrates Pluto. For Pluto doesn’t explode only with darkness; it can also burst with light. The unseen world that Pluto rules has its Malfoys and Voldemorts to be sure, but also its Potters and Dumbledores. Each of us has our normal-Saturn-Muggle selves doing things the good old human way. But each of us also has our hidden-Pluto-selves. During this month’s Saturn-Pluto alignment we’re likely to learn more about what’s going on in our unseen selves. When pushed just that one bit further will the light or the dark erupt? Now I’m thinking of Neo in ‘The Matrix’ – when pushed beyond his normal limits, more and more light emerged from within him.
An example of the light-side of Pluto is found in the concept of planetary healing through the accumulated effect of global meditations or mass prayer. Pluto symbolises how intention and energy are used for transformation. We can use our ‘magic wands’ and be like Voldemort in intending outcomes that suit only our own needs, or we can be like Harry Potter and intend outcomes that are beneficial for all, including ourselves. When Saturn meets Pluto we witness intention manifesting. Of course, there is always subconscious intention; for example, soul contracts that we made before we were born. We might find that these enter our realities at this time. When Pluto is involved we can no longer ignore the deeper impulses of the soul or the subconscious. So this Saturn transit to Pluto is two-sided – one side forces us to stare the ugly side of reality in the face; the other invites us to embrace its magical side.
Interestingly, in October more was revealed about the previously unseen solar system when NASA announced it had discovered an extra ring around Saturn. How’s that for a Saturn-Pluto image of the unseen becoming manifest! At the far edge of the Saturnian system an enormous extra ring made of ice and dust particles became visible through a space telescope using infrared. This awakens the inspiring side of the Pluto archetype – glimpses into the mysteries of life and reminders that there is more to reality than meets the eye. There was another fascinating NASA discovery in October – a giant ribbon of ‘energetic neutral atoms’ in the heliosphere (the protective bubble of magnetism that surrounds our solar system) was picked up by the IBEX satellite’s sensors. This winding ripple within the magnetic bubble around our solar system has raised questions about the interaction between the border of our solar system (the heliosphere) and the rest of the galaxy.
In continuing the theme of magic, the triple alignment of Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune in Aquarius is revving up for its final appearance next month. On the 5th of this month, Neptune moves direct after being retrograde since May. Chiron moved direct on 31st October, as if preparing the way for Neptune, and on the 13th of last month Jupiter went direct. Both Neptune and Chiron travel side by side throughout November bringing immense healing opportunities, and Jupiter will catch up to them in December bringing even more positive cosmic assistance. This trio holds up the light for us while we feel our way through the intensities of Saturn-Pluto. Believe in miracles, call on angels, call on the power of love. All of these are ready and waiting – we simply need to ask for them. This alignment in Aquarius reminds me of oxygen masks in planes. We don’t have to wait for a crash to access them though – they’re there for us all the time. The oxygen is a metaphor for the cosmic grace and kindness that we often only reach for in an emergency. Yet the more we draw on cosmic sustenance daily, the less frazzled we are in emergencies.
Numerologically this is the month of 11:11:11. (i.e. 11th day of the 11th month of 2+0+0+9). Astrologically in the days around 11:11 (11th of November) every year the Sun is aligned with the part of the sky known as the Symplegades. In ancient Greek mythology, the Symplegades were two rocks on either side of a narrow sea passage that clashed together and smashed up ships and passengers trying to pass through. Jason and the Argonauts eventually defeated the Symplegades by letting a dove fly through the rocks before they attempted passage. They safely made it through the gap and their achievement peramanently stopped the Symplegades crashing. The Symplegades depict a common esoteric motif: the two pillars. In tarot decks we see these two pillars often, e.g. on the High Priestess, Justice and Moon cards. The Moon card is particularly reminiscent of the Symplegades. The scorpion-looking lobster on the Moon card has to transform itself out of its usual behaviours to get through the pillars.
At this time in history, humanity seems symbolically poised at the entrance to the Symplegades. On the day of 11:11 every year (notice how the numbers look like pillars on either side of a passage) we are reminded of the importance of preparing a ‘dove’ to fly through the rocks before us. Without sending a dove through first, humanity cannot pass through the pillars. In 2009 (2+0+0+9 = 11) we are particularly reminded to amp up our preparations. Doves represent peace. We need to be in a calm and peaceful state to make safe passage. Fear will not get us through. Yet with Saturn square Pluto this month, the opportunity for fear is increased. It’s important to remember that it’s as simple as changing our intention from dark to light to begin the process of calming ourselves into peaceful states that will steer us through ‘clashing rocks’.
On the 17th, the New Moon in Scorpio (Pluto’s ‘home’ zodiac sign) helps us deal with the difficulties of transformation. Does transformation from one state to the next have to be painful like the sting of the scorpion? Another symbol for Scorpio is the eagle, able to ‘raise its vibrations’ from fear to love. In one moment we might be like poisonous scorpions. In the next we can decide whether we like that stinging feeling, and if not, then gently raise our vibrations to a dove/eagle state.
On the one hand this month we have the stress of Saturn and Pluto smashing us about like the Symplegades; on the other hand we have the quiet magical persistence of Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune, all three now moving forward in unison bringing hope, healing, wonder and the soft touch of the wings of a dove.