November started with the planet of communication, Mercury, travelling backwards (retrograde). Whenever Mercury does its backwards stint (which is three times a year, for three weeks each time) we tend to experience networking mishaps. On the 18th, Mercury moves forward again, but until then we’ll need to remain patient with double-checking anything to do with communicating or connecting. Here’s some examples: arrangements for meetings, social events or other occasions; public transport timetables, taxi bookings, or plane departure/arrival times; email, phone or mail connections; electrical equipment faults, data entry hitches, contract signing hold-ups; and the list goes on - Mercury retrograde can be very imaginative!
This particular Mercury retrograde period stands out because on the 8th there is a rare Mercury transit of the Sun. If you’re interested, go to http://www.spaceweather.com/ to discover more. From an astrological point of view, this transit of Mercury across the face of the Sun offers a potent symbol of the need to ponder our life’s journey. Do we like the path we’re on? Are we following our bliss? It’s especially important to find ways to live each moment creatively and joyfully by making choices that follow our passion. ‘Yeah right!’ say Scorpio Mercury and Sun in unison! (Both Mercury and the Sun are in Scorpio at this time.) Initially Scorpio tends to see all the reasons why life is hard, painful, dark, doomed and dreadful! Yet Scorpio is the zodiac sign of powerful transformation. It teaches us how to turn ‘lead into gold’, and this is what we’re being asked to do at this time. As Mercury transits across the Sun we’ll be reminded of our purpose or, at the very least, encouraged to explore what our purpose might be by following what feels good, and walking away from what brings us down. It’s also an excellent day for awareness breakthroughs and ‘aha’ experiences.
The full moon on the 5th was in the middle degrees of Taurus, reminding us of the most basic of human issues - survival. Possible shortages of water, food and money have loomed large in our minds with recent awareness-raising over climate change. The fear of ‘lack’ or ‘not enough’ was activated by this moon, particularly the feeling of not being good enough. Wherever in our lives we feel lack, we are being encouraged to instead visualise abundance. Taurus is the zodiac sign of resilience, self-reliance and ‘all in good time’. The full moon prodded us to trust ourselves and realise we have all we need when we dig deep and discover our own resourcefulness, plus practice the art of patience.
November has a number of planets lined up in Scorpio, making it a month of intense inner reflection. We might go head-to-head with loved ones if we feel they aren’t respecting us. It’s a time to reclaim our power so that everyone can be empowered. It’s a time to celebrate the magic of intimacy and deep soul connections. If you find the Scorpio energy all a bit full-on, there’s a change of focus after the Scorpio new moon on the 21st. The very next day the sun and moon shift into Sagittarius and bring new ideals and visions. The day before the Scorpio new moon, Uranus, the planet of change, starts heading forward after five months of retrograde motion. And Neptune recently moved forward as well. In fact, for two weeks after this new moon every planet moves forward for the only time this year. So make the most of the last week of November and first week of December as the universe declares ‘all systems go!’
Finally Jupiter, the planet of abundance and good fortune, moves out of Scorpio and into Sagittarius on the 24th. This major shift of zodiac sign happens only once a year for Jupiter. So Sagittarians, it’s time for you to have Jupiter bring wonderful opportunities for the next twelve months. The other fire signs (Aries & Leo) will also benefit, and the air signs (Gemini, Libra & Aquarius) will be pretty darn happy about this too.