Graciously Releasing Control of What No Longer Works
November is a month of introspection and revisioning. A number of retrogrades instigate this need for reflection and in many cases, release.
The proverbial Mercury retrograde of the season begins on Nov 9th in Sagittarius and terminates on the 29th in Scorpio. The dance between the two signs has us questioning our beliefs and assumptions and if necessary addressing the underlying cause for such views. Scorpio provides the emotional depth and willingness to tackle buried feelings which Sagittarius (on the other side, when direct) will provide proper context and perspective. Ideally, we gain wisdom after going through the dark night of the soul.
But of course, Scorpio season, along with Mars in Sag, heralds romantic adventures and future-tripping fantasies. Even in these dreary and worrisome times courtesy of Saturn in Pisces, we require some brightness and sizzle and this month offers ample opportunities for both.
Uranus, the planet related to innovation, change and chaos, will retrograde back into Taurus for the last time in its 8 yr cycle. We have had to rethink our relationship to money and security as well as how we treat out bodies and the environment. Consider where your life was upended since 2018 and notice the progress and potential freedom that has evolved since you let go of old attachments and assumptions.
Jupiter retrogrades in Cancer on Nov 11th and here we get to redefine what family means. The holidays are Jupiterian times,courtesy of Sagittarius, and generosity and even a bit of extravagance are warranted. This year it is especially beneficial to bring together friends and family for meals and other intimate gatherings.
Saturn turns direct in Pisces on Nov 29th and it, along with Neptune in Pisces, are forming the conjunction that will result in a new world in 2026 (when they move into Aries).
Saturn in Pisces has been revealing the lessons or delusions of the last 2 1/2 years as well as possibly the last 15 years when Neptune has been travelling in its sign of dreams, fantasies, illusion, disillusionment. It's late in the game now and we must get real about the relationships, situations and goals for our lives. Which ones are tenable and which ones are no longer viable (if they ever were)? Mourn the past but be willing to move forward in a dramatic fashion next year. These are karmic times and we must get on the wheel of transformation or risk following our true destiny.
Sun in Scorpio then Venus into Scorpio Nov 7th (squares Pluto Nov 8th)
emotionally turbulent or delectable times
November is always a steamy month with some of the personal planets traveling through the sign of Scorpio. Of course, we celebrate with Halloween or Day of the Dead and while entertaining, do we fully embrace the nature of Scorpio which is to transform darkness into light or pain into knowledge?
We get a taste of intense pleasure or passion (or the wrong type of attraction) when Venus moves into Scorpio on Nov 7th and immediately squares Pluto. Power dynamics, triangulation, the allure of the sexy stranger are all possibilities at this time.
And while the outer planets are in a funereal mode, we certainly can have a bit of intrigue and frisson in this area of life:
ARIES - meeting a sexy stranger, likely from online or through friends
TAURUS - you'd like some private time with your honey, but work may interfere
GEMINI - a work fling is possible, are you on the same wavelength?
CANCER - the romance is intriguing, but financial security is even sexier
LEO - your sex life gets a jump start, who's in charge?
VIRGO - there's attraction nearby, do they share a similar lifestyle?
LIBRA - right now, money is hotter than romance, which may be complicated
SCORPIO -you are an attraction magnet this season, but does this cause problems at home?
SAGITTARIUS - you are in a transcendent moment, but others want to bring you down to earth
CAPRICORN - someone is interested in you online, but you feel the need to focus on making money instead
AQUARIUS - you're getting support from highers up, they like you, but are you your own worst enemy?
PISCES - there is a hot foreigner circling around you but you feel some moral obligation to remain chaste
Mercury retrograde 6 Sag. Nov 9th
what else do I need to learn?
Sagittarius is the sign related to knowledge and wisdom and when Mercury, the planet of the mind, retrogrades there, we may be seeking the answer to "larger than life" questions.
Sag is also ecumenicalism and acceptance of diversity of culture and of thought. How can I expand my vision to handle this issue more optimistically?
Mercury will start out its retrograde in Sag and then move into Scorpio on and will turn direct end of the month. In that period, we may have to dive deep into emotional territory to get at the core of the issue. Brought into the light and fire, the hurt, pain, secrets and abandonment issues can be healed.
Where will you be mentally travelling to mine precious material for a greater knowledge of self?
ARIES - revisiting your childhood religious or cultural conditioning
TAURUS - looking into how your intimate relationships have changed when money comes into the picture?
GEMINI - did a high school episode affect your view of marriage and relationships?
CANCER - noticing how emotional and physical health are interconnected
LEO - how did your childhood shape your view of family and parenting?
VIRGO - was mom too loose or adventurous and pushed you before you were ready?
LIBRA - do you rely on friends' opinion of you to affect your self esteem?
SCORPIO - does money or lack thereof determine your self worth?
SAGITTARIUS - has your optimism been dimmed because of previous betrayal and abandonment?
CAPRICORN - you may have a trusting soul but do others play by your moral rules?
AQUARIUS - you love adventures and freedom but have these impeded your career progress?
PISCES - you have big ideas about your career but it's possible that negative feedback undermines your success
Uranus retrograde in Taurus last time Nov 9th
updating our value systems
We are in betwixt and between the old world fading and a new world coming into view. Among the many outerplanetary transits, many at their last degree and hence highly potent, is Uranus retrograding back into Taurus for the last time on Nov 9th. Since 2018, the planet of innovation, chaos and abrupt change has been travelling through the sign related to values, security and the environment. As we have witnessed, these areas of life have undergone rapid advances or destruction. Primary among values in our lives is the role of money and with the advent of crypto currency and digital cbdc, the traditional stores of value have been changing. At the same time, gold, the safeguard against inflation has gained popularity as a vehicle for investment.
The devaluing of our fiat currency places all of us in a more risky future scenario and it is hard to determine what the upcoming years hold in terms of financial security and opportunities for steady and secure employment.
The environment has been an area of concern for decades but acceleration of climate collapse, exacerbated by geoengineering, is transforming the earth (for the worse) as we speak. Not to mention the ubiquitous rise of data centers that suck up energy at a rate previously unimagined. Will water and electricity be in short supply for huimans due to the encroachment of AI in towns across the nation?
Lastly, we may have individually been reevaluating what we believe to be important to life and changed our goals accordingly or sometimes seemingly due to outer circumstances. We've reached peak material consumption so where will be go from here on a planet of diminishing resources?
Regeneration and reeducation in all areas is necessary and in this regard, once Uranus goes into Gemini, we may be retraining our minds and modes of communication and develop new communities of like-mindedness or mode of learning.
In this last re-immersion into the world of the body, the senses, the material plane, can we reset our personal goals and consumption habits to meet the coming decade.
Where have you felt the strongest impetus to change values?
ARIES - in regard to how you make money and "sell" your talents
TAURUS - in reinventing your personal presentation of self
GEMINI - in addressing karmic issues of poverty and insecurity
CANCER - in selecting your social group, who aligns with your current value system?
LEO - in developing a new career path
VIRGO - in your philosophical, religious or political points of view
LIBRA - in your shared finances and investments
SCORPIO - in how you envision relationships
SAGITTARIUS - regarding your health and lifestyle
CAPRICORN - in reigniting creative passion, with your children's lives
AQUARIUS - in your family and homelife
PISCES - in your peer group and media consumption
Jupiter retrograde in Cancer Nov 11th
pause and take stock in spending
Jupiter the planet of benevolence and expansion, is exalted in the sign of Cancer. This signifies a natural area of happiness and growth. Clearly, if we do not give birth literally or figuratively to family or emotional security, we will not survive as a human race.
In more mundane terms, Jupiter in Cancer is very fortuitous for real estate purchases or finding a residence where you truly feel at home. (Of course, real estate is specific to location so not everyone will find the home of their dreams but can at least begin to understand what brings a feeling of security and family.
While Jupiter in any motion, forward or retrograde is positive, the retrograde may bring pause to our spending habits or a reconsideration of how we manage our home life.
It can be a time to renegotiate contracts or reconnect with friends and family, perfect for the upcoming holiday season.
The fact that the world is changing so rapidly will likely make us sentimental for childhood or celebratory gatherings and this season inviting friends for dinner or refreshments will be greatly appreciated.
If you're in business, a holiday party is in order if your budget allows.
While Jupiter is retrograde until mid March 2026, where can we reengage with family, revisit old memories or express gratitude for the blessing of home and hearth?
ARIES - in finding happiness in your home
TAURUS - in reveling in solid friendships
GEMINI - in appreciating your skills and facility with money
CANCER - this is your time, you can feel confident in your choices past and present
LEO - in feeling connected to divine providence
VIRGO - in finding comfort in like-minded groups, even if they are virtual
LIBRA - in appreciating your career path
SCORPIO - in falling back to your belief in the universe
SAGITTARIUS - in valuing intimacy or financial security
CAPRICORN - in recognizing the beauty of your relationship
AQUARIUS -in giving thanks for improved health
PISCES - in recognizing your inherent creativity
Mercury direct in Scorpio Nov 29th
greater emotional depth
The planetary pileup at the end of the month include Mercury turning direct on Nov 29th along with Saturn turning direct in Pisces and Sun moving into Sagittarius on the same day.
While these are relatively small movements in comparison to the larger outerplanetary stations and transits, the fact that Mercury and Saturn turning direct simultaneously adds more seriousness to our thoughts and commitments.
What are we now convinced that we must deepen ties with?
ARIES - a trusted partner
TAURUS - our significant other
GEMINI - our workload and coworkers
CANCER - our children
LEO - our home life
VIRGO - our friends and community
LIBRA - our work ethic
SCORPIO - trusting ourselves
SAGITTARIUS - universal forces
CAPRICORN - a valued goal
AQUARIUS - our career path
PISCES - our spiritual path
Saturn direct in Pisces Nov 29th
the final release of the past
Last month, Neptune planet of dreams, illusions, the all moved back into Pisces for the last time. At the end of this month, Saturn will join him there in reviewing the last 2 1/2 years as well as the last 30 years of how we think the world works. If we have been out of alignment or working through trauma, this is a time of a rude awakening (you may have been feeling this all year). For others, there is a whistfulness and sadness for the old "innocent" you and the dreams and aspirations which never came to pass or did not fulfill as anticipated.
Yes, this is a bit of a sad moment and if we must mourn, this is a time to take stock and do so.
Addictions, delusions, seeing someone's potential vs their reality, these are all painful behaviors that do bring us to our needs. How could we not have seen it? What were we thinking? Why did I sacrifice so much for this person, place or ideal? Did I place someone on a pedestal and this can include a boss, a celebrity, a doctor, a priest, a president.
As with everything Saturn, karma and the past must be accepted and resolved or released. We are embarking on an entirely new path next year so it is imperative that we not bring this baggage forward with us.
However, at this point in time, we must "face reality" and bear the consequences of past decisions. That mature response will create the readiness to begin life anew in 2026 and beyond.
Where have you had to look at your life squarely in the face and deal with your fantasies and illusions?
ARIES - the victimization by family and the lineage
TAURUS - realizing you may have put faith in the wrong spiritual or political group/leader?
GEMINI - did you spend career time unwisely? Is this the right path for you?
CANCER - you may have realized that your family's values and advice were of no use or were deleterious to you
LEO - that your partner can save you financially
VIRGO - did you pick the wrong partner or avoided relationships altogether?
LIBRA - has your lifestyle helped or hurt you?
SCORPIO - have romantic fantasies been enough to sustain or fulfill you?
SAGITTARIUS - where do you really belong? who can you really depend on?
CAPRICORN - did you misinterpret your childhood or sibling dynamics?
AQUARIUS - have you trained correctly for a proper profession
PISCES - what are the costs of addictions or denial?
Mars in Sag Nov 6th then Sun in Sag Nov 29th
heated optimism
With all of the dirge like energy of anoretic (last degree) transits, the entrance of Mars and then the Sun into Sagittarius can be uplifting and future-focused.
Sagittarius is considered a lucky sign due to its ruler being Jupiter, but this may not always be the case, particularly if one has a strong Saturn imprint (which dampens the natural enthusiasm of the sign). But the luck of Sag may be more due to its ability to change course, seek better pastures and just go for it.
We can all access some of this heady risk-taking, especially during year end party celebrating.
If you can see the meaning of your life, you can accept the challenges and integrate them to propel you forward. Where can you alchemize this energy now yourself?
ARIES - in travel plans
TAURUS - in sexual encounters
GEMINI - in a one on one relationship
CANCER - revitalizing your health routine
LEO - igniting a new romance or creative project
VIRGO - bringing warmth and a touch of exoticism to your home
LIBRA - exploring the multicultural parts of town
SCORPIO - revealing your knowledge and skills to a potential employer
SAGITTARIUS - feeling free to be yourself, your birthday time is one of renewal
CAPRICORN - coping to feeling the need to escape once in a while
AQUARIUS - meeting new people, in person or online
PISCES - selling yourself and your work to a larger audience
The holidays this year may be particularly sentimental as we contemplate the loss of old relationships and dreams. Yet, a new world awaits us right around the corner should we be willing to release the past and peer courageously into the future. Enjoy this "last" season and recognize the fragility and fading of time while also gearing up for what will be a once in a lifetime accelerated leap forward come spring of 2026.