REMINDER

New Moons and Full Moons often influence us for the 3 days before and 3 days after the actual event.

New Moon at 11° of Sagittarius

Monday, December 2, 2013, 4:22 p.m. PST
Monday, December 2, 2013, 7:22 p.m. EST
Tuesday, December 3, 2013, 12:22 a.m. GMT

In the Pacific Time Zone, the New Moon will occur at 4:22 p.m. on Monday, December 2. This New Moon finds the Moon and Sun in conjunction (0°) at 11° of Sagittarius. To further clarify how this New Moon will impact you on a personal level, locate 11° of Sagittarius in your birth/natal chart. The issues associated with that house are going to be most influenced by this New Moon’s presence.

A New Moon in Sagittarius is often a time filled with enthusiasm and adventure. Our attention is drawn to the future; and when “reality” is impressed upon us, we often feel tied down and resentful. We want the freedom to explore new things, dream big, and move beyond current limitations and boundaries. High hopes are to be expected now, and it’s totally appropriate to raise them given the influence of the New Moon in Sag and many other supportive aspects occurring during the New Moon and in the days following this lunar event.

Brainstorming is a healthy expression of this buoyant occasion, and out-of-the-box thinking is amplified because the Sun and Moon are trine (120°) innovative Uranus. It’s fine to leave practicality behind for a time. If we permit ourselves to start looking beyond our current narrow perceptions, we might catch a glimpse of a brighter tomorrow, which can help us resolve individual and collective challenges. Yes, with Uranus fanning the flames of fiery Sag optimism, there is a risk that we could go too far and move into the land of unrealistic illusions. The reality is that some of what we come up with now will not take root, but remember that it only takes one acorn to grow a mighty oak!

This New Moon in Sagittarius closely squares (90°) the asteroid Chiron. We are being urged to heal by seeing beyond the beliefs that mire us in unhealthy behaviors. Although we are living our daily life on the Earth plane, we are now being reminded that it’s important to find a healthy balance between our human existence and our spiritual connections. To heal means to become whole, and humanity often is wounded by the original separation from the Divine. At this time, Chiron in Pisces is facilitating our remembrance that we are spiritual beings, which widens our capacity for empathy, forgiveness, and unconditional love, both for ourselves and others. Chiron in Pisces reminds us that we may learn through pain, but we heal through love.

Sagittarius is the sign most associated with our perception of truth and meaning. What we believe is influenced by our family-of-origin, teachers, religious upbringing, and culture. Due to these influences, we each have a set of beliefs about what is right and wrong, good and bad, possible and impossible. Our beliefs are largely unconscious, but this New Moon in Sagittarius is asking us to examine our assumptions and motivations. You might ask yourself questions such as: What do I believe? What do I know? What is my purpose? Does my life reflect my philosophy?

Adding further emphasis to this nudge to assess our beliefs is the fact that Jupiter, the ruler of Sagittarius, is currently traveling in retrograde in Cancer (November 6, 2013 through March 6, 2014). Our attention is turned inward toward reassessing our beliefs and revising our priorities. It’s a good time to review projects to make sure that they reflect our true values and desires. We may also see that additional education of some kind would support our growth and development. Given that the backward movement of Jupiter is through Pisces (a water sign), it is also a time when we’ll probably be reflecting on what we need in order to maintain a healthy body and emotional life.

As mentioned above, some important aspects bare mentioning, as well as movement of certain planets into new signs:

Just a reminder of something I mentioned in the last Moon Update. A few days before the New Moon in Sagittarius (on Saturday, November 30), a wonderful trine (120°) will occur between the Sun and Uranus. As I explained in that Update,

Flexibility is the key to using this energy in positive ways. A unique idea or approach may suddenly become apparent, and creative changes or amazing discoveries are possible. The day before, during, and after this transit, we should take advantage of any unusual, unconventional, or unexpected opportunities. We may be surprised at the benefits we reap from these! Whether it’s doing something entirely new or simply an adventure in self-discovery, this transit stimulates fresh and lively energy in our lives.

Right after the New Moon, Mercury will sextile (60°) Mars on Tuesday, December 3. Communication will be on overdrive now, but in clever and enjoyable ways. Conversations will be infused with fresh perspectives, and we may find smarter ways to work. Even if we disagree, our differences will be more tolerable, and we may create new connections with regard to work and other practical matters.

On Wednesday, December 4, Mercury joins the Sun in Sagittarius. This will help us see far beyond the visible horizon and will again support a lighthearted approach to any disagreements. The enthusiasm of so much Sag energy can lead to big ideas. Mercury in Sag can pump up conversations and thoughts with enthusiasm, and we can look at any problems more objectively. The only warnings between now and when Mercury moves into Capricorn on December 25 are (a) to be cautious of overstatement and overpromising and (b) to remember that words can cause unnecessary wounds if not carefully thought through before speaking them aloud.

On Friday, December 6, an imaginative Mercury-Neptune square (90°) might add some tenderness to soften opinions with compassion. But it is also possible that fantasies could be presented as facts. Therefore, this isn’t the best time to trust that we are hearing, seeing, and perceiving the facts clearly. Take a day or two to think about it before taking action on new ideas. Upcoming aspects will help us accurately discern between fact and fiction.

Luckily, on Saturday, December 7, Mars moves into gracious Libra, which will help us use our enthusiasm to build alliances. Mars in Libra typically takes the edge off anger, and often will bring peace to existing relationships. It is also a good time to connect with new people. With this placement, the only caution would be to avoid denying our needs in order to “keep the peace,” because this could lead to passive-aggressive behavior, resentment, and misunderstandings. The anecdote is to be honest with ourselves about our needs and feelings so they don’t come out sideways in our relationships with others.

On Tuesday, December 10, a brilliant trine (120°) between Mercury and Uranus will spur even more bright ideas and innovative thinking, especially during meetings or in groups. Activities involving computers, science, and math are also highlighted. Unexpected gains are possible, and our intuition will be strong. Original, creative ideas may seem to come “out of the blue.”

Then we are all in for a treat. The second in a series of three beautiful trines (120°) between expansive Jupiter and realistic Saturn will provide the perfect blend between inspiration and common sense, along with the clarity and commitment that is necessary to make solid long-term plans. The first of three trines between these planets occurred on July 17, 2013, and the next one will be on May 24, 2014. This slow moving aspect will be exact on Thursday, December 12, but it will be felt for several days before and after this date. This beautiful alignment is coming after a 10-day period of innovative ideas, and it will provide us with a good balance between aspirations and reality. We will be able to separate the wheat from the chaff, and we are being supported in establishing a solid foundation for constructing a wonderful future. Problem-solving should come more easily with this favorable alignment between two of the most strategic planets.

This New Moon in Sagittarius is asking us to explore and affirm our beliefs, values, and philosophy of life. New ideas will be “popping” out of the proverbial woodwork during the next two weeks, and there is wonderful support for being able to convert at least some of these ideas into actual long-term plans. Throughout this process, it is important to look inward and explore what might be keeping us from living our truth or what might be hindering us from shining brighter. Remember, “We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our privilege and our adventure to discover our own special light.” (E. M. Dunbar)

THIS BLOG POST WAS WRITTEN BY

Anne Reith, Ph.D. (www.AnneReith.com)
INFORMATION TAKEN FROM

The Mountain Astrologer (magazine)
Various online sources (e.g., http://www.cafeastrology.com)

REMINDER

New Moons and Full Moons often influence us for the 3 days before and 3 days after the actual event.

Full Moon at 26° of Taurus
Sunday, November 17, 2013, at 7:15 a.m. PST
Sunday, November 17, 2013, at 10:15 a.m. EST
Sunday, November 17, 2013, at 3:15 p.m. GMT

In the Pacific Time Zone (PST), the Moon will be full at 7:15 a.m. on Sunday, November 17. With this Full Moon, the Sun in Scorpio will be in opposition (180°) to the Moon in Taurus. To further clarify how this Full Moon will impact you on a personal level, locate 26° of Scorpio and 26° of Taurus in your birth/natal chart. The issues associated with those two houses are going to be most impacted by this Full Moon’s presence.

Although the intensity of Scorpio’s influence and the ongoing Uranus/Pluto squares (90°) are still present, this Full Moon in Taurus will feel much calmer than the recent New Moon in Scorpio & Solar Eclipse (November 3, 2013) and the Full Moon in Aries & Lunar Eclipse (October 18, 2013) that preceded it. But all Full Moons do require finding balance between seemingly opposing qualities and areas of our lives:

The Sun is in Scorpio at the time of this Full Moon. Scorpio is the sign of intensity, passion, depth, determination, transformation, and healing. This may be a time when we see a metamorphosis in our basic identity so we are more aligned with our life purpose. The key word here is “power”! We will need to learn how to recognize where our power lies (we all have it!) and then learn (or refine) how to control and use our power to master situations around us.
The Moon is in Taurus, and Taurus is the sign that is down to Earth, responsible, reliable, patient, loyal, and cautious. The Moon typically enjoys its stay in Taurus. Although, this may be a time when we feel a bit of resistance to making decisions (Taurus is a fixed sign); once we make that decision, it will usually be well-thought out. At this time, we feel an emotional connection to anything that we feel is beautiful or that brings us comfort and security. Our artistic or romantic sides will shine. However, this can also be a time when we feel a very strong need for stability, safety, and security. There is nothing wrong with this, but other astrological aspects now are encouraging all of us to be flexible and embrace change (see later aspects). Being as adaptable as possible will make the next two weeks a more enjoyable time period than if we dig in our heels and resist.

With this Full Moon in Taurus, we are being asked to find a balance between the needs of the Taurus Moon (e.g., security, finances) and the Scorpio Sun (e.g., personal values, transformation). This does not mean that we should ignore one side or the other. In order to navigate this Full Moon and reap its benefits, we will need to address both sides and find a balance. For many of us, this will require that we seek balance between transformation (Scorpio) and accepting things as they are (Taurus).

But as I said, Scorpio’s energy is very prominent now because the Sun, Mercury, the North Node, and Saturn are all in this intense sign. As we discussed last month, Scorpio is all about digging deep and going into the shadows to find what needs to be healed. This could mean exploring those issues that are running below the level of our awareness . . . those issues that are subconsciously influencing us in often not-so-positive ways. Scorpio’s ultimate intent is healing and transformation, and this often comes through facing our fears and our inner gremlins.

The Full Moon in Taurus is also a time when we are asked to make adjustment in our relationship to the physical world. We need to be neither too attached nor too dissociated from the material plane of our Earthly existence. Taurus is ruled by Venus, which means that we need to explore what makes us truly happy. We also are being asked to think about how we can develop our talents and self-esteem so we can truly embrace our ability to manifest what we want and need in the world.

At the time of the Full Moon in Taurus, Venus squares (90°) Uranus and conjoins (0°) Pluto. Having the planet of love and relationships enter into the mix of the ongoing Uranus/Pluto squares (90°) means that we are being pushed toward redefining the rules of partnership. This will likely include emphasizing the need for cooperation, ingenuity, integrity, and the healthy use of power.

Following the Full Moon in Taurus, there are several other aspects that will be influencing us during the next two weeks:

On Tuesday, November 19, a very productive sextile (60°) occurs between Mars and Jupiter. This aspect is a special gift! But as with all sextiles, we have to make the conscious decision to use this energy . . . or lose it. It’s easy to ignore or overlook the opportunities offered by a sextile, and we have several sextiles occurring during the next 2 weeks (see below). With this sextile, we can easily use the energy of Mars and the enthusiasm of Jupiter to begin a new endeavor or finally make progress on that “big” task that we’ve been avoiding. The only warning is that we don’t overdo it, although holding ourselves back may be challenging today!
The next day (Wednesday, November 20), another sweet sextile (60°) between Mercury and Pluto will help us accurately perceive any situation. This influence will provide us with more insight and psychological understanding than usual. Our minds can focus on critical details, and we can also communicate a great deal in just a few words. We can be patient and strategic in any decision-making.
On Thursday, November 21, the Sun moves out of Scorpio and into light-hearted, adventure seeking Sagittarius. Can I hear an “Amen!” about this?! With so many planets recently in Scorpio (and the added emphasis of the eclipses and the Uranus/Pluto square), I think we all will be grateful for the breath of fresh air that Sag brings. We may find that in the coming weeks, our focus will shift to a need to reach out to the world and connect with something larger than ourselves in an ethical and possibly educational way. We feel ready now to expand our horizons and possibly incorporate new ways of thinking into our lives. Optimism, hope, and faith are much more likely to be present than in the past few weeks.
On Saturday, November 23, Venus sextiles (60°) Saturn. We will want to find order, maturity, and stability within our relationships. A new sense of realism in existing partnerships is present, but we may not feel like overtly expressing our emotions at this time. Business partnerships can benefit because they often require a great deal of maturity in order to survive. We may experience support coming in the form of people from our past, older persons, or even authority figures.
Then on Sunday, November 24, a square (90°) between the Sun and Neptune can either confuse the heck out of us or inspire us with fresh hopes and dreams. It’s like magical fairy dust is being scattered over our lives, which can be either delightful or unwelcome, depending on how we use it. It’s not a day when we will feel too energized. This is a good time to take a much-needed break, focus on artistic or spiritual pursuits, or help someone in need, which will likely be very rewarding. But regardless of what we are doing, be aware that we may have insights into problems or issues that “come out of the blue.” Jot these flashes of intuition down so you evaluate them later to see if they are realistic and have the energy to take action on the ideas that make sense.
On Monday, November 25, Mercury conjoins (0°) Saturn. As with all aspects, this energy can be expressed in constructive or not-so-constructive ways. With this aspect, the lower expression would be to become highly skeptical or critical. When used in a more productive way, this aspect can help us work through the details that can lead to magical solutions. Our ability to focus and concentrate is enhanced, but we might need to go off by ourselves in order to think or work effectively. We will want to see tangible results come out of our ideas, and this might be a good day to start a new project that involves communication (e.g., speaking, writing, teaching).
And yet another sextile (60°) occurs on the morning of Wednesday, November 27, this time between Mercury and Venus. Today, our words will be diplomatic, charming, and gracious. This is a good time to deal with negotiations, business deals, writing, teaching, public relations, and any joint ventures. Tender conversations and delicate words melt resistance to intimacy. And a trine (120°) between Mercury and Jupiter later in the day will support us in expanding our thinking and enhancing any form of expressive communication.
The next day (Thursday, November 28), which is the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, an opposition (180°) between Venus and Jupiter can make it a challenging time if we are unaware of the energies involved. Disappointments are likely if we allow our expectations to be too high. We also may find it difficult to find a healthy balance between our responsibilities and our personal desires. But we will likely be in a social mood and open to experiencing new and different things! The trick to successfully navigating the day will be moderation in all things (e.g., appetite, activities, expectations).
Finally, on Saturday, November 30, we end the month with an absolutely fabulous trine (120°) between the Sun and Uranus. Flexibility is the key to using this energy in positive ways. A unique idea or approach may suddenly become apparent, and creative changes or amazing discoveries are possible. The day before, during, and after this transit, we should take advantage of any unusual, unconventional, or unexpected opportunities. We may be surprised at the benefits we reap from these! Whether it’s doing something entirely new or simply an adventure in self-discovery, this transit stimulates fresh and lively energy in our lives.

This Full Moon in Taurus is asking us to find a healthy balance between our material pursuits and our inner healing. It is also reminding us that exploring the depths of our psyches (Scropio) can be an easier journey if we remember to stop occasionally and enjoy the simplicity and sensuality of our physical worlds (Taurus). We are also being asked to examine the contrast between self-interest and sharing, with the goal of more gracefully moving along the line between what’s mine (Taurus) and ours (Scropio). Many of us can sense that many big changes are coming (or are already here), and later this month, the movement of the Sun into Sagittarius and a series of mostly positive, supportive aspects (i.e., sextiles, trines) will bring more light, ideas, and happiness into our worlds. During times of change, it’s important to remember that, “Don’t be afraid to change. You may lose something good, but you may gain something better.” (Unknown)

THIS BLOG POST WAS WRITTEN BY

Anne Reith, Ph.D. (www.AnneReith.com)

INFORMATION TAKEN FROM

The Mountain Astrologer (magazine)
Various online sources (e.g., http://www.cafeastrology.com)

REMINDER

New Moons and Full Moons often influence us for the 3 days before and 3 days after the actual event.
New Moon at 12° of Libra

Sunday, November 3, 2013, 4:49 a.m. PDT
Sunday, November 3, 2013, 7:49 a.m. EST
Sunday, November 3, 2013, 12:49 p.m. GMT
In the Pacific Time Zone, the New Moon will occur at 4:49 a.m. on Sunday, November 3. This New Moon finds the Moon and Sun in conjunction (0°) at 12° of Scorpio. To further clarify how this New Moon will impact you on a personal level, locate 12° of Scorpio in your birth/natal chart. The issues associated with that house are going to be most influenced by this New Moon’s presence.

OK, this is a big one! During the time of this New Moon in Scorpio and in the days immediately afterward, we will be dealing with a Solar Eclipse, the fourth of seven exact squares (90°) between Uranus and Pluto, and four planets changing sign or direction. That’s a lot of astrological energy coming our way, so I’ll do my best to break it down into manageable chunks of information.

New Moons are always times when we can set new intentions and start fresh in the areas associated with the sign. This New Moon is in the sign of Scorpio, which is a fixed water sign. Some of the key words for Scorpio are intense, deep, determined, investigating, transforming, passionate, healing . . . and did I say intense?! Yes, the Scorpio energy is hard to ignore, and its lower expressions (e.g., secretiveness, jealousy, intolerance) sometimes give this astrological sign a “bad rap.”

This New Moon in Scorpio is also a full Solar Eclipse. As we discussed in the Full Moon in Aries & Lunar Eclipse (October 18, 2013), all eclipses occur at the time of a New or Full Moon, and they intensify the importance of the cheek-to-cheek dance occurring between the Sun and Moon. As the stream of cosmic energy is blocked off, we are being given an opportunity to allow the old patterns and level of consciousness to more easily move out of our lives and new pathways and possibilities to become apparent.

Solar Eclipses often are times when we feel drawn to turn inward to reflect on our emotions, and a focus on our emotions is likely given this eclipse is occurring in the watery, emotional sign of Scorpio. We are being asked to become aware of our fears, desires, and expectations that no longer serve us. This is an opportunity to gain some control over our instinctive responses. Solar Eclipses also tend to mark the completion of a major phase in our lives that is often associated with a time 19 years ago when a Solar Eclipse occurred close to the same degree as this one. If you can, think back to November 3, 1994. What was important in your life then? What are you being drawn toward now?

Further intensifying the energy and importance of this New Moon and Solar Eclipse is the presence of Mercury, the North Node, and Saturn, all of which closely conjoin (0°) the Sun and Moon in Scorpio. Additionally, both Mars and Pluto form sextiles (60°) to this New Moon, and sextiles are like a sweet offering of support from the stars. All of this could mean that we find we are ready to face our fears (Pluto) and move forward to learn important life lessons (North Node). It could also mean that we can take action (Mars) to talk about (Mercury) what is truly important to us. And the fact that the sign of Scorpio and Scorpio’s ruler Pluto is so heavily emphasized, it is likely that our actions (Mars) and words (Mercury) will somehow be focused on our relationship to power (Pluto) and how to use it in a responsible way (Saturn). Saturn’s presence also means that we may be asked to face the consequences of our past actions and develop self-mastery going forward. So we may find that we are ready to deal with some unfinished business, or we may begin to see how we can better maximize our resources and eliminate obstacles.

It is important to note that two days before the New Moon (Friday, November 1), Pluto (the ruler of Scorpio) forms its fourth of seven exact squares (90°) to Uranus. Although this ongoing dance between Uranus and Pluto will continue into 2015, the square that occurs in the middle of a series of squares (i.e., 4th of 7) is often considered to be a very important turning point in the issues involved. The fact that it is occurring during the time of the New Moon and Solar Eclipse demands our attention. Many individuals and our society are undergoing significant changes right now, and often these changes involve taking actions to increase our sense of freedom (Uranus in Aries) by transforming structures in our lives (Pluto in Capricorn). These are significant changes, and they will take time to coalesce. Now that we have reached the midpoint in the sequence of seven squares, we may have a clearer picture of the next stage in our own and in humanity’s evolution.

On this same day (Friday, November 1), a series of supportive aspects provides us with the help we need to take that next indicated step on our evolutionary path. Mercury (which is in retrograde) backs over (0°) the Sun, while both the Sun and Mercury form sextiles (60°) to Pluto, and Mercury is also sextile (60°) to Mars. All of these wonderful aspects will assist us in gaining clarity, taking time for introspection, and engaging in heartfelt communication. The increased self-awareness afforded to us by these aspects can aid us in knowing what we need to change or what we need to do next because we can more accurately assess the risks involved. At this time, we will also find it easier to ignore irrelevant distractions and concentrate on critical matters.

As mentioned above, four planets change signs or direction in the days following this New Moon in Scorpio and Solar Eclipse:

Starting things off, Venus begins a month-long stay in earthy Capricorn on Tuesday, November 5. This placement provides many of us with a feeling of competence, greater financial self-control, and increased maturity in our relationships. Rewards now are more likely to come to those who can be persistent. For example, partnerships will likely improve with effort.
On Wednesday, November 6, Jupiter begins its annual retrograde period, and it will not turn direct until March 6, 2014. As it moves backward through the sign of Cancer, we are being asked to inwardly reflect on our long-term goals and to spend time exploring our emotions, needs, and roots that may impact these goals. Adding weight to Jupiter’s change in direction is a conjunction (0°) between the Sun and Saturn on the same day. By combining responsibility (Saturn) with our personal power (Sun), we are being given an opportunity to more carefully manage our growth once Jupiter begins moving direct again. We are also being given more light (Sun) by which to clearly see what activities might need to be eliminated in order to attend to our highest priorities.
Then on Sunday, November 10, Mercury ends its final retrograde period of 2013. Information should begin to flow more freely, and we will likely encounter fewer problems with communication, travel, and technology. If we have spent the last three weeks thinking about some new ideas, we may be more ready to voice them in the days and weeks to come.
On Wednesday, November 13, Neptune ends its yearly retrograde period and begins moving forward again. This means that what we’ve been dreaming about for the past few months can now come to the surface. As Neptune changes direction, it’s in close trine (120°) to Mercury, which may help us to more clearly communicate to others what those dreams are. We may also find that we feel a sense of freedom regarding our ability to express ourselves through our intuition, creativity, and imagination.
One final note: Toward the end of the next two weeks, a series of aspects will influence our relationships, perhaps profoundly. On Thursday, November 14, Venus will square (90°) Uranus; and then on Friday, November 15, Venus will conjoin (0°) Pluto. Venus is the planet of love, Uranus the planet of awakening, and Pluto the planet of transformation. Within our relationships with others and even within our relationships with ourselves, unmet needs or needs that we didn’t even know existed may rise into conscious awareness. In order to use these aspects positively, we need to turn this awareness of lack into positive action. This is a time when we need to recognize that our personal patterns and preferences can and do change over time. Therefore, we may need different things at this time in our lives in order to be satisfied. Within our relationships with others, this energy can be productively used to revitalize an existing relationship and discover new pleasures. Another positive use of this energy is to dig deeply into our underutilized talents and resources, which may help us discover ways to get our needs met.

Overall, this New Moon in Scorpio is asking us to courageously move forward on our spiritual paths. And given the New Moon and Solar Eclipse are happening so close to the fourth of seven exact squares (90°) between Uranus and Pluto, it is highly recommended that you take this opportunity to move to the next level in your soul’s evolution. As we fully own our power and authority, we may find that certain structures in our lives and in society may need to be altered or even completely revamped . . . and this will take courage. As was so beautifully stated by Julia Butterfly Hill, “It’s not possible to be courageous if you are not afraid. Courage doesn’t happen without fear; it happens in spite of fear. The word courage derives from “coeur,” the French word for heart. True courage happens only when we face our fear and choose to act anyway, out of love.”

INFORMATION TAKEN FROM

The Mountain Astrologer (magazine)
Various online sources (e.g., http://www.cafeastrology.com)
Anne’s interpretations (www.annereith.com)