October has finally come to an end, and it had its share of challenges. Now we can look forward to a more positive month with Venus going direct and Mars leaving Capricorn, moving away from Ketu, the South Node. All relationships will get clarity and if you held off on making any decisions with respect to your relationships, then you will be in a much better frame of mind now to do so, especially with both the new moon and full moon both in Venus’ signs.
Venus Direct in Libra November 16 – January 1, 2019
During the first two weeks of November, Venus will be retrograde and sharing its space with the Sun. The Sun suffers from debilitated status while in Libra, and Venus’ presence there becomes the stronger force, by comparison. Normally in Libra, Venus would bring us together, but in its current retrograde position, we may be feeling less social and more withdrawn from others till November 16.
On November 16, Venus finally goes direct in Chitra, making this a favourable time to date, get engaged, or get married. Chitra is ruled by Mars. Mars remains a strong force in its own nakshatra all month, and in exaltation status till November 7. The ruling deity of this star is Vishvakarma, the celestial architect bestows the ability to create new things out of nothing. Chitra gives the ability to attract the opposite sex, making this a good time for socialising and dating.
In Libra, Venus teaches us to be fair in our politics and relationships. During this period, we can concentrate on creating a clean, fertile environment for our relationships with one another. This is also an auspicious time to undertake any new beauty regimens, change your appearance, add luxury items to your wardrobe, as well as your home.
Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn can especially benefit from this placement of Venus as transits in a kendra position from their sign and thus forms a Maha Purush, Malavaya yoga. All facets connected to Venus will get a boost, including sensual pleasures, relationships, luxury and material comforts. Aries can look forward to better relationships; Cancer can look forward to a more fulfilling domestic life; Libra can look forward to improved image, appearance, and vitality; and Capricorn can look forward to career, image improvements.
Mercury in Scorpio October 26 – January 1, 2019
Mercury spends a lot of time in Scorpio due to its retrograde cycle, which begins on November 16, the same day that Venus moves forward and Sun leaves Scorpio. It will begin retrograde motion at 20° Scorpio, reversing back toward Jupiter and Sun, reaching 4° Scorpio on December 6, 2018 and resuming direct motion.
Mercury in Scorpio is not in a friendly sign, but the flexibility of Mercury enables him to function well in many challenging situations. Mercury’s skills include being a quick and bright student, so this is a ripe opportunity to spend some significant time with the teacher, Jupiter. The retrograde portion of Mercury’s transit may bring back teacher-student connections or encourage us to review old lessons that may yield new and deeper meanings.
Mercury in Scorpio will receive the aspect of Rahu from Cancer, so this can always amplify, agitate, confuse or obscure the situation. It can also give our mind the intuitive power necessary to process and integrate all that we have learned due to Jupiter’s presence.
Mars Transits Aquarius November 5 – December 23
Mars entered his sign of exaltation, Capricorn, on May 2 and has been moving through Saturn’s sign for six months. Due to Ketu’s presence there, it has been an intense combination that has coloured much of the astrological weather of 2018.
Mars becomes exalted at 28° Capricorn, which he reaches finally on November 1-2. During the last two weeks of October, we may have experienced increased levels of drive, ambition and focus that Mars brings when in good dignity, but perhaps also some agitation and anger due to Ketu’s presence.
On November 5, Mars moves out of Capricorn, and away from the influence of the nodal axis which currently sees Rahu placed in Cancer and Ketu placed in Capricorn. The amplifying nature of Rahu has been boosting the fiery power of Mars during this entire transit through the summer and autumn months. We may feel a notable sense of release with Mars entering into Aquarius.
From Aquarius, Mars throws his energy to Taurus, Leo and Virgo, all signs that are currently vacant except for the passing of the Moon once per month. If these signs are prominent in your chart, they will benefit from the increased power of Mars affecting them through November and December.
New Moon in Vishaka, Jupiter’s nakshatra, on November 7
On November 7, at approx. 4 pm UTC, we have a new moon at 21 degrees Libra, in the nakshatra of Vishaka. Venus will also be in Libra and will join the Sun and Moon. This new moon does not receive any malefic aspects. Normally in Libra, Venus would bring us together, but in its current retrograde position, we may be feeling less social and more withdrawn from others till November 16.
Nakshatras, or star constellations, are passive forces, which need the planets to activate them. To reflect on the deeper meaning of life, it is vital to note the nakshatra placements as this will reveal the inner motivation of the planet that resides there. The nakshatra ruler of Vishaka is Jupiter and the ruler of Libra is Venus, both planets strongly placed, with Venus in its own sign.
Vishaka is a combination of its ruling deities, the mighty Indra and the purifying Agni. It is referred to as a nakshatra of purpose because it gives determination and a single-pointed focus. If you find yourself at crossroads at this point, once you choose a direction, Vishaka will give you the ambition, along with the patience to succeed.
One of the symbols of Vishaka is an arched gateway, which implies an entrance or a passage through something. The image of a gateway implies a passage from one state to another, so this could manifest in some way as we take significant next steps. This passage is also echoed in the movement of Mars from one sign to another, Capricorn to Aquarius, a day prior to this new Moon.
This new moon represents an ideal time to set new goals. We also have the outer planets, Neptune and Pluto, making harmonious links with this new moon. Be watchful of unnecessary spending and over-analysing relationships at this time, as Venus is impacting this new moon and is still in retrograde motion.
Sun Transits Scorpio November 16 – December 17
The Sun moves from its debilitation sign, Libra, to Scorpio on November 16, the same day that Venus goes direct. Sun feels comfortable in the sign of Scorpio, which is ruled by its friend, Mars. Here, it can express its energy with determination and focus.
Here, the Sun will join another friend, Jupiter, along with Mercury. Sun and Jupiter are friends, the planets that promote righteous behaviour, light and purity. This is a good time to light candles as a symbol of bringing light to places that have a natural deficiency of light. With light comes perception, the first step toward deeper understanding.
However, the Sun does receive the aspect of Rahu, the North Node, for its entire stay in Scorpio. So, this may create some instability; however, since Jupiter is present, it will mitigate the negative outcome. Especially beneficial at this time is to follow the advice and teachings of your own Guru, as this will bring immense benefits.
Saturn Moves into Purva Ashadha in Sagittarius on November 27
After months of retrograde motion, and the return to the nakshatra of Mula, Saturn resumes motion in the nakshatra of Purva ashadha at 13° Sagittarius. This is of course a big relief as Saturn’s departure from the fierce and destructive nakshatra of Mula is now officially over.
Saturn will stay in Purva Ashadha nakshatra for more than a year, till 26 December, 2019. Purva Ashadha is known as the invincible star, governed by the planet Venus. Venus and Saturn have a friendly relationship. The ruling deity, Apas, brings a strong connection with the element of water. Thus, Purvashadha is associated with fluidity and power. It is an auspicious star and under this nakshatra you would have the capacity to inspire others.
Purva Ashadha symbolises the devotional inspiration received from the root truth found in the previous constellation, Mula. It is symbolic of the river’s water rushing to merge with the ocean. It is at the heart of Sagittarius where there is a great desire to energise and invigorate our spirit to act upon our truth.
It is a great time for the following activities: facing issues which require courage; confronting enemies and opposition; reconciliations and forgiveness; settling debts; adventures including exploration into nature and sporting activities; traveling over water; visiting water places and activities connected to water; worshipping female goddesses; spiritual & occult initiations/attainments. It is also a very favourable time for marriage and sexual activity.
Of course you have to see what areas Saturn rules in your chart to determine that which will be affected. So for instance, if you are a Leo Rising, then Saturn’s rulership over the sixth and seventh house is the domain of life that will be impacted. And further, it is important to check which planets are in Purva Ashadha in your birthchart.
Full Moon in Taurus, in the nakshatra of Krittika, on November 23
In the early hours of November 23, the Moon becomes full in its sign of exaltation, at 6 degrees Taurus, at approx. 5:30 am UTC. The Sun is in Anuradha and the Moon is in the nakshatra of Krittika, ruled by the Sun.
In Vedic astrology, Krittika resides in the sign of Aries as well as Taurus. The name Krittika translates as, “one who cuts” and the symbol is a razor or sharp object. Thus, a critical nature with both creative and destructive tendencies is displayed by this star. Krittika is also represented by the element of fire as the presiding deity is Agni, the god of fire. The Sun is the ruling planet, which signifies fire and at the highest level, purification. Working on its highest vibration, this is a good time to detox and let go of any negativity.
The ruling planet of taurus, Venus, will be strongly placed in Libra and moving forward in the zodiac. This gives strength to this full Moon which is supportive of Venus-related matters such as creativity and relationship. Additionally, the Moon will be getting the direct gaze of Jupiter and Mercury who join the Sun and also from Mars who currently moves through Aquarius. Due to this strong push on the Moon, it may be wise to make plans that create a channel for the strong mental and emotional energy.
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