Unlike October, there is more clarity this month, once we past the first week. And from mid-November, we will get the support of Mars and Mercury to forge ahead as they both will be direct. The month ends with an emotional lunar eclipse in Taurus, ushering in potential for growth, especially with relationships.
Mercury Resumes Direct Motion on November 3
The final Mercury retrograde phase of 2020 will end on Tuesday, November 3. Better to slow down, reassess, and figure out how to create a new way forward. We know that Mercury is easily influenced by the other planets around him, and this retrograde phase puts him on the other side of the Sun in the zodiac, with the next big influence on him to come from Venus. Since Venus moved into Mercury’s earth sign, Virgo, on October 23, this has created an energetic exchange of signs between Mercury and Venus, which helps both of the planets in the short run.
Normally with this exchange of signs between Venus and Mercury which happens regularly when the Sun passes through the Virgo/Libra region of the zodiac, we see immense enthusiasm that can be channeled creatively and efficiently. We will have the benefit of almost two weeks of direct Mercury enjoying the parivartan (exchange) with Venus. This is helpful in trying to re-organise or to get back into business. Both Mercury and Venus are supportive of interactions, exchanges, transactions and well, business. With Rahu’s aspect on Venus, we may want to look at how we can innovate to do business in an altered environment rather than struggling to get back to the “normal.” That said, we should also remember that Libra, where Mercury is, has the aspect of Mars and Saturn, creating some hesitation, amidst the spirit of creatively starting anew.
Mercury will be joined by Venus in Libra on November 16, which is also positive support for getting things done skillfully and gracefully. This prevails through November 27, when Mercury shifts to Scorpio, following the Sun.
Mars Resumes Direct Motion on November 14
Mars has been retrograde since September 10, which may have caused fiery and intense conditions which could have calmed in early October, when Mars paddled back into Pisces. Mars retrograde in Pisces could have demanded some unexpected dispersal of resources.
From November 14 till December 24, Mars will shift back into gear and move forward through Pisces, giving us the strength to let go of what needs to dissolve while attempting to hold onto the valuable foundations that will continue to fuel our progress.
We can think of Mars as causing the environment where he transits or aspects to become energised, fiery, or agitated, especially if we aren’t making conscious effort to channel that power in a safe, productive manner. From watery Pisces, Mars is also impacting airy Gemini, earthy Virgo, and airy Libra. These signs are gaining Mars’ energy and power, and with the direct motion of Mars, could be able to make efforts that actually result in tangible results.
New Moon in Libra in the nakshatra of Vishaka on November 15
‘Vishaka’ has many translations, but the root meaning implies ‘fork’ or ‘branch.’ This symbol implies having to make a turn or initiate something new. At the new Moon, we are ready to pull ourselves into a new cycle. We can see it as an invitation into the realm of deep transformation or we can see it as the inevitable force of nature pushing us toward a new approach to living. This is a choice point. Not only a choice on direction but also a choice on how to react to the pressure which is forcing the ‘fork.’
Saturn is throwing his dim glance onto the scene, implying that there is heavy and unyielding circumstance that is moving the situation. We may not get to know why things are the way they; however, we may have to take action anyway. Call upon the parivartana between Mercury, also in Libra and Venus, placed in Virgo, to get your momentum going with grace, efficiency, and, levity.
Mars, newly in direct motion, will also aspect this new Moon in Libra. Use the courage and strength of Mars to attend to the practical details, strategy and focus required to resume action.
Another notable feature of this new Moon is that there are a few planets placed in late degrees of signs. Rahu/Ketu are at 28º Taurus/Scorpio, both Venus and Jupiter, the two gurus of the planets, are at 28º and 29º of their respective signs, in forward motion and ready to change signs. So expect some big changes at this juncture.
Sun Transits Scorpio from November 16 till December 15
The Sun leaves his debilitation sign of Libra to join Ketu, the south node of the Moon, in Scorpio for a month, just after the moment of the new Moon, on November 16. As the Sun crosses into Scorpio, he is with the Moon for a couple of days as it begins to wax and distance from the Sun.
This officially opens the eclipse discussion once again, as eclipses are caused by the nodal axis, currently sitting in the signs of Taurus and Scorpio. That means when the Sun moves into one of those signs, we get a pair of eclipses. The basic impact of the nodes, Rahu and Ketu, is that they have the power to consume the light of the Sun and/or Moon. This eclipse energy invites chaos, unpredictability, and uncertainty, as details become cloudy and vision more difficult.
The Sun in Scorpio in any given year is considered to be in a friendly sign, lorded by his friend Mars, but co-lorded by Ketu, his enemy in a sense due to the eclipse issue. This year, with Ketu strongly placed in Scorpio, we may experience an even more dramatic desire or the requirement to withdraw, one or the other extreme.
Venus Transits Libra from November 16 till December 11
Mid-November brings notable shifts happening just before and after the new Moon on November 14. As the Sun and Moon exit Libra on November 16, Venus, the lord of Libra, rushes in for a quick passage from November 16 till December 11.
With both Venus and Mercury in Libra, and with the aspect of Mars and Saturn coming in, Libra is a busy place this month. We may be dealing with forced changes, but the materials we have to work with are valuable and accessible.
Zooming out a bit, remember that Venus is the conductor of the human symphony, in the sense that Venus promotes exploration and play in the realm of our relationships, from families to societies. In Libra, Venus tends to play out more in the societal realm and we are confronted with the philosophies of conduct, morality, and social accountability.
The latter half of November, with both Venus and Mercury strong, we may be somewhat active on the relationship and transactional front. Be ready to bargain for your time, your power, your health and your education.
Jupiter Re-Enters Capricorn on November 20
Jupiter exits his own fire sign of Sagittarius on November 20 and makes for Saturn’s earth sign, Capricorn, which is strongly occupied by Saturn himself and also is the territory that debilitates Jupiter. Jupiter will quickly finish his soujourn through Capricorn from November 20 till April 5, 2021.
This could be a very significant five-month period which we reflect back on someday. We count on Jupiter’s positive and expansive energy to uplift, educate, and connect us to the inherent wisdom of nature. Jupiter promotes lineages, children and abundance in our lives.
Jupiter struggles to remain positive and buoyant while in Saturn’s Capricorn. The challenges to practical reality are real in Capricorn, and with Saturn in occupation, we may have little wiggle room when it comes to hands-on responsibility. During this transit, we may also experience deep themes relating to faith vs fear, positivity vs negativity, joy vs sorrow or freedom vs duty. We are faced with skilfully balancing expansion and contraction and with building a practical container for lofty ideas.
Further, we also get the aspect of Rahu from Taurus, affecting all of the earth signs. Even though Jupiter struggles for positive outcomes in Capricorn, this auspicious energy is still available, but perhaps harder to access. Whatever good we can muster with Jupiter, it will come in handy as Jupiter and Rahu will be in a mutual aspect till Jupiter reaches Aquarius. This could allow Jupiter to counter some of Rahu’s chaos and actually afford us access to our own inherent wisdom as we may be battling the incoherent desires of Rahu.
Mercury Transits Scorpio from November 27 till December 16
Mercury heads into the depths of Scorpio on November 27 for a quick stop till he reaches Sagittarius on December 16. Ketu is strongly guarding Scorpio for the near future. Ketu’s influence is also associated with disinterest or withdrawal – since Mercury is the ruler of markets, perhaps this may show the possibility of erratic economic markets and slowing down in the areas of communication, travel, and commerce.
Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Taurus in the nakshatra of Rohini on November 30
The Moon is waxing through the second half of November, coming into opposition with the Sun at 14 degrees of Taurus Moon in the nakshatra of Rohini on November 30. Because this Moon-Sun opposition at the full Moon is only separated from the Rahu-Ketu axis by about 12 degrees, this will cause a penumbral lunar eclipse, which is a less dramatic version than a total eclipse, due to the misalignment between the nodal axis and the Sun-Moon axis.
The Moon is exalted in the sign of Taurus, and thus, will still be strong, as it is also full. The Moon is changeable and reflects how the human mind tends to turn and churn on a moment-to-moment basis. This strong Moon in proximity to Rahu could cause emotions to run high and mental reactions to be strong or out-of-character.
If you are interested in a reading, please make a selection by visiting the Consultations page.
