An Urgent Post About Saturn in Libra (& Your Personal Saturn Review)

Saturn in Libra requires our serious consideration over the next few weeks. Mid January, it moved into the final degree of Libra, where it will stay until March 3.

The final degree of any sign, the 29^th degree, is known as the Anaretic (or Critical) Degree.  When a planet is at the Anaretic Degree there is a sense of urgency and extremism. Closure is required before the planet can move fully into the energies of the next sign, so issues/themes related to the planet’s outgoing sign placement come to a head. Things can seem as if they’re at the end of their rope with fast action required to find a solution. Issues that have been complacently pushed to one side tend to pop up for urgent resolution. There’s a sense that time is running out. Decisions need to be made quickly.

For Saturn in Libra, this is an especially tense visit to the Anaretic Degree. It will stay there longer than it usually would due to its slow movement as it prepares to station Retrograde at 29 Libra on February 8 (see data at the end). The Retrograde (apparent backward movement) of Saturn makes it doubly likely that old issues will come up over the next few weeks.

Saturn Retrograde in the final degree of Libra is a time to review your progress over the last couple of years. Tie up loose ends, clear up unresolved issues, reflect upon losses one last time, allow yourself to enjoy the rewards of your achievements, make some (perhaps difficult) decisions, restore your sense of balance and prepare to let go so you can move on.

How this will affect you depends on which house Saturn in Libra is transiting in your chart and which natal planets it’s transiting, if any. The house Saturn has been moving through reflects the area of your life where you have been facing Saturn’s tests, delays, obstacles and challenges, where you have had to take responsibility, meet obligations and learn lessons.

In particular, Saturn in Libra has brought lessons and tests around diplomacy, compromise and fairness. It’s asked you to take relationships more seriously, to set healthy boundaries and to get the give-take balance right. Any kind of relationship could have felt like a heavy responsibility under this transit. Solid relationships have become more committed, but others may have broken down. We have learnt lessons around communicating and relating to others. We’ve been urged to play by the rules, stop competing and learn to cooperate and negotiate. Disputes, arguments and claims may have arisen. Some have been settled, but others remain to be resolved. Under Saturn in Libra peace and harmony has been more than possible, but you will have discovered that achieving it requires hard work, patience and constant compromise.

Your Personal Saturn in Libra Review

Back in 2010, Astroair Astrology wrote about the themes of Saturn in Libra through the Houses, including handy tips. Use these themes and tips as your starting point for your own Saturn in Libra Review.

Here are the links:

Saturn in Libra through Houses 1-6

Saturn in Libra through Houses 7-12  

In case you’re quite new to astrology, both links explain how to quickly and easily work out what house Saturn in Libra is moving through.

Here are a a few questions to start you off (relate these to the area of life represented by the house Saturn has been transiting):

What have I learnt?

What obstacles have I overcome?

What new responsibilities have I taken on? Are they still relevant going forwards?

Where have I been held back/held myself back?

What have I achieved?

How has the way I have related to others improved?

Where in my life (or in the life of others), have I helped to create harmony and good relating?

What loose ends do I need to tie up?

What compromises have I had to make? Has it been worth it?

What do I need to let go of?

What decisions need to be made now?

I hope things come together for you over the next few weeks. Certainly, having a personal review now can only help, especially if things come to an urgent head and you need to act quickly or make a difficult decision. Let me know how you get on.

With love,

Mandi

www.mandilockley.com

Data

• January 15, 2012: Saturn enters 29 Libra 00 (enters the Anaretic Degree)
• February 8, 2012: Saturn stations Retrograde 29 Libra 30
• March 3, 2012: Saturn enters 28 Libra 59 (leaves the Anaretic Degree)
  June 25, 2012: Saturn turns direct on 25 June at 22 Libra 45
• September 28, 2012: Saturn enters 29 Libra 00 (re-enters the Anaretic Degree)
• October 6, 2012: Saturn enters Scorpio

Don't Worry, It's Not the End of the World ~ Debunking 2012

“The sands of time are running out for the world and not even Indiana Jones can save us now. The astrological alignments and numerological formulae cannot be wrong: on December 21 this year, the apocalypse foretold 5,125 years ago by the ancient Mayans will come to pass and the world will end.”

This is a quote from The Daily Mail newspaper, in an article that went on to debunk the 2012 end of day theories.

Yes, the Mayan calendar comes to an end, apparently, but this does not mean the end of time. What it does mean is a mystery, but nowhere did the Mayans predict a world ending apocalypse, to the best knowledge of archaeologists and anthropologists.

Even if the Mayans did prophesise doom and gloom, we know that prophesies (ancient and modern) are very open to interpretation and rarely if ever come true. Remember Harold Camping who was convinced that the bible predicted the end on October 21 2011? He had to make an embarrassing retreat when sunrise heralded another earth day on October 22. Many of Camping’s followers, as is often the case, were left out of pocket.

As an astrologer, I can tell you there is nothing in the December 21, 2012 chart that predicts the end of the world. I hang my reputation on that and if any astrologer out there can prove to me otherwise, on the basis of the astrological measurements and the common sense application of factual evidence, then I will give up astrology for good!

You see, while planetary alignments suggest the type of energy that will prevail, we cannot accurately predict how that energy will manifest. This is because, as human beings, we have the free will to decide whether to draw upon the energy available and if we do, we have the free will to decide how to use it -  destructively or creatively, for our own good or for the good of others and so on. For example, the disruptive, rebellious, sudden-change inciting energies that accompany the on-going Uranus-Pluto square are there to be tapped into. While many of us will proactively embrace the opportunity for a shake-up of the status quo, still more of us will carry on with business as usual, dealing with change only when we absolutely have to.

Imbedded in the symbolism of every astrological alignment, however challenging it looks on paper, is the opportunity for positive growth and change. It’s up to us, collectively and individually, to make the best of it and to positively learn from the experience.

When ‘sensible’ astrologers make predictions (or forecasts, as I prefer to call them) they are based on our practical knowledge and experience, including our understanding of the symbolism of the planets, our experience of what occurred during previous similar alignments and our knowledge of history and/or current affairs (or personal history and current circumstances in the case of a forecast for an individual person). To that we apply a big dollop of good old fashioned common sense. Only then do we have a set of realistic assumptions on which to make a forecast.

When forecasting the future, headline grabbing sensationalism which taps into people’s fears, should play no part. Neither should astrologers claim to have some kind of special hotline to the gods.

I learnt astrology by taking classes, sitting exams, reading books, studying myself and my friends, sharing with my colleagues and listening to my clients. I am not a chosen one with exclusive access to arcane knowledge and I don’t hear voices in my head. I am not a guru and I don’t need followers. I simply want to help my clients and readers and encourage them to question me and more importantly to question themselves and the world. I would be worried if anyone took my opinions and suggestions as the final and only word on the matter.

An end of the world prediction based on no real evidence, astrological or otherwise, will never come from an astrologer who knows their stuff.

Yes, we can say with some authority that we are going through challenging times and that things could well get tougher. In the years to come, an economic catastrophe to make the 2008 banking crisis look trifling is a possibility, as are environmental disasters, but these events are by no means inevitable.

We should be prepared for anything, but we should not live in fear, for it is fear that the 2012 doom mongers are playing on. Many of them are cashing in nicely. The Daily Mail article mentions an entrepreneur who is selling places in bunkers for $50,000 to those who are wealthy enough and dumb enough to fall for the con. And there are entire websites devoted to selling 2012 survival kits. Anything from gas masks to bullet proof vests. A year’s supply of dehydrated food is there for the ordering if you can afford the thousand-dollar plus price tag.

So let’s be sensible this 2012. It’s wise to plan for potential hardship, but healthy to hope for a better world and responsible to do our bit to try to make that happen.

Instead of running scared and giving your money and energy to gurus and salesmen and other scaremongers, be smart with your time and even smarter with your money. Ask questions, pull your head out of the sand, look around, trust yourself and stay flexible.

We are living through a time of great challenge, but even greater possibility. Are you ready?

www.mandilockley.com

Say Hello 2012, Wave Goodbye 2011 (and some handy survival tips)

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and I hope you enjoyed the celebrations. Of course, we weren't just saying hello to the New Year, we were letting go of the old year.

I celebrated with friends and at midnight, as we stood on the roof of their building watching the fireworks over London, someone shouted, goodbye 2011, you were c**p! Yes, without a doubt, 2011 was a year when many of us were swept up in a tide of change, challenge and difficulty.

This was reflected in the symbolism of the planetary alignments, most notably the applying square of radical, impetuous Uranus in Aries to Pluto in Capricorn, which demands sweeping transformation of our societal structures from the foundations up, including our economic and political structures and leaders. Who would have believed that 2011 would see the end of Mubarak's regime in Egypt, the overthrowing of Tunisia's President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, the assassination of Osama bin Laden,  the humiliating fall of Libya's Muammar Gaddafi and the resignation of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi? Instead, People Power was the way forward, witnessed most dramatically in the Arab Spring uprisings, but also in the riots and protests across Europe and in the worldwide Occupy movement.

Saturn continued through Libra, prompting us to question the boundaries of our relationships and alliances, on a personal level but also on a collective and political level. In the Eurozone crisis for example, relationships amongst EU countries have been strained almost to the limit over questions around who should pay to bailout failing Eurozone countries.

Neptune continued to travel hand in hand with Chiron, as both planets played out their last days in Aquarius and immersed themeselves in watery Pisces (Neptune finally leaves Aquarius behind in February). This suggests a collective (and for some, a personal) need to feel and understand sacrifice at a deep level. We're being told that, even though times are hard and set to get even harder, we're all in this together. Beware though, Neptune can be the great deceiver. Are we really all in this together? The Occupy Movement would say no we're not, the 99% are being asked to pick up the tab for the mistakes of the 1% who continue to 'get away with it'. The romanticism of Neptune in Pisces came out in the fairy tale fantasy that was the royal wedding and we were reminded of the destructive power of water by the devastating tsunami and nucleur crisis in Japan.

What will 2012 bring, more of the same? I believe it will bring the same and more.

The new People Power is only just finding its feet. It will continue to gain momentum as Uranus and Pluto make their first and second of seven exact squares in June and September 2012. Five more squares follow in 2013, 14 and 15. Exciting new leaders will begin to emerge, but in the end will they be any better than the leaders they will replace, or just different? Economically, we're set for another recession in 2012, with some even predicting a depression. I think they're correct, all the indications are there. It's a necessary step towards overhauling a system that is no longer working. We have failed to change voluntarily so we must do it the hard way. It's just a pity that this will mean suffering for so many. As for the '1%', as the Uranus and Pluto squares bed in, we will see more and more of them being held accountable for the messes they have created. Expect to see an avalanche of corporate and political heads rolling over the next three years. Again, will their replacements be any better or will the ousted leaders just be sacrificial gestures (Neptune in Pisces) so that the 1% can get back to 'business as usual' as quickly as possible? This is a time when we really can change the world, but also a time where it will be too easy to miss the opportunity if we don't fight hard enough or shout loud enough.

In October 2012, Saturn makes a clean break from Libra and enters Scorpio, where it will remain until 2015. Uneasy alliances and shaky friendships won't survive this transition. The UK coalition government will begin to break down, perhaps acrimoniously and I will be surprised if we don't see more than one country crashing out ot the Euro currency. People and communities, as well as countries, will become more secretive and more concerned about protecting what they've got, less inclined to share or compromise. Law and order, national, local and personal security and immigration will  become hot topics during Saturn's time in Scorpio. See Theodore White's article for more on Saturn in Scorpio.

Neptune in Pisces will be reflected on all levels, all at once. Expect the power of nature to make herself known over and over, but also expect to be heartened by the compassion and empathy of the human race in response to any kind of suffering or hardship. This is where Chiron in Pisces comes in and it will be those who have suffered the most that will have the most to offer others in hardship or despair. Neptune in Pisces will continue to come out through music, fashion, movies and in our spirituality. Expect a fantasy/escapism theme to emerge in all these areas. Fashion will follow film and the Maggie Thatcher look (yes, really), will be the height of glamour, closely followed by styles from The Great Gatsby. New findings into the nature of consciousness and the interconnectedness of all life will be published. Science will more and more come to feel like a religious experience, as discoveries in astrophysics push the boundaries of our comprehension and make us question reality. Lies and trickery will also be the order of Neptune in Pisces and deceptions will be uncovered. The full extent of the phone hacking scandal will emerge, including details of exactly how Piscean Rupert Murdoch played his part.

My survival tips for 2012?

Don't believe all that you see or all that you hear. Seek the answers from within and even then question yourself. In fact, this is a year to question everything,

Fight for your rights (and for the rights of others).

Stand up for who you are and be the unique person you were always meant to be.

Don't blindly follow any kind of leader, especially any kind of guru who claims to have all the answers.

Folllow your own lead.

Be your own boss.

Cut out the weed, cut down on the booze, keep a toe in reality if you're tempted to go on any flight of fantasy.

Create something beautiful.

Let go of the illusion of security and feel safe anyway.

2012 will push many of us to the edge, keeping clean and healthy in mind, body and spirit will help us to appreciate the view without falling off.

Most of all, do it all with love.

Hold on tight, our future is here

With love,
Mandi
www.mandilockley.com

Planetary Retrograde Dates for 2012

Planetary Retrogrades for 2012

(For an explanation of retrograde and direct, please click here)

Mercury
Mercury turns retrograde on 12 Mar at 6 Aries 49 
Mercury turns direct on 4 April at 23 Pisces 50

Mercury turns retrograde on 15 July at 12 Leo 32
Mercury turns direct on 8 Aug at 1 Leo 25

Mercury turns retrograde on 6 November at 04 Sagittarius 18
Mercury turns direct on 26 November at 18 Scorpio 10 

Venus
Venus turns retrograde on 15 May at 23 Gemini 59
Venus turns direct on 27 June at 07 Gemini 29

Mars
Mars turns retrograde on 24 January at 23 Virgo 05
Mars turns direct on 14 April at 03 Virgo 41

Jupiter
Jupiter turns retrograde on 4 October at 16 Gemini 22 
Jupiter turns direct on 30 January 2013 at 06 Gemini 19 

Saturn

Saturn turns retrograde on 8 February at 29 Libra 30
Saturn turns direct on 25 June at 22 Libra 45

Uranus

Uranus turns retrograde on 13 Jul 2011 at 08 Aries 32
Uranus turns direct on 13 December at 04 Aries 36

Neptune
Neptune turns retrograde on 4 June at 03 Pisces 09

Neptune turns direct on 11 November at 00 Pisces 21

Pluto
Pluto turns retrograde on 10 Apr at 09 Capricorn 33  
Pluto turns direct on 18 Sep at 06 Capricorn 57

Chiron
Chiron turns retrograde on 12 June at 09 Pisces 45
Chirons turns direct on 14 November at 04 Pisces 58

Note: dates are based on European time zones and may vary by a maximum of one day for other time zones.

See also:

An Explanation of Retrograde, Station and Direct
Retrograde Planets in the Birth Chart

Mandi

http://www.mandilockley.com/

December Astrology Part 2 - Season's Meetings and Greetings

Season's Greetings!

Continuing Astroair's summary of December's astrological happenings...

Love, peace and harmony planet Venus moves into Aquarius, the sign of friendship and teamwork on December 20. This might not be the sexiest or most affectionate placement for Venus, but it's good for getting together with groups of people during this seasonal time, be that your complicated family or your circle of friends. Venus in Aquarius can seem detached at times, so if you or a loved one comes over a little aloof, just give yourself or them a bit of space and you/they will soon be back to their sociable self.

A Square between Venus and Jupiter on December 21, can only be a good thing, so expect peace, love and harmony to break out all around!

On December 22, the Sun moves into Capricorn. As a December Capricorn myself, I feel bound to defend my much maligned sign. Far from being serious and boring, Capricorns can be a wacky bunch, just check out these quotes from some famous cappies. Far from being slow and patient, Capricorns are dynamic and swift acting once they decide what they want and work out how to get it. However, discovering what they want and being in a position to get it might take some some time. This is because Saturn is trying to teach them the lesson of patience and well earned reward. This might be hard for cappy to swallow at times, but unfortunately there it is!

The Sun's entry into Capricorn marks the Winter Solstice (the Summer Solstice in the southern hemisphere). The chart for the Solstice is commonly used as a predictor for the season to come, at least until the Spring Equinox which marks the Sun's passage into Aries.

In the Solstice Chart the Sun trines Jupiter, presenting us with an opportunity to feel optimistic about the end of this year and the beginning of next, especially as Jupiter turns direct on December 25, after being retrograde since the end of August. Sun square Uranus asks us to brace ourselves for the unexpected, as disruptive and perhaps surprising elements come into play. Without a doubt, change is in the air in the coming months, another indicator of which is Sun conjunct Pluto. This aspect is still quite wide in the Solstice Chart, but becomes exact on December 29, in time for the tail end of the year. Of course, with Pluto being in Capricorn since 2008, every winter solstice chart for the past few years has had Sun conjunct Pluto. This reflects the fact that Pluto’s idea of change is slow, deep, transformation. We cannot doubt that the world is slowly becoming a very different kind of place for so many of us. In this season’s solstice chart, Jupiter opposite Saturn arms us with a sense of purpose to help us tackle any challenge that comes our way. Finally, Moon square Neptune suggests that the general mood will be our collective desire to escape, dream and get away from it all. Indulge if you must, but beware of deceiving yourself about what is real and what is not. Strictly speaking, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is!

December 24 brings a New Moon in Capricorn. I always think of the Capricorn New Moon as the start to the New Year... New Moons are seeding times, when we can ‘plant’ our intentions and watch them grow. Therefore, if you do have any New Year’s resolutions, decide upon them around this New Moon. OK, with the holiday indulgences in full swing, it might not be practical to put them into action until the New Year but setting the intention now can’t hurt, can it? And make a note to check back in on those resolutions around the time of the Aries Equinox in March, a time which marks another new beginning.

Wishing all my readers a happy and peaceful end to the year and a happy and healthy 2012.

Thanks for reading.

With love, Mandi
www.mandilockley.com

Summary of December's Astrology

December 1: Venus conjunct Pluto
December 2: Sun square Mars
December 5: Venus trine Mars
December 9: Uranus turns Direct
December 10: Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Gemini
December 13: Mercury turns Direct
December 18: Venus squares Saturn
December 20: Venus enters Aquarius
December 21: Venus squares Jupiter
December 22 (December 21 in PST time zones): Sun enters Capricorn
December 22 (December 21 in PST time zones): The Winter Solstice (Summer Solstice in the southern hemisphere)
December 22: Sun trines Jupiter and squares Uranus
December 24: New Moon in Capricorn
December 25: Jupiter stations Direct

December 29: Sun conjunct Pluto

December Astrology Pt. 1 Letting Go and Moving Forward

Welcome to December, the final month before we enter the long awaited year of 2012. More on that to come, but for now, what opportunities and challenges will the end of 2011 bring? Look no further, because here's the first of Astroair's monthly summaries...

December 1: Venus conjuncts Pluto
It’s a passionate start to December, as love planet Venus gets into bed with intense Pluto. This alignment creates an atmosphere where deep feelings surface. Love affairs can feel fated and emotions are experienced at the most profound level. You may become aware of your own or someone else’s jealousy during this transit. It could also prompt a new understanding of what or who you need to let go of.  The power of money is also highlighted when Venus and Pluto join forces.

This is a short transit and its effects should only be apparent for a day or two.
 

December 2: The Sun squares Mars
When the Sun and Mars square up we can expect to receive a welcome energy boost and find renewed vigour and courage to pursue our goals, but this gift comes with conditions. The Sun is in optimistic, risk-taking Sagittarius but Mars is in the cautious, pedantic, less confident sign of Virgo. Being competitive just for the sake of winning (and boosting your ego) is not the best approach during this transit. Instead choose to act in a way that helps others, not just your-self. Also try to think things out carefully and check all the details before proceeding especially so because Mercury is currently retrograde and hovering very close to the Sun.

This is a short transit and its effects should only be apparent for a day or two.
 

December 5: Venus trines Mars
After the intensity of Venus conjunct Pluto, this pleasant trine between Venus and Mars should be a welcome relief. It’s a time to rebalance your emotions and send out the ‘olive branch’ if things need smoothing over with your loved one. Doing something nice for someone you care about is a great way to make the most of the energies now.

This is a short transit and its effects should only be apparent for a day or two.
 

December 9: Uranus turns direct
Uranus has been retrograde since July and now finally starts to move forward again. Whenever, Uranus is activated the motto is to ‘expect the unexpected’. It’s not easy to plan for surprises, but at least it can help reduce the shock factor if you are open to change and ready to be flexible. In fact, this turn around can really help you to let go of the past and move forward into your future with a renewed sense of hope. Embrace change, be open to new possibilities and this can be an exciting time. More so, if you are currently experiencing a Uranus transit.

You are having a Uranus transit – which can last up to a year -  if you have planets or angles in the very early degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, or even if you have planets or angles in the last degree of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces. (Get your chart for free at www.alabe.com.) Click on the link for more on how to cope/get the best out of your Uranus transit.
 

December 10: Total Lunar Eclipse in Gemini

A Lunar Eclipse is an extra special Full Moon. Expect relationships to come under the spotlight and be prepared to receive new information about just about anything. This is a good time for finding out exactly where you stand and using that new information to progress with plans and goals that have felt like they were never going to move forward. The fact that Mercury turns direct the day after and Uranus turns direct the day before will help add momentum to that moving forward feeling. Although, with Uranus in the mix, don’t forget to expect the unexpected (see above).
 

As this is a Gemini Eclipse, charge your cellphone and check your email, because you may receive the news that you have been waiting for. If you do, be ready to act quickly! This is also a great time for getting out and about and socialising, so polish off those party shoes!

Under a Lunar Eclipse things tend to peak, to come to a head, and often something you no longer need will come to an end, so that you can begin anew. This is especially so if the Eclipse touches your chart. This Eclipse affects you directly if you have planets or angles between 17 and 19 degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces (get your chart for free at www.alabe.com). If your birthday falls between December 8 and 11, this could be potentially life changing year ahead for you.

December 13: Mercury in Sagittarius turns direct
 

What a relief that Mercury, the planet that rules postage, turns around just in time to send out those Christmas packages!

Communication should become easier all round now. Decisions can finally be reached and acted upon, which is great if you're the organised type who wants to plan for the new year ahead. Bear in mind though that Mercury will be in the 'shadow' of its retrograde until December 31, so it won't be until then that all things Mecurial (communication, learning, thinking, travelling, commerce, negotiations, contractual issues and general to-ing and fro-ing) really pick up momentum. Save the longer term planning until then, to be on the safe side. An Eclipse a few days before Mercury direct and Uranus' renewed forward motion (see above), will also help us to make the most of the opportunity to let go of the past and plan for an exciting future.

Mercury turned retrograde on November 24 at 20 degrees Sagittarius. It turns around on December 13 at 4 degrees Sagittarius. It remains in the shadow of its retrograde (re-covering the degrees it’s already passed through) until December 31. Mercury is in Sagittarius until January 8, 2012.

Summary of December's Alignments

December 1: Venus conjunct Pluto

December 2: Sun square Mars

December 5: Venus trine Mars
 

December 9: Uranus turns Direct

December 10: Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Gemini
 

December 13: Mercury turns Direct

December 18: Venus squares Saturn (coming in Part 2)

December 20: Venus enters Aquarius (coming in Part 2)

December 21: Venus squares Jupiter (coming in Part 2)

December 22 (December 21 in PST time zones): Sun enters Capricorn (coming in Part 2)

The Sun into Capricorn marks the Winter Solstice (Summer Solstice in the southern hemisphere) 

December 22: Sun trines Jupiter and squares Uranus (coming in Part 2)

December 24: New Moon in Capricorn (coming in Part 2)

December 25: Jupiter stations Retrograde (coming in Part 2)

December 29: Sun conjunct Pluto

With love, Mandi

www.mandilockley.com

Come back soon for part 2 of December's astrological picture, or better still, subscribe below to receive Astroair Astrology direct to your inbox. Astroair will never pass on your details to a third party.

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Astrology for November (Part 2)

Welcome to part 2 of Astroair’s preview of this month’s main celestial events. I hope November has been good to you so far.

Mercury and Venus have now settled into idealistic, philosophical Sag and are joined by the Sun on the 22^nd, closely followed by a Sagittarius Solar Eclipse on the 25^th. Action planet Mars, however, is bucking the Sagittarian trend, by entering analytic Virgo for a long stay. For more click here.

November 20: Sun Squares Neptune

The Sun’s final cosmic gift before it moves from Scorpio to Sagittarius is a tense square to mystical Neptune.

Whenever Neptune touches the Sun by square, we are invited to question our goals. Is what we are trying to achieve worthy of us, or are we merely trying to feed our ego?  Perhaps you experience an ego disappointment now, but remember that sometimes we need to let our ego dissolve so we can get back to the root of what we really need and who we really are.

If you have been doing too much, this is a time (including a day either side of the 20^th) when you could feel wiped out. Listen to what your body and intuition is telling you and take a rest if you can.

Paying extra attention to your dreams and fantasies can provide you with deep insights, because these are helpful energies for connecting with the collective unconscious. However, be careful if your urge to escape from yourself/your ego involves indulging in drugs, alcohol or other addictive substances or activities.

November 22: Sun Enters Sagittarius

There's a sense of spirit and adventure when the Sun’s in the fiery sign of Sagittarius. However, unlike the pioneering 'me first' spirit of Aries and the fiercely loyal but ego-centric 'look at me' fire of Leo, the Sagittarian fire quest is one which takes this sign above and beyond, pushing further onwards and upwards in its search for meaning and its vision of the future.

Sagittarius is the great explorer of the zodiac, reaching out to far flung places, of the world and of the mind. Represented by the Centaur it is the only sign with a mythical creature as its glyph, reminding us that he will go as far as the heavens themselves in order to complete his quest. As the saying goes: Fools rush in where angels fear to tread!

Yes, Sagittarius can seem foolhardy or slapdash or downright irresponsible, but what the rest of us sometimes forget is that Sag always has one foot in the future and one eye on the big picture. This panoramic view means that he very often misses the finer details of what's right in front of him, but on the whole this big picture approach tends to work well for Sagittarius. After all, somebody must hold the grand vision for the rest of us.

With jovial Jupiter as its ruler, Sagittarius often seems blessed with good luck, but maybe it's just that he simply gets away with things more easily than the rest of us. Perhaps we let him get away with it because we understand that Sag is one of the most generous and forgiving signs and therefore forgive him all the more easily because of that.

Oh and they’re never shy to speak up. Click here to read what some very famous Sagittarians have to say for themselves.

November 22: Sun Trine Uranus and Mars Trine Pluto

The first thing the Sun does in Sag is form a fire trine to Uranus in Aries on the 23^rd. This alignment offers us the opportunity to think big, to revolutionise our thinking, to find new ways of doing things. There’s a renewed sense of optimism and enthusiasm about the future if you choose to tap into it. Think outside the box and expect the unexpected.

At the same time Mars in Virgo makes an earth trine to Pluto in Capricorn. This is a gentle reminder to think about and plan for the practical realities before you jump headfirst into anything. This alignment provides the impetus to get the job done, whatever the job may be. Tangible results are your reward if you’re willing to invest enough hard graft into your mission.

November 24: Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius

For my money, Mercury retrograde is an astrological phenomenon that has a bark worse than its bite. It is though, worth taking extra care when doing ‘mercurial’ things during the retrograde. This includes all types of communication, learning, thinking, travelling, commerce, negotiation and general to-ing and fro-ing.  The common advice is to think twice, double check everything and avoid signing any important contracts, if possible. As this is a Sagittarian Mercury retrograde, we should also be mindful of opening our mouths without thinking first as Sag can be very tactless at times. Overall, I think this retrograde can make us a bit clumsy (physically and mentally), so take extra care. Legal issues could drag on or get re-dragged up now. Long distance travel may cause a few hiccups and study revision might be in order for some.

Mercury turns retrograde on November 24 at 20 degrees Sagittarius. It turns around on December 14 at 4 degrees Sagittarius. It remains in the shadow of its retrograde (re-covering the degrees it’s already passed through) until December 31.

November 25 (24 in PST time): New Moon in Sagittarius (Partial Solar Eclipse)

This month’s New Moon is a powerful one because it’s a partial solar eclipse. All New Moons represent a fresh start, the beginning of a new cycle, but none more so than an eclipsed one. So what wisdom can we hope to gain from this Sagittarius eclipse? First of all the Sun and Moon are in good company, because communication planet Mercury (freshly retrograde), love planet Venus and the karmic North Node are also in the sign of the wise, expansive, ‘see the bigger perspective’ Archer. Perhaps we are being urged to think bigger, to put our faith and love in something bigger than ourselves? Maybe we are reminded that as one phase ends, another is waiting to start? It is up to us, individually and as a collective to ensure that the fresh start is a positive one.

The eclipse occurs at 2 degrees and 36 minute of Sagittarius, so if you have planets or points at 0-4 degrees of Sagittarius or Gemini, the eclipse makes a direct contact with your chart and you may feel it more strongly (get your chart at www.alabe.com). If your birthday falls on 24^th or 25^th November, this could be a very significant year for you. For more on eclipses see Working withEclipses.  

November 26: Venus enters Capricorn (then squares Uranus and trines Jupiter)

Somehow, Venus in Capricorn doesn’t sound like a very cuddly, affectionate placement does it? Remember though, that Capricorn is one of the sensuous earth signs. While Venus in Capricorn’s affection is given cautiously, when it is given, it’s serious, genuine and for keeps.

When Venus squares impulsive Uranus on the 27^th, the urge may be to detach yourself from relationship commitment. But before you turn cold on the one you love, try injecting a little excitement into things, it might be just the boost you need. With Jupiter in super sensual Taurus making a trine to Venus at the same time, it should be easier to inject a bit of playful physicality into your love life to counteract the more serious side of things. This trine is also positive for financial partnerships, but with Uranus in the mix, things could get a little unpredictable. Staying practical and down to earth and maintaining a good sense of humour should see you through nicely.

Venus is in Capricorn until December 20.

November 27: Venus squares Uranus and trines Jupiter

November 2: Venus enters Sagittarius
November 2: Mercury Enters Sagittarius
November 9: Neptune Direct
November 10: Chiron Direct
November 10/11: Mars Enters Virgo
November 16: Mars trines Jupiter
See Part 1 for the above alignments:
http://mandilockley.blogspot.com/2011/11/astrology-for-november-part-1.html
November 20: Sun squares Neptune
November 22: Sun enters Sagittarius
November 23: Sun trines Uranus            
November 23: Mars trines Pluto
November 24: Mercury stations retrograde
November 25: New Moon in Sagittarius (Partial Solar Eclipse)
November 26: Venus enters Capricorn
November 27: Venus squares Uranus and trines Jupiter

With love, Mandi
www.mandilockley.com

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