Astrology for November ~ Part 1

Welcome to November, that time of the year when (in the Northern hemisphere), the nights are long and the days are short.  The Sun is in the deep, probing, mysterious sign of Scorpio, making it easy to believe that the veil between the worlds is thin at this time of year...

...However, from early November, Mercury and Venus move into idealistic, philosophical Sagittarius, that more open sign. These pave the way for the Sun’s move into Sag on the 22^nd and a Sagittarius Solar Eclipse on the 25^th.

November 2: Venus and Mercury enter Sagittarius

Venus in Sagittarius promotes generosity, enthusiasm and free-spiritedness in all our relationships. After the seductive, mysteriousness of Venus in Scorpio, Venus is now demanding openness and a full on expression of your affection for that special someone.

Mercury in Sagittarius is the truth-saying placement. Sometimes you can be too honest and direct under this transit, so don’t forget to consider the other person’s feelings before opening your mouth! It’s a time for broad mindedness, idealistic thinking and grand notions.

Use Mercury and Venus in Sagittarius to open up and tell your special someone exactly how you feel about them because now is not the time to keep them guessing! Plan a romantic adventure, connect with others who share your beliefs or debate with those who hold differing beliefs. Explore new ways of connecting on all levels, intellectually, emotionally and romantically.

Venus is in Sagittarius until November 26

Mercury is in Sagittarius until January 2012 (this is a longer than usual transit because Mercury is retrograde from November 24 to December 14.

November 9 and 10: Neptune and Chiron turn direct

On June 3, Neptune in Pisces turned retrograde, moving back into Aquarius in August. On November 9, it starts to move forward once again and will re-enter Pisces in early February 2012.

Chiron in Pisces, which also turned retrograde in June, moves forwards from 0 degrees Pisces on November 10.

If you have planets or angles anywhere between 27 degrees of the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) and 1-2 degrees of the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces), these two planets turning around at the same time will touch your chart, so you should be able to feel the Piscean/Neptunian/Chironic themes playing out in your life quite strongly now and in the weeks/months to follow. (By the way, you can get your chart for free at www.alabe.com)

These themes include a heightened awareness of compassion, suffering and empathy; a desire to indulge in escapism and fantasy; feeling wiped out; feeling deceived, disillusioned or disappointed; feeling ‘lost at sea’; boundary issues; heightened imagination; a deeper appreciation of art and music; spiritual and mystical experiences; creative inspiration; increased sensitivity on any level; feeling under the weather; emotional healing experiences; maverick urges, possibly unfocussed. Because Chiron and Neptune have been travelling closely in tandem since 2010 (and have been widely conjunct since 2007), these feelings may have been bubbling under for some time. Now though, is the time to pay some attention to them and consider what they are trying to tell you about yourself and where you are at in your life.

This is a time to learn that your (perceived) weaknesses, can in fact be your strengths, because by facing your ‘weaknesses’ over the last year or more, you have become wise and have a gift to share with the world. It’s also a time to pay extra attention to your dreams and fantasies. Perhaps they can help point the way forward if you’re feeling the urge to dive beneath surface reality and enrich your life with deeper, more meaningful experiences? Remember, we have almost three more months of Neptune in Aquarius, the sign of community, brotherhood, humanitarianism and rebellion, so these themes will also come to the fore now for final resolution, if you are ready and willing to submit to the call to help.    

For more on the themes of Chiron in Pisces, see Chiron in Pisces: Water Over Rocks and for an explanation of the themes of Neptune in Pisces, see Neptune in Pisces Miscellanea.

November 10: Full Moon in Taurus

A Full Moon, because it is an opposition aspect, strives for balance. In order to find the balance, we must first seek to common ground. What Scorpio (the Sun’s sign) and Taurus (the Moon’s sign) have in common are a concern with money, control, possession and sexuality. In essence, Taurus and Scorpio oppositions ask us to balance what we desire and what we are attached to on the emotional level with what we feel we need and what we work hard to keep and maintain on the physical material level.

We all need to feel emotionally and materially secure, but perhaps we are feeling insecure in these areas under this Full Moon. Because Taurus and Scorpio are fixed signs, our response may be to cling on very tight to what, or who, we’ve got. This is the point where we can tip over into the shadow side of Taurus and Scorpio – fiscal and emotional miserliness, manipulative behaviour and a stubborn resistance to any kind of change, even good change.

During this bright Moon, remember that what we truly own will never leave us, so we don’t need to cling. If our roots are solid, we can allow branches to sway a little in the winds of change. We may even learn to enjoy the experience and the lessons it can bring.

This Full Moon also coincides with Neptune and Chiron moving direct and Mars' move into Virgo. Read the write ups on these - above and below - as this Full Moon is sure to highlight their themes.

*November 10/11: Mars enters Virgo

Mars leaves the proud, dramatic and often overbearing sign of Leo and enters the steadier, quieter sign of Virgo. Mars in Virgo urges us to put our energy into practical and useful tasks. It invites us to think twice about indulging in rash and reckless behaviour and allow ourselves the time to carefully mull over exactly how we should put our plans into action. On the downside, Mars in Virgo energy can make us over-critical and perfectionist, so try to find a balance between just going for it and taking time to work out whether the end result will be worth it.

Because Mars turns retrograde in Virgo between February and April 2012, this is an especially long transit, lasting until early July 2012. This makes it a great time to focus on working towards longer terms goals. List out everything you want to achieve. It’s easy to scatter and splinter your energies with Mars in Virgo, so when you have that list, you would be well advised to cross off a number – if not most - of those goals, so you can focus on the important ones. The discriminating nature of Mars in Virgo should help you make up decide which ones are important.

While Mars is in Virgo, your exercise routine should focus on improving your all round health (rather than on achieving the ‘body beautiful’). Punishing, ‘no pain, no gain’ exercise is not the way forward now. Instead, focus on work-outs that benefit the mind as well as the body, such as yoga, pilates and tai chi. Balance good exercise with healthy food and rest. This is a good Mars sign for those of you who would like to lose a little weight through sensible, manageable lifestyle changes.

Virgo is also the sign of service and helpfulness. Small acts of kindness and support really can add up to make a huge difference. Something to ponder on and act upon during Mars’ tenure in Virgo.

Mars is in Virgo until July 3 2012 and is retrograde in Virgo from January 24 to April 14 2012.

November 16: Mars trines Jupiter

Re-read the above piece about Mars entering Virgo... this easy trine between Mars and Jupiter in practical Taurus provides just the positive boost you need to get those Mars in Virgo goals off the ground and the staying power to follow through.

November's astro-action

November 2: Venus enters Sagittarius

November 2: Mercury enters Sagittarius

November 9: Neptune turns direct

November 10: Chiron turns direct

November 10: Full Moon in Taurus

November 10/11: Mars enters Virgo

November 16: Mars in Virgo trine Jupiter in Taurus

November 20: Sun squares Neptune (coming in part 2)

November 22: Sun enters Sagittarius (coming in part 2)

November 23: Sun trines Uranus (coming in part 2)     

November 23: Mars trines Pluto (coming in part 2)

November 24: Mercury stations retrograde (coming in part 2)

November 25: New Moon in Sagittarius, a partial Solar Eclipse (coming in part 2)

November 26: Venus enters Capricorn (coming in part 2)

November 27: Venus squares Uranus and trines Jupiter (coming in part 2)

*Where two dates are given, use the earlier date in US times zones and the later date in European/Asian time zones.

Wishing you a very healthy and happy November.  Come back mid month for Part 2 of November’s update or better still, subscribe below to receive it in your inbox.

With love, Mandi

www.mandilockley.com

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Jupiter-Neptune-Chiron, The Story So Far

As Neptune Stations Direct* this week (the last of the three planets in the Jupiter-Neptune-Chiron conjunction to emerge out of a Retrograde period and start moving forwards again) it’s a good opportunity to review some of the recent events that have fallen under the astrological symbolism of this rare celestial alignment.

To recap from one of my previous blogs, hope and idealism are fine keywords for both Jupiter and Neptune and healing is a reliable keyword for Chiron. But we must also remember that with Neptune we are also in the world of scandals and deception, a nebulous place where nothing is ever quite what it seems. At worst, Jupiter exaggerates and spreads the negative effects of Neptune and Chiron, but at best, Jupiter will also boost their most positive expressions. This is the space where Chiron brings healing, Neptune brings compassion, Jupiter brings faith and optimism and where great deeds are possible. As the conjunction is in Aquarius, we must also bring in the themes of equality, community, freedom, humanitarianism, and charity.

Here are a few of the big stories that have been in the news during the conjunction so far which reflect some of the above themes:

The Health Care Reform Debate in the USA (and the UK National Health Service)
President Obama’s announcement of his new health care plan divided the nation and raised big (Aquarian) questions, including the moral question of whether everyone has a fundamental right to healthcare regardless of their fiscal circumstances. Critics were angry about the cost of the scheme to American tax payers, fearing it would raise inflation and lead to the financial ruin of a country already over-spending.

At the time the plan was announced, Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron were all Retrograde. In Obama’s chart they were transiting his first house, heading backwards towards his Aquarius Ascendant, the Ascendant of course being one of the signifiers for health in the horoscope. It will be interesting to see what happens next, for the debate is sure to fire up again, especially as Jupiter, which has retrograded back to Obama’s 12th house crosses his Ascendant again on the very day Neptune goes Direct!

The last time Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron joined in a triple conjunction was in 1945 in Libra, which like Aquarius is a rational, fair-minded air sign. In an article for the Astrological Association Journal, astrologer Phoebe Wyss pointed out that in ’45 a new left wing (Labour) government took power in the UK and established the National Health Service, a service which was and still is, free for everyone, irrespective of income or circumstance. The parallels with what is happening in the US now are obvious.

It is therefore very interesting that the detractors of Obama’s plan cited the failures of the UK’s NHS system (high costs, long waiting lists, the rationing of care) as a good reason not to implement Obama’s plan. This criticism prompted a huge outcry in the UK, with ordinary people on blogs and social networking sites collectively launching an unofficial viral We Love the NHS campaign. How very, very Aquarian!

It would seem clear to me then, that health and health care issues are a major concern of Jupiter-Neptune-Chiron conjunctions, which brings me to swine flu.

The Swine Flu Virus was first identified in April 2009, just as the Jupiter-Neptune-Chiron conjunction was coming into orb. You can read the blog I wrote about it at the time here.

However, to recap very briefly, I discussed how Neptune rules viruses and how I felt that the whole thing, reported as if it was some kind of apocalyptic event, was being blown out of proportion, a clear case of Jupiter blowing up the Neptune effect (with all respect of course due to all those individuals and their families who have suffered).

The way the news story spread also seemed viral and so did all the conspiracy theories that quickly emerged. Google Swine Flu Conspiracy and you will get over a million and a half results, with various ideas about the virus being deliberately developed for some darker purpose, about the vaccine being purposely formulated to kill more than it cures etc. etc. Wow, we really are in Neptune’s murky realms here, if so many people really do believe that the whole swine flu phenomenon is something other than it seems.

Interestingly, a 'new wave' of swine flu was announced in the news just as Jupiter went Direct and Chiron was about to go Direct. I wonder what will happen with swine flu when Neptune also goes direct. Perhaps it will make a big comeback, but let’s hope not.

With Neptune we are in also the realm of scandals. Of course there are scandals involving our celebrity idols in the news every day, but a political scandal is something else entirely.

The Parliamentary Expenses Scandal in the UK
A change in UK law means that details of expenses claimed by elected Members of Parliament have to be made public, with the exception of some ‘sensitive’ information that could be withheld. However, in May, The Daily Telegraph newspaper got hold of a leaked full copy of the expenses records and published those parts which implicated MPs who they felt had grossly misused the expenses system for their own personal gain. The media had a field day and the public were outraged. Many MPs resigned, were sacked or were deselected and many more were asked to pay back the expenses they had erroneously received. A reform of the expenses system is in hand and the whole affair has led to calls for wider political reform (Aquarius).

As mentioned, scandals are Neptune’s territory, Jupiter here perhaps represents the big bubble of wealth opportunity which burst for MPs when the scandal broke and Chiron perhaps symbolises the wounded system which can only be healed by itself from the inside. In the UK 1801 chart the triple conjunction opposes the UK’s Saturn in Leo, signifying the new fiscal controls and limits on expenses that are being drawn up, adding up to new limitations on greed and a fairer system that MPs will be forced to accept. After all, it is the common British taxpayer that ultimately has to foot the bill for its so-called public servants.

While the review into the scandal was taking place the media fell quiet, but on the day Jupiter went Direct the story hit the headlines again, so again, it will be interesting to see what happens when Neptune goes direct.

There are of course many more stories, ones which embody the higher symbolism of the conjunction. Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize, for example, awarded as Jupiter was on his natal Ascendant, for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples”, wonderful Aquarian values.

Then there was Bill Clinton’s diplomatic mission to rescue (Neptune) the journalists from North Korea, just as the triple conjunction opposed his natal Sun.

It is also worth mentioning Help for Heroes, a charity which has quickly become one of the most high profile charities in the UK, set up to help heal and rehabilitate wounded service men and women. In October this year, Phil Packer, who was paralysed in Iraq, won an award for raising £1.2million for the charity. This was despite severe spinal injuries and fears that he would never walk again. Well, walk he did, finishing the 26 mile London Marathon in 14 days. He also climbed a 3000ft mountain and rowed the English Channel! I don’t have birth data for him, but surely here is an example of Jupiter-Neptune-Chiron at its very best and also at its most literal.

As Neptune goes Direct this week, we might find that some of these stories and others stories which have reflected the Jupiter-Neptune-Chiron themes will hit the news again in the next couple of months. Whether we will get more clarity and resolution on these issues or simply more Neptunian confusion, remains to be seen.

*A Simple Explanation of Station and Retrograde

We all accept that the planets revolve around the Sun in continuous forward motion. However, astrology views the planets from our place here on planet Earth. From this perspective, it appears as if the planets sometimes slow down and stop, which is known as Station Retrograde. Then, the planet appears to move backwards for a while, known as Retrograde, through some of the zodiac degrees it has already moved through. Then, after a while of doing this, the backwards planet slows down and stops again, Stations Direct, after which it moves forwards again, Direct, and gains momentum.

When a planet is Retrograde, it is said that the energies and urges the planet represents go inwards, slow down, come up for review, that old ground has to be re-covered and that unnecessary action should be delayed until the Retrograde period is over. The best known Retrograde is that of Mercury, but all the other planets, with the exception of the Sun and Moon, also have Retrograde periods.

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