November begins with two planets having just changed direction; Mercury went retrograde on 10/28 and Neptune turned direct on 10/29. Mercury's retrograde signifies we begin this month taking a much closer, in-depth look into our personal concerns, with a commitment to considering the "dark underbelly" of those matters. Neptune's direction indicates we should approach life with regard for the subtleties we've become sensitized to in the previous five months. These two planets together bring a refinement to our attitudes and spiritual values that combine both personal and social issues, informing us of the oh-so-fine line between these two arenas of life.

On November 1^st, Mercury squares Saturn roughly twelve hours before Venus trines Uranus. Mercury-Saturn indicates a psychological "reality check", leading to a sudden recognition of certain dynamics in relationships which have been thorny. Mercury's presence in Scorpio, in particular, ensures the underlying causes will be grasped and understood in a new light. Use these two influences to break through old destructive patterns in relationships, by accepting the fact your ego was in the way.

The Sun will also trine Uranus on the 3^rd, furthering new insights into yourself and assuring the lessons won't be lost over time.

Venus squares Neptune on the 6^th, fostering fantasies both good and bad! It's imperative that you distinguish these fantasies as just that - fantasies. They can be wonderful for creative projects, but deadly for personal relationships, and with Venus we always have to consider relationships. An accurate perspective is definitely called for!

Mercury conjoins Venus on the 7^th, making this a good time to speak the truth openly from your heart, extending an invitation to those you wish to bring into your personal sphere. "Hospitality" comes in many forms, and Venus in combination with Mercury clearly points in the direction of communication.

Mercury, in retrograde motion, will square Neptune very early in the morning on the 8^th, and just thirteen hours later the Sun and Mercury conjoin in the 17^th degree of Scorpio. There are many mysteries in life that direct our lives along unknown and unrecognized pathways. The razor-sharp, inwardly-focused attention of Mercury in Scorpio will reveal some of these mysteries with the square to Neptune, setting the tone for Sun-Mercury. The conjunction of Sun-Mercury retrograde is the point in these two planets' relationship when they are closest, and this conjunction is even closer than usual; the Sun, Mercury, and Earth are aligned on the same plane horizontally as well vertically. This is called an "occultation" or "transit" in astrological terminology, meaning that if Mercury were much larger, we'd have an eclipse of the Sun by Mercury. Here is an opening to incorporate the Mystery into our thinking and attitudes in ways that will permanently sensitize us to the unknown possibilities, helping to delimit our lives by reviving imagination. Of course, you can also ignore the call of the Mystery and keep plodding along. The choice is each person's to make. The Sun's square to Neptune the following morning, November 9^th, can foster either wonder or complete confusion, depending on one's mindset from the previous day. The important factor to remember is that when certain astrological events occur so closely together, a turning point is presented which won't occur again for years. The Mystery is the act of participation in and an emotional commitment to a collective cause/vision; we all have an affect on our social involvements and we are all equally shaped by those involvements - though we may not want to think so!

On Saturday, the 11^th, Mercury will conjunct Mars. Actions will indeed speak so much louder than words, so be aware of what you choose to do that day. Because of Scorpio's tendency to "keep the cards close to the chest", you'll be less likely to make verbal outbursts, but remember there are more ways to communicate than through words.

Venus (yes, still in Scorpio) will square Saturn on the 12^th. This may leave you feeling somewhat isolated from others, but remember this will be fairly brief in duration, so don't read too much into your own and others' actions. Nothing is wrong, and sometimes it's good to allow some space in your togetherness. Its influence can help sort out what is yours, so to speak, and what belongs to others.

The Sun will also square Saturn on the 16^th, prolonging the feeling of separation - separation leading to clarity. This is a prime time to work on ventures requiring your full attention and energy. You can be particularly productive.

November 17^th is another double-duty day. Venus transits into Sagittarius at 1:02 a.m., and Mercury will turn direct at 5:25 p.m. in the 10^th degree of Scorpio. Within six days, three of the five planets that have been in Scorpio all month (Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter) will move into Sagittarius, and Venus is the first of these three, paving the way for a more festive holiday ambiance in contrast to the gravitas of Scorpio. Sagittarian enthusiasm makes Venus positively ebullient. Mercury, still in Scorpio, ensures the insights gained during the retrograde won't be lost or trivialized in the celebration, giving it greater meaning.

Next, Uranus will turn direct in the 11^th degree of Pisces 11/19. Somehow, the world will begin to look different over the coming months, but it's important to remember that changes that appear to be in the outer world actually originated in individuals' psyches over the past five months while Uranus was retrograde. Nevertheless, it will certainly feel and look as though the world is somehow a different place, and a good approach to these changes would be to ask yourself, "How have I contributed to these changed circumstances and how do I feel about the creative possibilities now available to me as a result of the changes?" If you're not yet aware of new creative possibilities, then keep your senses open in the coming weeks.

The Sun will enter Sagittarius on the 22^nd at 4:02 a.m., followed by Jupiter on the 23^rd - Thanksgiving Day (though not until 9:44 p.m). It's often overlooked that although Sagittarius is considered to be a celebratory sign, it takes us to the darkest moment of the year, the Winter Solstice. Sagittarius is also associated with optimism, so why is that the case if its momentum carries us to the shortest day of the year? The clue lies in observing that it follows Scorpio in the sequence of astrological signs. Having faced "death" in Scorpio, Sagittarius is no mindless bimbo interested only in partying after encountering foreseeable "mortality"! No, Sagittarius celebrates with a rich appreciation of all life has to offer, reaching out to embrace mortal existence fully. And this is the source of its association with wisdom, philosophy - including philosophies that undergird government, and religion.

Jupiter will return to one of its associated signs (the other is Pisces), magnifying the basic interpretation of Sagittarius. Jupiter last transited its own sign 12/94 - 1/96, and will remain in Sagittarius till 12/07. Does this mean that the underlying political beliefs that have formed the basis for government will become more egalitarian? We'll see... It is also generally true that this combination tends toward excesses of many kinds, predicated on outright cock-eyed optimism. The recent, sobering concentration of planets in Scorpio will hopefully form the counter-balance to foolish excess, both personally and collectively.

On November 25^th, Venus will square Uranus. This would be a good day to plan something unusual and out of the ordinary with someone you care about. It might be something that has been on your mind(s) for some time, but you never seized the moment to actually do it. A change of routine will enhance your relationship(s).

Finally, Mercury will square Neptune, and Mars will square Saturn on the 28^th. Mercury-Neptune signifies confused communication. Don’t allow others' apparent vagueness distress you to the point you decide to employ Mars-Saturn to "force the issue". And if someone should try to force the issue with you, remove yourself from their presence and come back a few days later when the pressure has dissipated. If you can't remove yourself from the situation, then do your very best to de-escalate the conversation and steer it toward doing something physically productive, for which Mars-Saturn is especially helpful.