It’s a week of contrasts: The sky is relatively quiet, but daily life continues to be busy. Feelings run deep but emotional resolution stays just out of reach. New endeavors encourage excitement, but old efforts require additional attention. And even though these comparisons suggest polarized positions, nothing in the astrological picture suggests mean-spirited conflict. (For those who thrive on a fight, opportunities for battle are coming around again in a few weeks. But just for the record, there’s already enough conflict in the world to last an eternity.) Use the relative calm of the week as another chance to take stock and sort through any number of issues still in need of clarity.
The New Moon today, November 11, in Scorpio, does add a dash of excitement to the week. Scorpio likes to probe the deep, and while that need to plumb the depths of any situation can often result in going just a little too far, Scorpio is never satisfied living on the surface of life. Its investigations may cause trouble, but figuring out how to escape a difficult situation is part of the attraction. Today’s New Moon occurs with a conjunction to Mercury, as well as a sextile to Jupiter. Mercury’s presence amplifies intellectual curiosity and contributes thoughtful action to things started as part of this new cycle; the sextile to Jupiter expands Scorpio’s bandwidth to include the practical application of feelings, hunches, and intuition. All New Moons signal new beginnings, and this one bodes well for seeds planted under its influence.
Two other astral points to note: (1) Mars enters Libra on November 12, and its journey through Libra, the Sign of relating, is likely to stir more than a few incidents with partners, personal and/or professional, as well as all other intimate alliances, including lovers, friends, and family members. It would be good to remember during this Martian journey through Libra that there are always many sides to the story, and while that doesn’t mean all sides are equal, it is always wise to listen before you rush to judgment.
(2) The Saturn/Neptune square increases its intensity. As I wrote in a previous column, this square is about the dissolution of structure, particularly spiritual structures that no longer can hold their own. Neptune signifies all things related to alternate states of mind and alternate states of reality. That includes illusion, delusion, all psychological states from the lowest forms of drug and alcohol addicted states to the highest form of meditative mystical bliss. It also symbolizes the sea and all the life forms that live in the deep. Saturn signifies reality. It gets down to the bone, the nitty-gritty. Saturn’s actually keepin’ it real. As Saturn transits Sagittarius, the Sign of spiritual search, we are examining what we believe and why. The square with Neptune requires the ability to discern the difference between fact and fiction, as well as between reality and fantasy.
Saturn and Neptune square each other three times over the next 9 months. The first square is November 26, 2015. The second is June 17, 2016. The third is September 6, 2016. Of course, many a thoughtful person might ask if there are any more structures left to dissolve. So many traditional ways of doing things seem to have evaporated. But I’m sure a few still unnoticed facades will fall away under Saturn’s intense gaze.
As the week unfolds, try not to push yourself or others too hard. Use the relative quiet of the week to rest. And as always, try to be as kind as possible to your fellow travelers. Everyone benefits from compassion.
Sun Bursts: If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon Sign, read that too.
Aries March 21-April 19
The New Moon creates fertile ground for financial planning, so use this cycle to organize your money matters. Put aside fantasy, deal with reality, and make a thoughtful plan that will yield positive results. This may require acknowledging habits you wish would just go away, but wishing and hoping won’t work as well putting a solid plan into action.
Taurus April 20-May 20
The New Moon takes place in your Solar House of relationship, but I would limit your interactions to romantic encounters only. This is an opportunity to create greater authenticity in all your partnerships, including—and most important—your relationship with yourself.
Gemini May 21-June 21
This New Moon invites you to examine how to take better care of yourself and others. Pay attention to health issues, especially patterns you know should change but you haven’t been able to muster the might to shift them. I’m not suggesting there’s something wrong; I’m simply advising you to make the most of this opportunity to create healthier patterns.
Cancer June 22-July 22
The New Moon encourages you to take risks, but to use this new cycle successfully you have to discern the difference between stupid bravado and a genuine desire to stretch into unknown territory. Notice just how much the desire for safety influences your choices—you may be missing out on beneficial opportunities.
Leo July 23-August 22
The New Moon offers opportunities to renovate your home, inside and out or to revitalize your internal center. Pay attention to the places in need of “home improvement.” Is it your actual, physical space? Or is it your meditation method? Whatever or wherever the upgrades occur, this lunar cycle has the potential to facilitate positive growth.
Virgo August 23-September 22
The New Moon creates the possibility of deeper communication with family members, and while this doesn’t necessarily include spouses or significant others, both personal and professional, its influence could extend to any relationship in need of attention. Use this new beginning wisely by carefully choosing your words.
Libra September 23-October 22
The New Moon stimulates a desire to clean up your finances by bringing greater awareness to how you make, spend and use money. This is not about a spending plan or a budget. This cycle is about delving into the many conscious and unconscious ways that money expresses emotional needs, specifically the need for emotional security.
Scorpio October 23-November 21
This New Moon isn’t exactly the equivalent of an identity crisis, but it could be used that way, especially if there are aspects of your persona that you want to refine. Use the depth and scope of this lunar phase to acknowledge what needs to shift and you might discover how easy it is to shift old patterns when you are in the right frame of mind.
Sagittarius November 22-December 21
The New Moon provides permission to get lost in your dreams, waking or sleeping, so don’t hesitate to spend additional time exploring your internal terrain. I’m not guaranteeing a wealth of life-changing revelations. But I am suggesting that there are unquantifiable benefits to listening to messages from the part of your mind that is normally just out of reach.
Capricorn December 22-January 19
The New Moon creates fertile ground for planting social seeds—it’s an opportunity to move into deeper participation in your community. Seize this moment and instead of going into seasonal hibernation—something you’re quite comfortable with—step into an uncomfortable zone, and use this time to make contact by actively interacting with others.
Aquarius January 20-February 18
This New Moon is all about your career and professional standing—and even if you’re retired, pay attention because the lunar spotlight is on identifying what you most want to be known for. It’s simply a chance to create greater clarity about the gifts and talents that bring you a joyous sense of self and personal accomplishment.
Pisces February 19-March 20
The New Moon stimulates deeper spiritual inquiry by inviting you to probe the depths of what’s true for you. This is not about adhering to a strict religious program or abandoning one. It’s about examining your belief systems in an effort to identify what forms the basis of your path. Take your time with this process and you’ll experience greater clarity.
Ralfee Finn specializes in Transformational Astrology. For readings, call 1-212-222-3232, write P.O. Box 343, New York, NY 10025, visit AquariumAge.com, or e-mail ralfee@aquariumage.com.
Copyright © 2015 by Ralfee Finn