ASTROLOGICAL HIGHLIGHTS OF NOVEMBER 2020

 

  

Día de Muertos. Panteón de Tzintzuntzan, Michoacán, México

Photo by Melomano30 via Wikimedia Commons 

The Big Picture in November

In the Northern Hemisphere, November is the month when we observe changes in the vegetation, whether in the form of plant decay or dormancy. Those of us who live in the warmer regions see less extreme changes in the natural world, and yet these subtle transformations are discernible.

For most of November, the Sun will be transiting Scorpio before it enters Sagittarius later in the month. Scorpio is the sign in the zodiac that symbolizes the cyclical death that is a necessary precursor to rebirth in the spring. This sign is associated with the profound and the taboo: death, procreation, mysteries, deep investigation, and revelations. Scorpio is ruled by the planet Pluto, the powerful force that transforms.

In many countries, November is often associated with the remembrance of the ancestors. I’m most familiar with the traditions of the Mexican culture’s Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) that coincides with All Saints Day. The photo above captures this tradition in Michoacan, Mexico, where residents visit the cemeteries to clean the gravesites and to build alters with commemorative objects that pay tribute to the deceased. These motifs in Mexico reflect a blend of both the native indigenous symbols as well as Christian icons. Interestingly, in ancient times, the indigenous Mexicans would dig up the actual remains of their ancestors to commemorate them. When the Spaniards colonized the New World, they forbade the excavation of actual skeletons. Consequently, the native populations created alternative representations of their ancestors.

What is the quality of the energy of November 2020? This month appears to have much creative energy in store. We will see the formation of six quintiles throughout the month, which signals potential  for harmony and a period when our talents are in high gear. Furthermore, the cardinal energy of Mercury and Venus in Libra during the first week favors the initiation of projects. (Mercury and Venus will enter Scorpio later in the month). Throughout the month, Mars is transiting go-getter Aries, adding to the climate of intense activity, particularly after this planet goes direct on November 13,. Of course, Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto are still transiting achievement-oriented Capricorn throughout November.

Three planets changing direction might provide us with a sense of forward progress. Therefore, we might spend less time reviewing projects as we did during the retrograde periods. Instead, we might choose to focus on the implementation of our plans. Mercury, which rules communication and networking,  turns direct on November 3. A bit later,  Mars, the planet of will, shifts gears on November 13. Slow-moving Neptune, representing imagination and idealism, will transition into direct motion on November 28.

Now I will point out some of the challenges in November.  Venus, the planet of values, resources and relating forms several hard aspects. With her focus on relationships, Venus concerns herself with issues around harmony and balance, which also are associated with justice and fairness. In our personal or work lives, as well as in the societal sphere, we can anticipate potential tensions in this realm on November 1, November 3, November 9, November 11, November 15, November 19, November 25, and November 27.

Mercury, symbolizing communication and the mind, forms harder aspects in the earlier part of the month but softer aspects later on. There might be some attempt to suppress some information (in print or speech) on November 1 and November 3. Perhaps at work or home, there might be barriers to saying what we’d like to say. Additionally, something unexpected or shocking could be revealed on or around November 17.

During the second week of November, specifically on the 12^th and 15^th, hard Pluto aspects could reflect some big power plays operating in our personal or social environments, including in the public sphere. Will physical force be involved? Watch for this a few days before and a few days after the New Moon in Scorpio that occurs the evening of November 14 (PST).

On the last day of the month, November 30, we have a Full Moon Penumbral Lunar Eclipse (8 Gemini 38). Full Moons reflect a culmination of activity that began at the New Moon on November 14. Eclipses are powerful times of revelations that have the potential to enlighten us. The location of this eclipse falls in Gemini, which is ruled by Mercury. On this date, Mercury is still in Scorpio, which is ruled by Pluto. It could be that we might receive news that concerns a powerful event, an impactful decision, or details about a power play.

The major public event in the U.S. this month is the outcome of the general election on November 3.  For those of us who are very engaged with political issues, this will be an interesting event to observe. To what extent will Mercury retrograde phenomenon, such as misunderstandings, delays, and errors affect the election outcome? Will there be major technological issues? It’s interesting to note that Mercury turns direct right after noon on Election Day on the East Coast, and right after 9 AM on the West Coast.  In addition to Mercury retrograde, we might experience some forms of information suppression the first three days of the month, as I noted earlier. Finally, how will a polarized nation respond to the results of the election? How will the political parties and its citizens use their power? If anything, it will not be boring!

Significant Days in November

Below you will find a table of astrological events for this month. You can assess the quality of significant days by noting when planets form exact aspects and where all this activity takes place in your natal chart.

Here is a basic key for understanding the meaning of the aspects:

The Conjunction: This aspect represents the merging and fusion of energies by two (or more planets) that have joined at a particular degree (or within a specified orb). This combined energy is very potent. When this occurs, we might feel subjective about a matter in our lives.

The Sextile (60°): Planets in this formation are harmonious and lend themselves to cooperation. Astrologer Sue Tompkins says there is a quality of “coaxing” in sextiles. In other words, if we put in a little effort at these times, we can take advantage of opportunities in a situation.

The Quintile (72°): Planets in this aspect represent the type of harmony inherent in creative endeavors. It might often describe the impulse to fuse an idea into a tangible substance. Quintiles often describe the talents possessed by individuals.

The Square (90°): Planets that line up in this aspect reflect incompatible energies with contrasting needs. Consequently, we can describe this planetary relationship as tense and strained. Because these energies can be working at cross-purposes, the situation at hand may require us to make choices. The “silver lining” is that squares compel us to take action and this often results in dispelling tension. If we are conscious of the dilemma, we can use the excess energy in a matter so that we can achieve something useful.

The Trine (120°): There is an ease in the relationship between planets involved with this aspect because they are of the same element. At this time, we can perform activities with a flowing energy. We enjoy these activities, and they often reflect our innate talents. Because this energy is so comfortable, it often does not promote growth. Yet, these aspects reflect how we can be healed.

The Quincunx (150°): Planets forming this relationship appear to have nothing in common. These planets display energies that are out of step with one another. There can be an element of irritation and stress because of this, but it is not a confrontative type of energy. If we are conscious of this reality, we can make adjustments to the relationship such that we do not feel so out of sync.

The Opposition (180°): This relationship between planets brings to our awareness how something is different from our preferred position. We could be in conflict with others about a matter. Also, we might shift our preference from one point of view to its opposite. Yet, we can also find common ground in this relationship. This aspect has the potential for us to integrate our perspectives.

Date of Exact or Near Exact Aspect	Pacific Time	Astrological Event
November 1	11:05 AM	Mercury Rx (26 Libra 16) square Saturn (26 Capricorn 16)
November 1	11:55 AM	Venus (5 Libra 47)  opposition Chiron (5 Aries 47)
November 2	8:08 AM	Sun (10 Scorpio 41) quintile Pluto (22 Capricorn 41)
November  3	9:49 AM	Mercury (25 Libra 54) turns Direct
November 3	6:21 PM	Venus (8 Libra 32) quincunx Uranus (8 Taurus 32)
November 6	1:11 AM	Mercury (26 Libra 32) square Saturn (26 Capricorn 32)
November 7	3:41 AM	Sun (15 Scorpio 31) quincunx Mars(15 Aries 31)
November 9	8:08 AM	Venus (15 Libra 32) opposition Mars (15 Aries 32)
November 9	9:11 PM	Sun (18 Scorpio 16) trine Neptune (18 Pisces 16)
November 10	1:55 PM	Mercury enters Scorpio
November 11	4:31 PM	Venus (18 Libra 15) quincunx Neptune (18 Pisces 15)
November 12	1:39 PM	Jupiter (22 Capricorn 52) conjunct Pluto (22 Capricorn 52)
November 13	4:35 PM	Mars (15 Aries 14) turns Direct
November 14	11:48 AM	Sun (22 Scorpio 54) sextile Pluto (22 Capricorn 54)
November 14	7:57 PM	Sun (23 Scorpio 15) sextile Jupiter (23 Capricorn 15)
November 14	9:07 PM	New Moon (23 Scorpio 18)
November 15	10:38 AM	Jupiter (23 Capricorn 21) quintile Chiron (5 Aries 21 Rx)
November 15	11:43 AM	Venus (22 Libra 55) square Pluto (22 Capricorn 55)
November 15	9:32 PM	Venus (23 Libra 26) square Jupiter (23 Capricorn 26)
November 17	12:07 AM	Mercury (08 Scorpio 01) opposition Uranus (08 Taurus 01)
November 18	11:17 PM	Sun (27 Scorpio 25) sextile Saturn (27 Capricorn 25)
November 19	2:01 AM	Mercury (10 Scorpio 59) quintile Pluto (22 Capricorn 59)
November 19	3:28 AM	Venus (27 Libra 26) square Saturn (27 Capricorn 26)
November 19	8:21 PM	Mercury (12 Scorpio 07) quintile Jupiter (24 Capricorn 07)
November 21	5:22 AM	Venus enters Scorpio
November 21	12:40 PM	Sun enters Sagittarius
November 22	5:24 AM	Mercury (15 Scorpio 40) quintile Saturn (27 Capricorn 40)
November 22	6:00 AM	Mercury (15 Scorpio 43) quincunx Mars (15 Aries 43)
November 23	8:39 PM	Mercury (18 Scorpio 10) trine Neptune (18 Pisces 10)
November 25	3:16 AM	Pluto (23 Cap 08) quintile Chiron Rx (5 Aries 08)
November 25	8:46 AM	Venus (05 Scorpio 08) quincunx Chiron (05 Aries 08)
November 26	1:52 PM	Sun (05 Sagittarius 07) trine Chiron (05 Aries 07)
November 27	2:38 AM	Mercury (23 Scorpio 11) sextile Pluto (23 Capricorn 11)
November 27	9:10 AM	Venus (07 Scorpio 38) opposition Uranus (07 Taurus 38)
November 28	4:37 PM	Neptune turns Direct
November 28	6:50 PM	Mercury (25 Scorpio 37) sextile Jupiter (25 Capricorn 37)
November 29	12:19 AM	Sun (07 Saggitarius 34) quincunx Uranus (07 Taurus 34)
November 30	1:29 AM	Full Moon Pennumbral Lunar Eclipse (8 Gemini 38)
November 30	11:01 AM	Mercury (28 Scorpio 23) sextile Saturn (28 Capricorn 23)