🍂November 2023 Astro-Highlights: Think BIG. Work Hard.

Restrictive Saturn is a major player throughout November, reminding us to use discernment before shooting off into the lofty territory of Sagittarius season.

After four months of reflection, Saturn stations direct at 0° Pisces on November 4. It’s time to reinforce (or erect) boundaries where we have been lax and continue working to bring structure and discipline to the realm of imagination.

On the 8th, Venus finally gains the strength of her home sign of Libra, where relationships, creativity, and financial matters get a much-needed boost.

On the 9th, Mercury becomes the first planet to enter the optimistic sign of Sagittarius this year, but first, it will briefly square skeptical Saturn, creating a temporary state of apprehension.

Midmonth, the high-powered Scorpio New Moon resurrects our passion but throws a few curveballs our way before magically manifesting any intentions we set.

The Sun enters Sagittarius on the 22nd, illuminating this idealistic and philosophical fire sign, but like Mercury before it, it faces a somber square to Saturn in Pisces.

On the 24th, Mars leaves its domicile to enter the wild domain of Sagittarius, awakening a sense of adventure once Mars goes through its frustrating square to Saturn.

The Full Moon in Gemini culminates on the 27th with a frustrating and scattered energy that requires us to slow down and focus on quality.

Overall, November is excellent energy for big-picture planning because of the upbeat and optimistic influence of planets entering expansive Sagittarius. The Scorpio New Moon brings a major creative boost, while Saturn's influence throughout the month, although limiting, gives us prudence and discipline to help us create something long-term.

Energy Most Challenging for Sun/Moon/Rising in: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces 

The Mutable signs, Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces, are likely to hit a few frustrating roadblocks this month since the two Malefics, Saturn and Mars, will be conjunct, squaring, or opposing your Ascendant throughout November.

Energy Most Positive for Sun/Moon/Rising in: Aries, Taurus, Libra

Aries and Libra will receive a welcomed boost of love when Venus graces her home sign of Libra this month. 

Jupiter, although retrograde, is protecting Taurus, giving them an optimistic outlook now that the eclipses have officially ended in this sign.

Mixed Energy for Sun/Moon/Rising in: Cancer, Leo, Capricorn, Aquarius

Cancer, Capricorn, Leo, and Aquarius have the support of either Venus, Jupiter, and/or the planets through Sagittarius this month, which will help negate any challenges that may come up.

Maximum Intensity for Sun/Moon/Rising in: Scorpio, Sagittarius

Scorpios will experience a passionate and magical new beginning with the Scorpio New Moon.

Sagittarius will be the center of attention this month as Mercury, Mars, and the Sun transit this fire sign together. 

November 4, 2023: Saturn Stations Direct at 0° Pisces

November 8, 2023: Venus Enters Libra 

November 9, 2023: Mercury Enters Sagittarius

November 13, 2023: New Moon at 21° Scorpio

November 22,  2023: Sun Enters Sagittarius

November 24, 2023: Mars Enters Sagittarius

November 27, 2023: Full Moon at 4° Gemini

Saturn Stations Direct at 0° Pisces

Exact on November 4, 2023 at 1:03 am MDT

Active from November 4, 2023 through June 29, 2024

After four and a half months, Saturn is ready to resume forward motion in the nebulous sign of Pisces. Saturn in Pisces is a strange and contradictory energy—while Saturn rules consensus reality, Pisces is the dream world.  

With Saturn in Pisces, we are working on merging these worlds and bringing structure and form to our most sacred and creative dreams. We can achieve our most fantastical goals with Saturn in this highly imaginative sign, but only if we pass the tests of Saturn. In Pisces, those tests involve establishing boundaries where we have had none and committing to a goal without wavering when a fleeting emotion gets the better of us.

Venus Enters Libra

Exact on November 8, 2023 at 2:30 am MST

Active from November  8 through December 4, 2023

Venus in Libra rekindles our commitment to others and breathes a renewed sense of romance into our relationships. This Venus transit through Libra promises to be a particularly pleasant experience, considering Venus's difficulty in the prior months with the retrograde in Leo and the subsequent transit through Virgo, where Venus is at its fall position.

Now, with the strength and dignity of its home sign, Venus in Libra gives us a deeper appreciation for beauty, harmony, and equilibrium in our relationships and finances. We value reciprocity and mutual benefit during this transit, which fosters more fair and harmonious negotiations.

Venus's transit through Libra will involve a conjunction to the South Node and a passionate square to Pluto. Relationships or financial issues from our past may rear their ugly heads around this time, and we'll need to deal with a few things we thought were long dead.

Mercury Enters Sagittarius

November 9, 2023 at 11:25 pm MST

Active from November 9 through December 1, 2023

When Mercury enters Sagittarius, it fosters deep exploration of life and the world around us. Mercury in Sagittarius is an optimistic and energetic transit, but details are not its strength. Mercury is in detriment in the sign of the Archer, meaning our inner vision and thoughts reach expansive heights, but they can become convoluted and challenging to articulate. Ideally, we can utilize this transit for visualization and contemplation of the underlying purpose of our pursuits and objectives.

Upon entering this Mutable Fire sign, Mercury immediately squares Saturn in Pisces. We may experience a brief but necessary period of skepticism regarding our bigger goals and sense of purpose. Saturn once again insists that we approach things with a realistic and long-term perspective.

New Moon at 21° Scorpio

November 13, 2023 at 2:27 am MST

Most active from November 8 through November 18, 2023

This New Moon in Scorpio reminds us that power is neither good nor bad; how we wield it is what matters. This New Moon highlights Scorpio's transformative and regenerative capacity, presenting a dynamic opportunity to act quickly on our deepest passions and desires.

The New Moon in Scorpio is conjunct ruler Mars and sextile its co-ruler Pluto in Capricorn, infusing the action we take with high-octane potency. Mars and Pluto working together allow us to tap into our deepest reserves of willpower and use this energy in our favor, allowing nothing to stand in the way of our heart's desire!

However, the New Moon is opposite Uranus, which means we will undoubtedly face a few thrilling twists before things come together.

Oppositions between Mars and Uranus can work for or against us! If we remain conscious, we can have sudden creative breakthroughs and dynamic bursts of physical energy that empower us to achieve anything we set our sights on. We can also spiral into erratic and reckless action that wreaks havoc on our lives and the lives of others.

Ultimately, the Scorpio New Moon gives great power to our intentions by taking inspired and assertive action. The key to this New Moon is to be prepared for disruptions, shocking twists, bouts of impatience, and the good chance we may take on too much or take impulsive, regrettable action if we don't pause for reflection.

Sun Enters Sagittarius

November 22, 2023 at 7:03 am MST

Active from November 22 through December 21, 2023

The Sun begins its yearly illumination of the Mutable Fire sign, Sagittarius, and ushers in a noticeable and optimistic shift in energy. Those with their Sun in Sagittarius are the embodiment of a free spirit—jovial, spontaneous, freedom-loving, and adventurous.

The Sun will enter this idealistic sign on a more somber note this year with an immediate square to Saturn. Our optimism is tested during this brief transit, and we may feel weighed down by pessimism or a heavy load of responsibilities. However, it's important to remember that the Sun's yearly squares to Saturn are essential reality checks that ultimately strengthen our determination to achieve our bigger goals and live up to our most important responsibilities.

Mars Enters Sagittarius

November 24, 2023 at 3:15 am MST

Active from November 24, 2023 through January 4, 2024

Mars sets its sights high as it moves into the fiery sign of Sagittarius. This transit brings a competitive edge, a zest for life, and an idealistic drive to impact the world positively.

Mars in Sagittarius infuses us with boundless enthusiasm, an adventurous spirit, and a desire for new experiences. We have a stronger burning for independence and freedom with Mars in the sign of the Archer and the physical vitality to go after these things directly.

Additionally, with Mars through this Mutable Fire sign, we are passionate about our beliefs and values and may find ourselves advocating more for social or moral causes.

Immediately upon entering Sagittarius, Mars forms a frustrating square with Saturn, now direct in Pisces. Setbacks are the name of the game under this transit, unfortunately. Although we may feel inspired to do so, this is not the time to take risks because we're likely to face rejection.

Full Moon at 4° Gemini

Exact on November 27, 2023 at 2:16 am MST

Most active November 22 through December 2, 2023

Gemini is a quick and agile energy that prefers the mental stimulation of multitasking and having many plates spinning at once!

When the moon is full in this highly social and inquisitive sign, we can be very BUSY. 

However, when Gemini energy is challenged, as it is at this culmination, too many divergent energies can dilute our focus, creating confusion, miscommunications, mistakes, and mental burnout. 

This Full Moon is opposite Mars in Sagittarius and square to Saturn in Pisces. With Mars in Sagittarius, we are ready for adventure, fun, freedom, or to jump into our next exciting adventure. However, the square to Saturn sternly reminds us that we aren’t quite ready. There is still important work to be done and at this Full Moon, we may feel as though our plate is too full. Saturn advises patience, focus, and diligence despite the intense urge to move on or complete something in haste.

Mercury, which rules the Full Moon, is in detriment in the eager sign of Sagittarius and squaring Neptune in Pisces. Communications may be overwhelming or sloppy, and our thoughts could be discombobulated.

It’s likely things will come up to show us where we’ve either moved too quickly, overlooked details in our enthusiasm, underestimated the amount of work to be done, or where we were confused by something we thought we understood, and it is now halting our progress.

As this Full Moon culminates the very wild Scorpio New Moon from two weeks ago, perhaps disruptions got us off track, or our intense passion took us in unexpected directions. 

Regardless of the circumstances, the Gemini Full Moon insists that we focus our energy, choose quality over quantity, and tie up loose ends before our next adventure can begin. 

Written by Stephanie Weiss, edited by Heather and the Astrology with Heather team