Allllllrighty then!

First, a warm welcome to a slew of new Avid Readers who discovered and subscribed to this forecast over the holiday weekend, thanks to shout-outs made possible by Greg Olear (author of the most excellent Substack newsletter — PREVAIL), the Seven Sisters Alumnae Association, and Beth Owl’s Daughter, whose weekly Tarot Card is always in sync with planetary patterns.

I had a lovely Thanksgiving holiday, and I hope you did, too. In addition to the delightful shout-outs, I received a few unexpected invitations for speaking engagements, and that always makes my day.

Meanwhile, I just have to share a bit of feedback received today from a client consultation I had earlier last week! It’s such a cool example of how astrology can be super-helpful in your own personal world.

My client has been job hunting, and she’s received one offer from a company that wants an answer ASAP. She’s much more interested in another opportunity, but for various reasons, wasn’t convinced she’d make it to the next step in the hiring process. Should she move forward on the one offer received? That was her dilemma.

Astrology can help with these issues in more than one way. First, I ran a chart for the time my client asked her question about taking the offer she had. This is called a horary question (a.k.a. a Burning Question),  and it’s described in greater detail here on my website. In the chart for a horary question it is possible to discern an accurate assessment of circumstances surrounding the question, and a likely outcome.

The chart for the question made it obvious that my client was not in a clear state of mind, and truly not that invested in accepting the offer. The strategy was to wait, and this was affirmed when I then looked at patterns in her horoscope for the following week, and saw:

These patterns convinced me that she was likely to hear news — and probably good news, at the beginning of this week, and that’s what I told her.

Did I know with absolute certainty that it would be related to this particular work opportunity? Nothing is absolutely certain (except death and taxes), but if I had to bet on it, the odds for it being a job-related piece of good news was strong. And guess what? My wonderful client emailed me this morning (Nov 27) to say that she’d been called in for an interview — the hoped-for next step in the process.

I’ve been smiling about this all day. I don’t know why astrology works, but it does…and often, it feels like magic.

Right-o. The forecast for this week.

Highlights are:

• Full Moon in Gemini on Monday
• Mercury square Neptune #1 on Monday
• Venus conjunct the South Node on Wednesday
• Mercury enters Capricorn on Friday
• Mercury sextile Saturn on Saturday
• Venus square Pluto on Sunday

Basically, Mercury (how we need to think and communicate) and Venus (who, what, and how we need to love) are the star players. The challenges reflected by patterns affecting both planets this week are beautifully represented in Beth Owl’s Daughter’s Tarot Card of the Week, which is Temperance. Beth writes (words in italics are mine):

“Temperance” comes from the Latin verb, tempare which means “to mix or combine.” While the Temperance Leagues during the days of alcohol (Neptune!!) Prohibition gave this word an association of denial and abstinence, the older concept of temperance teaches that a virtuous life avoids extremism (Pluto!!).

It goes like this:

• MONDAY: Moon in Gemini needs to be the smartest kid in the room. “What’s the buzz, tell me what’s happening” is its mantra. And what’s happening today (and all through the weekend and the start of this week) is likely to be sublimely ideal, surreal, dreamy, and/or delusional. Determining which of those four potentials apply is our challenge.  At 4:16 AM ET Moon waxed to its fullness. At 8:27 AM ET, Mercury squared Neptune, which is why I said what I said about the potential for magical thinking, etc. Note that this Mercury-Neptune square is the first of three we will have in a concentrated period. The next two are on December 27 and January 8th. Why three? Because Mercury turns retrograde on December 13th, and before it goes retrograde, it passes through its shadow phase.

A pause, while we discuss what it means when Mercury (or any other planet) is in its shadow phase.

Mercury goes retrograde on December 13th at a point we call 8 degrees of Capricorn.

Mercury turns direct on January 1st at 22 degrees of Sagittarius, which is where Mercury was on Friday, November 24th.

Mercury returns to 8 degrees of Capricorn on January 20th.

Translation: all brainstorming, communications, and negotiations happening between November 24th and January 20th are subject to review and revision. We don’t cover totally new ground until January 21st. Thus, any project demanding our attention on November 24th is likely to be in focus again on January 1st. Any project demanding focus on December 13th is likely to be in focus again on January 20th.

In the mundane world, whatever was in the news on November 24th is likely to be in the spotlight on New Year’s Day, especially if it involves people and entities with planets at 22 Sagittarius, Gemini, Virgo, and Pisces. Whatever is in the news on December 13th is likely to involve people and entities with planets at 8 Capricorn, Cancer, Aries, and Libra — and those stories may return on January 20th.

Between November 24th and December 13th, Mercury travels from 22 Sagittarius to 8 Capricorn. This is Mercury’s shadow period. Mercury is moving forward, but Mercury is going to revisit that span when it goes retrograde, literally retracing its steps (“retrograde” means “backward step”). Between January 1st and January 20th, Mercury will travel from 22 Sagittarius to 8 Capricorn — moving forward, but over ground it’s already covered. This is also Mercury’s shadow period. These two shadow periods bracket the days when Mercury is retrograde.  Clear? Holler if you have questions.

A second pause, while we discuss today’s Full Moon in Gemini, set in Washington, D.C.:

Observations:

• A Full Moon in Gemini illuminates the need for facts (Gemini Moon) vs. the energy of beliefs (Sagittarius Sun). What if the beliefs are inaccurate? How will that affect the ability to process facts? Will we end up with “alternative facts,” as Kellyanne Conway infamously proclaimed on January 22, 2017 (in a discussion about the size of the crowd at TFG’s inauguration)?!
• Like the chart for the New Moon in Scorpio, the Sun is in the 2nd house (now opposed by the Moon in the 8th house). So, for the United States, we see another focus on matters involving money, worth, and values — but this time opposed by matters involving shared investments, shared values, debt, taxes, and mortality. As if on cue, at 6 AM ET, this was posted on the homepage of Washington Post: “This lawsuit could disrupt the U.S. tax system. Key facts are in dispute.”  So cool!
• Mars is in the 2nd house in Sagittarius. The energy of action and assertion is inclined to push boundaries and burn a hole in the proverbial wallet (or righteously opinionated value system). Note that the Moon is about to oppose Mars, so we can absolutely envision a heated face-off involving information and belief. FUN FACT: it’s just occurred to me that lawyers use the phrase “upon information and belief” in their court filings explaining why such-and-such defendant was charged with such-and-such unlawful activity. They make a point of stating that the facts support the allegations.
• Mercury is in Sagittarius, which can be quite sloppy in its thinking, preferring broad conceptual strokes to exacting detail. Mercury in Sagittarius probably coined the phrase, “we’ll fix it in post.” Mercury is exactly square Neptune, and — as noted above — reflects ideals, intuition, illusions, and delusions. We could easily be carried away by a dream, especially since we’ll have this pattern twice more in the coming weeks. But — it’s the holidaze (!) — and so long as we realize it’s a dream (or an escapist fantasy, such as a dream vacation), there’s no harm in enjoying it, right?
• As it was on the New Moon in Scorpio, Pluto is at the root of this chart, suggesting composting, purging, and power plays are continuing throughout this news cycle. This time, Pluto is also squaring the 0 degree Scorpio Ascendant, which — let the record show — has just changed into something NEW.
• The 0 degree Scorpio Ascendant suggests that much free will is in play at this time. It’s too soon to tell which way events will evolve. Thus it is a screaming wake-up call for anyone seeking to be of influence in near future.
• Venus is in the 12th house of the subconscious, large institutions of confinement (e.g. churches, hospitals, prisons), self-sabotage, and hidden enemies. In general, Venus in the 12th suggests a private sense of aesthetics, and is prone to dissatisfaction (which might arguably be avoided, if the dissatisfied entity were less private about things). Venus is dignified and high-functioning in Libra, one of the signs it rules. Venus in Libra is thus able to act in line with its values of peace, love, fairness, and diplomacy in relationship.
• Venus is conjunct the South Node, which refers to past-life patterns than no longer serve, destruction, and potentially toxic release. Venus is also square to Pluto, which suggests extremes of social expression in a possible breakdown and/or transformation. There’s much I could say about this pattern, but for now, it seems an apt one for Rosalynn Carter’s funeral on Wednesday.
• The Sabian Symbols for this Full Moon are “a radical magazine” (for the Moon), and “an owl up a tree” (for the Sun). A radical magazine is loaded with double entendre, which makes sense for a Gemini Moon, right? On the one hand, it refers to a literary publication, echoing other symbols of righteous communication in this Full Moon chart. “Radical” also means “root,” and “magazine” is a type of ammunition. A war of words? Or literal ammo? Sabian sage Blain Bovee notes “there is a creative irony in all things radical: the new is almost always a going back to the roots of the old ways.” Think about that when perusing the news.
• “An owl up a tree” is a creature associated with Athena, goddess of wisdom. Bovee notes that the owl can literally turn its head around, secure (and rooted!) in its lofty perch. Other potential themes emerge when we consider that owls may or may not give a hoot, or that to hoot at something may be the voice of satire of scorn. Point is, we are advised to watch for these Sabian Symbols in the headlines with a mind to the humor of “radical ideas that arise periodically; stump speeches and soapboxes; retro trends; a wise-owl ease with the responsibilities of liberty; the hierarchy of equality; the dissent of fraternity.”
• Here is one of my favorite examples of a Sabian Symbol’s pervasive reflection in the headlines. After this one in 2022, Elon Musk’s conquest of Twitter stunk up the news.
• If you are new to the Sabian Symbols, here is the backstory. If you want to learn more, I highly recommend Blain Bovee’s fabulous book, “The Sabian Symbols & Astrological Analysis.” I just love his way with words.
• You are more personally affected by the illumination potential of this Full Moon if you have planets around 5 degrees of Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo, and Pisces. That includes Caroline Kennedy, Jimi Hendrix, and Bill Nye.

Back to the forecast for the week:

• TUESDAY: After traveling for over 24 hours with no interference (potentially generating an intense buzz in the way that a snowball grows in size when it rolls down a mountain), the info-seeking, pixie-chatterbox Gemini Moon gets a sweet lift via a trine (harmony) to Venus, exact at 12:54 PM ET. Double check communications and directions for clarity, reflecting the Moon’s square to Neptune at 4:29 PM ET. If you’re a creative or soulful type, you may put the dreamy potential to inspired use. Facts may noticeably challenge beliefs around 8:03 PM ET, when Moon opposes Mercury. Chill during the ensuing six-hour Moon void. Roll with the twists and flakes that may disrupt efforts to move forward in a straight line, and don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. Crises that crop up during Moon voids are often much ado about nothing. For more on Moon voids, look here. Moon regains its focus at 1:53 AM ET on…
• WEDNESDAY: …when it enters Cancer, the sign it rules. For the next two days, the reigning need is on creating and maintaining emotional security — in families, home, and homelands. Themes of women, nurturing, and nourishment are also highlighted. Arise, go forth, and accomplish this agenda with ease today, as the Moon is supported by a trine to Saturn at 3:51 AM ET, and a sextile to Jupiter at 3:21 PM ET. Good for business! Meanwhile, at 12:16 PM ET, Venus meets up with the aforementioned South Node. In the headlines, we’ll know it when we see it.
• THURSDAY: In general, another day with few speed bumps. Moon sextiles Uranus at 4:19 PM ET, suggesting success for those attempting to reach across the aisle. Late evening may be inspiring, reflecting the trine between Moon and Neptune at 1:04 AM ET on…
• FRIDAY: A challenge involving women, arts, and worth needs to be worked out overnight, as Moon squares Venus at 3:08 AM ET….and builds to the weekly cathartic potential around 8:06 AM ET, as Moon makes its weekly clash with Pluto. If your morning starts off slowly (on the East Coast), it may reflect the Moon void. Meanwhile, certain communications and data points are demanding our attention, reflecting Mercury’s change of sign. At 9:31 AM ET it leaves Sagittarius and enters Capricorn. Immediately our collective thinking leans towards what can be realistically achieved (not righteously opined), backed by actual tools designed to Get The Job Done. Today (and possibly yesterday), we’re likely to be hearing from Liz Cheney, Sen. Ted Cruz, Rudy Giuliani, and Alexei Navalny, all of whom have planets and angles in their horoscopes that are activated by Mercury’s passage into Capricorn.
• FRIDAY: At 11 AM ET, Moon enters Leo, looking for the nearest party or stage upon which to shine. Leo needs to be loved and adored, which explains why those born with Moon in Leo — like Argentina’s new president, or King Charles III— do anything. A dramatic agenda is supported by boundary-pushing action all day, as Moon trines Mars at 9:47 PM ET. Sensible thinking that really has considered every detail is suggested today and…
• SATURDAY: …reflecting Mercury’s sextile (cooperative pattern) to Saturn (structure, ambition, authority), exact at 10:27 AM ET. Earlier in the day, Moon in Leo’s exuberance was boosted by a square to Jupiter at 12:44 AM ET, and supported by a trine to the Sun in Sagittarius at 6:44 AM ET. Let’s GO…on with the SHOW!
• SUNDAY: Surprise! If there was a buzz building last last night, a square between the Moon and Uranus may have been reflected in a sudden jolt to the status quo. There’s likely an intensity akin to emotional overkill about social expression, money, values. and women, as Venus squares Pluto at 8:29 AM ET. If the markets were volatile before the weekend, I wouldn’t be surprised. Nor would I be surprised by a bit of seismic activity. The Leo Moon travels without interference for the bulk of the day, supported by a sextile to Venus at 9:11 PM ET. After a two-hour Moon void, Moon enters Virgo with a broom, dustpan, spreadsheet, and calculator.

Normally, I would do a news round-up here, but because I do not wish to overwhelm new Avid Readers, my intention is to write a separate post that will go out tomorrow evening (fingers crossed). At least this is my intention — not a guarantee.

Meanwhile, I do want to share :

• one unbelievably mind-boggling story (in sync with planetary patterns),
• and two photos

…before I close.

Here is the mind-boggling story, reflecting spacey Mercury square Neptune on steroids. Mercury was at 22 Sagittarius when it hit the wires, so let’s see if it comes back into focus when Mercury returns to 22 Sagittarius on January 1st…or perhaps even when Jupiter gets to 21/22 Gemini next year. We should also look to June 2025, when Uranus gets to 29 Taurus.

• “‘What the heck is going on?’ Extremely high-energy particle detected falls to Earth”

Photo #1:

…this is the collection of 2024 Sun Sign forecasts I was commissioned to create, as an accompaniment to these genuine Sun Sign coins. What a fun and informative stocking stuffer or holiday gift for everyone on your list, amiright? Please order them here — and please order them SOON, because Mercury goes retrograde on December 13th. Gift certificates for personal consultations are also available and can be delivered by email or snail mail. And speaking of personal consultations, here’s the 411.

 

Photo #2:

(see the caption below)

 

A perfect reflection of a Full Moon in witty Gemini, on a day with Mercury square fantastical Neptune. Ivan Royster says he is an “Expert in breaking news, and all things interesting. Inspiring and informing audiences worldwide 🌍“ If he has planets in Gemini, I wouldn’t be surprised. That’s a link to his Facebook page, which I am now following.

 

Thank you for reading this forecast — and sharing it with your friends.