November: a month of two halves
The first half of November is heavy, slow and a bit sticky, and the second swings the other way, building to one of the most positive full moons of the year. The turning point is 17 November, so if the first fortnight feels like wading through mud, hang in there!
Here’s what’s going on. The Sun is the planet of confidence, leadership and self-worth, and Leo is the sign he rules. Leo is all about how you lead your own life: how you show up, make decisions and back yourself. This month three planets move into Leo, so that area of life gets a lot of attention, whether it’s at work, in your family or in the choices you’re making for yourself.
But the Sun spends the first half of the month in Libra, the sign where he is at his weakest (debilitation). So just as you’re being asked to step up and lead, the planet that usually gives you the confidence to do it is running low.
That’s why things can feel wobbly. If your confidence normally comes from outside (praise, a job title, being needed, other people agreeing with you), it’ll feel thinner than usual. The confidence that holds up comes from within: knowing what you value and backing your own judgement, even when no one’s clapping. And this is what true leadership is. In the Vedic view, a good leader is steady, protective, humble and honest, and acts from what they know is right whether or not anyone is watching.
Rest and Review (1 to 13 November)
If you read last month’s article, you’ll remember October left us with three planets moving retrograde (backwards): Saturn, Venus and Mercury. That’s a lot of looking back! The good news is that Mercury and Venus both turn forwards on the same day, 14 November. Saturn keeps going backwards all month. So for the first half of November, expect old conversations and agreements to keep popping up for another look.
From 6 November, the Sun, Mars and Venus are all in their least favourable signs (debilitated), so your energy, confidence and ease in relationships will be tested. Rest more and push less (your future self will thank you).
Diwali, the Indian festival celebrating light over darkness, falls on Sunday 8 November, just before the new moon on Monday 9 November. Keep your goals quiet for now and don’t go looking for anyone’s sign-off on them.
New moon journal prompt: What do I want to build that doesn’t depend on anyone else noticing it?
The Pressure Point (15 to 17 November)
Mars (drive), Jupiter (wisdom) and the Moon’s South Node (Ketu - the point linked with letting go) all meet at the very start of Leo. Expect tests around leadership, control and ego. Mostly they’re tests of your own need to be in control or to be right, so watch how you’re behaving before you point at anyone else.
Mars wants to force things. Jupiter asks: am I relying on my title, or on what I actually know? The South Node asks: what am I ready to put down?
These three planets sit in a part of Leo traditionally linked with your ancestors. So alongside the leadership tests, family patterns come up: the beliefs about success, duty and self-worth you picked up from your parents and grandparents. Some of them are worth keeping. Some you’ve been carrying for years without ever asking whether they’re actually yours.
The rule for these three days is simple. Wait 24 hours before reacting to anything that upsets you, and put big decisions about roles or leadership on hold until after 20 November.
Things Start to Lift (17 to 22 November)
Mercury and Venus are moving forwards again, so stalled conversations, money matters and relationship decisions begin to unstick. On 17 November the Sun moves into Scorpio and he’s feeling fuelled again, so your confidence starts to return, this time built from the inside. Then on 22 November Venus returns to Libra and has her energy back, with Mercury right alongside her. From here, things move much more easily.
Expansion: The Full Moon in Taurus (23 to 30 November)
From 23 November you’re into the clearest stretch of the month. The full moon in Taurus, on the night of Tuesday 24 November (exact at 1:54am on the 25th), is the high point of the month! The Moon is at her strongest in Taurus, so your feelings are steady and grounded rather than reactive.
Taurus is the sign of comfort, the body and simple pleasures, like good food, rest, time in nature and being looked after. It’s ruled by Venus, so with her back in her own sign and strong, this full moon gets a double dose of support. This is GREAT news! After a heavy few weeks it feels so nourishing, the kind of energy that fills you back up.
Use it to reconnect. Have the conversations that got stuck earlier in the month, mend what needs mending, celebrate what’s come through and look after yourself, Taurus style.
Full moon journal prompt: What makes me feel steady and nourished, and which old family habits are getting in the way of that?
This November
Do:
- Rest more in the first half of the month
- Review plans, money and agreements before committing
- Sit in morning sunlight when your confidence feels low
- Move your body when you feel frustrated or impatient
- Meditate when decisions pile up
Don’t:
- Sign big contracts before 23 November if you can help it
- Launch anything new this month if it can wait
- React on the spot between 15 and 17 November
Love,
Mairéad x
