Halloween and Samhain
Halloween owes its spooky reputation to antiquity, when as Samhain (rather than All Souls Eve) it marked the new year, after which seeds and plants slept through winter. On Samhain the veil between this and the otherworld grew thin, and spirits of the dead, ghosts and ghouls roamed between the two worlds. The hoopla about pumpkins, tricks and treats is an American confection.
The sign of Scorpio is a good fit for spookiness, darkness, secrecy, mystery, and blood-letting. Its symbol, the Scorpion, comes with a deadly sting and its totem planet Mars, with a reputation as a fight starter – the God of War.
So much for Scorpio’s dark side. We hear less of its virtues – bravery, steadfastness, passion, perspicacity, surgery- and still less of its other two symbols – the phoenix and the eagle. Modern astrology’s decision to make Pluto Scorpio’s ruler has done the sign few favours, quite the opposite. Discovered a few years before atomic power, Pluto is a transgressive, destructive force, though its power is evident in horoscopes, especially those of the super-rich.
November is Scorpio’s month, when not only the Sun is there but a new Moon and a Mercury that is moving backwards before turning around mid-month. We are currently witnessing four national elections taking place under a Mercury retrograde. In the past that has meant disputes over results, inconclusive outcomes, the celebrated U.S. case of ‘hanging chads’. So far there is, mercifully, no dispute over Serbia’s election, where progressive forces prevailed over dictatorship, and surprisingly little about Brazil’s election, which also delivered an unexpected victory for democracy over demagoguery.
The national elections in Israel have, as predicted, produced a deadlock, with claim, counterclaim and coalition ongoing process at the time of writing. As for the mid-term elections in the USA, you don’t need an astrologer to forecast that any results that are adverse for the Republicans – there is likely to be no shortage – will be denounced as fraud by the country’s ever fractious president.
Celestial Timetable for November
- The Sun is in Scorpio until November 22, when it moves into Sagittarius
- The New Moon is in Scorpio on November 9 at 2.02 am
- The Full Moon is in Gemini on November 24 at 9.53 am
- Mercury is retrograde in Scorpio until it turns direct the 13th. The messenger planet doesn’t reach Sagittarius until December 6
- Venus is retrograde in Libra as the month begins, turning forwards on the 14th, and will reach Scorpio on December 4
- Mars is moving forwards in Leo, and reaches Virgo on November 25
- Jupiter is moving forwards in Leo
- Saturn is retrograde in Aries all month
- Prometheus is retrograde in Gemini all month
- Neptune is retrograde in Aries all month
- Pluto is moving forwards in Aquarius
Scorpio and Scorpio rising
It may not seem a season of great consequence – frustration more like – but there is plenty going on, perhaps just under the surface. Patience is called for. Mercury’s retrograde in your skies is, where possible, a time to sit on your hands and observe. As the old dictum says, if you are unsure what to so, do nothing. Or go back to old and unresolved issues. Clean out the draws and cupboards. Look up old chums. Count down to the Scorpio new Moon of the 9thm when you can begin to bring things into focus. Mercury is then at a standstill – the little planet is stuck in the same degree of the zodiac for eight days – and turns forwards on Friday the 13th (whose reputation has zero significance astrologically).
From there on you are in business. The Sun makes decisive aspects to ruler Mars and lucky Jupiter over the following few days – as the two planets conjoin – when push comes to shove nd when what you say and think, goes. Probably better for career and business than the up close and personal stuff, though with Pluto involved, one or more associations might crash and burn.
Romance wise, what you are waiting on is Venus to return to your skies in early December, perhaps resurrecting a recent association, and handing you a sweet run-in for the season of Christmas and New Year. Meanwhile, Happy Birthday.
Sagittarius and Sagittarius rising
With planets scattered around your horoscope, you may well feel over stretched, pulled in too many directions, while those of you born in November have reason to feel caught in the autumn’s storms, more of which later. All of you must embrace a central fact – that with the Scorpio Sun and Mercury in your solar twelfth house, it’s not the time for major consequential acts but for behind the scenes contemplation and, uh, scheming if you like.
You have more traction once Mercury behaves, from the 14th, and with ruler Jupiter conjoined with Mars shortly after, your dreaming and scheming gather power. From the 23rd, with the Sun in your skies, you are cooking. The full Moon on the 24th is super powerful, being joined with Prometheus in opposition. Influential individuals rocket out of nowhere, or disappear with equal speed. Even if nothing much seems to happen, this is a date of long-term consequence with special attention to both your intimate life and to your fame and fortune in the big bad world. Wowsa. Be sure to keep notes.
Capricorn and Capricorn rising
One side of your persona is definitely not about to broadcast events and feelings anything to do with money (always a locked secret anyway) or a burning secretive affair. Private is private! Fortunately you have plenty going on in the public domain; with Venus dominant, an all singing all dancing stage musical would fit the bill nicely, but if it has to be a more collegiate affair, among pals and chums, that also works, especially at the weekend of the 14th, when Luna is in your skies.
A long-term business or property matter, including your home, is moving towards a turning point, probably just in time for Christmas and your birthday.
Aquarius and Aquarius rising
There’s a proper muddle going on at the peak of your solar ‘scope, where Mercury is in retreat, and some cherished professional projects might seem endangered, but if you can hang on intil the new Moon of the 9th, a more orderly world may arrive, one more suited to your taste!
It’s possible that more personal matters are highest on your agenda. The ongoing opposition of Mars and Jupiter is a twin blade, announcing either thrilling new partnerships from recent weeks and months, or the curtailment of existing relationships. perhaps both at the same time.
The rare combo of Pluto, in the early degrees of your skies, Prometheus and the full Moon of the 24th, both the latter in the early degrees of Gemini , supercharge your zone of romance. Wildly madly deeply then.
Pisces and Pisces rising
At times, there is little to report in a Sun sign horoscope – like right now. There is some scheming and dreaming going on, what with a bunch of planets in your ninth house, but no biggy. While for travel, with a retrograde Mercury reigning over your travel zone, nothing looks simple. One senses Piscean longings at the new Moon of the 9th, asking, is that all there is?
Spring on a couple of weeks and all is transformed. Mercury now carries you across oceans and brings noble texts to your understanding. And at the end of the month come a couple of earth shakers. The full Moon of the 24th conjoins Prometheus at the root of your ‘scope, encouraging a desire for freedom at any price, and perhaps introducing the person who might supply it. The Sun, at the opposite end, pushes you into the public eye, while Mars powers into a long, and at times doubtless intense opposition. All hands on deck hereafter.
Aries and Aries rising
Your customary approach to events and people – hammer away and hope for the best – is unlikely to yield results just now. A foot-dragging Mercury is one reason why. Go-slows are inevitable until mid-month. Plus, you have to decode the return of Venus in opposition (from Libra, where the romance planet is strong), which is in play all month. Is this the resurrection of a relationship that you thought had disappeared? A turn-up for relations with you know who? A whole new emotional tangle? Or are you, frankly, being messed around?
Given that your ruling planet, Mars, is also rampant for most of the month you may even be juggling more than one squeeze in November. The Sun moves into your fellow fire sign of the Centaur at the 22nd, a weekend when a fat Moon is in The Ram and then reaches fullness in Gemini on the 24t alongside Prometheus: a potentially incendiary end to the month.
Taurus and Taurus rising
While the Sun is in opposition, you are likely on the back foot, and not at your strongest, but there is certainly no lack of planetary action to engage your interest. The new Moon on the 9th recharges one-on one relationships, which given the recent shenanigans may come as a blessing. The retrogrades of both Mercury and ruler Venus (both in opposition) may have baffled you about other’s intentions – wilfully on their part or not – but Mercury’s return to forwards motion on the 14th makes matters clear, Venus is out of your frame in November but returns wanly next month – and how – to usher peace and hugs between you and your main squeeze.
Or someone brand new. On the 27th Mars arrives in your fifth house of recreation, crushes and parties and will be forwards and back in this same area for months to come.
The full Moon on the 24th is in Gemini and therefore in the financial axis of your ‘scope; keep transactions simple for a few days.
Gemini and Gemini rising
And on we roll, perhaps a little baffled, but mostly times look full of the excitement and curiosity that is vital to members of the Twins tribe. The return of Venus to Libra – lasting all month but strongest from the 14th – may bring the resurrection of a romance you thought dead in the water, or a renewed burst of energy for a creative enterprise…but something worthy of a celebration.
Then there is the full Moon in your sign on the 24th, an annual event but which this year arrives in intense conjunction with planet Prometheus, harbinger of surprise, shock, unexpected encounters. Or, since it’s your full Moon, you may decide to pull a vanishing trick yourself. Simultaneous is the arrival of Mars at the root of your ‘scope, an event destined to repeat and haunt you next year. Take a note.
Cancer and Cancer rising
The emphasis is on your creative and romantic life, which begins the month on a slightly turbulent note, as Mercury slides backwards and someone – your or another party – get cold feet or demand a pre-nup clause in a contract. However, a new Moon on the 9th – this is your governing planet remember – should calm any qualms, and Mercury’s return to forwards motion from the 14th brings a just settlement to disputes.
Things between you and you know who are complicated by the ongoing backslide of Venus, which is now less interested in your love life than your cushion covers. You get some straight answers early next month when the relationship planet returns to Scorpio.
The Sun’s shift into Sagittarius on the 24th and the immediate full Moon that follows drag your attention to more mundane matters – work, health – but there’s a dynamism to your horoscope that picks up speed as we approach Christmas.
Leo and Leo rising
November’s stars are storming! Not stormy (well a little) but dynamic, affirmative, and downright lucky. Throw your heart into your pet projects, and wear your tiara (crown if you can manage it) with pride. What have you done to deserve such favour? Kept a clean nose hopefully, and exercised patience. In some ways the last two months of 2026 are the culmination of having Jupiter -`the greater fortune’- in your skies since your birthday. The giant planet draws to a halt in December, but even so lends its blessings to the following six months.
There are few short-term caveats – Mercury is in awkward retrograde until the 14th, and Venus may mean a lover or would-be squeeze are also dragging their feet, but the new Moon of the 9th is onside and, if you are looking at property and home matters, signalling the start of several weeks with a following wind. The full Moon of the 24th lends a curious wild-card to the scenario – say, the arrival of someone new and unexpected in your affairs – and announce the month of fiery Sagittarius when you can adopt Buzz Lightyear’s motto – ‘To infinity and beyond!
Downsides? Too few to mention other than the royal spending habit.
Virgo and Virgo rising
You have a couple more weeks to put up with your totem planet, Mercury, in retrograde, forcing you back to issues you thought sorted out, but there is always a new element to discover, a mistake to correct. The new Moon of the 9th in Scorpio, nonetheless opens a promising spell when your connections to friends and siblings are all in fruitful play.
Once the Sun touches the root of your solar ‘scope on the 22nd, the energy begins to move and shake. The full Moon of the 24th is at the peak of your horoscope, where one expects to be noticed. and conjunct the wayward planet Prometheus, which may signal a whole new line of professional Virgoan enquiry, At the same time Mars bursts into your skies, a little headstrong, a bit crazy, but brimming with Tiggerish gusto that will drag you into the new year. Enjoy.
Libra and Libra rising
At this finely poised moment it’s mostly about Venus, the undisputed ruler of Libra and the signifier of romance, relationships, good taste and – when it suits you – unabashed confrontation. The green planet (oh, jealousy is another Venusian trait) is backsliding through your skies, dragging up recent disputes and former crushes, and hopefully showing you ways to wrong rights and bring peace to the valley. As much may get easier after the 14th when Venus turns round and drives forwards, finally leaving your skies in early December. Diplomacy, one of Libra’s more admirable qualities, is your friend. With Jupiter nicely positioned, keep your gang on your side.
The full Moon of the 24th is in your fellow air sign of Gemini and comes with unexpected force, being conjunct planet Prometheus, a potent signifier of new chapters, expect oddballs; an important moment for the many artists and social activists in your sign.
Readers often ask if I give personal readings. I don’t. My primary jobs remain journalist and writer. By contrast, Pam Carruthers, webmaster, fellow astrologer and a long-time friend, is a professional certified astrologer who uses both western and vedic astrology for individual clients.
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