La Luna’s shift into Cancer, her ruling sign marks many milestones and is a poignant end to the remarkable and one in a lifetime astrology of 2020. As I sit and watch her rise and compose my words, by candlelight, at her ingress into Cancer, it’s quite something to try and articulate. As Luna comes to her annual Cancer full moon on the final days of 2020, its very apparent the dramatic shift, away from the stresses and pressure that have been applying to her over the past three years; with the fresh sense of a new fertile space beginning to reveal.
Luna in Cancer, this time around is lighter and the space created by three years of Saturnian pressure and its weight on Luna whist transiting Cancer, is very apparent. This is the first full moon in Cancer or any moon cycle in Cancer, without Saturn being in opposition of, since December 2017. As she rises in front of me, in her first cycle sans Saturn, the weights previously imposed and the spaces created, is quite something to absorb and process. This is the full moon, in which the extent of this long term pressure finally reveals itself.
Saturn is hard on the moon as their intentions and purposes are opposite in technique, aims and what they are trying to achieve. Both planets being strong due to their rulership meant every cancer moon for the past three years was imposed with the burdens, constrictions, restrictions and judgements of Saturn’s cold harsh rays. Cancer lunations were heavier and more burdensome. It is at this lunation we begin to see the strengths and our hard-earnt achievements since, Saturn’s ingress into Capricorn, Dec 2017. Other observations might be a new form of softness, especially around things that used to have a harder edge. Calling it an emotional slog is an understatement. If you have inner planets or angles on the Cardinal axis of Capricorn, Cancer, Libra or Aries, you would have felt this much more.
This lunation is also the first lunation after the recent eclipse series, on the Gemini and Sagittarius axis. The solar eclipse on 15thDecember 2020 being particularly harsh and potent. I don’t know many people who weren’t touched by its intensity and dramatic overtones. Having a nourishing full moon such as this one, to close out the eclipse season helps to reconcile some of the difficult things that may have been thrown up during this eclipse season, as well as feeling like the cosmic hug we needed.
So, as we round out 2020 and experience its closing as well as getting our strong dignified Cancer Moon’s back, this really feels like the perfect antidote in washing way 2020 and all the trauma, allowing us to re-centre and recharge emotionally after what can only be described as a life changing year. Paying attention to tending to ourselves and our communities, and focusing on care, mothering and nourishment as we enter 2021 seems like the perfect astrological hint, to help guide us into a new and very different world for 2021.
November opens with a Full Moon in Taurus conjoining unpredictable and innovate Uranus early on the 1st. Venus is freshly arrived into Libra, one of her ruling signs. Helpful to begin with, but become more challenging in the middle of the month, thanks to her connections to the much spoken about Saturn, Pluto, Jupiter line up.
Mercury, in the first week of November completes it retrograde cycle, by stationing direct in late Libra and goes back into Scorpio. Integrating insights from its time in I decan of Scorpio and III decan of Libra. Mercury is traversing the tricky terrain of late cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn), who are having lots of pressure applied in the 2nd half of 2020. Mercury is also sounding out the the degree’s points of the fixed signs (Scorpio, Aquarius, Taurus and Leo) who will be welcoming in some serious Jupiter and Saturn energy this December.
Mars, the ruler of Scorpio turning direct mid-month after a volatile 3 month retrograde of Aries. This is huge and begins the completion phase of a tricky 6 months. Strong and volatile Mars interfering with Saturn, Jupiter and Pluto, is never fun, but this Mars station, helps to end the cardinal crush siege, which has been a dominant theme of 2020.
The intro of Eclipse season begins on November 30th, with a blue moon lunar eclipse for Australia and New Zealand (if you’re into putting lots of words in front of your lunation’s). The 2nd full moon of the calendar month rounds out November also opens the 2nd eclipse season of 2020. A visible lunar eclipse for those folks in Australia and New Zealand, seems like a fitting end to what can only be described as a ‘once in a life time’ astrology of 2020.
A breakdown of November’s main astrological features through the signs.
Aries / Aries Rising
Mars shifts back into direct motion on the 15th which is your cue to celebrate. Recent delays or setbacks have helped realign your relationship to power and strength, making you more agile and adept. Mid-November is when you finally feel the traction and mobility, in being able to assert yourself. At this time Mercury reveals how to make the best use of opportunities resources offered by others.
Taurus / Taurus Rising
November opens with a full moon in Taurus, commencing a two week period of innovation and individuation, thanks to the moon’s connection to Uranus. Uranus delivers opportunities that are hard to turn down or steers you in a slightly different direction. Mercury completes it retrograde on the forth, giving more clarity to your business and personal relationships, which lightens the mood and makes for an enjoyable party season.
Gemini / Gemini Rising
By mid-month, Mars no longer stirs up trouble in your social sector meaning your community and networking sector are less volatile, creating less stress and friction. For two weeks, a full moon in contact with Uranus, helps clarify and innovate feelings that lays beneath the surface. Venus hits the right notes by reconnecting to things and people who raise your spirits and help lighten the mood.
Cancer / Cancer Rising
Mars stationing direct is a big deal mid-month; finally the load is lessened and the atmosphere lightens up. Your career and reputation sector shows you off as being strong, and agile, able to power through any issues or confrontations. Mercury reveals new information about how to develop and reconnect to your passion projects or presents people who can assist with turning your passions into a reality.
Leo / Leo Rising
Rebooting your belief systems, thanks to the stirrings of Mars in your ninth solar house, isn’t light work but by mid-November the reboot is complete, just in time for party season. Mercury also finishes gathering its data in your most private sphere, which has strengthen and deepened your roots and resolve. By November’s end, Leo’s are more value aligned, stronger and more centred, making you at the heart of the party scene.
Virgo / Virgo Rising
By mid-month Mars stops agitating the waters of your external money sector, helping to light things up. Finally, there is some forward motion and a clearer picture of your finances, resources and investments. Venus, gracing your earned money sector creates some light relief and may offer some very appealing treats and rewards, after a very challenging 2020.
Libra / Libra Rising
Both business and personal relationships finally get the green light by mid-November, just in time for party season. Having Mars chopping up and muddying the waters of your relationships is difficult for a sign whose focus is on steadying the ship. Mercury also offers forward traction in your financial sector, assisting with smarter decision around money.
Scorpio / Scorpio Rising
Happy Solar return Scorpio, your ruler Mars turning direct mid-month boosts your spirits just in time for party season. Smoother running of your day to day routines allows you to power through any workloads. Mercury spending three months instead of its usual three weeks in your sign increases resourcefulness and accentuates your adept nature, attracting many admirers.
Sagittarius / Sagittarius Rising
Money has been a constant area of stress and tension in 2020. The good news is you’re getting so much closer to seeing the lifting of this stress. Lessening the load; lighter days are coming. Mars gives direct action, cutting its way through any problems or delay’s around children or connecting to your creativity. Venus makes for more pleasing social interactions in your local community and networks.
Capricorn / Capricorn Rising
The Full Moon on the 1stof November sets up a two week period which offers surprises, progress and individuation thanks to the influence of Uranus. Opportunities are available to show your creativity and to stand out and be seen by your peers. By mid-month, Mars finally stops agitating your home sector, helping to lighten things up for party season.
Aquarius / Aquarius Rising
Finding independence and the right balance between the work and home sphere is supported this month, helping to restore balance to your private and public life. Mercury helps shape this by bring vital intelligence and information which aids you to better manage how your private and public life intersect. Party season is nearly upon us, so finding that sweet spot is extra important and valuable; avoid burn out or missed opportunities to have fun
Pisces / Pisces Rising
Mars finally gets momentum in your money sector by mid-month which is a relief and eases tensions, helping to refocus financial goals. Venus double downs on this as she bestows potential gifts or opportunities around external forms of finance and resources such as taxes, loans, inheritances. Mercury and the Sun highlight opportunities for further education and to update your philosophies or beliefs helping to lighten things up, and broaden your horizons.
The Astrological weather for October is choppy to say the least, with the upcoming Mercury retrograde in Scorpio, coinciding with its ruler, Mars also being retrograde in Aries. These retrogrades are along side some rather challenging lunation’s this month, so strong precaution is advised; for both how you use this energy and what battles you decide to take on. October is a month where caution and self care will stand in good stead. Pushing forwards with activities and intentions that feel like they are an uphill battle, or a struggling to get up and running, most likely need more time to develop and nurture.
The Month opens on October 1st/2nd, with a full moon in Aries making it a potentially hostile lunation due to its increasing proximity to Mars. The following day (October 2nd/3rd) may present some hostility or aggression being exhibited, as emotions (the Moon) may spill over or become abrasive and hostile (Mars) as the two finally conjoin.
The New Moon in Libra on October 16th also finds itself in a rather difficult situation, as it is opposed by Mars and squared by both Saturn and Pluto. Following the familiar terrain of other plants who have run the gauntlet through the late cardinal degrees in recent months. Having the luminaries (The Sun and Moon) as the meat or protein in a Malefic sandwich, we have all established is no fun, and definitely NOT the kind of energy you want to be manifesting or drawing down your life long dreams from.
Overall, its a month to sit tight in and navigate the choppy weather through awareness and self care. October is one of the more trickier months in 2020, so proceed with care and know once we have moved past October, we will be beginning to near the end of the Cardinal Crush. Meaning, the planetary energies will begin to separate slight and not challenge each other so much. If you have any major planets (Sun, Moon, Ascendant especially) in Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn, know that we are almost at the end of some once in a life time astrology. You have got this !
ARIES / ARIES RISING
Venus makes her way through your health and wellbeing sector delivering grace and joy to all matters pertaining to this area. While Venus is in Virgo you can enjoy an eye for details and an atmosphere of cohesion. However, Venus can be overly nit-picky here so remember to monitor the levels of critique, so you don’t overdo it. The Sun in balancing Libra offers stability by collaborating with others.
TAURUS / TAURUS RISING
The Sun’s yearly passage through Libra energizes your health and wellbeing sector. Radiating and energizing it helps centre goals around these topics, making them more of a priority. Consistency with your routines allows you to maintain vitality, in-turn minimising problems. Venus in her house joy and in Libra stimulates strong reconnection to your favourite activities or allows more harmonious connection with children.
GEMINI / GEMINI RISING
Mercury retrogrades in your health and wellbeing sector encouraging you to dig deeper and re-evaluate influences or distractions within your areas of self-care and health. Picking apart, fine-tuning or reworking your routines is supported by this retrograde. Rewards, however, will be seen elsewhere as the Sun in Libra shows you where newfound and re-energized time can be used by shinning a light on things you love that may have fallen to the wayside.
CANCER / CANCER RISING
The Sun brings radiance in the home and family realms. Time spent around the home or with family is the perfect way to rest and recharge and bring about more balance with wellness. Venus makes herself busy, happily overhauling your scheduling and communication sectors, which allows for greater freedom of time for Spring and Summer.
LEO / LEO RISING
This Month, Mercury will be in Scorpio and retrogrades in your home, family and ancestor sector, helping to uncover and reveal constraints from the past to do with family or ancestors. Mercury brings the skeletons out of the closet and assisting in putting them to rest. Wellness and wellbeing comes from bringing to light things that have been hidden; the load is lessened as 2020 continues.
VIRGO / VIRGO RISING
Venus moves through your body and vitality sector creating the perfect opportunity to flex and extend; enjoy the process and the results. Venus is working to bring more fun and freshness, less micromanagement and just letting the magic happen. Seize the opportunity to appreciate your worth or benefit from financial gains as the Sun works its way through your money sector.
LIBRA / LIBRA RISING
The Sun transiting your sign helps revitalise and re-energise from the ground up. Take comfort and find vitality by centring yourself around your natural leadership qualities and affirming your goals. Venus, your ruler, will be working to untie knot or confusing threads in the backdrop of your subconscious sector. Both the Sun and Venus will be working to bring about balance to your inner and outer selves leading to greater wellness.
SCORPIO / SCORPIO RISING
Attempts to assert and communicate might feel like they are being held back with the Mercury Retrograde in your sign from mid-month. Expect frustration at being misinterpreted or misunderstood; it will pass. Both the Sun and Venus shine a light on areas of reworking. The Sun works highlight your subconscious sector, so things can be more clearly seen from that perspective, while Venus by bringing support and fellowship via your friendship and social networks.
SAGITTARIUS / SAGITTARIUS RISING
The Sun highlights areas of support and community contacts, allowing you to see more of how these supports can benefit you. Venus gracing your work and reputation sector helps with being seen and visible in a complimentary light. Mercury turns retrograde in your subconscious sector; dreams may become stronger and more visceral. Messages delivered are worth listening too.
CAPRICORN / CAPRICORN RISING
Mercury in Scorpio retrogrades in your community and networks sector so communications maybe confusing, delayed or unsettling. Your search for clarity is disrupted so monitor and manage accordingly. The Sun highlights career and reputation, the goals around this become clearer and you may be seeking more acknowledgement around such leadership abilities. With the Sun’s clear vision, you might also be seen for it.
AQUARIUS / AQUARIUS RISING
Venus in the ultra-picky sign of Virgo is beneficial for all forms of analysis around shared resources. Loans, Taxes or any form of resource that you use from others is given an increased eye for detail, creating opportunity to benefit and capitalise. Mercury’s retrograde in your Career and Reputation sector makes for some disruption or delays but in the long run is great for realigning your career ambitions.
PISCES / PISCES RISING
Looking to support from friends and partnerships this month helps your wellness and wellbeing. Venus will be working to make these people more noticeable for you, don’t be shy in reaching out as their assistance will likely be on offer. Mercury retrogrades in your belief and philosophy sector. Communications which develop and extend personal beliefs and philosophies assist in making changes to your values and belief systems.
Mercury’s ingress into Scorpio sees us moving away from the hostilities of the (Capricorn, Cancer, Aries and Libra axis) and dive into the deep chasm of Scorpio’s fixed water.
Mercury’s time in Scorpio is giving off a strong Hecate vibe, where looking deep into the stagnate waters gives opportunity to claim authority, authorship and divinity through these underworld waterscapes.
Scorpio is a private yin fixed water sign and a place Mercury can work well. Mercury enjoys the sharp focus and dedication that Scorpio offers. However, the strong emotional ambiance of Scorpio can detract from the clarity of information that Mercury is seeking. Being mindful of the nature AND intent of these obsessive and fixations, is one important proviso for this transit.
Mars, rules Scorpio and is extremely strong right now, giving Mercury’s time in Scorpio a little extra heat and bite. This blurs the line around the separation of emotion from the information and increases the likelihood of strong emotions to flare up, to be engaged with.
Scorpio is a sign that likes to look at things that others refuse to, creating space to hold and engage. It’s not always pleasant going through the muck and sorting through the crap to help unblock the blockages; but it’s something that Mercury in Scorpio excels at!
Mercury has an extended stay in Scorpio thanks to its Retrograde cycle (14 Oct – 4 Nov). We are already in the shadow period. Mercury will also be opposing Uranus. Making this transit, potentially very fruitful with regards to innovating and individualising the area of your chart that Scorpio lords over and reconnecting an emotional intelligence to it.
Luminary Astrology 