Hi Everyone

Hard to believe that this is the last Astro Doings for 2024. In the last two months of the year, Saturn and Neptune end their retrograde periods, Pluto changes signs, and we have the last Mercury retrograde.

November

The month begins with a New Moon at 9⁰ Scorpio. At the same time, we have a complicated, closed figure, called a kite. Mercury, Neptune and Mars all trine (easy flow of energy) at very late degrees of their respective water signs (Scorpio, Pisces and Cancer), making a big triangle. And Pluto in Capricorn is sextile (opportunity) to the ends of the triangle, sort of “flying” the kite. There is a lot of emotion with this much water. Pluto in earthy Capricorn provides some boundaries although it could also suggest that emotions are impacting our values (Pluto in the 2^nd house of the US chart) and institutions (Capricorn). Since all four planets are at late degrees of the signs they’re in (28-29 degrees) this suggests an ending of some sort powered by emotion. I would refer you to the Quality of Time article on the Astrodienst website (astro.com) for further information. Suffice it to say that when a figure is closed in astrology it generally means that the energy has a hard time expressing itself, sort of like a balloon filled with air that can’t get out. It can feel rather frustrating. Mercury will move out of orb, dissolving the kite, by November 10.

On the 3^rd and 4^th, Mercury and Mars move into fire signs (Sagittarius and Leo respectively). Fire is enthusiastic, volatile and inspired; it can warm you or burn you. This change of sign also weakens the kite although the planets are still in orb. But fire and water/earth don’t mix well, adding to the charged nature of the energy at this time.

On the 19^th Pluto leaves Capricorn for good, entering Aquarius at 3:29 p.m. Aquarius is a fixed (aka stubborn) air sign and likes to operate in the realm of ideas, especially those that are visionary and potentially beneficial to all. We are in the Aquarian age of brotherhood. With Pluto entering this sign, we can anticipate (over its long transit through the sign – through 2044) changes, innovation and upheaval as we hopefully come to truly recognize that we are all one. Aquarians, by the way, are all about change as long as they don’t have to make any personal changes.

The Sun enters Sagittarius (another fire sign) on the 21^st at 2:56 p.m. and Mercury starts his last retrograde of the year on the 25^th at 9:42 p.m. He’ll be at 22⁰ Sagittarius.

The Full Moon occur on the 15^th at 4:28 p.m. She’ll be at 24⁰ Taurus. This is the same day that Saturn stations direct at 9:20 a.m. at 12⁰ Pisces. Pisces is the sign with two fish swimming in opposite directions unaware of the other one.  It is the sign of addiction and faith – quite a contrast. Saturn provides structure and limitation and asks us to examine our attitudes toward the sign he’s in. He represents the father and all authority figures.

December

Like November, December begins with a New Moon at 9⁰ Sagittarius. Unlike November, December also ends with a second New Moon on the 30^th. (See below.) The beginning of the month also features two planets changing direction: Mars and Neptune. Mars, the planet of war, stations retrograde on the 6^th at 7:01 p.m. He’ll be at 6⁰ Leo, opposed Pluto in Aquarius. On the 7^th Neptune stations direct at 6:43 p.m. She’ll be at 27⁰ Pisces, along with Saturn. When a planet changes direction, it stops and sits on the zodiac degree where it “stations,” aka stops before changing direction. It pulses there and if it’s near a point or planet in your chart it can really emphasize it.  Venus enters Aquarius on the 7^th at 1:13 a.m., joining Pluto. It will be interesting to see how the planet of Love (Venus) works with the planet of the underground and deep-seated changed (Pluto). Pluto is named for the Roman god of the underworld (or Disney’s dog, whichever you prefer.) However, the energy of this planet of deep transformation is feminine. So we have two feminine energy planets in the male air sign, Aquarius.  Should be fun to watch, unless of course you have placements in early degrees Aquarius (or Leo or Taurus or Scorpio)!

Mercury ends his retrograde motion on 15^th at 3:56 p.m. Yippeee!  He’ll be at 6⁰ Sagittarius. The Full Moon is also on the 15^th at 9:32 a.m. She’ll be at 23⁰ Gemini.

The Winter Solstice occurs on the 21^st when the Sun enters Capricorn at 4:21a.m. From then on the days get longer! Capricorn, an earth sign, is the sign of the status quo. The second New Moon occurs on the 30^th at 5:27 p.m. She’ll be a 9⁰ Capricorn.

I hope you have wonderful holidays and all the best in 2025!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret