November’s astrology begins with the Scorpio New Moon on the first of the month. The Sun and Moon form their conjunction at 9 degrees, exact at 8:47am EDT. Scorpio contains the investigative side of human nature, the part of the psyche that is dissatisfied with the surface. At this time of year, when the Sun transits Scorpio, it plunges us into our deepest emotions in order to analyze the motivations at their root.
Water Conquers By Yielding in November’s Astrology
There are three water signs in the zodiac, and there are six planets in water at the time of the New Moon. Mercury is ahead in Scorpio, Mars is in Cancer, and Saturn and Neptune are in Pisces. The element water symbolizes the emotional and instinctive realm. When water is active in the horoscope, situations and moods are fluctuating and shape-shifting. Much goes on behind the scenes, in privacy and introspection. But what’s deceptive about water is how purposeful and significant its impact can be.
“Water is yielding but all-conquering. Water extinguishes fire or, finding itself likely to be defeated, escapes as steam and reforms. Water washes away soft earth or, when confronted by rocks, seeks a way around. Water corrodes iron till it crumbles to dust. It saturates the atmosphere so that wind dies. Water gives way to obstacles with deceptive humility, for no power can prevent it following its destined course to the sea. Water conquers by yielding; it never attacks but always wins the last battle.” -Lao Tzu, 11th century Taoist scholar
The Kite Pattern – November 1-3
In addition to the Scorpio New Moon, the planets are aligning to form an unusual geometric aspect, pictured in the graphic below. A kite is a pattern that includes a grand trine (three planets in a triangle), plus an exact opposition between one of the planets in the grand trine and a fourth planet. A kite stimulates forceful action, pushing us to channel the energy productively. Rather than the typical grand trine, which is inwardly focused and self-contained, the kite has the external pressure of the opposition. It draws the energy out of its container, into active expression.
Mars in Cancer formed a trine to Neptune in Pisces on October 28, making the first link of the kite. This is the grand trine in water beginning to form earlier this week. On Thursday, October 31, Mercury in Scorpio forms a trine to Neptune. And then by Saturday, November 2, Mercury fills out that connection by forming a trine to Mars. A water trine can induce waves of passivity, laziness, or self-indulgence. It leaves people swirling in their own impressions, locked into interpretation of how they feel.
But this water trine has the extra player—the opposition that Mars at 29 degrees Cancer forms with Pluto at 29 degrees Capricorn. This aspect is exact at 6:37am EST on Sunday, November 3. This is what makes it the dynamic, tension-building kite pattern. Even though Mercury advances into Sagittarius Saturday, the Scorpio Moon slides into the formation later Saturday night, taking its place in the kite. The opposition of Mars and Pluto represents the release point, the place where the emotion of the water trine is drawn out into active expression.
Pluto on the Cusp during November’s Astrology
Both Mars and Pluto are at the end of their respective signs, at the critical cusp degree, getting ready to cross over the boundary into the next one. And both planets are the rulers of Scorpio, amplifying November’s focus on security, honesty, and the right use of force. Mars and Pluto evoke excitement and empowerment when in hard angles to each other. Each one is related to exerting the will and doing what we want. So there’s pressure over the weekend to face things squarely and take decisive actions for personal wellbeing.
Mars will return to this same opposition with Pluto two more times in early 2025. But this is the final time they’ll face off in Cancer and Capricorn. This particular battle needs closure. Pluto has been in Capricorn since 2008, and its upcoming entrance into Aquarius on November 19 is emblematic of a definitive step toward the future, a new period of history. (For more on Pluto and its connection to the United States, check out the video below!)
Out of Bounds in November
Another factor involves Venus and Mercury, which will both be out of bounds for most of the month, moving beyond 23 degrees and 26 minutes of declination. Out of bounds planets are out of their normal range, and therefore experimental and resistant to conformity. They behave in unusual ways, sometimes going to extremes in their independence, where they’re difficult to reach or understand.
Out of bounds planets indicate unconventional times in society where values (Venus) and information (Mercury) are challenging to consensual reality. Venus went out of bounds on October 27 in Sagittarius. Mercury moves into Sagittarius on November 2, and will join Venus out of bounds three days later, on Election Day in the United States.
Mars Squares Juno
Now let’s come back to November 3, when Mars enters Leo, where it will stay for the rest of 2024. Mars is the function of self-assertion, indicating how we initiate action and defend our choices. Generally it feels at home in the fire signs of the zodiac. In regal Leo, Mars fuels issues of confidence. It increases our need for attention, which lends energy to creative and social urges. Passion and anger can be expressed in overly demanding ways, though. And tension is building up in Mars. It continues slowing down through November’s astrology, as it approaches its upcoming retrograde station on December 6.
Just as Mars enters Leo, asteroid goddess Juno enters Scorpio. (For more on Juno and the goddesses, check out my podcast from the Aries Full Moon in October.) The two continue to sync up in the motion, maintaining a tight 90-degree square to each other for most of the month. Juno is an archetypal symbol of trust in relationships– those mutual honor codes that form the foundation of healthy agreements.
Juno is also known for those streaks of vengeance that arise from betrayal and deception. This square is an emotionally stormy aspect that will color most of November’s astrology, heightening defenses surrounding truth and power. It’s not until about November 25 that Juno finally pulls ahead in Scorpio, leaving Mars to stall out and station retrograde in Leo early in December.
Stay Tuned for what’s next in November’s Astrology
As the Taoist scholar wrote, “water is yielding but all-conquering.” Scorpio season carries us forward to Pluto’s new era, as it turns the page on the old chapter. To stay tuned to the unfolding story of November’s astrology, follow the Root to Rise Astrology Podcast, now available on SoundCloud and Apple. My newest episode will be posted November 14.
And to learn exactly how December’s Mars retrograde will affect your life, check out my 3-month seasonal reading, which will map out its course in your natal chart. You can book a reading in person, over Zoom, or digitally recorded and delivered to your email.
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