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Both the New and Full Moons of November (the 13th and 28th, respectively) are eclipses, signaling a time of shifting gears and adjusting our heading. The New Moon Eclipse in Scorpio was a motivator to help leave old outworn ways (and stuff) behind. The Full Moon Eclipse (Moon in Gemini across from the Sun in Sagittarius) is a time to open eyes and ears for important information and realizations to help us live our lives better. The Sun in Sagittarius brings hope and broadens horizons. After the somber days of Scorpio, we feel a weight lifted. It is fitting that Thanksgiving is when the Sun is in Sagittarius, a sign of plenty and an attitude of gratitude that brings more abundance. This is the last eclipse in the Gemini-Sagittarius axis until 9 years from now.

We have a big push to get things shipshape and organized as Mars joins Pluto in Capricorn on the day before the Lunar Eclipse. Mars is said to be exalted in Capricorn, a sign where its high energy and motivation to take action are given grounded form. It helps us be constructive. This is Saturn's sign of rulership, and both Pluto and Mars are in a cooperative connection (a sextile) with Saturn as well as Venus, which passes Saturn on November 26. The team-up of Venus and Saturn prompts us to be serious about finances, values or relationships. They show a time for us to get a pay-off for our hard work. The Sun and Moon line up straight down the middle of this sextile and form a Finger of God pattern, which will take us (albeit on a twisting road) in the direction of greater understanding and better communication. The Finger points to Jupiter (ruler of Sagittarius), indicating fortuitous circumstances in the end. This eclipse is a great time to talk about what matters most to you and how to create ways to get more of it in your life.

There is a very challenging formation in place at the Lunar Eclipse, though. The Sun and Moon make a T-square with Chiron in Pisces. This is the asteroid related to healing and improvement, though it usually begins the process by exposing hurts or a weak spot that needs shoring up. In its long visit (2010 - 2019) to Pisces, a sign of healing and faith, it will reinforce the importance of our beliefs, whether those are worries that drag us down or positive visualizations that lift us up. It also reminds us that we are all swimming together in the sea of life; what affects one of us can affect all of us. If we want to go higher, we must remember Bill Clinton's motto: a rising tide lifts all boats.

Two days before the Lunar Eclipse, Mercury concludes its latest retrograde. It began its backtracking in Sagittarius, close to the degree of the Eclipse. The Sun moves through that degree on the same day Mercury changes direction (the 26th) so there may be news then related to things that were happening when Mercury turned retrograde on Election Day.

Mercury backed down to 18 degrees Scorpio, so in its back and forth motion, it crosses the border (cusp) between Scorpio and Sagittarius three times: Oct. 28, Nov. 14 and Dec. 10. The first time was as Hurricane Sandy approached the northeast. The second date was as the Israeli-Palestinian tension in Gaza escalated. Look for further related news on either or both of these topics around the Dec. 10 date.

Scorpio is a sign that relates to what is hidden while Sagittarius is more about what is out in the open. With Mercury, a planet of news and information exchange, crossing this border three times, there was bound to be a lot of hidden information coming to light. (My last eNewsletter mentioned that.) The Petraeus scandal will not be the only shocking revelation. Scorpio is also the sign of holding resentments while Sagittarius is the sign of international relations, so it is no surprise that international resentments are coming to the fore. But Scorpio can also be a sign of letting go and transformation, so let's hope for that! When the Sun came across this border on Wed., Nov. 21, that is when the Gaza cease fire went into effect. I gave thanks and breathed a sigh of relief, thinking we are indeed on the way to better days.