Strive for that greatness of spirit that measures life not by its disappointments but by its possibilities.
~ W.E.B. Du Bois, Prayers for Dark People

Sagittarius – Larger Than Life

This New Moon in Sagittarius fires up the imagination and desires. It's like you're at a philosophical smorgasbord. You can sample a little bit of everything, or load up on one or two things you've been waiting for. But be careful what you wish for – your eyes may be bigger than your stomach (as Mom used to say).

Sagittarius offers new opportunities to expand your horizons in multiple ways. It could be about travel or education, philosophy or religion/spirituality, legal issues or publishing.

Or it might be about a quest for newfound hope and meaning, a search for a broader perspective of understanding, or discovering how people of other cultures, languages, beliefs and nationalities experience the world.

And the possibilities seem boundless!

There's a whole Stellium full of planets in Sagittarius – Sun, Moon, Mercury and Venus. Jupiter is precisely stationary, poised to turn direct, in his other sign of rulership, Pisces. This makes Jupiter blazingly strong in the chart and even more expansive than usual.

When Jupiter changes direction (retrograde or direct), he's always in a lovely welcoming trine aspect with the Sun, reinforcing the idea that in Jupiter's radiant glow we see enormous potential for wonderful things. And sure enough, Jupiter is trine the Sun-Moon conjunction (a.k.a. the New Moon).

With all that Sagittarian promise, what's to worry, right?

Well... not to throw a wet blanket on this sparkling fairy dust, but it's wise to remember the old adage: Be careful what you ask for. What we hope for, what we wish for, what we believe in, doesn't always come to fruition in the way we think it will. And depending on the situation, this could open up the chance of disappointment, frustration, judgment, blame, condemnation or disillusionment.

Stationary Jupiter is conjunct Neptune (6:07 orb) with both planets in Pisces, the sign they co-rule (Jupiter traditionally, Neptune as a modern ruler). Both planets are strong, being in their own sign, which amplifies all Pisces energy, good and not-so-good. There is plenty of room for both faith and disillusionment, hope and disappointment, seeing the best potential yet finding a shortfall.

Other planets in the chart will show which way that energy is likely to lean.

To cry was to release all sorts of ugly little pressures and tensions. Like waking out of a long, dark dream to a sun-filled day.
~ Anne McCaffrey, Nerilka's Story

Mars and the 9th Harmonic

Mars is a major part of this story too. Mars is currently retrograde (Oct. 30 to Jan. 12, 2023) as well as being Out of Bounds by declination (Oct. 22 to May 5, 2023). Both of these conditions tend to make him more volatile, energetic, reactive and passionate than usual.

Mars is also in Gemini, the sign of learning, communication and information exchange. Gemini is the sign opposite Sagittarius, our New Moon sign, although he is too far away from the Sagittarius planets to form any major aspects by degree.

Gemini is Mercury's sign, and we all know the reputation of Mercury retrograde as being wild, playful, disruptive and zany. So, if it seems like we're in Mercury retrograde lately, we can probably thank (or blame) Mars.

There is, however, a close quadri-novile aspect between Mars and the Sun/Moon conjunction (0:14 orb). This 160° aspect is part of the 9th harmonic (derived from dividing the circle by 9), and therefore contains a natural aura of Sagittarian energy.

Although considered a minor or subtle energy, the novile family of aspects overlaps with the cooperative trine and sextile aspects. Noviles are associated with spiritual pursuit, release from limitations, and a soulful yearning for fulfilment. Therefore, during this lunar cycle (Nov. 23 to Dec. 7) this wild Mars energy ultimately seeks satisfaction, gratification and perhaps a kind of redemption through expansion and visionary possibilities.

One way you might experience this is aiming to do something to make your life better or the world better by applying your physical or emotional energy toward a greater good. You could try to channel your anger, desire, forcefulness or enthusiasm in a way that rises above the immediate situation and instead serves more long-term aspirations.

Mars ~ For Better and Worse

The two hardest tests on the spiritual road are the patience to wait for the right moment and the courage not to be disappointed with what we encounter.
~ Paulo Coelho, Veronika Decides to Die

On the other hand, Mars has a conflicting square to both Jupiter and Neptune. So, while the Mars assertive, action energy in us is reaching out for something greater than ourselves, to uplift and heal the weary spirit, we may find that it's not as easy as we think to make that happen. In fact, pushing too hard or too fast might even have the opposite effect. An extreme visionary effort that lacks enough substance and practicality behind it, could stall or crash or even damage the very thing we're trying to manifest.

A dramatic example of this Mars drama seems to be the latest developments at Twitter. Elon Musk purchased the social media platform in April of this year for $44 Billion dollars. That's Billion. With a B. After months of controversy and wrangling, the deal finally went through on October 29. Since then, Twitter seems like it's plummeting in a death spiral due to factors including a mass exodus of employees and executives who were fired or quit. In addition, advertisers are also leaving Twitter in significant numbers.

I suspect we won't know what will become of Musk's Twitter until after Mars goes direct (Jan. 12, 2023) and possibly even until after Mars comes back In-Bounds (May 5, 2023). In the meantime, it seems that Mars misbehaving in mischievous Gemini will continue. Stock up on popcorn.

Thankfully, Mars is on surprisingly good terms with Saturn during his retrograde adventure. The Mars-Saturn trine allows them to shake hands 3 times during this cycle, remaining within a 6 degree orb for a month before and after the exact dates: Sep. 28, Nov. 28 and March 30, 2023.

This combination should help provide some stability, although effort will need to be made to take advantage of it – it's not likely to just fall into place on its own. So, if things get wonky or wild or worrisome, take some tips from Saturn in Aquarius:

(1) Learn to love it a little, if you can. Sometimes our fear of upset is worse than the upset itself.

(2) Step back, detach, and observe from a distance for a while. Get out from being swallowed up by it.

And (3) reach out to others who can help you get through it. There can be safety in numbers, or at least it can feel safer in numbers, and that grounding energy can help you get through it.

The Mercury-Venus Waltz

My heart always timidly hides itself behind my mind. I set out to bring down stars from the sky, then, for fear of ridicule, I stop and pick little flowers of eloquence.
~ Edmond Rostand, Cyrano de Bergerac

Speaking of Mercury (okay, it was a while ago but you know what I mean...) Mercury the Mischievous is just heading out the door into the wild blue yonder. In plain Astrologese: Mercury is just beginning his latest Out-of-Bounds journey, starting Nov. 23 until Dec. 21 (from 10:08 Sagittarius to 20:16 Capricorn). Merc reaches a high-flying maximum at 25:43 South, peaking at the upcoming Full Moon in Gemini, which should make that update an interesting one. Also at the New Moon, Mercury is parallel to Pluto after their exact meeting the day before.

When Mercury is Out-of-Bounds by declination (OOB) it often feels like he's retrograde. Frankly, I think when Merc does anything other than fly the straight and narrow, he gets his playful on and takes full advantage of being let off his leash.

In this case, Mercury also starts his next retrograde cycle while he's OOB. He enters the retrograde shadow on Dec. 12 and later comes In-bounds on Dec. 21. He then goes retrograde from Dec. 29 to Jan. 18, and finally exits the shadow on Feb. 7, 2023.

This may put some extra spin on Mercury's antics, so in general it's probably wise to take the usual precautions – double-check appointment schedules, leave extra time to get places, clarify assumptions so that everyone's on the same page, and so on. That said, it's also a good time to take on a project, goal or intention that can make the most of this Mercury energy. Read a book about something different from your usual interests. Ponder the meaning of life that an alien life form might have on another planet. Let your curiosity lead you where it will go – especially good if you can write down whatever you discover.

Meanwhile Venus is tightly parallel the Moon, fused together just below Pluto and Mercury. Venus is also widely conjunct the Sun and Moon (8:02 orb), all of which brings a lovely Venus-Moon aura to the lunar cycle. You may feel a heartfelt wish to be appreciated or admired for your knowledge, your moral values, or your faith in life. Or you might feel this about other people, perhaps women in particular.

Venus is getting ready to go OOB from Dec. 1-24. During this time, your Venus sense of beauty, love, joy, pleasure and abundance, has a chance to stretch her legs and go walkies around the stratosphere for a while. You might also encounter Venus' shadow side – criticism, conflict, possessiveness or perfectionism. However you experience this, you may find it to be a bit extreme, unconventional or adventurous.

At the New Moon in Sagittarius, Mercury and Venus are tightly conjunct (just a half-degree orb). They meet up by conjunction twice during their complex dance – on Nov. 21 (7:09 Sagittarius) and again on Dec. 29 (24:21 Capricorn). These two will be OOB together from Dec. 1-21, and during that time Mercury and Venus are parallel on Dec. 20, just before Mercury comes In-Bounds.

When Mercury and Venus waltz together – by conjunction and/or parallel; both in this case – they can provide a powerful resource for creative expression, ideas for reaching agreement and balance, poetry and music, and being receptive to a satisfying information exchange with others. Poetry in motion, music for the mind. On the other hand, if they get tangled and tripped up, they could step on the tender toes of others, resulting in hurt feelings, misunderstandings, or intellectual ideas that create distance with others rather than fostering connection.

Of special interest is Dec. 29, when Mercury will be stationary-retrograde at the precise degree and minute as the Venus-Mercury conjunction on the same day. This should make for a very interesting energy for New Year's Eve celebrations. This can begin a good time to do background research and information gathering, especially around Venus themes – negotiations, agreements, creative expression (e.g. music or art), social interactions, or financial matters – although consider waiting until after Mercury goes direct (Jan. 18) to initiate any changes.

Extra Jazz from Mars

Secrets press inside a person. They press the way water presses at a dam. The secrets and the water, they both want to get out.
~ Franny Billingsley, Chime

Remember that while Mercury and Venus are doing their spinning and twirling, Mars is also Out-of-Bounds. So, just to make things even more "interesting," Mercury and Venus are also dancing with Mars, both by declination and aspect. Mercury opposes Mars on Nov. 29, the same day that Mercury is contraparallel to Mars (same distance from the equator but on opposite sides of it).

Venus opposes Mars exactly on Dec. 1, although they don't become exactly contraparallel – Venus's OOB peaks just 0:43 from Mars on Dec. 13, and 3 days later Mercury contraparallels Mars again. It's a rather complicated dance!

Suffice to say Venus and Mercury oppose Mars within 8 degrees from around Nov. 25 to Dec. 5, and they remain within 1 degree of contraparallel roughly from Nov. 25 to Dec. 21. For the Virgos in the audience ;‑) the table below lists the dates of the stations, aspects, OOB and parallels of Mercury, Venus and Mars.

Sabian Symbol

Sabian Symbol for Sagittarius 2: The ocean covered with whitecaps OR Whitecapped waves display the power of wind over sea.

When whitecaps appear on the surface of the ocean or a lake, it's because a strong wind is racing across it, disturbing the calm of the water. Wind is related to the astrological element of Air – the mind, intellect, reason, ideas and communication. And water is the element of, well, Water – the feelings, emotions, intuition, and need for safety and support.

When Air interacts with Water, the mind is interacting with the feelings. This Symbol shows how your mind can greatly affect and influence your feelings and what you pick up intuitively. How you frame an experience mentally can greatly affect your emotional response to it.

If you focus on "It was a terrible experience!" then your emotional upset is likely to remain with you longer. This may not be a good thing if you're stuck in uncomfortable feelings; on the other hand, it can be very helpful if you need to delve into those feelings to understand them better. In the same way, you can use your mental focus to lift yourself out of sadness, depression, anger, guilt or shame – at least to some extent.

The point is that this New Moon could be used to monitor how you frame your experiences, expectations, hopes and fears, beliefs and understanding of things happening around you. The Fire sign of Sagittarius takes the Air energy of the opposite sign Gemini and transforms it into something greater than itself. Ideas become aspirations, thoughts become a path toward understanding, and words become the tools of inspiration. For best effect, choose your thoughts consciously and carefully.

Framing Your Experience

Those with a grateful mindset tend to see the message in the mess. And even though life may knock them down, the grateful find reasons, if even small ones, to get up.
~ Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free

Sagittarius inspiration and potential are especially powerful during this lunar cycle (Nov. 23 to Dec. 23). Ruling planet Jupiter is very strong, which can amplify your hopes, dreams and fears. It can increase your willingness to believe (or believe in) things that reinforce how you want to see the world and life. This can be very healing and uplifting to the weary soul that has stayed strong for so long that it is depleted of faith and motivation. On the other hand, it might also intensify delusion or wishful thinking that could be misleading or unhealthy.

Mercury, Venus and Mars add their perspectives to the mix. Mercury and Venus are only too happy to provide optimistic ideas on how to put Jupiter's narrative to use. And with them not only conjunct but also Out-of-Bounds and parallel, those ideas could open up a vision of possibilities that go far beyond the norm. For example, instead of just wanting to journal your thought, you could be seized by the impulse to turn it into the beginning of an insightful blog post, social media discussion, or even a book.

And yet, as with all things Sagittarius, be careful your reach doesn't exceed your grasp. In other words, don't make commitments or promises you might not be able to keep. It might be wiser to play with those ideas a little longer to see if that inspiration has enough momentum and substance to actually go the distance.

Mars being retrograde and Out-of-Bounds, as well as square to Jupiter and Neptune, is like a rock that gets tossed into a pond and disturbs what might otherwise be a placid, smooth surface. This can make things exciting and un-boring, or it could bring disruption or even chaos to a tricky situation that would be easier to manage without so much drama.

For instance, you might aim to get things moving in one direction but find they veer off in a whole different direction (where you might discover something useful you didn't even know you needed). Or you could make plans to manifest a great idea, but find that the path to get there has more twists, turns and obstacles than you expected (which can mean you need to tread a bit more carefully, mindfully and patiently).

To get a clearer view of how Mars is affecting you during this time, schedule a personal reading with me. And just to make it easier, for a limited time I'm offering 10% off a Natal/Forecast reading. Please contact me for more information. :-)

And don't miss the Black Friday / Cyber Monday Sale on Astrology Reports - up to 30% Off!

The next update will be for the Full Moon in Gemini on Dec. 7, 2022. In the meantime, stay safe. Stay sane. Stay awesome. The world still needs you! ❤️

You have been told also that life is darkness, and in your weariness you ech what was said by the weary.
And I say that life is indeed darkness save when there is urge,
And all urge is blind save when there is knowledge,
And all knowledge is vain save when there is work,
And all work is empty save when there is love;
And when you work with love you bind yourself to yourself, and to one another, and to God.
~ Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

© 2022-11-22 Wendy Guy, all rights reserved. Astrological diagrams by Wendy Guy. Divider of pathway with arch by Antranius via Pixabay.com. Sabian symbol image of ocean whitecaps by Penywise via Morguefile.com.