Up To Now ✩ Day-to-Day Transits

Venus trine Uranus

Spontaneity and liberation burst into your relationships, finances, resources and pleasures. You might feel compelled to try something completely different that shakes up the "same-old-same-old" routines you're used to. The upside is that you have the opportunity to break free of some old habits and breathe some fresh air into your life. But the downside could come in the form of impulse spending beyond your budget, or recklessness in your interactions and relationships. Strive to break free of what holds you back from being your true self, without destroying the structure of order in your life.

Mercury trine Chiron

Your mental focus and communication now get an injection of healing energy. Cynicism and depression may soften now, as you become more receptive to a more optimistic viewpoint. If you have been caught up in escapism or "stinkin' thinkin'" (thinking you're more in control of your impulses than you really are), you may now find some relief and healing. Mental argument and critical "self-talk" can now find some reconciliation and acceptance that brings some peace of mind. You have increased ability to find the right words and understanding to help others with their problems. Compassion and empathy may be more accessible because you can identify your own experiences with what you see in others. You might also find someone who can give you good advice or support about your own problems – possibly a teacher or mentor – or you could become this to someone else.

NEW MOON IN SAGITTARIUS

A new 4-week cycle begins with the New Moon in Sagittarius, ruled by noble Jupiter. Sagittarius is the sign of justice, truth seeking, travel and optimism. This lunar cycle can be used to work with this energy – to strengthen hope, expand your knowledge, and ask the Big Questions about life; or to check if you might be jumping to conclusions or prejudging people or situations. This Fire sign seeks faith and inspiration in the magnificence of life. As a Mutable sign, Sagittarius pursues adventure, knowledge and truth in any and every direction, always sure the key to life lies just over the horizon.

An in-depth article about this New Moon will be posted in the Low-Down on the Far-Out.

Mercury comes In-Bounds

Mercury now comes back In-Bounds (InB) by declination after being Out-of-Bounds from Nov. 6 (04 SG 46) to Nov. 30, 2024 (20 SG 39).

Mercury now returns within the bounds of the Sun. An in-bounds Mercury is generally easier to work with, where your thoughts, ideas and awareness works more constructively with the world around you. You might find you have new ideas picked up while Mercury was OOB that you now are able to put into practice. If you've felt somewhat liberated by the OOB period, it might be a bit uncomfortable to feel simply "normal" again. On the other hand, if you were feeling a bit ungrounded or out of focus during Mercury's OOB period, coming back in-bounds could feel somewhat reassuring as your brain may find it easier to grapple with ideas and process experiences. Words and thoughts might fit more comfortably into what society regards as "normal" and as such, life may start to feel a bit easier to navigate.

Coming back in bounds can also be a bit of a bumpy landing as that unrestricted energy becomes squeezed back into its usual potency. This is a good time to observe your thoughts, ideas, communication and how you process information, as well as changes in Mercury themes in society around you. For several days before and after this date, pay attention to the things that amplify or cool down your awareness, perceptions and your need to express what you're thinking. Realize that this is an adjustment period, and having some patience with yourself and others can help to smooth and soothe this time.

Alternatively, the re-entry can also be an eventful time when changes in Mercury-related areas can occur. For example, you might feel this is the right time to start—or end—a conversation about things that inspire or aggravate you, or make changes to how and why you express yourself. A shift in how you experience or handle the exchange of ideas and information with others could inspire you to make positive changes in those areas. This might be due to a change in perspective as a result of your experiences while Mercury was OOB.

Moon goes Out of Bounds

The Moon is Out-of-Bounds (OOB) by declination from Nov. 15 (27 TA 10) to Nov. 20, 2024 (04 LE 35).

During this time, your feelings and emotions may move in a different kind of rhythm. One possible effect is that you might feel more disconnected from the world around you; perhaps a bit alone, lonely or isolated. Or, this could be a welcome change where you can let the stresses of the world roll off your back more easily. Or, your emotions could be a bit erratic, extreme or harder to contain. The common thread through these diverse experiences is that your feeling state may reach beyond your usual range of feelings. If you're an artist, musician, writer or other creative person, this can be a very inspiring time as your creativity and imagination could more easily flow into unusual ideas, whims and impulses. Watch to see how you respond during this time. You can work on finding ways to channel this energy into positive, productive, creative experiences, or use it as an opportunity to take another step in your emotional healing.

Venus square Chiron

You may be forced to make adjustments to relationships and/or finances now, as you face situations in these areas that just don't want to balance out the way you want them to. You may feel a bit like you're in a catch-22 (no-win situation), where the more you try to find balance and harmony, the more you feel like you're chasing your own tail around in circles. This is a time when healing in relationships and financial problems may be difficult to obtain. Harmony in these areas can seem impossible or blocked, yet it is still necessary to keep trying. By trying anyway, it may be possible to find a solution that meets your needs, even if it may not be what you wanted, hoped for or expected. Strive to find a creative solution that draws on your best side.

Sun trine Mars

Your energy, purpose, vitality and health are likely to be strong and clear during this transit. Your sense of purpose is supported by your ability to assert yourself and take a stand for what you want and what you believe in. In general, this transit is a great time to take action, especially if you have prepared the way and have all your ducks in a row. If you've been waiting for a spurt of self-confidence or motivation, this transit could give you the push you need to move forward in your plans or goals. Strive to be spontaneous rather than impulsive, and confident rather than arrogant.

Sun trine North Lunar Node

You may feel confident, optimistic and empowered today and a couple of days before and after this date. It can feel like the pieces are falling into place and you can make progress in what you're striving to do in your life right now. And if only because of this added self-confidence, this could indeed happen. Just an added caution, though: even though the lights are green doesn't mean you shouldn't look both ways before moving forward. In other words, a reality check as to the wisdom of what you want to do is still a good idea.

Mercury goes Retrograde

Yes, it's that time again! Mercury goes retrograde for the next 3+ weeks. For up to a week before and after today, Mercury is moving very slowly or stopped (hence "stationary" or "making a station"). During this time, you may experience intensity, frustration, confusion, miscommunications, or feel like you're getting bogging down in your progress.

Mercury retrograde is usually a time when it is a good time to rethink, rehash, reflect, and tie up old loose ends, rather than begin new ventures. It is typical for new insights and information to emerge later in the retrograde cycle that you didn't anticipate, which can change the whole picture. Because of this, it is usually advised to avoid making final or permanent decisions (e. g. , signing contracts or putting new projects into action), during the retrograde and even up to 2 weeks after Mercury goes direct. However, it is an excellent time to do fact-finding, research and investigation to prepare for major decisions, which are usually best put off until well after Mercury goes direct.

In the meantime, while Mercury is retrograde, expect the unexpected, and leave lots of extra time when planning your schedule (to minimize any disruptions from delays and complications). Stay flexible and learn to roll with the weirdness. It's common to have to reschedule appointments or redo things because the instructions or information got messed up the first time. Do some things that use your intuitive, creative, non-rational mind for a while until Mercury goes direct again.

If you absolutely must do something important during this time that can't be postponed, don't be surprised if you wind up having to redo things. It can help to be especially vigilant about triple-checking what you do, but some of these mishaps can't always be predicted or prevented, so don't be hard on yourself (nor on others). Remember: Mercury loves to play practical jokes. This is his playtime. ;-) It helps to learn to laugh with him.

Mercury makes the following aspects during this retrograde cycle (all dates in North American Eastern Time):

• Mercury sextile Venus ~ Dec. 13, 2024, Jan. 19, 2025
• Mercury trine Mars ~ Nov. 2, 2024, (SD 00:43 orb – Dec. 15, 2024), Feb. 23, 2025
• Mercury opposite Jupiter ~ Nov. 18, Dec. 4, 2024, Dec. 26, 2024
• Mercury square Saturn ~ Nov. 12, 2024, Dec. 6, 2024, Dec. 27
• Mercury trine Chiron ~ Nov. 19, 2024, Dec. 2, 2024, Dec. 31, 2024

Here are the key dates of this Mercury cycle (for North American Eastern Time):

• Mercury enters the Shadow: Nov. 7, 2024 ~ 06:23 Sagittarius
• Mercury-Sun max elongation: Nov. 16, 2024 ~ 17:09 Sagittarius
• Mercury stationary Retrograde: Nov. 25, 2024 ~ 22:40 Sagittarius
• Mercury Rx conjunct the Sun: Dec. 5, 2024 ~ 14:27 Sagittarius
• Mercury stationary Direct: Dec. 15, 2024 ~ 06:23 Sagittarius
• Mercury-Sun max elongation: Dec. 25, 2024 ~ 24:59 Sagittarius
• Mercury leaves the Shadow: Jan. 2, 2025 ~ 12:13 Sagittarius

Mars trine North Lunar Node

Today, and up to a few days before and after, you may find that all the lights seem to be green for you to move ahead and take action. This might be a spontaneous impulse to seize the moment, or it could be about taking the next step in a project or process that you've been planning and carefully considering. It could also be a time when your emotions are more easily expressed. There may be someone who is urging, inspiring or rousing you to take this action. It's up to you to decide if this is wise and in your best interest, and if so, the best way to make this happen.

Venus sextile Saturn

It is possible to find some stability in your relationships and finances under this transit, especially if you are willing to negotiate fairly and realistically. You have increased ability to be disciplined about spending and budgeting, and to invest in hard work to maximise your earnings. Your ability to grasp the solid, realistic facts will help you choose wisely in your investments of both money and your interaction with others. Commitment and structure may be easier to approach and achieve than if you take risks now. Your self-worth can benefit from this transit because you may be less inclined to give in to mood swings. On the other hand, if you are prone to depression, you might want to be careful you don't become so grounded and stable that you lose touch with your sense of hope and potential. It is a good time to make concrete progress in matters involving beauty, love, harmony and balance. Keep your pleasures simple and humble for maximum benefit.

Sun sextile Pluto

Your sense of purpose is potentially strong now, being able to tap into a deeper level of energy and determination. Your personality may be more forceful now, which can be great if you need to make a strong impression but perhaps not so much in situations requiring delicacy or subtlety. You have greater ability to see below the surface of things now, although it may not be as easy to put it all together and understand what it all means. It can be possible to unearth secrets or get at the core of unconscious patterns (yours and others'). However, you'll have to work to harvest the fruit of these potentials, and some of the insights and benefits may not become apparent until later.

Sun enters Sagittarius

Happy Solar Return to all Sagittarians! While the Sun is in Sagittarius, we all get to explore our horizons, seek our highest truth, discover our spirituality and gain fresh wisdom. Sagittarius energy encourages us to reach beyond our grasp, to exceed our limitations, and to rise above our primal impulses. Whether we are encountering other cultures, countries and languages, or expanding our horizons through new knowledge or spiritual awareness, this is a time to be uplifted and inspired. We are challenged to explore meaning in our lives and to connect with whatever we regard as sacred and sublime. In Sagittarius we also gather new knowledge and understanding, making sense of the patterns and themes within the raw information around us. It is not enough to simply have facts and data. Sagittarius presents us with the opportunity to reach for the highest truth we know, and then to exercise that truth in moral and ethical ways. The trap we must be careful to avoid is that it's easy to assume that our truth is truth for everyone else too, which is not necessarily the case. Our well-meaning wish for others to experience the inspiration and passion that we feel can seem to turn us into self-righteousness know-it-alls. It's tempting to believe that we are privy to knowledge that others are denied. There can be a fine line between sharing passionate knowledge versus shoving opinions down someone's throat. Everyone has their unique perspective on life, and therefore their own sense of meaning and truth that works for them. And yet, debating and challenging each other's knowledge, beliefs and values are also an important part of the Sagittarius passion for exploration. As the Sun journeys through Sagittarius, expand your awareness of how these issues play out in your life.

Moon comes In-Bounds

The Moon now comes back In-Bounds (InB) by declination after being Out-of-Bounds from Nov. 15 (27 TA 10) to Nov. 20, 2024 (04 LE 35).

While the Moon was Out of Bounds (OOB) your emotional state may have been a bit disconnected, detached, isolated, or pushing you to go beyond your usual potential. This could have been either a welcome change or a difficult energy for you to deal with. So, when the Moon comes In-Bounds, you typically return to whatever your "normal" is. If your OOB journey was stressful or intense, you may find some relief now that the Moon is back In-B, or you're now in a position to integrate what you've learned from your experience. If your OOB journey felt like a welcome reprieve from the everyday stress or "noise" of the world around you, coming back In-B will hopefully give you a fresh start, like coming back from a brief vacation. The Moon will go OOB next in about 10 days, give or take.

Pluto enters Aquarius

Pluto changes signs for the first time since 2008, moving from Capricorn into Aquarius. During 2023 and 2024, Pluto moves in and out of Aquarius before remaining in that sign until 2043. Pluto shines a light on that which is hidden or obscured, like secrets or the unconscious, especially in the context of power and empowerment. By bringing these themes up to the light of awareness, these areas can become transformed, and often things may seem to get worse before they get better.

While in Aquarius, Pluto is likely to reveal the hidden depths of friendships, networking, groups of people united by a common interest or purpose, mass communication, technology, and our collective vision of future possibilities. For a more personal experience of Pluto's transformative nature, look to the house(s) where Aquarius resides in your Natal chart. These areas of your life are likely to undergo a long-term, gradual shift that increases your awareness of how these areas are in need of change.

Overall, your preference in friends, associates, groups, clubs, etc., will probably change over the next 20 years. That tends to happen no matter where Pluto is, of course, but this time it may be especially focused in what qualities in yourself are brought out by those people or groups. Do you like who you are when you're around those people? Are you seeing something new in others that bothers you or perhaps impresses you in some new way?

Pluto was previously in Aquarius from 1777-1798. Pluto's current transition into and journey through Aquarius are:

• Aquarius – 23-Mar-2023 to 11-Jun-2023
• Capricorn – 11-Jun-2023 to 20-Jan-2024
• Aquarius – 20-Jan-2024 to 1-Sep-2024
• Capricorn – 1-Sep-2024 to 19-Nov-2024
• Aquarius – 19-Nov-2024 to 8-Mar-2043
• Pisces – 8-Mar-2043 to 31-Aug-2043
• Aquarius – 31-Aug-2043 to 19-Jan-2044

Mercury trine Chiron

Your mental focus and communication now get an injection of healing energy. Cynicism and depression may soften now, as you become more receptive to a more optimistic viewpoint. If you have been caught up in escapism or "stinkin' thinkin'" (thinking you're more in control of your impulses than you really are), you may now find some relief and healing. Mental argument and critical "self-talk" can now find some reconciliation and acceptance that brings some peace of mind. You have increased ability to find the right words and understanding to help others with their problems. Compassion and empathy may be more accessible because you can identify your own experiences with what you see in others. You might also find someone who can give you good advice or support about your own problems – possibly a teacher or mentor – or you could become this to someone else.

Sun trine Neptune

Faith in the bountiful blessings of the Universe is within reach under this transit... but then, so is the fantasy that you will be magically granted anything you wish for. Hope, optimism and imagination spring eternal right now, which can bring some relief from any depression or discouragement you might be feeling. Your creativity can become very inspired under this transit. Your sense of self could also get an infusion of uplifting vision. And you experience a sense of mission, feeling that you are truly a Child of the Universe. There is potential to lift you out of the ordinary and into the sublime – spiritually, creatively, romantically or compassionately. Enjoy it while it lasts, but before you make changes based on what might feel like a permanent condition, remember that this is mostly a temporary influence and you will still have to live within the bounds of the physical world after it passes. Don't make overly optimistic promises now, that you will have to fulfil later when the euphoria wears off.

Mercury opposite Jupiter

Your thoughts and words can become amplified under this transit, which could bring a sense of adventure, a surge of ideas, and/or imbalance due to exaggeration. You may find it's hard to stop talking (or writing), your head is filled with so many possibilities. However, your judgment about the validity of your ideas may be a bit off, or you might feel the urge to overstate your position to keep from being misunderstood. Blame and judgment could creep into your perceptions of others or the other way around. This might spring from a need to find a greater meaning or truth in the facts, having difficulty bridging the gap between the raw information and the big picture. The trick is to keep a balance between simplicity and elaborate complexity. The challenge is to find ways to express, think about and understand the vast range of possibilities and meaning within the perceptions of everyday life. Not all of it will survive the translation, but enormous spiritual creativity can be generated in the trying.