Welcome to Sagittarius season! The new moon (Sun-Moon conjunction) is occurring at 5:57 PM EST on Wednesday, November 23rd, 2022 at 1°38’ of Sagittarius. In contrast to the internally focused water sign of Scorpio, Sagittarius is an extroverted fire sign ready to have some fun. The change from Scorpio to Sagittarius shifts our energy from hermiting and healing, to having social gatherings and exploring our deeper purpose through an interaction with the external world. In terms of social gathering, this transit is happening just in time for the Western holiday of Thanksgiving.
For those of you who dread forced family gatherings, I have good news. This year’s pre-Thanksgiving new moon is very supportive of pleasant and even meaningful conversations, thanks to a Venus-Mercury conjunction around 10° of Sagittarius. These two planets are also in a trine to retrograde Chiron, the healer asteroid, suggesting that communication could happen with grace this holiday season, in such a way that old wounds can actually be tended to, soothed, and healed. These wounds are likely to be related to our personal expression, self-worth, and our belief systems. This could be a time to experiment with more gentle and intimate forms of communication with our loved ones. Despite the healing quality of these configurations, both Venus/Mercury and Chiron are in fire signs, so expect your interactions to be lively, fun, and potentially controversial! We can be gentle and kind while still bringing excitement to the table.
If you have chosen to spend this holiday with your chosen family or friends rather than blood relatives, the new moon is in full support of that decision. This may be out of necessity (e.g. distance or lack of connection to family) or conscious choice; either way, take time to acknowledge the fulfillment you receive from surrounding yourself with those who see, hear, and nourish you. Regardless of who you spend Thanksgiving with, or whether you are celebrating a holiday at all, you are likely to feel loved and appreciated for who you are, and resourced enough to feel that same way toward others. Some people may not be very familiar with this level of intimacy, but the potential is there. Be willing to open your heart to allow for this healing experience.
Holidays aside, this is a great time to program yourself with positive affirmations of your beauty and self-worth. Whether you are alone during this new moon or surrounded by people, take time for intentional self-love. Write yourself a love letter, put notes on your mirror, send unconditional love to yourself in meditation, move your body in joyful ways, make art, set up an altar. All of this outwardly expressed self-love will serve you both now and in the future.
Jupiter is the ruling planet of Sagittarius. On the day of the new moon, Jupiter will be stationing direct at 28° of Pisces after almost four months of being retrograde. This is a significant transit, as it represents the final stages of Jupiter in Pisces before he officially moves into Aries for the next 5 months. In a way, this new moon is ushering in the element of fire, putting more heat behind our personal values and desires for meaningful accomplishment. Jupiter moves into Aries on December 21st, the winter solstice. Enjoy this last month of Piscean spiritual growth and bask in this opportunity for expansive connection. When Jupiter in Aries calls us into an even more direct expression of who we are, the benefits of our time spent connecting to something greater than ourselves will have massive implications.
Amazing beginnings are on the horizon, but don’t get too ahead of yourself – Mars is still retrograde for another month and a half. Saturn is also trine Mars, supporting our ability to be patient and trust the natural timing of our growth. With both these planets in Air signs, the growth we are seeking is in regard to how we perceive reality, our thought patterns, how we communicate, and how we move through the world. With Jupiter still in Pisces and Mars retrograde, it is still a time of integration and spaciousness. Let the silence settle in so the body can catch up to all that you’ve learned this year. When Mars goes direct again on January 12th of next year, clarity about your next steps will naturally transmute into forward movement.
In summary, this new moon ushers in Sagittarius season, which can be felt as a time for exploration, socialization, expansion, learning, and fun. Though we are moving from the shadowy Scorpio season to the fiery realm of Sag, remember that every sign has its shadows. Mars retrograde in trine with Saturn, Chiron in retrograde in Aries, and Jupiter in Pisces are supporting our personal and collective needs for extended spaciousness and integration. Be gentle while also following your whims; don’t expect too much, and don’t push too hard. New beginnings are on the horizon, and in fact, they are already underway, underneath the surface. Take it easy. Enjoy the little things. Keep settling into your personal values. Love those around you, and surround yourself with those you love. The new year will bring supportive energy for projects to germinate and eventually flourish, but the stars are now most supportive of purposeful communion with Self and other.
Ethereal Ecology 