XII The Hanged Man
VII The Chariot
Five of Cups
November is always a potent month being that it is the only month which is automatically a Master Number, the 11. It also coincides with deep Sun in Scorpio and the “dark time of the year”. During 2011 it is also a Universal 6, so this month is an 11/6. November is a very spiritual time which begs us to dig deep and see what really exists within ourselves, our lives, and our relationships. Scorpio is about secrets, sex, deep-rooted emotions, and death. It is associated with the Scorpion which has not only defensive claws out front but a killer stinger you won’t even see coming! Being in November with the 11 influence, it is a time when honest communication and the big reveal of secrets hidden come to the forefront. Also, here in the US we celebrate Thanksgiving and so it is a time when we look beyond the personal struggles we may face and reach for humanity and thankfulness for the “what is” in our lives. It begins the season in which we step outside of ourselves and reach out to one another with a helping, loving hand and offer our kindness, compassion and cooperation.
You may be experiencing overwhelming awareness of your own mortality and find yourself seeking your place in the world. Indulge these thoughts for a time, but try not to get too caught up in them. It is, however, useful to make changes for the better: live life fully, laugh a little louder, gaze a little longer, and take more chances!
This November is even more about community, service and relationships than usual because of the added influence of the 6. There is HUGE focus on our relationships (work, family, personal, romantic, etc.), home and family and honest communication. Of course, Mercury is turning Retrograde this month (on the 24th) which can put a bit of a damper on things. People are highly sensitive this month, so be aware. Ideally we should getting holiday shopping done early as to avoid the mishaps of Mercury Retrograde, but at the very least if you are doing any ordering online or making large purchases, be sure to do your research and get your order in early (lest it be delayed). Fortunately, this trend ends on the 13th of December, which leaves a chance for those last minute shoppers to be in the clear.
The cards for this month suggest that we are all in a place of throwing our hands up and letting things happen on their own. It is time to accept that some things ARE out of our control and all you can do is go along for the ride. This month there are many opportunities arising, or simply a great deal of movement, and you have to think on the fly and roll with the punches. Do the best you can to make informed decisions, sometimes there is time and sometimes you just have to wing it and accept the potential consequences later. The Hanged Man reminds us to be patient and to let things happen on their own, while the Chariot warns us that we may be careening out of control while life comes flying at us. The Five of Cups sees us mourning our losses as the life we once knew begins to transform before our eyes, but it begs us to see what we still have left. This is where we need to focus on being thankful and appreciative of what we have and of what may be right around the bend for us that we are yet to see. Everything happens for a reason and it seems to me that all of this personal struggle will see us through to a much better future than we thought possible. Do your best not to dwell on loss and change, and when possible seek what is familiar in your life and brings you comfort.
If I had to summarize November I would say that we are seeking our place in the world and discovering who we are and what we bring to the table. It requires much contemplation and trial and error. We must accept the present moment, even as it is changing. Keep moving forward and let the past be the past while trying to keep an open mind for the new and unexpected. Life doesn’t always look the way we had hoped it would, but for better or worse, it is ours for the making. Yes, making. We have made choices that brought us where we are and we need to step up to the plate and take our best shot with what we have been given. It is time to cut our losses and accept our status quo, mourn and move on. Even when the changes are positive it can be difficult to accept, so even then there is a sense of mourning and letting go. Allow yourself time to process whatever it is that you are feeling.
©Stephanie Pui-Mun Law for the above art from Shadowscapes Tarot
