Astrological Forecast for November December 2021

After being battered around in 2020, many of us came into 2021 hoping for a better year. As we move through the last two months of 2021, it might be time to reflect on what’s happened and how we’ve managed events, on both the individual and collective levels. It’s no surprise if our assessments fall short of excellence.

Of course, there’s always an astrological storm brewing somewhere. How much it affects each of us depends on a number of factors, including our natal charts and - most importantly - the degree of awareness and compassion that we can bring to a situation. That said, November and December of 2021 certainly keep the celestial winds blowing strongly. There’s a great deal of potential for inner work over the coming months, but outward activity will have its challenges.

November

Get ready to bring things to a conclusion as the month begins. As we wane into the Scorpio New Moon on November 4th, it’s time to let go of things that no longer serve you. This is a deeply transformative new moon, especially following so closely on Halloween/All Souls Day/Samhain. The challenge is to let go of the past while having faith in the future. Faith, but not knowledge, for the transformative process is always a little uncertain.

It’s especially uncertain this year, as this new moon is closely opposed by revolutionary Uranus (four minutes of arc, or 1/5400 of the zodiac). The potential for the somewhat implosive energy of the new moon is externalized by Uranus, suggesting a powerful tension-and-release scenario.

During the first few days of the month, Mercury aspects Jupiter and Pluto for the third time. Matters that were up in the air since around the third week in September and through his retrograde, can finally be resolved now.

Mercury and Mars both square Saturn on the 10th. Saturn in Aquarius is sticking to principles and ideals, while in Scorpio Mercury and Mars are more inclined to opt for personal security. What’s best for the group or society may not sit well with those concerned with their own individual situations. This is a good time to focus on a single project, and avoid multitasking.

Mercury goes on to oppose Uranus on the 13th, and Mars follows on the 17th. What appeared as constraints just a few days earlier can be replaced by a sense of freedom and a strong desire for change. We could have brilliant ideas, perhaps as a result of collaboration. With the Sun square to Jupiter on the 15th, the second week of November is likely to feel like ‘go time’ for many of us. Watch out for impulsivity and low patience at mid-month.

Intensity builds as we approach the Taurus Full Moon on the 19th. What was seeded back at the new moon will begin to manifest around this time. The Moon is closely conjunct the star Caput Algol (the Medusa’s head), and it’s also a lunar eclipse. I would expect the time between the 18th and 20th to be an active and somewhat difficult period, especially on the collective level. In our personal lives, we may see issues coming to a head, and it could be hard to contain our emotions. The eclipse is partially visible in the Wisdom reading area, around 4:00 a.m..

The Sun enters Sagittarius on the 21st, which might help lighten the mood, as will Mercury’s entry into the sign on the 24th. As we’re in eclipse season, we’ll see increased polarization around belief systems, but we’ll also have the opportunity to take a broader view of things.

The last week of the month represents a relative lull, although the time between eclipses is rarely quiet.

December

Any ‘quiet time’ comes to an end abruptly as December begins. Neptune stations to go direct on the 1st, an energy that will color the time between the last few days of November and December 2nd. Neptune stations can be inspiring or frightening, but they are very rarely realistic. This is a good time for meditation and other psychic voyages, but it’s a uniquely poor time for practical decisions and actions.

The intensity of the Sagittarius New Moon on the 4th is heightened by Neptune’s distorting lens, but also by a solar eclipse. Things are likely to be seen out of proportion in the first week of December. What we are concerned about is real enough, but the magnitude of the potentials and problems is probably not what we think it is. This eclipse is on the South Pole of the Earth, and so not visible to us - although those concerned with global warming might note the significance of the location.

Mercury is square to Neptune on the 7th, suggesting that messages might be lost or misinterpreted. Sagittarius may mean that beliefs triumph over facts. Given Neptune’s station, the eclipse, and this aspect, we might think of the first week of December as Mercury retrograde raised to a power. It’s a good time for inner exploration, but not for operating in the outer world.

Containing ourselves gets harder as the week progresses. Mars squares Jupiter on the 8th, just ahead of the first quarter moon on the 10th. Despite all caveats, this is likely to be a time when folks will act.

Keeping the illusory vibe going, the Sun squares Neptune on the 12th. This aspect can lead us to make gods or demons, heroes or villains, out of ordinary folk. As it’s a square and the Sun is in Sagittarius, we may project our dark sides onto those who disagree with our beliefs. It’s also possible that this aspect will lead to some deep questioning within, about our own values.

December 19th is a busy day in the sky. Chiron stations direct in Aries, so you may be a little more inclined to self-doubt than usual. It’s the Gemini Full Moon, too, so emotions will be running high. And Venus stations to retrograde.

Venus retrogrades every couple of years, ushering in a forty day period when it’s wise to back away from pleasure and partnership. It’s a time to cleanse and renew, and it resonates with the forty days of lent in the Christian calendar, as well as the forty days of the flood. Unfortunately, this retrograde happens just as the holiday season gets into full swing. It won’t completely squash the vibe, but could make merriment a bit more reserved.

The goddess of love will be in reverse through January 29th. Keep an eye out for what happens in your love life and financial situation right around the 25th, when Venus meets with Pluto. You might revisit issues from around December 11th, but could have to wait until early March, when they meet again, to get resolution to matters.

The Sun enters Capricorn on the 21st, at 10:58a EST, marking the Winter Solstice and the beginning of Sol’s long climb northwards. Although sundowns have already started getting later in the Northeast, the days will begin to grow longer - imperceptibly at first - as we move through the coming months.

The last major aspect of the month is Saturn’s square to Uranus on the 24th. This is ‘the’ aspect of 2021, and the third and last time it will be exact. It marks a conflict between progressive and regressive forces in society, between change and steadfastness, and between innovation and security. Look for it to play out on the collective level in the last ten days of December.

Jupiter comes home (again) to his second home in Pisces on the 29th, opening up a broader perspective and helping us to dissolve boundaries (whether we want them dissolved or not).

To wrap up the month, Mercury meets with Pluto on the 30th. This is a time when we speak truth to power, letting others know what we think. Given the tense energies in the air and the coming new moon, it could be a time when we let go of things we perceive to be holding us back. Leave if you want, but don’t burn bridges just to see the flames.

Best wishes for a wonderful 2021!

Armand Diaz, Ph.D., is an intuitive astrologer who uses Tarot in his consultations with clients. He can be reached via his website, www.ArmandDiaz.com