The first half of November is characterized by both Mercury and Venus in retrograde. While Venus is in Libra, themes relating to our relationships, creativity and money are being handled with more ease. However, with Mercury now retrograde in Scorpio for about two weeks, we might find that it takes a while to act on our intentions in Venusian areas. This could be due to hesitation, anxiety or emotional unavailability, not to mention the typical communication breakdowns that come with Mercury retrograde.

November 9 marks a New Moon in Scorpio, highlighting themes relating to self and family. Around this time, we might start to see more clearly how we’ve been conditioned by our families, and how this can hold us back from what we truly want. Now is the time to take small steps away from people that don’t share the same values. And if you haven’t spent Venus retrograde having conversations about how “romance is a social construct,” this New Moon will push those kinds of reflections to the forefront.

On November 13, Mercury goes direct in Scorpio, followed by Venus going direct in Libra just past midnight on November 14. During this period, we might find ourselves moving with more certainty and less introspection than last month. Perhaps you’ve decided to finally move out of a toxic environment or dedicate yourself to a new, scary way of being, such as not being avoidant when things get real! Whatever it is, after 40 days of Venus retrograde, plus two weeks of Mercury retrograde hyper fixating on that one thing you knew needed to change, now is the time to start letting that change unfold.

The Sun moves into Sagittarius on November 22, moving us from being emotionally guarded and introspective to daring and explorative. For about two weeks, it’s a favourable time for socializing and working on art that is deeply intimate. While there is more openness in the air, people will still be moving with a bit of caution. It’s like coming back to work from nursing an injury and having to take it easy.

On November 24, there is a Full Moon in Gemini, allowing for secrets to come out. Things will start to make more sense around this time as we become more open to exploring different possibilities and less fixated on control. The very next day, Mars moves into Virgo while squaring Uranus and the Sun. It’s important to remember that nobody is entitled to knowing your plans, and that it’s okay if you’re the only one that can see the vision.

While this month is all about treading carefully, there is still of course the underlying tenderness that comes with redefining personal boundaries after a long period of inner work. At the end of the day, we need to honour our own needs and stay true to our values, despite wanting specific outcomes. With so many planetary retrogrades, it’s easy to start freaking out, but it’s important to ask ourselves what the difficulties that have arisen are asking us to face. Venus Retrograde can overcomplicate things because we tend to internalize everything, and that can be overwhelming. It doesn’t help that more people will be inclined to hide, but this is also why there are some, dare I say, cute moments this month, because retrogrades force us to slow down. At best, the energy of November is one of holding space for one another, demons and all.

This month reconnects us with our truth, encouraging us to detach from the pull of those things that offer only external validation. If you’ve managed to navigate this rough astrological season while still holding compassion for yourself and staying accountable, clarity awaits.

Glossary / Legend:

Transit: The ongoing movement of any given planet through the zodiac.

Retrograde: When a planet moves backwards. In astrology, the energy of a retrograde planet turns inwards.

House: An astrological chart is divided by 12 houses that each rule different subjects such as the self, home, relationships, and career.

Zodiac:

Aries: A Fire sign ruled by Mars, Aries is known as a natural leader, instinctual, and courageous. This sign naturally rules the 1st house, representing the body, approach to life, and how you came into this world.

Taurus: An earth sign ruled by Venus, Taurus is known for their sensibility, stubbornness and patience. This sign naturally rules the 2nd house, representing material possessions, values, and finances.

Libra: An air sign ruled by Venus, Libra is known for their sociability, attention to aesthetics and care for justice. This sign naturally rules the 7th house, representing personal relationships, balance, and what it means to be a mirror for others.

Scorpio: A water sign ruled by Mars, Scorpio is known as being intuitive, intense, and deep. This sign naturally rules the 8th house, representing secrets, shared resources, intimacy, and death/rebirth.

Planets:

Venus: This planet governs matters related to love and material. Its position in your chart signifies your romantic style as well as where you love to pour in your resources in relation to lifestyle. For example, pouring into luxury goods, social events, travel, etc.

Moon: This planet governs matters related to the home, the mother, childhood, and emotions. It is also the fastest moving planet in astrology, changing signs after about two days, which is why her movements are felt on a more personal level, especially on new moons, full moons, and eclipses.

Mercury: This planet governs the mind, including how we think, speak, write and process. Its placement in one’s astrological chart reveals one’s unique style of communication.

Mars: This planet governs your drive and conflict style. This influences how you assert yourself, how you act when you are angry, and how ambitious you are.

Sun: This planet represents the part of your identity you aim to embody in life, and it is most connected with your ego. In contrast to the Moon and Ascendant in your natal chart, whose energies show up more naturally, the Sun shows up in more intentional, effortful expressions of self.

Chiron: While not fully a planet and more of an asteroid/comet, Chiron represents the Wounded Healer in astrology, and its placement in a natal chart represents one of the deepest traumas someone will experience, which also has the potential to be a source of deep healing.

Author Bio:

Carmela (she/they) is a writer, artist, and astrologer. She is a second-generation Filipino-Canadian currently settled in “Vancouver, BC.” Her interests lie across the intersections of art, technology, and astrology. You can check out her website to book an astrology consultation and follow her @ohtheblooming on Substack and many social media platforms.

Artist Bio:

Monica (she/her) is an illustrator and graphic designer born and raised in Vancouver, BC. Her work spans multiple mediums and is rooted in nature and emotional storytelling. By toying with surrealism and realism, she creates imagery that captures mood, feeling and quiet moments of reflection. Follow her on Instagram @moninthemaking and www.monicadiaz.ca.

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Cosmic Forecast: November 2026