On November 21, 2024 at 2:57 pm EST, the Sun enters Sagittarius I — The Poison Arrow, according to Austin Coppock‘s naming conventions set forth in 36 Faces. Associated in Tarot with the speedy Eight of Wands, the decan was associated in ancient times with the Loimos, or plague-spirits, which had to be propitiated and exorcised from the community as winter approached. Indeed, I recall this decan being strongly activated by the events surrounding the release of the COVID vaccine — the jab felt ’round the world as millions of lancet needles stuck people with something that many called medicine, and many others regarded as dangerous folly. We are none of us immune to all disease, and apotropaic rituals of purification and good health are appropriate at this time of year.
It’s not the first time that we’ve seen Pluto in Aquarius, but it’s the first time we’ve seen him there “permanently”; Pluto will spend roughly the next 20 years in Aquarius. The last time he was here was 1778-1798 — the slow-moving “Wealthy One” has shifted from Capricorn — where he stands for accumulation and storage of value, the laying-up of treasures, and the secreting of riches away from prying eyes or usefulness — to Aquarius. It’s hard to know what that means, just yet. However, astrological texts from classical times up through the Renaissance equate Aquarius with the wealth of the working man: the miner and the quarry-man, the carpenter who gets up early, the baker who toils before the blasting mouth of the oven, the weaver sitting at the loom-bench and the tailor bent over the cutting table, the squatting plumber and filthy sewer repairman. All such folks make riches from what he knows rather than what he owns. The first decan of Aquarius is associated with the 5 of Wands in Tarot, too: an emblem of complex contentions and short-term gains and losses in a practice fight. Pluto will spend most of the next seven years here — an era that parallels the successes of the common man in overthrowing aristocracy during the American Revolution. Based on this… you might want to think about your ‘retirement plan’ as needing a skill-set that requires tools and physical labor, not just a 401k and a Roth IRA?
The governor or administrator of this decan is Mercury. Although the herald-planet is in detriment in Sagittarius, they’re a skilled and quick thinker in this part. Unfortunately, they’ve already moved on, although they’ll be back during the retrograde/direct cycle of 9 through 24 of December. That retrograde begins on 27 November, although the station at 22° Sagittarius begins a few days earlier — plan for travel delays around America’s Thanksgiving Day on 28 November. Mercury is known for snarling highways and posting delays at airports. Allow extra travel time and be patient in stations and transit nexuses for best results.
The dodeks of Sagittarius I are Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. This may be compared to a group huddled around a campfire in the dark on a camping trip. Sagittarius represents the ghost story told as the coals of the fire die down. Capricorn is the conversation that experiences lulls and pauses, as people are both reluctant to go to bed and end the magic of the fire, but also feeling the weariness in their limbs and the reluctance to put more wood on the fire. Aquarius is the decision made, finally, to rise and do the minor chores around camp that must be done — while Pisces is the bucket of water poured reluctantly over the last glowing embers as people trudge off to their tents and to bed.
I’ve written previously about Sagittarius I in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
House Meanings
The First House of self and self-presentation is Taurus ruled by trining Venus in Capricorn, suggesting a publicly gothic and morbid aesthetic as a personal choice. Uranus retrograde implies the value of prayer beads as a suitable accessory for making your world-weariness known to others — but it’s time to dress for the world you expect to live in six months from now. Be intentional and serious about it.
The Second House of personal finance and resources is Gemini ruled by opposing Mercury in Sagittarius (in mutual reception with and opposition to Jupiter). Consider financial matters separately from resources — too often these days, financial matters are abstract and vaguely defined, while resources are more concrete and specific objects like tools, papers, art supplies and food. Think big picture right now, but also dive into the details. Where you have community, it’s worth thinking about which debts and obligations could be paid off with stuff rather than nominal coin.
The Third House of family and close friends is Cancer, ruled by the inconjunct Moon but hosting the Imum Coeli representing contentment and ‘the context of happiness’. It’s going to be hard to build relationships today, now, here, without knowing that your own household is secure — but raising a glass with some friends in victory is the surest way to a deeper sense of peace in the world.
The Fourth House of property, real estate, home, and family is Leo, ruled by the trining Sun in Sagittarius. It hosts both the Moon and Mars — awakening the possibility of aggression and conflict, but also providing the quick mitigation and peace-making intention of the Moon’s languid ease. Recognize that the place you call home and the people who live there is the center of your moral universe right now — and your chief duty and obligation is to make that place and those people warm, fierce, fed, and healthy. Sextile with Jupiter says to inventory your big-picture resources.
The Fifth House of pleasures and children is Virgo ruled by squaring Mercury in Sagittarius. A more cautious analysis of your habitual hobbies and entertainments is warranted. Communicate clearly with your kids about your expectations of them, and their responsibility in the world. Treat their health seriously, and prioritize their care and feeding.
The Sixth House of labors and employees, health maintenance and illness prevention, is Libra ruled by squaring Venus in Capricorn. It’s not Passover-season, but I went to a reception tonight where a dish much like charoset was on the table — a ritual food meant to remind Jews of the mortar they had to use to build monuments to Pharaoh in Egypt, and the bricks they made with mud but no straw. It may feel very strange in the coming weeks to work on big projects with almost no support, while resources are stockpiled elsewhere. Remember this, and prioritize your own well-being first.
The Seventh House of your spouse or significant other is Scorpio ruled by squaring Mars in Leo. There’s real risk of argument and secret-keeping in your household… but some arguments may require you to learn things you’re not prepared to know (or already know but don’t want to). Affirm that there don’t have to be secrets between you… but allow space for them, nonetheless.
The Eighth House of duties and obligations is Sagittarius, which currently hosts the Sun and Mercury, though it’s ruled by opposing Jupiter in Gemini; Mercury brings about mutual reception. Be big-hearted about meeting your responsibilities, but pay attention the fine print when accepting new chores. Some tasks like laundry and dishes or balancing checkbooks may feel like the drudgery that works us down to white bone — but do the work quickly and well anyway. Chris Schwarz, a woodworking writer I admire, calls it “good work, at speed.” That should be your aim.
The Ninth House of travel, tourism and religion, is Capricorn ruled by sextiling Saturn in Pisces, but hosts the Midheaven and Venus. At airports and train stations, there will be constant temptation to cut in line or to assert rank or attain some small advantage: a last-minute upgrade to first class. Remember that slowness and tedium is strongly suggested by the ruling planet, Saturn, but that Venus invites you to leisure and comfort: dress well but comfortably for travel, bring snacks, turn delays into delight; no one is going to move any faster if you make a scene.
The Tenth House of career and profession is Aquarius ruled by inconjunct Saturn and hosting newly-entered Pluto. There will be intense pressure on those who know, to perform dancing-monkey tricks for those who own — Depending on where you are in that relationship, expect that the usual kinds of negotiating tacts aren’t going to work, and that the advantage lies with the one who has the necessary skill rather than the one with the official paperwork. You’ll be on the right side of some transactions, and the wrong side of others.
The Eleventh House of friends and acquaintances is Pisces ruled by squaring Jupiter and playing host to Saturn and Neptune. Money questions may create tensions between you and your allies. Remember neither a borrower nor a lender be. Dreaming of a better future is always good, but considering how to get from dreams to reality requires a more grounded approach: don’t get so lost in the foggy terrain of the dream that you forget where you’re standing in the real world, and help your friends keep their feet on solid ground.
The Twelfth House of challenge, obstacle, and opportunity is Aries ruled by trining Mars. Opportunities will arise, but they’re quick moving and easily missed and subject to rapid change. It will be easy to over-promise, but difficult to deliver on initial expectations. Choose caution and patience, but keep your reserves ready to act on the best plan. There is no such thing as a get-rich-quick scheme in the current environment… but there is a significant other or a family that can be very angry with you.
Horoscopes by Rising Sign
Decan I of any sign (usually covering the 21st of the month to the first of the following month) is free to all visitors; Decan II is only available to Patreon and Ko-Fi.com subscribers; and Decan III is available to Patreon, Ko-Fi, and MailChimp subscribers.
I recommend reading your Sun sign, Moon sign, and Rising sign for best results. I write them with rising sign in mind, but several people have told me they find that they do better with all three.
Due to technical and personal issues this season, the horoscopes are unusually short this time around.
Taurus: Keep your opinions close to your chest, but hold onto your spiritual identity moment-to-moment whenever the tumult rises. Financial matters require you to think about the big picture, but also about the details of your significant other’s concerns. There are reasons for argument, but also conciliation in your home and family life. Be fierce for what you want, but the one who extends the olive branch first will be the victor. You are skilled in your workplace, but now is the time to establish better boundaries and to push for higher compensation. You’ll need to establish good boundaries, too, with friends and colleagues, and be creative in reaching destinations in a timely fashion.
Gemini: You are what you think you have, and a thoughtful consideration of your financial and ready resources would be advisable, especially in contrast with your debts and obligations. The dining room table at Thanksgiving is sure to have one odious uncle, and one peace-making aunt or cousin; the generous peace-maker will do better at the table than the warrior. Your significant other will be unusually focused on communicating their duties or tedious needs to you; but this is important, so pay attention, because essential secrets are being revealed, not fodder for sarcasm. Diplomatic creative solutions win the prize here. There’s few prizes, though, for trying to drag-race to the Thanksgiving after-party — are you getting a train ticket or a speeding ticket? There’s a new license here, but is it a new freedom or a short leash?
Cancer: You’re thinking about big family issues at this season, and there’s likely a bunch of big bills eating away at your heart and your compassion. Stay true to your early laurels and focus on the next good, great prize of a happy holiday (regardless of what’s in your wallet). There’s a big financial opportunity on the horizon, but a thorough review of the bidding and fundamentals would be wise. Don’t rush in where angels fear to tread, and recognize that a friend’s personal identity may be tied up in an economic offer too good to be true. Follow your spouse or significant other when it comes to making travel plans… your own are likely to be delayed. The daily grind of your regular labors are likely to feel harder and harsher than usual. Can any of this be made automatic or regularized in some fashion? Be cautious about blowing up with your criticisms of existing systems; you are not their primary beneficiary.
Leo: You’re likely to have a relaxed and happy period these last ten days in November, but there’s an ongoing sense of ferocity to finish up some big-shift projects, and a desire to relax and take your ease at last after a long battle. Your significant other may be going through a tough new professional experience that requires them to be a critical voice and an outsider, which is proving uncomfortable for them. Help them pick up the slack by delaying or deflecting visits from friends or neighbors, or dealing with some of the details of household management that used to be on them. Communicate to them about what makes you happy in the moment, but know that you have your own zen task to do: there’s a project that needs frequent shepherding at work which needs regular attentiveness for the next few days.
Virgo: Taking some time to take it easy and enjoy life would be good for you right now, but it’s best that you do this close to home, or with easy forms of travel that don’t require packing up half the house and lugging it halfway across the country. Make things easy on yourself and travel leisurely along back roads rather than speeding down the highway. Catch up on podcasts or audio books rather than the news. When you’re alone, you’re most likely to find ways to arouse your rage… find the path back to equanimity before you rejoin friends and family. Issues in your employment may require you to work from home this week… but also to do home stuff at work. Be sure to explain to the necessary people why this is so — and be clear about where your boundaries are about letting this go on too long. Issues with allies may arise that bring up deep arguments, but be sure there’s no common ground before you set fire to the bridge between you.
Libra: Every day is going to feel like you’re in a crowded mall or turbulent marketplace, but where there’s little available that you actually want to buy. Some of it may be that your finances are constrained or that you have a bigger goal for your money in mind than what’s currently available; you may also feel that the enjoyment value of the boycott and the critique are more valuable than the thing itself. Make decisions about family gatherings quickly and without dithering, but communicate clearly why you’re going to aunt Jane’s house rather than cousin Fred’s. If everyone is coming a long way to your house, though, be the most gracious and forgiving host that you know how to be, and encourage others to be diplomatic even after long and stressful journeys.
Scorpio: Your significant other, or your lack of one, is going to be much on display in the next ten days, and worthy of comment by others. This may be a source of pride for you, but it may be unusually upsetting to them, and it would be worthwhile to walk in your partner’s shoes a while; otherwise the couch may be an uncomfortable place for a night’s sleep. You might find it easy to distract people from that by talking about your new job or your recent salary changes; but this may bring on argument that will be difficult to pacify without help. Being “home” and “with family” for the holidays may be obligate, but you are allowed to be a critical voice from the wider world even at the Thanksgiving dinner table… just remember who keeps their guest room ready if you need to come back home, and who will close the door in your face.
Sagittarius: People are going to have a chance to see the hard, steady work you’ve been doing, and it will be a source of much comment in the next ten days. But it would be wise to remember Stephen King’s advice — that when other people offer you advice about what you’re doing wrong, they’re probably right; but when they offer specific solutions, they’re probably wrong. Even the most well-meaning expert isn’t coming at it from your perspective. Make a course correction if you need to, but make it yours. The management of house and home presents unusual pressures and difficulties in coming days, but you’ll get through it. Stay grounded and realistic about timelines and possibilities. Your spouse has big plans, but your day-to-day difficulties may require you to walk different paths. Travel brings stresses but also relaxations. Focus on what you can do today, a little at a time; contentment comes from crossing things off your to-do list for the moment.
Capricorn: Is the journey of this coming week a physical one, over the river and through the woods? Or are you undertaking a creative project where your learning and growth is as much a part of the intended end product as the thing itself? This may become a thing you become known for, friend, but there’s also a question of what resources and materials you’re expected to manage in your workplace, and whether you’re being adequately compensated. Alone of many of the signs, you have the power to say to the rancid relative, “not here, and not today.” But don’t expect that to be received graciously; be prepared to back up your words with spontaneous but unmistakable action. If your work projects don’t seem to be going well, try backing up a few steps from where things are currently going awry. Maybe there’s a missing stair? Your spouse or significant other is eager to perform in some major new role, but remind them that Everest’s highest slopes are littered with once-ambitious corpses. You’re not out to prevent them from chasing their dreams, only ensuring that their footing is steady.
Aquarius: Your time has finally come — you get to make money as a professional gadfly and critic. You might have been born for this role, but now your fan club is able to see you succeed in this role as profitable prophet. Sure, it won’t be a lot of cash; you shouldn’t expect to be rolling in dough, but you might be able to swing ice-cream for your family. And maybe it will be ice cream at Disney World, you never know. Oh, you didn’t make any money? I’m sorry, did you work out the compensation plan before you finished the labor? Remember to put the agreed negotiation ahead of the toil, not after. All the same, be alert for sudden shifts in a significant other’s demeanor, or upended norms at home. These places will suffer from trials, and it’s your job to draw them down or delay them, not escalate them.
Pisces: You may feel like your fan club has shrunk this week. Where is everyone? Where are all the usual text messages and emoji in your feeds? Remember that you are not your network, but that the network needs your participation to thrive: if no one is contacting you, maybe it’s time for you to become the center of your own systems of outreach? This may feel like a disruption of the normal order, but a modern net-enabled friendship is just a string of casual text-message check-ins: hey, how you doin’? Thinkin’ about you, what’s up with you? Build yourself a small circle of intimacy, a daily check-in at a time. That same generosity of spirit applies to how you build the conversation and dialogues between your household’s members, and also in how you drive your team in the workplace toward high-performance results.
Aries: The next week has a strong possibility to feel lonely and disengaged, but you had good reasons for setting your life up this way. What were they? Maybe you were feeling overcommitted and overwhelmed, and needed to get yourself into a warm bath to recharge and feel better. Maybe your financial picture was getting upended too often. Maybe there were two too many big family occasions that needed your full attention. Maybe you wanted time to reset boundaries or to think about your long-range goals. There’s lots of maybes here — but whatever your reasons, turn your reasons into results. There is no benefit in letting your dreams and visions of the future become obstacles. For want of a nail, the horse was lost, and then the battle, etc, goes the old verse — You chose this fortress of temporary solitude for possibly bad excuses. Now it’s up to you to make them retroactively good reasons.
Colophon
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If you want to read some of my astrologically-oriented poetry, the largest collection is called A Full Volume of Splendor and Starlight, available through my Etsy shop, and containing poems and hymns to the planets, constellations, decan deities, and Moon Mansion angels. While not astrological, Festae contains hymns to some of the older Roman gods and spirits from the calendar created by Numa Pompilius, the second ancient King of Rome.
I use iPhemeris for my charting software, and screenshot it to make charts. I want to thank the team that develops iPhemeris for the addition of Terms and Decans to their charts. I also use Hugh Tran‘s Physis typeface to craft logos for this blog, as well.
I use Christopher Warnock‘s The Mansions of the Moon as the basis of my Moon placement delineations, and Austin Coppock‘s 36 Faces for much of my planetary delineations. Neither gentleman endorses me.
