There are 4 planetary shifts on November 16th: 2 stations and 2 ingresses.
1) Venus stations Direct on Nov 16, 2018 at 5:50 AM EST
2) Sun enters sidereal Scorpio (Lahiri Ayanamsha) on Nov 16, 2018 at 8:03 AM EST where it joins Mercury and Jupiter. The exact conjunctions between these three planets occur on November 26th & 27th.
3) Mercury stations retrograde on Nov 16, 2018 at 8:33 PM EST.
4) Mars enters Shatabisha Nakshatra on Nov 16, 2018 at 11:36 PM EST.
THE TWO STATIONS: Venus’s energy is shifting to external direction while Mercury’s energy is shifting to internal direction.
VENUS has been retrograde since October 5th, asking us to re-examine what truly makes us happy, brings us pleasure and what we desire when coming from our heart center. Her retrogression has involved two Nakshatras: Swati (the retrograde station) and Chitra (the direct station). Chitra reflects the world of maya and delusion and is a very spiritual nakshatra. To the extent that we have been out of touch with our spiritual center and seeking happiness in things outside of ourselves, this may have been a difficult six-weeks. On the other hand, to the extent that we have been seeking true happiness from within this may have been a very inspirational six-weeks. Too we may have revised or tweaked our creative projects. The star Spica or Chitra, located in the wheat shaft in the Virgin’s hand, symbolizes bounty, the harvest and gifts to mankind. Venus reminds us to share our gifts with the world in a way that brings us true happiness. Now is the time to start moving forward with such inspirations and creations. Venus will re-enter Swati Nakshatra on December 3rd to shed light on the path.
MERCURY will be retrograde until December 6th. The two Nakshatras involved are Jyestha (retrograde station) and Anuradha (direct station). There is a connection between the Mercury-Venus story since their stations occur on the same day. Mercury in Jyestha is the nakshatra of the eldest. As you move forward with your Venus creations, reflect inwardly on how you can be an elder with your knowledge. Mercury will go back into Anuradha which translates to “the disciple of the divine spark.” Today while both planets are stationary, think of the gifts of knowledge you can share with the world. Be brilliant!
THE TWO INGRESSES
SUN enters Scorpio for one month. Scorpio often gets the rap of being jealous, possessive and controlling. Scorpio is a slender and hairy sign which has a purpose of filtering out what we don’t need, actually the opposite of being possessive and hanging on to something too long. Scorpio is a sign of deep transformation and this sign shows how the ego is threatened by transformation and holds on to things as if for dear life. With both the Sun and Mercury in Scorpio this is a good month to examine your ego attachments. At the higher level the filtering process of Scorpio teaches non-attachment. At the lower level the Sun is the ego. At the higher level the Sun is the true divine heart-centered non-egoic Self. Use the Mercury retrograde period for some internal examination about attachments to things, situations, and results of actions. Remember that Venus retrograde just taught us that true happiness comes from within. Mercury is turning inward (retrograde) in Scorpio so we can remember that happiness does not come from hunting down and possessing something external. Turn your self-awareness inward to filter out that which is coming from the false egoic self and give scorpionic loyalty to that which is coming from your true Self. Jupiter is also here to provide us with the wisdom to know the difference and take a leap of faith in regard to self-transformation.
MARS enters Shatibisha Nakshatra (sidereal Aquarius) until December 7th. Shatibisha is the Nakshatra of the 100 healers. These next few weeks is a good time to take action to bring healing into our life. Think about this in connection to the three other shifts happening today and know that the planet of courage is calling us to be a warrior for our own healing and to pour the healing waters onto humanity with our gifts, knowledge, and divine spark within.
OTHER SHIFTS THIS WEEK
Sun enters Anuradha Nakshatra on Nov 19, 2018 at 3:12 PM EST. The Sun represents our creative process, generosity to give from the heart, and the spark of divinity within us all that leads us to our True Self shedding light of consciousness on the false egoic self. One of the symbols of Anuradha is a lotus. The lotus is a symbol of the creative process of the universe, springing from Vishnu’s naval as he dreams the universe into being. The Lotus is also a symbol of Lakshmi who, as Vishnu’s divine consort, incarnated as Sita for Rama and Radha for Krishna. The deity of Anuradha is Mitra the god of friendship, cooperation, and protector of contracts and agreements. Mitra is an early solar deity (Aditya) representing the morning light. Anuradha translates to “the disciple of the divine spark” and its shakti power is devotion. This is devotion to others in relationships, devotion to goals, and devotion to God. Anuradha is organized, focused, goal oriented through Saturn’s rulership. It is referred to as the star of success. While the Sun is in Anuradha until December 2nd it is a good time to meditate on the Lotus symbol which grows into something beautiful out of the mud. How have the muddier times in your time transformed into something beautiful? How the morning light feel when it shines after a dark night? How has our devotion to god, friends and goals shaped our own universe into being? How have we helped others to shape theirs? These are reflective questions to connect to our own divinity while the Sun is in Anuradha. Externally, this is a good time to reach out to friends and engage in cooperative efforts toward mutual success – while remembering we are all disciples of divine spark within, and sharing that is the ultimate success.
Mercury retrogresses into Anuradha Nakshatra on Nov 22, 2018 at 12:06 PM EST. Now Jupiter, Sun and Mercury are all in Anuradha. The conceptual philosophical mind (Jupiter) the fact assimilating mind (Mercury) and our creative divine Self (Sun) are all harnessing the Shakti Power of “devotion” as disciples of the divine spark of Anuradha. This is an excellent time to examine your spiritual practice and devotion to Self-realization. Mercury rules speech and therefore mantras. The mantra “Sat Chit Ananda” (existence, consciousness, bliss) can help you to connect to the divine spark within at any time, but is particularly appropriate for Anuradha. While Mercury is retrograde here, think about whether your speech and exchanges of all kinds represent your higher divine self.