“Oh, I want to thank you for so many gifts you gave with
love and tenderness

I wanna thank you.

I want to thank you for your generosity,
the love and the honesty that you gave me.

I want to thank you, show my gratitude,
my love and my respect for you,

I wanna thank you”

~~~Natalie Merchant from Kind and Generous

 

This month we celebrate the bounty of life as the Sun passes through Sagittarius the sign of wisdom, variety and abundance. Ruled by mighty Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system and the king of the Gods in both Greek and Roman mythology, Sagittarius reminds us to think and act generously. It is no mistake that we celebrate Thanksgiving during the Sun’s passage through this sign of higher learning and paths of faith. Gratitude sums up the joyful celebratory wisdom of this jovial faithful sign.

Let us observe the planetary spirit of the month by giving thanks for all things intrinsically Sagittarian. We begin by giving reverent and deep gratitude to the indigenous tribes of the earth for preserving the wisdom of skillful and sacred connection to mother earth. We especially thank the original people of North America for sharing their bounty and survival wisdom with the early settlers of this continent, which is the origin of American Thanksgiving.

Sagittarius rules travel and cultural exchange. No sign enjoys cultural, racial and religious differences the way mature Sagittarius does. This sign of higher learning is always ready to travel far and wide in order to experience first-hand the cultural beauty and wisdom of other nation’s tribes and people. Rather than fearing what is different or even strange, Sagittarius has a passionate curiosity that seeks to understand the “other” and even learn from it. This month we gives thanks to all the nations, all the tribes, for showing us new ways of thinking, dressing, eating, praying, living, dancing, expressing and connecting.

Sagittarius rules universities and higher learning. We give thanks to inspired teachers and keepers of all wisdom traditions, scholars and philosophers for exploring and preserving paths to wisdom. Sagittarius rules astrologers and other maps and systems of guidance. We give thanks to the astrologers for helping us navigate life in alignment with the heavens. We give thanks to Kabbalists, numerologists, Feng Shui practitioners and martial artists for preserving and transmitting ancient wisdom.

We give thanks to the entire Sagittarian travel industry for getting us where we need and want to go. We give thanks to our beautiful cousins, the horse nation, for being one of the first ways and one of the most beautiful ways we ever travelled.

Sagittarius rules sports and athletes. We give thanks to the many amazing athletes worldwide who expand our idea of what is possible on a regular basis. Sagittarius rules comedians (along with Capricorn) we give thanks to those who can make us laugh.

While Gemini rules the left brain which divides the world into duality, Sagittarius is associated with the higher mind which sees things more holistically. A holistic paradigm is a stunning shift from the still dominant “us and them” world view to the slowly emerging “we the people and life forms of planet earth” world view, which is the only way to think if we believe that The Great Spirit lives in all people and life forms.

An equally stunning shift in thinking comes when we retrain ourselves to truly think abundantly. Much of the hideous behavior of the last century as well as the insanity of our ongoing consumer frenzy is fueled by deep-seated scarcity thinking. We believe there isn’t enough, and that what we have will be taken away. This results in grabbing more than we want or need, hoarding or living in deprivation.

A powerful yet simple Sagittarian method of healing this deep-seated world view is the practice of radical gratitude. Say thank you for absolutely everything. Notice how much you already have. Notice how wealthy you already are. Train yourself mentally to say thank you for every little or big thing. Begin with the easy stuff like your morning tea or coffee, your food and shelter, your friends and loved ones. Move on to the universals like sunshine, wind, rain, gravity; then move on to challenging things to be grateful for, like the cold, (the plants need to go dormant), annoying people, ( they are teaching you tolerance), opponents, (they are teaching you strength), tragedies or losses of the past, (they deepened your soul).

This month notice and recall how incredibly well you have been taken care of through all of life’s vicissitudes. Life is ever changing and things can indeed get hairy, but this month take the gratitude challenge and experiment with giving thanks for all of it. I have begun saying thank you for the most trying chapters of my life. While at first it felt forced it now feels authentic and it feels much better than regret or self-pity. I am not suggesting we stuff our feelings like sadness or anger, but that we can be grateful even for difficult, painful feelings and events.

This month Jupiter, the planetary ruler of Sagittarius and the sign of abundance, luck, faith and optimism is in Cancer, the sign of The Great Mother, reminding us this month to give thanks to Mother Earth for providing all of our material needs. Jupiter reminds us to thank our Mother by developing a new wise way of relating to the earth. For this we wind up where we began the column, with the indigenous people of the earth, who hold the key to living in harmony with our beautiful, conscious, en-souled planet. We can begin our reverence for the planet simply. It has been said that if the only prayer one ever said was ‘thank you,’ that would be enough.

The Sun went into Sagittarius on November 21st and will remain there till December 21st the winter solstice, which marks the longest night and shortest day of the year, after which the solar tide changes and the day force slowly sneaks back into increasing dominance as spring approaches. On December 2nd the new moon in Sagittarius will occur at 7:22 pm EST ushering in the festive abundant Sagittarian energy that will carry us through the full moon on December 16th at 4:28 AM EST.

Mercury, the planet of thought and communication is in deep penetrating Scorpio for the first 3 days of the month but on the 4th joins the Sun in wise and festive Sagittarius, bringing our minds into harmony with festive cross cultural celebrations as the holidays unfold.

Venus, the planet of beauty and relationships, begins the month in executive Capricorn, encouraging us to develop professional relationships. On the 21st, the day of the winter solstice, Venus goes retrograde making this a month of reflection and reconsideration around professional relationships. Venus remains retrograde through the end of January making this a time of relationship reflection and reconnection. It is also a time to reassess business relationships.

Mars, the planet of desire and action, begins the month in orderly Virgo, but moves into elegant social Libra on the 7th, giving us plenty of social energy for the holiday season, where it will remain all month.

Jupiter is in Cancer all month, bringing abundance to the food and housing sectors, and encouraging us to be grateful for the bounty of our beautiful home planet.

Uranus is at the 8th degree of Aries all month squaring Pluto in Capricorn. It continues to be the new world order chipping away at the old world order. Expect technological breakthroughs coming out of the military to change the world of energy as we know it.

Neptune at 2 and 3 degrees Pisces reminds us that it is a conscious universe in which she with the most enlightenment truly wins.

 

ARIES: The Sun is in your house of teaching and publishing making this a great month to write, teach and do some public speaking. From the 2nd to the 17th when the moon is growing is a great time to move ahead on presentations. Your career house is active this month with Venus and Pluto focusing you on professional relationships. On the 21st Venus goes retrograde and old business contacts might resurface. In any case it is time to reconsider business relationships. Jupiter in your home sector is changing you way deep down. The change is a wonderful new feeling that you are deeply lovable and deserving. This is already translating to greater professional success. With Mars spending most of the month in your partnership house, this could be a lovely month for romance. Say yes to the give and take of relationships. This month you can learn to compromise with your new sense of freedom

TAURUS: Having boundaries and setting boundaries has never been more important in your life. Relationships continue to challenge you to say no and mean it. This month the Sun and Mercury illuminate your house of shared resources and intimacies helping you develop your own philosophy of shared wealth. When Venus goes retrograde on the 21st in Capricorn old business contacts may resurface. It also begins a time of deep reflection about your business relationships. Late December and January are also great times to rethink and revisit publishing projects and presentations. Mars in your house of daily work and health regimes makes this a great month to get healthy, balanced and organized.

GEMINI: This month the Sun is shining in your house of partnerships making this a great time to focus on romance and business partnerships. It is a great month to set aside time to nurture your relationships in a fun and cross cultural way. Look for activities that bring you exotic and new ways of celebrating the holidays. Read up on how other cultures approached marriage and partnership. See if you can incorporate any of it into your current partnerships. With Venus in your house of intimacy you are deeply focused on the deep sharing of relationship. On the 21st when Venus goes retrograde, you may be reconsidering business or personal relationships. Jupiter in your money house makes this a very expansive time for your finances. You may also be expanding through real estate. Say yes to wonderful fiscal opportunities. Saturn in the work sector asks you to really focus on work and health regimes.

CANCER: The Sun is shining in your work and health sectors, making this a great month to get to the gym or better yet to yoga, martial arts or Zumba class. You are being asked to explore the entire realm of exotic health regimes. It is also a great month to explore Feng Shui or hire a professional organizer. If you are having health concerns try a variety of healing techniques. If you have been out of work, this month could bring some. Ask the divine for help and see what happens. Venus is in your partnership sector encouraging you to think about your career. On the 21st when Venus goes retrograde, you may be reconsidering your relationship with a significant other. It may also be a time when a career opportunity resurfaces. Jupiter in your sign continues to increase your faith that it is an abundant universe.

LEO: The Sun is shining in your house of creativity and self-expression this month, making this a great time to write, paint, perform or express yourself in any way. Check in with your inner child and find out what activity would be most soul nourishing. Go to festive cultural events, have fun, and celebrate. With Venus in your house of work and health there could be nice work partnerships developing. Proceed with caution as Venus will retrograde on the 21st and we will all be in a deep reflection regarding business relationships though January. Jupiter in your spiritual sector continues to provide major nourishment and support from the invisible realm. When the going gets tough these days lean on your angels and ancestors to pull you through. Mars in your home sector makes this a great month to beautify your home and take action on that front.

VIRGO: This month the Sun is shining in your house of home and ancestry, making this an excellent month to creative festive get-togethers in your home and connect with your family. Try celebrating the holidays in a way other cultures do. Bring new traditions from other religions into your home. Create little altars of gratitude that will remind you to keep that sacred focus in your home all month. Saturn is still in your communication sector which requires good communication boundaries. If your work involves communication, (and really whose doesn’t?) spell out all agreements clearly. With Venus in Capricorn in your house of creativity and children, work and play go hand in hand this month. You may have more responsibility for children than usual, or you may be entertaining professionally for the holidays. On the 21st when Venus goes retrograde, reflect upon what is working for you on the creativity and children front and what is not. Better boundaries may be the solution to both issues. Networking could bring you some great projects.

LIBRA: Mars, the planet of desire, action and combat is in your sign this month giving your vitality levels a serious boost. This is a great month to network and work on the arts. The Sun is shining in your house of communication making this a great month to work on any communication projects. If you work in this field, there may be a lucky opportunity coming this month. Saturn in your fiscal house requires clarity and budgeting. Developing an earning plan and a savings plan will help you create fiscal structure for the holidays. Jupiter at your midheaven is sending you wonderful professional opportunities and expansion. Venus in your home sector makes home and family relationships more loving this month. On the 21st when Venus, your ruling planet, goes retrograde, pull in and quietly reflect on what might need to change on the home or family front. Keep your eyes open for innovative partnerships than can push your business forward.

SCORPIO: Saturn in your sign continues to define you, demanding that you function with excellent boundaries, learn to say no, and not give your time and energy away haphazardly. This month with the Sun and Mercury in abundant Sagittarius, in your money house, the smart focus should be on income generating actions. Writing, speaking and performing may be more lucrative than usual. Say yes to all invitations this month, especially the ones that are most festive and meaningful to you. With Venus in Capricorn in your communication sector this is a great time to set up a disciplined writing schedule. On the 21st when Venus goes retrograde, there may be rewrites and edits. During the retrograde, you may find yourself reconnecting with old business associates. Mars in your spiritual sector makes this a great month to be a peace maker behind the scenes. Also energy spent becoming spiritually balanced, through yoga and meditation will pay all manner of dividends.

SAGITTARIUS: Happy Birthday Sagittarius!!
The Sun and Mercury in your sign for most of the month give you extra vitality and mental energy. With you mental energy translates into seeking wisdom and meaning. At this moment in time we need the enlightened philosophers to navigate us toward wisdom. Your work is cut out for you. This year with your ruling planet Jupiter, in Cancer the sign of the Great Mother, we need wise people to teach us how to live in harmony with our beautiful home planet. With Saturn in Scorpio we need wise people to show us equitable ways of sharing our planet’s resources in a way that honors all the nations and beings on the planet. These issues are being enacted on a smaller scale in your own life. Jupiter in your house of shared wealth is affording you a small scale opportunity to experiment with resource sharing. Saturn in your spiritual sector encourages you to delve deep in meditation, visit your local shaman and transform your thinking around all forms of sharing. Venus in your fiscal sector encourages you to develop professional relationships. On the 21st when Venus goes retrograde spend time reflecting upon whom you want to be professionally connected to. Mars in your networking house in elegant Libra makes this a great month to network at lovely gatherings.

CAPRICORN: Venus in your sign this month along with Pluto has you focused on business and personal relationships. Venus also gives you extra beauty and grace as you embark on the holiday season. Ask yourself who your dream partners would be, then take action to reach out and form alliances. On the 21st Venus goes retrograde and you enter a deep reflection on your own capacity to relate to others. Notice what may need healing as well as what is working. Jupiter is in your partnership sector sending you wonderful expansive partners. Your job is to get ready to take a leap on this front. Practice receiving in order to prepare you to receive the bounty coming your way. After January you will be ready for a whole new level of connection. This month the Sun and Mercury are shining in your spiritual sector truly illuminating the festive spirituality of the holiday. Make gratitude the main focus of your inner life. Sing yourself mantras of gratitude as you go thru your day. Say thank you often to the people you encounter throughout your day. This will radically change your world view.

AQUARIUS: Saturn, one of your ruling planets is still in your career sector this month in the sign Scorpio asking you to be disciplined and focused on career projects that focus on shared resources, death, inheritance or intimacy. The Sun and Mercury are shining in your house of networking and socializing in jovial, international Sagittarius, making this a great month to explore how other cultures celebrate the holidays. Say yes to cross cultural invitations. Work will still be there when you are done celebrating. At the moment your social life can fill you with joyful expansive energy that will fuel your career projects. Venus in your spiritual sector may bring you behind the scenes partnerships and relationships. After the 21st when Venus goes retrograde spend time in deep reflection about your business and personal partnerships. After January, you will know what to do.

PISCES: This month the Sun and Mercury are shining in your career house, bringing you joyful opportunity on that front.  Your reputation is your luminous calling card this month.  Working with people from other cultures and countries could advance your career. This is a great month to contemplate any big ideas you may be having about projects you would like to create. You may have some wonderful new ideas about how you do your job. Write them down; they could turn into something big. This is a month to promote yourself and your work.  With Jupiter in Cancer in your creative sector, big projects involving women, water, the ocean, housing or food, could be especially productive. Venus in your networking sector makes this an important month to go to networking events. On the 21st when Venus goes retrograde pull in and reflect upon who you want to do business with and who you want to be personally connected to and why. After January take productive action based on what you discovered during this reflective time.

 

Namaste,
Demitra