New Moon ~ partial Solar Eclipse ~ 2°Sagittarius ~25th November 2011

This New Moon is a partial Solar Eclipse; 87% of the Sun will be obscured by the shadow of the Moon, this will only be visible in the Southern Hemisphere but an eclipse is a different kind of New Moon; astrologically speaking.

Every year there are approximately 4 eclipses ~two solar and two lunar, they may or may not be total eclipses, which are the most notable and visual {the lunar Eclipse on 10th December will be total and visible} but they are all more powerful.

Eclipses are like a big stop sign in the road, they obstruct the flow and cause us to pause and consider the direction we are heading in.  Sometimes this will be an unwelcome interruption to our lives but this new Moon in Friday morning {6.09 am in the UK} falls only hours after Mercury begins its retrograde motion from 20°Sagittarius.  Things are about to slow down anyway; progress will be a struggle, plans thwarted, technology less reliable and travel more likely to be delayed.

Mercury retrograde can be annoying but doesn't exist to irritate us, rather to help us find alternative approaches in whichever areas of our lives it highlights.  Flexibility and adaptability are trademarks of Mercury and the fluid mind can see wonderful new possibilities that a fixed, narrower perspective would overlook.

So with the Eclipse and Mercury occurring so close together there is a clear message to us all to create changes and reconsider our current directions, desires and dreams.

Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter; the planet attributed to 'luck'.  Scientists have recently undertaken studies to prove that a positive, motivated approach to life increases ones 'luck'.  Astrologers have known for decades {possibly centuries} that positivity, humour and joviality are linked to 'luck', success and increased happiness.  These are the principles of Jupiter and therein, to large degree, also the traits associated with Sagittarius. 

Jupiter, Mars and Pluto form a lovely grand trine {120° degree aspect in triplet} for this Solar Eclipse, not only is this a potent combination for drive and ambition; leading to growth and success, but the houses lit up by these planets link up in industrious work-focussed areas of the chart.  This New Moon speaks to me of career opportunities, changes in financial perspectives and a shift in the stagnant waters of fear and pessimism.

A turning point is indicated by this configuration.  Mercury will be retrograde until the middle of December, so no immediate impact will be notable, this however is a marker of the inception of change and the seed of productivity.  There are many things in our society which need to be shifted and change begins this weekend ~~you may feel it in the air, you may create in your close quarters...

There are possibilities, improvements to be made and we can all contribute.   A lot of groundwork will be required before tangible impact {as will show during the early part of 2012 whilst Mars is retrograde}.  Ideas begin now though and this is a New Moon under which we can all make decisions that begin this process.

Our environment is a reflection of each and every one of us, we cannot stand back and blame authority, or systems or circumstances for our own experiences.  We will create further weakness and passivity by procuring such an attitude.  It's now time to be self-empowered, to utilise the positive and yet combative approach of Sagittarius and push forwards with our ideas. 

All humans intrinsically want the same things after all.  We are not so different and our separatism is an illusion; together we can develop a more interactive and balanced society by pooling together the skills we have within our communities.

There are great changes still to be made over the next generation and most of them point to individual responsibility we are moving to an age where autocracy and power accrued through fear are ineffective.  The next generation; born with the internet will be the consolidation of all that the 'Age of Aquarius' symbolises.

This New Moon can be a celebration of a new future; note down your ideas on Friday morning and remember that all the obstacles that impede your choices, may lead you in a direction more suitable than anything you have imagined thus far.

Change is inevitable.  Embrace it.