november is the first time to try out our new view of the world, and this month will be our first challenge. the aspect that triggered the september attacks, the saturn-pluto opposition, repeats itself on november 1^st. astrologers find themselves in a strange position; even mentioning coming planetary repetitions of the attack aspects triggers fear, even in us. what do we say? do we ignore it and pretend nothing is happening? do we put a pretty face on it?

i feel that to be forewarned is to be forearmed, to borrow a phrase. we need to know when there are some aspects that should prompt us to be a little more alert.

but first, let's put this in context: the planets that were critically involved in the september attacks had important aspects during late september and the whole of october. we have had no further attacks of the magnitude of 9/11. we have had the anthrax incidents, which have yet to be firmly linked to terrorists. (some officials are convinced that these are the work of home-grown terrorists. anthrax has been a constant issue for family planning clinics for many years.)

the fact that nothing really devastating has occurred on u.s. soil since 9/11 does not mean that it won't in the future, but it does mean that perhaps we are using the energy differently now. it is a basic premise of alchemy and esoteric science that if we don't use an energy that is available to us, it is more likely to come at us from outside and can be used against us. before september 11^th, the u.s. turned a blind eye to terrorist threats, even cutting back on our critical non-military preparedness in favor of corporate cost-cutting.

now the u.s. is taking action, in essence (attempting to) make good use of the energies of the times (although the powers that be are unlikely to see it that way). while there are many ways to enact any given energy pattern, there's no doubt that waging a war is one way to act out the combined forces signified by saturn and pluto. we can only hope that the efforts will be both as effective and as humane as possible. in the meantime, there is hope that future attacks will be thwarted, and somehow the will to do these things will be uprooted.

other dates that carry a little extra volatility are november 2^nd (jupiter's station to retrograde), november 5^th (mars conjoining neptune), the 12^th (sun square uranus), and the 26^th (mars conjoining uranus). the planetary events do not trigger points that were seminal in the 9/11 attacks, as the saturn-pluto opposition of november 1^st does. however, since they are associated with inner tensions and volatility, unexpected events are possible.

what can we do? we can be ready. what does that mean? to me, it means to live every day as if it is my last, to the fullest, enjoying every minute that i can, cherishing the moments of closeness with those i love and fulfilling the path of service i have chosen as best i can. i try to be conscious of spreading good energy as much as possible, and of course to be alert to my environment. my time to go may not be for many years, or it may be tomorrow, and it may or may not come at the hands of terrorists. whenever it is, i want to have gotten the most out of live and given as much as i can to others.

in november, we will naturally be drawn to get on with our lives, each in our individual way. it will mean vastly different things to each person. the planets will propel us forward as they sort themselves into new patterns, creating new situations and requiring new solutions. if we have learned to think about our life and its circumstances with more openness, more flexibility, we are bringing the best things we can to our new reality.

aries
there's a lot of irons in the fire these days, and it disrupts your preferred m.o. of one focus at a time. try breaking with tradition, and let some of your customary activities go--not the things that keep you healthy, but the ones that are optional or habitual pleasure-seeking endeavors. try staying home and focusing on your "to do" list. give yourself a set amount of time to get things done, and then don't allow any interruptions--not the phone, email, anything. when your time is up, go on as usual. you'll find yourself feeling much more relaxed and accomplished.

taurus
you really want to hide out, clasping your stock portfolio to your chest, but it dawns on you that it's time to take greater risks than that. although you may doubt some of the decisions you've made over the past few months, in time the sagacity of your choices will shine through. if work has been a soap opera lately, it may help to know that your colleagues will probably bury the hatchet for a while. don't think that the problems have gone away forever, though, because until something is truly resolved, trust cannot begin to be restored. if you are involved, keep the pressure on for further air-clearing, but don't overdo it. it may take another four months, but the problem will be solved.

gemini
with your usual panache and innate flexibility, you've been able to take october's "attitude adjustment" in stride. you've had a few distractions anyway, like work, work, and work. actually, it's not just work in the workplace, but it's all the other things you've taken on in your personal time that have you flopping into bed at midnight exhausted each day. you've found an inner store of self-discipline, and you're improving your circumstances dramatically. the beginning of november may find you wondering if you overdid the spending, but in four months, you'll have your finances up to snuff again, and you'll be glad you took the risk.

cancer
you're as patriotic as the rest of us, probably even more so, with your sense of "we're all one big family". however, it may seem as if fate as chosen to smash all your toys just when you were getting ready to play with them. fear not: not only is this happening to everyone, but this does happen to everyone, this bursting of the balloon. on a personal level, it will last for about four months, and then you'll see a revival of your cherished hopes and dreams. your optimism is not misplaced; it's just necessary to put it on the back shelf for awhile, to refine your goals and make sure they're really worth going after. after all, what are obstacles for?

leo
after last month's mound of paperwork, you're ready for a breather. however, it won't come like a gust of cool air, but rather as a gradual release of tension. you have responsibilities now, and these create obligations to others that you can't just abandon when the whim hits you. however, it is time for you to take back your life--create some balance between the needs of others and your own needs, and you will be able to do so in small ways over the next three weeks. above all else, make sure you take care of your body, or you'll end up horizontal for a few days with some virus or other. this is not a good time to let your immune system crash.

virgo
your network of friends and colleagues is your ultimate source of security, and at no time have you been more aware of it than last month. this month, the finances come back into balance as those around you become able to pay you regularly once again. increasing your network would be a good focus for you over the next four months, and a way to accomplish many of your goals. by doing some exploring--attending events, asking questions--you may just find a couple of groups of like-minded people with whom you can share ideas and extend the boundaries of your acquaintanceship. the next few months may also bring you recognition for your past efforts in some way.

libra
even if the amount of discord you encountered last month was shocking to you, it's receding fast into the back of your consciousness. ventures you thought were dead once again are taking on life, and they are luring you into new activities which you will naturally want to tackle vigorously. give these projects about four months of sustained effort, and you'll find yourself reaching a major goal come the spring. don't let the attitudes of others get to you; they are really expressing their own disappointment in themselves when they say undermining things. just smile and resolve to prove them wrong.

scorpio
the wrench in your works has been removed, and you may be noticing that it has more to do with your own actions than anyone else's. so take note, decide how you need to modify your m.o., and get on with it. after a month of reverie, you've come out of your fog and realized that you've got lots to do. yes, it's time to move on, and you may surprise a few people with your determination to let a new, more outgoing side of yourself manifest. the truth is, you've never felt more adventuresome and confident, so strike while the iron is hot: set some goals, make some plans to fulfill them, and get rolling! you will find hidden resources that startle even you.

sagittarius
by now, you've had plenty of practice in living in the trenches, so you're well insulated against the circumstances that life currently presents. during the past month, you've pulled back inside yourself socially, taking stock and figuring out who your real friends are. now it's time to gather your financial forces. while retrenchment is not your style, you will find that you cull benefits in your inner self as well. the results are lower stress levels, stronger immune system, peace of mind, and a strengthened core, the source of our real power. four months ought to do it, and after that you can choose whether to adopt a little permanent austerity into your life.

capricorn
it may seem as if your business life is imploding, and business (or personal) partners are backing down just when you need them. everyone is feeling the losses of the past two months and uncertainty about the future. even though you feel it too, let yourself be the anchor you can be. be patient, understanding, and compassionate. let your light shine, and extend your forbearance. the mountain of paperwork, back-to-back meetings, and far-reaching decisions necessary in the wake of changes in the business climate aren't over, but they're getting better. four months to go before business adjusts and the economic climate improves.

aquarius

you've just completed a passage of 5 months' length, and now, with all the other changes, you're wondering where to next. don't feel like you have to be in a rush. as soon as you relax, you'll remember all the things you put on hold and need to finish up over the next few months. you may find this a good time to attend to a few health matters--the things you've been putting off, like a physical, eye and dental exams, the odd acupuncture treatment. if you need the pound of cure instead of the ounce of prevention, go for it. complications will result if you hesitate overlong. in the meantime, lightening up your mood will do a world of good.

pisces
you may be outwardly quaking in your boots, but you're really stronger than you appear. perhaps because of your sensitivity, you find it easier to let go of difficulties, surrendering them to your chosen form of spirit. even though it may seem that you've been a lay-about, the past month has taken you into the underworld, as if you are doing work on the inner realms to release the pain of the recent catastrophes. gradually, that energy is releasing you to resume normal activities. you can flow with the forces of the universe now by expressing your creativity and quiet joy in the world.