Happy birthday, Scorpio. Welcome to the mystery.
The gibbous Halloween Moon ripens to fullness at 7:59 AM EST on November 5th. The Scorpio Full Moon always falls in Taurus, the sign opposite Scorpio. Projects begun in the middle of October will begin to bear fruit now.

Venus and Neptune are configured strongly at this rich, dark, fertile lunation. Love and love’s illusions waft over the cool night breezes. The pipes of the goat footed balloon man whistle far and wee. Travel to the dark shamanic underworld. Waltz out a love spell before the cock’s first crow. Wear copper and opals to command the fine spirits of this lusty Moon. Earth tone colors, or bold burgundy with black work well now. Romance the warp and weave of your life while you can. For no one gets outta here alive.

Mercury, quicksilver messenger of the gods, has been retrograde for the past 24 days. He turns direct at 8:26 PM on November 17th. The ancient Egyptians celebrated retrograde Mercury by giving everyone but tax collectors and lawyers a week off and by madly racing their dune buggies backwards around the pyramids. It was a wild time; engines howling, tires kicking up sand onto the cursing competitors as they went slithering and sculching, in reverse, over the dunes.

Venus, our lady of love, beauty and lots of chocolate, leaves the dark sultry waters of Scorpio and enters the robust fires of Sagittarius on November 17th, just four hours before Mercury turns direct. Where Venus goes, love (and sometimes money) follows. Watch out, Sagittarius. Love with enthusiasm.

Each New Moon is a new beginning. The dark Moon turns at 5:19 AM EST on November 20th. Here we have Venus, Mars, Sun, Moon and Jupiter all huddled up in Scorpio, heads bent, whispering plots and schemes for the future of humankind to unravel. Jupiter is very strong now so we can hope for peace and a deeper understanding of the path that winds out from our feet into infinity. There is a lesson here about having faith in your inner self. You created your world. You can change it by changing your beliefs.
The Sun, close on the heels of Venus, enters Sagittarius at 7:01 AM EST on the 22nd. The emotional depth of Scorpio gives way now to the fiery vigor of Sagittarius. Aim high, fellow travelers. You might as well be dancing as you go.

Aries (Mar. 21 - Apr. 19)
How shortsighted of them to suggest patience when you have so many irons in the fire. Go forth with girded loins to do battle with thine enemies. Get the new project started now and hire a Capricorn to keep it going for you when you run out of steam. Details, schmetails, just keep banging the rocks together and soon your ship will come in. You have seen the fire lizards calling from the heart of the hot coals. Their twinkling eyes and reptile grins deceive those whom are less bold, but you know it is time to take up the hero’s cloak and begin the dark journey. The pearl of great price awaits.



Taurus (Apr. 20 - May 20)
Be careful what you ask for. Some of your dreams may come true this month. The weeks ahead are a period of culmination for you. Your efforts now begin to bear fruit… or else you realize its time to give up on certain projects which are no longer worth investing in. Love is in the air. It is time to collect your balance from -or pay your dues to- Karmic Savings and Loan Inc. If you’ve kept an open heart in the past six months opportunities for love and pleasure abound. If you’ve been stubborn, sloppy, or lazy you’ll have to pick up for every stitch. Either way, this is the season of the witch.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)
Ah, my dear Gemini, to which twin shall I address myself. There’ll be more work offered to you than you can shake a stick at. So do what you do best; adapt. Drop the stressful employer from your list of people to please today. You know you are the mistress of changes. Do what brings peace to you and money will flow easily. If you were born around the 16th of June, Pluto opposes your Sun. Redefine yourself. Change your appearance. Hook your life into something worthwhile which is bigger than your ego desires. Conquer the world by surrendering to your life.



Cancer (Jun. 21 - Jul. 22)
Who rolls these constant waves? Who rocks shafts of light into these blue depths? So many mouths to feed and some get the sweet meat, some get the marrow bone, some get none at all. Who made this salty soup? You must cultivate the crust upon your shell, my friend. Don’t let the children see your pain. Learn the secrets hidden in the colors and the lines of Norwegian painter Edvard Munch. It is time to take the reins of the horse of your destiny in hand and go where you want to go. Change your direction, move toward joy. You can choose happiness as easily as you have chosen to suffer in the past.

Leo (Jul. 23 - Aug. 22)
You’re king of your own domain, it’s true; but the question is: now what are you gonna do with it? The creative force in you must be expressed. You face the issue of how to be creative and disciplined simultaneously. A tendency to escapism could lead to indulgence in drugs, alcohol, daytime TV, even sleazier pursuits. On the other hand, the stern inner disapproving parent can foster needless guilt and a lack of confidence. Use your imagination to soar above the problems and work vigorously toward your goal. Honor your desires.




Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22)
This month will be busier than usual especially as the holiday season approaches. There may be a conflict to be resolved with a family member. Keep the lines of communication open. Let your intuition guide you in your personal growth efforts. You will need to think on your feet and
make some snap decisions as unexpected events disrupt your normal routine. Your soul is guiding you, but not through your talking head. It is through impulses that you will receive guidance. Follow them. You will find surprising synchronicities and more freedom.




Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22)
It’s mostly about learning to love yourself enough to forgive yourself for co-participating in the situations where others have hurt you. This is the canvas of your life and you are the one holding the brush and palette. Money issues may be bothersome. The way to improving your income lies in having more faith in your ability. You are good enough, just as you are, right now. Creative inspiration is easily available. Any kind of artistic activity will benefit you now. Take extra care for your children. Find out what your teenagers are up to.


Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 22)
If you’re so smart and sexy how come you ain’t been getting any? It’s probably because Uncle Jupiter has been transiting your sign, deepening your desire to plumb the depths of each relationship. You have a lot to give, so much, in fact, that others find it intimidating or difficult to match your intensity. Financial success should continue to come your way as long as you remain honest in your dealings with others. If you seek to avoid gaining weight watch your sugar consumption this month. Your body is a bit more susceptible to expansion now. When the student is ready, the teacher appears.


Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)
How far, centaur? If you knew who your secret admirer was, it wouldn’t be a secret anymore. You continue to redefine yourself this month. The old you has become grist for the mill of self improvement. Romance may blossom as the holidays begin and your finances, which have been a bit uncertain, will improve as November draws to a close. It is your enthusiasm for the good honey from the buzzing hive of life that will bring opportunities for a heartwarming reunion. You have a “get out of jail free” card now and a license to open mouth, insert foot as often as you like.



Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19)
Your mind is sharp as a Capulet rapier this month. However, your friend or family member was right when they said you are working too hard. Time does indeed pass quickly; and yes, life is unmercifully short. Still it does no good to run yourself to death in pursuit of happiness. Stop occasionally and dip at the sweet nectar of each passing “now.” Doing this will cure that nervous twitch. The heartbreak in your past was devastating, allowing a possible fear of commitment. Open up. Love again. Abandon yourself to romance. Good love and sexual pleasure await.



Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18)
Be honest, now. You still don’t know what you want to be when you grow up, do you? It’s OK to come apart at the seams. Let the old wine out so a new vintage can be poured in. You keep dragging the old baggage behind you and now the past haunts you heavily. Sever the cords. Fly free, creature of air. Find peace of mind in service to others. Where do you end and I begin? Whose leg is that, anyway? You are now ready to release a deep sigh into the truth that there is only one of us.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20)
Ahh. When God made the zodiac She saved the best for last. Change is the name of the game this month; sudden, unexpected events and wild revelations; revolutions of the heart and mind. Your adaptability is superb, oh promethean sybil of deep blue waters. It is very important to follow your hunches now. Some old contracts and responsibilities to which you compromised may be no longer necessary. You can no longer be who you ain’t. You gotta be who you really are, for here lies the freedom and the love you seek.







Joseph Banks began his astrology practice in 1972, graduating from UNC-A in 1981. He is founder of The Down to Earth School of Astrology in Asheville, NC. For personal or phone consultation call 828-689-3630 or email Josephonecrow@msn.com.