Lilith is an interesting point in astrology. Much of the stories around her are pretty horrible (a wild baby stealer, oh my! that's like a Lifetime movie). Of course, those stories come from a time when they were designed to be used as an excuse to keep women from having any rights. But this has evolved over time (and hopefully continues to evolve more!) so that now, Lilith isn't seen quite so negatively (for the most part). This allows us to embrace Lilith in her many forms, including as the witch. What is Black Moon Lilith?
Black Moon Lilith is the apogee of the Moon, so it's not an actual physical point. Though there is a physical point in asteroid Lilith (number 1181 on astro.com), and there is another non-physical point in Waldemath Moon (also called Dark Moon Lilith; some people get this position and Black Moon Lilith confused, but they are two different points, albeit linked to the same Lilith). You can read about the 3 Lilith's HERE.
What does Lilith mean in astrology?
Lilith means a variety of different things astrologically, from having challenging relationships with the mother to being a rebel feminist to your psychosexual nature. You can read about the different things Lilith rules HERE.
What we're going to focus on today is how Lilith is tied to witches. Lilith is essentially the original witch. In the old texts, Lilith translates to night hag, which is derived from the Old English word meaning witch. Of course, Lilith was a think-for-yourself type of lady, so we can't be surprised that she's be linked to being a witch! But Lilith is also tied to a hidden inner power within us, so it's not just 'witchy in the hatred of women kind of way. It's also 'witchy' in the, you have the power inside of you, kind of way! Inside of each of us lies the power, and it may be through your own Lilith. Check out this article on the history of witchy Lilith by astrologer Allison Gunn. Lilith the Witch by Zodiac Sign
Your inner witch may be different depending on the placement of your natal Lilith. Lilith in Scorpio is pretty much the ultimate witch - it's super strong in you, and you can be a powerful witchy force! In the other two water sign of Cancer and Pisces, Lilith gives you strong intuitive energy, especially emotionally. The water signs are the emotional signs, so your emotional intuition can guide you.
If your natal Lilith is in an earth sign (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn), this can help you connect more to the earth god/dess within. Like Adam, Lilith was made from the Earth, so having Lilith in an earth sign helps you identify with your earthy qualities, and your inner witch may be one that can connect with the elements, nature, and is a grounded, sensual energy. If your natal Lilith is in a fire sign (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius), you may have a lighter, more enthusiastic inner witch. You may be drawn to the power of fire, and your own inner fire may run strong and serve as energy you can draw from to find your own witchy powers. If your natal Lilith is in an air sign (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius), this can bring power to your words. You can be an excellent writer of spells, and even those who don't use witchcraft may find that you can put others under your spell through your words. Your power is in your mind, and your inner witch is always pondering. What does having a prominent Lilith mean for witchy-ness?
If Lilith is especially important in your natal chart (like conjunct a personal planet, angle, or your Lunar Nodes), then you may feel a strong connection to the witch, the power, inside of you. I find many super mystical people tend to have strong Lilith energy in their charts. You may be cast out in some ways for it (like Lilith), and have to take a stand and fight for yourself (also like Lilith).
If Lilith isn't especially dominant in your natal chart, it can be activated with progressions and transits. Your progressed planets may conjunct (align with) or transit planets may aspect your natal Lilith and trigger the energy. You can also follow transit Black Moon Lilith and can feel the energy strong with Lilith is conjunct one of your planets (and touching the various aspects of life riled by the houses as she tours your natal houses). The witch inside of you can come out in ways you never thought of ;) Suggested Reading: The Black Moon Lilith series: Black Moon Lilith in the Zodiac Signs Progressions & Black Moon Lilith Natal Planets Conjunct Black Moon Lilith That Dark Lady, Lilith Intro to Black Moon Lilith Lilith the Witch Transit Black Moon Lilith Black Moon Lilith & Love Astrology Prominent Natal Black Moon Lilith When You're Cut Off From Black Moon Lilith Houses Ruled by Black Moon Lilith Transit Black Moon Lilith in the Houses & Aspects 
When you're first investigating your natal chart, you may quickly find that some of the houses in your natal chart are empty houses. An empty house in astrology means there are no natal planets located in that house. Many people worry that an empty house in astrology shows an area of life where they will struggle (like an empty 7th house of relationships means you'll never get married or an empty 10th house of career means you'll never have a career). But that's not true at all! In fact, an empty house is a positive. About Empty Houses:
There are only 10 planets in astrology while there are 12 houses, so every person has at least 2 empty houses (it's usually 3-5). This doesn't mean the energy of that house isn't present in your life. It actually means you're not as focused on it because it's not as much of a struggle!
There is belief that an empty house represents an area of life that you already dealt with in past lives, so there's not much karma to work out there. Houses that have planets in them are areas where we have to work out the energy, so we give them more focus because there's more to work on. This doesn't mean we neglect the empty houses in astrology! When a house is empty, you're going to put more focus on the sign on the cusp, which is the very beginning of the house, and the ruler of the house (which is the natural planetary ruler for the sign on the house cusp, so if you have Aries on the cusp, Mars is the ruler of the house as ruler of Aries). The sign prevails over the energy of the house, and the ruler of the house often plays a bigger role. So, let's say that Aries is on your 7th house cusp, and your 7th house is empty, and your natal Mars is in Pisces and the 6th house. You may find your work life (6th house) and relationships (7th house) to be intertwined, and you meet potential partners through your or their work. Quick list of planetary rulers: Aries - Mars Taurus, Libra - Venus Gemini, Virgo - Mercury Cancer - Moon Leo - Sun Scorpio - Pluto Sagittarius - Jupiter Capricorn - Saturn Aquarius - Uranus Pisces - Neptune Note that if Chiron or the Lunar Nodes fall in an empty house, then there is some work to be done, with wounds and healing for Chiron, and with finding your path and purpose with the Lunar Nodes. The Empty Houses in Astrology:
There are additional articles outlining the houses in astrology that you may want to check out for more about the energy and what the house rules if it's an empty house in your natal chart (the energy of the house and whatever it rules if it's empty can be easier for you):
All About the First House in Astrology All About the Second House in Astrology All About the Third House in Astrology All About the Fourth House in Astrology All About the Fifth House in Astrology All About the Sixth House in Astrology All About the Seventh House in Astrology All About the Eighth House in Astrology All About the Ninth House in Astrology All About the Tenth House in Astrology All About the Eleventh House in Astrology All About the Twelfth House in Astrology
Suggested Reading: Intro to Astrology Houses; there are also 2 articles focusing on groups of empty houses, one on the empty relationship houses (5th, 7th, and 11th houses) and one on the empty professional houses (2nd, 6th, and 10th houses)
With a new month comes a full and new moon! November brings with it a full moon in Taurus and a new moon in Sagittarius. Get ready! What is a new moon?
A new moon occurs when the transit (moving) Sun and Moon are in the exact same position in the Zodiac (called a conjunction). New moons are related to beginnings, have high energy, and are enthusiastic.
What is a full moon?
A full moon occurs when the transit (moving) Sun and Moon are in the exact opposite positions in the Zodiac (called an opposition). Full moons are related to endings, culminations, and are emotional energy.
Full Moon in Taurus: November 12th 2019 (8:35AM ET)
November's full moon occurs in earth sign Taurus, and Taurus full moons usually want us to try to be calmer, more grounded, and not rock the boat too much. Normally full moons are emotional, and we're swayed by what we feel, but with Taurus, we want to try to stay calm, get grounded, and work on stability and security. We can work to remove blocks to stability and security, and try to take slow, steady approaches. We may pay too close attention to what other people think and say sometimes, and need to value our own judgments.
Taurus is a money sign, so there may be some financial developments in the world (or personally). We can make important financial decisions, work to resolve financial problems, or see bad financial moves result in major problems. The biggest thing about this full moon though is Mercury retrograde. This full moon opposes Mercury retrograde in Scorpio! Eeks! And I do mean eeks, because it's usually very not good when a full moon makes a hard aspect to Mercury retrograde (or Venus or Mars). I am worried about what this full moon may end up triggering with Mercury retrograde. There could be some unforeseen financial crisis. There could be some very serious violence. There could be some terrible act of discrimination. There are a lot of possibilities! Taurus usually wants us to be calm, but with Mercury retrograde, this proves difficult, especially in Scorpio. We may get stuck in foul moods, rage, hatred, hostility, violence, and have a hard time getting out. Positive, healthy, constructive outlets for the energy is best, and grounding as much as we can. We do get some help from Pluto, who is trine (positive aspect, 4 signs away) the full moon in Capricorn. Pluto is the natural ruler of Scorpio,, the sign Mercury will retrograde in, so Pluto wants to give some helpful energy to manage Mercury. We may need to transform something big, in a big way, and expose what's been hiding in the shadows to some bright light and reality. The full moon occurs at 19 degrees 51 minutes Taurus. The major aspects this full moon makes are: Conjunction: 17 degrees 51 minutes - 21 degrees 51 minutes Taurus Sextile: 17 degrees 51 minutes - 21 degrees 51 minutes Cancer or Pisces Square: 17 degrees 51 minutes - 21 degrees 51 minutes Leo or Aquarius Trine: 17 degrees 51 minutes - 21 degrees 51 minutes Virgo or Capricorn Opposition: 17 degrees 51 minutes - 21 degrees 51 minutes Scorpio New Moon in Sagittarius: November 26th 2019 (10:05AM ET)
So November full moon is quite the fist-clencher, but November's new moon is pretty different! New moons tend to be happier energy anyway, and November's new moon is in Sagittarius, the optimistic, happy-go-lucky sign. So we can come to this new moon feeling really sick and tired of the dark, the serious, the difficult and horrible. We want to ditch that and focus on the good!
With Sagittarius, we can be more expansive, working to expand our minds, lives, and world. We can work on opportunities for expansion, explore and travel, learn and teach. It's time to get out there and have new experiences (and this may be seen for your personally in the areas of life ruled by the house the new moon occurs in for you). Mercury is no longer retrograde for this new moon, but Neptune is and ends the retrograde the day after the new moon on November 27th. It doesn't aspect the new moon, but it may make us feel like we're in a bit of a fog, a haze, the Neptunian obscuring. So while we may feel a lot better, we do need to be careful that we don't rush into anything without all of the facts, and that we're not looking at things with rose-colored glasses. Once the fog lifts, it might not look so rosy! The new moon occurs at 4 degrees 3 minutes Sagittarius. The major aspects this full moon makes are: Conjunction: 2 degrees 3 minutes - 6 degrees 3 minutes Sagittarius Sextile: 2 degrees 3 minutes - 6 degrees 3 minutes Libra or Aquarius Square: 2 degrees 3 minutes - 6 degrees 3 minutes Virgo or Pisces Trine: 2 degrees 3 minutes - 6 degrees 3 minutes Aries or Leo Opposition: 2 degrees 3 minutes - 6 degrees 3 minutes Gemini Suggested Reading: New & Full Moons page for interpretations 
Astrology has lots of different points to decipher, from planets to asteroids, fixed stars to midpoints, various charts, and more, and one of the most important to understand are the astrology houses. What are the astrology houses?
There are 12 houses in astrology, and each rule a different part of your life and personality. There are a variety of ways of calculating their exact positions in the Zodiac, and these are called house systems. The most commonly used in the West are Placidus, Koch, Equal, and Whole Sign (if you use astro.com for creating charts, Placidus is their default).
The houses are also divided up by house type: angular, succedent, and cadent. The angular houses are the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th houses, and are connected to the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn). Their keyword is action. The succedent houses are the 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 11th houses, and are connected to the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius). Their keyword is fixed. The cadent houses are the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th house, and are connected to the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces). Their keyword is adaptable. You'll first and foremost focus on the sign the house cusp falls in (the cusp of a house is the very beginning of that house). You'll then see if there are any planets in the house. Houses that have multiple planets tend to get more attention from you and play a bigger role in your life, while empty houses usually mean there isn't much for you to work out with it in this life (less baggage). You can also take a look at the natural ruler of the sign on the house cusp in your natal chart and get some further insights (the sign and house location of the ruler in your natal chart can tie into the house). What do the houses mean in astrology?
Each house has rulership over different parts of you and your life. Let's do a rundown of each astrology house:
1st House Astrology: House of the Self
The 1st house governs you overall, and shows your outer self. This is the face you put out into the world, and it's the way people see you. We tend to play up the positives of the sign on the 1st house cusp so we can put our best foot forward. Planets in the 1st house can also be apparent in your outward personality. This house is naturally ruled by Mars and connects with the sign of Aries.
Go to the 1st house page >>> Review the article All About the First House in Astrology >>> 2nd House Astrology: House of Finances
The 2nd house governs your money, and can show both how you make and spend money. This is your own money rather than the money impacting others (8th house). This house also shows your values, and what impacts stability and security in your life. Planets in the 2nd house can impact your financial life, values, and confidence. This house is naturally ruled by Venus and connects with the sign of Taurus.
Go to the 2nd house page >>> Review the article All About the Second House in Astrology >>> 3rd House Astrology: House of Communications
The 3rd house governs your communication overall, showing how your mind operates, how you connect with your immediate environment and engage. This house rules your siblings, neighbors, and young people, and your younger/primary years of learning (not advanced learning). Planets in the 3rd house can impact your communication and learning abilities. This house is naturally ruled by Mercury and connects with the sign of Gemini.
Go to the 3rd house page >>> Review the article All About the Third House in Astrology >>> 4th House Astrology: House of Home & Family
The 4th house governs your home and family life, the ones you're born into and the ones you create as an adult. It shows what you want/need at home and from family, and your roots. This house also shows your internal foundation. Planets in the 4th house can impact your home and family life and foundation. This house is naturally ruled by the Moon and connects with the sign of Cancer.
Go to the 4th house page >>> Review the article All About the Fourth House in Astrology >>> 5th House Astrology: House of Love
The 5th house governs love, both who you love (and date, as well as your children) and what you love (your hobbies). This house is a creative house and focuses on the lighter side. Planets in the 5th house can impact your hobbies, your love life, your children, and your creative side. This house is naturally ruled by the Sun and connects with the sign of Leo.
Go to the 5th house page >>> Review the article All About the Fifth House in Astrology >>> 6th House Astrology: House of Work
The 6th house governs your work life and environment, and can show your approach to work and the kind of jobs you have. This house also rules your daily life, routine, and health, and your approach to them. Planets in the 6th house can impact your work life, daily life, and health. This house is naturally ruled by Mercury and connects with the sign of Virgo.
Go to the 6th house page >>> Review the article All About the Sixth House in Astrology >>> 7th House Astrology: House of Relationships
The 7th house governs your relationships in general, and the people in your life. It can show how you approach relationships, partnerships, and commitment, and what you want and need from others, the kind of people you attract, and what you're willing to give. Planets in the 7th house can impact your relationships and the people you encounter. This house is naturally ruled by Venus and connects with the sign of Libra.
Go to the 7th house page >>> Review the article All About the Seventh House in Astrology >>> 8th House Astrology: House of Shared Resources
The 8th house governs your shared finances and resources, so the things that don't only impact you (debts, loans, inheritances, taxes, joint finances, business partnerships, etc.). This house also governs your darker side, what you hold deep inside, and transformations. Planets in the 8th house can impact your sharing ability, your approach to transforming, and what you hold inside. This house is naturally ruled by Pluto and connects with the sign of Scorpio.
Go to the 8th house page >>> Review the article All About the Eighth House in Astrology >>> 9th House Astrology: House of Higher Learning
The 9th house governs higher learning, so the learning you do beyond the basics (colleges and universities and specialized learning). This house rules expansion, so this can be expansion of the mind through learning, or through life experience and travel. It also rules your beliefs. Planets in the 9th house can impact your beliefs and ability to expand or what you need space with. This house is naturally ruled by Jupiter and connects with the sign of Sagittarius.
Go to the 9th house page >>> Review the article All About the Ninth House in Astrology >>> 10th House Astrology: House of Goals
The 10th house governs your goals in life, which usually is professionally and the career you have. But this can be any goals, anything that you strive for in life. This house rules your responsibilities, status, and public image. Planets in the 10th house can impact your career and goals, your life direction, responsibilities you have, and the image you try to present. This house is naturally ruled by Saturn and connects with the sign of Capricorn.
Go to the 10th house page >>> Review the article All About the Tenth House in Astrology >>> 11th House Astrology: House of Dreams
The 11th house governs the dreams you have for your future and what you hope for in life. It also rules your friendships and groups you belong to, the causes your champion, and the changes you focus on. This house is highly independent and unconventional. Planets in the 11th house can impact your dreams, friends, causes, and independence. This house is naturally ruled by Uranus and connects with the sign of Aquarius.
Go to the 11th house page >>> Review the article All About the Eleventh House in Astrology >>> 12th House Astrology: House of the Hidden
The 12th house governs what you hide, your subconscious mind, your spirituality, and your karma. Energy associated with the 12th house is often hidden in your subconscious, and planets in the 12th house usually manifest subconsciously, or show baggage that needs to be released. This house is naturally ruled by Neptune and connects with the sign of Pisces.
Go to the 12th house page >>> Review the article All About the Twelfth House in Astrology >>>
So, there's your quick rundown of the astrology houses! You can look up the general interpretations for them by sign and for planets in each house and get information about what they mean for you. The articles explore each house more in-depth in general, with impact on both the natal chart and in transit. Here's that list of those articles for you again:
All About the First House in Astrology All About the Second House in Astrology All About the Third House in Astrology All About the Fourth House in Astrology All About the Fifth House in Astrology All About the Sixth House in Astrology All About the Seventh House in Astrology All About the Eighth House in Astrology All About the Ninth House in Astrology All About the Tenth House in Astrology All About the Eleventh House in Astrology All About the Twelfth House in Astrology 
The basics: What is Mercury retrograde?
A retrograde occurs when a planet appears to be moving backwards from our vantage point here on Earth. It isn't actually moving backwards, it just appears that way. Mercury turns retrograde most often, about 3-4 times per year, and lasts for several weeks. When a planet retrogrades, what that planet rules tends to be thrown off, along with what the sign it's retrograding in rules.
With Mercury retrograde, we experience a shadow and a storm. The shadow period starts when Mercury first hits the point in the Zodiac it will turn direct at, and ends when it last hits the point in the Zodiac it will turn retrograde at. Most people don't feel the effects of Mercury retrograde until it enters the storm period though. The storm period of Mercury retrograde is when Mercury is moving at its slowest, less than 40 minutes per day. Mercury is a fast-moving planet and hates it when he's moving slowly. There's usually two storm periods, one around the time Mercury turns retrograde, and one around when it turns direct. Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio 2019 Dates:
Mercury Retrograde Effects:
Mercury madness! We have the last Mercury retrograde for 2019 starting on Halloween, and fittingly in dark Scorpio. Scorpio is an intense, emotional sign, and Mercury retrograde in Scorpio can bring out extra rage, hostility, pent up aggression, and hatred. Anything that we've been holding back on can explode out now. Watch where you blow!
Scorpio is ruler of transformations, and that can be a positive effect of Mercury retrograde in Scorpio. Focus on something you've been avoiding for a long time, and work to transform it for the better. Dig deep below the surface so it's something that lasts, and you can gain greater understanding about it. Scorpio rules power and control, so we can take the opportunity to have more power and control in our lives. But we have to be careful we don't become controlling and fight others too much, wanting to dominate. That can become destructive! Scorpio is ruler of "other people's money" - taxes, debts, loans, inheritances, joint finances, business finances, etc., so there can be extra focus on issues revolving around money that impacts others. Mercury retrograde in Scorpio is notoriously challenging for the stock market - so maybe invest very conservatively! With erratic Uranus now in opposing sign Taurus, ruler of our own money, this retrograde period is one I've had my eye on for potential financial trouble, so watch it! Intimacy is governed by Scorpio, so old lovers can come back around, and issues around intimacy or sex may arise. It's a good time to work on blocks and improve the way in which you connect on a deeper level with those you care about. The Start of the Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio:
The retrograde begins with Mercury conjunct (aligned with) Venus in Scorpio (and this actually goes exact the day before, on October 30th at 6:05PM ET). This can help us come together and try to find some common ground, BUT it may also make us more frustrated with one another, more maddened by the way others behave, especially if it's tactless. Moderation may also be difficult to find, and we may become obsessed with something. Like chocolate!
The trouble spot: Full Moon in Taurus
A big trouble spot during this retrograde is going to be the full moon on November 12th, which occurs in Taurus and opposes Mercury retrograde. Whenever a full moon opposes Mercury retrograde, this is usually bad news! A time for something big to pop. Could be those financial troubles I'm worried about, but it could also be something related to values, morality, ethics, legacy.
I also find these two signs, Taurus and Scorpio, can be linked to issues of discrimination. Why can't we all just get along, eh? On a personal level, I would definitely avoid big purchases of technology, electronics, gadgets, if at all possible! Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio 2019 aspects:
During the retrograde, Mercury will make 4 major aspects:
- sextile (positive aspect, two signs away) Pluto in Capricorn November 9th (Pluto is natural ruler of Scorpio so we may feel a little more at ease around this aspect with the Scorpio energy and try to use it better) - conjunct the Sun on November 11th (this is the inferior conjunction, a positive point in the retrograde for starting something that can be a focus for the next 6-8 weeks; find where 18 degrees 55 minutes Scorpio falls in your chart, and that may be where you can start something) - on November 13th, sextiles Saturn in Capricorn and trines Neptune in Pisces (helping us balance reality with fantasy and make practical use of creativity and imagination). So these aspects are all very positive - they're trying to help! Moons of Mercury Retrograde:
The Moon won't be in the same sign as this retrograde, Scorpio, so there won't be a new moon during the retrograde (just the full moon). Just before this retrograde starts, on October 27th, there is a new moon in Scorpio, so that may try to kick us off with some positive energy. But it also may just bring out attention squarely on something Scorpio-related - a big secret coming out, a big transformation needing to be made, something in the dark underbelly being revealed. Sooo . . .
The Moon will be in the signs that Mercury naturally rules, first in Gemini November 13th (3:46AM ET) to November 15th (11:15AM ET) and kicking up mental energy big-time, then in Virgo November 19th (8:54PM ET) to November 21st (11:20PM ET). This is as the retrograde ends, so it ends with the Moon in Virgo. Trying to make us more practical and focused, but also likely pretty stressed out! Final notes:
Mercury will be at a critical degree November 8th - 9th, 21-22 degrees Scorpio. Critical degrees are special degrees of critical energy, so we may be a little extra jazzed up these days. For good reasons, or bad reasons?
The retrograde begins at 27 degrees Scorpio, so those of you Scorpions born November 18th and later can feel the start of this retrograde most. The retrograde ends at 11 degrees Scorpio, so those of your Scorpions born November 1st - 6th can feel the end of the retrograde most. For the rest of you, check the house(s) Mercury will be retrograding in of your own natal chart, and any aspects Mercury will make during its retrograde to your natal planets, to fully understand how it will impact you personally. Make sure to check out the retrogrades page for interpretations for Mercury retrograde in the houses and aspects! If you have Mercury retrograde in your natal or progressed chart, you may not feel the worst of this. Those individuals generally don't experience the difficulties of the retrograde because it feels more natural to them. Of course, chances are everyone else around them doesn't have the same aspect, so they can still experience difficulties brought on by others. If it's in your natal chart, check out this article about Mercury retrograde in the natal chart. |
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