Quick answer
An astrological calendar for any month, November included, lists the same kinds of events: planets turning retrograde or direct, new and full moons, eclipses when they fall, and ingresses, which is the term for a planet moving into a new sign. All of these are real astronomical events with published dates, and any ephemeris, planetarium app or astronomy website will give you the current ones. What the calendar does not contain is evidence that these events change your week. A retrograde is the apparent backward drift of a planet caused by orbital geometry. A full moon is the moon opposite the sun. Neither is known to affect communication, mood or technology. Astrology treats these events as a shared symbolic language, and used that way, as a set of reflection prompts on a fixed schedule, it can be a pleasant discipline. The old version of this article gave advice for one year; this one explains how to read any year. The astronomy is in Understanding Mercury Retrograde.
Each event type, the astronomy, the reading, and a reflective use
| Event type | What happens astronomically | How astrologers read it | A reflective use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury retrograde | Earth overtakes Mercury on the inside, so Mercury appears to drift backwards against the stars for about three weeks, three or four times a year. | Miscommunication, delays, and returns to old business. | Reread before you send. Back up the laptop. Revisit one unfinished conversation. |
| Other retrogrades: Venus, Mars, the outer planets | The same geometry. Outer planets appear retrograde for months every year. | Reviewing love, drive or long-term themes, depending on the planet. | Pick the theme and ask what you would do differently a second time round. |
| New moon | The moon sits between Earth and the sun, so its lit side faces away and the night is dark. | Beginnings and intention setting. | Write one intention as a concrete action for the next four weeks. |
| Full moon | The moon sits opposite the sun, fully lit, rising at sunset. | Culmination, release, heightened feeling. | Review the intention from two weeks ago and let go of one thing that is not working. Rituals for Moving On has practical forms. |
| Eclipses, solar and lunar | New or full moons that fall close to the lunar nodes, so the moon covers the sun or passes through Earth’s shadow. There are two eclipse seasons a year. | Turning points, sudden change, fated events. | Notice what feels urgent this fortnight and ask whether it was already urgent last month. |
| Ingresses: the sun or a planet enters a new sign | The body’s position along the ecliptic crosses a thirty-degree boundary. The sun does this monthly, slow planets every few years. | A change of mood or focus in the area the planet governs. | Use the sun’s monthly ingress as a page turn: what did last month teach, and what does the next one need? |
| Lunar nodes changing sign | The points where the moon’s orbit crosses the ecliptic drift backwards, changing sign roughly every eighteen months. | A collective shift in what people are drawn towards and away from. | Ask which habit you are being pulled away from, and whether the pull is yours. |
How to find and use this month’s dates
- Search for an ephemeris or an astronomy site’s sky calendar. The dates for moons, eclipses and retrogrades are the same everywhere, because they are astronomical.
- Note the four or five events for the month in your diary.
- Attach one question to each, using the last column above.
- Answer it in a few lines on the day, the way you would a journal prompt.
- At the end of the month, read the answers back. The pattern you see is yours, not the sky’s.
Evidence note: Controlled studies have found no link between Mercury retrograde and communication failures, accidents or technology faults, and no reliable link between the full moon and behaviour, sleep or hospital admissions once weekly and seasonal patterns are accounted for. The earlier version of this article told readers not to start a business or spend money during one week of a particular year, and to call a psychic for clarity; none of that follows from the astronomy. Astrology works best here as a calendar for reflection, and it is a poor guide for money, health or relationship decisions. Persistent low mood is a conversation for a GP, whatever the moon is doing.
The astronomy behind retrograde
The hub explains why planets appear to move backwards, what the evidence says about retrograde and daily life, and how to use astrology as a reflective frame without the fear.
The recommendation to avoid major financial ventures when Venus enters Scorpio on November 21, 2020, is sensible. It’s prudent to be cautious with money during uncertain times.
The alignment of Mercury in Libra and Saturn in Capricorn on November 6, 2020, suggests a time for cautious communication. It’s an interesting perspective on how planetary positions can influence our mindset.
The advice to engage deeply with family and friends when Mercury re-enters Scorpio is noteworthy. It emphasizes the importance of meaningful conversations and strengthening relationships.
The suggestion to focus on self-care during the New Moon in Scorpio on November 14, 2020, is a practical reminder. It’s essential to take time for personal well-being amidst our busy lives.
The guidance provided for the Sun entering Sagittarius encourages learning and exploration. Taking a vacation to a new place can indeed be a rejuvenating experience.