Free will astrology for the week of Nov. 28, 2018.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Every year the bird known as the Arctic tern experiences two summers and enjoys more daylight than any other animal. That’s because it regularly makes a long-distance journey from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back again. Let’s designate this hardy traveler as your inspirational creature for the next eleven months. May it help animate you to experiment with brave jaunts that broaden and deepen your views of the world. I don’t necessarily mean you should literally do the equivalent of circumnavigating the planet. Your expansive adventures might take place mostly in inner realms or closer to home.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): When the American Civil War began in 1861, the United States fractured. Four years later, the union was technically restored when the northern states defeated the southern states. At that time, African American slavery became illegal everywhere for the first time since the country’s birth decades earlier. But there was a catch. The southern states soon enacted laws that mandated racial segregation and ensured that African Americans continued to suffer systematic disadvantages. Is there a comparable issue in your personal life? Did you at sometime in the past try to fix an untenable situation only to have it sneak back in a less severe but still debilitating form? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to finish the reforms; to enforce a thorough and permanent correction.  

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Does an elusive giant creature with a long neck inhabit the waters of Loch Ness in northern Scotland? Alleged sightings have been reported since 1933. Most scientists dismiss the possibility that “Nessie” actually exists, but there are photos, films, and videos that provide tantalizing evidence. A government-funded Scottish organization has prepared contingency plans just in case the beast does make an unambiguous appearance. In that spirit, and in accordance with astrological omens, I recommend that you prepare yourself for the arrival in your life of intriguing anomalies and fun mysteries. Like Nessie, they’re nothing to worry about, but you’ll be better able to deal gracefully with them if you’re not totally taken by surprise.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Does moss really “eat” rocks, as Cancerian author Elizabeth Gilbert attests in her novel The Signature of All Things? Marine chemist Martin Johnson says yes. Moss really does break down and release elements in solid stone. Gilbert adds, “Given enough time, a colony of moss can turn a cliff into gravel, and turn that gravel into topsoil.” Furthermore, this hardy plant can grow virtually everywhere: in the tropics and frozen wastes, on tree bark and roofing slate, on sloth fur and snail shells. I propose that we make moss your personal symbol of power for now, Cancerian. Be as indomitable, resourceful, and resilient as moss.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Let’s shout out a big “THANKS!” and “HALLELUJAH!” to the enzymes in our bodies. These catalytic proteins do an amazing job of converting the food we eat into available energy. Without them, our cells would take forever to turn any particular meal into the power we need to walk, talk, and think. I bring this marvel to your attention, Leo, because now is a favorable time to look for and locate metaphorical equivalents of enzymes: influences and resources that will aid and expedite your ability to live the life you want to live.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Every dreamer knows that it is entirely possible to be homesick for a place you’ve never been to, perhaps more homesick than for familiar ground,” writes author Judith Thurman. I’m guessing you will experience this feeling in the coming weeks. What does it mean if you do? It may be your deep psyche’s way of nudging you to find an energizing new sanctuary. Or perhaps it means you should search for fresh ways to feel peaceful and well-grounded. Maybe it’s a prod to push you outside your existing comfort zone so you can expand your comfort zone.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Venice, Italy consists of 118 small islands that rise from a shallow lagoon. A network of 443 bridges keeps them all connected. But Venice isn’t the world champion of bridges. The American city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania holds that title, with 446. I nominate these two places to be your inspirational symbols in the coming weeks. It’s time for you to build new metaphorical bridges and take good care of your existing metaphorical bridges.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): To aid and support your navigation through this pragmatic phase of your astrological cycle, I have gathered counsel from three productive pragmatists. First is author Helen Keller. She said she wanted to accomplish great and noble things, but her “chief duty” was “to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” Second, author George Orwell believed that “to see what is in front of one’s nose” requires never-ending diligence. Finally, author Pearl S. Buck testified that she didn’t wait around until she was in the right mood before beginning her work. Instead, she invoked her willpower to summon the necessary motivation.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Blackjack is a card game popular in gambling casinos. In the eternal struggle to improve the odds of winning big money, some blackjack players work in teams. One teammate secretly counts the cards as they’re dealt and assesses what cards are likely to come up next. Another teammate gets subtle signals from his card-counting buddy and makes the bets. A casino in Windsor, Ontario pressed charges against one blackjack team, complaining that this tactic was deceptive and dishonest. But the court decided in the team’s favor, ruling that the players weren’t cheating but simply using smart strategy. In the spirit of these blackjack teams, Sagittarius, and in accordance with astrological omens, I urge you to better your odds in a “game” of your choice by using strategy that is almost as good as cheating but isn’t actually cheating.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): What has become of the metaphorical seeds you planted during the weeks after your last birthday? Have your intentions flourished? Have your dreams blossomed? Have your talents matured? Have your naive questions evolved into more penetrating questions? Be honest and kind as you answer these inquiries. Be thoughtful and big-hearted as you take inventory of your ability to follow through on your promises to yourself. If people are quizzical about how much attention you’re giving yourself as you take stock, inform them that your astrologer has told you that December is Love Yourself Better Month.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): If you want to play the drinking game called Possum, you and your friends climb up into a tree with a case of beer and start drinking. As time goes by, people get so hammered they fall out of the tree. The winner is the last one left in the tree. I hope you won’t engage in this form of recreation anytime soon—nor in any other activity that even vaguely resembles it. The coming weeks should be a time of calling on favors, claiming your rewards, collecting your blessings, and graduating to the next level. I trust your policy will be: no trivial pursuits, no wasted efforts, no silly stunts.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In his song “Happy Talk,” Academy Award-winning lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II offered this advice: “You gotta have a dream. If you don’t have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true?” Where do you stand in this regard, Pisces? Do you in fact have a vivid, clearly defined dream? And have you developed a strategy for making that dream come true? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to home in on what you really want and hone your scheme for manifesting it. (P.S. Keep in mind Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s idea: “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”)

Homework: Hug yourself as you tell yourself your biggest secret.

Every month, the light distributed to Earth from each sign (Spiritual Hierarchies) is different, holding different tasks for humanity’s evolution. Each sign also describes the connection between the Soul and personality.

Each year, within each human, the light grows from Aries to Pisces, from a “dim point of light within the circle of life seeking where it can be used for divine expression” (Aries) to a light that “saves the world” (Pisces). In Pisces, the light “reveals the Light of Life itself and ends forever the darkness of matter.”

The light of each sign (Aries to Pisces) describes the Soul in relationship to the personality. Eventually the Soul, which is light itself, completely encompasses the personality, becoming its director, its shield, and its protector. The Soul then “uses” the personality as a vehicle to bring light to matter, which in religious terms means the “redemption” (upliftment into the Light) of matter. From dark to light.

Sagittarius is a beam of directed, focused light, revealing a greater light (the Soul, then Spirit) ahead (toward Capricorn) and illumining the pathway to the Center of the Light. Always, Sag is on a quest following the “beam of light revealing the greater light ahead.” That is why the “archers” are great travelers, wanderers, philosophers, teachers, professors, truth-tellers, publishers—all armed with goals, aims and self-realized inner truths. The wandering and wanderlust of Sagittarius is the outer manifestation of the inner spiritual seeking of ever-pushing Sagittarius, like an arrow, onward and upward. Outer pilgrimages bring into awareness the inner subjective worlds of truth, light, love and the cosmic music of the spheres.

ARIES: Finances and resources, personal and with others, are highlighted. Careful attention is needed, along with concentration, efficiency, economy and strength. Accomplish these each day in a slow, consistent rhythm. You may uncover more resources. So many things are hidden during retrogrades. Remember others who have much less. Tithing creates great abundance.

TAURUS: You want to move consistently into the future with new ideas and plans, but there are so few who understand, few with your illumined vision, and even fewer with your force of will and stamina. Always you strive for poise during transition times while sending prayerful requests for able, intelligent and financial assistance in order to manifest all that is new into form and matter. Your prayers prepare the field. Maintain a winter garden.

GEMINI: Deep feelings emerging from early life at home may be playing out in present relationships. Because of this, be careful with thoughts, actions and communication. Careful that you don’t become part of the difficulty or project onto others your pain. Don’t hide your vulnerability, because everyone else will be vulnerable, too. Showing yours eases barriers, allowing heartfelt communication and contact. You want love. Love comes from intentional contact.

CANCER: You may experience stress and overwork as constant change occurs to everyone everywhere in your life. These daily changes reflect the pulse of humanity playing through your body. You need stabilization, an immediate sense of purpose and remaining within the safety of home. Make changes in small ways. When viewing the big picture stand with compassion and dispassion. Children bring both blessings and hard work.

LEO: It seems you need a retreat to bring forth creative freedom. This week should bring heightened sense of feeling separated from others, which you may enhance should your communication be harsh. You are able to be very intuitive, so observe your thoughts carefully. Is daily life feeling like a transformation is about to occur? Are financial needs being served? A sudden revelation occurs which expands you into other worlds. Take us with you.

VIRGO: Small changes occur in your personal life, which in turn create big changes. Money may feel restricted, communication may be hidden (from whom, why, where?), there’s a desire to run away from home and a need for regeneration. It feels like seeds of the future, life-changing, are breaking through. You’re restless for emotional independence. Moving forward is slow. Allow inner spiritual intentions to hold you. Transformation arrives for a long visit.

LIBRA: You’re called to a past situation and then to a present-future one. The past holds and keeps you for a while in order for it to be liberated. The present-future creates optimism. However, there are two sides working within you. One contains judgment, the other love. Both are risky. One keeps you spiritually lonely. The other shifts you into a loving community. Can you identify the two sides and where you’re positioned? All the past needs to be forgiven. Forgiveness is alchemical.

SCORPIO: For about a year, you will participate in changes behind the scenes, internal changes that create your coming future. Change comes with a revelatory impact. Since you live within this field constantly, be aware of a need to serve others. Be aware of growing compassion and becoming a model for others. As Scorpio is the warrior of the zodiac, you’re prepared for the coming times where the death of the old finally occurs. Strength and courage will be needed.

SAGITTARIUS: You’re restless, yet duty-bound, responsible yet rebellious, seeking security yet craving freedom, pleased yet dissatisfied and stimulated within conflicts. You’re a paradox once again. Allow contradictions to work psychologically within. They create new insight, revelations. Don’t push them aside. They are the Harmony Through Conflict process Sag works through to bring new consciousness forth, a natural trajectory into the future.

CAPRICORN: Do you feel pulled between self needs and responsibility to family, relationship and work? Are you seeking freedom? Are your needs upsetting home, family and relationships? Are you able to communicate clearly what your needs are? Do you need new communication skills for others’ understanding? You are definitely on the “cross” of change. It’s imperative you learn how to communicate to others so they can understand. Study and learn Compassionate Communication techniques (nonviolent communication).

AQUARIUS: Some Aquarians are experiencing great success. Some will be traveling the world soon seeking community. Even more are experiencing love, honor and popularity, expanded social and work reputations, tending to financial responsibilities, developing new business or life plans. They’re climbing the ladder of success as they define it (some don’t), and doing more than they thought capable. Keep going.

PISCES: You need flexibility in great amounts as interruptions and unexpected events occur in all parts of your life, geographically and in terms of your self-identity. You cannot prepare for what will happen. You can only soothe yourself with knowledge that what occurs is redesigning your life in ways you could never have designed yourself. You’re capable, sensitive, sensible and smart. And being looked after in all ways. Something great just occurred.