NOVEMBER THEME: THINGS ARE HEATING UP
by Simone Butler

On October 21, a witchy wind appeared out of nowhere--scattering leaves and my patio furniture in its wake. The horizon was a brownish pink and a smoky smell permeated the air. Fire raged in Ramona, 30 miles east of my Escondido home, but I was determined not to panic.

At one a.m., the doorbell startled me awake. "Get out quick!" yelled my neighbor. "The pine tree is about to fall on your house!"

I hurried to the back deck and shone a flashlight on the big, looming tree as it swayed chaotically in the wind. A large branch hung limp, like a broken arm. The ear-splitting crack had convinced my neighbor that the entire tree would topple over. But the thick trunk stood firm, so I went back to bed.

The next morning the sky looked ominous, and the radio reported out-of-control fires throughout the region. So I stuffed my car with computer and fax, photo albums and favorite clothes. With Queen Bess in tow, I sped to a friend's house in San Marcos. Though I was able to return the following day, my friends in southern Escondido and Valley Center weren't so lucky. There were mandatory evacuations all the way to the coast, as the aptly named "Witch Fire" worked its sorcery just prior to All Hallow's Eve.

The South Node (Ketu in Vedic astrology), depicted as a fire-breathing dragon, made an exact conjunction with Saturn (harsh realities) at the height of the devastation on the 23rd. No wonder wild fires raged in the Southland. If I was inclined to look for dastardly portents in the heavens, I might have seen this coming. Especially as dark lord Pluto was approaching his final conjunction with the black hole at the Galactic Center on the 28th.

Inspired by an email from the Goddess Temple in Orange County, I ditched my candles, set up a water altar and blanketed the region with moist, wet vibes. And, I joined local friends in surrounding each other's homes with protection. Reports began trickling in: Leah's home in southern Escondido was, miraculously, the only one in her neighborhood left standing after the Witch burned through. Having lost his home in the 2003 Cedar fire, Keith refused to abandon his newly rebuilt house to the same fate. Just as he and his brother were about to lose their heroic battle with a gigantic wall of flames, several fire trucks rounded the bend to rescue them.

Our prayers were answered. By the time the ashes had begun to settle, none of my friends were left homeless. We are very blessed--many others weren't so fortunate.

The conjunction of Saturn and Ketu, fueled by an impending full moon, happened on San Diego's Neptune--planet of dreams, illusions, fear and confusion. The Witch and her fiery cohorts elsewhere in the region hit us in our blind spot--Ramona, for instance, had only one fire truck available when the conflagration began. Yet Neptune also symbolizes kindness and compassion--witness the outpouring of support and cooperation at the Qualcomm Stadium evacuation center. All of us, even those just watching the spectacle on TV, had to face the sobering reality that earthly life is ephemeral and nature has the upper hand, despite our illusions to the contrary.

According to astrologer Moses Siregar, an encounter with Ketu "ideally brings about some type of spiritual renunciation or awareness, typically after some type of material crisis." The point, he adds, is to "remind us to look inward for our happiness and to realize that the things of this world are not ultimately lasting."

This is a lesson that many will be learning, in one way or another, as we enter the Fifth Night of the Mayan Calendar on November 19. This period corresponds, in earlier times, with the Dark Ages. More recently, it was the birth of the Modern Age--including World Wars I and II. Each time around the spiral, the Fifth Night is shorter in duration and intensity--this time it only lasts a year. And now, the divine light of consciousness shines brighter than ever before.

Tremendous breakthroughs will occur as we approach the "end of time as we know it" in 2012. The Fifth Night, in particular, will act as a trigger for greater consciousness. Be prepared for a possible war with Iran, economic crisis and/or the declaration of martial law, as the "powers that be" attempt to hold on to their entrenched position by preventing the presidential election from occurring. No matter how the scenario plays out, the next few years will spawn a sweeping, 1960s-style rebellion, as liberating Uranus builds toward a square with potent Pluto in 2010. Old systems must die, so we can build a new world based on spiritual, rather than material, values.

The Scorpio New Moon on November 9th squares Neptune, which symbolizes cosmic oneness. This square heightens intuition, but also signals the need to let go of cherished illusions and step into unknown territory. Scorpio is the time of year when we dig deep to find out what we're made of, what's really important. Something needs to die and be reborn. The fiery dragon of change is sweeping through our lives to burn away the old. Trust the process; fighting it will only make you miserable. In the end, you will be strengthened.

Scorpio is the sign of magic, an alchemical process that happens deep within. Schedule plenty of quiet time this month, to help facilitate inner change. The New Moon also forms a supportive trine with Mars in Cancer and Uranus in Pisces. This watery trine promotes deep nurturing and healing of the past. Mars is particularly potent now, stationary all month as it prepares to go retrograde on Nov. 15 (until Jan. 30). When the planet of war goes underground, we're challenged to tame our aggressive impulses and find the peaceful warrior within.

Now is the time to look inward for happiness. As the evolution of consciousness accelerates, don't fret too much over the passing show. Take action only if your intuition tells you to do so. Stay focused on the essentials: The love of family and friends, your connection with nature and your deepest self. Ultimately, that's what matters most.

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