The Unexpected Gifts of November
Thank You, Universe. More Lessons in, 'As Above, So Below'.
It’s a very windy day here in the capital city of Costa Rica, and I am thinking about a recent conversation my partner was having with our Uber driver the other night. We were reminded that they don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here. Not how the United States does, or at least they haven’t, historically. Since many ex-pats would get together during this time, the Costa Rican government has recognized this and decided to dip their toes in the holiday. However, though we do miss our family and friends; I like the absence of overindulgence, slaving away in the kitchen, and the ‘Black Friday addictions’. As I secretly enjoy watching my partner climb into the front seat with the Uber drivers and carry on a full conversation in broken Spanish…*smile… I feel a sense of pride in embracing the Tico (locals) way; cosmic gratitude with a wide open heart.
There’s a lot of natural light that comes through these big windows and you can see the lushness around the mountains and the volcano. Under the hum of the last quarter moon and the sensual echoes of November’s lunar phases, I’ve been sitting with the energy shifts that seem to take up so much space in our very beings. This season feels like an invitation to graduate—a reckoning with control, expectations, and the invisible barriers we’ve built in our lives. My brain has been unwinding ‘no sense of urgency’. My body… accepting the slower, more intentional pace. My Spirit tells me: ‘It’s time to question the rhythms we’ve unconsciously adopted and to realign with what feels nourishing to the body, mind, and spirit.’
Pluto in Aquarius: A New Wave of Creative Healing
Pluto’s shift into Aquarius marks the beginning of an entirely new paradigm. Aquarius, the sign of innovation, community, and forward-thinking, brings a wave of creative healing energy that challenges outdated systems and invites us to explore how we show up in the collective. There’s a subtle but powerful current urging us to rethink the way we heal—not just ourselves but the world around us.
This energy asks: How can we embrace change without clinging to control? Pluto’s transformative power paired with Aquarius’ rebellious spirit offers liberation from the structures that limit our personal and communal evolution.
Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius: A Time to Reflect
With Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius until December 15th, the universe presents us with an opportunity to pause and reflect. Mercury, the messenger god of communication and travel, typically thrives on quick exchanges and forward motion. But retrogrades remind us that not all progress happens outwardly; some of the most profound transformations come from going within.
This retrograde carries a fiery Sagittarian energy—bold, philosophical, and truth-seeking. It challenges us to rethink how we communicate, how we process information, and how we receive the "language of God" through people and experiences. In this season, expectations are the first things to be questioned. Where have we attached ourselves too tightly to outcomes? How do our emotional patterns reveal themselves in the way we control or resist the flow of life?
Sagittarius invites us to let go of blame, projection, and disruption. It asks us to sit with the discomfort of not knowing, to trust the unfolding process, and to view life’s challenges as divine messages.
Themes to Embrace During This Time
Let Go of Control
Control is often an illusion, rooted in fear or a need for certainty. During this time, notice where you’ve been trying to force outcomes. Instead, embrace the unknown with curiosity. What can you release to invite more flow into your life?Reframe Expectations
Expectations can be a double-edged sword. They give us direction but can also set us up for unnecessary disappointment. Use this time to ask: What expectations are holding me hostage? Which ones no longer serve me?Mindful Communication
Mercury retrograde highlights the way we give and receive information. Observe your tone, delivery, and the unspoken energy in your words. Are you speaking from a place of alignment or from a wound?Live Your Sensual Truth
November’s lunar energy has been deeply sensual, reminding us to come back to the body and trust its wisdom. This is a time to ask: What feels good to me? How can I nourish my natural rhythms and honor what my body needs?Shadow Work Around Control
Pluto’s influence is never without its shadow work. Where are control programs running unconsciously in your life? These moments of revelation are uncomfortable but powerful. They show us where true freedom lies.
Tangible Tools for Integration
Daily Journaling Prompt: Write down one expectation you’re willing to release today. Reflect on how this creates space for something new.
Mercury-Inspired Meditation: Sit in silence for 10 minutes and imagine Mercury delivering a message to you. What comes through in your stillness?
Grounding Practice with Nature: Take a barefoot walk or sit under a tree to connect with Earth’s stabilizing energy. Reflect on what Aquarius’ forward-thinking energy wants you to create or innovate.
Sensual Embodiment Exercise: Practice slow, mindful movement—whether it’s dance, yoga, or simple stretching. Notice what feels good in your body and follow that pleasure.
Release Ritual: Write down what you’re ready to let go of (expectations, control, attachments) and burn it safely, thanking the universe for the space it will create.
Lessons from November’s Cosmic Dance
The lesson of Scorpio season was to channel emotions into purpose, turning pain into power. Taurus energy reminded us to be present, savor life, and trust that good things come when we allow them.
This month has been a teacher, showing us the beauty of surrender and the gift of clarity. In my own life, I’ve embraced deep rest, releasing the urge to push and striving instead to nourish what feels natural and true. Trusting that whatever crossed my path—whether easy or challenging—was medicine meant for me.
A Gentle Reminder
"As above, so below" teaches us that the movements of the heavens are reflected in our inner lives. The cosmos whisper lessons of release, rest, and realignment. If we tune in, these whispers become guiding lights, showing us the way back to ourselves.
Take a moment to honor where you are in this journey. Let the wisdom of November flow through you, and trust that the changes you’re experiencing are preparing you for the next chapter.