However, the more I study the pattern for Nov. 23 the more I believe it is an essential part of the energies released in the Nov. 8 aspect. In short, you can consider this a follow-up that will re-emphasize certain things while also handling things not covered by the earlier pattern.

At first glance, the chart for that time appears to contain a Grand Sextile because there is another six-pointed star pattern. However, a closer look shows that while five of the points of the star do sextile each other, meaning there is an easy flow of energy among them, two of the points are too close to be considered a sextile, but I’ll discuss that more later.

The other thing that distinguishes this event from the last one is that you won’t be able to spot this pattern in the sky even with the aid of a telescope. That’s because last time the pattern was made with the sun, moon, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and the asteroid Chiron. This pattern still includes the last four but in place of the sun and moon are the north and south nodes of the moon.

The moon’s nodes is a mathematical calculation of when the moon crosses over the path of the sun. They are very significant in astrology. The north node represents what we are here to do and what we will strive to achieve. The south node represents that which we already know, whether from childhood or past lives, that forms the foundation that helps us to move forward. The south node is also known as the point of release because maybe not everything we learned was accurate or useful on our path. In that case, we must learn to let those parts go. For example, if we were raised in an over-protective home, the good part might be that we learned to think and plan before we acted. However, if we were over-protected to the point that we are afraid to take any chances, then we must let that fear or excessive caution go in order to fulfill our dreams.

Like the Grand Sextile, this solar eclipse is a wonderful opportunity for change, though there are some differences. Like last time, I would strongly suggest that you consider the meanings of the different part of the pattern listed below and then consider what is and isn’t working in your life. What can you tweak and what might have to change completely? And what can you pat yourself on the back for doing well and encourage yourself more?

While this pattern is not a Grand Sextile, there are two interlocked equilateral triangles ("Grand Trines" in astrology), which form a six-pointed star. Grand Trines are about an easy flow of energy. One trine is in water signs and the other one is in earth signs. Water signs represent emotional, intuitive and spiritual energy and earth signs can take that energy and make it practical. As you’ll see, these conditions are all about emotional, spiritual and/or intuitive growth and healing being made manifest in a practical way, hence why I suggest contemplating your life.

Like last time, Mars is still in Pisces and Saturn is still in Cancer. Mars is about how we take action and in Pisces it represents action rooted in our ideals and done for the greatest good. It’s the spiritual warrior, not the bully. Saturn is about boundaries and structures, especially those that enable us to create our dreams. In Cancer it’s about doing that in a balanced, nurturing way and bringing caring and compassion to the structures and organizations in our lives. However, this time instead of the third point being the sun in Scorpio, instead it’s the south node in Scorpio. Since the south node is the point of release, I believe that in this pattern it will assist us in releasing any traits related to the negative side of Scorpio, such as being obstinate, jealous, vengeful, suspicious, intolerant and overbearing so that instead we can function from the highest aspects of Scorpio – perceptive, aware, determined, passionate and above all, willing to transform for the better.

The second trine again involves Jupiter and Chiron as two of the three points. Jupiter in Virgo is about paying attention to the details of our belief systems and expanding opportunities to be of service. It’s also about optimism, enthusiasm and making wise choices to further our goals. Chiron is the asteroid most used by astrologers, and it represents the "wounded teacher" inside us, which means the part of us that has suffered but from that suffering we gained strength to help others. In Capricorn it’s about how to take our prior experiences and use them to create something new and better through patient, consistent action. The third point is the north node, which is about what we are striving to attain. Taurus is a very practical sign that turns ideas into reality. It can be slow to start but once it begins, nothing can stop its progress. In this case I believe it’s about taking all of the other information contained in the points of the star and making it manifest into every day life.

As I said before, sextiles are about an easy flow of energy and in this pattern the north node sextiles Mars which sextiles Chiron which sextiles the south node which sextiles Jupiter which sextiles Saturn. However, Saturn and the north node are too close to each other to be considered a sextile. Rather then being the 60 degrees apart a sextile would require, they’re 52 degrees apart, which is an odd number but something about it struck me as familiar so I went to my astrological reference books. Sure enough there is an aspect that isn’t used as often because mathematically it’s tricky to work with. Rather then an even 60, 90 or 120 degrees, this angle is 51 3/7 degrees, which is number you get when you divide a 360 circle (astrological charts are circles) by seven. This angle is called a septile and since it allows for a one degree orb or range (in other words, anything within one degree of it on either side qualifies) and it’s only off by 4/7 of a degree, I believe it’s very significant in this formation.

Septiles represent repercussions – but don’t panic, that’s not necessarily bad. All major decisions in life have repercussions and it’s not necessarily about a good or bad choice. For instance, if a person decides to stay in the family business rather then go to college and pursue a different career, there are repercussions. The person might have a very happy, fulfilled life, but there was still the road not traveled. The same would be true if he or she had gone to college and not continued in the family business. Neither choice is necessarily good or bad, but there are consequences. Or course, certain choices have negative repercussions. If we betray a spouse, for instance, we’re destroying our marriage, or damaging it at the very least.

Since Saturn represents lessons and structures and the north node is about what we’re here to attain, I believe this septile is about how to integrate the two energies. If we can do it properly, face our flaws with compassion and make corrections to heal what isn’t working, especially by taking planned, careful action in a practical way to make our ideals real, the repercussion is that we will be happier, more fulfilled, etc. If, however, we don’t learn our lessons, deceive ourselves, do the same old, same old things that drag us down and hold us back, then the repercussion is that the things that aren’t working well in our lives will really fall apart to force us to address them. We’re not getting off the hook either way – with all the power of this chart and the solar eclipse behind it, we can’t – but one way is easier and more joyful, the other more difficult and painful. You choose the version you want.

While all of this is going on the sun, moon, Mercury, Venus and Pluto are all in Sagittarius, which means that we will have the energy, passion and willpower to make the changes needed. Sagittarius is the explorer who also contemplates higher philosophy and belief systems. Pluto is the energy of transformation. The moon is how we feel, Mercury is how we think, Venus is about how we deal with relationships and things that bring us pleasure and the sun is our power and personality. With all of that in the optimistic sign of Sagittarius, we have a lot of good things going for us.

Now, don’t expect this changes to happen over night. Eclipse energy unfolds over a period of months and up to a year for a solar eclipse. However, sometime on or near the time of on Sunday, if possible, do some self-evaluation as I suggested and then pay attention in the days to come as to what you can do to make the changes you decided on. The energy of the eclipse pattern will assist you if you work with it – but you do have to put effort into it.

As with last time, ignore any bizarre rumors you hear about having to be in water or move in a certain pattern or whatever to access or seal or integrate or bring in the energies. That’s a lot of hooey. Pay attention and work on yourself and your life so that your actions match your ideals, even if it’s a slow, step-by-step process. The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step and so does your new life.