MOTHER

The world is your oyster, Aries. On November 22, the Sun jets into Sagittarius and your ninth house of worldly adventure. Your wanderlust levels are going to be off the charts. It also marks the year’s only new Moon in Sagittarius, so this may not be a fleeting feeling for you. Perhaps it’s time to figure out how to build more travel into your life. Family vacations, sure, but how about getaways just for you? We know one mom who just had her first weekend away from her kids (her oldest is six and her youngest is four). Before her trip, her feelings vacillated from excitement to sheer terror at the idea of leaving her daughters for a night. After the trip, she was wondering when her next would be! No matter how much we love our kids and miss them when we’re apart, we actually benefit from that time, as this mom describes in a HuffPo post, “When It’s Mom’s Time to Leave.” Like the mom in the post, many will agree the best part of a trip is the flight. Well, maybe not really the BEST part of the trip, but it certainly gets it off to a good start. Boarding with nothing but a handbag and a magazine—and having a free hand for coffee! Sublime. Flight time without having to entertain (or wrangle) kids. Even more sublime. If you’ve not experienced it, we highly recommend it! If you need some help getting started, here’s a post from Babble on how to travel without kids. Don’t overthink it, though, Aries. The point is to get away and get lost in yourself. Book a trip to see a friend you’ve not seen in years, maybe before you had your children. Chances are good that you’ll pick up right where you left off. If jet-setting isn’t in your budget, how about an overnight with a good friend? Find a last-minute hotel deal and throw a few things into a bag. Explore a new city, or one that you know, but in a new way—don’t make plans. Just go with the flow. Wander into stores you wouldn’t bother taking the kids to and find new restaurants (and bars) along the way. Forget the over-planned itineraries, your life is scheduled enough. For those women who aren’t ready to part for even a night, this is also a good time to plan a family vacation. Make a list of places you want to go in 2015 and get researching. The ninth house encourages us to study and learn, and the Sun stays here until December 21. If you’re expecting, this is the perfect time to be planning a babymoon. One caution, a tense square to dreamy Neptune is a reminder to not get carried away by fantasy. So while you may have your heart set on Paris, your wallet may not be ready for that. Be practical in your planning and you’re more likely to actually go. Paris can wait!

Trust your instincts, Taurus. The year’s only new Moon in Sagittarius energizes your eighth house of joint ventures and intimacy on November 22. As does the entrance of the Sun on that day, which kicks off its annual month-long visit. What your gut is telling you is probably spot-on. This inner compass will help you find solutions to any puzzle at work, home, or with your family. If you truly listen, that is. Ellie Cannon, mother, author, and proponent of trusting your instincts, says: “Parenting is never going to be easy because it’s a crazy art form that we’re all muddling our way through.” (You can read more about what she says on The Telegraph.) We love the message, because we find it to be true. There isn’t a parent among us who hasn’t received definitive advice from family, friends, coworkers, complete strangers, on a situation they really know nothing about. Partly this is because people genuinely want to help. Or brag. Here’s a helpful post on how to filter the advice. If you're expecting, this can be a particularly annoying thing to deal with. No matter if it’s your first, second, third, etc., someone will have something to say about it. You may nod your head in agreement at this mom’s ideas for what not to say. The eighth house also rules real estate and shared property. If you’re in the market for a new home, this is a great time to trust your instincts. It’s also an ideal time to meet with a financial planner or accountant or set up a college fund—pretty much anything financial with a forward-looking scope. If you work outside the home, your intuition can be played in the hiring process, if you’re at all responsible for that or have a say in it. Do your due diligence (references, etc.) but your own radar will guide you now. One caution: a tense square to hazy Neptune means things aren’t necessarily as they seem. That is why it’s important to do your homework or your research before making a decision. It most likely will confirm your intuition, but it’s a worth exercise given the influence of Neptune now. While the Sun stays in Sagittarius until December 21, your love life comes into focus, or back into focus if things have been lackluster for you. The eighth house helps us reclaim our sexiness. How you use your heightened intuition in the bedroom is up to you!

Hello, dynamic duo! As the zodiac’s twin, you already feel like a twosome, but the truth is that two heads really are better than one. November 22’s annual new Moon in your opposite sign, Sagittarius, could attract a partner who sees things from an entirely different point of view. This could be at work, in your love life, a business endeavor, etc. Fortunately the confidence-boosting Sun also heads into Sagittarius (until December 21), so if you can get past the need to defend yourself, the synergy could be unstoppable. Let the power-coupling begin! For pregnant women, this could be aligning with a doula or a midwife after an exhausting search. Or it could be the cementing of your partner’s role in your pregnancy and upcoming delivery. If you want to get downright academic about it, check out this woman’s doctorate theses on the subject. We also love this book Becoming a Father because it doesn’t pander to stereotypes of fathers but rather has useful information (like how to change a diaper)! Place it on your partner’s nightstand with a note of encouragement. The seventh house reminds us that we don’t need to do it all. We don’t need to be Superwoman. Share whatever is before you and the journey won’t be arduous. If you need help, delegate. Or ask! Have you ever thought that maybe someone really does want to help? This post from Mom.me puts it nicely. And be sure to check out this great blog post, "5 Unexpected Ways To Help A New Mom" for ideas. One thing to watch this week: the Sun’s tense square to boundary-blurring Neptune is a reminder to not get caught up forcing roles. So while you may be eager to get a partnership going, allow it to happen naturally. The same goes for your relationships with your kids. You can guide them in the direction you feel is best, but allow them to stumble and fall so they may learn from their own mistakes. This is a great time to get a little one-on-one time with each of your kids, too. An afternoon out will give you the opportunity to impart some of your wisdom, but also to listen to what’s been going on in their lives beyond the usual after-school run-down. They may let you in on something that you didn’t know about–something you can work through together. (See our post on Happy Trees and Worry Trees if you need a strategy to work through something with them.) Or you could have something to celebrate! But you won’t know till you take the time to dig deep and work on those power duos.

Tap your inner health crusader, Cancer. The Sun and the year’s only Sagittarius new Moon settle into your sixth house of well-being on November 22. This is no one-day-only event, though: the Sun stays until December 21. And the new Moon brings growth opportunities for the coming six months. So consider this a fresh start if you’ve faltered or not found motivation to get going. Bonus: it’s not the new year yet, so you won’t look like one of the “resolution-ers” at the gym! Or one of these hilarious 1980s aerobicizers. Not that we think you should worry at all about what you look like at the gym. But we know some of you may be thinking about it. In fact, some women we know believed they were too out of shape after having their babies to go to the gym. Now, that sounds a little counterintuitive. But alas, that’s how they felt. So if you can’t picture yourself at a gym, look for ways to work out without having to go to one. Walking or running is an obvious choice. Now you just have to find the time to do it! This Washington Post piece highlights a mom who runs and how she finds the time. A lot of moms we know rely on exercise videos they can pop into their DVD player or do online. Of course, it’s not all about sweating to get to a place of wellness. It’s also about what we put into our bodies. Pull out the juicer if it’s been getting dusty. Juicing is a great way to load up on nutrients quickly (minus the cleanup time). When you’re feeling lazy, there are great bottled juices at the stores. We love Blueprint for green juices and some treats like their cashew-coffee-cinnamon-vanilla that you can even sip through a stainless steel straw. Take out the salad spinner—the kids love to help with that. Add nourishing foods to the family’s menu and it may help keep you committed to your renewed focus on wellness. One caveat: the Sun and foggy Neptune make a tense square this week. So be careful not to let this intensity translate into rigidity in your diet or exercise routines. Remember: moderation is generally best, and probably more realistic for busy moms. If you’re expecting, be careful not to overthink what you put into your body, get caught up in the many dos-and-don’t (in other words, don’t Google!). That side of fried zucchini sticks or slice of banana cream pie doesn’t mean you blew it or that you’re going to be a bad mom. Try not to over-police yourself and worry what anyone thinks. Remember, EVERYONE has an opinion on EVERYTHING—including what you put into your mouth. Crazy, right? We like this take on Mommyish. It’s all about balance. Do what feels right, Crab, and you’ll do fine.

Express yourself, Leo. As the creative genius of the zodiac, if you’re not being original, you’re not living up to your birthright! On November 22, the Sun blasts into Sagittarius, illuminating your fifth house of art, innovation, and FUN. It’s joined also on November 22 by the year’s only new moon in Sagittarius. Any kind of exciting, passionate, heart-pumping, artistic, inventive activity will fulfill and thrill you now. No matter how tired or drained you may be feeling, you’re going to feel awesome if you give in to doing something inspired. Dip in a toe. Soon you’ll find you want to jump in completely. Perhaps there’s a project you’ve been putting off, one that you know will fulfill you but you just can’t seem to get started on. Now is the time. Make the time, even if you have to schedule it along with everything else. Calendar item: make photo album, write screenplay, tile the kitchen. Whatever it is, give it priority status. Get the kids involved, too. While the Sun is in your fifth house, your own childlike spirit comes out in force. Your kids may get giddy seeing you transform from mommy taskmaster to brilliant artistic muse. Maybe all together you find a creative outlet like baking. How about a holiday time cookie swap? Here’s a tidy checklist for managing the details. And here’s a great list from The Kitchn blog with recipes for five classics and five new holiday cookies, in case you don’t already have a family favorite. Some simple art projects with the kids can also be an outlet for you. Bonus: some of the finished masterpieces can make wonderful holiday presents for extended family. Find out when and where there will be holiday parades near you. Encourage your kids to make their holiday wish lists (just no evil sticks)! And you could use it as an opportunity to teach them about about charity if you have them include ideas for a local toy drive. You might even be up for a trip to the mega-toy store with them, if the mission is to make a charity purchase. For expecting women, you might have your eye on a push present—let it be known! For all women, the fifth house rules fertility, so this is an excellent month to try, or to be extra careful. One note: spiritual Neptune makes a tense square with the Sun now. So watch that you don’t overdo anything—which is sort of a pitfall for a Leo, anyway. If you find yourself pulling too far ahead, just fall back a little. The best way to know that is if you’re loved ones are telling you to chill out or to slow down. They’re usually good about that. You have plenty of time to accomplish what you want—the Sun amps your play in Sagittarius until December 21.

There’s no place like home for the holidays, Virgo. The Sun decamps to your domestic fourth house from November 22 to December 21 making this truer than ever. And on November 22 there’s also an annual Sagittarius new Moon. Your abode, family, and close friends are your number-one priority for the next month—with a ripple effect that will last another six months. Start drafting a guest list. Need to get your place in shape to entertain? Wave your wand and call forth your inner interior decorator (or housekeeper). Get ready to wow them with a seasonal cocktail party, a cookie swap, an open house, whatever you’re in the mood for. If entertaining has been the last thing from your mind, especially if you’re in the throes of caring for a newborn, trust us: you need to nurture your baby AND your social butterfly wings. A party may be just what you need to lift your spirits, and everyone else’s. If time is short, don’t pressure yourself to get all Pinterest-y. Those types of parties are actually starting to freak us out a little. Since when did everything have to look perfect enough to be photographed for Martha Stewart Living? Keep it real. Everyone seems to have more fun when the surroundings are more relaxed. How about an ugly Christmas sweater party? Dibs on that sweater! Here are some great ideas for an open house party, which is the perfect option for busy parents who can’t RSVP because of nap time, dinner time, bed time, bath time, whatever! If your kids are old enough, get them involved with preparations. They can help decorate and do simple chores like cleaning and tidying (if you’re asking them to)! Expand your guest list to include new friends and old, and even relatives you don’t see often. They may not come, but will appreciate the invitation. Set up a photo booth in a corner for guests to take away instant memories. We love this FujiFilm camera. Or go all-in and make a DIY photo booth using software. Pregnant Virgos may not be in the mood to host a big gala now, but how about a few friends? Women are especially important to you now. How about creating your own women’s circle? Whatever you can do to make yourself and your family more comfortable at home is what you will want to focus on now. One small caution: elusive Neptune forms a tense square with the Sun. This means that your efforts could be shrouded in some intensity. Remember, your nesting is to make everyone comfortable. Your party is for everyone to have fun—including YOU! If you find yourself getting freaked out over the details, remind yourself to breathe. If you can space out around water, even better—a walk around a lake, a drive to the shore, or even typing in your favorite beach spot into this webcam finder. Ahhhhh.

Keep your antenna up while you’re out and about, Libra. On November 22, the Sun grooves into Sagittarius, your social third house of hometown happenings, until December 21. The year’s only new moon in Sagittarius happens to be on November 22, too. So don’t be too surprised if you stumble upon a cache of kindred spirits. Wander where your feet (and heart) take you. Ideally some unfamiliar turf, like that new coffee shop or yoga studio. Don’t have a sidekick? Eh, you don’t need one. You’re curious enough to take yourself. You don’t need reinforcements now. If you extend an invitation, fine. But don’t let it be a deal-breaker if they say no. Chances are good you’ll find new souls to hook up with. And you may even need to expand your roster as it is. We relate to this article on The Washington Post, “The 10 Types of Friends That Every Mom Needs” and think you may, too. For pregnant women, this is a time of piqued curiosity. You’ll find yourself asking questions, gathering information, and genuinely wanting to heard about pregnancy, growth stages, delivery, etc. Of course, you may have to filter out some Negative Nancys and bad or scary advice. But you’re a sieve for BS now as you seek information that will only serve your higher good. For moms of young children, seek new fun and educational toys and games for your kids. Even the free printables on Nick Jr., featuring a lot of their favorite shows, are great to tuck into a bag for your next trip to a restaurant or day trip out exploring. With your hometown vibes running hot, check out local activities for you and the family. Maybe there are things through school that you’re not taking advantage of. Some school PTAs have agreements with karate studios and gymnastics centers for classes at reduced rates. If you’re feeling inclined (and you might be now), join the PTA. Volunteer for one activity to see if it’s worth a lasting commitment. But don’t worry if that doesn’t appeal to you next month. One caution: soulful Neptune forms a tense square with the Sun now, which can strain your efforts. A good rule is: if you’re not finding pleasure in what you’re doing, move on. We sorta love this list from the Purpose Fairy on things you can give up to be happy. Keep your antenna up on these, too, and you’ll have a spectacular time hanging out under the Sag Sun.

Money mojo rising, Scorpio! Although the Sun leaves your sign and shifts into Sagittarius on November 22, it fires up your second house of income until December 21. Even better for long-range planning: November 22 marks the year’s only new Moon in Sagittarius. You don’t mind a little belt-tightening and sacrifice as long as you have a purpose, so start making your six-month plan for earning and saving more. You could start by paying yourself first, as this post on The Every Girl suggests. The Better Mom blog has a list of links to more than 100 articles on the topic of saving money—something here has to catch your attention. Even one small change can make a huge difference to your family’s bottom line. You’ve never been so ready to make these changes. Chances are, you’ll find you’re not suffering from the adjustments either. A strength of your sign is willpower, after all. Another bright spot while you’re in your second house of finance: new work possibilities could come out of left field. If you’ve been working under the radar, maybe as a contractor, something more permanent could materialize. It may even catch you off guard. Be sure to evaluate the pros and cons. Be sure the opportunity fits your idea of life/motherhood balance. If you’re expecting, you also will want to focus on income and your budget. Perhaps you’re mapping out what your financial picture looks like with your income, with a reduced income, or with no income. This is a great time to weigh all your options and make your plans. Schedules and routines are also highlighted now. If you’ve wanted to get more serious about planning your meals, you’re in the zone to do that now. You may even find yourself getting more creative with when and how to meal prep. It may mean cutting some excess from your schedule. We also happen to agree completely that we have somehow overcomplicated meal time and maybe we should toss all the recipes as this New York Times post suggests. One sidenote: imaginative Neptune creates a tense square this week with the Sun. It could cause you to overreact, find problems, or reduce to panic. When working on finances in particular, alarm bells can sound. Just remember: you have to start somewhere. And you’re working toward a six-month plan. If you can add some pampering into your life now, you’ll find it’ll help you to calm down quicker from these emotional spikes.

Happy cosmic New Year, Archer! The Sun blazes in your sign from November 22 to December 21, crowning you zodiac royalty. Don your party hat! After a month of social hibernation, you’re ready to come roaring back onto the scene. More exciting: November 22 is also the annual new Moon in Sagittarius, kicking off six months of hitting refresh and rebooting some of your grandest goals. We’re glad you rested because it’s going to be a big month. Create a wish list of things you’d like to manifest through Spring. You’re a sign well-known for having lots of irons in the fire. Now’s the prefect time to choose which to keep in there and which to pull out and cool off. Because it’s not always about how much you can do, but what you can do well. Trim, ignore or delegate the minutiae that’s just holding you back from spending more time on the bigger things—the stuff that’s going to pay off, even quite literally. Check out this smart piece from Harvard Business Review called “The Focused Leader” for some deep insight into how to take the reigns at work. We see the implications here for entrepreneurship, too—and, importantly, for life! But remember that while you're focused on your goal, it’s also about the journey, and we mean that in the most non-cliche way possible! Sagittarians are known to love adventure, so don’t miss an opportunity to relish the present moments as you’re working toward the future ones. Say “yes” to the playdates with your young children. Say “yes” to helping that neighbor who’s collecting money for a community snow blower. Say “yes” to whatever you might normally say no to, or even dread. Try a new tactic: go in open-minded. You’ve got an excess of can-do attitude now. However, we are not suggesting you do anything you don’t like for the sake of it. Just that you reframe some things to see if you can find joy in them. If you try it and don’t like it, you’ll know—not unlike your kids trying a new vegetable. Take a chance, though, and you may change your mind. The first house boosts our ability to speak up, so everyone will know if you don’t like something. Use your voice now to also ask for time for yourself. Not the restful time you needed last month, but maybe some alone time to tap into your creative mind. Pregnant women will also want to use their voice now to speak up about their needs, perhaps with doctors or other caregivers. Be sure to also carve me-time into your week and do something just for you, not baby-related. Hazy Neptune forms a tense square with the Sun now. It could intensify your feelings of losing your identity as a mom or a mom-to-be. Who was that woman before kids? What did she like to do? Indulge and you’ll find you haven’t lost yourself, she was just hanging out waiting to be invited to your party.

Time for a long winter’s nap, Capricorn. The Sun tucks into Sagittarius and your twelfth house of healing and rejuvenation from November 22 until December 21. It begins with this year’s only Sag new Moon, also on November 22, which will help you clarify your goals for the coming six months. Ambitious ideas may even come to you in your dreams. If you think taking a nap isn’t an option—you are a Capricorn, after all, the zodiac’s serious taskmaster—think again. The universe is willing you to slow down. Heed its warning, or risk burning yourself out. “But I can’t take a nap now,” you say! Sleep with the baby, as the wisdom goes. Seriously, take a nap with your baby. Their crazy sleep habits (and yours) don’t last forever. (And if you use a white noise sleep machine, watch the volume, as this New York Times article explains. If your kids are older, some old-fashioned couch time with books or the family-friendly Netflix queue could be your Rx. Bonus: jumping off the rails may give you a fresh perspective on what matters to you. You may find that it’s not racing against your day. This On Being blog post we read this week really spoke to us on curing the “disease” of being busy. Another reason to slow down now is that the Sun is square with hazy Neptune. It could drain your energy to epic-low levels. It’s more important than ever to budget your time and finish up tasks before starting new ones. And take on that which you can handle. Watch, too, that in your renewed focus on what matters you don’t become too possessive of your loved ones or overprotective of your children. They, too, need room to grow and stumble and learn, just as you do (as uncomfortable as it is). You may find yourself weepy for the past, as emotions may run high now in rest-mode. Turn it into something positive by creating a memory book. Spending time with grandparents or older aunts and uncles. Even vintage shop or browse some antique stores for baubles. Dig into some feng shui tactics and spruce your entryway with a vase of fresh red roses. Pregnant women may want to try swimming for exercise, something gentle and buoyant. If you can steal away to a spa, book it. And make sure you have the best pillow for your sleep habits so you can be fully restored when you emerge from your winter slumber next month.

It’s teamwork time, Aquarius. Rugged individualist? Check. But you also thrive in the company of forward-thinkers. And with the November 22 one-two punch of the Sun and then a new Moon landing in Sagittarius, your eleventh house of community and technology, it’s time to fly with a co-pilot or three. What you do now will have ripple effects lasting six months. You’re a super-connector and a networking machine now. Leave no stone unturned or door unknocked-on as you seek partners in all of your endeavors. Funny enough, you have a need for space now—but it’s not for the solo work that you are often used to. The space you seek is actually room to explore. To find new tribe members. To open yourself up to new ideas and different points of view. You’re a sponge for newness now. You want to get to know the other parents. Make new connections. Volunteer. Do whatever appeals that will get you out among the people you wish to align yourself with. If you don’t know where that is, bring them to you! Throw a big party at your place or send a Facebook invitation to everyone on a list and meet at a local watering hole. Do this for yourself, as you have a need to feel a sense of community now. Other opportunities with your kids will present themselves, like playdates and birthday parties. You probably got that covered. Focus on what you can do for yourself. How about getting together with friends without the kids? And when you can get out, keep connected in other ways. Some moms we know have “chat parties”—nothing more than a group text conversation on a topic. Others we know like online forums, in particular some of our pregnant friends who like the more anonymous nature of them. This is also a good time to teach your kids about technology, while the Sun is in your eleventh house. Have you set up guidelines for them? Rules for tech time? Kelly Ripa took her daughter’s tech away when she was found using them instead of studying. Of it, Ripa said, “I don’t think she likes me, but I don’t care. I’m like, ‘I’m not your friend, I’m your mom!’” Good food for thought! One thing to watch this week: elusive Neptune makes a tense square with the Sun. This could make you extra critical of yourself, your actions and easily second-guessing yourself. Be open to being bold, unique and sure and you’ll feel more confident and comfortable. And probably charm the pants off everyone you meet!

Up, up and away, Pisces. The radiant Sun gets promoted from Scorpio to Sagittarius on November 22, your tenth house of career ambition. Until December 21, your professional life gets a huge reboot. But that’s hardly the end of your ascent. The year’s only new Moon in Sagittarius joins the Sun also on November 22, setting you up for six months of sustained success. To achieve what you’re capable of, set six-month goals. Map out plans of action. Entrepreneurial Pisces might work on a strategy to launch your own business. And yet, if you’re knee-deep in the newborn zone and ambition sounds like just a word that begins with "A" that Sesame Street might set to a song with muppets, don’t sell yourself short! While you're busy developing the young minds of your children, you can be working on keeping yours from getting rusty. The tenth house isn’t just about the here-and-now, it’s about the future. And unless you plan to have children for life like a Duggar, you can be thinking ahead to where you want to be in however-many-years. Remember, there are short-term sacrifices for long-term gains, and that may be where you are right now. Sit in it, but don’t stew. While the universe is encouraging you to look to the sky, put on your shades and tilt your head up to the rays. Ask yourself: what do I want? Be honest. And then decide how you’ll get there. Take the first steps. And remember, work doesn’t always have to mean an office. It’s becoming less so for the new wave of entrepreneurs. For pregnant women, the future can be murkier. BUT you have the immediate future to concern yourself with. The tenth house is all about structure for you. Make your lists. Declutter your space, especially if you’re making room for baby. Get your affairs in order (e.g., maternity leave paperwork, benefits, etc.). And use this time to research options and methods if you’re considering something nontraditional with your delivery. With your children, this is a good time to introduce them to leadership concepts. Perhaps you can encourage them to take a lead role in a project they’re involved in at school or in an after-school organization. Ask them who their role models are and why. Talk about them. We kind of agree with this Newsday article that role models shouldn’t have to be athletes. We all want our kids to say that WE are their role models. Even if they don’t, remember our influence is profound and we ARE their primary guides, whether they say it out loud or not. Be true to yourself. Pursue your desires. They will see that, respect it and learn from it. One caution: this week, the Sun's tense square to dreamy Neptune is a reminder to not get carried away by fantasy, a Pisces pitfall. Discerning what is illusion and what’s reality may be especially challenging now. Don’t worry if you get caught up in it—there’s light at the end of the foggy tunnel.