On the evening of Thursday, 20 November, we meet our next New Moon. It arrives at exactly 5:47pm AEDT, and falls in the Water sign of Scorpio. If you're someone who follows astrology, it would be hard to miss that there are currently five planets in retrograde. While these backspinning planets continue to throw challenges our way, the Scorpio New Moon will be a chance to take a deep breath and slow down. No hard aspects, just a moment to pause, recalibrate and return to the rest of the year more self-aware. Here's what you need to know.

Here’s what you can expect from November’s New Moon in Scorpio

November’s New Moon lands like a soft exhale—perfectly timed, exquisitely necessary. After weeks defined by Supermoons, retrogrades and the kind of cosmic static that frays the edges, this New Moon arrives as a purifying reset. A clearing. A chance to turn a new page.

In astrology, New Moons always signal a fresh start. They are the energetic dip that closes one Moon Cycle and opens another. The Moon of course is the ruler of our inner and emotional selves. Thus the New Moon is an emotional cleanse; a pause and chance to come down from any energetic intensity. It's also a particularly potent time to engage in manifestations. Here is where you should lay the groundwork so your future self may reap the rewards.

This New Moon in particular will feel different from others; more deliberate, more drenched in feeling as it falls in Scorpio. Scorpio influences are largely interpreted as villain energy, but at its core, Scorpio is still a Water sign. Underneath a sometimes stoic surface, there is a deep pool of sensitivity, intuition and passion for truth. The New Moon invites us into that pool, rinsing away whatever debris October left behind. A fresh-water baptism for the psyche.

At this time, the Moon also meets the Sun, Mercury and Venus, which are all in Scorpio too. It's a potentially unbalancing and volatile mix, but in this instance there are no hard aspects. No squares; just a set of soothing trines as the Moon softly angles lady-luck Jupiter, the great teacher Saturn and dreamy Neptune. It saturates this moment with an almost luxurious emotional fluidity that guides us through the changes happening around us. Now is not the time to resist, but just to let the tides carry you and understand that you will land where you need to be.

Undeniably, the Water is the ruling element in this celestial moment – Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune are sitting in Water signs too – and this releases a much needed swell of compassion and closeness pulling us inward; making us crave intimacy. Real intimacy, the kind that feels like being seen rather than scanned. After all, Scorpio doesn’t do casual, and under this Moon, neither will we. Not necessarily in a carnal fashion, but in a way that makes us value true friendship and connection that goes beyond shallow words. Check in with your friends, colleagues and family, ask questions, make plans, celebrate their wins. Because relationships need to be nurtured in order to flourish

Are there any pitfalls to watch out for during the Scorpio New Moon?

The beauty of this New Moon is that is truly has no sharp edges. Undeniably, when the Moon settles into Water signs, it can make us feel a touch weepy and perhaps more delicate than normal. But, really this New Moon is a lifeline in storm, a moment of calm amongst the chaos, so enjoy it.

Now is the time to enjoy a minute alone, dive into a new book, watch a comfort show and allow yourself the space you need to reset. Think earnestly about what you want from the rest of the year, and take a few moments to sit with those intentions. Light the candle, write your wishes down if that helps them become clearer and allow this moment to soften you. Let Scorpio show you what renewal can feel like when it’s done with intention. Think of it as planting seeds in midnight soil and trusting they’ll find the light in their own time.

Image: Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash