I had the privilege of being a guest on The Joy of Union podcast with psychic medium Joy Regina Melchizedek and local radio host and spiritual/paranormal truth-seeker TJ Ryan earlier this month! It's always wonderful to be able to provide the general public with clarity as to what quality astrology is all about, and to talk about my own spiritual awakenings and healing experiences in the hopes of inspiring those who are on similar life paths. I also had the opportunity to do an event chart and year-ahead overview for the show itself, which proved to be fascinating and insightful (not to mention getting to enjoy lively conversation and some good laughs along the way!)!

To listen to the podcast, please click the link below:

http://joyofunion.podbean.com/e/jen-howell-astrologer/#.VG9vjTU6WF0.facebook

The astro-atmosphere is on the verge of shifting from the deep and heavy energies of Scorpio to the fun-loving and expansive vibe of Sagittarius that will come by way of this weekend's New Moon in Sagittarius. After the emotional intensity and potentially painful clearing experiences that so many have been moving through post-eclipses, the astrological changes that are upon us will be a fantastic breath of fresh air! We were blessed with early relief from the prominent Scorpionic vibe after the ingress of Venus into Sagittarius last Sunday, with her travels in this sign bringing lots of cheer, charisma, and plenty of good belly laughs to go around! 

Right behind Venus are the sun and moon, which join up for the new moon on Saturday at 7:32 AM EST. 
November's new moon is a wonderful opportunity to delve deeply into exploration of our desires for the future and to put a good amount of vivid daydreaming into what those dreams may feel and look like. The sun and moon square Neptune in Pisces after having resumed its forward motion, bringing the possibility of creative visions and artistic inspiration, as well as a heightened ability to access intuition. With Jupiter - the ruling planet of Sagittarius - in Leo, we can pour our hearts into what we wish to create with playfulness and joy. This week's Venus-Neptune square is heightening the desire to get lost in pleasures, social interactions, and to immerse ourselves in things of beauty. 

Mercury, the planet of the mind, communications, and perceptions, is squaring Jupiter as it moves through its final phase in Scorpio. We really are all likely to be thinking big now and will have a strong desire to communicate in general. This aspect is sextiled by steadfast and determined Mars in Capricorn, further igniting the desire to think, speak, and dream big; "Go big or go home" is a classic Sagittarian motto, and these aspects exaggerate that tendency even more! With Mercury still in Scorpio, there's a need to allow hidden elements and truths to surface as we move into creating that which our hearts desire.

Thankfully, this aspect has natural receptivity with Saturn, which is conjunct the new moon and Mercury-Jupiter. Saturn is wrapping up his work of "getting real" in matters of relationship, money, and shared resources in the end degrees of Scorpio and continuing to bless us with the ability to set healthy boundaries for ourselves in these areas. With the sun and moon moving forward in Sagittarius, these Saturnian lessons will ultimately aid us in setting necessary parameters within ourselves and in dealing with others to help propel us forward on in achieving our goals in a much more empowered way! 

Saturn also injects a very healthy dose of realism into this new moon. While the ringed planet sometimes gets a bad wrap for being a restrictive or malefic astrological force, the wisdom and lessons that Saturn brings are what helps us manifest our dreams into physical reality. It is often said that one's greatest weaknesses are their strengths in overdrive; Sagittarius has a natural gift for rising to a place of broad perspectives of life and existence and gives birth to grandiose goals, but has a tendency to neglect the more mundane and equally important aspects of life (i.e. getting so caught up in abstract thoughts that you forget to pay the electric bill). The added prominence of Neptunian energies are bringing an even greater tendency to identify with illusions, and possibly with a victim/martyr mindset, or feeling that some dreams may be impossible or insurmountable. Saturn's involvement here may bring feelings of pessimism or doubt for some, but ultimately serves to ground and assist us with the planning and long-term commitment needed to bring goals to fruition. 

To make the most out of this new moon - and to set intentions in moving forward - consider:

• What are my dreams and visions for the future? What would bring me a greater sense of joy, freedom, and expansion in life? 
• Am I willing to allow myself time to explore these desires further through visualization (creating a vision board is perfect now!), creative play, journaling/creative writing, music, or dance?
• Am I willing to release any feelings of victimhood or martyrdom to move into a greater sense of faith in the coming weeks? Am I willing to cultivate more trust in the process of life and take practical steps to improve my life circumstances now?
• Am I willing to delve deeply into my intuition to allow insights and inspiration to come forward?
• What facts and circumstances do I need to consider before taking action?

• What new routines, structures, or personal boundaries must be put in place to achieve my goals? Is there concrete, daily action I can take to begin building that which I wish to create? (if you make that vision board, be sure to balance it with a pragmatic "to do" list to keep at least one foot in reality!)

To see where you are being called to dream up a plan for future successes that match your greatest ambitions (and ground it in with logical, step-by-step planning and consistent action!), find the house in your birth chart that contains 0 degrees of Sagittarius. By aiming for the stars and keeping your feet rooted in Mother Earth, you can sow powerful seeds for future growth now!
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**Want to know more about how to make the most of how the astro-atmosphere is impacting you? I am available for astrological consultations in person, or via Skype or phone. Please see "Rates, Specials, and Contact" tab for information. **

Has your mind been in high gear with an abundance of anxiousness to go around? If so, you've been tuned in to the Mercury sextile Pluto aspect that's been active since yesterday. Add this deep, probing, and potentially obsessive intellectually-charged energy to the current Moon in Virgo - a sign co-ruled by Mercury that is also very preoccupied with every little detail - and we have an environment of intense mental restlessness, indeed!

Mercury sextile Pluto is a wonderful aspect for delving deeply into study or getting to the heart of the matter in most any situation (although with Neptune just beginning to move forward again, the feeling of "mental fog" is still very much in place for many!). Mercury-Pluto thrives on deep conversation, on uncovering secrets and delivering messages with a sense of authority and power.

One potential downside of this aspect is that our minds switch into high gear with lots of nervous energy to boot, and it can be a genuine challenge to switch the mental tapes to "off"! I've heard numerous people say they've had trouble sleeping, and I have been experiencing this restlessness as well. Lavender essential oils in a bath or on the skin, chamomile tea, or using Energy Medicine techniques are a few of the things that can be be helpful in quieting the mind during times like these. If you're feeling mentally fatigued, hang in there; the moon moves into balance-loving Libra at 2:30 PM EST, and the Mercury-Pluto influence will begin to separate later this evening.

The lighter news is that Venus has moved out of Scorpio and into the outgoing and gregarious fire sign Sagittarius, where she will remain until December 10. The Goddess of Love and Harmony is the first of three planets to move into Sagittarius this week, which will make for a more cheerful and optimistic astro-atmosphere (let's all breathe a collective sigh of relief!). Venus in Sagittarius bodes well for enjoying more fun and spontaneity in relationships, and brings a more joyful vibe for socializing and enjoying the pleasures of life. The desire to splurge on food treats and being more liberal with finances will likely be high for many of us, and we might find ourselves being more open, honest, and humorous, too.

There will also be the desire to transcend the ordinary and seek divine beauty as Venus moves closer into a square with Neptune in Pisces this week (exact Thursday evening EST). Sagittarius and Pisces are two signs that have mutual receptivity in seeking higher truths/knowledge, artistic refinement and indulgence in pleasures of every kind, but aren't renown for their attention to details. The Libran moon will also sextile this Venus-Neptune square, making the desire to get lost in pleasures even greater. Be sure to think twice before making hasty decisions, and be mindful of engaging in substance abuse or other addictive behaviors. We have an ally in Saturn here, the pragmatic master teacher of the Zodiac, as he conjuncts Venus and blesses us with the gift of realism and forethought to keep us in check. 

The annual Sun conjunct Saturn aspect is also exact early this week, helping ground our goals into reality. This is the beginning of a one-year cycle of merging our inner purpose with hard work and action in the real world. It's prime time for contemplating what you want for your future and what kind of commitments you're willing to make to achieve your objectives. Saturn demands nothing less than the best from us; some key words and phrases for Saturn include responsibility, dedication, conscientious action, maturity, and consistency. Are you willing to dedicate yourself to a realistic course of action to manifest your dreams into the physical world? This is the time to make a plan and do all that you can to make it a reality! This weekend's bold and expansive New Moon in Sagittarius will give us a wonderful opportunity to capitalize on the energies of this powerful new cycle.

Are you a local U.P. resident? I would love for you to join me at my New Moon Manifestation Gathering this Saturday in Marquette! Please see "Upcoming Events" tab for details.

There is an abundance of water energy this week with the many planets currently occupying the depths of Scorpio and the slowdown of Neptune as it prepares to station direct in Pisces this weekend. Though Neptune will continue to be in Pisces through 2026, its current change of motion is significant. When planets station - or appear to stand still in the sky from our earth-based perspective - we also feel a standstill in the areas of life those planets represent within ourselves. These periods bring those planetary issues to the forefront of our mind and emotions until the planet moves forward again, and can often coincide with a feeling of being "stuck". As Neptune moves forward, we will be able to move forward on our dreams, artistic endeavors, or all things mediumistic with greater clarity and ease. Neptune stations direct this Sunday, November 16. 

With the watery giant Neptune heading towards a standstill and an abundance of personal planets in Scorpio, our emotions are likely to be on high, and there will be no shortage of potentially intense and cathartic emotional experiences (especially for sensitive types). Tears of love, compassion, or sadness will flow for many of us, poured forth as deep sensitivity to beauty and suffering becomes more pervasive in the collective atmosphere. For some, feelings of being adrift or lost in life will be prevalent, as will feelings of helplessness/hopelessness, self-pity, or identification with victim/martyr archetypes. Of course, not everyone will experience feelings quite this dramatic, since much depends on where our personal planets lie within the horoscope. Those with natal planets in Pisces from 0-11 degrees (or those with personal planets/points at 29 degrees Aquarius), or any personal planets/points in the mutable signs of Sagittarius, Virgo, or Gemini, will be especially tuned in to these energies now. And if you're like me, with Neptune playing any key role in your birth chart (yours truly has Neptune conjunct a Sagittarian sun at 0.0 degrees!), you'll be feeling the effects prior to this station direct dramatically, too. 

Some tips for navigating your way through the tumultuous Neptunian waves of emotion:

• Allow yourself to *feel* the feelings surfacing within you; acceptance clears the way for release of emotions without judgement.
• Set aside some quiet time to be present with your feelings; cry, meditate, listen to music, schedule a healing energy session, or anything else that soothes the soul.
• Grounding to reconnect with the physical body is important after any emotional release, and the more intense and deeply cleansing the release, the more grounding you may need! Massage your feet, schedule a massage, take a walk in nature, do yoga/other physical exercise.
• Dancing or drumming are wonderful ways to make use of strong Neptunian/Piscean creative energies in ways that can be emotionally cathartic and keep you in touch with your body at the same time.
• Know that any intense feelings will begin to pass as Neptune moves direct on November 16.

Are you feeling the strong water energies now? If so, how are you moving through these changing energies? I've had a good long cry and will ground and continue my personal healing with Energy Medicine, a LaHo-Chi session/meditation, and a gentle workout later today.

When I first began studying astrology, I had a sense that the information contained in the birth chart - a map of the sky at the time of one's birth - would contain much more relevant information than the pop astrologers' perpetuation of "Sun Sign Astrology": a personality description and the often false prediction of daily events based on the placement of the sun at the time of birth alone. I had heard the stereotypes of Sagittarius Sun for years, with only a few bits of the description fitting my personality accurately, and read embarrassing accounts of supposed financial windfalls and lucky lotto numbers in newspaper columns, cringing at the absurdity of these "predictions" just as much as the next person. As I began to learn the language of astrology and explore the landscape of my own birth chart, I discovered that the accuracy and wealth of information available to us in the birth chart is absolutely unparalleled by any other means, and in the quickest way possible. 

Being familiar with your birth chart by way of a competent astrologer or intense self-directed study means having a very precise and honest description of the layout of your life from an objective and detached perspective. In short, the birth chart illustrates core life issues and purpose, what challenges exist within the self that are often reflected back in challenging external circumstances, and the ways in which one can balance these issues for great joy and success in life.

Some of the most valuable information my clients say they have gained from their astrology readings are:

• Confirmation of core life purpose and a clearer sense of career direction
• Innate gifts and talents
• What is needed to maintain a sense of emotional nurturance and inner peace
• Needs in 1-1 relationships of every kind
• Blocks or challenges standing in the way of experiencing joy, relationship harmony, healing, and career success
• Ways in which inner and outer blocks and challenges can be released and healed
• The direction of soul growth and evolution in this lifetime
• The sense of peace and understanding that comes from knowing how the planets are impacting their lives right now, and ways they can best capitalize on these cyclic processes

By getting to know our own birth charts, we put ourselves in a position of power through gaining self-awareness, seeing the patterns that may have unconsciously shaped our lives and choices in the past, and the ways in which we can activate our own deep empowerment to create the lives which we desire. 

I would be honored to assist you in your soul's journey by way of an astrology consultation! Please see "Specials, Rates, and Contact" for more information. Gifts certificates are also available. 

Years ago as a high school student, I began experiencing intense bouts of social anxiety and major depression. I can vividly recall anxiety episodes that caused knots in my stomach so severe that I couldn't sleep at night for weeks at a time, along with heart palpitations and panic attacks that were the catalysts for many a trip to the doctor's office. My family arranged for me to see psychologists and psychiatrists, at which time I began a years'-long exploration of a variety of anti-depression and anxiety medications. Much to my disappointment, these medications left me feeling vague and indifferent about life at best, and at worst caused hallucinations and a long list of unpleasant physical symptoms. I can distinctly recall being struck by the realization that it made no sense that something that was supposed to heal me was causing so many side effects, side effects that were interfering with my daily life and goals just as intensely as the emotional and psychological issues I set out to resolve in the first place.

By the end of high school in 2003, I was determined to find something that would heal my depression and anxiety issues for good. I had attempted a few herbal supplements that made very little difference, and settled on taking medication that had the least side effects while seeking a permanent solution. Synchronistically, I found myself in a summer college course that was taught by a Reiki master. I was fortunate enough to receive one brief, yet deeply relaxing and centering experience with energetic healing during an in-class gifted session. I was so impacted by the peace I felt immersed in during that session that I vowed to give regular healing energy sessions a try for my emotional struggles. Little did I know that by receiving healing energy regularly, not only would it lead to the permanent healing of my depression and anxiety, but that it would develop into my living a wholly transformed and spritually-aligned life from the inside out.

I am passionate about sharing the gift of healing with others because of the profound impact it has had on my own healing and soul growth. By receiving energetic healing regularly, I was able to connect with a deep sense of Divine Love, experience the feelings of peace and relaxation my depleted mind and body longed for, and the powerful awakening of my intuitive abilities soon followed. Further more, I was able to access the root issues at the core of choices and behavior/thought patterns that perpetuated my suffering, and have been able to shift those patterns to ways of thinking and being that have aided in my growth. I came to feel a strong sense of empowerment over time, and by working with gifted healers, I became liberated to live out my true gifts and talents with greater confidence and ease.

I feel blessed to be able to provide this subtle yet powerful means of healing with others. Energetic healing can benefit anyone of any age (and even pets!), and is the most gentle means available by which we can connect to Divine Love and align with a greater sense of balance in our lives. 

Some of the benefits of receiving an energetic healing session may include*:

• Experiencing deep relaxation and peace
• Enjoying deeper, more restful sleep at night 
• Relief from feelings of anxiety, grief, and depression
• Relief of physical symptoms of pain and discomfort and the possibility of quicker healing of physical injuries
• Obtaining clarity on key life issues

• Feeling a tangible connection to unconditional Divine Love and support
• Experiencing profound shifts in self-confidence and self-awareness
  
• An awakening of intuitive abilities

It is my joy and honor to share healing energies with those in the Marquette community and anywhere else via distance energy sessions, and am available for in-person sessions at my healing space in beautiful downtown Marquette. Distance sessions are done via phone or Skype, and gifts certificates are also available! For more information about the forms of healing modalities I offer and to read testimonials, please see "Energetic Healing" tabs above. Love, light, and blessings to you!

Tomorrow's Full Moon in Taurus is continuing to bring forward themes of depth, partnership, and reassessment of needs and values that have been so prevalent since mid-September, as well as issues surrounding self-care and nurturance. 

The sun, nearing the halfway point in its journey through the intense and probing sign of Scorpio, has had Venus as its travel companion, and the two have been getting down to business in the area of intimate relationships and partnerships of all kinds. The illuminations that have been occurring in these areas have begun to set many people free from limiting choice patterns and self-perceptions, and guiding us to profound new levels of understanding. If you've found yourself facing dark elements of yourself or your past since the Partial Solar Eclipse in Scorpio, this full moon signals an ending of the most immediate intense energies that have been at work post-eclipses (eclipse energies and themes continue to work in our lives for up to six months afterwards, but the most tumultuous or painful parts are likely to come to an end soon).

Venus is making her way closer to Saturn as he wraps up his time in Scorpio. When the Goddess of Love joins the strict master teacher of the zodiac, expect lessons in love or money (especially shared resources), accountability, and renewed commitments or endings in the way of relationships. Romance takes on a serious psychological tone and brings with it an intense need to interact deeply and transcend the self through connecting with others.

When the moon reaches the culmination of her monthly cycle in Taurus, the primary needs will center on self-love and care by way of the body and physical security. With our emotional attention being drawn to all things sensual, it's the perfect time to indulge in a massage, a great meal, or extra bonding time with a partner. It's also a time where any of our physical needs, as well as our most basic needs for self-love, care, and security, will be highlighted. Anything that nourishes the senses will foster feelings of contentment and stability now!

Some key questions for contemplation might be:

• Is my current lifestyle honoring my body's needs? Would I benefit from adjustments in the way of diet, exercise, and sleep? Is my body asking for more gentleness and nurturance, and if so, how can I integrate more of this into my life?
• Do I look after my own needs first in a relationship? If not, how can I honor my needs while in relationship to bring forward more balance?
• Am I in relationships that have reached their finality? Can I call on the courage to release them in order to align my life more with my needs and desires?
• Do I use my resources (such as time and money) wisely? How can I draw in more abundance or set reasonable parameters to ensure greater stability in my life?

The Full Moon in Taurus occurs at 5:23 PM EST. To find out more about how these energies are impacting you directly, find the house in your birth chart that contains 14 degrees of Taurus. Issues in this area, and in the house directly across from it, will be highlighted. 

**Want to know more about how the current astrological climate is impacting you and how to capitalize on these cycles? I would love to meet with you! Please see "Rates, Specials, and Contact" for more information.**