NOVEMBER 2021 ASTROLOGY UPDATE
by Roy Neal

We begin the month of November with the Moon on the wane in Virgo, the sign of service and productivity. Monday is Moon Day, November 1st and also the celebration of All Saint’s Day. As we aspire to the expression of our better nature we may be called to perform our civic duty and cast our vote on Election Day, November 2nd.

The Moon now is in the sign of Libra, a sign of fairness, equanimity and good relationships. May the desire for peace and harmony guide us to connect, communicate and co-create with others in a spirit of friendship and love.

A New Moon occurs in Scorpio on Thursday, November 4th. Venus enters Capricorn and Mercury enter Scorpio on Friday, November 5th. We now have the Sun, Mercury and Mars all in Scorpio. Scorpio is a sign of passion, purpose and resourcefulness. When we add the urge to achieve success from Venus in Capricorn we see that these are signs that favor practical matters such as business and finance. The emotional theme of goal motivated activity continues as the Moon transits Capricorn on Sunday evening, November 7th until it enters Aquarius on Tuesday evening, November 9th.

A First Quarter Phase Moon in Aquarius occurs on Veterans Day, November 11th, reminding us of the high price that many have paid for our freedom.

Time continues onward through November until the Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse in Taurus on Friday, November 19th. This Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse illuminates those desires and values that are essential for our personal and business security and success.

The Sun enters the fire sign of Sagittarius on Sunday evening, November 21st. This is a symbolic signal that the Phoenix has now emerged from the transformation process of Scorpio and now aspires to new experiences of freedom and opportunity. Mercury enters Sagittarius on Wednesday, November 24th and offers us a new perspective of our potential and possibilities. The culmination of these planetary influences can now result in an emotional experience of gratitude and blessing as we celebrate Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 25th with friends and family.

A focus on health and service arrives on Saturday, November 27th as we experience the Last Quarter Phase Moon in the sign of Virgo. Wellness activities are favored.

Roy Neal is a professional astrologer with a private practice in the Denver area. If you would like to know more about how this month impacts you personally, call Roy at 720-962-4633 and schedule an update of your individual birth chart.

GANESHA AS AN INDIAN THOTH-HERMES
by Bruce Johnson

Lord Ganesha or Ganesa is the benevolent elephant-headed Hindu deity known as the god of wisdom, universal order, prosperity and magic. He is the defender of humanity and the good, the remover of obstacles, and the lord of new beginnings. Thoth-Hermes is the Egyptian ibis-headed god also known as Thoth, Hermes Trismegistus, and Hermes. Thoth-Hermes is the Egyptian god of learning, the master of the Inner Mysteries, instructor of all arts and sciences, and revealer of the Divine Wisdom. He is credited by the Egyptian priest Mantheo with authoring over thirty six thousand books on diverse topics. Reviewing the lives of these two great gods shows their numerous parallels.

Both Thoth and Ganesha represent the personification of Mind and Higher Wisdom in their separate cultures. Thoth-Hermes and Ganesa are both very highly placed among the gods in the respective hierarchies of Egypt and India. Ganesa and Hermes are well-known patrons and protectors of writing, science, philosophy, medical arts, law, and libraries. Ganesa and Thoth-Hermes can be seen as divine dual solar gods with golden crowns that indicate their spiritual status and illuminated transcendent consciousness. Thoth-Hermes has a spouse named Maat, the goddess of justice, divine order, righteousness and truth. Ganesha is married to two wives named Buddhi or wisdom and Siddhi or achievement.

In addition to being the educators of humanity, Ganesha and Hermes were its loving guardians and spiritual leaders as well. Thoth identifies himself as the man-shepherd who inspires and guides mankind into the light of reality. Hermes and Ganesha are both powerful defenders of souls on the spiritual path. Thoth-Hermes and Ganesa mutually have the magical implements and knowledge to spiritually and physically protect the good. Spiritually, Ganesa patiently steers his charges into fulfilling their dharma, like Thoth in teaching humanity of God and divine truth, leads souls into finding enlightenment.

Thoth-Hermes and Ganesa were adept magicians who used occult knowledge and magical practices for the good of humanity. Ganesha and Thoth are both adepts of the hidden Inner Doctrine and are known esoterically as Serpents of Wisdom. The mystical power of the spoken word, invocation, and chanting was completely known to these two magician-gods. The subjects of creative magic, alchemy, numerology, sacred geometry, sound, color, Natural Laws, and magic-based healing methods held no secrets for them. Ganesha and Thoth can be seen on The Magician tarot card in various decks. Ganesa is The Magician in the Royal Thai tarot deck.

There are multiple correlations in the symbols connected with Thoth-Hermes and Ganesa. The number eight is central to both of these illustrious gods. The primary temple of Thoth was in Upper Egypt at Hermopolis, also called Khemennu. Khemennu was called the “city of the eight gods”. The figure eight symbolizes all dualities, opposite forces with a central point of balance, infinity, and “As Above- So Below”.

At Hermopolis, Hermes oversaw four pairs of gods. Four gods radiated active male powers, and four gods expressed passive female powers. These eight powers correspond to the eight Saktis of Ganesa. Ganesha is customarily known to express five Saktis, but he embodies three additional Saktis that humanity isn’t yet ready to apprehend. The Mudgala Purana mentions eight forms of Ganesa that presided over and were opposed to, the forces of the eight human demons. Eight is also the number of the Gnostic ogdoad.

Bruce Johnson has over 30 years of study in the fields of Ancient Wisdom and occultism. He has taught classes on a wide range of topics, from Atlantis to mediums to Zoroaster. He is also a spiritualist minister, with a background in spiritual astrology. He lives in Colorado with his wife and their cat.

THE SPIRITUALITY OF NATURE
by Bob Romero

When we are stressed, it feels good to go outside and a take a walk. It recharges us especially if it’s a hike in the mountains. There are some amazing sunsets that gives us the feeling that Spirit is with us. And now with the beautiful Autumn colors, we enjoy many breath-taking views. In addition to its beauty and the grounding of our well-being, there are many more aspects to the spirituality of nature.

Mother earth provides us with what we need to sustain life and to enrich it physically and spiritually. There are crystals that bring us healing energy, raise our vibration, and help us manifest what we want. Essential oils and herbs are also used for healing purposes. Smudging with sage helps clean your aura and your home of negative energy. There are many sacred trees in different cultures that are used in religious and spiritual practices.

On my walk, I once saw a woman hug a large spruce tree. I figured that she was resonating with the tree’s energy to become more centered and grounded. In my classes, we are told to ask the tree if we can use it to ground our energy using its roots. Afterwards, we thank it, which will not only raise our energy, but the tree’s as well, and therefore the planet’s. So, if you hug a tree, it may be embracing you as well.

Another powerful element of the spirituality of nature are the animal spirit guides and archetypes. Native American tribes use totem animals as spiritual guides that will help them on their path in life. You cannot choose your animal spirit guide, but it will choose you or already has chosen you. You can ask your animal spirit guide to reveal itself to you and it will do so in various ways. If you feel drawn to a certain animal, or if it keeps appearing to you whether in person, in pictures and paintings, or in dreams, chances are that the animal is your animal spirit guide. Each animal represents a different characteristic that will help you. It could be something like wisdom, power, strength, fortitude, courage, and so on.

One day while I was at the driving range near my house, there was a huge red-tail hawk sitting on a water cooler that was behind me. Another golfer pointed it out to me, and it was a truly magnificent bird. When it flew off, it had a large wingspan and in no time, it soared high above and screeched. The next day there was a smaller red-tail hawk that landed on our water fountain in our back yard. It stayed several minutes drinking from the fountain. It returned the next day at the same time, and again stayed for several minutes. So, I looked up the spiritual meaning of the hawk thinking that it might mean strength or power. What I found instead, which made more sense, was that it meant having clear vision and the ability to see at a much higher level. These are qualities that are needed to advance on the spiritual path.  

Bob Romero has been a diligent student of esoteric spiritual subjects and metaphysics for many years, with a life-long quest for answers. He has submitted new and original articles that focus on life lessons and experiences he wishes to share with our readers and the world.