In 1997, I sold everything I owned, found good homes for my two cats, and went to France to write a novel.

The novel never got done (a story in itself, for another time), but the experience changed my life. One of the most important lessons I learned was that it’s actually possible to feel richer than the queen of England and not spend a cent. My record, as I recall, was an entire week. Not one centime.

When I made the leap, I was living in California. I intended to stay in France for three months – long enough to get a good feel for the location of my story – but I ended up going back and forth for several years. Every time I came back to the Bay Area, it took about two weeks before suddenly I had the urge to buy stuff. I was absorbing the consumerist mentality, even though I didn’t watch that much television and wasn’t constantly bombarded by advertising. It was hard to resist.

As the cliché goes, the best things in life, money can’t buy. But it does take some reflection to understand what those things are, as it’s different for everyone. When I was in France, it was riding a bike for miles through the vineyards, finding rare wild orchids growing miraculously out of cracks in the hard soil of the garrigue, witnessing a herd of wild boar emerging from the brush at dusk and dropping onto a dirt path, as silently as moles. My evening walks took me past wild fig trees, and more than once I ruined my dinner eating ripe fruit still warm from the sun. Of course, there were many meals with friends as well. Sunday dinner went on for hours, with wine straight from the vats and food that was on a whole different level than anything I’d known, always with much laughter and conviviality.

I can’t say that there ever was a time when everything was going well. There was always a crisis, some severe. But it was all part of a flow. I felt one with time and space there as I have never felt anywhere else.

This week’s Full Moon in Taurus is a good time to think about what makes us feel rich and to do an honest assessment of whether we are living according to our values. This is all the more timely since the economy still hasn’t bounced back, and many of us have had to cut back on our expenses. Worse, many people fear for their future and worry that they won’t have enough money. Fear of lack is draining.

With Mars approaching conjunction with Pluto, there’s the potential for fear and panic to take over, especially regarding money and finances. Both planets also are moving toward a volatile square with Uranus. The latter is more likely to manifest in the collective. With the Republicans expected to take over the U.S. Senate in this week’s elections, there is a lot of anxiety over how the economy will be affected. The Mars-Uranus square is exact next week (November 12), so I’ll have more about that in my next forecast.

The good news is that both Mars and Pluto are in positive aspect with the Moon in Taurus and the Sun in Scorpio, the sign they co-rule. Moreover, Venus, the ruler of this Full Moon, is conjunct the Sun and also in a favorable aspect to Mars and Pluto. Financial worries can be translated to action, including measures such as cutting wasteful spending, selling valuables, earning a little extra on the side – the list is long.

The square from Jupiter to Saturn, rather than being difficult, can help in realistic financial planning. Most Americans could be a bit more frugal. Sometimes it’s just a matter of taking the time to look at your spending habits. I hate to bring it up, but Christmas is right around the corner. Rather than waiting until the last minute and maxing out your credit cards, start thinking now about alternatives. In past years, I spent a week baking cookies nonstop. I made the dough for a nice assortment, refrigerated it, and then did all the baking in a day or two. I gave them to friends and business contacts, who were ecstatic to receive home-baked treats. Consignment shops are another resource. It’s an eco-friendly way to shop. But you do have to start early.

Just take care not to undo all of your saving and frugal spending next weekend, when Venus squares Jupiter (exact on Sunday, November 9). This is the classic “overindulge” aspect, especially with Jupiter in bling-loving Leo. Also take care with the food and drink.

Mercury re-enters Scorpio on Saturday. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Mercury was briefly in Scorpio from September 27 to October 10, when he re-entered Libra on his retrograde path. I was out driving that day and running errands in the city and couldn’t believe how aggressive people were. Hopefully it will be easier this time. Also, watch the news for some deep secrets coming to light, possibly activities that were deliberately kept below the radar before the elections.

Wishing you all much love and courage,
Pat

© Pat Paquette, RealAstrologers.com, 2014.