The principal factor of this current alert is the proximity of the New Moon which is now just a matter of 24 hours away (November 9th 23:04 or 18:04 EDT)

As a result moods and emotions will be subject to stress and anxiety with the possibility of strong nervous restlessness. This means there may be trouble settling with poor concentration, making it difficult to focus on ones daily routine. In addition there may be a tendency towards aggressive or confrontational behaviour with irritable or argumentative emotions that may just want to argue even if only for the sake of it.

Under these circumstances there may be an added weight of apprehension so that problems may seem magnified, leading to undue fear and concern. This may be further emphasised by very sensitive and vulnerable feelings that may be prone to exaggerated moods that for some may prove highly challenging.

Another side to this atmosphere may be a sense of unreality where the usual norms of life are transposed by stranger and more out of character moods and feelings. This may be largely due to the ongoing, long term opposition between Uranus and Saturn. This will be with us for some time to come and although it has still to come to a peak, has the ability to impose widely fluctuating moods that can swiftly vary from ambitious and determined emotions, to feelings of a more depressive or pessimistic variety. Also apparent may be strong mental agitation. This may feed off existing circumstances and mean that problems may come to be seen in an extreme or distorted manner, giving rise to equally distorted remedies.

The high nervous energy of this time may lead some to want to take the edge off the atmosphere through drink or other methods, but it should be warned that the effects of alcohol will be considerably magnified and capable of leading to major mood altering circumstances. Similarly there may be a tendency towards comfort eating, or retail therapy, and there could be a desire to want to spend oneself out of tricky emotional circumstances.

The restless nature of this period may produce strong feelings for change and variety, though major decisions based on these impressions are probably best left for another time. If personal circumstances do not allow for the desired changes then considerable frustration may result and this could lead to intense and difficult emotions.

All in all this is a period of highly intense and challenging moods and feelings that needs very careful handling.

Alert is 8.5. Moon 2% illuminated.