Your essential guide to the week ahead from Citizen Femme’s resident astrologer, Zana Wilberforce.
The present feels tumultuous with a wave of new national lockdown procedures in the UK combined with the US presidential election. To our US readers, we feel you. As the election chugs along, we spotlight our favourite staycation destinations across America’s scenic byways and sweeping coasts – which makes for an equal dose of armchair escapism.
Take some time out from election mania to recharge in an idyllic village or by the sea and find out what this Thursday’s rare Jupiter-Pluto conjunction means for your travel horoscope.
Capricorn: Morristown, Arizona
December 22 – January 19
Photo Credit: Gautier Salles
Your sign is in the spotlight this Thursday when Jupiter and Pluto make the third of 2020’s three rare conjunctions. Winding down for the holidays couldn’t come sooner for you, Cap. Your ideal staycation involves total disconnection, enveloped in nature’s quietude without sacrificing on luxury. Days are spent dipping in lakes and driving across sprawling forestland in Morristown, Arizona. Make Castle Hot Springs your base for sailing adventures and trails in the Sonoran Desert, an arid region flecked with mountains and meandering rivers, followed by farm-to-table meals and evenings of fireside repartee.
Aquarius: Challis, Idaho
January 20 – February 18
On 12 November, a rare Jupiter-Pluto conjunction arrives in your twelfth house of healing. If possible, take a break from the perpetual cycle of news channels and Twitter rabbit holes for headspace. Idaho’s vast open spaces and evergreen national parks are some of the largest in America and promise zero WiFi. Days here are spent mooching around abandoned ghost towns, cycling along spindly paths or pampering away in the thermal pools at Challis Hot Springs. As a fiercely independent sign, camping alone could be a source of comfort.
Pisces: Washington DC
February 19 – March 20
Communication lines have started to clear following Mercury’s cosmic U-turn last week. On 12 November, there’s a particular need to engage in conversations and speak your mind. With its mishmash of marble monuments, history and culture, a long weekend in Washington DC might just do the trick. Make Hotel Zena your launch pad, DC’s newest cultural hub heralded as an ode to feminine strength. Then hit up Supra, a Georgian restaurant in downtown Washington frequented by city slickers. Most museums, including the Smithsonian’s, have started opening with new safety protocols and reduced hours in place.
Aries: Acadia National Park, Maine
March 21 – April 19
Watch out for an action-packed week as Jupiter and Pluto meet on 12 November. Remember, taking breaks doesn’t mean you’re any less productive. As a sign that likes to be on the move, plan a road trip around Maine’s craggy coastal roads for a mental detox before hitting up Acadia National Park for a hike along cobwebbed paths. Whizz around the sleepy, salt-washed fishing villages surrounding Bar Harbor and don’t forget to pop into one of the local lobster shacks on a spontaneous pit stop en route home.
Taurus: Dunton, Colorado
April 20 – May 20
There’s no time like the present for a spot of soul searching in time for a Jupiter-Pluto conjunction this Thursday. This rare combo occurs in Capricorn and your ninth house of risk-taking. Take yourself to Dunton, Colorado for a weekend-long nature fix in the heart of the wilderness. Located in the San Juan Mountains, Dunton was once a deserted 19th-century mining town that underwent a bougie makeover in the 90s. As a sign that seeks aesthetic comforts, Taurus will revel in the fairy-tale style grotto cabins framed by the untamed landscape. If there’s any sign most likely to skinny dip in the Dolores River, it’s you.
Gemini: Roanoke, Virginia
May 21 – June 20
Brain fog is slowly but surely clearing as Mercury continues to motion forward. Look out for a rare Jupiter-Pluto conjunction on 12 November as a puzzle could unravel. Roanoke’s eclectic assortment of activities is a welcome distraction from a strenuous election. The town’s proximity to the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway means that adventure is always within reach, and a typical day could shift from hardcore mountain biking to a wine-fuelled soirée all within a few hours.
Cancer: Frederick, Maryland
June 21 – July 22
Scorpio season is a time to reflect and replenish which feels slightly at odds with so much planetary action going on in the background. For one, there will be a rare Jupiter-Pluto conjunction in pragmatic Capricorn on 12 November, animating your seventh house of partnerships. Eloping for the weekend to Frederick, Maryland, could offer a fresh perspective. Scour the Civil War-era buildings and stumble upon the city’s innovative restaurant scene at Firestone’s Culinary Tavern. As a sign that seeks comfort, hit up McClintock distillery’s toasty tasting room to sample some serious spirits.
Leo: Barnard, Vermont
July 23 – August 22
In this week of varied astrological weather, Leo is hunkering down for some feel-good comforts as the sun illuminates your domestic fourth house. Barnard’s remote countryside setting in Vermont offers a much-needed pause from a nail-biting election. Switch off and indulge with a stay at Twin Farms, an adults-only resort set against a backdrop of wild woodland. Gather your best thoughts on walking trails around nearby meadows where you’re likely to run into miniature waterfalls and near-silent streams.
Virgo: Coastal Mendocino County, California
August 23 – September 22
The shifting planetary weather this week comes to a climax on 12 November when the third of 2020’s rare Jupiter-Pluto conjunction arrives in Capricorn. This is a moment of romance as your fifth house of self-expression is illuminated. Buddy up and head to California’s cosy coastal county, Mendocino, for a go-slow escape spent scouring trinkets and pottering along coastal trails. Soak up local wines in the surrounding wineries huddled around the towering coast redwoods. The lovely town is full of independent shops selling upscale goods and local sweet treats.
Libra: St Augustine, Florida
September 23 – October 22
Misunderstandings finally begin to wane as the week progresses and Mercury, the planet of communication, continues to motion forward. Opt for a back-in-time retreat for a healthy dose of disconnection. St Augustine’s narrow lanes and old-world ambiance feels like stepping back in time on a far-flung escape to Europe minus the flights. Explore the city’s 144-block Historic District before a lazy loiter along Aviles Street for southern comfort food and gallery pit stops selling local art and handmade crafts.
Scorpio: Utah
October 23 – November 21
It’s high time for a deeply relaxing break, Scorpio. You’re just warming up for the holidays, and a sleek staycation in between ticks all the boxes for zoning out. Utah’s otherworldly landscape resembles another planet, detached from earth in a formation of twisting canyons and sheer mountains. A stay at Amangiri would appeal, a striking architectural statement that simultaneously merges stark minimalism with ultra-luxe amenities. Nearby national parks with colossal rocks and converging trails are open to the public should cabin fever strike.
Sagittarius: The Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
November 22 – December 21
A boost of playful energy could crop up mid-week as Jupiter and Pluto meet for the third and final time this year. Travelling to the far-flung tropics might be out of the question for now under pandemic parameters, but a staycation in the Smokies is a solid contender. Days are spent passing cascading waterfalls, streams and rivers on hikes with routes that converge. Plan a scenic drive to Cades Cove, marvel at abandoned historic buildings and loop back for some R&R at The Swag, a 14-bedroom retreat sat high in the clouds.
Any Questions or Tips to add?