Your essential guide to the week ahead from Citizen Femme’s resident astrologer, Zana Wilberforce.
Neptune ends its five-month retrograde in Pisces on Saturday, 28 November. When a planet motions direct after being in retrograde, the energy feels clearer and less muddled. On Monday 30 November, a full moon eclipse offers some game-changing moonbeams, and a light-hearted atmosphere feels prevalent in time for the festive season.
Thanksgiving might look a little different this year with social distancing measures in place. Airports and train stations are likely to be a lot less frenetic as more people stay home for the holidays. Bashing heads with awkward distant relatives and getting into a drunken scuffle with Aunt Susan about the nutritive benefits of pumpkin pie may well be on pause—for now.
Still, the feasting and after-dinner movies must go on. Even if you’re dining solo this year, a really good wine to accompany a medley of rich flavours is never a bad idea. From a classic Beaujolais nouveau to oaky Chardonnays, mentally transport yourself to the rolling vineyards of Burgundy in France or Napa Valley’s mountain top wineries with this playful selection of Thanksgiving wines.
Capricorn
December 22 – January 19
You can finally make headway with decisions as foggy Neptune stations direct on 28 November. In the meantime, let the holidays commence! You’re big on family get-togethers and how good it feels to unwind for the festivities ahead, Cap. A stickler for accuracy and the finer things in life, your wine of choice for a roast turkey should be powerful and pungent. We’re thinking something earthy and complex like a Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a practical option for pragmatic Capricorn.
Aquarius
January 20 – February 18
Mentally transport yourself to Italy with Zidarich Vitovska, an orange wine from Friuli right by the Slovenian border. Sagittarius season is a time of questing and adventure, so why not try something unusual this Thanksgiving. Zidarich Vitovska has an approachable weirdness with a bit of funk to spice things up. Notes of juicy apricot and a glowy amber hue offer a change to the usual whites and reds. Serve crisp in an oblong wine glass with a side of oyster sauce and creamed asparagus tips.
Pisces
February 19 – March 20
Decisions motion forward as lazy hazy Neptune heads direct this week after a five-month retrograde in Pisces. Keep an eye out for a few key dates, including the lunar (full moon) eclipse in Gemini on Monday, 30 November. Thanksgiving happens in between now and then, and your light-hearted mood this week has Petit Chablis all over it. A Petit Chablis from France’s Yonne department in Burgundy is elegant, subtly flavoured and goes especially well with herb-roasted turkey breast or a mushroom wellington.
Aries
March 21 – April 19
Sagittarius season is a balm for fellow fire sign, Aries. Naturally, adventure’s in your heart right now, which becomes more intensified on Monday 30 November during a full moon eclipse in Gemini and your interactive third house. In between now and then, a celebratory mood is in full bloom this Thanksgiving. In charge of the wine? Aries, your go-to option should be something fun and energetic to match your personality. Nyetimber, an English sparkling wine, is a fizzy treat and the perfect aperitif for setting a playful intro.
Taurus
April 20 – May 20
Foggy Neptune marches direct on 28 November and your pleasure-seeking tendencies are at play this week. Time to overindulge with all the trimmings in true Taurus fashion. We can always rely on you to bring the most tasteful wine to the party, one that seamlessly complements a traditional Thanksgiving feast and an array of palates. For something with character, pick up a bottle of Le Petit Domaine, an expressive and aromatic wine with an enticing floral nose.
Gemini
May 21 – June 20
The upcoming full moon is in your sign this Monday 30 November, putting you in the spotlight! As usual, your role as entertainer takes centre stage on Thanksgiving. You practically invented spontaneous kitchen dance parties in between family catchups. Gemini is the sign of duplicity so be sure to pick up something as versatile as a bottle of rosé to satisfy a variety of palates. As Sagittarius season is the time of quests and travel, transport your guests to languid summer days in Provence with a bottle of Peyrassol (2019), best served chilled and in abundance.
Cancer
June 21 – July 22
The week is off to a light tone, concluding with a lunar eclipse in Gemini on 30 November. Thanksgiving might not be the same this year due to pandemic parameters but you’re not about to let the holidays go to waste. Whether it’s a party for two or twenty, depending on social distancing measures, you’ve got the roast turkey, sausage stuffing, cranberry sauce and giblet gravy all covered. As a sign that favours familiarity and comfort, a fruity Beaujolais nouveau is a Thanksgiving staple and sloshes down swimmingly with an assortment of rich flavours.
Leo
July 23 – August 22
You’re in the mood for dancing, Leo, and there’s a spring in your step after weeks of retrograde and the subsequent ‘retroshade’ hangover. Keep an eye out for a full moon on Monday 30 November for some game-changing moonbeam magic. Holiday season might be a little different this year but you’re more than thankful for the chance to socialise, be it virtual or in person. Get everyone else on your level with a full-bodied Chardonnay from the Burgundy region. Its bold and oaky notes are an enchanting addition to your turkey and a crowd-pleaser all round—weird Aunt Susan included.
Virgo
August 23 – September 22
On Saturday, November 28, hazy Neptune ends its five-month retrograde in Pisces. Before then, you’re in “home for the holidays” mode. In the realm of wine, you require something classic and elegant to suit your tasteful tendencies. A Zinfandel is a complementary pairing for all of those rich holiday flavours. Notes of dark fruit and warm spices are incredibly aromatic, offering nuance to a perfectly prepared Thanksgiving main.
Libra
September 23 – October 22
The lunar (full moon) eclipse on Monday November 30 has you in a playful mood in time for the holiday season. Altruistic in nature, you love to please your closest pals, making Champagne a stellar option for the festivities ahead. Whether you’re staying home for a solo extravaganza or attending a family gathering within pandemic parameters, no other wine says party than a bottle of fancy fizz. A good Veuve Clicquot Brut is a strong contender and goes down a treat with herb-roasted turkey breast or green bean casserole.
Scorpio
October 23 – November 21
Neptune stations direct after a five-month retrograde in Pisces and your fifth house of creativity. Festivities might be a little different this year, but family members and friends can rely on your creative energy to muster up something magical. Scorpios are known for being intense and a sign of extremes, so a full-flavoured, bodied red wine first comes to mind. You’re the sensualists of zodiac so consistency matters, preferring a velvety texture to rinse down a varied palate. An Argentinian Malbec ticks these boxes and pairs swimmingly with rich recipes.
Sagittarius
November 22 – December 21
It’s no wonder the holidays begin during Sagittarius season, a time of heightened buoyancy and optimism. You’re feeling bold amid the festivities and a full moon in Gemini this Monday, 30 November. For fun-loving Sagittarius, a playful and colourful wine such as Animus ticks all the boxes. This robust Portuguese red is full of character and features nutmeg and hints of chocolate, matching beautifully with typical festive flavours such as sage and cranberry. The label’s minimalist illustration has a luxe quality and is a great conversation starter for any awkward distant relatives lurking around.
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