Welcome to Scorpio season! The Sun ingresses into Scorpio on Sunday, Oct 23rd, just in time for the moon to join it for a New Moon on Tuesday, Oct 25th. Luminary shifts into new signs (and houses) always indicate a change in the quality of our overall experiences. The Sun moves into a new sign around the 23rd of each month. It can be useful to acknowledge this monthly shift, as it mirrors sometimes subtle, and other times overt, changes in how we feel and what we tend to focus on. Unlike the planets, which go retrograde every now and again, the Sun and the Moon move through the Zodiac in a consistent, forward manner. They symbolize the ever-deepening spiral of Life. They are the yearly, monthly and daily time-keepers, witnesses, and co-creators of our transformation.
To fully understand this new moon, we must first understand the difference between Scorpio and its preceding sign. The shift from Libra to Scorpio can be explained in terms of mode and element. Libra is a cardinal Air sign that is primarily concerned with achieving balance. In The Inner Sky, Steven Forrest says of Libra: “The attainment of tranquility is the essence of this sign’s work. And that tranquility must be achieved through the action of the will on the structure of consciousness.” Libra is symbolized by the Scales, but in Forrest’s assessment, Libra is not naturally balanced – instead, it must focus its energy on achieving balance, through consistent, conscious effort. This is the cardinal (i.e. initiatory) nature of Libra at work. Libra is often associated with relationships, possibly because this is one of the most potent symbols for the strategy of compromising, listening, communicating, adjusting, and harmonizing that Libra employs.
Perhaps the past month has been a balancing act, or has ushered in new energy, particularly in relationships and the realm of pleasure; Venus (which rules Libra) has been closely following the Sun for the entire month of October. Short-term flings and other indulgences or experiences that brought momentary joy, and perhaps deep self-discovery, may now be fading into the background – and for good reason. The time for flirtation and experimentation is over: Scorpio is here, and he beckons that we get serious.
Scorpio is a fixed Water sign. His energy can be likened to that of a fire hose, or a high-pressure pipe full of liquid. While water is often seen as a flowy, feminine element, it is refined by a masculine, introverted bent in Scorpio. The water is not so much flowing as it is being forced through a tube of a certain diameter, creating pressure and force. This sign focuses the intuitive and transformative element of water for a specific purpose. Water cleanses, purifies, soothes, and with enough force (think of pressure washing), reveals what’s underneath the grime. Scorpio aims to know the truth, to get to the bottom of things. No more time for back-and-forth conversations. It is time to go inward, like a Hermit, into the dark and personal waters of self-transformation. Only the individual can explore this place; not even our closest lovers can travel there with us. Scorpio applies focused effort toward a fixed goal, which can be anything, but is often of an internal, emotional, and deeply personal quality.
What we learned in the past months about ourselves, and about others, will continue to serve us throughout this year’s Scorpio season. This new moon, which is also conjunct Venus in Scorpio, supplies us with a fresh energy to let ourselves be purified of nagging thoughts, unrealistic fantasies, unsustainable behaviors, and emotional baggage. Despite the generally inward quality of Scorpio, this new moon conjunct Venus suggests we are still focusing our energy on our relationships, and/or toward achieving balance in our minds, bodies, and lives. The new moon in Scorpio gives us the tenacity to focus our energy on the relationships and ideals that are most important to us. It may reveal an uncomfortable truth, bring light to one’s suffering, or confirm/deny a hypothesis we were experimenting with. Either way, this moon is honest, which can be painful sometimes – the Scorpion’s sting is sharp and acute. The goal of this psychological process, however, is not to shame or debilitate us, but rather to refine us into more pure versions of ourselves.
While the Sun, Moon and Venus flow into Scorpio, Jupiter is also making moves. Retrograde Jupiter ingresses back into the mutable Water sign of Pisces just 3 days after the new moon, on October 28th. This results in a quincunx, or inconjunct (150°) aspect to the Scorpio cusp. While quincunxes tend to be minor aspects, it is worth noting that Jupiter, a large and socially involved planet, will also be sending waves of watery energy into our lives on a more collective scale. Jupiter rules Pisces, which is a vast, expansive, spiritual sign. Water spreads throughout infinity in Pisces, in opposition to the focused water energy of Scorpio. What was left unfinished in Pisces, and its respective house, that we are now being asked to review, revise, and complete? Pay attention to old issues, or opportunities, resurfacing. They require your attention – which is now able to focus, thanks to the Scorpionic energies abound. Jupiter will station direct in Pisces at 28°48′ on November 23rd, and officially ingress back into Aries on December 22 of this year.
In essence, this new moon represents a potent time to pay attention to, and more consciously engage with, our process to health and wholeness. Our goals or questions may be the same, but the strategy is shifting. The effort of balancing opposites and harmonizing paradoxes becomes more direct, and more personal now. What do I care about? Who do I care about? Why do I care about them? How do I make peace in my body, mind, and relationships? How much discomfort am I willing to endure, or impose onto others, to achieve my ideals? What unconscious motivations are driving my behaviors? Questions beget questions. Keep digging. There is a precious gem deep inside the well.
Some level of intensity may be present this moon cycle – I suggest we work with it, channel it wisely. Assess: what sacrifices need to be made? What am I ready to, or need to, let go of? Is it a relationship, a person, a job, an idea – or am I projecting my feelings onto those parts of my life, avoiding the core issues within? Scorpio does not cut corners, nor skip steps. Integrity in our actions, based on an honest engagement with our uncomfortable feelings, is paramount for peace of mind. If things get a bit heavy this month, I encourage you to seek help. It may not be that challenging, however, if we can maintain awareness of this season’s necessity. Let the emotions flow out, as completely as they need to. Allow yourself to reveal yourself, to yourself. Collaborate with the Stars. The intensity is only temporary.
Ethereal Ecology 