Monthly Astro Forecast: New Moon in Libra
The airy new moon on October 19th has one question for us: What is your truth, and how are you living it? At the moment of the new moon, as the Moon and Sun meet towards the end of idealistic Libra, they are directly opposite Uranus, the planet of higher truth and rebellion. Mercury's opposition to Uranus a few days earlier, on October 15th, may have helped us to understand and articulate our own version of that truth, noticing where our beliefs conform with society and where they differ. Now its time to change right thinking into right action, at the seed point of the new moon. Time to set an intent for change, for honouring the truth of Uranus and the equality of Libra with the action and initiative of Aries. A few days after the new moon, Mars moves into Libra, the sign of its detriment (as Mars rules Libra's opposite sign of Aries). The individualistic, assertive energy of Mars is uncomfortable, frustrated by Libra's urge for peace and harmony. But fighting against injustice, fighting for equality, that's a positive Mars in Libra focus. Venus is still moving through Libra too, happily at home and building relationships. As well as relating to others, Venus is also about what we value, and when she opposes Uranus in Aries on November 4th, once again we may find ourselves questioning our actions. Do we stay in our comfort zone, or risk making ourselves unpopular by expressing our truth?
Into the Darkness
Libra is the sign of cardinal air, and life can be very cerebral, even abstract, with lots of Libra energy around. But on October 23rd, the Sun moves into Scorpio, the sign of fixed water. Mercury and Jupiter are already there, with the Sun meeting Jupiter in conjunction on October 26th. Scorpio season initiates a process of going deeper, away from the Libra surface. Scorpio pulls us down, forces us to confront the parts of ourselves we'd rather not face. Mercury is Hermes as psychopomp, guiding us into the underworld. Both Jupiter and the Sun are expansive energies, and together they illuminate the extent of our shadow selves. It can be painful to face, but also incredibly healing, allowing us to release some powerful creative energy. Its a good time for working with our ancestors and connecting to their gifts, as well as inner work of all kinds, deep meditation and self reflection. On November 7th, Venus moves into Scorpio, away from her home sign and into the sign of her detriment. The intensity of Scorpio can be overwhelming, but as Venus meets Jupiter on November 13th, we begin to see the value of these still waters, the potential for transformation we hold in our inner darkness. Therpersistence and determination of Scorpio is also highlighted as the planets there make dynamic square aspects to the nodal axis, currently transiting the fixed signs of Leo and Aquarius.The hidden wealth of Scorpio is articulated by Mercury (square to the nodal axis on 30th October) and illuminated by the Sun (square to the nodal axis on 11th November). This new understanding of the resources we have within us can both power own creativity, with the North Node in Leo pulling us towards creative self expression, and show us what we have to contribute to society, through the South Node in Aquarius.
The voyage around the zodiac is all about the ebb and flow of energy, and this lunation sees us moving from the abstract thinking of Libra and plunging into the emotional depths of Scorpio. Just as all might seem to be getting pretty dark (its almost Samhain after all), Mercury moves into Sagittarius on November 5th, bringing us some fiery vision and a sense of adventure. As the fires of Sagittarius begin to burn brighter, they inspire us as we move towards the new moon in Scorpio on November 18th.