Monthly Astro Forecast: New Moon in Scorpio
I've been considering the links between Scorpio and Sagittarius lately, as we move into the phase when their energies most overlap. Scorpio takes us deep within, and Scorpio energy at this time of year is what leads us to hunker down, to hibernate, to withdraw and replenish our energies. In contrast, Sagittarius is the vision of fire, the pull to adventure, the socialising and excitement that comes with the build up to whatever winter festival you choose to celebrate. Scorpio can bring challenges, things we prefer to avoid, and so we rush headlong into Sagittarius season, leaving the dark behind as soon as we can and putting our energy into the gifts of the return of the light.
But every season has its gift, and the deep waters of Scorpio are no exception. Working consciously with the sign of fixed water can lead to profound energy shifts, making our Sagittarius vision purer and releasing energy for that delicious Sagittarius seeking. The new moon in late Scorpio (26°) brings an opportunity to set intentions around facing our shadow, releasing our past, and connecting to what is hidden.
Ultimately, Scorpio energy is about elimination, about release and about transformation. Its a sign of metamorphosis, of profound change at the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. Scorpio season is the time for composting, for looking to what is waste or toxic energy within us, and releasing it, letting it go. Our bodies, our minds, our souls are in a constant process of regeneration and change. Scorpio season is the time to tune into the process, to where our energy is flowing and where it has become stagnant. What do we need to release, to create space for the new visions of Sagittarius?
The chart for the new moon in Scorpio, on November 18th, has a close semi-sextile to Saturn in Sagittarius. A semi-sextile is a minor aspect, and its combination of flowing three energy and challenging two energy gives us the impetus to take action, to face our fears and even to find meaning in them. Another close semi-sextile links communicative Mercury with Pluto, giving us the opportunity to articulate our deepest self and our perceptions of what is hidden or in shadow.
The approaching square between Mars and Pluto, both strong and driven planetary energies, is also closely tied to the new moon, adding power and also the potential for violent change as this lunation progresses. The Mars Pluto square is exact the following day, awakening our willpower and ability to take decisive action. Mars and Pluto are the co-rulers of Scorpio, powerhouse planets which ride rough shod over obstacles and use our Saturnian fears as fuel. If there's something difficult you've been needing to do, something you fear to face, now's the time. This is a bite the bullet kind of a new moon. On December 1st, Mars opposes Uranus in Aries (also ruled by Mars). This is a restless, rebellious aspect, full of dynamism and the urge to shock. If we haven't already made changes, they might just get made for us, or happen in ways we hadn't even anticipated. Mars moves into Scorpio on December 9th, awakening our emotional power and passion and moving us to action based on our deepest desires.
Even in the depths of watery Scorpio, we are surrounded by fire during this season. The Samhain fires burned for purification, now we celebrate bonfire night to honour that deep impulse to purge and purify, as well as seeking light in the darkness. The nights are long, the last of the leaves are drifting down from the trees, autumn is becoming winter. On November 22nd, the Sun moves into Sagittarius, and we feel the beginnings of advent season, the anticipation of the return of the light. Mercury and Saturn are already there, and Venus joins them on December 1st. Sagittarius is the realm of belief, of possibility, of freedom. The fires of Sagittarius glow deep within us, absolving us of the shadow of Scorpio and kindling our transformation to spirit.
The beginning of December also brings a period of Mercury retrograde, checking our urge to rush forwards into Sagittarian socialising and adventure. Hold on, Mercury says, its still time for reflection, for introspection, for going within. Mercury retrograde is always best dealt with by slowing down, even in a speedy sign like Sagittarius, as we can make good use of this time to process and contemplate the experiences of Scorpio. What knowledge have we brought back from the depths? And how can it fuel our journey, make our dream a reality? Mercury passes Saturn on November 28th, and again on December 6th, by which time it is apparently (retrograde motion being really a trick of perspective - now there's a thought...) travelling backwards. Saturn reminds us that dreams and visions are all very well, but what are we going to do to actually manifest them? We've got a few weeks to figure it out, until the new moon in Capricorn on December 18th.
But every season has its gift, and the deep waters of Scorpio are no exception. Working consciously with the sign of fixed water can lead to profound energy shifts, making our Sagittarius vision purer and releasing energy for that delicious Sagittarius seeking. The new moon in late Scorpio (26°) brings an opportunity to set intentions around facing our shadow, releasing our past, and connecting to what is hidden.
Ultimately, Scorpio energy is about elimination, about release and about transformation. Its a sign of metamorphosis, of profound change at the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. Scorpio season is the time for composting, for looking to what is waste or toxic energy within us, and releasing it, letting it go. Our bodies, our minds, our souls are in a constant process of regeneration and change. Scorpio season is the time to tune into the process, to where our energy is flowing and where it has become stagnant. What do we need to release, to create space for the new visions of Sagittarius?
The approaching square between Mars and Pluto, both strong and driven planetary energies, is also closely tied to the new moon, adding power and also the potential for violent change as this lunation progresses. The Mars Pluto square is exact the following day, awakening our willpower and ability to take decisive action. Mars and Pluto are the co-rulers of Scorpio, powerhouse planets which ride rough shod over obstacles and use our Saturnian fears as fuel. If there's something difficult you've been needing to do, something you fear to face, now's the time. This is a bite the bullet kind of a new moon. On December 1st, Mars opposes Uranus in Aries (also ruled by Mars). This is a restless, rebellious aspect, full of dynamism and the urge to shock. If we haven't already made changes, they might just get made for us, or happen in ways we hadn't even anticipated. Mars moves into Scorpio on December 9th, awakening our emotional power and passion and moving us to action based on our deepest desires.
Even in the depths of watery Scorpio, we are surrounded by fire during this season. The Samhain fires burned for purification, now we celebrate bonfire night to honour that deep impulse to purge and purify, as well as seeking light in the darkness. The nights are long, the last of the leaves are drifting down from the trees, autumn is becoming winter. On November 22nd, the Sun moves into Sagittarius, and we feel the beginnings of advent season, the anticipation of the return of the light. Mercury and Saturn are already there, and Venus joins them on December 1st. Sagittarius is the realm of belief, of possibility, of freedom. The fires of Sagittarius glow deep within us, absolving us of the shadow of Scorpio and kindling our transformation to spirit.
The beginning of December also brings a period of Mercury retrograde, checking our urge to rush forwards into Sagittarian socialising and adventure. Hold on, Mercury says, its still time for reflection, for introspection, for going within. Mercury retrograde is always best dealt with by slowing down, even in a speedy sign like Sagittarius, as we can make good use of this time to process and contemplate the experiences of Scorpio. What knowledge have we brought back from the depths? And how can it fuel our journey, make our dream a reality? Mercury passes Saturn on November 28th, and again on December 6th, by which time it is apparently (retrograde motion being really a trick of perspective - now there's a thought...) travelling backwards. Saturn reminds us that dreams and visions are all very well, but what are we going to do to actually manifest them? We've got a few weeks to figure it out, until the new moon in Capricorn on December 18th.