A NOTE TO MY DEDICATED READERS: Due to recent demands on my time, this Moon Update will need to be briefer than usual. Hopefully, I will be able to resume my more comprehensive coverage of astrological events with the next Moon Update.
In the Pacific Time Zone, the New Moon will occur at 3:42 a.m. on Saturday, November 18. This New Moon finds the Moon and Sun in conjunction (0°) at 27° of Scorpio. To further clarify how this New Moon will impact you on a personal level, locate 27° of Scorpio in your birth/natal chart. The issues associated with that house are going to be most influenced by this New Moon’s presence.
New Moons provide us with opportunities for new emotional starts in the areas associated with the sign involved. This New Moon is in Scorpio, which is one of the most complex and multi-faceted astrological signs. Although most people associate Scorpio with the symbol of a scorpion, it can actually be represented by several different symbols due to the developmental nature of this sign’s energy.
- Scorpion: With its stinger/tail, which it uses for protection when it feels threatened, the scorpion approaches life cautiously. The scorpion can be damaging, harmful, and scary as it hides in the darkness below the surface (which is analogous to your subconscious).
- Horse: The horse has moved out of the darkness and into the light. It has a willingness to use its power to serve those who befriend it.
- Eagle: This magnificent bird flies above the surface of the Earth to gain perspective that leads to transformational healing.
- Phoenix (or Dove): After perspective is gained, transformation may follow. The eagle then bursts into flames, is reborn, and peacefully descends back down to Earth to spread peace.
With the Moon in this powerful sign, we are being encouraged to go through this type of transformation. But in order to progress to the horse, eagle, and perhaps even the phoenix, we will likely need to first go down into the world of the scorpion (i.e., our subconscious). We must face our deepest fears and address our wounded self (scorpion) in order to bring it up to the light of day (horse), eventually gain perspective (eagle), and then be reborn (phoenix).
Some astrologers are describing this as a “double” New Moon in Scorpio. The traditional/ancient ruler of Scorpio was Mars, and the modern ruler is Pluto. On the day of this New Moon, Mars and Pluto will be in an exact square (90°) to each other. Squares represent a turning point; a time to acknowledge something that needs to change. With these two powerful planets involved, this aspect could result in tempers flaring or power struggles. We need to stay as flexible as possible. This is a good time to agree to disagree. The most effective use of this energy is to look at what is not working and then use that knowledge to revamp our strategies for achieving our goals.
It is important, though, to keep in mind that Scorpio is an emotional water sign and this powerful Mars-Pluto aspect has a tendency to ramp up emotions. Therefore, when strong feelings emerge, we need to remember that we wouldn’t be reacting from an unconscious place (scorpion) unless there was something within us that needs to be healed. The best way to approach is to shed light on what is happening (horse) and then look for the healing lesson that is embedded in our reactions (eagle).
Scorpio, Mars, and Pluto are all related to how we use power in our lives. We are being asked to look at the difference between using power in a healthy way versus using force. We also may be looking at issues related to powerlessness. If unsure whether this might be relevant, it may help to look for where there is a felt need to defend, fight, or compete.
The focus with Scorpio is on our shared resources, investments, joint projects, and close interpersonal relationships of all kinds (e.g., romantic, business). We may need to cut away anything that is no longer needed or important in order to make room for new growth, just as a tree will grow stronger if certain branches are pruned away. Clearing away clutter allows space for growth and also lightens the load so the horse can take flight and become the eagle, and perhaps even the phoenix. Anything that is weighing us down needs to be released. In addition to “things” (e.g., possessions, relationships), this may involve looking into the darker corners of our subconscious to see if we have any emotional issues or belief systems that are no longer serving us or disowned parts of ourselves that need to be re-integrated. The process may uncover secrets that need to be exposed to the light of day. All of these are typical around the time of the Scorpio New Moon because the overarching goal with Scorpio is healing and transformation.
In sum, during the time of this New Moon, many of us could take important steps to the next level . . . from scorpion to horse, from horse to eagle, and possibly even from eagle to phoenix. If we aren’t sure what area of our life is being influenced by this New Moon, it may be helpful to look at where we are feeling stuck. In order for something to be born from the ashes, something probably needs to die. This double Scorpio energy is telling us that we need to be willing to let go and trust in the Divine Process of rebirth in order for transformation to occur. In order to do this, we may need to let go of control, surrender, and be willing to be vulnerable.
All of this is reinforced by an aspect called a inconjunct (or quincunx, 150°) between the New Moon and Uranus. Inconjuncts often demand that adjustments to be made, and Uranus is about change. Therefore, it’s likely that either we will choose to shake things up a bit or something unexpected may cause us to change plans or do something out of the ordinary. This is especially true within our relationships. We may feel out of control, but as Martha Stewart used to say, “This is a good thing,” because the New Moon is in a very supportive trine (120°) with Chiron. If we are willing to look into the darkness and do the work, profound healing is very possible and we may discover a new sense of inner confidence and purpose by being willing to make needed adjustments and/or do something new and different. Additionally, a sextile (60°) between Mercury and Mars will help us bravely speak our truth and then translate our words into actions.
On Tuesday, November 21, the Sun moves out of deeply passionate Scorpio and into light-hearted Sagittarius. After the intensity of Scorpio, many of us will be letting out a collective sigh of relief. Scorpio was about inward exploration and intimate connections. Sag is about outward adventures and connecting with the world at large. It’s also about having fun! We will likely feel motivated to understand the big picture and to expand our minds. This could be a month of actual physical travel, but explorations involving the mind are also just as likely. We are drawn to anything that will broaden our perspective and get us thinking in new ways, especially activities or topics that allow us to explore our values and beliefs about what is right or wrong for us. It is likely we will feel more optimistic, hopeful, and confident.
The next day (Wednesday, November 22), Neptune ends its annual 5-month retrograde phase and begins moving direct again. This is a very subtle influence, and it takes time to manifest. And how it manifests is, for many, a mixed bag. While Neptune was in retrograde, our psychic and intuitive abilities are often heightened, and many of us found we were LESS likely to use destructive coping mechanisms such as denial, escapism, or drugs/alcohol. Now that Neptune will be moving direct, we have hopefully used the retrograde period to explore new ways of coping that will support us in consciously choosing to not return to these ineffective defense mechanisms. And once Neptune begins moving direct again, there are some advantages! For example, it is likely that we will gradually see concrete evidence of just how connected we are to spiritual sources of support. We may also have been toying with a dream, and now that dream may start to come to fruition.
Overall, this New Moon in Scorpio could be truly transformational for many of us. If we approach this time with an open heart and a willingness to be vulnerable, we could see huge leaps in our healing and even our level of consciousness. The highest expression of Scorpio’s energy is to support everyone in owning their own power and creating win-win situations. In order to move in this direction, we have to be willing to let go of any competitive thoughts or beliefs in scarcity. An understanding that we are all One will help us use our power effectively and not resort to using force to get what our ego thinks it needs. Scorpio is about relationships and emotion, so this is a good time to be honest with others and with ourselves in a compassionate way. And it may be helpful to remember that, “If you want to know the truth on any subject, look to your feelings. Checking in with your body is the fastest way of doing this.” (Unknown)
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THIS BLOG POST WAS WRITTEN BY
- Anne Reith, Ph.D. (AnneReith.com)
- For information about Dr. Reith’s downloadable ebooks and meditations, feel free to visit her online Store
SOME INFORMATION TAKEN FROM
- The Mountain Astrologer (magazine)
- Various online sources (e.g., www.cafeastrology.com)
REMINDER
- New Moons and Full Moons often influence us for the 3 days before and 3 days after the actual event.
NEW MOON
New Moon at 27° of Scorpio
- Saturday, November 18, 2017, 3:42 a.m. PST
- Saturday, November 18, 2017, 6:42 a.m. EST
- Saturday, November 18, 2017, 11:42 a.m. GMT