NEW MOON IN SCORPIO | 13 November 2023
Hello friends. It has seemed like a very long month. How are you? How did eclipse season go for you?
Eclipses are often part of larger patterns that are easier to see in hindsight, and like any important celestial event or transit, looking back at the previous cycle can provide clues about what to expect. Keeping a journal is great for this.
Since my last post I have drastically cut my screen time. This was essential for my mental health. It doesn’t mean that I’m oblivious to or ignoring current events. I would much rather leave the mundane astrological narratives to the experts so I can focus on what the important themes mean for you.
And I should also mention that if you’re not into astrology you might find this long post boring.
I want to help you navigate your boat through these turbulent times, and astrology is so good at this.
So, this month begins with the Luminaires conjunct Mars in Scorpio, opposing Uranus. What is startling about this beginning moment is that Mars is combust (burnt up in the Sun’s rays and invisible), while the Moon, in the hours following, is enclosed by these two hot bodies, Mars and the Sun, while directly opposing Uranus.
Medieval astrologers called this configuration besiegement (although technically we would need to take Uranus out of the picture).
We may all feel emotionally besieged during this dark Moon.
Mars is protected from the Sun’s fire because he is in his own domicile, his shady temple.
Mars then begins to perfect his conjunction with the Sun, the Cazimi, which lasts for a few days, signifying the death and rebirth of a new synodic cycle for Mars.
Beginnings within beginnings. This is an extremely powerful moment for Mars and the birth of a new lunar cycle also.
This looks like a flashpoint, with Mars as a triggering agent, blowing the lid off what has so far been private, secret, under control.
I see it as a catalyst for profound change, and how we respond to this challenge determines our fate, for better or worse.
After the new Moon these planets activate a trine to Neptune. A powerful water signature evolves before they ingress into Sagittarius.
YOUR CHART
As always, look at where this happens in your whole-sign chart.
What house is ruled by Scorpio?
As a rough guide:
If your Ascendant is in a fixed sign such as Scorpio, Taurus, Leo or Aquarius it relates to big themes like home, family, career and relationships, your physical self, mind and body.
In cardinal signs Libra, Capricorn, Aries or Cancer; dramas relating to finances, resources, friendships and social groups, children, colleagues or professional networks.
In mutable signs Gemini, Sagittarius, Pisces or Virgo; your health and wellbeing, your neighbours and communities, or it’s the people you know who are more deeply effected.
Much depends on other factors in your chart, including how Mars is configured.
MARS
In traditional Hellenistic astrology Mars is the lesser malefic. This is archaic language, yet it should not be sugar coated. It means making an effort to cultivate good relationships with this archetype if we want to own this powerful energy.
Anger is human and healthy when we let it flow, but internalised it becomes a toxic cesspit of fear, hate and rage that hurts ourselves more than those we direct it at. This malefic side of Mars can bind us to karma that can last lifetimes.
MARS MYTHOLOGY
Ares, the fighter, is the Ancient Greek version of Mars. He was their God of War, the progeny of Zeus and Hera, and like a force of nature, he represented strength without intelligence, all brawn and no brains, a thug without feeling or empathy.
Among his followers was an army of demi-gods; Deimos (Dread), Engo (Fierceness), Eris (Quarrels), Phobos (Terror). His war cry was said to slay mere mortals in droves, as he ravaged the countryside, leaving mounds of corpses in his wake. None of the other gods dare to challenge him directly, nor can he be reasoned with.
Like Sekhmet, the Egyptian war goddess who breathes flames, or Durga and Kali in the Hindu temples, Ares personifies the violent, dark, uncontrollable and destructive shadow nature of humanity.
The Roman version of this god, Mars was venerated as a more helpful archetype, the noble Warrior-God.
The Romans loved war and fighting, so it makes sense that Mars assumed a more prominent and deified position in their enormous pantheon.
To the Romans his power was invincible, but he embodied a more focused power than his Greek counterpart. He personified the self-controlled warrior-soldier, a military strategist, the father of Romulus and Remus, symbol of might and majesty, second only to Jupiter in status.
In Vedic astrology Mars is known as a grabber. He triggers us, tips the tipping point and we lose our balance.
In an instant we have lost our ability to moderate our emotions, we over-react and resort to anger and aggression. We are lost and no longer recognise ourselves.
In modern astrology Mars’ more shadow qualities have been reassigned to Pluto, especially the chthonic birth, life, death and rebirth aspects, the Phoenix. And so we now tend to see Mars as a symbol for the masculine, the macho male, as well as themes such as working and labouring, vehicles (driving), weapons, effort and action.
SCORPIO
Signs are places, such as a temple or a home, or the scene sets on a stage. And Mars in Scorpio’s dark lair, loves to stir up drama and discord.
Scorpio is the feminine, fixed, water domicile of Mars. Unlike Aries, his other home, a Scorpio placed Mars is more strategic, stealthy, patient.
He has more determination, tenacity, perseverance, will power, resilience and laser-like focus while in this sign. He is tough and enduring, he will not give up until the job is done and everyone else has gone home. He will see dangers and understand the nuances of those dangers, he will act defensively, fearlessly.
In Greek myth the Scorpion is a creature sacred to Gaia, and it was She who summoned it to exact revenge on Orion. Orion liked to boast that he could slay any creature he wished, offending the Goddess, mother of all creatures. The tiny Scorpion evaded Orion’s attempts to crush it, the hunter becoming the hunted, and realising too late that, mighty as he was, he was no match for the wily, deadly scorpion.
Gaia immortalised the scorpion as the stars of the constellation Scorpius, where it chases the hunter through the night sky forevermore.
THE NEW MOON
The universe exists in a balance of equal and opposite forces. In the new Moon chart we have a powerful set of oppositions—the Sun, the Moon and Mars against Uranus.
We may feel divided, torn between two desires, conflicted within ourselves, unable to find peace, harmony or balance.
Oppositions, especially those involving the luminaries, are almost always tense. Aligned with the dark Moon phase it could be powerfully releasing, an emotional catharsis.
It could show up as conflicts in your life, someone who presses your buttons, or as overwhelming desires and attractions, or as a culmination moment, where events come to a head. Or tipping point.
Maybe tensions have been simmering for a while. We are already angry, and looking for an opportunity to let off steam.
Oppositions between planets like the Sun, Mars and Uranus are celestial combatants who fight to the bitter end. The Moon increases the emotional intensity, which already feels like too much.
A strong Mars can help us push through the burn and reach the summit, to feel the pain and keep going, to smash our personal best record. We can tap into hidden reserves of emotional strength and resilience.
URANUS
Uranus has a reputation for blowing things up. It can feel explosive to us internally too, either as impatience, frustration, or on the other extreme, excitement, ecstasy, awakening.
Sometimes called The Awakener, we might have a shock that makes us realise what we instinctively knew but couldn’t face. We’re confronted with our own shadow in the form of people or ideas we dislike. Or you might realise there are times when being conflict averse can stagnate a relationship.
There is potential for accidents for sure, especially if you are feeling pressured or frustrated. And Uranus can provoke a feeling of urgency, of imperatives, of nervous energy.
Uranus is said to rule over resources like fuel and electricity. Sparks ignite fires, and fuel is tinder to the flames.
We may finally find the courage to break free from what stops us from growing, from what is soul crushing and tedious.
We might feel electrified by a new attraction to some one, or some thing, that feels unique and authentic. We may buy into ideals or concepts that resonate with a desire for freedom from tyranny.
Or we are offered a chance to courageously step into our own space, to break the chains that keep us stuck, or to liberate ourselves from fear, to reach for the life we truly want.
And Mars being so dignified can help us achieve it.
If we are not the agents of creative change we can experience this [transit] as conflict and disruption, (so sayeth Rob Hand).
SATURN & MERCURY
Saturn haș now turned direct. It has hovered on this first degree of Pisces since mid October and won’t move into the second degree until early December. If you have any planets at this degree, or configured to it, this could signify an important turning point for you.
The heavy workload, the responsibilities shouldered, the sacrifices and struggles, the commitments and promises met, will be rewarded now, or very soon.
This is how Saturn works; the pressures and demands are hard work, taking them seriously and working your way forward with patience and diligence is not fun. It is lonely too. But the feeling of accomplishment is pure gold and will last you a lifetime.
Mercury enters Sagittarius and squares Saturn a few days before the new Moon.
Saturn and Mercury at odds suggests discerning truth is not easy, sifting truth from fiction, trying to see the bigger picture, trying to understand something large and weighty. What is fake, what is real?
Failing to check facts or to grasp the relevance of what you’re seeing. There might be lots of talking, or speech that comes across as sermonising or patronising. Honesty is scorned, or truth is silenced. Connecting the wrong dots and ending up with a misleading picture.
Clarify to yourself what you believe in, what you have faith in, what your ethics and guiding principles are, and how you identify with your beliefs. Mercury brings a message about what will happen next so pay attention to this.
Do your beliefs matter all that much? And if they do, do they support your soul purpose? What can you learn from the wisdom of Sagittarius?
MARS CAZIMI TRINE NEPTUNE
Mars is still Cazimi (conjunct the Sun) while trine to Neptune on 17/18 November. The strong water theme seems significant although trines by themselves are not always noticeable.
This can show up as a need for fresh, clean water, or there is too much water, or there is a feeling of overwhelm, or you are dealing with leaks and floods. Mars with Neptune often signifies toxic or brackish water, poisons or infections that spread through water.
With the Sun, there is a sublime, transcendent theme, especially creative inspiration, a longing to transform something ugly into divine beauty through music, photography and film, or some other art form involving imagery.
There is healing in this alignment, which is followed by the ingress of both planets into Sagittarius.
SUN IN SAGITTARIUS
Mars follows the Sun into Sagittarius around the 24/25 of November. Mars is now out of range for Cazimi, it’s combust and further loses dignity once it leaves Scorpio.
Mars is disempowered, but Sagittarius is a fiery, bombastic sign. All bark and no bite maybe, or full of sound and fury signifying nothing. Law, justice and ethics are applied to Mars, who is now required to behave in a more dignified way in Jupiter’s house.
Both Sun and Mars are then squaring Saturn, so the Jupiter ruled signs they are operating from may not support positive intentions. And with regard to water (Saturn in Pisces), expect themes relating to boundaries and borders either defined by water or depending on it.
Pisces and Sagittarius are mutable, meaning they can adapt, see the grand design, and adopt a positive framework for moving forward. But this may take time to show up, especially after the messy, chaotic Scorpio phase.
We enter a new era of fighting for truth and justice on our personal frontiers. I will write more about this on the next new Moon on 13 December. See you all then.