The New Moon in Scorpio is exact tonight at 11:02pm PST. Scorpio is where the human race learned about death. The first six signs of the zodiac reflect how we as individuals have a sense of self and our immediate environment. Starting with Libra, we learn that the outside world acts as a mirror, and what you experience is a function of what you bring, and how you perceive that world outside of you. Then we must know death, for without it, we would not have life abundantly.
We don’t get to do the spiritual seeking that Sagittarius will show us until we know how to change, transform, and shape shift as life has its way with us. Without change, there is no dynamism to life, and all change can be distilled to the original change: we are born and know that we will die. There is freedom in accepting this, but the death principle is also terrifying, so Scorpio invented the Underworld, an enormous basement where we can store all the things we want to hide, including power struggles, dark and intense feelings, and the idea that one could love to the death.
This year has been epic, transformational, and unprecedented: None of us have ever lived through so much change. This is the lunar cycle where we must reckon with all that has transformed, while asking the universe for more breakdowns that lead to breakthroughs. Right now, Mars is in Leo and he, Jupiter, and the South Node are gathering for a powerful Conjunction that peaks in a week. This is a bonfire of creativity, confidence, and the ability to tap into gifts you came into this life with.
But this is a Scorpio New Moon ruled by Pluto, and nothing comes for free. Scorpio and Leo Square each other, so you can want it all, but old, egoic ways will have to die off. Shine as brightly as you can, underpinned by humility, grace, and service. Back in the 90s I met with some folk from LA about an ecstatic dance experience for SF Pride. That first meeting was a disaster, and my energy was part of why. A man I respect tremendously pulled me aside and said, “Michael, if you don’t rein in that arrogance, the universe will do it for you, and we need you.” Christian was right. Life corrected me, and I learned to correct myself, dying all the deaths to self I needed to die, over and over.
All the personal planets are in retrograde cycles, including Mars in his retrograde shadow. Moving backward keeps Mercury (mind) and Venus (heart) dipped in the unconscious, and each tells a story. Venus in a Sextile with the Leo stelium promises that if we stay open, generous, and hopeful, we can receive more love, intimacy, financial security, and emotional balance, even in the midst of destabilizing change. Mercury is pressing into a Square with Pluto, so the thinking mind is being squeezed by power struggles and a fight to make ourselves clear, to others and to ourselves. Because of these retrogrades, much of what gets imprinted in this lunation will layer into our conscious experience as each goes direct, the Mars delay being the longest, so your body may need some time to catch up.
Leo is the ruler of us all; ego and narcissistic wound is its shadow. When we allow ourselves to embody the benevolent King within us, we learn that the love and service that of this Sun-ruled sign reflects a commitment to care for those less fortunate. We are still riding on tremendous evidence that the people of Earth are done with the extinction grabs of the patriarchy and fundamentalist religion. Leo may be the monarch of the zodiac, but trust me, he knows that the world must be turned over to matriarchal rule, or we will not make it into the Age of Aquarius.
Chiron moved into Taurus this year, taking his marching orders from Venus, but only for a minute. He looked around and saw that it was clear we needed more help burning off that masculine rage, so a backward trip into Aries once again was just the ticket. Now at 27°42’ Aries, the Trine from the Leo stelium is offering some bold embodiment. But the South Node tells us we may have to let go of past inhibitions in order to receive the benefit of Leo and Jupiter’s largess. Venus Rx is Opposing Chiron, so there are, in fact, some potential old wounds that Venus in the Underworld is helping heal.
Uranus will Trine Pluto, just like they did in July; slow and fast change working in perfect harmony. Uranus at 4° Gemini is Sextiling the exact midpoint between Saturn and Neptune in Aries. This is another way that this New Moon promises sudden shifts, an awareness of new wisdom that is helping you move with certainty even when you move through chaos. Along with Saturn’s structure, the presence of Neptune in Aries allows us to get motivated and moving if we take action based on belief, credo, and intuitive guidance.
We set intentions for our deepest desires in Scorpio, even the ones we hide from ourselves. Scorpio relates directly to finances, but the creative side of money: investing, borrowing, lending, learning how to have money make money. You can see the gluttony of that in billionaires, where the need for more has run amok. Still, lean into your desires for prosperity without shame. Scorpio also wants deep and intense connections, so set intentions for relationships that transform your experience of intimacy. That level of vulnerability can be scary, and if that sounds like you, this New Moon wants you to dive deeper and reveal the desires you’ve been holding close to your vest.
The New Moon builds all day, so we’re in the Dark-of-the-Moon from the moment you wake up today, till late tonight, or early morning for those of you in Europe and Africa, and Monday late afternoon down under. Spend time today considering the way you want to approach this intention setting moment. Just make sure what you ask for is the real deal; Scorpio has no use for a watered down version. Then name what you are willing to let die. So set your intentions tonight. Ask for the cash and the prizes, then offer up whatever part of you still feels undeserving. Have at it!
