NEW MOON IN SCORPIO
November 1st is a day of darkness. It’s the halfway point between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice, meaning that we’re entering the darkest quarter of the year here in the northern hemisphere. This is a holiday known as Samhain, All Hallows Day or All Saints Day, when we remember those who have crossed the veil into the shadowy, mysterious realm of death. And of course, our spooky modern celebration of Halloween is closely connected to this tradition.
Appropriately, the sky will be very dark on November 1st this year, since the moon will be new at 5:47am Pacific Time. The sun and moon will be conjunct at 9 degrees of Scorpio, the sign associated with the dark depths of our emotions and the world’s hidden mysteries. As the moon grows dark and the veil between worlds is at its thinnest, what will we see in the shadows when we’re no longer blinded by the sun’s light?
This is a very significant new moon for several reasons. It’ll be the first new moon since the solar eclipse in Libra on October 2nd, and the first lunar cycle since August that doesn’t contain an eclipse. Those sudden, chaotic energies are finally settling - and for all you witches out there, it’s now safe to return to your manifestation and spellwork.
Take this opportunity to begin something new around Scorpionic themes: magick, shadow work, intimacy and vulnerability. This could also be a fresh start in a certain area of your life, represented by the house of your birth chart that contains 9 degrees of Scorpio. (For example, this falls into the 6th house of my chart, inviting a refresh with routines, service and mentorship.) If you have planets near this point of the zodiac (or in aspect to this new moon), they will also give you clues about your most auspicious new beginnings for this lunar cycle.
There are quite a few aspects applying and separating during this new moon, two of which are particularly notable. Mental planet Mercury is currently in Scorpio, and it will be forming an exact trine with Neptune in Pisces only 12 hours before the new moon occurs. Mercury and Neptune will also be forming a grand trine with Mars in Cancer, the third water sign. This aspect pattern signals a harmonious flow of emotions, allowing us to more easily access the creative vision and spiritual connection of Neptune, bolstered by the courage and vitality of Mars.
As the co-rulers of Scorpio, Mars and Pluto are especially crucial planets during this new moon. And it just so happens that they will be opposite each other at this time, with Mars approaching the end of Cancer and Pluto sitting at the final threshold of Capricorn - forming a loose T-square to the sun and moon in Scorpio. This aspect is a tense balancing act, which asks us to bravely face our most challenging inner truths and the world’s most evil realities, the latter of which are sadly plentiful these days. If we can meet this moment with courage and composure, it promises a turning point and an important learning opportunity. But if we panic or act out on our worst impulses and strongest emotions, we’ll create even more cruelty and harm that we’ll then need to heal from. During this new moon, Mars and Pluto can both teach us a lot about the mindfulness needed to truly harness Scorpio’s healing power and potential.
During this lunar cycle (on November 19th), Pluto will finally enter its Aquarius era and remain there for the next 20 years - so this new moon really is a significant fresh start. How will you use it? What seeds will you plant to slowly germinate underground? What will you learn about yourself and the world? What truths will you finally be brave enough to uncover? What will you glimpse or sense in the mystical, magickal darkness?
The chart for the Scorpio new moon contains a T-square with the Mars-Pluto opposition, as well as a grand water trine with Mercury, Mars & Neptune.
