“And the night falls on the setting sun…”
~~~ Neil Young

“Would you know my name if I saw you in Heaven? ”
~~~ Eric Clapton

This month we are plunged into Scorpio darkness as the night does indeed fall on the setting Sun. The loss of daylight becomes even more dramatic after November 6th which marks the end of daylight savings time. Autumn is in full swing as the leaves change and fall, flowers die, and animals start to burrow and prepare to hibernate.

All of this is is intensely Scorpio, the sign of death and transformation, and true to form here on the East coast the before and after of the landscape is very dramatic as nature flames out in a riot of fiery color like the afterglow of a spectacular sunset. We are left by late November with a barren wilderness apparently devoid of life.

This is Scorpio’s big Halloween trick. Life itself dresses up as The Grim Reaper and does it’s best to convince us that as Porky Pig used to say TH th th th That’s all folks! While there is much truth to the bitter sweetness of death or the passing away of any form, the deeper mystery of Scorpio is that behind the massive letting go of autumn the life force has merely changed residence from above ground to underground where deep shamanic Scorpio magic is taking place.

The life force of trees, bushes, and flowers goes underground to nourish the root systems of nature and rest from the last growing season so that come spring, beautiful new forms can appear to delight us.Scorpio ‘s ancient ruler is Mars and it’s modern ruler is Pluto, in Greek mythology, the God of the Underworld.

The corresponding myth to the balance of the seasons is the Pluto Persephone myth: Pluto the God of the Underworld falls for Persephone the personification of youthful springtime femininity, also the daughter of Demeter the Earth Goddess. (He was probably tired of the relentless dark dank dinginess of the underworld and wanted a springtime infusion of floral Feng Shui to cheer him up a bit.) He abducts Persephone on his dark chariot, overpowers her and makes her his queen.

Meanwhile back above ground Demeter is going nuts, searching for her daughter. She quits her job as earth goddess which results in massive crop failure, and starts a local branch of Olympic Mothers Against Underworld Abductions. Her Olympic lobbying, to say nothing of the fact that humanity is on the brink of extinction by famine, is so successful that Zeus the king of the Gods intervenes and says that provided Persephone has eaten no food in the underworld, she can return home with Mom. Unfortunately she has eaten 3 pomegranate seeds, so it is determined that she must spend half her time with Pluto as queen of the underworld and the other two seasons, spring and summer with her mother above ground.

On the surface this story seems to be a way to explain the change of seasons, but there are many other Scorpio truths within it. This myth reminds us that death is a massive recycling of energy into new forms. Life is eternal and never stops. We are also reminded that without darkness, withdrawal, deep repose and rest there can be no life. This is a crucial message for a culture like ours that cannot stop moving, doing, working and texting. Nature reminds us that a three to four month beauty nap is what nature requires to be looking her diva best in the spring.

The other great truth embedded in this myth is that of the inconsolable grief we feel when confronted with the loss of a loved one. Who among us doesn’t know the agony that says “I want my daughter, husband, mother, friend, fill in the blank, back.

Death reminds us that each soul and moment is unique and precious and irreplacable.If we take the inevitable and absolute nature of death into account it stops all our pettiness and floods us with love. In the final moments of life for many on 9/11 and anywhere where death is imminent, our hearts are cracked open and we are flooded with the only words that make any sense; I love you, I love You I love you

Death is the place that brings us squarely to faith. We want to know that our loved ones still exist, that we will someday be reunited with them, and we wonder like Eric Clapton, would they recognize us and we them devoid of our bodies. Scorpio rules the invisible, and the realm of energy, and I remember thinking as my mother was dying that I would recognize her spirit anywhere, even if she came back as a burley marine I remember after my mother died telling an elderly neighbor that I was heartbroken and felt I would never get over the loss of her. She looked at me with a twinkle in her eye and smiled and said “Good! your not supposed to. What kind of a life would you be leading if you never loved anyone that much?”

Deepak Chopra in his book Life After Death Burden of Proof makes a compelling case for reincarnation, a principle that governs all of nature. Matter cannot be created or destroyed it merely endlessly changes form And Eckhardt Tolle in his luminous Stillness Speaks reminds us that when any form disappears the divine unmanifest shines through. This he says makes death the most sacred thing in life.

Scorpio also rules shared wealth just as it’s opposite Taurus rules personal wealth. This is another area that needs major healing here in the West. Astrology says there should be a fifty-fifty split between what is personal and what is evenly shared. When one percent holds all the wealth the Libra scales tip and there is inevitable uprising. In the West wealth and power go hand in hand. We have become a Plutocracy where corporations and the superwealthy can buy political power. But again Scorpio reminds us that we cannot take any of this with us. You’ll never see a hearse pulling a u haul.

In a world where death takes all why not walk lightly upon the earth. Leave pristine rivers and oceans for the next crew. Find a way to open our hearts and bank accounts and share the wealth. Find a way to make each exquisite moment count and let our inevitable departure from this heartbreakingly beautiful place inform our actions and what we choose to leave in the wake of our own passing.

Scorpio rules power, sex, death, taxes, the underworld, shamanism, transformation,pychology, butterflies, phoenixes, magic, midwifery, oil, natural gas, plutonium world dictators abuses of power, torture resurrection shared wealth immortality.

This month to make maximum use of Scorpio energy begin your own transformation. Ruthlessly let go of mental physical and spiritual clutter that is holding you back. Get a makeover Take your power. Transform Share your resources. Dare to risk true sharing with your beloved’s which is the foundation of all real intimacy. Do some deep soulsearching.See a shaman. Switch to Green Energy Do some depth work around your deep seated beliefs about money and power. Help the dying. Volunteer with hospice. Light candles and send blessings to your ancestors or the departed. Ask yourself what legacy you want to leave behind. Let your heart be broken open and allow death to teach you how to truly live.

The Sun went into Scorpio on October 23rd and will remain there till November 22nd when it enters Sagittarius. The new Moon in Scorpio took place on October 26th beginning a growth cycle which emphasizes collective finance and merged resources. A deep descent into the psyche and a major focus on spirituality are emphasized in this lunation The full moon in Taurus will take place on November 10th.
Spend the first part of the month till the full moon to plant the metaphoric seeds you want to grow this month. Take positive action, meet new people and work on creating a nurturing home for the upcoming winter season.

Mercury, the planet of communication spends the first two days of November in Scorpio then heads into expansive philosophical Sagittarius, one of the most optimistic signs of the zodiac. Mercury will remain in Sag all month buoying us up with optimistic and generous thoughts. On November 24th mercury goes retrograde till December 14th when it goes direct. Use the retrograde to reflect on your philosophy. let yourself be guided by largess and generosity of spirit. The retrograde is likewise a great time to reconnect, repair, rewrite and rethink Beware of impulsive speech, and avoid buying any communication equipment during this time.

Venus like mercury spends the first two days of the month in Scorpio bringing our love nature into the depths, and like Mercury enters jovial Sagittarius on the 3rd of November. This month explore exotic beauty rituals. Get your hands hennaed or a hot stone massage. It’s a great month to explore how other cultures approach love beauty and intimacy. Venus remains in Sagittarius till November 27th when it enters conservative Capricorn.

Mars in Leo at the onset of the month gives us plenty of creative playful energy. Use this time to create and perform. On November 12th Mars moves into Virgo helping us to refine and edit our creations. The Virgo energy will also help us to get organized and healthy for the holidays. Try having an organic Thanksgiving. Contemplate doing some service for charitable organizations that help to feed people.

Jupiter is still retrograde in Taurus all month use this time to reflect on your finances and how you define wealth. Reflect on your core self esteem also a Taurus issue and how it relates to your finances. Saturn remains in Libra as we watch the world careening as the scales desperately seek to redress gross imbalances world wide. Keep your Karma clean. Uranus in Aries continues to awaken activism world wide. Neptune still in Aquarius encourages us to find our like-minded teammates while remembering that everyone is on the team in a holistic universe.

Pluto continues the world wide transformation of finance, government and the deep structures of the earth.

ARIES: The Sun is shining in the house of your deep unconscious this month illuminating unconscious patterns around intimacy, money and self worth. After November third you will get some relief from the deep intense contemplation as Venus and Mercury enter your house of higher learning, philosophy and optimism. Use this expansive energy to celebrate the holiday season. Say yes to multicultural celebrations and develop a philosophy around intimacy. How and in what ways are you willing to share yourself with others. Your ongoing development depends upon setting boundaries with partners and using Saturn’s realism in relationships. This includes having realistic expectations of yourself and others. Continue working on your transforming career. Jupiter in your money house retrograde says the payoff is coming just be patient.

TAURUS: It feels like hurry up and wait for you Taurus as you’ve taken so many expansive steps to expand your life and bank account. Jupiter however is in retrograde asking you to rethink, renegotiate and reconnect with key people before you get the payoff. This month the Sun is shining in your house of partnership. Illuminating the powerful players you tend to partner with. After November third there is a nice movement of Venus and Mercury into your house of shared resources and wealth Have any financial discussions between the 1st and 24th when mercury goes retrograde. Mars in your fourth house continues to put a major energy focus on home and family After the 12th focus on healing, fitness and work.

GEMINI: This month the Sun is shining in your house of organization, health and cleanliness giving you added energy to put your life in order and pay extra attention to health and nutrition. After November third Venus and Mercury enter Sag and your house of partnerships and you may find yourself on an actual or metaphoric journey of love with a cherished partner. On November 24th Mercury goes retrograde encouraging you to reflect before you speak and be especially mindful in all your communications Mercury retrograde on Thanksgiving Day encourages us to be quietly reflective on the whole subject of gratitude. New friends are entering your life be open to letting them in. Art and Romance continue to be the serious focus in your life.

CANCER: The Sun is shining in your house of play fun romance and children, making this an ideal month to spend with your children if you have them, and with your inner child if you don’t. You have been under so much transformational pressure that taking some time to have fun and play a little could pay you some real dividends. Your career and relationships are changing radically as is your homelike. Find a way to carry your safety and security on your back like the crab your totem. Mars in your second house gives you added energy to make money. Jupiter retrograde in your friendship sector may reconnect you with old friends and business contacts.

LEO: Mars the planet of action and war is in your house of identity giving you plenty of energy and even aggression to further your goals. After the twelfth Mars leaves your house of identity house and enters Virgo and your finance sector asking your to heal your relationship to money and self worth. The best use of Leo energy is always to put it into some creative form or to use it to lead, or both. Be a creative leader. The Sun your ruling planet is in Scorpio in your house of family. This may bring up unresolved psychological family of origin issues around power and money. After November 3rd Venus and Mercury move into expansive Sagittarius in your house of creativity. This encourages you to explore your creativity. Writing may be especially fun and for you performance always is. Jupiter at your midheaven retrograde asks you to reflect on your long-term career goals.

VIRGO: The Sun is shining in your house of communication this month in Scorpio helping you to both focus on and transform your approach to communication. This is a good month to explore nonviolent communication and empowered communication. After the 3rd Venus and Mercury enter your house of home and encourage you to beautify home for the holidays and host gatherings. You are still in a financial contraction, but all your hard work and networking will pay off. Jupiter in your house of philosophy is building in a whole new philosophical optimism that could manifest in your life as unprecedented abundance. Uranus in the house of shared wealth and intimacy is awakening a whole new capacity for how you share your self and life with others.

LIBRA: The Sun is shining in your house of money this month giving you added energy to further your financial plans. Saturn still moving through Libra encourages you to develop your inner and outer CEO. This month finance and communication can advance your cause. New partners are entering your life, helping to shoulder your burdens; After November third communication projects can expand. With Mars in Leo in your friendship sector networking is both fun and productive After the 24th when mercury goes retrograde, you may need to revisit and edit communication projects. Jupiter in Taurus retrograde in your shared finance sector asks you to reconnect with fiscal backers and people who may want to invest in you.

SCORPIO: Happy Birthday Scorpio! This month the Sun, Venus and Mercury start out in your sign, making this a birthday month that begins with beautiful and loving communication. After the third Mercury and Venus enter Sagittarius and your second house making this a time of great optimism and abundance regarding both your self esteem and your love life and your bank account. Mars is in Leo at your midheaven so career is also looking sunny. The forecast looks good for a very upbeat year. Jupiter in your house of partnerships could send you a business or romantic partner who is also expansive and adventurous, and let’s face it, what with your intensely brooding nature you could use a little fun and adventure. The Big themes of the year continue to be A major transformation of and through communication as well as a whole new approach to health fitness and organization Saturn in your spiritual sector reminds you to really work your spiritual practice and that will support everything else in your life.

SAGITTARIUS:The Sun, Mercury and Venus begin the month in your spiritual sector encouraging you to ramp up your devotional practice. The Sun illuminates this sacred space for most of the month while mercury and Venus peel off and head straight into your sign, making this a month of gracious and artful socializing, communication and romance. Let the lovely abundance begin with you as you treat yourself with loving kindness. This will then radiate out to your friends and partners. After the 24th Mercury goes retrograde in your sign and you enter a reflective period regarding culture and philosophy Pluto in your second house is transforming your relationship to both money and power Jupiter, your ruling planet is in your sixth house retrograde this month, making it time to revamp your relationship or approach to both daily work and health and fitness. Mars the planet of action is in your philosophical sector inviting you to be creative and have fun exploring various philosophies, cultures and religions as we approach the holidays.

CAPRICORN: The Sun is shining in your house of networking this month encouraging you to get out there and meet the influential people, who can help you further your professional goals After the 3rd Mercury and Venus move into your spiritual sector and get you connected to the holy spirit of compassion and generosity just in time for the holidays. After the 24th when mercury goes retrograde you become even more still and reflective. You have been in the crucible of transformation with Pluto in your sign for the foreseeable future. This month take a little break and socialize while you also ramp up your spiritual practice. Saturn your ruling planet is still at your midheaven giving you ongoing career focus and Uranus the planet of awakening is at the roots of your chart awakening you from family conditioning

AQUARIUS: There’s a big transformational focus in your career sector this month Aquarius as the Sun Mercury and Venus kick off the month at your midheaven. After the third Venus and Mercury enter your Social sector and you are aligned for festive socializing as the holidays approach. Jupiter is retrograde at your home sector so home feels expansive and abundant but in an inner way this month. Neptune in your sign is clarifying your vision of yourself and your humanitarian agenda With Saturn in Libra in your philosophical sector your philosophy is intensely focused on justice through non violence in all areas of your life. Mars has been in your partnership sector bringing you creative partners that you can deepen with later this month.

PISCES: The Sun in Scorpio shining in your house of philosophy, travel and sports this month makes it a great time to explore any and all of the above preferably with a partner. In fact this is a great month to explore how you share your life and resources with others. After November third Venus and Mercury move into your career sector in the lucky sign Sagittarius and you may find that romance leads to work opportunities. After the 24th a career contact may return with an offer for you.Mars in your artistic sector in Leo has been powering your creative life After the twelfth refine your approach and explore new skills that will help you achieve your creative goals. Uranus in your financial sector helps you pioneer a new inventive approach to making money. Jupiter in the communication sector brings expansion through reflection this month.

Namaste,
Demitra