Dateblog: October 2013

See all the red in this month's diagram? That represents Scorpio. And Scorpio is the sign which represents everything in and about life which tests our security and sense of satisfaction...and which gets us to dealing with whatever we need to do in order to increase same - or cope with threats. Or at least what we perceive as threats.

(And yes, Scorpio is rightfully famous for getting us to imagine threats where there are none and for being the sign of overreacting as often as the sign of denial).

The 'famous' triad of issues Scorpio is rightly known for is: money, sex and power. And yes, they are all Scorpionic in the sense that these are issues which can provoke emotionality and/or which test our emotional stability - particularly as that pertains to how well we know our own ability to tolerate emotionality...or to survive emotionality and learn a good deal in the process.

So to say Scorpio is just 'money, sex and power' is pretty matter-of fact. Even rather bland. UNTIL they become a matter between me and thee, that is. (Or you and anyone else, of course!)

In all things Scorpio, it is the interaction which puts something at risk. Sometimes the risk is real and physical – as in surgery. (Yes, surgery is a Scorpio ‘operation,’ if you will.) (Bad puns rule!) But sometimes Scorpio risks are simply about embarrassment. Or ‘saving face,’ as it’s translated from the Japanese culture. In Scorpio we risk rejection. We risk being vulnerable – whether physically, financially, emotionally or any other way.

Of course the instinct is to try to control those risks. But that’s what Scorpio is all about: learning what needs to be controlled, what needs to be avoided, and what is simply a pea-brained choice on your part.

Or an insecurity which you really would do well to think through and own rather more than you do already, perhaps.

As the New Moon in Libra rolls through on October 5^th, Scorpio Venusian-ness hits full tilt and we find out what works, what doesn’t work – and maybe that we’re just appealing to the wrong person for the wrong thing (or wrong reason, take your pick!). And interactions don’t stop there. With the Sun in Libra, Mercury in Scorpio and Venus in Sagittarius there’s a lot of energy going into finding out how to make things work.

But there is a fly in the ointment. It’s name is Mars in Leo. As October starts, Mars is moving into Leo’s third and most worldly decanate. It’s time to let go and see how far your wings will carry you! It’s also the point at which you may get shot down. And let’s face it, nobody likes getting shot down!

This gets into that ‘fixed sign’ thing. Leo and Scorpio are both fixed signs. But where Scorpio tests our ability (and willingness) to risk our feelings in a more or less personal setting where we choose who to interact with and what the stakes really are, Leo calls for a more global release into a theoretical marketplace which is far less personal…until you get shot down, that is.

And of course, all of this is happening in the weeks leading towards a November Solar Eclipse. In what sign?

Oh yes...Scorpio!

But before we even get that far, there’s going to be a Lunar Eclipse at 25 Aries. Occurring on October 18^th, this is a high spirited time which functions on both the ‘cause’ and ‘effect side of the coin. That which we are or have done may shine. That which we have done and not done all that well…those dirty little pigeons may come home at this point to do a little roosting. (Not roasting, roosting!)

For good or ill, by the time that happens Mars will have moved on from Leo into Virgo, meaning emotions are far more likely to froth sans the cappuccino prior to the lunar eclipse than after. Mars in Virgo tends to be rather pragmatic – and that may well have be needed, as the week prior to the Aries Lunar Eclipse is going to be not just the final huzzah of Mars in Leo but also part of Mercury’s run-up to retrograde.

The net of all this is that the middle of October is going to be an intense time for everyone. Even if you’re playing it cool floating in a pool, things and people around you and in lifeare bound to make a few waves.

It’s just the nature of the time.

In the wake of the lunar eclipse, feelings of urgency and fervency will subside a little bit. But the end of October? With the Sun moving into Scorpio on October 23^rd (or late on the 22^nd for those in the Americas or eastern Pacific basin) …and with Mercury already retrograde? This is a recipe which can cook up some very intense thoughts – and the notions that certain decisions have to be made and acted on.

But not yet. When under Mercury retrograde, the ‘rule’ is that we don’t start anything new – and that we need to really think things through before letting go of something old.

It shouldn’t surprise anyone if given the impending Solar Eclipse the temptation, the urge, the desire to get past something or to be free of something overwhelms some of us…but if that happens, what you (or whoever does something) thinks will result aren’t likely to work out quite as expected.

There’s a lot of karmic pressure going around as October ends. It may surface in your life as emotionality, as financial issues, as matters which concern power or control – even the need to make some serious changes.

You just don’t know everything yet.

Most astrologers under most circumstances would say “wait.” But considering that November’s eclipse is going to occur under Mercury retrograde, the whole process of changing your mind or changing your mental perspective (or your ability or willingness to so that) may well be exactly what’s being called for. If your natal chart is being aspected with any exactness by 11 Scorpio (the degree of the eclipse) the very nature of what you think and how you think about something…even everything…may well be on the table.

It’s to think about.

DEGREES MOST DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE NOVEMBER 3^RD SOLAR ECLIPSE: 

The Challenging Aspects:
6 through 16 degrees of Scorpio, Taurus, Leo or Aquarius
9 through 13 degrees of Libra, Sagittarius, Gemini or Aries

The Opportunity Aspects:
8 through 14 degrees of Capricorn or Virgo 

Aspects indicating Transformations of Ongoing Dynamics:
6 through 16 degrees of Cancer or Pisces
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