New Moon in Scorpio

This year's (2011) New Moon in Scorpio is exact:

• October 26, 12:56 pm Pacific
• October 26th, 3:56 pm Eastern US,
• 7:56 pm UT/Greenwich Mean Time

This is the motherlode of New Moons. The risks are high, and rewards great, as we're drawn into the psychic underworld. With intense heat, the seed of the new will crack open. It's magnificent New Moon to turn yourself inside out, in search of your own buried treasures.

This Darkest of Moons is one to seek fresh water sources -- intense emotional and soul force running strong. By going deep, you flush out or shine light on what's there to be transformed. A purification happens, by consciously surrendering to all that's rising to be healed.

"Sacrifice/Make Sacred" To the Scorpio Waters, for More Beauty, Contentment

As predictions of doom come and go, I see the ways that fear -- and its associated drama -- is a powerful cultural addiction that can seduce us and drain our vitality, keeping us from fully cultivating our own gardens (natural talents). With four planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus) in sign Scorpio, a sign of emotional backbone, we can shine a light on what's driving the fear, or casting a shadow. Spending time with yourself is wise, to quiet down enough to hear the soul stirrings. And to watch dreams for messages to courageously face and integrate these personal demons.

This New Moon, with an opposition to Jupiter in fixed earth Taurus, is for finding a way beyond paralysis, inertia, information overload. Jupiter's opposition is a pull out of "what ifs" about the future or resentments from the past, and build on what you have, right here and now, living your values.

On this Jupiter opposition, Cathy Lynn Pagano of Wisdom of Astrology writes, "Since oppositions seek to make us aware of something, Jupiter will probably make a big point of showing you what it is. Jupiter in Taurus owns the peace and beauty, pleasure and contentment that Scorpio lacks. What would you give up (sacrifice/make sacred) to have that peace? That contentment?"

Mars Roars

In considering what must die, so something else can thrive, let's note that Mars demands attention, with a square to Venus and Mercury. Mars Leo in this square intensifies any frustrations, especially at what's been held close to the chest, or is a difficult truth.

Fire and water combine at the New Moon, for highly charged conversations about things that have deep roots and feel entangling. The situation is defused, when it feels safe to bring forth real feelings, especially if they're raw, disturbing, shameful and/or the tip of the iceberg for something far bigger below the surface.

Lunar Samhain

The fixed water sign Scorpio is about merging of souls, worlds -- and drama. At Lunar Samhain, the veil between worlds is like moving fog, making all kinds of spirit communication possible. With no lunar light, the spirit turns inward, to take a look around the personal interior, and ponder realms we can't see with our eyes.

It's timely for honoring or making peace with a loved one that's crossed over. Or seeking release(cutting, dissolving) from emotional-soul cords with those that still pull on your energy.

Things to Do:

• Meditate, pray, ask spirit to guide you.
• Come together with those who can create a shared shelter from the storm, an oasis of friendship, love, community.
• Nurture spiritual strength.
• Fully develop all your creative talents.
• Disengage from the madness of our times, in a way that feels right to you.
• Love and protect yourself fiercely -- physically, mentally, spiritually.

Danger and Treasure in the Dark

In earlier times, travel was planned by the Moon, since it was considered dangerous to travel on a moonless night. What might emerge from the darkness? This new Moon offers a chance to encounter that vast landscape within, sometimes full of hidden dangers, but full of potential for healing. Scorpio is a sign that seeks out underground reservoirs of energy, to be turned into power. Think of what it's like to find cathartic release for something that's dogged you for many years. Your energy is suddenly freed up, so you can channel it into your daily life.

Scorpio rightly deserves its lusty reputation, but the desire serves a purpose, too. This sign is about spreading seeds of potential, and burying them where they will grow best. Scorpio is a sign that understands the nature of power, and how to shift it in unseen ways. This new Moon offers a chance to dig deep within yourself for "source material" for your genius dreams. This may mean planting seeds and patiently nurturing them, or taking your raw material, and changing its form.

Dark Matter

At this New Moon, with so much hanging in the balance, we're asked to work with Dark Matter, which is the 90% of the universe that is unknown. There is danger, if we don't know ourselves, and begin to overcome our collective fears and learn to move in this terrain. You can disengage from whatever manipulates your emotions now, and reclaim that life force for yourself. This is your creative-sexual energy, and reclaiming it is the path out of helplessness.

Surrender

If this new Moon finds you taking a soulful journey, draw on your own spiritual strength and allies for support. It's important to balance out these forays into the dark with things that refill the emotional well. I'm a huge lover of long baths, and this new Moon is ideal for taking a serious soak. Share any insights with a trusted friend, one that won't judge what's coming up. Rather than letting your emotional intensity isolate you, allow it to draw you closer to others. Get lots of rest, since you're more likely to experience lucid dreaming or remember lessons from "night school" now.