Even with the Moon in mentally active Gemini, it’s a relatively quiet day up there in the cosmos. The Gemini moon does, however, increase our mental activity. It also puts emphasis on Gemini’s key planet, Mercury, who has been in his retrograde phase since August 28th. And although the trickster planet doesn’t start his forward engines again for another couple of days, we are now in that frustrating place where we can see how much we didn’t get completed in the past few weeks. Tie up those loose ends, for we’ll soon be pushing into new ground.

The Moon enters fiery Leo at 10:01 am EDT, symbolizing our need to be seen, appreciated and loved. We each become like a flower in the mid-summer garden, standing in full bloom in the bright sun. This Moon, coupled with Mercury’s turn toward direct motion continues the shift we are now seeing on the cosmic front. Additionally, Mercury is now creating a harmonious trine aspect with Chiron, the Wounded Healer. Mercury is about all forms of communication. Talking about it can be a catalyst to future healing.

The Moon remains in deep, mysterious Scorpio until 8:57 pm EDT, when it enters a lighter and more easy-going Sagittarius. But this lunar shift is foreshadowed as Venus forms a supportive sextile to Pluto earlier in the day. Although Pluto isn’t usually associated with light-hearted things, when the planet of love and money sends her sweet energy Pluto’s way, we can be treated to a rare glimpse of the lighter side of the dark side. Even the terrifying darkness can become more magical and beautiful under the influence of Venus.

Week of Oct 9 - 16 This week features the Aries Harvest Full Moon (Oct 10) symbolizing the fulfillment, or fruition, of the seeds planted at the New Moon of some earlier cycle. The elements of the hero/ine’s quest as described by Joseph Campbell in his book Hero With A Thousand Faces assists in deepening our understanding of ways to attune to the essence of the Moon Phases. The New Moon phase is similar to the Call To Adventure alerting the Hero/ine that an initiatory journey is about to take place. The First Quarter Moon phase is similar to the crossing of the threshold into the zone of magnified power where the journey or initiation takes place. The Full Moon Phase relates to the Mystical Marriage or Apotheosis where the goal of the journey is achieved. Apotheosis is defined by Webster’s as the: Exaltation to divine rank or stature; deification.  This is the phase in the cycle where we have an opportunity to remember and experience our divinity. The Moon begins to wane this week representing the integration and dissemination of the gifts received at the Full Moon. The annual Aries Full Moon illuminates what we stand for, and what we choose to defend or protect for the benefit of the cosmic order of life. This full Moon asks what level of action are we willing to engage that supports the complete fulfillment of that commitment?

Oct 9, Thursday. Venus moves into Scorpio today where she remains until Nov 2 activating the mysteries of death and rebirth and the aspect of the Goddess (Kali, Hecate, Pele, Cerridwen, the Cretan Snake Goddess, etc.) that destroys what is necessary and timely, making room for something new to birth, acting from compassion, love and wisdom in alignment with the natural cycles and rhythms of life. Last Nov 7 Venus rose as a Morning Star to begin a new 584-day cycle exploring and integrating the Scorpio archetype of the Shaman Sorceress into the collective feminine psyche of humanity. The Sorceress/Witch is not evil or bad, but rather she knows how to connect with her own eternal divine source to bring spirit into matter for the purpose of serving divine will in ways that are passionately ecstatic and alive. This archetype has been largely repressed at least as far back as the witch burnings when many were accused of evil doings (mostly women and some men) because they stood strong in the power of who they were. In order to survive, Scorpio became a secretive archetype, hiding its magic and power even though that was not the original essence of the Scorpio mysteries. It is time the power and potency of this energy be recognized, accepted for its gifts and utilized in ways that support the fulfillment of divine will. Remembering the Scorpio mantra “I will, my will, by thy will” helps to further empower these mysteries in finding healthy expression in this dimension. Tonight marks the fullest rise of the Moon reaching the exact Full Moon just after mid-night Pacific Time.

http://www.shamanicastrology.com/celestial_timings.htm

New Moon in Scorpio
Saturday, October 25, 2003
6:50am PDT
1º 41'

Sometimes referred to as Lunar Samhain, the New Moon in Scorpio is a night when the veil is thin between the living and the spirit world. Especially this year, with Mercury (the communicator) at 1º Scorpio 46', conjunct Sun and Moon, great insights can be gained on this night through contact with spirit teachers: be they animal, mineral, angelic, or ancestral. Open your mind to the wisdom that flows from the other side. You may even find you have a new set of cosmic helpers after this New Moon ritual! Scorpio is the sign that seeks deep truth in all things. The New Moon in Scorpio is the night to acknowledge the ways this questioning process manifests in your life.

This is the most serious New Moon of the year. This is the night of truth and dare. Dare to be honest and the rewards of this ritual will come back tenfold. I think it is safe to say that we are living in a very Scorpionic time, one becoming increasingly characterized by constant fear and uncertainty. I admit, on some level Americans were just plain naïve, thinking we could forever shield ourselves from the terror that has plagued much of the rest of the world. But let's be honest, decades of producing and selling weapons all over the world has finally caught up with America, and these very same weapons are now being sold to the highest bidder. Mercury in Scorpio marks a time of opening the mind to the painful truth about our country and ourselves. The trine from the Moon/Sun/Mercury conjunction to Mars in Pisces could expose the plutonic dark lies of the warmongers so that the peacemakers can rise up and lead us forward. The alternative Mideast peace initiative is a great example of this kind of effort. May it be successful!

So this is the New Moon to honestly reflect upon the self. This will be made easier by Mercury (the mind) and Venus (the heart) in Scorpio (the truthteller). Use a mirror in your ritual. Take a long look at yourself; go all the way inside your skin, inside your mind, inside your heart. Are you doing and saying things that create fear, alienation, dissatisfaction, and despair in others? What thoughts and actions have you put energy into that are now coming back to haunt you? Are you supporting people that create pain and suffering for you and for others? Are you too afraid to deal with them properly or let them go all together? Look at your fear, where it comes from, what makes it worse and what eases it. This is the optimal night to face your fear head on and make a commitment to letting go of unhealthy and tortuous relationships, jobs, behavior, and habits. A New Moon in Scorpio shows you the truth, shows you your vulnerabilities, and your powerlessness. But it also gives you the strength to let go of destructive behavior patterns, make changes, and learn to be powerful in a positive life-supporting way.

Use your ritual to journey to the depths of your soul. And don't think this will be some kind of new-agey joyride! If you are real with yourself and dive deep into the core of your unconscious, this will be challenging and scary. If you brave the murky depths you will arrive at that sacred place beyond fear, pain and illusion. There are many ways to do this, but on a New Moon in Scorpio it is best to work in the dark. Indigenous people use drums and ritual dance to induce a transpersonal state of consciousness. You can try this with a partner who drums while you journey, or use recorded shamanic drumming. Some people gaze into a scrying mirror or a bowl of water to induce a trancelike state. For some visualization or meditation is enough. There are many plants that can alter or heighten your awareness. Use them with knowledge and respect. This is not recreation. More than ever, it is all about intention on this New Moon

The Scorpio New Moon is a night to strip yourself bare and release your pretensions. Relinquish all you are, all you have, and all you wish to be. Let go of your attachment to suffering: pain, violence, resentment, hatred, judgments, and indecisiveness. This is the night to fearlessly take responsibility for your own condition and the condition of your loved ones. When it comes down to it we always have some modicum of control over our circumstances. Even in our darkest hour, it is up to us to make change where we can, and where we can't, rise to the occasion and make the best of a bad situation. Scorpio forces us to recognize our relative insignificance in the big scheme of things, but it demands that we take responsibility for the tremendous impact we have on what happens in the world. This is the true meaning of power. Scorpio knows it has the power to change, though it is the improper use of this power that often becomes problematic. There are many great teachers of power to be found in the plant, animal, and spirit worlds. Seek their wisdom and their healing energy in your ritual. They will be your guides as you peel back the layers of fear and false pretense to arrive at the stark naked truths of your life.

But please don't leave yourself hanging in the dark depths! Scorpio rules death and rebirth and New Moons are always a time of new beginnings. Active rebirth from the womb of wisdom is a pivotal part of this ritual; you are not done until this has been completed. It is important to rest after your journey within. Calm and soothe yourself with a hot bath, sit in front of a fire and have a light snack. Use this time to reflect on the truths and the lessons you were shown. When you are rested, go back to your ritual area and give yourself time to document your journey. If you need to, call back your spirit guides to help you in this process. Write down or create a visual representation of the wisdom you received and clearly delineate newly conceived goals or action plans. Scorpio empowers projects and goals that require real commitment to your truth, and as you well know, these are the hardest to achieve.

A word on war: while you are in the Spirit world, do your best to enlist support from the "other side" to bring peace to this world. We need all the help we can get and we need it now, right now. Do your part; you have the power within you!

©2003 Lisa Dale Miller

General Daily Overview
The Moon is in practical Capricorn today. We can learn lessons about integrity and patience. The problem is that the Sun forms a harmonious trine with feisty Mars, encouraging us to be anything but patient. We feel that doing anything now is better than doing nothing at all. Additionally, with Mercury the Communicator forming a tense square with slippery Neptune, we can me misunderstood--or misunderstand others. Both of these powerful aspects can challenge our stability…yet the Capricorn Moon needs to feel stable.

m wrote on 30.10.2003 at 13:16:56:


  (Saj še malo pa pride v Vodnarja...., ok jutri 14:24..., mogoče bo kaj bolje?)