November 10th ~ 17th
The above image of volcanic lightning was taken by Carlos Gutierrez
Thunder Repeated: The image of Shock. Thus in fear and trembling the Superior person sets their life in order and examines themself. ~ The I Ching (51 Chên/The Arousing (Shock, Thunder)
The shock terrifies for a hundred miles, And he does not let fall the sacrificial spoon and chalice.
The Lunar Eclipse on October 28th was showing us what we were needing to let go of. Whether that be a person, a job, a path, a habit, or old patterns of behavior that are no longer suited for who we are now. In some way we were saying No More. And whereas Full Moons and Lunar Eclipses are about completion and endings, New Moons are about New Beginnings. And the New Moon in Scorpio is a radical, and potentially explosive Moon of change and transformation, implying that in order to make any new beginnings we are probably going to have to make some changes first.
The New Moon on November 13th at 4:28 am Eastern Time here in New York (1:28 AM Pacific Time; 9:28 AM Greenwich Time); at 20º Scorpio 44’, is closely conjunct Mars and opposite Uranus. Mars is incredibly strong in its own sign of Scorpio, when we are all inclined to be a little more determined, stalwart, and fixed in our resolve. Whenever we see Mars tied up with a New Moon in this way, we are being asked to take some sort of action, to have the courage to do something.
Mars is fiery and hot. It is what motivates us and gets us out of the ruts we may have found ourselves in. Mars is what gives us our energy and motivation. If we are stuck, this may be just the catalyst we need to get moving. For instance free flowing energy, that is not contained in any way, as you would see with lightning strikes or wild fires can be extremely dangerous. However, energy that is safely channeled through a grounded wire, or the fire safely contained within a well tended hearth can be tremendously useful tools. The issue is, when you combine Mars (pure martial energy) with unpredictable and unbounded Uranus, which breaks down all the rules and constraints, the results are all that more likely to be volatile and erratic. And even potentially explosive.
When the Sun opposes Uranus in the middle of its retrograde phase we are being made aware of whatever changes are well nigh due in order to get ourselves back on track with our own evolutionary journey. This is the 4th of a series of New Moons that are all in some sort of aspect with changeable Uranus. Some of these Moons will offer opportunities to make changes more easily than others. But with Sun and Mars opposite Uranus, the New Moon in Scorpio is more likely to catch us off guard, and fill us with fear and trembling when the lightning strikes, and the thunder rolls.
We may not have that much control over world events, but in our own lives, it can be helpful to remember that although Uranus is a planet of surprises and explosiveness, is also a planet of possibility.
That being said, Sun/Mars/Uranus weather is just so unpredictable! Therefore avoid doing dangerous or crazy things; and avoid volatile or aggressive situations or people. Look both ways and check to make sure there is water in the pool before diving in. Resist being rushed, pushed or in situations where you are bound to be aggravated. Pacing and grounding ourselves can go a long way in this sort of weather.
In some way we are being urged to step out of the comfort of what once was, and seemed so familiar, and to venture into the awkward and unfamiliar territory of the new and untried. We are being asked to look at our lives and the world in a new way. Perhaps doing things differently or even going off in a whole new direction. Especially if the old ways are no longer working.
When a man has learned within his heart what fear and trembling mean, he is safeguarded against any terror produced by outside influences. Let the thunder roll and spread terror a hundred miles around: he remains so composed and reverent in spirit that the sacrificial rite is not interrupted. This is the spirit that must animate leaders and rulers of men ~ a profound inner seriousness from which all terrors glance off harmlessly. ~ The I Ching (Judgment on the 51st Hexagram)
The New Moon in Scorpio is closely conjunct that potentially dangerous Mars, and opposite unpredictableUranus, but it is also making a favorable trine to transcendent Neptune, which helps us to put everything in perspective, and recognize ourselves as being part of a much larger all encompassing, interdependent reality. Uranus can be explosive when combined with Mars. It is also capable of changing the paradigm if it no longer resonates with our conscience, heart and mind. Even if that requires us to resist pressures from the outside world to conform. The Sabian Symbol for this degree of the New Moon in Scorpio is: Obeying his conscience a soldier resists orders. And so in some ways this New Moon is about exploring our own conscience, in order to do the right thing. Even if doing the right thing means having to go against the trending tide.
This is still a New Moon, and New Moons are ripe for setting intentions. And this moon is particularly helpful for setting the intention to make any worthwhile changes that will allow you to live a more authentic life and lifestyle; and/or transform yourself, your life, or your environment, in some positive and intentional way.
Some positive ways to use the New Moon in Scorpio on November 13th might be:
Transforming a habit or pattern of behavior that is holding you back or preventing you from growing, evolving and moving forward. If there was one thing that you might want to change in yourself, in your psyche or your life, what might that be?
Saying No More to negative influences in your environment, in order to make more room for better things to move in and take their place.
Uranus is here to let us know that we don’t have to keep doing things the same way we always have in the past. That there might be better solutions or possibilities. Therefore keep an open mind, and be willing to try something new, or look at things from another perspective. Even small changes can have remarkable consequences in this weather.
Move around the furniture, or rearrange your work space. Change up your schedule. Not so much that it feels like chaos. Just enough to open you up to a newer way of seeing things, and a more creative way of being.
The best time to make positive intentions or affirmations with the New Moon, would be within the New Moon phase, which begins with the New Moon on November 13th (after 4:28 am Eastern Time; 9:28 am Greenwich), and ends with the Crescent Moon on November 16th. Scorpio is a sign of transformation and transitions. Some of the themes of Scorpio have to do with overcoming self-limiting narratives and beliefs; healing deep wounds from the past, and learning how to use our own power in positive and constructive ways. So some positive affirmations or intentions for this New Moon might be:
Out of the ashes of what once was, I have the ability to recreate a better and more meaningful future.
When I embrace my own power, I become an instrument for positive change in the world and in my own life.
I am endowed with the magical ability to transform problems into happiness.
I am profound and have depths of potential as yet unrealized.
I want to see myself purifying and releasing those things that are no longer necessary, and are keeping me from growing.
I am powerful and capable of taking on even the most daunting of challenges.
For the New Moon for your natal sign or by house placement, check out this week’s horoscopes: