The Scopes of 2020
We’ve changed our website platform and have streamlined our content, but we didn’t want you to lose access to any of the amazingly rich articles that were shared from September-December of 2020, so we made sure to collect everything onto this page! They’re organized in reverse chronological order.
The Astrology of the End of 2020
December 21, 2020
There’s a lot going on in the astrology of the rest of 2020, so here’s everything you need to know and the scoop on what to expect in the cosmic energies of the end of the year, and a little preview of what’s coming in the next!
We have finished eclipse season and officially moved into winter. We’ve had the Grand Finale of 2020, so to speak, when the Sun entered Capricorn on the same day as the Great Conjunction of 2020 (Jupiter conjunct Saturn in Aquarius). But, there’s more yet, and another finale too.
In general, the end of the year is a time to take all the lessons you’ve learned and begin implementing them. Manifest your dreams NOW, don’t wait until 2021!
IN THIS ARTICLE, YOU WILL FIND:
ASTROLOGICAL OVERVIEW: DECEMBER 22-31, 2020 (TRANSITS + DAILY SCOPES)
ASTROLOGICAL THEMES OF 2020 AND 2021
WISE WORDS TO REFLECT & PONDER FOR THE END OF 2020
Astrological Overview: December 22-31, 2020
12/22: Uranus Conjunct Lilith in Taurus & First Quarter Moon in Aries
We are each the creators of our own world. We curate the reality around us in our perceptions and we create it through our actions and the energies we send out. We can be the creators of both light and dark. We should honor our ability to create both. the darkness is part of us.
12/23: Mars (Aries) Square Pluto (Capricorn)
The themes of yesterday's last quarter moon are enhanced further by the exact meeting of both rulers of Scorpio, Mars, and Pluto (the third and final of the year). Use your power with all the wisdom that you've gained over the past year. Harness your energy to solidify your transformations with your actions!
12/24: Mercury (Capricorn) Square Chiron (Aries); Moon Enters Taurus
Ground yourself in nature today. No matter where you are or what you believe, this time of year is full of concern for material things. Make sure that you remember the true matter-real of the world! Get connected to the earth in some way, ground yourself in the priceless.
12/25: Mercury (Capricorn) Trine Uranus & Lilith (Taurus)
It is a really great day for taking a moment to yourself to write. This is about giving yourself the space to be your truest, most authentic, perhaps even most "evil" and cruel self. Write it all out. Put it on paper. Give yourself that space and then let it go. This will help you refrain from projecting onto loved ones.
12/26-27: Sun Square Chiron; Moon Enters Gemini
The energy of the weekend is all about the moon moving into Gemini as the Sun forms a cardinal square to Chiron. We might have a flash of insight related to our healing journey. But, this flash will be exactly that: only a flash! Make sure to note it down when it comes, or else you'll forget!
12/28: Sun (Capricorn) Trine Uranus & Lilith (Taurus)
As the Sun continues to follow Mercury through Capricorn, it makes an Earthly trine to Uranus-Lilith in Taurus, still conjoined. The dynamic, creative energies that we each hold within us are now supporting each other. Be courageous as you set your intentions for the next year. You are capable of creating a new life for your integrated, whole self!
12/29: Moon Enters Cancer
When the Moon is at home, we are called on to make ourselves feel at home too. Are you comfortable in the new, integrated self that you've created over 2020? If not, what tiny steps can you take to boost your comfort a bit? Maybe give yourself a healthy dose of nostalgia (while, at the same time, making sure not to over-idealize the past). Hindsight is 20/20 unless it's rose-covered.
12/30: Full Moon in Cancer; Venus (Sagittarius) Square Neptune (Pisces); Venus (Sagittarius) Opposite N Node (Gemini)
It is the last full moon of the year; it's empowered by Venus and Neptune. We started 2020 with a Full Moon in Cancer and now we end with one: everything has come full circle. It is time to release everything that has happened this year, regardless of whether we judge it as 'good' or 'bad,' it all needs to be let go of so that the new can come in!
12/31: Cosmic Calm
No major astrological events today! Goodbye 2020, it’s been a year of huge astrological happenings! Reflect, and get ready for the surprises in store in 2021!
Astrological Themes of 2020 and 2021
Throughout the past several weeks as we’ve been working on the 2021 Transit Calendar and thinking about what’s coming in the astrology of 2021 while living through the finale of the astrology of 2020, the same image kept coming up. Alice in Wonderland.
If 2020 was Alice falling down the rabbit hole, 2021 is Alice making her way through Wonderland before she’s discovered her quest.
Wonderland is an unknown world full of unusual, scary, but exciting things.
The astrology of 2020 was all about cardinal energy. We had several intense meetings between all of the traditional planets in the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn)—we also had involvement with Pluto, Lilith, and Chiron (among many other important celestial bodies).
Cardinal energy is all about starting things. It initiates. It sets into motion. It is the beginning of things. Alice falling down the rabbit hole is exactly what initiated her into her quest. In fact, one could make the argument that following the rabbit through the garden—or even perhaps simply being a curious girl in a patriarchal world—is what initiated Alice’s quest.
Her call to adventure came, and she took it, but then she found herself falling down this awe-some portal. That’s what 2020 was.
An Astrological Reflection: Cardinality in 2020
January
The major astrological events of 2020 kicked off with the Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse in Cancer-Capricorn (20°00’) on January 10 @ 19:21 (UT). The Sun then moved directly over the major Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn (22°46) on January 12-13. Another major player throughout the year was Lilith, who entered Aries on January 27.
February
As Lilith slowly moved forward towards the even slower-moving Chiron in Aries, Venus entered Aries, conjoined both of them, then began stirring things up with Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto in Capricorn. Mars also entered Capricorn on February 16, and formed challenging squares to both Chiron and Lilith.
March
Once Aries season began (Sun moved into Aries on the Spring Equinox, March 20), there was a major activation of cardinal energy as Mars conjoined Jupiter (March 20), Pluto (March 23), then Saturn (March 31). It is important to note that Mars’s conjunction with Saturn happened in the early degrees of Aquarius (00°39).
April
The major Jupiter-Pluto conjunction on April 5 was the first of three to happen, all of which were interestingly connected, by many astrologers, to the expansive (Jupiter) growth of coronavirus cases (linked to the Saturn-Pluto conjunction).
The Full Moon in Libra-Aries (18°42’) on April 8 brought us into a new phase of activation of the cardinal energies. The Sun then formed squares to Pluto (April 14), Jupiter (April 15), then Saturn (after he entered Taurus, April 21). Mercury followed, entering Aries on April 11, conjoining Chiron (April 15) then Lilith (April 16) before forming the same squares as the Sun—to Pluto (April 25), Jupiter (April 26), and Saturn (after he entered Taurus, April 28).
May
This is the month where we see a major activation of retrograde energy that is still a major part of 2020. Pluto turned retrograde in Capricorn on April 25. Saturn turned retrograde in early Aquarius on May 11. Jupiter turned retrograde in Capricorn on May 14. Mercury entered Cancer on May 28—and it’s retrograde there in June was a major part of our collective descent through the rabbit hole.
June
At the beginning of the month, the Lunar Nodes left the Cancer-Capricorn axis and moved into the Gemini-Sagittarius axis. The eclipse cycle is now in the signs of Gemini and Sagittarius. This added a bit of mutable energy into the mix, which was significantly enhanced when Venus began a new retrograde cycle in Gemini (June 25).
After the Summer Solstice and the Sun entered Cancer on June 20, we had a series of cosmic events that included a New Moon/Solar Eclipse in Cancer (00°21’), Mercury beginning his retrograde through Cancer (June 18), Mars entering Aries (June 28), and the second Jupiter-Pluto conjunction of the year, with both retrograde in Capricorn (June 30).
July
On July 1, Saturn re-entered Capricorn. Both lunations of this month were non-eclipses in the Cancer-Capricorn axis. We had the Full Moon in Cancer-Capricorn (July 5) and another New Moon in Cancer (July 20). These were the book-ends around a series of oppositions in the middle of the month between the Sun and Jupiter (July 14), Pluto (July 15), then Saturn (July 20). On these same days, we had Mars conjunct Chiron (July 14) and other activations of Lilith. By the end of the month, Mercury was moving forward again and headed towards the same oppositions as the Sun, forming the first with Jupiter (July 30).
August
Mercury sped through its oppositions to Pluto (August 1) and Jupiter (August 3) before joining the Sun in Leo. The cardinal energy that dominated the astrology of the rest of the month came mostly from Venus and Mars as they square-danced together through Cancer and Aries and variously interacted with what we at The Scope Scoop call the Council of Elders in Capricorn. That is, Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto, and the asteroid goddess Pallas-Athena in the late degrees of Capricorn.
Lilith was also heavily involved throughout the next months, enhancing the energy of both Chiron and Mars as they moved through Aries together.
September
Mercury transited Libra from September 5-27 and activated the cardinal square between the Council of Elders in Capricorn and Lilith, Mars, and Chiron each in Aries.
The main energy of the month was the start of Mars’s retrograde (September 9) through his home sign of Aries, which was one of the most significant events of 2020. Because of this retrograde, Mars will form a series of three squares to each of the Council of Elders. But, like his conjunction with Saturn was in the first degree of Aquarius, so too will be the third and final of these squares to Jupiter and Saturn. Well, technically, Mars will be in the early degrees of Taurus (early January 2021).
What this means is that Mars won’t ‘complete’ this cycle of squares in the cardinal signs. It is only once we have landed in Wonderland that we can really gain our footing and complete the final challenges to our crossing the threshold.
We also had the end of the Jupiter (September 13) and Saturn (September 29) retrogrades through Capricorn.
October
This month built up to the peak of the cardinal energy of the year. Pluto’s retrograde ended in Capricorn on October 4. We had two major cardinal lunations—the Full Moon in Aries-Libra (9°08’) on October 1 and the New Moon in Libra (23°52) on October 16. The retrograde Mars formed its second squares to Pluto (October 9) and Jupiter (October 19). And both Venus and Mercury entered opposite ends of Libra on October 28 (Mercury at the last degree because it re-entered through Scorpio and Venus at the first degree).
Luckily, on October 21, Lilith entered Taurus and left the cardinal activity behind for the time behind. This doesn’t mean that she wasn’t still a major player throughout the year, and in fact, her interactions with Uranus and other planets on the fixed cross throughout the rest of the year provided us with hints of what’s to come in 2021.
November
This month was the peak of the cardinal energy of the year. We had a meeting of what The Scope Scoop calls the Council of Cardinality. This happened when all of the rulers of the cardinal signs—Mars (Aries), Moon (Cancer), Venus (Libra), and Saturn (Capricorn)—were in the signs of their rulership. They were all at home. This is an extremely rare and auspicious cosmic event! It happened on November 5-6. This happened in the middle of the end of Mercury’s retrograde, which was framed by double squares between Mercury in Libra and Saturn in Capricorn (on September 1, 3, 6). Also, we had the third and final Jupiter-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn (22°51’) on November 12. And finally, Mars’s retrograde ended in Aries on November 14.
And now, the finale…
This month has been all about the Gemini-Sagittarius eclipses thus far, which was the cosmos’s way of giving us a boost of mutable energy to dissipate things as we undergo these last parts of the cardinal changes initiated throughout 2020.
We enter the last 9 days of the year having landed on our feet. Jupiter and Saturn have both moved into Aquarius and met each other in their Great Conjunction, ushering us formally into a new 200*-year cycle of Great Conjunctions in the Air signs.
But, we’re not quite done with the cardinal energy. The Sun entered Capricorn on December 21, Mercury on December 20, and as they move through the sign of the goat, we will see all of these changes come ‘full circle.’
On December 23, Mars will form its third and final square to Pluto in Capricorn, both planets now direct. We have had to drastically transform the way our bodies work in relation to the outside world. Our physical energy has been radically affected by the turn towards the home that the changes of 2020 have led us to. By this time, we have been challenged in so many ways that we are well able to take a dynamic action in order to finalize these transformations we’ve undergone.
What are you doing to maintain your energy and to be more aware of your energy in relation to the enormous changes that have happened in the world around you?
This is mostly with regard to physical energy, as this is the base that we are all working with. We must maintain our physical energy and strength—wellness and wellbeing—if we are going to transition successfully into the new world situation. Our bodies, minds, and spirits are intertwined; they must all be cared for.
On December 24-25, Mercury and the Sun will form squares to Chiron, now direct, in Aries. This brings all of our deepest wounds, namely, those which have been enhanced by the collective events throughout the year, to the forefront of our consciousness. We have to deal with these energies in order to move forward.
We have to learn how to live with these wounds. We may not be able to heal them quite yet (though for some of us, this certainly may happen), but we are on that path, and while we’re on it, we have to remember the patience, compassion, and passion we learned this year.
After this, we begin to transition more into the themes of 2020. However, on December 30, the cosmos gives us one final chance to release everything we need to in order to move ahead on the final Full Moon of the year in Cancer-Capricorn (8°53’).
The cosmos has assured that we are standing on our feet and equipped with what we need. We have landed in Wonderland. We begin to explore.
Hints of 2021
On December 22, the retrograde Uranus conjoins Lilith (8°56’) in Taurus and then throughout the rest of December (25-28), Mercury and then the Sun in Capricorn form trines to them. Meanwhile, Venus in Sagittarius will ignite the Mutable T-Square with the Lunar Nodes (Gemini-Sagittarius) and Neptune (Pisces).
The major events of 2021 include three squares between Saturn in Aquarius and Uranus in Taurus and mutable eclipses in Gemini and Sagittarius with Neptune in Pisces closely involved.
It’s gonna get weird. It’s gonna get psychedelic—it’s Wonderland!
You can learn more about what’s happening in the astrology of 2021 by getting The Scope Scoop’s 2021 Astrological Transit Calendar: My Cosmic Hero’s Journey, 365 Days of Alignment, Learning Astrology, and Reflection. It includes a printable transit calendar that is so much more than just a calendar, but is a workbook specifically to teach you all about transit astrology and how to use it! Get it in our Shop!
Wise Words for the End of 2020
This is a time of reflection and looking forward. What better way to do that than with a curated selection of Wise Words from @TheScopeScoop’s Instagram Page!
Chiron Activations
We chose the quote above on April 15, when Mercury formed a conjunction with Chiron in the sign of Aries, the first sign of the zodiac—the most cardinal of the cardinal signs.
On December 22, we have a First Quarter Moon in Aries, bringing us into our last boost of cardinality until we reach Aries again in the spring. Mercury and then the Sun will form squares to Chiron around the exact time of Christmas, which, though many of us do not participate in the holiday exactly, is by default a massive part of the annual calendar in the Western world.
Our deepest traumas will come up and there will also likely be an actual need for Chiron’s medicinal healing powers with an increase in cases as well as an exponential increase in how people feel personally affected by the pandemic.
We should keep Campbell’s words in mind as we move through these times.
Uranus-Lilith Activations
We chose the quote above on June 17, when the Moon was in Taurus and passed over Uranus. This quote is so evocative of the Alice in Wonderland theme—doesn’t it seem “mad” to live “in harmony with your contradictions”? Contradictions can’t be harmonized, that’s why they contradict each other!
Not so. The duality that is an inherent part of human life—of being conscious of our physicality and spirituality at the same time; of living in a temporal sphere where time seems to move continuously forward; of knowing that we’re going to die yet being alive—this duality is the fundamental root of all contradictions.
Lorde is saying that the true “madness” (i.e., not keeping it all afloat) comes when we do not embrace and honor these contradictions by including them in our song—by harmonizing them with our ‘dictions.’
The Uranus-Lilith activations in Taurus are a major hint of some of the “mad” surprises we’ll encounter in 2021. When there is “madness” in the outside world, it is important to cultivate that harmony within. That is how we will be able to keep it all afloat in 2021.
Full Moon in Cancer
We chose this quote on June 26 for the Cardinal energy of Cancer, and said: We like to belittle our emotions, we like to control them, but what we need to realize is that our emotions are vital: they are a necessity. Releasing emotions is necessary for our physical health, let alone our mental and spiritual wellbeing. Hubris is a very powerful thing.
And speaking of keeping it all afloat—afloat on what? We’re all floating in the primordial waters. 2020 saw the end of the Cancer-Capricorn eclipse cycle and the beginning of the Gemini-Sagittarius one.
The eclipses throw us into those primordial waters so that we may be reoriented in the direction of our bliss.
The 2020 eclipses in Cancer-Capricorn heralded in some of the most intense changes the world has ever seen, and certainly the most rapid. This was directly related to the home and public life opposition that Cancer and Capricorn represent.
Astrology, like everything, does not exist in a vacuum. All of the events of 2020 have been leading up to this final Full Moon. It is the cosmos giving us an opportunity to release everything from this year. Surrender to the changes that have happened. Accept the reality of the present.
When we exit the primordial waters—which, in many ways, is the rabbit hole—we must know that we are landing on our feet. We must trust in the divine timing of everything that happens.
Pronoia is happening. The universe is conspiring to give us exactly what we need, exactly when we need it. This Full Moon calls on us to release everything and surrender to Pronoia. That is how we should enter 2021.
Happy end of 2020!
If you have any questions, book a Cosmic Question reading with Cam!
Get The Scope Scoop’s 2021 Astrological Transit Calendar: My Cosmic Hero’s Journey, 365 Days of Alignment, Learning Astrology, and Reflection, here!
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Weekly Scope: December 6-12, 2020
December 5, 2020
There’s a lot going on in this week’s astrology, so here’s everything you need to know and the scoop on what to expect in the cosmic energies of the week ahead.
This week’s astrology is all about compassion and passion. Many of us experienced an intense transformation at the Lunar Eclipse, and we are meant to have compassion for ourselves and for others as we do our best not to fall back into the same unhealthy patterns that we released. The end of the week sees a strong rush of firepower—use it to your advantage to work towards your dreams!
IN THIS ARTICLE, YOU WILL FIND:
WEEKLY OVERVIEW (TRANSITS + DAILY SCOPES)
ASTROLOGICAL THEME OF THE WEEK
WISE WORDS FOR THIS WEEK’S ASTROLOGY (TO REFLECT & PONDER)
THIS WEEK’S MEDICAL MOONOLOGY (ALIGN YOURSELF!)
Before you keep scrolling, have you booked your tickets for the Eclipse festival? Contact @TheScopeScoop on Instagram or via the Contact Form for more!
Weekly Overview
Sun-day brings us right into the theme of compassion and passion with a watery trine between Venus in Scorpio and Neptune in Pisces. This aspect makes us dreamy and enhances our appreciation for all things mystical. Use this energy to figure out what your authentic Spiritual Truths are, and then let those Truths guide you throughout the rest of the Eclipse Gateway.
On Moon-day, the aspects of the Moon in Virgo mix interestingly with the movement of Pallas into Aquarius. Pallas in Aquarius has a potential for problem-solving in the realm of technology. We are lucky to have Pallas as the first Elder to enter Aquarius. She is our guide, and we must give her due devotion (interestingly represented on the zodiac by Virgo)! Pay attention to the puzzles, i.e., dragon-battles, you’re attracted to during this time.
On Mars-day, we’ve got a lot of yin energy flowing around us, and our Egos might not feel particularly comfortable with this. We may feel like those qualities of ourselves that are more ‘passive’ and ‘subdued’ are hindering our ability to make forward motion. But, what it really does is simply ensure that the forward motion we do take is the most helpful one for ourselves and the world around us!
On Mercury-day, the Moon in Libra and her supportive aspects might help us maintain a balanced emotional state as we face the potential for delusion that accompanies the Sun Square Neptune transit in the signs that represent the myths we live by. Be meta-mindful: not only being mindful of your own mind but of the fact that everything in the cosmos is part of the same Mind!
On Jupiter-day, we have some activation of Jupiter as the Moon moves through Libra and forms some squares to the Council of Elders in Capricorn. Meanwhile, Venus forms the first of her sextiles to the Council, which she’ll complete next week. It’s a good day for channeling any pint up energy (most likely from emotions that have been repressed) into something both physical and creative, such as ecstatic dancing!
This weekend is all about the preparation for the Solar Eclipse. We have a boost of energy and confidence as the Sun forms a supportive fire trine to Mars as well as merging with the South Node—all the places we’ve been before. We can use the lessons we’ve learned about our actions this weekend in a tangible and obvious way, which is a much-welcome relief for many after the ambiguity of the past months!
Astrological Theme of the Week: Compassionate and Passionate
Last week, we explained how we are in the exact middle of the Gemini-Sagittarius Eclipse (Nodal) Cycle, which means that the primary theme of these Eclipses is the relationship between our-Selves and our Ideas. These 2-ish years are about how we participate in the flow of communication and how we interact with the cumulative scope of human knowledge.
The thing about the Eclipse Cycle (like all of astrology) is that it contains several smaller cycles within it, and this week, we are in the middle of this particular Eclipse cycle, between November’s Lunar Eclipse and December’s Solar Eclipse.
Most of us had a powerful release at the November 30th Lunar Eclipse in Gemini. This week, we are meant to make sure that we don’t fall back into the same old cognitive patterns that we released.
Some of us may need to be extremely diligent about this. But it is so important that we have compassion for ourselves, especially when we feel passionate about the transformations we are working on!
Passion Means “To Suffer.”
This is an interesting linguistic play, as the word com-passion literally means ‘to suffer with’ (thus, passion means ‘to suffer’). So, having compassion for yourself literally means suffering with yourself. This seems weird. How can YOU do something with YOUrself? Isn’t it just a linguistic fact that there needs to be two separate entities for the word ‘with’ to apply? Well, let’s interrogate this.
In general, if you have passion for something, you are willing to suffer for it. But, one problem of human society is that most of us don’t really know why we are willing to suffer for things. A lot of the things we think we are passionate about are inauthentic to our nature. These are passions that have been stoked in us by the outside world.
This is enmeshed within the contemporary connotation of the word ‘passionate,’ which has morphed into meaning something along the lines of ‘heavily emotionally invested.’ Thus, someone can be ‘passionate about’ something or ‘have passion for’ something—and we use it mostly in two circumstances: our relationship and our work. We want a ‘passionate’ relationship and we want to our work to be our ‘biggest passion.’
The Biblical episode and that movie they made about it are called, The Passion of the Christ, even though it is pretty well-known amongst religious scholars and Christian believers that the figure of Jesus was not exactly a ‘passionate’ person. In fact, according to popular interpretations, one of his best qualities was his non-resistance. Historically, Christian expansion and its accompanying destruction and oppression of everything ‘other’, was justified on the basis of the ‘lack of civility’ of the ‘passionate’ ‘barbarians’ or ‘savages.’
We could playfully argue that the more appropriate wording based on the contemporary connotations would be to say the ‘compassion’ of the Christ, for we are suffering with the Christ figure through this dramatic narrativization of the episode. Yet, as the myth goes, Jesus was ‘suffering with’ himself so that humanity didn’t have to suffer with him, which fits more into our contemporary connotation of ‘compassionate,’ as in, ‘cares for others.’
So, yes, have compassion for yourself as well as others. Be passionate about your compassion for others.
This Eclipse Gateway is a time betwixt and between the huge release at the Lunar Eclipse and the massive manifestation potential of the Solar Eclipse. The ‘crisis’ of liminality that comes from being ‘betwixt and between’ different phases of life is what gave rise to rites of passage in human cultures.
It is only by performing certain rituals, by undergoing certain extreme experiences, by being separated, initiated, and returned—that we may overcome this ‘crisis’ and end our suffering. Humans have understood this instinctively for thousands of years, if not millions.
Contemporary western cultures have retained some ‘survivals’ of these rites of passage, mostly within the religious sphere (weddings, funerals, specific rites like the Bat/Bar Mitzvah in Judaism, etc.). But, for the most part, our culture has neglected the fundamental need humans have to ritualize these life crises—these turning points that exist in the ‘betwixt and between.’
The Astrology of this Week is full of these Liminal Crises.
We start with Venus forming a watery trine to Neptune, which, while generally a positive and creative time that’s good for spiritual pursuits, is also the moment we are ‘separated’ from the physical world and dropped into the subconscious waters of liminality. Then Pallas Athena enters the sign of the Water Bearer, who has a naturally ambivalent relationship with bodies that receive the water he pours. In this way, Aquarius makes the tides rise higher than they were before, adding a bit of pressure and build-up.
Then we have the pinnacle of that tension with the Last Quarter Moon in Virgo, which activates the Mutable T-Square between the Sun (Sagittarius), Moon (Virgo), and Neptune (Pisces). Obviously, we must tap into the mental acuity of Virgo in order to navigate these words, but we must also tap into Virgo’s unique capacity of utter devotion. Pallas in Aquarius wants us to be devoted to our causes, all the Neptune activations this week encourage us to be psychically fulfilled, and then the week finishes with a burst of physical energy which enables us to do something.
Active compassion is what we are called to do this week.
Dedicate some time and energy to something you are ‘passionate’ about being ‘compassionate’ about—one of your causes. If you’re ‘passionate’ about the environment and wanting humans to have more ‘compassion’ for the Earth, (safely) do a park or beach clean-up. If you’ve got a lot of ‘compassion’ for animals and are ‘passionate’ about rescuing them, volunteer at a rescue shelter.
The world needs all the help you can give it—we are in the middle of a shared crisis that everyone is affected by. To put the sheer globally of this crisis in perspective, when an Eclipse or any major lunar event happens, it is only visible in certain parts of the world.
If you really don’t have time or energy to dedicate, then at the very least, spend your money consciously and with full intention.
Various cultures throughout the world have different beliefs surrounding money. For the people of Mongolia, for example, there are different types of money even though there is only one type of currency (bill/coin—the physical money notes). Some money is considered ‘polluted’ because it comes from the mining industry, which angers the spirits, and thus, using this money brings bad fortune.
A great ethnography about this is called Fear and Fortune: Spirit Worlds and Emerging Economies in the Mongolian Gold Rush (Mette High, 2017).
Whether we believe in these kinds of angry spirits or not, there is no denying that the way we spend our money has an effect on the way we experience abundance. If we spend money on things that have no long-lasting significance and will not fulfill any of our authentic physical, emotional, or spiritual needs, it is like we are using polluted money. That spending will not lift you into good spirits.
If we spend money on things that will fulfill our authentic needs, we are making a clear path towards abundance. It truly is about asking whether it brings you joy—but in the sense of the word that we discussed last week.
One of the best ways you can spend your money on something that fulfills one of your authentic human needs—especially during Sagittarius season, but always—is to spend it on LEARNING!
Gemini-Sagittarius is literally the axis of learning and education. What better way to tap into abundance this season than to spend money on something priceless—invaluable—infinite—ever-expansive? Knowledge is everything!
And while you’re at it, why don’t you add another layer of compassion to the mix and spend money on knowledge while supporting a small business?
As Allyson Shanti, the founder and leader of the 888 Collective (a spiritual community also led by Cam Aethera, The Scope Scoop’s astrologer), has said:
“SPEND YOUR MONEY CONSCIOUSLY. MAKE SURE THAT WHAT YOU ARE BUYING IS GOING TO RETAIN ITS VALUE. ASK YOURSELF: HOW WILL THIS MAKE ME FEEL GOOD? HOW LONG WILL IT MAKE ME FEEL GOOD? INVEST IN YOU!”
A great way to do this is to give yourself the gift of cosmic alignment and enhanced self-knowledge by booking one of The Scope Scoop’s many astrological guidance services.
But, at this very moment, you have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to make use of some RARE COSMIC EVENTS that are going to happen next week (December 14-21, 2020). We highly recommend that you do not waste this opportunity.
The perfect way to utilize these cosmic energies is by participating in a communal festival that honors the cosmos, the community, and each individual Soul within it (for it is all the same)!
We invite you to join The Scope Scoop’s astrologer, Cam Aethera, and all the sacred si-stars of the 888 Collective at the Eclipse Festival!
This Festival takes place ‘betwixt and between’ these HUGE cosmic events and is framed by the most significant events of the week:
December 14 is a Total Solar Eclipse/New Moon in Sagittarius, which is the best astrological opportunity of the year for us to set intentions for following our bliss!
December 21 is not only the beginning of Capricorn Season, which always takes place on the Winter Solstice (shortest day of the year), but it is also the date of the Great Conjunction (Jupiter-Saturn conjunction) of 2020. This one is major because it ushers us into a new 200-year cycle.
Cam Aethera will be teaching a special class about all of these massive cosmic happenings. She’d be thrilled for you to join her!
Tickets for as little as $6/day, with the possibility for an even bigger discount by contacting Cam via the contact form, direct message on Instagram (@TheScopeScoop), or by emailing thescopescoop@gmail.com. Book ASAP before they run out!
How does it work? We are hosting meditation, journaling, yin yoga, and other special classes on Instagram Live. All content will be recorded and available on the account: @888.eclipse. That means that even if you cannot attend the Live, you will still be able to access it! Once you purchase your ticket, your follow request for the account will be accepted.
The 888 Collective is passionate about bringing people together and doesn’t like the constraints of location to keep us from connecting with each other, so we’ve made our retreats virtual and affordable.
Wise Words
The wise words of this week come from author Joseph Conrad (3 December 1857 – 3 August 1924), known as one of the greatest English-language novelists of all time (despite his Polish background).
Joseph Conrad’s astrology chart.
Conrad has similar placements to the situation we experience this week in the cosmos. His Sun, Mercury, Venus, Neptune, and Uranus are in the same sign (some even around the same degree) as these planets transit this week. And, interestingly, his Saturn is in the very late degrees of Cancer, which is directly opposite to where Saturn (and the rest of the Council) is currently transiting.
A Polish-British novelist who wrote primarily during the late industrial and empirical age, the themes of his works include traveling, language, humans as conscious ‘victims of nature’, loneliness, danger, and of course, adventure. These are all exceptionally Sagittarian ideas, but the influence of Scorpio Venus should not be forgotten.
Wise Words Cosmic Explication—Day By Day
SUNDAY
These Wise Words are perfect for the aspects of the week, but also specifically for the aspects of Sunday and Monday, namely, Venus Trine Neptune and Pallas Entering Aquarius.
Pallas Athena is those ‘formulas’ that exist in our minds for resolving problems. She is our ability to cognitively recognize patterns and implement this knowledge into action ‘in the world.’ Aquarius is the most individualistic of all the signs but inherent in this approach is the idea that it is every human's equal right and, in fact, duty to exist as an individual.
In order for all of the individuals of the world to coexist, there must be some form of peace. This is what Venus Trine Neptune in the water signs helps us to get in touch with. Peace is something that should never be qualified or classified—it has no opposite, for it is infinite. Venus in Scorpio helps us shed our inauthentic conceptualizations of Peace and Neptune at home in Pisces creates an imaginative space for us to re-conceptualize it.
This week, we are challenged to find a formula of peace that suits our own individual needs and is also beneficial for the world around us.
MONDAY
The Moon moves into Virgo and forms the Last Quarter Moon with the Sun in Sagittarius. This is the last lunation before the New Moon, and from this point on, the Waning of the Moon will have more influence over us, dissipating our energy.
Virgo is ruled by Mercury, which makes it an interesting place for the Moon to be in when it is Waning because it enhances the connection between the mental and emotional. Similarly, Pallas Athena moves into Aquarius and enhances our cognitive abilities.
Virgo and Aquarius are the two individual humans on the zodiac. Virgo is the Virgin, the Priestess. Aquarius is the Water Bearer, the Sage. In the invisible realm of the mystical: the Sage brings the holy water to the Temple where the Priestess performs the sacred rites.
As we are ‘betwixt and between’ the Gemini and Sagittarius Eclipses this week, we are stepping over the threshold of the invisible.
TUESDAY
The ‘rejoicing’ continues this Tuesday as it did last Tuesday as we build towards the Last Quarter Moon.
This quote really exemplifies the Virgo-Pisces opposition. Although it seems like Pisces would be connected to the Sea, as it is the fish and is ruled by the god of the Sea (Neptune), the ‘great security’ Conrad discusses is actually much more apt a description of Virgo—the ‘untempted life’ and the ‘absolute straightforwardness’ of its ‘single purpose.’
Thus, these wise words are the perfect words to reflect on as the Moon in Virgo moves between her opposition to Neptune at home in Pisces and her square to the Sun in Sagittarius.
WEDNESDAY
The Sun forms a square to Neptune today in the signs of Sagittarius and Pisces, ruled by Jupiter and Neptune (in traditional, Jupiter rules both).
In Greco-Roman mythology, both of these gods rule over things that reverberate. Jupiter/Zeus rules over the heavens where there is thunder and lightning. Neptune/Poseidon rules over the earth where there are quakes.
Sound is vibration—so is light, in fact, and sound is a vibration that ‘travels faster’ than light.
This is why Mercury, god of messages, is the speediest of the gods. He’s significantly faster than Pallas Athena, the mythological representation of sense.
THURSDAY
This quote perfectly shows the energy of today’s Venus in Scorpio sextile to Pluto in Capricorn. The axis of Taurus-Scorpio is about the material world, and this includes the tools that we use within it. Pluto/Hades as the Lord of the Underworld is also fundamentally connected with tools, especially those objects that we are buried with. Lastly, Aquarius is connected with technological tools.
So, if we wanted to make this into an analogy: Gemini-Sagittarius is where we learn how to and conceptualize making the tools, Taurus-Scorpio is where those tools actually get used, and Leo-Sagittarius is like the ‘greater purpose’ or application of those tools.
But beyond the superficial connection between the representation of ‘tools’ in these Wise Words and that in mythology, this quote also represents the power dynamic inherent in valuation and creation, and this is exactly the dynamic of Venus sextile Pluto.
THE WEEKEND
The final quote for this week of Joseph Conrad is perfect for bringing full circle the energies of the week—this time ‘betwixt and between’ Eclipses where we’ve had to be compassionate with ourselves, passionately.
It just so happens to be what the aspects of the weekend also do. The Cosmos, as always, is perfectly aligned. The weekend’s interaction between the Sun, Mars, and the Lunar Nodes will culminate in the Solar Eclipse of next week. Despite the Moon’s Waning Energy, we are given a burst of vitality and of life as we prepare to set our intentions and manifest our bliss—this is our destined purpose.
Medical Moonology
This week’s medical moonology is all about the Waning Moon.
In general, the waning moon is a time when our energy is also waning, diminishing, decreasing, lowering. This process started slowly last week with the Moon at home in Cancer after the Lunar Eclipse (Full Moon) in Gemini. Now, this disseminating process begins to exert more influence over us. Be aware of this and be patient—compassionate—with yourself!
12/6-12/7 Last Quarter Moon in Virgo
This is a time for tidying up, sorting things out, and being logical!
The Last Quarter Moon (which happens in the late evening of the 7th or early morning on the 8th, depending on your timezone) is always a time to channel your energy into a concerted, yet dynamic action. Don’t waste your energy on the frivolous. This medical moonology phase re-minds us that actions are not always tangible—making a choice is also an action.
The Moon in Virgo is tied with Pisces as the most medically- and physically- significant lunar transit of each cycle. This makes sense because, in medical astrology, Virgo rules over the nervous system, stomach, intestines, and abdomen. Almost all diseases are caused by stress and/or an unhealthy biome (which, of course, are interrelated).
Thus, anytime the Moon is in Virgo, it is a great time to do some sort of check-in with your health: physical, mental, and emotional. This is even more necessary with the Waning Moon in Virgo.
The correspondence of the Waning Moon in Virgo, ruler of the nervous system, and Pallas Athena moving into Aquarius, ruler of circulation, is a signal from the Cosmos that we need to pay special to the connections between our blood-flow and our nerves.
We need to remember that everything in our bodies and minds is completely connected: if we are stressed, our bodies become stressed, which often becomes a sickness, which then makes us more stressed, etc.
SOME ACTIVITIES TO (SAFELY AND CAREFULLY) INCORPORATE INTO YOUR SELF-CARE PRACTICES (MAKING SURE NOT TO TAKE ANYTHING TO THE EXTREME) INCLUDE:
Tidying up your house; sorting your ‘things’; practicing the ‘one-minute’ rule when it comes to cleaning up (so, if it’ll take just one minute to put something away, don’t delay!)
Full-body stretches that are based around the breath and the lowering of cortisol levels in the body, such as yin yoga and qi gong.
Mindful bodily awareness: meditate on your body, examine which areas are more tense than others, determine the state of your physical energy, etc.
Be mindful of your everyday consumption—the food you eat, the things you buy routinely, etc.—and try to consume naturally and authentically
12/8-12/9: Waning in Libra
This is a time to instill balance in everything you do!
Libra rules over balance and equilibrium in the body (including the skin and the kidneys). This means that when the Moon is in Libra, the physical regulation of the body is more intimately connected to the emotional and mental regulation of the body than usual.
The self-care that you should absolutely be doing during the Moon in Libra relates to the body’s largest (but somehow, most forgotten) organ: the skin. The skin is the bridge between us and the material world, but it is also the ‘glue’ that holds everything in our body together.
It is a literal boundary between the inside and the outside. Libra is the sign of relationships, of the relationship between the self and the other, which can also be conceptualized as the relationship between the inside and the outside.
When the Moon is in Libra, our emotions are more deeply intertwined with our relationships and however we judge their current state. We must be careful not to allow any judgment that something is ‘imbalanced’ result in an angry, unfair, or defensive reaction from us, or else we will reify the exact imbalance we so desperately wanted to resolve.
SOME ACTIVITIES TO (SAFELY AND CAREFULLY) INCORPORATE INTO YOUR SELF-CARE PRACTICES (MAKING SURE NOT TO TAKE ANYTHING TO THE EXTREME) INCLUDE:
Nurture your skin: dry brushing, exfoliation, moisturizing, massage, etc.
Kidney-focused stretching and movement that unblocks the flow of energy around the kidneys (again, yin yoga and qi gong are excellent examples)
Relationship inventory: reflect on (and journal about) the relationships in your life, asking questions such as, “What is the most valuable relationship in my life?” “What is the state of that relationship?” “What are the reasons that I feel this relationship is in this state?” “If this is a negative state, how can I bring it into a positive state?” “If this is a positive state, how can I maintain this?”
12/10-12/12: Waning in Scorpio
This is a time to reconnect with our naked selves!
Scorpio in medical astrology generally rules the elimination and procreation systems, including the large intestine, colon, bladder, rectum, and sexual organs. People with a lot of Scorpio in their chart, and times when Scorpio energies are enhanced (such as our current time), are prone to problems related to sex/hormones and blockages (e.g., constipation).
SOME ACTIVITIES TO (SAFELY AND CAREFULLY) INCORPORATE INTO YOUR SELF-CARE PRACTICES (MAKING SURE NOT TO TAKE ANYTHING TO THE EXTREME) INCLUDE:
Natural detoxes (make sure to conduct plenty of research and consult a guide)
Sacred self-pleasure and/or fasting
Mood tracking
Occult-based spiritual practices and rituals (the Dark Moon is a particularly interesting time to cast spells; make sure you consult your go-to Witch first)
Getting in touch with your hormonal cycles
Leading Up to the Solar Eclipse/New Moon in Sagittarius
This week is all about getting over those last hurdles as we solidify our new selves, purified from the inauthenticities that were released at the Lunar Eclipse in Gemini (particularly the thoughts and cognitive patterns that were no longer helpful for us). Use Medical Moonology this week to align your actions with the (True) Self that you are becoming. Then, at the New Moon/Solar Eclipse, manifest!
Have a great week and a happy December! If you have any questions, book a Cosmic Question reading with Cam!
Weekly Scope: November 29-December 5, 2020
November 28, 2020
There’s a lot going on in this week’s astrology, so here’s everything you need to know and the scoop on what to expect in the cosmic energies of the week ahead.
This week’s astrology is dominated by Mercurial energy! Give your Mind some love! We start off with Moon-day’s extremely powerful Lunar Eclipse/Full Moon in Gemini, which allows us to release everything we need to from this year! Then, the ruler of Gemini, Mercury will enter Sagittarius. The planet of communication will spend only 20 days here, so make the most out of this joyful energy of big ideas and far-reaching goals while it lasts!
In this article, you will find:
Weekly Overview (Transits + Daily Scopes)
Astrological Theme of the Week
Wise Words for This Week’s Astrology (to Reflect & Ponder)
This week’s Medical Moonology (Align Yourself!)
Sun-day is a quiet day in the cosmos, which gives us time to prepare for the major lunation coming our way on Moon-day. Take this time to really listen to what the universe is telling you to release and who the universe is telling you to forgive. Pay attention to your dreams. Pay attention to synchronicities. Pay attention to Pronoia! There are signs and signals everywhere!
On this Moon-Day we have Full Moon-Lunar Eclipse! The cosmos illuminates what we need let go of—we can no longer ignore the dead skin that needs shedding. Particularly around the theme of how we relate our-Selves to the world around us. Now is the time to allow these things to fall away. Release! Forgive! The nakedness that follows might make us feel vulnerable, but never forget that we were all born naked.
If you’ve been having trouble sleeping lately, especially last night, things should start getting better little by little from this Mars-Day on. Mercury enters Sagittarius and we will likely feel that sweet, sweet relief of optimism come into our Minds. Don’t expect it to flood in immediately—this may happen, but most will need more time. Reflect on what you were able to discern, investigate, and discover during the transit of Mercury in Scorpio.
On Mercury-Day, ask yourself: How’s my outlook? Re-Mind yourself that there’s more options than just ‘positive’ and ‘negative.’ While Mercury in Sagittarius wants us immediately become optimistic, the Moon at home in Cancer makes some aspects that might have us in a weird emotional space. There is a tension between what we think our emotional needs are and what they actually are. We may notice this particularly in the realm of ‘feeling free.’
On Jupiter-Day, we are still getting used to Mercury in Sagittarius, but little by little, joy is filling the air. The Moon at home in Cancer brings out the divine feminine*—in all its various manifestations. Be careful of defensiveness, defending ‘negative’ emotions. Emotions do not need to be defended, to yourself or to others. They need to be felt and released! Transforming negative emotions into positive ones is something we should all practice today.
This weekend is full of fire-power. We have the activation of the Grand Fire Trine by Mercury (Sagittarius), Chiron (Aries), and the Moon (Leo). Whenever the Grand Fire Trine is activated in transit, it is a great time for acting, doing, and moving. This doesn’t necessarily imply speed, and in fact, we need to be careful of brushing past things that require a bit more of our attention. Generally, this is a joyful, active time!
Astrological Theme of the Week: Let Your Mind Expand
This week is all about our Minds. Mercury is the main actor on the cosmic stage this week, which means that there’s a spotlight on everything having to do with how we think and how we communicate.
Mercury tends to get a reputation for getting stuck in the details, and this is partially because of the two signs that it rules, Gemini and Virgo.
Both are extremely talented when it comes to handling the minutiae of life. Gemini can get excited about even the tiniest bit of new information, and Virgo relishes in the details of logistical processes.
And both have a bit of difficulty when stepping back to examine the big picture.
The two Jupiter signs, on the other hand, have the opposite problem. Sagittarius and Pisces are all about expansion. Sagittarius expands our intellectual and spiritual horizons and Pisces expands our boundaries so that there are no lines between ‘I and thou.’
These are the four mutable signs, and we see their activation this week.
In the scheme of modalities, mutable signs are the third and final phase.
An analogy: In phase 1, the cardinal signs initiate change. They write the play, set the scene, cast the characters, and sell the tickets. In phase 2, the fixed signs put on the play. They participate in the thing that was initiated and make it actually manifest. They do the ‘real’ (visible) work of the play. Finally, in phase 3, the mutable signs dismantle everything. They thank everyone who came out, clean up the stage, and make it ready for the next play.
The fact that this week starts with a Lunar Eclipse in Gemini makes the dissipating and dismantling of mutable energy even more palpable.
This is the last Lunar Eclipse of 2020 and it provides us a unique opportunity to release everything that we need to from this year.
For most of us, this is quite a lot. Journalling and writing things down can be one of the most helpful practices to incorporate right now. Let everything spill out of you onto the page and then allow it to dissipate from your being!
The Lunar Eclipse is like an extremely powerful Full Moon. It places more emphasis on the potential for truly releasing the things that have been holding us back within the realm of that particular Eclipse Cycle.
We are now in the exact middle of the Gemini-Sagittarius Eclipse (Nodal) Cycle, which means that the primary theme of these Lunar Eclipses is the relationship between our-Selves and our Ideas. It is about how we participate in the flow of communication and how we interact with the cumulative scope of human knowledge.
These questions might become even more relevant once Mercury enters Sagittarius on Tuesday.
We’ll have 20 days to take full advantage of this expansive mindset, so it is highly encouraged to write out your reflections so that you can use them as a reference for retrospective review before Mercury leaves Sagittarius.
A Note on December
This has been a particularly significant year in the cosmos, and December is no exception.
There is no better time than the transit of Mercury in Sagittarius to take a step back and look at the big picture.
One of the most helpful tools for doing this is by conceptualizing our life as a hero’s journey.
The hero’s journey is an archetypal cycle of events that is found universally across cultures and times. It is in the mythologies of ancient peoples (and their contemporary Neo-pagan counterparts), the institutionalized religions, the folklore and cosmologies of indigenous groups, and even in the books, films, and series that we love today.
Sagittarius season is a particularly pertinent time for thinking about ourselves as heroes on a journey. The archer’s arrow points in the direction of following our bliss, and we follow our bliss in the cycle of the hero’s journey! These are archetypes for a reason!
If you’d like to learn more about the hero’s journey, Cam Aethera has written a helpful pamphlet about it called The Cosmic Hero’s Journey. It introduces the hero’s journey in greater detail, shows how it is related to astrology, and then gives you the tools to be able to use it for your own self-reflection.
The Cosmic Hero’s Journey is available in our Shop!
And, if you want Cam to help guide you through this pamphlet and how to use it, you can always book a session with her! She will give you all the guidance you need to make the most out of this incredible tool!
Wise Words
The wise words of this week come from author C.S. Lewis (November 29, 1898-November 22, 1963), best known for writing the series, The Chronicles of Narnia.
Birth Chart of C.S. Lewis, from astro-charts.com
He is an exemplar of the Gemini-Sagittarius opposition. He’s got his Sun, Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, and Chiron in Sagittarius and then his Moon, Neptune, and Pluto in Gemini.
A Christian apologetic, Lewis frequently discussed concepts such as faith, God, the divine, mythology, spirituality, and prayer. His fiction is replete with Christian symbolism, best exemplified by the figure of Aslan, the lion of Narnia who, like Jesus, is sacrificed and then reborn.
The Sagittarian (far-reaching) ideas about the cosmic plan were mediated through the form of writing. There is nothing more Gemini-Sagittarius than that!
Wise Words Cosmic Explication—Day By Day
Sunday
These Wise Words are the perfect ones to keep in mind as Mercury (the bridge) forms sextiles to Saturn (lord of time) and Jupiter (lord of spirit). The zodiac wheel is composed of mostly animals (and Libra—the scales), but the Mercury signs are represented as human figures—Virgo (the virgin) and Gemini (the twins). Sagittarius is the perfect example of a dual form, as the sign is represented by a centaur archer.
The description as amphibious is especially interesting to consider in light of the fact that Jupiter is also the ruler of Pisces, the fish. This is the last sign of the zodiac, but because we are dealing with a wheel (a circle), it is eternally connected to the first sign, Aries, which represents birth.
The waters that the two fish swim in are the primordial waters of creation, the spiritual womb of the universe. The beginning of the zodiac is the most animalistic, represented by Mars and Venus, the Ram and the Bull. The end of the zodiac is the most spiritualistic, represented by Saturn and Jupiter, the water bearer and the fish.
Animals inhabit time—spirits are infinite. As humans, we have the free will to decide if we identify the “I” with our temporal, animal body or with the infinite spirit. But, it is indeed a choice, or is it?
Mercury represents the bridge upon which that choice is made, as well as all of the processes we use to make it; Jupiter and Saturn reveal to us that we are part of a bigger scheme. The Trickster within Mercury (our Minds) often makes it seem as if we are agents acting in a vacuum. But, Jupiter—particularly in its Pisces representation—reminds us that nothing exists in a vacuum.
Monday
Little need be explicated with these Wise Words, they speak for them-self. This quote is perfect for the Lunar Eclipse, which summons us to release everything that is blocking us from direct contact with the Divine. This is our true Self.
Tuesday
Fun Fact: This is one of Cam’s top 10 favorite quotes of all time!
As Mercury enters Sagittarius, many of us will feel a rush of optimism and joy, or perhaps it will be more of a need to seek out joy. While our ‘serious business’ over the past months with Mercury’s extended stay in Scorpio (due to retrograde) has been a deep, penetrating investigation of the Truth, now, we are on a quest to find the positive.
Joy is a very specific emotion. It is not happiness; it is not pleasure; it is not content. The word itself comes from the French ‘joie’ which comes from the Latin ‘gaudere’ meaning ‘rejoice.’
What is it to rejoice is something? Can someone rejoice in suffering, sadness, grief, misery even? Yes, indeed! Why do you think sad movies are so successful?
For an example, here is an excerpt from the foreword to one of the most extraordinary works to come out of anthropology, Alan Coult’s Psychedelic Anthropology. The writer of the foreword is a former student and close friend of Coult’s, who describes him in this way, notice the use of ‘enjoy’:
“He lived intensely and enjoyed every experience—suffering as well as bliss. One time I found him crying in the living room. I asked him what was wrong. He related some personal details about his past, sobbing that he had ‘messed up his life.’ I couldn’t believe this from the man who had taught me to take total responsibility for whatever happens, and who had taught me that there is no past. ‘Allen,’ I said, ‘what the hell are you doing?’ Instantly he stopped crying and his demeanor changed. Looking at me in total calm he said, ‘Will you please leave me alone? I’m enjoying myself.’ Then, seeing my still nervous expression, he added with a smile, ‘I’m OK.’ And then he went back to crying, enjoying every miserable moment.”
Wednesday
The quest for joy that accompanies these 20 days of Mercury’s transit through Sagittarius require an expansion of the mind in the truest sense, the divine sense, because they require us to allow our minds to touch the eternal.
If you want the apple, you have to touch the scales of the serpent. This is why Sagittarius follows Scorpio on the zodiac.
Thursday
This quote is truly an exercise in expanding the mind. Just the phrase, “For God did not need to create,” could be the subject of an entire dissertation.
Friendship, philosophy (literally: loving wisdom), and art are all things that bring joy to our lives—that we enjoy, that we may rejoice in.
Reflect and ponder all of the emotions that we feel when enacting friendship, when encountering wisdom, when experiencing art. There are both positive and negative emotions.
This is the peculiar—perhaps, Tricky—nature of Joy. And this is what makes Sagittarius’s quest for it not entirely ‘positive’ and ‘optimistic.’ And yet, when joy is found, even in things like misery, is it not still positive? That depends if we are looking at it with our human-animal eyes or with our human-spirit eyes!
The Weekend
The final quote for this week of C.S. Lewis had to come from The Chronicles of Narnia. This is a particularly interesting series to examine with the lens of the Hero’s Journey, for there are several main characters who undergo these journeys, and it is a useful reminder that we do not exist in a vacuum! Sometimes we are the hero, and perhaps simultaneously, we are someone else’s Mentor!
What this quote is basically saying—and using Lewis’s preferred Christian mythological terminology—is:
“I’m on God’s side even if there isn’t any God to lead it. I’m going to live as like Jesus as I can even if there isn’t any Heaven.”
We can substitute any mythological terminology into these wise words, for what they speak to is the spiritual essence of us. We are all God. We are all the Divine. It is messengers, like Jesus and the Buddha, who remind us of this.
Medical Moonology
This week’s medical moonology is all about the Lunar Eclipse/Full Moon and the Waning Moon.
11/30-12/1: Lunar Eclipse/Full Moon in Gemini
This is a time to rejoice in prana, the vital breath of life.
The Full Moon is the energetic peak of the monthly lunar cycle, and the Eclipses are the energetic peaks of the longer-term lunar cycle. This is a time where everything feels heightened. There is more intensity behind everything that we do; we react to things quickly and with feeling.
In Gemini, the ruler of the lungs, this can be a time of feeling ‘like we can’t breath.’ This is a common symptom of a panic attack, and those who have these attacks often should be aware that this tendency is increased these days. What do you do when you have a panic attack? You breath.
Our breath is integral to the functioning of our physical being, but it is also a way for us to transcend this form and enter the spiritual dimension.
We do not pay enough attention to our breath, and we suffer because of it. Stress, both acute and chronic, both physical and emotional, is compounded by the lack of attention to the breath.
This is why the only self-care practice we are recommending for this time is BREATHING EXERCISES. These can be at any level of formality but definitely start with a tutorial from a reputable guide (such as Wim Hof) if you have never taken the time to properly teach yourself how to breathe properly (you’d be surprised how many people never do this!).
Once you know how to properly breathe, there are various ways of breathing to try out! One of The Scope Scoop’s favorites is Ujjayi breathing. Here’s a great tutorial from Yoga Green Book.
Or, you can just set a timer for however many minutes you have, lie/sit in a comfortable position with your spine straight, and just breathe.
And while you’re breathing, listen to the messages you receive from your body, mind, and the universe. This is particularly important to practice before the Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse, as this will give you clues as to what you need to release and who you need to forgive.
On a final note: Breathing is absolutely something that should be incorporated into your ritual for this lunation. We cannot ‘stress’ this enough (pun intended)!
12/2-12/3: Waning in Cancer
This is a time to rejoice in emotional changes!
After its Full phase, the Moon begins to Wane. In general, the waning moon is a time when our energy is also waning, diminishing, decreasing, lowering. But, this is a process that starts slowly, and things might still feel pretty intense throughout the rest of the week—particularly when the Moon is at home in Cancer.
Cancer generally rules the breasts and stomach, and the stomach is deeply connected to our emotional state. A healthy microbiome in the gut has been identified as one of the foremost indicators of a healthy emotional state. People with a strong Cancer dominance have, and at times where Cancer energy is prominent there is more sensitivity in this area.
Some activities to (safely and carefully) incorporate into your self care practices (making sure not to take anything to the extreme) include:
Avoid inflammatory/toxic foods and drinks (it might be wise to go gluten-free for this time period, especially those with natal Cancer Moon or 6th house)
Work-out your core—physical and emotional
Make yourself feel at home—use soothing teas, baths, aromas, etc.
12/4-12/5: Waning in Leo
This is a time to rejoice in our inner spirits!
Leo generally rules over the heart, spine, and back in medical astrology. While the heart’s importance is obvious, the spine’s is less-so. The spine is where our bodies connect to our brains—it is the link in the chain and it is the most important bone in our bodies, but the word ‘bone’ diminishes what the spine really is. Leo’s counterpart is Aquarius, which rules over bodily locomotion. We cannot move (have locomotion) without the spine, this is what paralysis is.
The Moon in Leo is always a time for us to listen to our bodies, as this is the medical astrology lesson of Leo, but this is also a Waning Moon, which makes it even more important for us to listen to what our bodies are saying!
Whenever the Moon is in Leo, pay special attention and reverence to your heart—it is the Sun within you.
Some activities to (safely and carefully) incorporate into your self care practices (making sure not to take anything to the extreme) include:
Heart breathing
Targeted spine and back stretches
Ecstatic dancing
Any form of physical movement that brings attention to your heart
Have a great week and a happy December! If you have any questions, book a Cosmic Question reading with Cam!
Weekly Scope: November 22-28, 2020
November 21, 2020
There’s a lot going on in this week’s astrology, so here’s everything you need to know and the scoop on what to expect in the cosmic energies of the week ahead.
This week is all about the Jupiter signs: Sagittarius and Pisces, starting with Sunday’s First Quarter Moon and culminating with the end of Neptune’s Retrograde (Pisces). It is a quiet week in the cosmos, a welcome break from all the intensity of the past months. The slow, forward motion of last week continues and quickens. This week shows that we are emotionally ready for a fresh start, but the ‘outside world’ is not quite there yet.
In this article, you will find:
Weekly Overview (Transits + Daily Scopes)
Weekly Cosmic Energies (Themes)
Wise Words for This Week’s Astrology (to Reflect & Ponder)
This week’s Medical Moonology (Align Yourself!)
Sun-day sets the tone for the rest of the week with a First Quarter Moon in Pisces (and Sagittarius). Look out for things coming up related to the myths we live by (read more about this below).
On Moon-Day, we will still be coming off of the 1st Quarter Moon in Pisces and as the Moon continues her transit through the last sign of the zodiac, she will pass over the extremely slow-moving (retrograde) Neptune. Neptune’s power is greatly enhanced right now because not only is he at home in Pisces, but he is also close to his station. Pay attention to your Emotions on this day for hints of what’s to come throughout the rest of the week.
On Mars-day, we have a surge of Mars energy (will last for two and a half days) with the Moon in Aries, a sign ruled by Mars (where Mars also happens to be right now). The combination of all of the aspects of the day (i.e., Mercury trine Neptune and Venus opposite Lilith in combination with the lunar aspects) can be interpreted as a collective inquiry into normalized/socialized delusions. What “lies” have we “believed”? Remember that during these days we are extremely emotionally charged, so be kind to yourself and to the collective in both your mind and words.
On Mercury-day, we have some relative quiet in the cosmos, yet it is still full of fire-power as the Sun continues through Sagittarius and the Moon in Aries merges with the warrior planet, Mars, in his home sign. We’ve got a surge of confidence. For some of us, this may be the first confidence boost we’ve had in months, and it is probably a welcome relief to feel more self-assured. Just be careful not to overdo!
On Jupiter-day, the Sun in Sagittarius (sign of the Archer) forms a supportive Fire Trine to Chiron (whose myth is deeply associated with archery). Shoot your arrow in the direction of healing. Humans and Centaurs are both hybrid creatures: we are conscious and divine but we are fundamentally animals—beasts. When we heal the split between our dual natures, we heal ourselves. This aspect calls on us to take inspired action to move ourselves (shoot our arrows) in this integrated direction.
The weekend is building up to the Full Moon, but before we can get to this major mutable moment, we have to navigate through some fixed energy. On Venus-day, Mercury begins to sextile the Council of Elders and Venus opposes Uranus (and Moon). All of this culminates late Saturn-day evening/early Sun-day morning when Neptune ends his retrograde in Pisces, which propels us into the mutable energy of next week.
Find the Transits for these Scopes on Instagram, @TheScopeScoop
Astro Theme of the Week: The Myths We Live By
The week start’s off with our first mutable lunation, as the Sun has now moved into Sagittarius. The First Quarter Moon in Pisces sets the tone for the rest of the week and beautifully exemplifies the major cosmic theme of the week: the myths we live by.
These are the myths we tell ourselves about the world and the powers within it. These include religious or spiritual myths, ideological or philosophical myths (e.g., “countries,” “universal truth,” etc.), and myths about the Self (e.g., “I am not intelligent”).
During difficult times, the most important thing to remember is that jumping from one extreme to the seemingly opposite extreme (i.e., devout Christian to Atheist) is not, in fact, changing the pattern of faith. It just appears as such. You have an opportunity this week to see through those appearances—if you look through your third eye.
The fact that we have this opportunity (i.e., to fully realize the myths we live by) is made abundantly clear by the cosmic events that frame the week. We start with this Quarter Moon in Pisces and we end with Neptune retrograde ending in Pisces, which happens to be Neptune’s home sign, making any activity there more pervasive.
The aspects throughout week are also within this theme of realizing the fictions we tell ourselves. Namely, Mercury trine Neptune Rx, Sun trine Chiron Rx, Mercury beginning to sextile the Council of Elders, and Venus opposite Lilith and then Uranus Rx.
Basic Understandings: Transit Cycles and the Big Picture
Before we go any further, we must reiterate that the transits of the planets are fundamentally intertwined with each other. This is particularly true of the aspects between the transiting inner and outer planets. If it wasn’t clear based on last week’s transits, it should become exceedingly clear through this week’s.
If you remember, we had Mercury enter Scorpio first, but then it began its retrograde. During that time, the Sun entered Scorpio and had a few meetings with Mercury before it briefly returned to Libra. Then, Mercury turned direct and returned to Scorpio. And, now, Venus has moved into Scorpio—but the three planets (Sun, Mercury, Venus) were only in the sign together for a few minutes before the Sun moved into Sagittarius.
All of the aspects we have this week, and everything in astrology, exists in relation to everything else. Nothing exists in a vacuum.
So, the first major transit aspect we have this week is a watery trine between Mercury and Neptune Rx. It is part of a larger transit cycle that includes this same Scorpio-Pisces trine to Neptune by the Sun, Mercury, and Venus. They are approximately two weeks apart from each other. The Sun’s trine to Neptune was on 11/10, Mercury’s is 11/24, and Venus’s will be on 12/6.
This transit cycle asks us: Why do we hang onto illusions? What are we protecting by narrowing our minds? Are we protecting our-Selves, or are we fooling our-Selves?
The other major transit aspect we have this week is the opposition between Venus and Uranus. This opposition follows/echoes this year’s triple-cycle of Mercury-Uranus oppositions that took place over the course of October-November 2020. We’ve shifted the direction in our Minds, now we must do so in our Hearts.
This transit cycle asks us to evaluate our choices when it comes to freedom: have we placed more value on the feeling of independence or on actual liberty?
Finally, we’ve got the sextiles between Mercury and the Council of Elders, which variously echo the themes of last week’s sextiles to the Sun, moving the ‘setting’ to our Minds rather than our Egos. Venus’s sextiles will come mid-December.
This transit cycle asks us: How are we processing the collective changes happening?
If you want to see how this will affect you, you can always get a Personalized Transit Scope Report and/or book a Cosmic Question reading with Cam Aethera, The Scope Scoop’s astrologer.
The Myths We Live By: A Concept
This phrase above is the title of a compilation of essays by the scholar Mary Midgley, The Myths We Live By (originally published in 2003). The book contributes to an enormous body of social scientific and humanitarian scholarship on myth/mythology.
Without getting into the academic nitty-gritty (an e-book of academic concepts we use here at The Scope Scoop is coming soon!), it is important to put forward a definition of “myth.” Midgley’s definition, informed by those of earlier generations of scholars (including Campbell, Levi-Strauss, Turner, etc.), is a great place to start.
A myth is, “a partial truth based on an imaginative vision fired by a particular set of ideals, a dream which can help to shape our enterprises, but will mislead us if we trust it on its own” (Midgley, ed. 2011, p. xiii). Importantly: it is not ‘bad’ and is a completely inherent part of society and culture.
So, let’s just examine this a bit:
The ideal is egalitarianism—the myth is that all humans are equal (which is based on an assumption that all humans use ‘equal’ the same way).
The ideal is nationalism—the myth is that there are such things as ‘nations’ (which is based on imaginary borders and imaginary links between individuals).
The ideal is scientific objectivity—the myth is that there is such a thing as objectivity (which is ineffable).
This book radically changed the way people in the popular sphere understood myth. This is because it argued, quite successfully and plainly, that this paradigm of thinking that “modern” structures in society, including and especially “science,” are full of truths rather than myths is, in fact, a myth.
Her first chapter dives right into this. “I shall start by discussing three current myths: the social-contract myth, the progress myth and the myth of omnicompetent science. These three myths are connected, not just because they are all overdramatic and need rethinking, but because the last of them impedes our efforts to deal with the first two, and with many other problems as well” (ibid., 8).
The Scope Scoop highly recommends this book as a starting point for anyone who has struggled to rectify their beliefs with their scientific/social justice inclinations.
This Week: Leading Up to Revelation
As we enter this week of Sagittarius-Pisces energy, and as we move through its transit aspects, the myths we live by will reveal themselves to us. Or, perhaps they will be revealed by something in a more literal way—maybe this article was a first step in that process if you’d never thought of the myth of scientific omnicompetence before!
Why are they being revealed to us at this specific time? Well, again, we have to think about the big picture.
2020 has been a year of seeming contradiction. On the one hand, we’ve had an intense series of retrogrades, signaling that we need to back-track. On the other, we’ve had a meeting o the Council of Cardinality (article on this coming soon!), signaling a great leap forward.
The universe gave us this year to remind us that LINEAR PROGRESS IS A MYTH. In fact, the cosmos has told us again and again this year that LINEARITY IS A MYTH. It is an inherently human myth based on our limitations in the temporal sphere. We think linearly because we are constrained by time, we are mortal and temporal beings. But, this is only one way (one wave-length) of thinking; it is the human way.
So, we’ve spent most of this year being torn between different myths we live by. And now we begin to see them for what they are. Seeing them, we are able to sort them. Consciously choosing which myths to live by brings back our personal agency in the face of these gigantic collective shifts (both conscious and unconscious).
As we regain our agency more and more, we also become more and more responsible for our actions—and our beliefs. That’s what Capricorn season is really all about, reiterating the fact that everything happens within a cycle (not within a line).
This week doesn’t necessarily have us regaining our agency completely, this will be the task of Sagittarius season, but we have to take the first step this week. And that is the realization—and ideally, the taking inventory—of the myths we live by.
Wise Words
This week’s Wise Words all come from someone whose natal chart shares a lot of the cosmic energies of the week, but, more importantly, someone who, in general, has a LOT of valuable wisdom to share: Bruce Lee!
As someone with a Sagittarius Sun, but the rest of his personal planets in Scorpio, Bruce Lee exemplifies the energy of the moment. He is a perfect case study of the Mars-energy of Scorpio and the mutable-fire energy of Sagittarius. His actions (Mars), communications (Mercury), and values (Venus), were authentic (Scorpio) because they were flexible (mutable), used his vital life force (fire), and multi-directional (Sun in Sagittarius).
If Bruce Lee were alive today, he’d be in his 80s and experiencing his longer-term transits of Neptune-Neptune opposition (his natal is in Virgo) and Uranus-Uranus conjunction (his natal is in Taurus).
Wise Words Cosmic Explication—Day By Day
Sunday
“Choose the positive. — You have choice — you are master of your attitude — choose the POSITIVE, the CONSTRUCTIVE. Optimism is a faith that leads to success.” Bruce Lee. P. 120 - Striking Thoughts (2000)
This quote is perfect for the quarter moon because all quarter moons (in fact, all squares in general) serve as a reminder that we always have a choice. Is it going to be a challenge or is it going to be constructive—an opportunity for growth?
Furthermore, Sagittarius season is known for bringing us a sense of optimism, and is especially associated with the word ‘faith.’
It is the ecstasy that comes after emerging from the unconscious realm of Scorpio. People with strong Sagittarius placements, Lee included, tend to be optimists—but, of course, how this manifests will depend on the placement and its situation in the chart and is ever-changing.
Monday
“Reality is being itself. — It is being itself, in becoming itself. Reality in its isness, the "isness" of a thing. Thus isness is the meaning — having freedom in its primary sense — not limited by attachments, confinements, partialization, complexities.” Bruce Lee. p. 19 - Striking Thoughts (2000)
The Moon in Pisces merges with Neptune, giving us a dream-like, mystical nature on this Moon-day. We are concerned with deeper, more spiritual truths. Essences. And these wise words are exactly about that.
Reflect on what ‘isness’ means—Lee says it is the meaning. What does this mean?
Pisces is the unbounded waters of the (collective) unconscious. Thus, Pisces (i.e., when the Sun or Moon is in Pisces) is where we have freedom in its primary sense (as Lee defines that here) because we are not limited by attachments.
Ponder: What are the attachments, confinements, partialization, and complexities that limit your freedom to ‘be’ your ‘isness’?
Tuesday
“A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.” Bruce Lee. Striking Thoughts: Bruce Lee's Wisdom for Daily Living (ed. 2015)
These Wise Words are well-suited to many different astrological aspects, but this quote seems especially pertinent to Mercury’s watery trine with Neptune today. In a sense: Mercury is the fool, but Neptune makes us act the fool. But, in another sense: Mercury is the wise one, Neptune is the wisdom. These are both just plays on words—foolishness and wisdom have a variety of definitions and articulations in astrology. But, they’re interesting to ponder!
Wednesday
“To live is a constant process of relating, so come on out of that shell of isolation and conclusion, and relate DIRECTLY to what is being said. Bear in mind I seek neither your approval nor to influence you. So do not make up your mind as to "this is this" or "that is that." I will be more than satisfied if you begin to learn to investigate everything yourself from now on.” Bruce Lee. Striking Thoughts: Bruce Lee's Wisdom for Daily Living (ed. 2015)
Where the modalities define the quarters of the zodiac (each kicked off by a cardinal sign), the elements define the thirds (each kicked off by a fire sign). Each third of the zodiac represents a different realm of relating.
We exist only in relation to other things. This is the fundamental truth of existence. This applies most obviously to the words we say and the names we give to things. Language is the relating of a sign (i.e., words—the symbols that make up the words) to an object or experience.
The first third (Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer) is the realm of the personal, the second (Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio)—the interpersonal, the third (Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces)—the transpersonal. Each realm follows the same elemental order: fire (creation), earth (materialization), air (etherealization), water (transformation).
Sagittarius season brings us into the transpersonal realm and is the creative spirit of the transpersonal signs. It is action-motivated. It wants to do. It is always in motion, and as a transpersonal sign, it is moving between collectivities.
But, importantly Mercury in Scorpio is still keeping us in that investigative mindset. When we move between collectivities, we are curious about why there are differences, what those differences are, how they’ve been used (or manipulated in power games), and whether or not they’re useful for society!
Thursday
“Life itself is your teacher, and you are in a state of constant learning.” Bruce Lee. P. 5 - Striking Thoughts (2000)
“Knowledge, surely, is always of time, whereas knowing is not of time. Knowledge is from a source, from accumulation, from conclusion, while knowing is a movement.” P. 9 - Striking Thoughts (2000)
With today’s supportive fire trine between the Sun in Sagittarius and Chiron in Aries, we’re reminded of the healing that comes from the acceptance of life as a learning journey. It is a process. It is -ing. Sometimes we are teaching, sometimes we are learning—but even when we are teaching, we are learning, and vice versa.
Tanaaz at ForeverConsciousness recently stated this about Sagittarius season and we think that it’s spot on: "Sagittarius energy reminds us that we are both teachers and students at the same time.”
These wise words from Bruce Lee about life, learning, and knowing are absolutely perfect for this Jupiter-day’s supportive, healing, knowing Sun-trine-Chiron.
The Weekend
Like last week with Camus, we found it difficult to narrow down our choices because there are just so much wisdom in the words of Bruce Lee! For the weekend, we’ve chosen three quotes that we think represent the three major cosmic energies over the next few days. That is, Mercury Sextile Pluto, Venus Opposite Uranus, and the end of Neptune Rx.
“Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.” Bruce Lee. The Tao of Gung Fu (ed. 2015)
Mercury sextile Pluto is like a wave of mental support (perhaps emerging out of a communication from a loved one) in our processing of not only the huge collective changes that have happened and are still happening, but also our own individual transformations. Many of us have undergone significant spirit-evolution since the start of the year—and for most of us, a lot of this growth was stimulated by having to adapt (bend) to a global crisis (perhaps a series of them).
On a different note: This quote should be a mantra to anyone who has an abundance of fixed or earth placements!!!!
“Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them.” Bruce Lee. Striking Thoughts: Bruce Lee's Wisdom for Daily Living (ed. 2015)
The aspect of Venus opposite Uranus may have us making a mistake, especially in a relationship. We chose this quote as a subtle reminder that all one needs to do is re-evaluate the mistake as a learning opportunity, own up to it, and actually learn from it! This is how others will forgive you, but you cannot control that. It is more important because this is how you can forgive yourself!
“When we hold to the core, the opposite sides are the same if they are seen from the center of the moving circle. I do not experience; I am experience. I am not the subject of experience; I am that experience. I am awareness. Nothing else can be I or can exist.” Bruce Lee. P. 22 - Striking Thoughts (2000)
We chose this quote for the end of Neptune retrograde in Pisces because of the theme of this past retrograde, which has been about ‘experience.’ The idea that we are the subject of experience is an illusion—a myth we live by.
Find these Wise Words posts on Instagram, @TheScopeScoop
This week’s Medical Moonology is all about the Waxing Moon.
In general, the waxing moon is a time when our energy is also waxing, increasing, growing. And, because of Mars moving forward again (though, slowly), our physical energy is also slowly regaining its full potency.
Though we feel like we are really getting our energy back after this process starting last week, it is VERY IMPORTANT that we are still taking it easy! We are far from close to full capacity, though we are moving toward it!
This week, Moon starts in its First Quarter phase in Pisces, and then waxes through Aries and Taurus. Below, you’ll find several self-care suggestions that may help you align your personal self care with the lunar cycle—with the cosmos. This is physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self care.
First Quarter Moon Pisces: Sunday & Monday
This is a time to be grateful for the fact that our body has built-in mechanisms to remove toxins! How cool is that?!?!
Pisces in medical astrology generally rules the feet and toes as well as the lymphatic system. Someone who has a lot of Pisces in their chart and during times when the Pisces energies are enhanced, we are prone to being affected by even the slightest discomfort, like shoes that are too small.
Some activities to (safely and carefully) incorporate into your self care practices (making sure not to take anything to the extreme) are actually quite specific for this one: earthing!
Pisces is a water sign, but it is also the ruler of the feet and lymphatic drainage system. We can symbolically interpret earthing as the (lymphatic) draining of the negative energies of our body into the earth, and then replenishing with positive, healthy, earthly yet cosmic energy.
Waxing in Aries: Tuesday to Thursday
This is a time for us to be grateful for the expression of energy and feeling we are able to give through the slightest movements of our facial features! How cool is that?!?!
Aries in medical astrology generally rules the head, face, brain, and blood pressure. Someone with a lot of Aries in their chart, and during times when Aries energies are enhanced (like this years’ entire Mars Retrograde period), we are prone to migraines, headaches, acne, high blood pressure, and generally lacking and pent-up energy levels, especially if no techniques for releasing and replenishing this energy/stress have been developed.
Some activities to (safely and carefully) incorporate into your self care practices (making sure not to take anything to the extreme) include:
3-part exercise routines that include a warm-up and cool-down
The forgiving face-wash
Head massages
Meditation with an intention to link the sacral (Scorpio-Mars) and third eye (Aries-Mars but also Cancer-Moon) chakras
Practicing adrenaline awareness (being aware of the instances where your adrenaline shifts and what makes that happen)
Waxing in Taurus: The Weekend
This is a time for us to be grateful for the fact that we are able to create music through the simple vibration of two chords that exist in our body! How cool is that?!?!?!
Taurus in medical astrology generally rules the throat, neck, tonsils, and thyroid system. Someone with a lot of Taurus in their chart, and during times when Taurus energies are enhanced (like this week) is prone to getting a lot of colds, sore throats or tonsillitis, and being overweight (particularly related to obesity caused by thyroid issues).
Some activities to (safely and carefully) incorporate into your self care practices (making sure not to take anything to the extreme) include:
Being aware of how much we exercise our vocal chords
Gargling salt water or other tonics that are good for the tonsils
Eating foods that increase thyroid health and avoiding foods that are detrimental to it
Practicing mindful eating
Affirmations and mantras!
Practicing self-sensuality
Weekly Scope: November 15-21, 2020
November 14, 2020
The week starts off with the New Moon in Scorpio on Sun-Day. The aspects that influence it are the cosmic energies that we’ll be dealing with all week, namely, the Council of Elders being sextiled by the Sun and squared by Venus and the third and final Mercury-Uranus opposition of 2020. We end the week with a massive cosmic energy shift, propelling us forward as Venus moves into Scorpio and the Sun enters Sagittarius!
In this article, you will find:
Weekly Overview (Transits + Daily Scopes)
Weekly Cosmic Energies (Themes)
Wise Words for This Week’s Astrology (Reflect & Ponder)
This week’s Medical Moonology (Align Yourself!)
Sun-day truly features the Sun yet again, and we start the week off with the New Moon (Moon conjunct Sun) in Scorpio. It would be wise to set your intentions Sunday evening to avoid any void-of-course intention-mishaps. The aspects involved in and influencing this New Moon are also the cosmic energies we’ll be dealing with throughout the week. It’s all about the Sun and Venus. This New Moon is deeply influenced by the aspects to Jupiter—Sun sextile and Venus square—which is like the foreshadowing for Sagittarius (a Jupiter sign) season.
On Moon-day, the cosmos asks us to find direction through creation. We should spend this Moon-day revitalizing ourselves. It could be a good day to do a visualization activity for manifesting our intentions set at the New Moon. Venus square Jupiter should be a positive and joyful transit—as long as we don’t overindulge with “too much” of anything. We are able to see the joy of novelty on this Monday. Be grateful!
On Mars-day, we get fired up! This Tuesday, we have the 3rd and final Mercury-Uranus opposition of 2020. We’ll still get some surprising information, an all-consuming message from the cosmos, but it should soon feel more like information that brings things “full circle”—though, it’s important to note that we may not realize this until later. It’s a good day to reflect on whether you are more comfortable with uncertainty now than about a month ago?
On Mercury-day, the Moon in Capricorn comes in to support us emotionally as we handle the aftermath of the all-consuming information that may have come to us with the Mercury-Uranus opposition. Luna is also helping us handle the ongoing effects of the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction and the Council of Elders’ meeting there. Tap into this energy by grounding your emotions and making sure that you aren’t overly concerned with the public sphere today.
The Sun and Venus continue their dance together and on Thor’s-day they are partnered by Saturn and the Moon, both in Capricorn. While this may be challenging for some, it should generally present an opportunity to work on integrating our Values with our Ego—which are at the moment not seeing eye-to-eye (more like cheek-to-cheek). Today, we’re reminded that this integration is a slow process. Embrace Divine Lovingness and Acceptance.
Finally, the weekend starts on Frei-day with the Moon in Aquarius making some aspects that summon us to resolve any lingering (personal) tensions from this week’s Mercury-Uranus opposition. The main event(s) is on Saturn-day, with the Sun and Venus both transitioning into the next signs of the zodiac. Venus moves into Scorpio just before the Sun moves into Sagittarius.
This week, we are meant to learn how to follow our hearts.
Find the Transits for these Scopes on Instagram, @TheScopeScoop
Astro Theme of the Week: Slow, Forward Motion
Everything that is happening in the cosmos this week is like the universe bringing things to a culminating point so that we may finally begin to move forward.
Mars has finally ended its retrograde and is slowly beginning to move forward back through Aries (remember that Mars won’t exit its shadow phase until January 1).
We begin the week with a New Moon in Scorpio, and then the Moon soon moves into Sagittarius—which the Sun will do by the end of the week.
We also have the third and final of the Mercury (Scorpio) opposite Uranus Rx (Taurus) transits, which will inevitably bring surprises and potentially challenging uncertainties, but also the potential for revelation. It should feel more like a “full circle” moment by the end of the week as the Moon activates it through its sextile/trine in Capricorn and squares in Aquarius.
Moving Forward Using Astrology!
This week is really a great one for people learning how to study and incorporate the planetary transits into their lives because it provides a clear glimpse into how the planets move together.
Of course, paying attention to the Moon’s transits is always the first start when it comes to learning about how the interaction of the planets has an effect on our lives, but the Moon’s transits are very brief.
This week, we are able to see clearly how the Sun and Venus are moving together through Scorpio and Libra (respectively), and how they make different aspects (namely, sextiles and squares) to the Council of Elders in Capricorn.
Scorpio forms a sextile with Capricorn because they understand each other on a fundamental level and support each other—they are both yin signs who seek authenticity (Scorpio through penetrating the depths of the unconscious, and Capricorn through hard work and disciplining the Self).
Libra forms a square with Capricorn because though they are similar in many respects (being cardinal signs that are focused on the relationship between self and others), their differences seem more significant and poignant. This doesn’t necessarily have to be challenging, it is just powerful and inspires action.
As the Sun moves through Scorpio, it forms sextiles to the Council of Elders (Jupiter, Pluto, Saturn, and the asteroid Pallas) in Capricorn. And, as Venus moves through Libra, it forms squares. The Sun and Venus are moving at quite similar speeds right now, and their passage through Scorpio and Libra like this happens relatively infrequently. Of course, it is always around this time (the middle of November).
The next time will be 2026, and the last times were 2018, 2012, 2010, 2004, 1996, 1988, 1980, etc.
You can see and track how the Sun and Venus are making their various aspects to the other planets as they continue to make their own movements through the zodiac.
Look at how these transits interact with your own birth chart. Track how you feel throughout the week and pay particular attention to your ego-needs and your sense of self-worth.
If you are in a relationship, it is extremely important that you pay attention to both your own and your partner’s ego-needs throughout the week.
You can always get a Personalized Transit Scope Report and/or book a Cosmic Question reading with Cam Aethera, The Scope Scoop’s astrologer.
Wise Words
This week, we’re bringing cosmic energies back into focus. It’s all about the wise words of the French philosopher and author, Albert Camus.
He has a natal Venus in Libra and Sun in Scorpio, and these placements are clearly indicated in his works. He exemplifies what happens when we mix the aesthetic/literary perfectionism of Venus in her home sign of Libra and the deep and provocative spirit of the Sun in Scorpio.
He also has a natal Sun sextile Jupiter aspect, as his Jupiter is in Capricorn. This natal aspect and the particular sign/house placement that it makes in his chart is very interesting in light of his biography. To oversimplify, this aspect means luck, but in the signs of Scorpio and Capricorn (which are his 3rd and 5th houses), it isn’t going to be the obvious kind of luck.
The most interesting example is the fact that even though he was born in Algeria and poor, he was still considered a French citizen due to the racism inherent in French policies. Thus, though many of his biographers commentate on how ‘difficult’ his childhood was because his family was not wealthy, it seems almost silly in light of the countless (seemingly lucky) opportunities he was given throughout his life, particularly related to his studies, simply because of the fact that he was born a French (i.e., white) person. It is interesting to study these kinds of Jupiter aspects with a postcolonial lens.
Another, perhaps clearer, example of this is the fact that he caught tuberculosis when he was a teenager. Though this doesn’t seem to be ‘luck’ at first glance, it is the reason why he was prevented from serving in the French military during World War II. Because he wasn’t in the military, when the Nazis conquered France in both military and philosophical terms, he was able to join the resistance, an extremely formative experience for him.
Wise Words Explication—Day By Day
Sunday
We start with a quote that sets the tone for the week, and is one of our favorites here at The Scope Scoop.
“The mysterious universe is always calling, and, in some form or other, we are always answering.” — The New Theology, Chapter II (1907)
This quote seems appropriate for Sunday’s cosmic energies, which usher us into this new cycle. This cycle, which will last for the next month or so, is highly transitional—it moves us between Scorpio and Sagittarius. It also happens to be true that both of these signs represent transitions—Scorpio represents rebirth; Sagittarius (as a mutable sign) represents the transition from autumn to winter.
Why do transitions happen? Because there is something calling them—something is summoning this transition. It is, always, the mysterious universe.
Monday
There are two quotes for Monday, both of which are related to the cosmic energies of Venus forming squares to the Council of Elders in Capricorn. Venus represents our Values, and in many ways, this also means our Judgements. We value something by judging whether or not it has ‘worth’ to us. When put this way, it is clear why Mercury comes before Venus in the line-up of planets—we have to be able to think and to ‘know’ things before we can value them.
The two quotes for Monday both express this connection between knowledge and judgement, which seems best exemplified by the aspect of Venus (at home in Libra) square to Pallas in Capricorn. These two celestial bodies represent two aspects (avatars) of the primordial mother goddess—Venus is the creative (fertile) aspect, and Pallas is the destructive (warrior). Judgements are both creative and destructive—they are creative regarding actions (which is why Mars is next in the line-up), but they are destructive regarding our minds because they close them.
Both of these quotes enable us to reflect on these connections.
“I don't know whether this world has a meaning that transcends it. But I know that I cannot know that meaning and that it is impossible for me just now to know it. What can a meaning outside my condition mean to me? I can understand only in human terms. What I touch, what resists me — that I understand. And these two certainties — my appetite for the absolute and for unity and the impossibility of reducing this world to a rational and reasonable principle — I also know that I cannot reconcile them. What other truth can I admit without lying, without bringing in a hope I lack and which means nothing within the limits of my conditions?” — The Myth of Sisyphus - An Absurd Reasoning (1942)
“One always has exaggerated ideas about what one doesn't know.” — Collected fiction (ed. 1960)
Tuesday
The two quotes for Tuesday are both related to the notion of rebellion (it is, of course, Mercury opposite Uranus, which is perfectly represented by the Rebel Archetype) and come from Camus’s seminal work on the subject, The Rebel.
They are pretty self-explanatory as to how they relate to the cosmic energies of the day. This is the third and final of the Mercury-Uranus oppositions. We are no longer rebelling just for the sake of rebellion—we have learned our lessons and we are now using our rebellion to make change happen.
“In order to exist, man must rebel, but rebellion must respect the limits that it discovers in itself - limits where minds meet, and in meeting, begin to exist.” — The Rebel: An Essay on Man in Revolt (ed. 2012)
“In every rebellion is to be found the metaphysical demand for unity, the impossibility of capturing it, and the construction of a substitute universe.” — The Rebel, Part 4: Rebellion and Art (1951)
Wednesday
On Wednesday, we only have one quote. These words are the perfect Wise Words to keep in mind as we make our way through the rest of the week’s energies as the effects of the Mercury-Uranus opposition enact themselves and the Sun finishes his transit through Scorpio just as Venus moves into it.
“There are places where the mind dies so that a truth which is its very denial may be born.” — Lyrical and critical (ed. 1967)
Thursday
Thursday has two long quotes from Camus’s greatest work (in our opinion), The Myth of Sisyphus (1942). These quotes were chosen because they are perfect Wise Words to remember as we get aspects to Saturn, Lord of Time and Karma.
Saturn is an interesting deity in astrology because, traditionally, he rules both Capricorn and Aquarius. Capricorn is the nihilist. Aquarius is the absurdist. Camus dedicated his life to philosophically diminishing nihilism and exploring (really, founding) the ideology of absurdism (or, a bit different and Camus rejected this term, but it is related: existentialism).
“‘My field,’ said Goethe, ‘is time.’ That is indeed the absurd speech. What, in fact, is the Absurd Man? He who, without negating it, does nothing for the eternal. Not that nostalgia is foreign to him. But he prefers his courage and his reasoning. The first teaches him to live without appeal and to get along with what he has; the second informs him of his limits. Assured of his temporally limited freedom, of his revolt devoid of future, and of his mortal consciousness, he lives out his adventure within the span of his lifetime.” — The Myth of Sisyphus (1942) - The Absurd Man
“In that daily effort in which intelligence and passion mingle and delight each other, the absurd man discovers a discipline that will make up the greatest of his strengths. The required diligence and doggedness and lucidity thus resemble the conqueror's attitude. To create is likewise to give a shape to one's fate. For all these characters, their work defines them at least as much as it is defined by them. The actor taught us this: There is no frontier between being and appearing.” — The Myth of Sisyphus (1942) - Absurd Creation
The Weekend
There are FIVE quotes for this weekend, and they are all placed into this specific order because, we think, it encourages an interesting reflection.
First, we have a quote that discusses divinity. This is something that will come up again and again over the next cycle/season, as we are between Scorpio and Sagittarius, and both of these signs are deeply concerned with the Divine.
“Nothing can discourage the appetite for divinity in the heart of man.” — The Rebel (1951)
Humanity’s existential quest for divinity is something that Camus investigated thoroughly, but another (intrinsically related) existential quest of humanity is that of happiness. Again, both Scorpio and Sagittarius are concerned with these existential questions.
“But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?” — Lyrical and critical (ed. 1967)
And, as Thursday’s involvement of Saturn reminded us, the next quote also reminds us.
“Only it takes time to be happy. A lot of time. Happiness, too, is a long patience.” — A Happy Death (1971)
But, how do we get to this place of happiness? What is the realization that brings us there? Why does it take so much time for us to get to this simple realization?
“For the first time, the first, I laid my heart open to the benign indifference of the universe. To feel it so like myself, indeed, so brotherly, made me realize that I'd been happy, and that I was happy still.” — The Stranger, IV (1942)
In the end, one must imagine Camus as happy.
Find these Wise Words posts on Instagram, @TheScopeScoop
Medical Moonology
This week’s Medical Moonology is all about the Waxing Moon.
In general, the waxing moon is a time when our energy is also waxing, increasing, growing. And, because of Mars finally moving forward again (though, slowly), our physical energy is also slowly regaining its full potency.
Though we feel like we are (finally) getting our energy back after months of it being at a lower capacity than we may usually like, it is VERY IMPORTANT that we take it easy this week! We are far from close to full capacity, though we are slowly moving toward it!
The Moon moves from its New phase in Scorpio to Sagittarius to Capricorn to Aquarius this week, and below you’ll find several self-care suggestions that may help you align your personal self care with the lunar cycle—with the cosmos. This is physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self care.
New Moon Scorpio: Sunday Morning
The New Moon is always a time of low energy. It’s the last Super New Moon of the year, which means that while the cosmic energies are intense and floating all around, our physical and emotional energy is weaker.
When the Moon is conjunct the Sun (in a New Moon), there is a merging together of our Inner and Outer Selves. The boundary between inside and outside becomes metaphorically blurred. Scorpio thrives in this situation.
But, because Scorpio rules the endocrine system, which is the hormone regulation in the body, and because our energy is so low, we really need to make sure we’re putting our wellness first. And with the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction in this mix, we’ve got a lot happening in the cosmos that’s telling us to be careful with our physical health.
Waxing in Sagittarius: Sunday to Tuesday Afternoon
The Moon in Sagittarius is a time for being especially grateful for our body’s ability to move—however that may work for your body!
Sagittarius in medical astrology generally rules bodily locomotion, the hips, and the thighs, It also rules over the sciatic nerve and the liver. Someone with a lot of Sagittarius in their chart, and during times when Sagittarius energies are enhanced, we are prone to obesity, gout, rheumatism, or sciatica, especially if not given a considerable amount of mental and physical exercise.
We may be prone to small accidents and bumping into things, general clumsiness.
Some activities to (safely and carefully) incorporate into your self care practices (making sure not to take anything to the extreme) include:
Running/fast-walking
Active stretching and conscious breathing
Sciatic-nerve relief focused stretching (best with guidance!)
Faith-based spiritual practices and rituals
Having a conversation with someone whom you disagree with about something
The game of silver linings (a.k.a., finding a bright side to everything)
Massage
Waxing in Capricorn: Tuesday Afternoon to Thursday Evening
The Moon in Capricorn is a time for us to be grateful for our bones!
Capricorn in medical astrology generally rules the orthopedic areas of the body: knees and joints, bones, and teeth. A person with a lot of Capricorn in their chart, and/or during times when Capricorn energies are enhanced (like all of 2020 thus far), we are prone to orthopedic and dental troubles.
Capricorn is essentially all of the ‘hard parts’ and ‘walls’ of the body.
Some activities to (safely and carefully) incorporate into your self care practices (making sure not to take anything to the extreme—especially important now!) include:
Taking extra special care of our hair, nails, and teeth
Eating foods that are good for bone health
Creating a spiritual discipline that you plan to stick to
Goal-based tracking
Setting daily intentions (this is always good but it is especially important now!)
Waxing in Aquarius
The Moon in Aquarius is a time to really get to know our bodies as a whole, starting with the most important system in our body—circulation.
Aquarius in medical astrology generally rules the shins and ankles as well as the circulation system. Someone who has a lot of Aquarius in their chart and during times when the Aquarian energies are enhanced, we are prone to fractures and bruises in these areas and on the body in general.
Some activities to (safely and carefully) incorporate into your self care practices (making sure not to take anything to the extreme) are actually quite specific for this one: deep breathing!
Aquarius is an air sign, but it is also the water bearer, which is interesting in light of its rulership of the circulatory (blood) system. We can symbolically interpret this as the oxygen-bearer of the body. Thus, the Wim Hof Method is The Scope Scoop’s recommendation for bringing about a consciousness/awareness around the connection between the breath and the oxygen in the blood and the body’s circulatory system.
Weekly Scope: November 8-14, 2020
November 7, 2020
Be extra cautious this week. Mars forms his primordial opposition with Venus in her home sign of Libra. Then, we have the Sun forming a trine to Neptune on the same day that Mercury enters Scorpio. It all culminates at the end of the week with the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction, Mars stationing direct, and the (Super) New Moon in Scorpio. Physicality and collective structures are greatly affected now, use that Scorpio energy assess situations deeply.
In this article, you will find:
Weekly Overview (Transits + Daily Scopes)
In-depth analysis of this week’s major cosmic energies (A Closer Look at the Council of Elders in Capricorn, with an Overview of 2020)
Wise Words to Reflect & Ponder
Weekly Medical Moonology
Weekly Overview
11/8 Last Quarter Moon Leo
11/9 Venus (Libra) Opposite Mars Rx (Aries)
11/9 Ceres Enters Pisces
11/10 Sun (Scorpio) Trine Neptune Rx (Pisces)
11/10 Mercury Enters Scorpio
11/12 Jupiter Conjunct Pluto Conjunct Pallas (Capricorn)
11/13 Mercury (Scorpio) Opposite Lilith (Taurus)
11/14 Mars Retrograde Ends (Aries)
11/14 Sun (Scorpio) Sextile Pluto (Capricorn)
Sun-day truly features the Sun yet again as we have the Moon squaring it, giving us our Last Quarter Moon in Leo. This is the third phase of the fixed lunation cycle we have been in, and by the end of the week (next Sun-day), we will have the New Moon. That means that the Moon will be waning and in her lowest energetic phase throughout this week. This corresponds well with Mars slowing down and stationing before it turns direct (on Friday night/Saturday morning). But, we should start regaining our energy by next week. Before that…
Moon-day sees the Moon entering Virgo and Ceres entering Pisces, but the main event of the day is the opposition between Mars Rx in Aries and Venus in Libra, both at home. It is all about the primordial opposition between the masculine* and the feminine* archetypes of the zodiac. Venus is actually in her masculine* manifestation in Libra, and Mars in retrograde has a feminine* aspect to it, so the cosmos is making it exceedingly clear that, like all oppositions, they are embedded in each other. One cannot exist without the other. Ceres moving into Pisces might help us nurture this unification and balanced harmony.
Where Monday we have a boost of yang energy with an air-fire opposition, Tuesday we have a huge infusion of water power (with a touch of earth). The Moon in Virgo makes a supportive sextile to the Sun in Scorpio, who is forming a trine to Neptune at home in Pisces. And Mercury re-enters Scorpio! We are coming out of the fog, but diving deep into the mysterious waters. Take a life-jacket.
Wednesday is a numerologically very special day, being 11/11. On it, the Moon finishes out the supportive trines to the Council of Elders in Capricorn, who are already dancing around each other quite closely. Then the Moon enters Libra and forms an opposition to Chiron in Aries. This could be a good day to take a moment to heal yourself from the collective trauma that has been the past year. Remember that this is not going to be a one-off thing, but an ongoing process.
Doing this will help you prepare for the third and final Jupiter-Pluto conjunction of 2020. On this Jupiter-day, the heavenly king will not only meet with his underworldly brother Pluto, but also his wise warrior daughter, Pallas. And though not in the Council meeting this time, lord of time, Saturn, is just in the next room. These transits are associated with the increase in the spread of disease, so be extra cautious. Ground yourself in reality, but don’t forget the wisdom of play (even if indoors).
Finally, the weekend is all about two huge cosmic shifts. On Friday evening/first thing Saturday morning, Mars retrograde finally ends! And then on Sunday, we have the New Moon in Scorpio! This is truly a new beginning for us to move forward. But, we may not be feeling that new beginning quite yet, something might be constraining us. That’s okay. Accept it and don’t waste energy trying to fight it because the new beginning is coming no matter what.
Find the Daily Transits for these Daily Scopes on Instagram, @TheScopeScoop
Astro Theme of the Week:
Moving Beyond Binaries; What’s After Initiation?
Although we start the week with the primordial opposition between Venus and Mars in their home signs (Libra and Aries), the main purpose of this week, cosmically speaking, seems to be to help us ‘get over’ this oppositional thinking.
A major indication of this is that we have the return of Mercury into Scorpio, which makes us question the authenticity of such simplistic descriptions as ‘opposites.’ For what is the true meaning of ‘up’ if not ‘not down’?
We have already begun the process of the union of opposites that is so central to everything in astrology—and our lives. This week, we have moved beyond the need to conceptualize it as ‘the union of opposites,’ but rather, the re-union of the whole.
This is what we know to be true, but it may not manifest quite yet.
As Mars slows down throughout the week and the Moon continues to wane, approaching its New phase in the (traditionally) Mars-ruled sign of Scorpio, we are not fully ready for the new beginning. We can set our intentions at the end of the week, and make sure that they are truly authentic to our deepest desires and inner warriors.
The forward-motion will truly start to ignite once Mars has caught up with its position before it turned retrograde (which is in the beginning of January), but after this week, especially if we set some really good intentions at the New Moon, we may start to feel it come in little by little.
Thus, we are in an in-between of oppositional thinking and the truth, which is a mindset of unification. This is all very appropriate within the context of the astrology of the month and the year 2020 as a whole.
The Council of Elders in Capricorn: A Closer Look
As we are in the second to last month of the year, we are now beginning to reflect in a more general way as to what has happened, what the underlying themes of the year have been, how we have grown, and what we want to do in the next one.
We can imagine 2020 as being a year delineated by the meetings of the Council of Elders in Capricorn.
Let’s take a closer look at what this cycle has looked like over the course of 2020:
January 10: Full Moon (Eclipse) in Cancer-Capricorn
Sun conjunct Mercury in the 10th sign of the zodiac (we switched from a Cancer-Capricorn to a Gemini-Sagittarius eclipse season in May)
January 12: Saturn-Pluto conjunction (#1) at 22°26’ Capricorn
Jupiter in the lower degrees of Capricorn and Pallas still in Sagittarius
Ceres also involved with this conjunction
March 22: Saturn enters Aquarius
April 5: Jupiter-Pluto conjunction (#1) at 24°53’ Capricorn
Pallas is also in this conjunction, but one degree behind, and Saturn is a bit removed this time, slowly moving (forward) through Aquarius
April 25: Pluto stations and turns retrograde at 24°59’ Capricorn
April 29: Pallas enters Aquarius
May 11: Saturn stations and turns retrograde at 1°57’ Aquarius
May 14: Jupiter stations and turns retrograde at 27°14’ Capricorn
May 17: Pallas stations and turns retrograde at 00°57’ Aquarius
June 2: Pallas Rx re-enters Capricorn
June 28: Mars enters Aries (where it will square the Council several times)
June 30: Jupiter Rx-Pluto Rx conjunction (#2) at 24°06’ Capricorn
Pallas is (once again) part of this, but not exactly, and Saturn is (once again) a bit removed, slowly moving (backward) through Aquarius)
The asteroid Eros formed an exact square to this conjunction
July 1: Saturn Rx re-enters Capricorn
July 5: Full Moon in Capricorn-Cancer
The asteroid Vesta conjoined the Sun during this Full Moon
July 14-20: Sun in Cancer opposes the Council of Elders
July 30-August 3: Mercury in Cancer opposes the Council of Elders
August 1, 14, 24: Mars square Jupiter Rx, Pluto Rx, then Saturn Rx
Lilith is also involved with these squares, as it conjoins Mars on August 10 and again on September 23 due to Mars Rx
August 25-September 2: Venus in Cancer opposes the Council of Elders
September 5: Pallas stations and turns direct at 12°12’ Capricorn
September 9: Mars stations and turns retrograde at 28°08’ Aries
September 13: Jupiter stations and turns direct at 17°24’ Capricorn
September 17, 21, 23: Mercury in Libra squares Council of Elders
September 24: Mercury in Libra opposite Mars Rx/Lilith in Aries
This happens in close, but not exact square to Saturn Rx in Capricorn
September 29: Saturn stations and turns direct at 25°20’ Capricorn
September 29: Mars Rx square Saturn (and Venus trine Mars/sextile Saturn)
October 4: Pluto stations and turns direct at 22°29’ Capricorn
October 9: Mars Rx square Pluto
October 19: Mars Rx square Jupiter
November 1 & 6: Mercury in Libra squares Saturn
This is framed around Mercury retrograding, stationing, and turning direct
November 12: Jupiter-Pluto conjunction (#3) at 22°51’ Capricorn
November 14: Mars stations and turns direct at 15°14’ Aries
November 14, 15, 19: Sun in Scorpio sextiles the Council of Elders
November 15, 16, 19: Venus in Libra squares the Council of Elders
December 7: Pallas enters Aquarius
December 17: Saturn enters Aquarius
December 19: Jupiter enters Aquarius
December 21: Jupiter-Saturn conjunction at 00°14’ Aquarius
December 23: Mars square Pluto
December 30: Full Moon in Cancer-Capricorn
You can use these dates to track what was happening not only in your own life, but throughout the globe and on the collective scale.
This year has been all about this CARDINAL activity, a clear cosmic demonstration that we are living through extremely significant changes in human history. In fact, this year, we have been living through the initiation of these changes, not necessarily the changes themselves.
Going through the year…
The year is framed by the January and December Full Moons in Cancer (and Capricorn). The first Full Moon of the year was also an eclipse, as we were still in the Cancer-Capricorn eclipse cycle. The shift into the Gemini-Sagittarius eclipse cycle was the first indication of the larger shift out of cardinal energy, which is an ‘all or nothing’ kind of energy that can tend towards oppositionality and binaries.
Soon after January’s Full Moon/Eclipse, we had the meeting of Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn (January 12). Jupiter was closely, but not directly involved. And the Sun and Mercury were close together at the same time, also in Capricorn. We can interpret this as if the Council had its first meeting and we, as individuals, were also at this meeting.
Our Egos (Sun) and Minds (Mercury) were present with our Abundance (Jupiter), Limitations (Saturn), and Unconscious (Pluto) in this cardinal, earth meeting. Because this meeting is led by Saturn-Pluto, we are made aware that whatever transformation is coming (Pluto) is going to take some time and there will be many delays (Saturn). We have truly seen this manifest throughout the year.
This is the last time that we, as individuals, were fully present in this Council meeting, though this doesn’t mean that we weren’t personally involved or affected by it.
Throughout the year, we’ve had squares, sextiles, trines, and oppositions between the personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars) and the Council of Elders in Capricorn. This has implicated ourselves as individuals into involvement with the larger collective stunted-transformations (either by choice or forcefully, like with quarantine).
The prophetic Saturn-Pluto meeting at the beginning of the year showed us that great transformation is possible even when we are constrained and limited, and the three meetings between Jupiter-Pluto throughout the year have tended to enhance the constrains put forward by Saturn at the beginning of the year.
The middle of the year was one of the peaks of this, where, in the span of a few days at the end of June and beginning of July, we had the second Jupiter-Pluto conjunction (this time retrograde), Saturn (and Pallas) retrograding back into Capricorn, and Mars moving into Aries. This marks a critical point in the journey of 2020, so it is appropriate that it so happens to correspond with exactly the halfway point of the year.
Cardinal T-Square
We can all feel that there is a noticeable difference in the way that the beginning of 2020 felt from the way that the end of it has felt. In fact, each zodiacal season (month) has felt completely different from the others. Yet, many of us might have been experiencing some sort of ‘time warp’ where things seem to blur together into an incoherent timeline.
This is all the ripple effects of Saturn, the lord of time, and Pluto’s meeting at the beginning of the year. As the personal planets variously engaged with the Council of Elders during the first half of the year, they weren’t necessarily activating the cardinal T-Square.
This changes in the second half of 2020 after the second Jupiter-Pluto conjunction of the year and Mars moving into Aries, and particularly after Cancer season’s oppositions to the Council. And, many of us have felt that change in a deep and personal way.
We felt these the most throughout the months of September and October—when the personal planets were variously transiting Libra, thus both opposing Mars in Aries and squaring the Council in Capricorn. And we had another burst of this energy last week when Mercury, coming out of its retrograde in Libra, did a double square to Saturn.
We are almost entirely through the more powerful and dynamic of these cardinal T-square activations for the year (namely, conjunctions, squares, and oppositions).
But, next week, Venus in her home sign of Libra forms her final squares to the Council. Further, and this is hinted to us by Venus’s opposition to Mars at the beginning of the week, we’re not quite done with Mars in Aries yet.
Warrior Mars
Mars in its home sign of Aries has lasted for the entire second half of 2020—it’s been extra long because of the retrograde. Like all retrogrades, Mars will move through the same degrees three different times. First, when it is moving forward, then once more as it moves backwards (retrograde), and then finally one more time as it moves forward (direct). Looking at the dates above gives a clear picture of how this works chronologically.
This positioning of Mars has played a pivotal role in activating the Council of Elders in Capricorn through squares, an aspect that presents us with a challenge/opportunity that requires us to take dynamic action. We will experience the third and final of all of these Mars squares throughout the rest of 2020. This is because at the end of this week (on November 14), Mars turns direct.
The Council of Cardinality
As the year comes to a close and 2021 begins, we have a clear shift out of cardinal energy. It seems that all the cardinal energy of 2020 and the meeting of the Council fo Elders culminates in the incredibly significant meeting of the Council of Cardinality. We had this extremely rare cosmic event during the first week of November (read more about it here). After this happens, we have what we can interpret as ‘follow-up meetings’ by the Elders.
And by December, all the Elders (except Pluto) will have moved into Aquarius, and by the beginning of January, Mars will finally leave Aries.
So, let’s talk about this week’s Jupiter-Pluto conjunction
Thus far in 2020, the Jupiter-Pluto conjunctions have served as pivotal moments; that is, moments that pivot the way things are going. The moments are also echoes of the January Saturn-Pluto conjunction. The first pivot got us deeper involved in movement restrictions (April) and the second pivot got us deeper involved in social restrictions but was still deeply related with the movement restrictions (June).
This third pivot will, hopefully, be the pivot out of this deep hole we’ve been digging ourselves into collectively. We even have a New Moon in the zodiac’s deepest sign, Scorpio (modern ruler: Pluto) to help us with this smaller re-start on the way to a much bigger re-start. Again, it is important to emphasize that the results of this shift will not reveal themselves immediately.
And, don’t forget we still have some battles to go through with the squares to fiery Mars throughout the rest of the year.
And, what about binaries?
Cardinal energy has a tendency towards oppositional thinking, each sign in its own way. Aries sees itself in a competition, so may tend to view things as two sides. Cancer sees itself as something that needs defending, so may tend to view things as ‘against me.’ Libra sees itself as needing balance, so may tend to view things as imbalanced/‘one-sided.’ Capricorn sees itself as superior, so may tend to view things as ‘below me.’
The first week of November’s Council of Cardinality meeting marked the peak of this oppositional thinking, which had been building up throughout the months of September and October. This is because each of the rulers of the cardinal signs was in their home sign, making them extremely powerful.
As the cosmic energies of this week show, we are not quite done with the cardinal energy yet. But, by the end of the week, we will be well on our way towards the next stage of the cycle.
This next stage, as indicated by the shift into Gemini-Sagittarius eclipses and Jupiter and Saturn moving into Aquarius, will be all about the way that we communicate and innovate. It is no longer about whether or not we need to start something new—we have already started the new thing. Now, we’ve just got to really rid ourselves out of the old and get to work on making this new thing happen!
Notice that ‘whether or not’ is a very binary-minded phrase. The lesson we are beginning to learn collectively, thanks to all this Council of Elders activity, is that there is no such thing as ‘whether or not’ something ‘will be.’ There is only what is.
Reflect & Ponder
This week, we’re doing something a little bit different with the Wise Words to Reflect & Ponder on. The cosmic energies of the moment seem to be shouting at us to reconsider our notion of opposition. Unification is key!
That is why we’ve decided to give a lot of food for thought this week.
We start with three simple definitions. First, the word “unity.” This is the theme of not only this week, but of the rest of 2020. Ponder: what does unity mean to you? Who/what do you feel unified with? Who/what do you not feel unified with? Why? How does unification work? What does unified look like; feel like? How can I change my mentality from an oppositional-base-line to a unification-based-line?
Next, we define “chimera” and then the word “androgyne.” Reflecting of these words is the perfect activity for not only Monday’s Venus-Mars opposition, but also the movement (return) of the androgynous god Mercury (Hermes) into Scorpio on Tuesday.
On Wednesday and Thursday, we dive a bit deeper into how we might continue to reflect on these words by presenting them in specific, and thought-provoking examples.
Finally, the Wise Words for the weekend brings this theme of moving beyond binaries together, just in time to set any intentions around brining more unity into our lives at the New Moon.
Find these Reflect & Ponder posts on Instagram, @TheScopeScoop
Medical Moonology
This week’s Medical Moonology is all about the Waning Moon.
In general, the waning moon is a time when our energy is also waning, diminishing, decreasing, lowering. And, because of Mars stationing this week, our physical energy might feel restricted. It is okay and expected to not be at full capacity, but with Mercury now moving forward and entering Scorpio this week, we can rely on our mental capacity to get us through.
The Moon moves from Leo to Virgo to Libra to Scorpio this week, and below you’ll find several self-care suggestions that may help you align your self care with the lunar cycle. This is physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self care.
Leo
The Moon in Leo is always a time for us to listen to our bodies, as this is the medical astrology lesson of Leo, but this is also a Waning Moon and the end of a Mars retrograde, which makes it even more important for us to listen to what our bodies are saying! Pay special attention to your heart—it is the Sun within you.
Some self care exercises and practices to incorporate during Moon in Leo are heart breathing, targeted spine and back stretches, ecstatic dancing, and any form of physical movement that brings attention to your heart. Pay very close attention to your body and slow down whenever you need to: remember that the Moon is Waning and our energy Wanes with it!
Virgo
The Moon in Virgo is tied with Pisces as the most medically- and physically- significant lunar transit of each cycle. This makes sense because in medical astrology, Virgo rules over the nervous system, stomach, intestines, and abdomen. Almost all diseases are caused by stress and/or an unhealthy biome (which, of course, are interrelated).
Thus, anytime the Moon is in Virgo, it is a great time to do some sort of check-in with your health: physical, mental, and emotional. This is even more necessary with the Waning Moon in Virgo. And, it’s absolutely essential, in fact, because Virgo’s ruler, Mercury, will move into Scorpio while the Moon is in Virgo.
The correspondence of the Waning Moon in Virgo and Mercury moving (back) into Scorpio, ruler of the Endocrine/Hormone system, which is also extremely involved with the body’s cumulative health) is a signal from the Cosmos that we need to pay special attention to our health in a wholistic way. We need to remember that everything in our bodies and minds is completely connected: if we are stressed, our bodies become stressed, which often becomes sickness, which then makes us more stressed, etc.
To get yourself out of this endless cycle, whenever the Moon is in Gemini or Virgo (the Mercury signs), use it as a reminder to do self care practices that are meant to align (or at least, remind us of the inherent alignment of) your body and mind. Qi gong is an excellent example of this.
Libra
Libra rules over balance and equilibrium in the body (including the skin and the kidneys). This means that when the Moon is in Libra, the physical regulation of the body is more intimately connected to the emotional regulation of the body than usual.
The self care that you should absolutely be doing during the Moon in Libra relates to the body’s largest (but somehow, most forgotten) organ: the skin. The skin is the bridge between us and the material world, but it is also the ‘glue’ that holds everything in our body together. It is a literal boundary between the inside and the outside. In order to prepare for the New Moon in Scorpio, we should give extra care to this boundary.
Scorpio
All of the above culminates with Saturday’s Super New Moon in Scorpio. The New Moon is always a time of low energy. It’s the last Super New Moon of the year, which means that while the cosmic energies are intense and floating all around, our physical and emotional energy is weaker.
When the Moon is conjunct the Sun (in a New Moon), there is a merging together of our Inner and Outer Selves. The boundary between inside and outside becomes metaphorically blurred. Scorpio thrives in this situation.
But, because Scorpio rules the endocrine system, which is the hormone regulation in the body, and because our energy is so low, we really need to make sure we’re putting our wellness first. And with the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction in this mix, we’ve got a lot happening in the cosmos that’s telling us to be careful with our physical health.
The Astrology of November 2020
October 30, 2020
The month of November will include some of 2020’s major astrological events, including the end of Mercury Retrograde, the incredibly significant (third and final) Jupiter conjunct Pluto (of the year), and the start of Sagittarius season. In this article, you’ll get the full scoop on what’s happening in the cosmos during the month of November.
Monthly Transit Overview
11/1: Mercury Rx (Libra) Square Saturn (Capricorn)
11/1: Venus (Libra) Opposite Chiron Rx (Aries)
11/3: Mercury Retrograde Ends (Libra)
11/6: Mercury (Libra) Square Saturn (Capricorn)
11/8: Moon (Leo) Square Sun (Scorpio)
11/9: Venus (Libra) Opposite Mars Rx (Aries)
11/10: Sun (Scorpio) Trine Neptune Rx (Pisces)
11/10: Mercury Enters Scorpio
11/12: Jupiter Conjunct Pluto (Capricorn)
11/13: Mercury (Scorpio) Opposite Lilith (Taurus)
11/14: Mars Retrograde Ends (Aries) (11/13 WH)
11/14: Sun (Scorpio) Sextile Pluto (Capricorn)
11/15: Sun (Scorpio) Sextile Jupiter (Capricorn)
11/15: Moon Conjunct Sun (Scorpio) (New Moon Scorpio @ 05:37)
11/15: Venus (Libra) Square Pluto (Capricorn)
11/16: Venus (Libra) Square Jupiter (Capricorn)
11/17: Mercury (Scorpio) Opposite Uranus Rx (Taurus)
11/19: Sun (Scorpio) Sextile Saturn (Capricorn)
11/19: Venus (Libra) Square Saturn (Capricorn)
11/21: Venus Enters Scorpio
11/21: Sun Enters Sagittarius
11/22: Moon (Pisces) Square Sun (Sagittarius)
11/24: Mercury (Scorpio) Trine Neptune Rx (Pisces)
11/24: Venus (Scorpio) Opposite Lilith (Taurus)
11/26: Sun (Sagittarius) Trine Chiron Rx (Aries)
11/27: Mercury (Scorpio) Sextile Pluto (Capricorn)
11/27: Venus (Scorpio) Opposite Uranus (Taurus)
11/29: Neptune Retrograde Ends (Pisces)
11/29: Mercury (Scorpio) Sextile Jupiter (Capricorn)
11/30: Moon (Gemini) Opposite Sun (Sagittarius) (Full Moon Gemini @ 9:29)
11/30: Mercury (Scorpio) Sextile Saturn (Capricorn)
The Cosmic Scoop
The overarching theme of 2020 and of human existence is the union of opposites, the divine masculine* and feminine* energies of the cosmos. Venus home in Libra opposite Mars Rx home in Aries is the most literal rendition of this theme. The union of opposites is both a destructive and creative act: separation must be destroyed, but once union has happened, another form of being is created that splits the one into the many; and this cycle continues infinitely.
Mercury, who turns direct at the beginning of the month, moves between the realms and is symbolically the bridge between them. It is Mercury who can help us in our cosmic quest to unite oppositions this month—it is our Minds.
During November, Mercury, Mars, and Neptune all turn direct, and the Sun and Venus are moving almost in an exact semi-sextile to each other for a lot of the month, making a lot of their aspects fall on the same day. This may shed some light on how our self-worth and sense of self value is different than how we talk to ourselves—and Jupiter conjunct Pluto in Capricorn is involved, shedding light on how the world talks to us (and we to her).
The Scorpion and the Archer
October is the month of transition between Scorpio and Sagittarius, the scorpion and the archer. We can imagine 2020 thus far as gearing us up to shoot the arrow. And, this month, we led the string go. We will not see where the arrow hits until the end of the year, at the very earliest. So, here we are, just watching our arrow fly into the unknown.
We make the official transition on November 21 when the Sun moves into Sagittarius, which happens to be the same day as Venus moves into Scorpio. This, coupled with Mercury’s presence in the sign throughout the whole month, is a clear indication that we are not quite done with the Scorpion’s claws yet.
Before this, we have the Sun and Mercury in Scorpio and Venus in Libra. We are basically moving between the impulse to judge something as moral/immoral (Scorpio) and the realization that nothing is as simple as that (Libra). What is truth? Who has to power to deem something truthful? And what are the consequences of over-relativizing vs over-fixating, how can we find a middle way? These are questions that we’ll still be wrestling with throughout the month.
Setting Intentions
Setting intentions can be done whenever, however, and wherever. All it requires is your attention and presence. It is incredible to set intentions for each day, first thing in the morning.
The Scope Scoop recommends Deepak Chopra’s four intentions to start your day: joyful, energetic body; loving, compassionate heart; reflective, alert mind; and lightness of being.
However, there is something particularly powerful about writing intentions down somewhere. It is good to set intentions at the beginning of each month and at each New Moon. If you really get into it, you can also set intentions at the start of each astrological season, and every time a planet moves into a new sign or retrograde period.
The Scope Scoop recommends using the solar calendar intentions to focus on the everyday, material realm goals and the lunar calendar intentions to focus on the emotional, spiritual, and metaphysical realm wishes. That means that each month, you’ll set intentions at least twice, and surrender them to the universe, trusting that they will happen, twice--which just puts your will in much greater alignment with the universe!
November is the 11th month of the calendar year; it is the change of autumn to winter. Many traditions from all over the world honor this time of year as a time of thanksgiving. In addition to the obvious Thanksgiving holidays, there are other traditions that speak to this gratitude thing. For example, the first day of November for many Catholics around the world is a day to honor and give thanks to the dead, our ancestors.
When setting your intentions for this month, and the last two months of 2020, remember the lessons of where we’ve already been on the zodiac (the personal signs of Aries, Taurus, Gemini, and Cancer and the interpersonal signs of Leo, Virgo, Libra, and Scorpio) as you think about what you want to manifest regarding your authentic Self’s relationship to the outside world. Then, think about how these lessons can help you determine what you want to manifest in your individual journey as well as in your participation in the collective one.
November sees the transition between Scorpio and Sagittarius, the last interpersonal sign and the first transpersonal sign. The key difference between these signs is that Scorpio is concerned with the dark aspects of truth and authenticity whereas Sagittarius is concerned with the light.
It would be wise to reflect on these questions:
How am I personally related to the collective structures taking place?
What kinds of things make me “giddy” and what does that feeling tell me?
How can I bring more joy and excitement into my life?
And it would be wise to reflect on these questions from last month too:
What kind of energy do I give off, and how do I think other people perceive that energy?
Does it matter what kind of energy I put out there?
Does the kind of energy I put out there have an impact on how I perceive the kind of energy around me?
Weekly Scope: October 25-31, 2020
October 24, 2020
This last week of October is (once again) all about the divine feminine* energy. It seems relatively quiet, which we think because we are coming from a yang perspective. We are still moving between Libra and Scorpio, as we’ve been this entire month. Libra is where we meet the others and start to form relations with them. Scorpio is where we deepen those relations. Moving between them: a compromise is required, but it may feel more like ‘giving in’ if not something we’re genuinely comfortable with.
IN THIS ARTICLE, THERE IS A WEEKLY OVERVIEW OF ALL THE MAJOR ASTROLOGICAL TRANSITS THIS WEEK. THEN, THERE IS AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF THIS WEEK’S MAJOR COSMIC ENERGIES AND THEMES AND THEN AN EXPLORATION AND REFLECTION ACTIVITY USING THE WISE WORDS WE SUGGEST EVERYONE KEEP IN MIND AND THINK ABOUT THROUGHOUT THIS WEEK. FINALLY, THERE IS ALSO AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF THIS WEEK’S MEDICAL MOONOLOGY, WHICH EXPLORES USING THE LUNAR CYCLE TO ALIGN YOUR SELF-CARE ROUTINE WITH THE COSMOS.
Weekly Overview
Sun-day truly features the Sun as it merges with the retrograde Mercury in the early degrees of Scorpio. This marks a key point in the Mercury retrograde cycle, and it would be wise to do a check-in with yourself. Take a moment to reflect on the state of your mind, and ask yourself some thought-provoking questions, such as…
What has your mindset (the setting of your mind) been like over the past 2+ weeks?
How has your way of thinking changed since the start of the retrograde (10/14)?
Are your thoughts racing or does your thinking process feel slower than usual?
Do you feel like you can’t ‘hang on’ to certain thoughts or is it more like you can’t ‘let go’ of them?
How is your memory?
What kinds of things spark your curiosity?
After the Sun-Mercury Rx conjunction in the early degrees of Scorpio, the week seems relatively quiet. This is the universe demonstrating yin energy for us. This is support, nurture, and care—and it is happening right when we need it, as the time leading up to the Full Moon is always full of high-intensity emotions.
But, despite the seemingly quiet start, on late Wednesday/early Thursday, we have an incredible event. Within minutes of each other, Mercury and Venus will both enter the sign of Libra. Mercury will be re-entering it in the last degrees, and Venus will be entering it in the first degrees. This will re-vamp the mixture of Libra and Scorpio energies that we’ve been working with for the entire month.
Over the weekend, we have the blue moon, the Full Moon in Taurus, conjunct Uranus. First, the Sun and Uranus Rx will exactly oppose each other, and then the Moon will join Uranus Rx, merging with its energy just in time to bring us a potentially violent, revolutionary Full Moon.
This Full Moon is all about slowing down, being receptive, and feeling present (getting into your yin). It’s the last day of an extremely intense month, and we’re ending it just like we started it—forgiveness and gratitude.
Astro Theme of the Week:
Destructive Feminine* and Creative Masculine*
This week is all about the Sun now in Scorpio, and it is shining a light on all things dark, deep, and mysterious. In our societies, of course, that means all things feminine*.
It is almost starting to feel redundant to keep talking about this, but of course, we are in a very retrograde heavy year, which is literally full of cycles where we have to re-do and re-peat things (often several times).
It is worthwhile to pause and think about why the cosmos is sending us so many messages—especially via its key messenger, Mercury—of divine femininity* in all of its various forms. There are many aspects to the goddess, there are many archetypes of the feminine*, and there are many ways that the feminine* and masculine* energies can interact and create new things.
This is especially true of the (arche)types of masculine* energies of Mercury and Uranus, who are both heavily involved this week.
Uranus is the archetype of creative masculine* energy, which is the primary form of masculinity that most cultures today have completely neglected. This is the quieter, wilder, more feminine* (because he emerged directly out of the primordial goddess), and ‘earliest’ form of masculine* energy.
It is from this earliest form of the creative masculine* energy that Venus was born. When Saturn/Cronus dropped Uranus’s genitalia into the sea, Venus emerged. Again, this illustrates Uranus as the creative masculine*.
Mercury/Hermes moves between the feminine* and masculine* and is known for being the bridge between the two. This is why his union with Venus/Aphrodite produces Hermaphrodite. Humans were originally all hermaphrodites—the opposites were united, and we were complete. It was the separation of humanity into two beings that caused our souls to be forever incomplete, and us to forever seek our soul’s mate.
This is where Venus’s aspect as the goddess of romantic love is especially important for humanity.
Venus is activated in many different ways by the key transits of the week, and her energy is extremely potent. We have her moving into her home sign of Libra as Mercury re-enters it and we have an extra-powerful Full Moon joined by Uranus Rx in Venus’s home sign of Taurus.
Venus at home in Libra is an extremely auspicious time. Relationships are the focus, and this has both positive and negative manifestations. On the one hand, we are balanced and harmonic in our approach; we seek beauty and peace in all situations; we are extremely idealistic (particularly about love). On the other hand, because we are so inclined towards the beauty of balance, we tend to ignore (or react poorly to) any imbalance.
So, relationships are the thing we value the most during Venus in Libra, and with Mercury Rx there too, relationships are also what we are most focused on. Meanwhile, throughout all of this, we still have Mars Rx in Aries. Thus, it is the perfect time for us to do conscious work on our own internal union of opposites.
We might have a tendency during this Venusian time to be judgmental towards people who express more Mars-like aggressive behaviors (enhanced not only by Mars Rx at home but also by Scorpio season). But, the more serious problem is the potential for negatively judging the Self for expressing anything seemingly belligerent.
We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to meet the exceptionally high standards we set, and we must be extremely careful not to let our sense of self-worth be dependent on our capacity to meet our perfectionist standards. Remember that both physical and mental capacities are still limited and inverted.
So, first, we have the internal Union of Opposites at the Aries-Libra level, then we have the Taurus-Scorpio level.
Taurus-Scorpio is the Axis of Sacrality and Security. Taurus is all about feeling secure in the material realm, thus, it tends to hold the things that can be found within the material realm as sacred. Scorpio is all about feeling secure in the spiritual realm (which is best encompassed by the term ‘authenticity’), thus, it tends to pay more attention to the sacred taboos in society (the metaphysical realm).
Both axes (Aries-Libra, Taurus-Scorpio) are represented by the primordial feminine* (Venus) and masculine* (Mars) energy because they have the enormous power of creation/destruction. We, holding both of these energies within us, also have the enormous power of creation/destruction.
It seems the cosmos is really trying to hammer in the themes of 2020 as we are closing out this year full of initiation (cardinal energy), inversion (retrogrades), and opposition (particularly along the lines of masculine*-feminine*, right-wrong, and light-dark).
Wise Words
It is time to shed the light on some more incredible women* throughout herstory, and this week, for many reasons, it is all about the phenomenal, inspirational, and insightful Toni Morrison.
Her most well-known novel is Beloved, originally published in 1987. The six quotes posted this week on Instagram (@TheScopeScoop) are all from Beloved. The Vintage Edition cited (2004) includes a fascinating preface from the author herself. It is our hope that this will motivate people to keep reading the novel (available for free as a PDF here) and become curious about her other works.
The specific quotes chosen for each day are meant to paint a literary picture of that day’s cosmic energy. They are, obviously, taken out of context. I have included the page number so that people may contextualize the quotes if it interests them, but for those who feel no need to situate the quote, it is absolutely vital to ‘grain of salt’ your initial reaction, feelings, and interpretations. The first thing we think of is often the thing that has been socialized into us.
To Whom It May Concern, Re: USA Situation
Though we should not place too much significance on it or project it onto the rest of the world, is impossible to ignore the situation in the USA, which is very likely to end in a hung or contested election.
The last time we had an election on the exact day of the end of a Mercury retrograde was the hung election of 2000 (Bush vs Gore). We might even trace this as the start of the exponential increase in the polarization of American politics that has plagued the last two decades—though the US has always been hyper-polarized because of the explicit divide-and-rule function that the two-party system is meant to fulfill.
The exact event of this happens next week, on Nov. 3. But, until then, what does this have to do with Toni Morrison and with the cosmic energies of the week?
Toni Morrison’s Beloved does many things, but providing a multifaceted and multileveled introduction to the horrors and consequences of enslavement is what it is most well-known for.
This goes from throwing the reader right into the midst of the chaos of the story, the same way humans were stolen and thrown into the midst of enslavement—to the multi-layered metaphor of Beloved as Blackness in America, portrayed as the ‘under-developed child,’ forever traumatized by the separation with the mother (the motherland), forever at different mental and emotional developmental levels—to the introduction of various theoretical concepts like rememory and scarification and the reconceptualization of who is ‘subject’ and who is ‘object’ or ‘other’.
These are all things that every single American should reflect upon, and that every single human in the rest of the world who is watching this happen with eager anticipation should keep in mind.
Anyone who reads Beloved should understand at the end that there is no such thing as separation without the explicit intent to disempower. The political divide in the USA and the hyper-moralization of this divide by both parties (“If you don’t vote for us, you’re morally wrong”) is a clear example of elites attempting to enact separation in order to disempower the populace.
In other words, it is a neo-colonialist attempt on behalf of American elites (again, on ‘both sides’) to divide and conquer the populace as a whole, and in America, using race relations is a very easy way to divide people because race as a concept is so embedded in the American worldview.
Yet, though the debate on race relations is quite literally about the difference between ‘black and white’, it is absolutely ridiculous to think that it can be so oversimplified that it neatly fits into two sides, one of which is ‘good’ and one of which is ‘bad.’
There is so much depth and complexity in everything (like astrology!), but particularly the historical enslavement of Pagan and Muslim African and Native peoples by Christian European colonial imperialists.
Without getting into the nitty-gritty politics and to summarize, we must be exceedingly careful when we attempt to moralize, simplify, and generalize. The complexity that is embedded in Morrison’s prolific novel, as demonstrated most clearly by the final quote (“I am Beloved”), is representative of the complexity embedded in every aspect of human and cosmic existence. It is wise not to forget that, even when it seems that everything in the world can be neatly divided into ‘black and white’—or ‘blue and red.’
Medical Moonology
This week’s Medical Moonology is all about the Waxing Moon leading up to Saturday’s Full Moon (a blue moon) in Taurus-Scorpio.
In general, the waxing moon is a time when our energy is also waxing, increasing, gaining, growing. However, because of the Mars Rx, our physical energy might still not be at the level we’re ‘used to’ for most of our lives. It is okay and expected to not be at full capacity: physically or mentally (Mercury Rx).
The Moon moves from Pisces to Aries to Taurus this week, and below you’ll find several self-care suggestions that may help you align your self-care with the lunar cycle. This is physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self-care. Click here to read more about the medical astrology of each sign.
Pisces
Pisces in medical astrology generally rules the feet and toes as well as the lymphatic system. Someone who has a lot of Pisces in their chart and during times when the Pisces energies are enhanced, we are to being affected by even the slightest discomfort, like shoes that are too small, and at the extreme, hypochondria.
Some activities to (safely and carefully) incorporate into your self-care practices (making sure not to take anything to the extreme) are actually quite specific for this one: earthing! Pisces is a water sign, but it is also the ruler of the feet and lymphatic drainage system. We can symbolically interpret earthing as the (lymphatic) draining of the negative energies of our body into the earth, and then replenishing with positive, healthy, earthly yet cosmic energy.
Aries
Aries in medical astrology generally rules the head, face, brain, and blood pressure. Someone with a lot of Aries in their chart, and during times when Aries energies are enhanced (like this years’ entire Mars Retrograde period), we are prone to migraines, headaches, acne, high blood pressure, and generally lacking and pent-up energy levels, especially if no techniques for releasing and replenishing this energy/stress have been developed.
Some activities to (safely and carefully) incorporate into your self-care practices (making sure not to take anything to the extreme) include 3-part exercise routines that include a warm-up and cool-down, the forgiving face-wash, head massages, meditation with an intention to link the sacral (Scorpio-Mars) and third eye (Aries-Mars but also Cancer-Moon) chakras, and practicing adrenaline awareness (being aware of the instances where your adrenaline shifts and what makes that happen).
Taurus
Taurus in medical astrology generally rules the throat, neck, tonsils, and thyroid system. Someone with a lot of Taurus in their chart, and during times when Taurus energies are enhanced (like this week) is prone to getting a lot of colds, sore throats or tonsillitis, and being overweight (particularly related to obesity caused by thyroid issues).
Some activities to (safely and carefully) incorporate into your self-care practices (making sure not to take anything to the extreme) include: being aware of how much we exercise our vocal cords, gargling salt water or other tonics that are good for the tonsils, eating foods that increase thyroid health and avoiding foods that are detrimental to it, practicing mindful eating, affirmations, and practicing self-sensuality.
Weekly Scope: October 18-24, 2020
October 17, 2020
Happy Sun-Day! We have two major astrological aspects today, and a lot more happening in the astrology of this week. This includes the start of Scorpio season and the (second) Mercury Opposite Uranus, but there’s so much more! Here’s everything you need to know about the astrology of October 18-24, 2020.
In this article, there is a weekly overview of all the major astrological transits this week. Then, there is an in-depth analysis of this week’s major cosmic energies and themes and then an exploration and reflection activity using the Wise Words we suggest everyone keep in mind and think about throughout this week. Finally, there is also an in-depth analysis of this week’s Medical Moonology, which explores using the Lunar Cycle to align your self care routine with the cosmos.
Weekly Overview
This week starts off with a Sun-day square between the Sun in Libra and Saturn at home in Capricorn. We also have an interesting (but potentially very misleading) opposition between Venus in Virgo and Neptune Rx at home in Pisces.
Sun in Libra is a time where we may seek external validation, and squares to Saturn in Capricorn are a reminder that a) if we seek external validation, we may not always get it and we will often be disappointed, and b) the only true validation comes from within.
Venus in Virgo opposite Neptune in Pisces is a time where we have incredible creative potential, especially with creative things that require some sort of technical skill. Historical figures with this aspect in this chart include painters who invented/embraced new techniques (e.g., Gustave Caillebotte, Félix Buhot), theosophists and ministers who used the academy and discourse/writing as ways to advance their ideas (Mabel Collins, Katherine Tingley), and more of these technical creative types.
On Moon-day, we have another creatively-enhancing aspect with Venus in Virgo forming an earthly trine to Jupiter in Capricorn at the same time as the jovial giant forms a square to Mars Rx at home in Aries. Any squares with Jupiter, however, bring the potential for “too much” of something—maintain cool.
The week’s most significant aspect comes right in the middle, on Odin’s day (Wednesday): Mercury Rx opposite Uranus Rx. This aspect shades the entire week. Read more and about Mercury Rx as a whole here.
On Thor’s day (Thursday), we are charged with the energies of the Underworld. Lilith, primordial goddess of darkness, enters the earthly (and ‘fertile’) sign of Taurus and Venus (ruler of Taurus) forms a supportive link to Pluto, ruler of the Underworld—and of Scorpio (where Mercury Rx opposite Uranus Rx in Taurus is still having enormous effects).
This continues throughout the weekend and for the rest of the coming month, as on Frei-day, we enter Scorpio season! The weekend’s aspects (Sun opposite Lilith in the early degrees of the Scorpio-Taurus axis and Venus’s earthly trine to Saturn) all enhance this Underworldly energy.
Astro Theme of the Week: Embrace the Dark Feminine* Within
We are dealing with the energies of Earth and Water this week, which means that it is a time to embrace the Divine Feminine* energy that exists within all of us. We are also entering Scorpio season as Lilith enters the opposite sign of Taurus (and this opposition is majorly enhanced by Mercury Rx and Uranus Rx), and as Venus and Pluto form an earthly trine. This means that it is not only the light, positive, ethereal aspects of feminine* energy that we need to honor, but also those that have been classified as dark; the shadow.
Retrogrades are always a good time for this, in general, but various reasons make our current Mercury and Mars retrogrades particularly good times for working on and working out our Inner Dark Feminine Warrior*. These transits seriously require us to practice openness, receptivity, reflection, introspection, mindfulness and unity-consciousness as ways of actively participating in the ‘fight’ for worldwide awakening against all of the ‘evil’ manifestations of the unconscious.
We have our only blasts of Yang/Divine Masculine* energy at the beginning of the week, and these are both quite challenging aspects. First, our Egos clash with something in the outside world that seems to be preventing us from doing what we need to do. Then, our Drive might make us get a little too excited about something (remember: Jupiter squares are always about “too much” something) before it is actually feasible (Saturns involvement might ensure that we see the consequences of this).
If we channel the Feminine* energy that will be coming to us in spades (pun intended) by the end of the week, we can use these intense squares as opportunities to break past our own Ego-Self’s barriers and blocks. Oftentimes, when we are presented with challenges (dragon battles) from the outside world, these are actually things within ourselves that we need to resolve. When we overcome the thing within ourselves that is blocking us from finding the solution to the external challenge, we put ourselves in a position to never be challenged by that same thing ever again.
Taurus-Scorpio: The Axis of Sacrality
The resolution of the opposition between Taurus and Scorpio (and of a harshly aspected Lilith) might best be described as ‘shadow work.’ Aries-Libra is the primordial opposition between masculine* and feminine* energy (Mars and Venus in their yang manifestations) and Taurus-Scorpio is the next (‘higher’) manifestation of that. From these primordial energies we get both the sacred and the profane; the taboo and the mundane. This is Scorpio and Taurus, Mars/Pluto and Venus in their yin manifestations.
Shadow work is something that is deeply personal and it best conducted under the supervision of a guide, or at least with the utmost diligence and respect when done without outside guidance. Of course, we are always guided by something ‘outside’ of ourselves because nothing is truly ‘outside’ of ourselves!
STAY TUNED FOR MORE FROM THE SCOPE SCOOP ON THE SHADOW AND SHADOW WORK!
If you are a novice at working with the shadow, that is completely fine. Welcome to the Underworld. Have you approached naked and truly willing to be reborn? If you’re not sure of that answer, that’s the shadow work that you should be focusing on during this year’s cycle. We are essentially ‘working’ on incorporating the shadow—those ‘dark’, ‘evil’ aspects of ourselves—and doing that requires an open, ongoing, and lifelong dialogue between You and YourSelf and the Infinite Self that is the Cosmic Soul. Needless to say, you’ve got time; don’t rush anything.
For those who have already been actively working with the shadow and working with the cosmic cycles, this week would be a great time to start planning out how you want to go about conducting your business in the Netherworld throughout Scorpio season. Virgoan and Mercurial energies enhanced this week make it a good time for conscious planning for spiritual matters.
Like everything in the material world, the spiritual world also requires discipline and following the middle path. Any extreme of something brings the potential for negative manifestations and consequences. Balance, as always, is key.
The Scoop:
In general, it would be wise to make sure that you’ve got some sort of reflexivity routine in place to make sure you stay grounded as we all begin swimming in the waters of the unconscious. Embrace the divine feminine* energy this week: be receptive and be creative.
Wise Words for the Week
The Scope Scoop is a place where active and critical reflection are encouraged and it is our aim to provide ample resources for practicing reflexivity. It is our hope that the plethora of quotations and Wise Words we share are thought-provoking.
The Wise Words for these week really should all provoke critical thought! They all come from a man often referred to as the greatest comedian of all time, the American stand-up Richard Pryor (December 1, 1940 – December 10, 2005).
His Mercury is located at 19°40’ Scorpio (his Venus are Mars are also both in Scorpio, in conjunction) and is in opposition to his Uranus Rx at 23°30’ (he also as Jupiter Rx and Saturn Rx in Taurus, in conjunction). In other words: he’s exemplary of the Scorpio-Taurus opposition.
There are other reasons in Pryor’s natal chart that make him an ample person to showcase alongside this week’s transits, which will require us to actively practice reflection and critical thinking.
Pryor wanted to provoke thought, and he became legendary because he did exactly that. When you read his quotations this week, we encourage you to actively reflect and ponder what they mean.
One of the ways to do this is through thinking about what they mean in context—humor is so often taken out of context, and it is such a detriment to the extremely positive function that human (the trickster, Mercury) performs in our societies. Note: Unfortunately, there is one quote this week that was impossible to source, but isn’t that just so Mercury Rx in Scorpio that it’s forgive-able this one time?
Another way to actively reflect is to look at the quote outside of its context, but to do so in an open-minded and aware manner. Aware, as in, aware of your own biases and knee-jerk reactions that have been socialized into you by society. This is what’s wrong with the way that comedy is so often taken out of its context. It is not inherently harmful to do this with any quotation, as long as it is done with the intention for expanding the mind rather than the intention for putting another down.
Medical Moonology
This week’s Medical Moonology is all about the Waxing Moon. We are now in a new lunar cycle, as of last Friday’s New Moon in Libra, but even though the New Moon was in a cardinal sign, this lunar cycle takes place within the fixed signs. This Friday, we will have the First Quarter Moon in Aquarius.
In general, the waxing moon is a time when our energy is also waxing, increasing, gaining, growing. However, because of the Mars Rx, our physical energy might still not be at the level we’re ‘used to’ for most of our lives. It is okay and expected to not be at full capacity: physically or mentally.
The Moon moves from Scorpio to Sagittarius to Capricorn to Aquarius this week, and below you’ll find several self-care suggestions that may help you align your self care with the lunar cycle. This is physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self care. Click here read more about the medical astrology of each sign.
Scorpio
Scorpio in medical astrology generally rules the elimination and procreation systems, including the large intestine, colon, bladder, rectum, and the sexual organs. Someone with a lot of Scorpio in their chart, and during times when Scorpio energies are enhanced (such as our current time), we are prone to problems related to sex/hormones and blockages (e.g., constipation).
Some activities to (safely and carefully) incorporate into your self care practices (making sure not to take anything to the extreme) include: natural detoxes (make sure to conduct plenty of research and consult a guide), self-pleasure, mood tracking, occult-based spiritual practices and rituals, dream journaling, and getting in touch with your hormonal cycles.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius in medical astrology generally rules bodily locomotion, the hips, and the thighs, It also rules over the sciatic nerve and the liver. Someone with a lot of Sagittarius in their chart, and during times when Sagittarius energies are enhanced, we are prone to obesity, gout, rheumatism, or sciatica, especially if not given a considerable amount of mental and physical exercise. Right now, we may just be more prone to small accidents and bumping into things, general clumsiness.
Some activities to (safely and carefully) incorporate into your self care practices (making sure not to take anything to the extreme) include: running/fast-walking, active stretching and conscious breathing, sciatic-nerve relief focused stretching (best with guidance!), faith-based spiritual practices and rituals, having a conversation with someone whom you disagree with about something, the game of silver linings (a.k.a., finding a bright side to everything), and massage.
Capricorn
Capricorn in medical astrology generally rules the orthopedic areas of the body: knees and joints, bones, and teeth. Someone with a lot of Capricorn in their chart, and during times when Capricorn energies are enhanced (like all of 2020 thus far), to orthopedic and dental troubles. Capricorn is essentially all of the ‘hard parts’ and ‘walls’ of the body.
Some activities to (safely and carefully) incorporate into your self care practices (making sure not to take anything to the extreme—especially important now!) include: taking extra special care of our hair, nails, and teeth, eating foods that are good for bone health, creating a spiritual discipline that you plan to stick to, goal-based tracking, and setting daily intentions (this is always good but it is especially important now!).
Aquarius
Aquarius in medical astrology generally rules the shins and ankles as well as the circulation system. Someone who has a lot of Aquarius in their chart and during times when the Aquarian energies are enhanced (like this week’s First Quarter Moon), we are prone to fractures and bruises in these areas.
Some activities to (safely and carefully) incorporate into your self care practices (making sure not to take anything to the extreme) are actually quite specific for this one: deep breathing! Aquarius is an air sign, but it is also the water bearer, which is interesting in light of its rulership of the circulatory (blood) system. We can symbolically interpret this as the oxygen-bearer of the body. Thus, the Wim Hof Method is The Scope Scoop’s recommendation for bringing about a consciousness/awareness around the connection between the breath and the oxygen in the blood and the body’s circulatory system.
The Scoop on Super New Moon Libra October 2020
October 15, 2020
This month’s Super New Moon (the closest of the year) falls in the sign of Libra, the balance scales. There are a lot of heavy influences that affect this New Moon and make its energy a bit different than we are used to when it comes to New Moons. Still, the New Moon is always time for setting intentions and thinking about what we wish for and what our bliss is.
In this article, you’ll get the Scoop on everything you need to know. We’ll start with an introduction to New Moons, then move on into some advice for setting intentions in the midst of all these heavy aspects, and finally deeply explore the significance of this lunation within the bigger picture. In the end, there are some wise words to keep in mind.
BEFORE YOU READ ANY FURTHER, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THIS NEW MOON:
The conjunction between the Sun and Moon happens Frei-Day at 19:30 UT, but then the Moon goes Void of Course from 22:11 until it enters Scorpio at 05:05 on Saturn-Day. Most astrologers agree about this: DO NOT SET YOUR INTENTIONS WHEN THE MOON IS VOID OF COURSE. Wait until the Moon has entered Scorpio, which will also bring our Minds into the loop with Mercury’s current retrograde there.
What is the New Moon?
The New Moon is a conjunction between the Sun and the Moon, and it marks the beginning of each lunar month. When the Sun and Moon are aligned in the sky from our perspectives here on earth, the Moon appears invisible to us (hence why they call it the ‘dark night’). This is because the Sun is lighting up the Dark Side of the Moon, which is the side of the Moon that we do not see here on earth.
This graphic from TimeAndDate.com is pretty much the best way to fully grasp the phenomenon of the New Moon.
What is a Super New Moon?
When a lunation—Full or New Moon—is called “Super” by astrologers, we are actually using an astronomical (the ‘science’ of naming the stars) classification. The Super Moon is the phenomenon of a major lunation happening at the same time as (coinciding with) the Moon’s Perigee. The Moon’s Perigee is the closest point to earth in its orbit and happens every month—but, importantly, it does not always coincide chronologically with a major lunation. This is why the “Super” Moons are a special and interesting message from the cosmos to interpret.
A QUICK NOTE FOR THOSE LEARNING:
Perigee (and its antonym, Apogee) is an important concept in both astronomy and astrology because it is not only applicable to the Moon’s orbit but to all orbiting bodies. Each planet has a Perigee point, which happens during its (apparent) retrograde period. This is because the retrograde period always contains an opposition to the Sun, and when the Sun is directly opposite a planet, it appears at its brightest and biggest in our Sky. If you’re still having trouble grasping the interrelations between astronomy and astrology, this is probably the best and briefest explanation I’ve encountered.
Setting Intentions at the New Moon
We set our intentions at each New Moon because any wishes made during this time are extra powerful. Why? The New Moon is a conjunction—an alignment, a merging, a coming together—of the Sun and the Moon.
In other words: Our Souls (ruled by the Moon) and our Egos (ruled by the Sun) are merged together and aligned, so it is a time when we are most likely to be in touch with our deepest selves.
When we are in touch with our deepest selves, that is where our intentions come from (rather than just our Ego, or Mind, etc.).
There are many different methods in existence for setting intentions at the New Moon, but basically, all you need to do is:
Put yourself in a space that you feel comfortable and connected in (you can cleanse the space before, add some candles, light some incense, etc.)
Sit in a comfortable position with a piece of paper and a pen in front of you, and focus your attention on your breath for as long as it takes you to relax (mantras and heart breathing are good options as well).
Now that the setting and your mindset are ready ask you're conscious mind questions like What do I want to do this month? What do I wish that I had?
Spend some time with the questions, allow them to really sit in your Spirit
Whenever you're ready, write down a list of the answers to these questions. You can format this list however you like, for example: During this lunar cycle, I wish to focus my attention on... I set the intention(s) to... I am manifesting... I wish for... I intend to be... I will... I am…
(Optional) End your session by surrendering to the universe and thanking (chosen divinity) for whatever opportunities lie in store with this fresh cycle.
This specific New Moon puts us especially in touch with our deepest, most Authentic Selves because it is influenced by the freshly-retrograding Mercury in Scorpio (opposite Uranus Rx in Taurus; the axis of sacrality and taboo) as well as affected by its opposition to Mars retrograding in Aries (the sign of the Self). Importantly, the way we are ‘in touch’ with our Deepest Selves is via introspection and reflection (the inversion of Mars’s and Mercury’s planetary expressions).
Aspects to the New Moon
This Super New Moon in Libra, the sign of balance, is truly all about balance. All of the aspects that are influencing and affecting this lunation enhance the theme of balance, illustrating once again how synchronized the cosmos is.
We are meant to be balancing three huge oppositions: Aries-Libra (and Capricorn is also involved here), Taurus-Scorpio, and Virgo-Pisces.
These oppositions are representative of the three modalities, which is interesting, considering how much cardinal energy is dominating at the moment. Why would we have this not-so-subtle reminder from the universe that there are the other modes of being? It seems almost obvious to state that it's about balance, especially when all of this is happening in the midst of Libra season, but alas, sometimes the universe is shouting at us to ensure we get the picture!
Aries-Libra (Mars-Venus) is the union of the Self with the Other. It is the axis of creation. But, Taurus-Scorpio (traditionally also ruled by Venus-Mars) is the axis of the act of creation, reproduction, which is both material (Taurus) and a metaphysical (Scorpio) thing. This is interesting when bringing in the last opposition, Virgo-Pisces. Sex (creation through reproduction) is a tangible, sacred act (Taurus), but sacrality is often deemed taboo (Scorpio) in our logical, materialistic worldview (Virgo) that has condemned anything mystical (Pisces).
The Sun-Moon in Libra is in a square to the Council of Elders in Capricorn and an opposition to the retrograde Mars in its home sign of Aries. The most significant specific aspect from all of this that will absolutely have a huge impact on the way this New Moon manifests throughout the month ahead is the square to Saturn.
The Cardinal Square between Libra and Capricorn deals with the acceptance of the consequences of one’s actions. Libra lives in the land of relativity where everything has a reason, and an explanation and thus can be justified. In the next corner, Capricorn lives in the land of discipline, which often leads to strong moral positions on 'right' and ‘wrong.'
The Council of Elders in Capricorn has been reminding us that accountability and responsibility are really important in our social systems. All of the current, global collective systems revolve around the Ethos of (Neo)Capitalism, which is the apex of Saturnine materialism, greed, and power-hunger.
Think about the concept of ‘corporation.’ It is a tactic specifically meant to remove accountability so that the capitalist class is never held responsible for any negative repercussions of their technological ‘innovation.’
This revolution around Capitalism looks something like this: our structures and higher education system (realm Jupiter) are interrelated and influenced by the way we are disciplined, i.e., ‘brain washed,’ by authority (realm Saturn), which are influenced by and inseparable from power (realm Pluto).
The problem is that Capricorn detests any extremes, even those caused by its own tendencies. This is why Pluto in Capricorn is transforming all of this, or at least, is the universe trying to get us to transform it all.
2020 is all about these cardinal energies, and we feel like we can’t repeat this enough: we are being initiated into the next phase of the cycle.
Meanwhile, as we’re trying to sort all of this out as a collective and balance our involvement in it as individuals (which is what the Sun squares are fundamentally about), we’ve had and still have Mercury playing lots of tricks on us.
Venus’s rare and extremely significant retrograde this year (June-July) was in Gemini, the sign of Mercury. And while Mercury enters its final retrograde of the year, Venus is currently in Virgo, the other sign of Mercury.
And, over the weekend, Venus forms a major opposition to Neptune, which has been retrograding at home in Pisces. The Neptune in Pisces transit from 2011-2026 is best exemplified by two major things that have happened over this time in Western culture (which, inevitably due to imperialism, contaminates the cultures all around the world). These are 1) the problematizing of the “fake news” phenomenon and 2) the rapidly increasing interest in everything occult/spiritual.
The Scope Scoop hopes to host webinars about these longer-term, cultural, collective cosmic cycles. Stay tuned and subscribe for updates!
It seems obvious how these Neptunian manifestations are related to the more personally-felt Mercurial and Venusian cycles. Venus’s retrograde in Gemini brought us into a completely new Rose of Venus cycle, one that is focused on the Values of our Intellect, and that will last for another 8 years (so, basically, just after Neptune leaves Pisces).
And this year’s Mercury retrogrades in the water signs have coincided with some literal manifestations of the fake news and occult situation—just a quick example: the (quiet) release by the US federal government of thousands of UFO/alien files.
So, what does all of this mean?
We are having this huge culmination of all of these energies right now with this New Moon in Libra.
Libra is the sign of balance and the sign of relativity—hence why Scorpio (authenticity) comes right after it, and Virgo (logic) comes right before it.
As a collective, it seems we have been a little too willing to embrace relativity, which seems to have directly resulted in the increased polarity and opposition in the world (and again, America is an excellent Case Study for looking at all of this, but it is important not to get into the American trap that applies the American context to the entire world).
We are meant to ponder why this relativity (i.e., the notion that I have my truth and you have your truth) came about and who it really benefits. Divide and conquer has been known to work for thousands and thousands of years. Do we really think that the elites in power just stopped attempting it?
But, we are also not meant to just jump to the other extreme as a counter-reaction or compensation (i.e., the notion that nothing is relative and there is only one truth, which is determined by what’s right).
Balance is key. Balance is always key. Yes, the writer of this article happens to be a super-Libra human, but doesn’t that make me the perfect person to speak about the quest for balance? It has been my life-long quest, and it is never complete. This is at the individual level, but we are also dealing with a balance on the collective level, which is a much trickier concept.
April’s Full Moon
Look back at what was going on in your life at the beginning of April. We had a Super Full Moon in Libra on April 7/8, and the aspects influencing it are eerily related to the aspects influencing this one. (Yes, pronoia can sometimes be eery!)
We had just had the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn. Mercury had just completed its first retrograde cycle of the year and was getting ready to move into Aries, but before this formed its (third of that cycle’s) sextiles to Jupiter-Pluto. Mars in Aquarius was forming a harsh and huge square to Uranus in Taurus. And Venus was preparing for its retrograde in Gemini.
Now, we’ve swapped a few things around, and we’re encountering very similar energies (but inverted). It would be incredibly wise to think back to what was happening and what kinds of things you released at that moment. How did that releasing actually manifest—has it actually manifested yet? If not, set that intention.
The Scoop on Mercury Retrograde October 2020
October 13, 2020
The Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio, October 2020, is major. In this article, you’ll get the full scoop on everything you need to know about what’s happening with the planet of communication and thinking over the next few weeks while it completes its retrograde cycle.
What is a retrograde?
A retrograde is when a planet appears to be moving backwards from our perspectives here on earth. The retrograde planet is at its closest point to earth during the period it appears to be moving backwards, which might explain why we tend to feel the planet’s influence more intimately during these times.
Every planet has a ‘direct’ expression and a ‘retrograde’ expression. The retrograde expression is an inversion of the direct expression. The planet’s energy turns inward; it becomes internalized.
In general, we feel the energy of the personal planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars) on a personal level, hence the name. That means that when the personal planets are retrograde, we are more likely to really feel it on an individual level.
2020 has been a year full of retrogrades. We’ve already been through two Mercury retrogrades (in Pisces-Aquarius and Cancer) and the Venus retrograde (in Gemini), and we are currently undergoing the ferocious Mars retrograde in its home sign of Aries (the rarest of all retrogrades). There has also been some amazing retrograde activity involving the Council of Elders in Capricorn (which are now all direct, read more here), Uranus in Taurus, and Neptune at home in Pisces. This isn’t even mentioning the other celestial bodies!
Needless to say, we can expect a lot out of 2020’s final Mercury retrograde. Get the gist below, and continue reading to dive deeper.
Mercury Retrograde 2020: Quick Tips to Prepare
Get to Know Your Chart: See what sign & house your natal Mercury is in & if it makes any aspects.
Get to Know This Transit: This Rx will start on October 14 with Mercury in Scorpio, then it will move (back) into Libra on October 28. The Rx will end (‘go direct’) on November 3, and move back to its original position in Scorpio by November 19. It is significantly influenced by the opposition to Uranus Rx in Taurus, as well as many other aspects.
Get to Know Your Themes: See how this Mercury Rx interacts with your natal chart. Which houses are Scorpio & Libra for you? What planets are there in that house? Where is it in relation to your natal Mercury?
Think About 2020’s Retrogrades as a Cycle:
Mercury Retrograde in Pisces & Aquarius (Feb. 16-Mar. 9)
Drowning in the waters of our collective unconscious
Mercury Retrograde in Cancer (Jun. 17-Jul. 12)
Ripple Effect: Reflections on what “home” and “family” mean
Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio & Libra (Oct. 14-Nov. 3)
Check to make sure it isn’t poisonous before drinking it
Ponder Poison: It is deadly yet also can be an antidote. Regardless, it should be approached with the utmost caution. Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio will require us to get to the bottom of what is really being said, because our words (and the way words are used in the collective) can be extremely poisonous.
Key Cosmic Events:
10/7: Mercury (Scorpio) Opposite Uranus Rx (Taurus)
10/14: Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio
10/20: Mercury Rx (Scorpio) Opposite Uranus Rx (Taurus)
10/25: Sun Conjunct Mercury Rx (Scorpio)
10/27: Mercury Rx (Scorpio) Opposite Lilith (Taurus)
10/28: Mercury Rx Re-Enters Libra
11/1: Mercury Rx (Libra) Square Saturn (Capricorn)
11/3: Mercury Turns Direct in Libra
11/6: Mercury (Libra) Square Saturn (Capricorn)
11/10: Mercury Re-Enters Scorpio
11/13: Mercury (Scorpio) Opposite Lilith (Taurus)
11/17: Mercury (Scorpio) Opposite Uranus Rx (Taurus)
11/19: Mercury Leaves Retrograde Shadow
For those who it applies to, look at how the dates correspond to the significant dates in the build-up to, and actual event of, the U.S. elections. This is a great case study to use when practicing the astrology of the collective and looking at outer planet activity in the big picture. Here’s an easy reflection question to get you started: why are the U.S. elections always held in Scorpio season?
But always remember that even though what happens there will have ripple effects throughout the world, we cannot apply the American context everywhere.
The most striking cosmic activity during this cycle is the tango between Mercury and Uranus. They first opposed each other on October 7, then when Mercury turns retrograde they’ll oppose each other again on October 20, and finally once Mercury goes direct, they’ll oppose each other on November 17.
Where Mercury is our Mind, Uranus is our Highest Ideals. They are inextricably linked (and in fact, in mythology, Mercury is the great grandson of Uranus). The way that our Minds work and the Ideas and Information that we’ve received (that has been communicated with us and that has resonated in our Minds) is what culminates in our Highest Ideals. A heavy Uranus influence can result in rebellion against the collective structures/systems that prevent those Ideals from being achieved.
Taurus-Scorpio is the Axis of Sacrality and Security. Taurus is all about feeling secure in the material realm, thus, it tends to hold the things that can be found within the material realm as sacred. Scorpio is all about feeling secure in the spiritual realm (which is best encompassed by the term ‘authenticity’), thus, it tends to pay more attention to the sacred taboos in society (the metaphysical realm). Both have the enormous power of creation/destruction (represented by their ruling planets: Venus and Mars/Pluto).
The opposition between Mercury and Uranus is an aspect that brings disruptions and surprises, but also may bring revelatory discoveries. And this opposition, in the fixed signs of Taurus and Scorpio, signals the need to balance the way we think about (and idealize) the balance between the material and spiritual realms.
Another significant influence is the doubly exact square to Saturn in Capricorn while Mercury is retrograde and then direct in Libra over the five-day period at the beginning of November. Something huge is going to happen, and it will likely shake and maybe even break the collective systems (Saturn in Capricorn—particularly the economic systems).
The Scoop About Mercury in Astrology
Mercury is our Mind, the bridge between us and the world. It is how we think and communicate. We receive and exchange information in a constant flow, and how we perceive this information evolves as we participate in this flow.
In medical astrology, Mercury rules over our respiration, the brain, and the nervous system as a whole. In general, Mercury has significant influence over all of the links between the different parts of the body.
Mercury goes retrograde about three times a year for about three weeks each time. The last time we had a Mercury retrograde in all three of the water signs in one year was 2014 (the same order: Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio).
The Scoop About Mercury in Scorpio
Scorpio, the Scorpion, is the eighth sign of the zodiac, the fixed water, ruled by Pluto (and in classical astrology, ruled by Mars). This is the sign that is the most deeply concerned with authenticity and digging deep into things.
When Mercury is in Scorpio, our minds are concerned with finding out the real truth of the matter. However, it is important that we are reflexive about what we feel and believe to be the “real truth” of something, as this is where Scorpio’s passionate quest for diving into the depths might lead us to be too fixed in our positions.
This is a great time for self-inquiry because we are able to pierce through all of the false narratives we may have created for ourselves throughout our lives, and even during the past weeks with Mercury in Libra’s influence-ability.
Ask yourself the tough questions, but prepare yourself to embrace the truth as it is revealed to you, and be transformed by it!
Hermes-Mercury: God of Communication
Hermes is the Trickster, and what the Trickster fundamentally represents is a playful approach to life. What does this mean? Misfortune is a part of life, and it must be appreciated as such. When we approach life as if we are playing a great game, we are better able to enjoy all of it and live in the infinity that is the present moment.
Hermes essentially rules over all of the different levels of communication. All of these levels happen to correspond quite well, symbolically speaking, to the four mutable signs, two of which happen to be ruled by Mercury. That is: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. The other two (Sagittarius and Pisces) were both traditionally ruled by Jupiter-Zeus, father of Hermes.
Thus, there is Gemini: communication within the Self, i.e., thinking and the way that we think. Then there is Virgo: communication between the Self and the Other, i.e., verbal and nonverbal communication. It is arguable that this might be better represented by Libra—and in fact, that all of the realms of communication are better represented by Air Signs. But Virgo as a Mercurial, Earth, and Interpersonal sign is also deeply concerned with the interaction between the Self and the Other. The chronological moment of Virgo season (the Sun in Virgo) happens after Leo—the Sun—our Ego has been formed and before Libra—Venus-Aphrodite—relations with the Other.
To put it in a very Virgo-esk way: it makes logical sense that communication between the Self and the Other happens between the formation of the Ego and the relating of the Self with and to the Other.
Language is a critical component of this communication between the Self and the Other. The way that we speak to one another on an individual level has become digitized. This is both on the interpersonal and collective level. And languages are dying every second. The Age of Pisces is a time of boundlessness, and with Neptune at home in Pisces from 2011-2026, this boundlessness comes with interesting illusions. It is especially important that the trickster approach to life be honored appropriately and with awe and reverence during these times.
At the next level of communication, which would be represented by Sagittarius in this symbolic-ideal-type-model we are formulating as a thought experiment, we have communication between the Self and the Collective/Collectivities. This is writing, technology, trade, commerce, news, legal codes, etc. All of these are traditionally ruled by Hermes-Mercury, but also, importantly the ruler was always Zeus-Jupiter (Sagittarius).
Finally, we have the communication between the conscious and unconscious realms, and this is where Hermes’s (and the Egyptian, Thot’s) role as the one who accompanies the dead on their quest to the Underworld can be clearly understood as very Pisces. This is dreams, deja vu, synchronicity, and revelation (though Uranus is also involved with revelation, which is significant in light of this particular Mercury retrograde’s aspects).
Hermes Trismegistus
Patron of Astrology, Alchemy, everything esoteric, and the writer of the Hermetic Corpus
“During Hellenistic times an amalgamation of Hermes and Thoth was effected in the figure of Hermes Trismegistus, ‘Hermes Thrice Greatest,’ who was regarded as the patron and teacher of all the arts, and especially of alchemy.” This quote comes from Joseph Campbell in A Hero with A Thousand Faces (p. 67).
This mythological figure seems to be particularly relevant to 2020’s Mercury retrogrades through the water signs.
Mercury in Scorpio is generally a time when our Minds turn towards the Occult and everything esoteric. So, the retrograde is an even better time because we are able to be extremely introspective and selective when taking in all of this information (Venus currently transiting in the Mercury sign of Virgo helps with this too).
If you want somewhere to start, Hermes Trismegistus is a great rabbit hole to start researching. More on this to come in the future.
Wise Words & Practice
Mercury is the god of words, and Scorpio is always on a quest for authenticity, so now is the perfect time to start a personal holy book.
On our Instagram page, @TheScopeScoop, there are some wise words to keep in mind during this Retrograde period, and if any of them resonate with you, why not jot it down?
Journaling is a great practical tool for transmuting the tendency to overthink that oftentimes accompanies Mercury retrogrades. The quotes posted on @TheScopeScoop are also great for reflection—some of the best journal entries are inspired by quotes!
Weekly Scope: October 11-17, 2020
October 10, 2020
This week’s energies all culminate with Friday’s New Moon in Libra. We have a Cardinal T-Square between the Sun, Mars Rx, and Jupiter and Pluto. Meanwhile, we have Mercury turning retrograde for its third and final time this year, in Scorpio. It seems that while our Ego is undergoing some major challenges, our Minds are slowing down and turning inward.
Medical Moonology
The moonology of most of this week is all about the diminishing energy of the Moon as it continues to Wane through the signs of Leo and Virgo. While she is waning through these signs, Luna forms some super supportive aspects, which will help us handle some of the more challenging aspects that the Sun makes during the week.
When we have this clear division of ‘positive’ lunar aspects and ‘negative’ solar aspects, it is a clear sign from the universe that we need to pay more attention to our emotions than we are paying to our Egos. In other words, our emotions will help us mitigate the challenges that our Ego is creating for itself. This message is further enhanced by the general energy of Waning Moon in Leo (the sign ruled by the Sun).
Leo
The Moon in Leo is always a time for us to listen to our bodies, as this is medical astrology lesson of Leo, but this is also a Waning Moon and the middle of a Mars retrograde, which makes it even more important for us to listen to what our bodies are saying! Pay special attention to your heart—it is the Sun within you.
Some physical self care exercises and practices to incorporate during Moon in Leo are heart breathing, targeted spine and back stretches, ecstatic dancing, and any form of physical movement that brings attention to your heart. Pay very close attention to your body and slow down whenever you need to: remember that the Moon is Waning and our energy Wanes with it!
Virgo
The Moon in Virgo is the most medically- and physically- significant lunar transit of each cycle because it ‘corresponds’ with the 6th house, the house of disease. This makes sense because in medical astrology, Virgo rules over the nervous system, stomach, intestines, and abdomen. Almost all diseases are caused by stress and/or an unhealthy biome (which, of course, are interrelated).
Thus, anytime the Moon is in Virgo, it is a great time to do some sort of check-in with your health: physical, mental, and emotional. This is even more necessary with the Waning Moon in Virgo. And, it’s absolutely essential, in fact, because Virgo’s ruler, Mercury, will begin its retrograde (in Scorpio) while the Moon is in Virgo.
The correspondence of the Waning Moon in Virgo and Mercury turning retrograde (in Scorpio, ruler of the Endocrine/Hormone system, which is also extremely involved with the body’s cumulative health) is a signal from the Cosmos that we need to pay special attention to our health in a wholistic way. We need to remember that everything in our bodies and minds is completely connected: if we are stressed, our bodies become stressed, which often becomes sickness, which then makes us more stressed, etc.
To get yourself out of this endless cycle, whenever the Moon is in Gemini or Virgo (the Mercury signs), use it as a reminder to do self care practices that are meant to align (or at least, remind us of the inherent alignment of) your body and mind. Qi gong is an excellent example of this.
Super New Moon in Libra
All of the above culminates with Friday’s major Super New Moon in Libra. The New Moon is always a time of low energy, but this one takes that to a new level. First, it’s the biggest Super New Moon of the year, which means that while the cosmic energies are intense and floating all around, our physical and emotional energy is weaker. Also, this New Moon (Sun Conjunct Moon) is opposite Mars Rx in Aries (which is the epitome of our physical vitality and willpower).
Further more, Libra rules over balance and equilibrium in the body, which means that the physical regulation of the body is even more intimately connected to the emotional regulation of the body than usual. This is interesting to think about in light of this week’s aspects to the Sun in Libra. Our Egos are extremely sensitive to imbalance (‘but it’s not FAIR!’) in Libra season, and this will peak with the New Moon.
The physical self care that you should absolutely be doing during the Moon in Libra (and especially this week for all of the above reasons) relates to the body’s largest (but somehow, most forgotten) organ: the skin. The skin is the bridge between us and the material world, but it is also the ‘glue’ that holds everything in our body together. It is a literal boundary between the inside and the outside.
But, when the Moon is conjunct the Sun (in a New Moon), there is a merging together of our Inner and Outer Selves. The boundary between inside and outside becomes metaphorically blurred, so we need to pay special attention to the literal boundary (the skin) and give it the love and care it deserves.
Astro Theme of the Week: Higher Capacity Living
There are several different energies that make us turn inwards this week, as described above, but the most significant of them all is Mercury turning Retrograde in Scorpio, which happens Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. This is the third and final Mercury Rx of 2020, and it will be the last one in a water sign for the next few years.
The retrograde energy is the inversion of the planet’s regular expression. We will have this Mercury Rx at the same time as Mars Rx, which is extremely significant. Both our Will and our Minds are inverted—and, in signs that are traditionally ruled by Mars (Aries and Scorpio) and thus have significant impact on our Capacity.
What does Capacity mean, in this sense? Literally, the “capacity” of something is the maximum amount of stuff that it can hold. When we say that something has reached its “maximum capacity,” we mean that it is full. We say this in literal and metaphorical terms, and the metaphor is especially pertinent to our Mental and Physical Capacity.
2020 has burned us all out. We have reached and exceeded our maximum capacity in every sense of the word. And yet, the year continues, and we must somehow regain our capacity to function. This is EXACTLY why the universe sends us retrogrades! By turning inward, by inverting our typical expression, we are able to edit our capacity levels.
Over the course of the Mars retrograde thus far, you’ve probably already been working through and reformulating your self care routine to work with the shifts in your personal energy (and if you haven’t, it’s long overdue!). The Mercury retrograde calls on us to do a similar thing, but for our Mental Capacity.
There are big things happening on the collective level, and this is really testing us. The Sun in Libra opposite Mars Rx in Aries is a major signal for conflict. There is a battle a’brewing. This battle wants to suck us all in as individuals and turn us into Warriors (Mars in Aries), but our Ego prefers for us to be Diplomats (Sun in Libra).
It is extremely difficult to remember to separate the Self from the Ego and from what the Ego believes and identifies with, when it feels like the fate of the world is being decided right before our very eyes. If you find yourself getting extremely defensive of your political positions this week, stay grounded by remembering that, no matter how real and consequential our political beliefs seem to be (and certainly feel to be when our Ego is this activated), they are not who we are.
Usually, when we feel like we are ‘over capacity’ it is because there are external forces influencing us and trying to influence our perception of who we are. If you feel like there is something pulling strings and trying to make you move in ways that you don’t want to move in, TURN INWARD.
This is the beauty of Mercury retrograde, and it seems this one is coming at just the right time. Yes, we will likely have all the typical turbulence of a Mercury Rx period (technology issues, communication breakdowns, overthinking, etc.), but, we will also be able to tap into this introspective, authenticity-seeking power. In other words, we will have a high capacity for reflection.
Super New Moon in Libra
The New Moon in Libra will be the perfect time for us to channel this high capacity for reflection. New Moons are a time to set intentions for the next lunar cycle, and in cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn), for the next season.
We want to plant the seeds for a new beginning, but it feels like the soil is infertile and our seeds won’t sprout. And yet, any seed that is planted in any soil is never insignificant. That seed will become food for the many different microbes and bacterias and fungi that live in the soil, and once well-nourished, those things make the soil fertile! Just because we, with our limited human brains, can’t see the sprouts doesn’t mean that the seeds were planted in vain! We should plant them anyway!
This Super New Moon is part of a major cardinal t-square happening, and this calls for us to take dynamic action in order to ensure that whatever we are meant to initiate gets initiated.
Doing this will require a high capacity for awareness and mindfulness. Luckily (an interesting word to use in a week that starts with a square to Jupiter), that’s exactly what we’ll get from the Mercury retrograde.
Wise Words for the Week
The lyrics for this entire song (Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkle) are perfect for encapsulating the week’s energies. We start out with a vision that “left its seeds while I was sleeping,” which is very reflective of the energy of this New Moon, which will go Void of Course almost immediately after (so make sure to set your intentions about 12 hours after the actual New Moon).
Then, we have “people talking without speaking” and “hearing without listening,” which is a classic stereotype of Mercury Retrograde at its most superficial level, and at a deeper level, is an incredible commentary on the energy of all these Sun in Libra squares to the Council of Elders in Capricorn.
Next, we have someone coming in and begging, “hear my words that I might teach you! Take my arms that I might reach you!” This is symbolic of the relationship between the individual and collective: the individual gets sucked in, tries to reform the collective. But, “my words like silent raindrops fell.” The collective isn’t reformed, but rather, “the people bowed and prayed to the neon god they made.”
All of this is extremely interesting for further reflection as we move forward into the backwards motion of Mercury retrograde in Scorpio.
The Scoop on the Scope for this Week
This week will test us. It will challenge us. But, it will also present us, at each step of the way, with opportunities for growth. We are being initiated into something at the individual and collective level, and these initiations are intertwined and interrelated. We are meant to seriously ponder what the authentic core of these initiations are—and to be able to balance them.
Be patient with yourself, be patient with others! Opposition is temporary, balance is infinite.
The Astrology of October 2020
September 30, 2020
The astrology of the month of October begins and ends with a Full Moon, and this is the perfect way to introduce you to the energies of this month: FULL! We’ve got a lot of huge transits happening, so get ready for a busy month in the cosmos! Here is all you need to know about what’s coming up in the astrology of the month ahead, including important transit dates, key themes to pay attention to, suggestions for setting intentions for the month, and more!
Key Transit Dates of October 2020
ALL TIMES UT
10/1 Full Moon 9°08’ Aries @ 21:05
10/2 Venus Enters Virgo @ 20:48
10/4 Pluto Retrograde Ends in Capricorn @ 13:32
10/7 Mercury opposite Uranus Rx @ 20:55
10/9 Mars Rx square Pluto @ 13:09
10/10 Venus trine Uranus Rx @ 23:08
10/11 Sun square Jupiter @ 13:34
10/12 Jupiter sextile Neptune Rx @ 07:05
10/12 Mercury sextile Venus @ 16:38
10/13 Sun opposite Mars Rx @ 23:25
10/14 Mercury turns Retrograde @ 01:05
10/15 Sun square Pluto @ 10:14
10/16 New Moon 23’52 Libra @ 19:30
10/18 Sun square Saturn @ 13:57
10/18 Venus opposite Neptune Rx @ 14:48
10/19 Mars Rx square Jupiter @ 05:37
10/19 Venus trine Jupiter @ 07:35
10/20 Mercury Rx opposite Uranus Rx @ 02:53
10/21 Lilith Enters Taurus @ 08:51
10/21 Venus trine Pluto @ 21:41
10/22 Sun Enters Scorpio @ 23:00
10/23 Sun opposite Lilith @ 03:48
10/24 Venus trine Saturn @ 15:40
10/25 Sun conjunct Mercury Rx @ 18:22
10/27 Mercury Rx opposite Lilith @ 11:27
10/28 Mercury Rx re-enters Libra @ 01:34
10/28 Venus Enters Libra @ 01:41
10/31 Full Moon 8°381 Taurus @ 14:49
10/31 Sun opposite Uranus Rx @ 15:53
Key Cosmic Energies of the Month
Mars Retrograde: Cardinal Initiation
We have been in the midst of Mars Retrograde since 9/9, and we will continue to experience the inversion of our warrior spirit throughout the month of October. If you’ve felt depleted, burned out, and have had a low reserve of energy over the past month, now is the time to edit your self-care routine and find ways to better preserve your strength and power.
The first thing to do is to check where this Mars Rx is falling on your chart, i.e., which house and are there any major aspects happening? You can book a reading with me or get an intuitive natal chart report, or you can also draw your transit chart here, and edit it to your preferences.
Mars Retrograde will end on November 13, so we still have a ways to go before our Will, Drive, and Inner Warrior returns to its ‘normal’ capacity. Over the course of Mars’s slow retrograde movement through Aries this month, it will form some intense aspects to the other planets. But, it is also important to note that we enter the month of October still coming down from the energy of the challenging Mars Rx square Saturn on September 29.
On October 9, Mars Rx will form another square to a member of the Council of Elders in Capricorn, Pluto. Mars and Pluto are co-rulers of Scorpio, the eighth sign of the zodiac. Mercury is already in Scorpio, and by October 22, Scorpio season will officially begin as the Sun enters the sign of authenticity and sacrality (more on this below).
It is interesting that, even though we will still be in the midst of Libra season at the time of Mars Rx square Saturn, we might still get a hint of what we may experience during Scorpio season (especially after Mars turns direct).
But Mars Rx at home in Aries squaring Pluto in Capricorn will commence the warrior planet’s ignition of the cardinal square, which will be at its peak during the middle of the month. Mars Rx in Aries, the Sun in Libra, the Moon, and the Council of Elders in Capricorn are all going to be doing the square dance together.
This is interwoven with the current cardinal lunar cycle, including the Last Quarter Moon in Cancer and the New Moon in Libra. It will simmer down once the Sun moves into Scorpio (10/22).
The 10-day period between 10/9 and 10/19 is jam-packed with cardinal energy, but we also have some mutable support from Venus (Virgo) and Neptune Rx (Pisces). Change is coming, though we likely won’t clearly see the outcome of whatever is being initiated immediately. The transits of this month are deeply connected to the larger transits of 2020 as a whole (more on this below).
Council of Elders in Capricorn: Third Time’s the Charm
By 10/4, all of the planets in Capricorn (including the asteroid Pallas) will have turned direct, meaning that they will all be finished retrograding.
For all of the planets, the retrograde cycle is a regular part of their orbit, and we are quite familiar with these energies. That doesn’t make them any less significant. In fact, the planets were initially determined as different from the stars in part because of their apparent retrograde motion, evidenced in the Greek origin of the word, meaning ‘wanderer.’
The retrograde energy is an inversion of the planet’s regular expression. With the retrograde cycle, the universe is basically giving us a chance to do things how we would normally, then a chance to reflect on that (potentially because of some consequences of our actions, or maybe simply out of an air of introspection), and finally a chance to do it over, ideally in a better way.
This doesn’t have to be literal, although, it may be the case that you literally have to redo something that you had previously made a mistake on during the period where the planet is ‘catching up’ to where it started, which is what we’ll be experiencing throughout the rest of the year. We will feel this energy most strongly around the exact dates of the stations (i.e., when it ‘turns’).
Forward Through Fire: October & 2020
Now direct, all of these planets will face multiple encounters with the hottest planets: Mars and the Sun. This is like an inflammation effect. When something is inflamed on our bodies, it is red and swollen. It means that there is a lot of blood flowing to that place because it needs to be healed. When a feeling is inflamed, it means that it is provoked by something.
Mars’s square to Saturn at the end of last month introduced us to this energy, and Chiron’s influence over the Full Moon that begins this month signals that this inflammation is happening around a very deep wound: at the collective and individual level.
We’ve already been through squares between Mars in Aries and all of these planets in Capricorn when the warrior planet was direct and the planets in Capricorn were all retrograding: Mars square Jupiter (8/4), Mars square Pluto (8/13), and Mars square Saturn (8/24). This month, we’ll go through these again with Mars retrograde and all the Elders direct.
Things that are now moving forward on the collective scale will likely require some action from the part of everyone as individuals. Throughout this month, as the culmination of the next larger cycle of humanity commences, we must remember that even though we may not live to see the full growth of the seeds planted right now, we are indeed planting seeds.
2020, a year of the Moon, has been and will continue all about bringing attention to the larger picture and the seeds that we are planting for the future. It is a year best symbolized by extremely fertile soil, but soil that is buried deep below the surface of the earth where only a few seeds end up making it and taking root. As a collective (and perhaps even on the individual level) we have been blazing through the surface of the earth (so to speak) with little regard for what seeds are making it down to the fertile soil, but this year has brought attention to fact that that needs to change.
On the individual level, many of us have become almost painfully aware of the needs to plant seeds and set intentions. October is a month where we might feel like we’re planting seeds in barren soil. Barren—isn’t it interesting that we use these same words in human reproduction? 2020 is a year of the Moon, and is generally a very ‘fertile’ year, but not in the way we traditionally imagine it. There are bigger things happening that we can’t even begin to comprehend yet on both the individual and collective level, and a big message of this year (and of this New Moon) is a reminder that they’re fundamentally intertwined. Trust that something is being initiated. Trust that you are being initiated!
Libra to Scorpio: Balance is Authentic!
One of the first clearly noticeable things about the astrology of October is that there are a lot of oppositions happening, and the fact that we begin and end the month on a Full Moon (Sun opposite Moon) is a really beautiful cosmic synchronicity!
The oppositions activated this month are Aries-Libra (Moon-Sun, Mars Rx-Sun), Taurus-Scorpio (Uranus Rx-Mercury, Uranus Rx-Mercury Rx, Uranus Rx&Moon-Sun), and Virgo-Pisces (Venus-Neptune Rx). This is a really interesting mix of the three modalities.
Libra season is the perfect time to be facing all of these oppositions, but the personal planets are not yet in sync. Venus is in Virgo for most the month and Mercury is in Scorpio—though, once we’re in Scorpio season, Mercury with retrograde back into Libra on the same day and within minutes of Venus ingressing into its home sign of the scales.
As we move between these interpersonal signs, the differences between them will manifest themselves within us. We will have these competing urges within ourselves, and this will be compounded by activations from the outer planets.
Mercury opposite Uranus will be an ongoing disruptive energy. But, as long as we don’t over-idealize and begin to drown, we can sooth ourselves with the cooling waters of Neptune in Pisces and the unconditional love of Venus in Virgo.
These disruptions and surprises that we may face during the month ahead are meant to help us realize the lesson of the transition between these two signs: balance (Libra) is authentic (Scorpio). This is a very simplistic way of putting it, but it seems the cosmos is really trying to get us to focus on this theme!
Setting Intentions
Setting intentions can be done whenever, however, and wherever. All it requires is your attention and presence. It is incredible to set intentions for each day, first thing in the morning.
The Scope Scoop recommends Deepak Chopra’s four intentions to start your day: joyful, energetic body; loving, compassionate heart; reflective, alert mind; and lightness of being.
However, there is something particularly powerful about writing intentions down somewhere. It is good to set intentions at the beginning of each month and at each New Moon. If you really get into it, you can also set intentions at the start of each astrological season, and every time a planet moves into a new sign or retrograde period.
The Scope Scoop recommends using the solar calendar intentions to focus on the everyday, material realm goals and the lunar calendar intentions to focus on the emotional, spiritual, and metaphysical realm wishes. That means that each month, you’ll set intentions at least twice, and surrender them to the universe, trusting that they will happen, twice--which just puts your will in much greater alignment with the universe!
October is the 10th month of the calendar year; it is the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the preparation for the coming winter. Many traditions honor this time of year as the time when we turn towards the darkness. It is believed by a wide variety of cultures that the veil between the ‘real’ world and the underworld/afterlife is thinnest during this time.
When setting your intentions for this month, and the last few months of 2020, remember the lessons of where we’ve already been on the zodiac (the personal signs of Aries, Taurus, Gemini, and Cancer and the interpersonal signs of Leo, Virgo, and Libra) as you think about what you want to manifest regarding your relationship with your authentic self. Then, think about how these lessons can help you determine what you want to manifest in your relationship with others and the world.
October sees the transition between Libra and Scorpio, the last two interpersonal signs. The key difference between these signs is that Libra sees things as relative where Scorpio sees things as set in sacred stone, but they both seek ‘the truth’ in a way.
It would be wise to reflect on these questions:
How do I relate to other people?
What kinds of methods do I employ when connecting to others—am I a listener, an advice-giver, a mood-lifter, a gossip, a complainer, a combination of all these things and more?
What kind of energy to I give off, and how do I think other people perceive that energy?
Does it matter what kind of energy I put out there?
Does the kind of energy I put out there have an impact on how I perceive the kind of energy around me?
Wise Words for October
(Find these on Instagram @TheScopeScoop)
Peace is a perfect balance. Peace is an authentic truth. Surrender, rather than opposition, should be the primary myth we live by. The energy of October 2020 is all about whether or not we as individuals and as a collective humanity are ready to move past and enact massive transformations to our current structures that reify the myths of opposition.
With all of these major cosmic energies, it is absolutely vital that we listen to the wise words of Betty Shabazz and internalize peace. If we cannot create it at the largest scale quite yet, it is at the very least (and most!) is a mindset that we can find, create, and curate within ourselves and in our immediate surroundings.
Weekly Scope: September 27-October 3, 2020
September 26, 2020
This week’s astrological weather has a lot of major shifts in the planetary energies, making change come to the forefront of our attention. We should use the dynamic and flowing energies of the major mid-week transits (like 9/29’s Sun opposite Chiron and Mars Rx square Saturn) to help us figure out what we really need to release during the Full Moon in Aries (10/1), which will be an epic one for transformational capacity.
Weekly Overview:
9/27 Mercury Enters Scorpio
9/29 Venus (Leo) Trine Mars Rx (Aries)
9/29 Saturn Retrograde Ends in Capricorn (@ 05:11)
9/29 Sun (Libra) Opposite Chiron (Aries)
9/29 Mars Rx (Aries) Square Saturn (Capricorn)
9/30 Venus (Leo) Trine Lilith (Aries)
10/1 Moon Opposite Sun (Full Moon Aries-Libra @ 21:05)
10/2 Venus Enters Virgo
10/4 Pluto Retrograde Ends in Capricorn (@ 13:32)
Medical Moonology: Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus
The Moon is gaining energy and power in Aquarius as we enter the week before she moves into the unconscious waters of Pisces, ruler of the feet, and the systems of the body in charge of releasing toxins. As we lead up to the Full Moon, it is a great time to do some grounding and earthing activities, which means walking barefoot on natural ground and soaking up the energy of the earth. Be as intentional with this as you need to be, you can do it more casually or you can make an entire ceremony out of it. If you’re able, treat yourself with a pedicure or give yourself an at-home one where you give your feet a good massage: give them some love!
The Full Moon is a time for forgiveness and gratitude, and these are both incredible activities for our mental health and wellbeing that we can all benefit from. Forgiving others is self-care. Being grateful for your blessings and the gifts of the world is self-care. As the Moon begins to Wane and moves into a new cycle in Aries, we might be more focused than usual on the Self. Manifest this attention as self-care, and give yourself a break (particularly with the intensity of the Mars retrograde and all the transits it's making this week).
Giving yourself a break doesn’t necessarily have to mean being stagnant and not doing anything active. Think back to the breaks in school (a.k.a. recess), did you just sit around? No! You were probably playing a game of sorts (sports, imaginary, creative, cards, whatever was your thing!) and/or hanging out with your friends! Maybe you were even catching up on some work that you needed to do.
All of these things are self-care, and the Moon in Aries, even if Full and then Waning (which is generally a time where we feel a little bit depleted energetically and emotionally), may still have us feeling the Ram’s charge of energy. Channel it into a really powerful Full Moon ritual and into starting up a super-charged, completely aligned, self-care practice!
Astro Theme of the Week: Inflammation
Brace yourselves for things to get inflamed throughout this week, especially with the extremely intense square between Mars Rx and Saturn, and then even more so as we approach the Full Moon in Aries, which ushers us into the month of October.
When something is inflamed on our bodies, it is red and swollen. It means that there is a lot of blood flowing to that place because it needs to be healed. When a feeling is inflamed, it means that it is provoked by something. We are likely being provoked from several different directions--from within so that we may heal ourselves (Ceres enters Aquarius; Mercury enters Scorpio; Sun-Libra opposite Chiron Rx-Aries; Full Moon in Aries), from our close relationships so that we may heal our sense of selves (Venus-Leo trine Mars Rx and Lilith-Aries; Venus enters Virgo), and from the outside world and the massive changes happening in it (Saturn direct; Mars Rx-Aries square Saturn-Capricorn; Pluto direct-10/4).
Inflammation might not feel amazing all the time, but is the start of the healing process, and we must honor it as such!
Wise Words for the Week:
All of these quotes (posted @TheScopeScoop on Instagram) are significant to remember this week, and perhaps to even include in your Full Moon ritual! There is a big difference between the energy of the Pisces Full Moon (which we had at the beginning of September) and the Aries Full Moon (which we will have at the beginning of October). While all Full Moons are for releasing, forgiveness, and gratitude, this Aries Full Moon is particularly powerful for clearing any blocks towards manifestation.
It is influenced by a lot of different energies, especially Mars Rx (in Aries as well) square Saturn, which will have very recently turned direct. If there are things you’ve been working hard to manifest since the time of the last Aries New Moon (end of March), and if you’ve really been working hard and in a healthy way to manifest these things, you should probably see the rewards almost immediately. If there still seem to be some blockages, this Full Moon is THE TIME to release and let go! But, with all that said, the first and second quotes are critical to keep in mind: everything (even the obstacles we face) is a manifestation of spirit! Everything, including things that might be blocking us ourselves from manifesting! That’s the great irony of the universe, but remember, humor is the universe’s candor! Nothing unreal exists!
By the beginning of next week, all of the Council of Elders in Capricorn (Pallas, Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto) will have turned direct, and will be moving over the degrees they’ve been moving over almost this entire year, for the third and final time. It is a time for personal and collective transformation, and any time of transformation is a time to remember this third quote about the leaves and the trees. When interpreted for the individual, this quote is full of love and light. We may shed our skin, but that skin is not us, we are the tree, and we never die, we only undress (exactly like the myth of Inanna entering the Underworld and having to undress herself).
But when interpreted for the collective, this quote might make us critically think about what actual “change” is happening. For if trees only undress, what do we do about the trees we want to die? In this case, trees would be a metaphor for the Capricornian economic-political systems that have consumed and enslaved humanity for the benefit of (and to keep power within) a tiny elite of technocrats (exactly like the myth of Cronus eating his children for fear of losing power). It would be wise to remember this before getting too optimistic or idealistic about the kinds of changes that are happening and that are possible within this system.
The Scoop on the Scope for this Week:
What a week this one is, and what an end to a heavy month! We start with Ceres entering Aquarius and then Mercury entering Scorpio. With these ingresses happening right before all this week’s major events, it seems the universe is begging us to reflect on one question before we can move forward: how can we use our authentic/unique skills and talents for the benefit of the world around us?
Then, we have the extremely positive Venus trine Mars Rx, but Mars Rx will later that day (9/29) form a super heavy square to Saturn, which goes direct just before that happens. In between the Mars transits, Sun in Libra opposes Chiron Rx in Aries, which is a transit that, if used wisely, can help us make a palpable step in our healing process, especially related to self-acceptance. This is the universe telling us: we must change our mindset if we’ve felt ashamed of our uniqueness over the past weeks.
It was likely the major energies of last Virgo season that manifested a judgemental/critical mentality, but by the end of this week, Venus will move into Virgo, which if used wisely, is another transit that might help us tangibilize a positive mindset shift towards acceptance.
Weekly Scope: September 13-September 19, 2020
September 12, 2020
This week’s astrological weather is all about the Virgo New Moon. There are many heavy aspects around it, including one that we may already be feeling by Sunday: Venus Square Uranus (activated today by Venus trine Chiron). On Monday, the Moon will activate this energy with its transit through Leo, and it is exact on Tuesday. By then, we’ll already be feeling the effects of Mercury square Jupiter and Sun trine Saturn, which are both exact on Thursday, and they have a lot of influence over the New Moon. By the time we get to the weekend, things are relatively calm, and we have some supportive lunar transits that might help us begin manifesting the intentions set at the New Moon.
Weekly Overview:
9/13 Jupiter Retrograde Ends in Capricorn (@ 00:44)
9/13 Venus (Leo) Trine Chiron (Aries)
9/14 Sun (Virgo) Trine Pluto Rx (Capricorn)
9/15 Venus (Leo) Square Uranus (Taurus)
9/17 Mercury (Libra) Square Jupiter (Capricorn)
9/17 Moon Conjunct Sun (New Moon Virgo @ 11:00)
9/17 Sun (Virgo) Trine Saturn Rx (Capricorn)
Medical Moonology: Leo, Virgo, Libra
The Waning Moon is a time when our energy is low, and we begin to wind down from everything that’s happened over the previous lunar month. This is normally a good time for self-care practices related to relaxation and rest. Because the Moon is in Leo (9/13-16), and Mars Retrograde in Aries is also having a massive effect on our vital energy, it would be wise not to do any intensive cardio at this time. Or, if that’s part of your routine already, make sure that you’re taking it easy and staying hydrated! Drinking a lot of water can help us cleanse our bodies and souls as we wind down and enter the Dark Moon phase.
The Dark Moon (9/15-6) is the period just before the New Moon and is the time in between lunar cycles. It is when we are at our lowest energy point, and it is a time for reflection and introspection. We need to process everything that’s happened in the previous lunar cycle so that we may wisely set our intentions. Virgo rules over the nervous system: it is how our brain (Mercury) connects to our body and the world (Earth). It also rules over the stomach/intestines (the middle part of the digestive system), and with Mars Retrograde, and the general weather and food intake changes that accompany autumn, there is a likelihood that many of us might experience some issues in these areas during this time. Drink a lot of calming and soothing liquids. Tea can be magical!
The New Moon in Virgo (9/17) will be a time to set our intentions for the coming lunar cycle. The Scope Scoop recommends using the lunar cycle for setting soul-related, emotional, and spiritual intentions, and the solar cycle for more everyday, material realm wishes. See more about the New Moon in Virgo below.
The Waxing Moon in Libra will be our first introduction to what Libra season will feel like,
so pay extra attention to how your body feels during this time. You’ll already be more attuned to this because that is what the Moon in Libra does to all of us: we become more sensitive to the balance in our bodies, emotions, and all around us.
Astro Theme of the Week: Sort it Out!
We are now in the final days of Virgo season, which will be energized by the New Moon (9/17). Virgo season is all about sorting the wheat from the chaff. What does that mean? Technically, the chaff is all the stuff from the wheat crop that isn’t used. What is used? The seeds. Wheat is harvested for the seeds. This week is all about selecting the best out of all possible seeds to plant, figuring out the most grounded way to go about planting them, and then planting them at the New Moon--with the full intent to begin watering them and taking care of them almost immediately.
To chaff someone also means to tease someone. This is an interesting coincidence since Virgo is ruled by Mercury, a god who loves to tease and taunt. Virgo can be nitpicky to a fault and must learn how to be more open-minded. Interestingly, Virgo is not afraid to change, and will if it makes logical sense. During Virgo season, we all understand the necessity of change yet we are also somehow taunted by the idea of who we once were, how we might be perceived, or who we might become.
This is rooted in the way the zodiac wheel works. Virgo is the sixth sign of the zodiac, and sits directly opposite Pisces (the last sign of the zodiac), thus it is the last sign of the first half of the zodiac (oh, semantics). It is betwixt and between. It is ruled by Mercury, yet a feminine*, yin, and earth sign. It is mutuable and represents the change of the seasons.
We have spent the past weeks of Virgo season winding down from summer and preparing for the autumn. As we enjoy the last days of Virgo, it is our mission to sort it out and make the necessary changes to be able to move forward on a solid foundation. To “sort something out” implies to make it “make sense” in your mind, but also to “get it done.”
Wise Words for the Week:
Reading these three quotes (find them @TheScopeScoop on Instagram) together immediately brings the Greek goddess Astraea to mind. In what is known as ‘ancient Greek mythology’, she is the constellation Virgo. Her story is interesting. In brief, she became so appalled by the way humans were living after the Golden Age (during the Bronze Age: with injustice, inequality, greed, lust, gluttony, etc.), that she left earth and became Virgo the constellation.
We would all be wise to invoke Astraea as we set our intentions for the next lunar cycle. She is also closely associated with Libra, so this is a win-win for a (mutable) lunar cycle that sees the transition between Virgo and Libra season.
From Ovid, Metamorphoses 1. 148 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.):
"Last [of the Ages of Men] came the Race of Iron (Proles Ferro). In that hard age of baser vein all evil straight broke out, and honour fled and truth and loyalty, replaced by fraud, deceit and treachery and violence and wicked greed for gain...Honour and love lay vanquished, Astraea, virgin divine, the last of the immortals, fled away."
The Scoop on the Scope for this Week:
We’ve got a lot happening this week, but with the New Moon, there’s always hope. We have to keep the faith, set our intentions, and really work to tune our energies into alignment with the Universe, the Divine, the Cosmos, the Soul, Love! Abundance is reachable if we tune ourselves into the abundance all around. Manifest, manifest, manifest! But, remember to sort the wheat from the chaff--only plant the best, most logical, and useful seeds, and water them well!
Weekly Scope: September 6-September 12, 2020
September 5, 2020
We have a lot of big things happening in the astrology of this week that all seem to be revolving around the theme of healing ourselves so that we may truly shine!
Venus moves into confident Leo and it will stay there until 10/2. Pallas stations direct, the first of the planets in Capricorn to turn direct (Jupiter will be next, on 9/13). Mercury, now in Libra, forms a major opposition to Chiron Rx in Aries, which brings attention to all of the old wounds that currently impact our ability to communicate in relationships. The communicative and healing energies of the zodiac are super activated this week with the Last Quarter Moon in Gemini and Pisces being influenced by the Sun’s opposition to Neptune Rx (at home).
Most significantly, Mars Retrograde (at home) in Aries will start midweek. This is a rare retrograde, and it has a lot of influence over our drive and energy, but the specifics of how it will affect you depend on your natal placements!
Medical Moonology
This week, the Moon is Waning. The Waning phase of the Lunar Cycle is a time for cleansing, detoxification, elimination, and release. We are still in the process of truly letting go of everything from the Full Moon. As the Moon Wanes, our energy also tends to wane, and we might need more rest than usual during this time. Lowered energy supply is also a symptom of the Mars Retrograde, so we have some complimentary energies this week.
The Last Quarter Moon is in Gemini this week, and this is the last major lunation of this past cycle. We are coming to a close on the Leo New Moon cycle that began August 17. Think back to all the intentions you set then, release anything that didn’t happen, and most importantly, forgive yourself if you feel guilty in some way for not doing everything you wanted.
The Last Quarter Moon is similar to the Autumn Equinox in many ways, it is like the signal that we are entering the winter months, but in this case, it's the most wintery phase of the lunar cycle. Winter symbolizes death and emptiness; it is also representative of the expectation of regeneration. As humans, we have always been intimately familiar with the cycle of life and death, and although many components of contemporary culture have removed us from this cycle, we can never remove ourselves from it completely. The Last Quarter Moon is a time for us to get back in touch with this cycle as it applies to the personal deaths/rebirths in our lives.
Medically speaking, the Last Quarter Moon is a time where we may experience more congestion than usual. And, this is especially true with the Moon’s current transits through Taurus (9/6, 9/7, 9/8), Gemini (9/9, 9/10 LQ), and Cancer (9/11, 9/12). The Last Quarter Moon in Gemini (rules over the lungs) might see a lot of us falling ill, and in the world’s current situation, that is a very ominous thought. Mars Retrograde in Aries has a lot of physical and medical effects as well, so we need to be even more careful with our health.
Ultimately, all we can do is take the best possible care of ourselves. Rest and recharge often. Take breaks whenever necessary. Nap when needed. Release physical stress in safe and easy exercises (e.g., online dance-fitness classes; tai chi). Do not allow other people to push your buttons: anger, fatigue, and stress are the three closest friends to disease.
To align your self care with the lunar cycle, start your week off by focusing on your throat health. Do you have a sore throat? Do you put a lot of stress on your vocal chords? Do you feel your throat close sometimes when you’re nervous? If you answered yes to any of these, the Taurus Moon Transit is a time to be even more careful. Gargle, go on vocal rest, get to the root of what’s connecting your speaking function to your nerves. For all of us, the Taurus Moon Transit is a time to give thanks for our voice and to truly feel gratitude for our throats, which not only holds up our head and brain (and links them to our heart), but it also gives us the ability to communicate with other people. This is a beautiful gift!
By mid-week, the Moon will move into Gemini and into its Last Quarter phase. Breathing exercises are critical. One nostril breathing practice might be especially helpful around this time, as these are deeply connected to both Mercury and the Air Element (and Gemini is both of those things!). Mantra meditation is especially beneficial during this time.
And by the end of the week, once the Moon moves home to Cancer, your attention will have moved from your throat to your lungs and now to your stomach. Give your microbiome some love. Spend some time and genuinely think about the kind of nutrition you are giving to your body and how that is impacting your energy levels, your nerves, your skin, and so much more. Our emotional core is in our gut, that’s the microbiome. More and more research is coming out to show that nutritional change is one of the best ways to help with mood regulation. This also means stopping any negative self-talk related to the stomach and chest area. Give your gut some love during this time!
Astro Theme of the Week: Healing Communication
The biggest astrological transit of this week, and perhaps even of this year (though there’s some tough competition for that one), is Mars retrograde in Aries. However, there are also many other big transits happening this week that will influence the particularities of how Mars Rx will manifest this year. The overarching theme of the week is healing communication.
Mars Rx in Aries is extra powerful because: 1) it is the rarest retrograde, 2) it is in its home sign, and 3) Mars rules over our vitality and drive, so these are inherently powerful forces in our daily lives. While there are many interwoven themes in this particular Mars Rx cycle, one undeniable fact is that it invokes the need to unify oppositions in our lives. Mars in Aries is a dominator: there is no way to deny this energy, and it has a huge potential to become too much, which brings us out of balance.
The Aries-Libra opposition is exactly about this balance, and on a deeper level, it is about balancing the Self with the Other. The only way for there to be any link between the Self and the Other is through communication: it is the bridge. This is precisely represented by Gemini (ruled by Mercury), and the fact the Mars Rx is starting at the same time as a Last Quarter Moon in Gemini seems to indicate that composed communication is the best solution to any problem we might face during this time.
Another obvious indicator of the theme is that we have the first ‘official’ activation of the Aries-Libra axis of the month this week: with Mercury in Libra forming an opposition to Chiron Rx in Aries. This aspect is the epitome of the theme of healing communication. To oversimplify: Chiron is healing, Mercury is communication. Chiron is transiting in Aries from February 2019-April 2027 and during this 8-year transit, we will learn from the Wounded Healer all about the Self. We will answer the question: Who am I? We may feel that we are getting a new wound to the Self, but actually, this is the reemergence of an old wound, and Chiron has simply brought our attention to it so that we may properly heal.
This year, Chiron in Aries is retrograde from July-December 2020 (it started just as Mercury went direct, another cosmic coincidence). The degrees emphasized by this retrograde cycle are the fifth through tenth degree of Aries. The Chiron retrograde cycle tends to put an emphasis on generational trauma and collective wounds, and we have certainly seen this manifest itself in the wave of global protests. The opposition to Mercury in Libra might make us feel the energy of Chiron Rx on a more personal, everyday level. Is the way that we communicate with others (especially with a romantic partner) indicative of who we really are? Or, are we just mindlessly copying the communication patterns of our elders?
We cannot heal in the physical realm unless we have consistent communication between the body and the mind. We cannot heal in the emotional realm unless we have healing communication between the mind and the spirit. And we cannot heal in the spiritual realm until we have healed the communication channels between the spirit and the Self (that’s what Chiron in Aries is all about).
Another aspect of the week that indicates a need to heal patterns of communication (again, on multiple levels) is the opposition between the Sun in Virgo and Neptune Rx at home in Pisces. The Virgo-Pisces axis is all about our worldview: Virgo sees the world as a collection of tightly-bounded cycles and patterns which are all organized in a logical/rational way whereas Pisces sees the world as ethereal, completely random, unbounded, and flowing. Oppositions require us to form a bridge (make some sort of communication) between the two poles. So, with this one, we are required to balance practicality and fantasy.
Pisces, in general, represents the unconscious. It is the dissolution of all boundaries and the realization of unity. This is why it is the last sign of the zodiac, whereas Aries is the first sign. Before we are born, we are literally floating in the boundless waters of our mothers’ wombs. The second we take our first breath, we realize our first boundary: the body. This is why Aries (ruled by Mars, which represents the physical body) is the first sign of the Zodiac and represents the Self: it is the identification of the Self with the Body that eventually creates a separate Ego (represented by Leo and the Sun).
When both Pisces and Aries are activated, it is a clear indication that the universe is pushing us to bridge this divide between the unconscious waters and the Self, realizing their cyclical oneness. The involvement of a Mercury-ruled sign (Sun in Virgo) further signifies this need to build bridges and make (logical) connections.
This week’s aspects all have to do with this theme of healing communication, but how does that actually play out in day-to-day life? One small step you can take is simply noticing the way you communicate with yourself and others. Mindfulness is key.
Some reflection questions you might want to consider for this week: What kind of self-talk is happening in your mind? Is that the way you’d want your best friend to talk to/think about herself? How many different styles of communication do you use (i.e., do you talk to some people in one way and others in a completely different way)? Is switching your communication style helpful for you? Or, would it be better to find ways to make your style of communication more genuine and authentic?
Wise Words for the Week
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The theme evoked by all of the aspects of this week is healing communication, which is most embodied by Mercury in Libra opposition to Chiron Rx in Aries. There is a really interesting group of people who have this natal aspect, including: Lenny Bruce, Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, Margaret Thatcher, Jimmy Fallon, and Louise Hay. Lenny Bruce seems to be the most exemplary of this aspect: his entire life was dedicated to being able to exercise his right (Libra) to freedom of speech (Mercury), but he was constantly pushed down by the offense that his words stirred to the Ego (Aries) as well as his own egotistical tendencies caused by deep wounds received in early childhood (Chiron in Aries).
This quote is important to keep in mind for maintaining healthy and realistic expectations, which is one of the best ways we can improve our communication (self-talk and the way we communicate with others). There is only what is. When we get too caught up in the “oulds” we lose track of reality and we put ourselves on a downward spiral towards disappointment, guilt, and resentment, which are all breeding grounds for unnecessary arguments and suffering.
The Scoop on the Scope for this Week:
Although healing communication is the resolution to the aspects of the week, it is also important to acknowledge that we are facing some really intense and difficult energies. Keep Calm, and Carry On is the perfect mantra.
This time is not going to be easy breezy, and in fact, we will probably face a plethora of challenges during the next 2.5 months of the Mars retrograde. We must find a way to accept that things are difficult without falling into a victim mentality. We must find a way to accept responsibility for our actions and choices without falling into a self-loathing guilt spiral. If we do fall into these phases, that’s perfectly expected, normal, valid, and fine. But, do your best not to dwell in them. Simply recognizing the pattern is all that is required now, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect!
Keep calm, keep actively healing, breathe, and remember that you are already shining!
Weekly Scope: August 30-September 5, 2020
August 29, 2020
There is a deep feminine* energy that pervades this week’s astrology: the goddesses are summoning us. Juno, Venus, Lilith, and Pallas activate the cardinal square at the beginning of the week, leading up to the Full Moon in Pisces, granting us access to the primordial, unconscious realm (the primordial goddess). The Full Moon is also influenced by the Grand Earth Trine and enhanced by Neptune’s presence at home in Pisces. Although there are a lot of oppositions and tensions that might emerge this week (especially Venus Square Mars/Lilith), pay special attention to what’s happening on the Virgo-Pisces axis, which has to do with our worldview. As Mercury leaves its home in Virgo, our Minds are engaged in deep, critical examination. We can channel this reflective energy and access incredible breakthroughs!
Find the Transits @TheScopeScoop on Instagram
The Moon is gaining energy and power in Aquarius as we enter the month before she moves into the unconscious waters of Pisces, ruler of the feet, and the systems of the body in charge of releasing toxins. As we lead up to the Full Moon, it is a great time to do some grounding and earthing activities, which means walking barefoot on natural ground and soaking up the energy of the earth. Be as intentional with this as you need to be, you can do it more casually or you can make an entire ceremony out of it. If you’re able, treat yourself with a pedicure or give yourself an at-home one where you give your feet a good massage: give them some love!
The Full Moon is a time for forgiveness and gratitude, and these are both incredible activities for our mental health and wellbeing that we can all benefit from. Forgiving others is self-care. Being grateful for your blessings and the gifts of the world is self-care. As the Moon begins to Wane and moves into a new cycle in Aries, we might be more focused than usual on the Self. Manifest this attention as self-care, and give yourself a break.
Giving yourself a break doesn’t necessarily have to mean being stagnant and not doing anything active. Think back to the breaks in school (a.k.a. recess), did you just sit around? No! You were probably playing a game of sorts (sports, imaginary, creative, cards, whatever was your thing!) and/or hanging out with your friends! Maybe you were even catching up on some work that you needed to do. All of these things are self-care, and once the Moon moves into Aries, even though it is Waning (generally a time where we feel a little bit depleted), we may still feel the Ram’s charge of energy. Channel it into active and conscious self-care.
Astro Theme of the Week: Cardinal Goddesses
All of this week’s astrological transits can be imagined as the primordial goddess trying to ease us into the energies of the month ahead. This week, she sends four of her most powerful avatars to ignite the cardinal square: Lilith in Aries, Venus in Cancer, Juno in Libra, and Pallas-Athena in Capricorn.
We are currently experiencing ginormous change on the collective level, but most of us have also undergone big changes in our personal lives, and there are still big changes yet to come in 2020. September is the time for us to really get ourselves ready for those changes, and this first week, we have a sneak peek of what’s to come. The goddesses are giving us this glimpse because they want to help us find our way to surrendering to change, evolution, and rebirth. The sooner we come to terms with the fact that we can’t control everything, the better, and the goddesses want to do everything in their power to prepare us for what’s to come.
Wise Words for the Week
Find them on Instagram @TheScopeScoop
This week is all about opening ourselves up to the universe. A great, but perhaps not obvious, way to practice the act of surrendering to the unknown is by digging into classical quotes. All of the quotes that we know from the ancients are actually translations, and, there are many different ways to translate things.
The act of translation is inherently interpretation, that’s why when you’re conducting academic research on ancient texts, it is best to have a linguistic background in the ancient language--or at least to work with many different translations. So, when we find quotes like these today (like on the internet), there is already one built-in layer (actually, it’s usually several layers because by the time many of these quotes get to English, they’ve usually been translated into three or four other languages) of mystery and uncertainty. Can we ever be sure if the translator didn’t make a mistake or didn’t input their own cultural biases in some way?
Another interesting layer of uncertainty in these kinds of quotes comes from the question of the motivation of the author. Some of these answers, we think we know because we have some documents that tell us something about that, but these are all just clues. There is a deep mystery in what was really inspiring the authors of the great hymns, holy books, and epics. Can we ever truly know their Muse?
Then, of course, there is the act of trying to understand a complicated quote that itself has many levels of meaning built into it. The Lao Tzu quote is a classic creation narrative that most of us are already familiar with. Read through its words several times and really ponder what their meaning is. Retell the narrative with your own words. Bask in the wonder that is the meaning of these simple, yet so profound, sentences.
What is Lao Tzu really saying here? Ponder especially: “The complete whole is the complete whole. So also is any part the complete whole.” And once Libra season comes later this month, it’ll be especially important to ponder: “But forget about understanding and harmonizing and making all things one. The universe is already a harmonious oneness; just realize it.”
The Scoop on the Scope for this Week:
We are in for some deep reflection as we approach this Full Moon in Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac, representing the unconscious realm. This Full Moon is perfect for truly forgiving yourself, the people around you, and the circumstances in the world for being as they are. Forgive the collective, forgive what often seems as stupidity and evil. This forgiveness is for yourself, for you to release all things that have been holding you back from shedding the skin of the past (or perhaps, shedding the skin of worry for the future) and being reborn into the eternal present. The shadow must be incorporated into the Self, and the feminine energies all around us are stimulating this process within each of us (in one way or another). Surrender to this process, surrender to the universe, and allow the universe to guide you, trusting that it is your best guide!
The Astrology of September 2020
August 29, 2020
The Scoop on the Scope for the month ahead!
Some major astrological events are happening in September 2020. Here is all you need to know about what’s coming up in the astrology of the month ahead, including important transit dates, key themes to pay attention to, suggestions for setting intentions for the month, and more!
Key Transit Dates in September 2020:
All Times GMT+3 (Eastern European Time)
9/2: Full Moon Pisces
9/5: Mercury Enters Libra
9/6: Venus Enters Leo
9/9: Mars Retrograde in Aries
9/13: Jupiter Retrograde Ends in Capricorn
9/17: New Moon in Virgo
9/22: Sun Enters Libra (Libra Season)
9/23: Mars Conjunct Lilith
9/27: Mercury Enters Scorpio
9/29: Saturn Retrograde Ends in Capricorn
Astro Themes to Pay Attention to
Union of Opposites: Lilith and Mars in Aries Activity
Lilith and Mars are dancing and merging their energies during this month, which will significantly impact the manifestation of this year’s intense Mars Retrograde (in its home sign of Aries). For more information on the Mars Retrograde, click here.
Most astrologers throughout history have interpreted Venus and Mars as the feminine and masculine principle of the Zodiac, but it is essential to recognize that feminine and masculine energies are copresent in everything and everyone.
Further, this opposition is not so easily simplified as Venus/Mars equals Female/Male. Another celestial entity astrologers interpret as ruling over the feminine principle is Lilith. Specifically, she rules over all of the shadow manifestations that occur due to the feminine principle’s repression. Mars is traditionally associated with the amplification of masculine energy, particularly in Aries, but Mars Retrograde subverts this (more on retrogrades below).
Ultimately, the effects of Mars Retrograde might end up manifesting similarly to how an afflicted Lilith does: further repression of the feminine principle unless actively and consciously working to counter this (mostly socialized) impulse. With the Mars retrograde, this effect happens (most likely) as a result of overcompensation: Mars retrograde is the subversion, the inward-turning of Mars’s charge-ahead energy (deemed masculine), which makes a lot of us very uncomfortable, so we can try to charge ahead even more than usual, often by/resulting in us suppressing our more calm, receptive--deemed feminine--impulses (which is what Lilith represents).
Mercury in Libra will play a pivotal role towards the end of the month when it forms an opposition to the conjoined Lilith-Mars Rx. All oppositions have to do with the unification of opposites. The Aries-Libra duality is mainly linked to balancing masculine and feminine principles (Mars rules Aries, Venus rules Libra). Any activities that encourage harmonious and balanced relations in your life, especially between you and a partner, are highly recommended.
At the very end of the month, Venus will form a trine to retrograde Mars. Also, Mars and Saturn will come into a square (again), which might bring us back to what was happening at the end of August. Mars square Saturn is a similar energy to the Mars retrograde: it is restrictive and makes us doubt our desires and decisions. With Mars Rx square Saturn (which turns Direct right before the exact square), is it crucial for us to practice disciplined tranquility.
All this indicates that the universe expects us to focus on resolving the opposition, the disharmony, in our lives. If we have done the work, we’ll be more than equipped to do this on our own. But if we need some extra help (especially when Mars goes retrograde), we can surrender to that feminine energy of Venus and Lilith and ask for guidance. By allowing the feminine principles to guide us, we can make ourselves more receptive and open, a composed, introspective listener who is generally more of a calm person.
Some of us are more comfortable in that yin energy space than others, and the Mars retrograde will probably make this difference abundantly clear in unexpected ways. Maybe you’re a calm person, but your patience runs out more than you’re used to during this time. Perhaps you’re used to charging ahead and being spontaneous, but you find yourself questioning and doubting your instincts more than you’re used to during this time. Maybe it’s a combination of both! Whatever your current comfort level with the feminine, yin energy is, this month will somehow require you to readjust. Remember to stay as flexible as possible and remain open to all of life’s experiences!
Venus Square Lilith (9/1)
Venus Square Mars (9/4)
Mars Turns Retrograde (9/9)
Mars Rx Conjunct Lilith (9/23)
Mercury Opposite Lilith and Mars Rx (9/24)
Venus Trine Mars Rx (9/29)
Mars Rx Square Saturn (9/29)
Structural Changes to the Government and Economy: Outer Planet Activity
Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto are still dancing together in Capricorn. There will be many activations of these energies throughout the month, especially as they start turning direct (Jupiter on 9/13, Saturn on 9/29, and Pluto on 10/4). Thus, all of these planets will move through those same degrees of Capricorn for the third and final time this year.
The retrograde cycle consists of the direct period, the retrograde period (where, from the point of view of earth, the planets appear to be moving backward), then another direct period where the planet continues to move forward. The shadow is the area of the zodiac (the degrees of the sign) where this retrograde will happen; that’s why when the planet goes over these degrees the first time, they are said to have entered the retrograde shadow. The planets go over these degrees three times: first, while they are direct, then ‘backward’ when they are retrograde, and finally, a third time when they turn direct again.
The outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) all have longer retrogrades, and therefore longer transits. Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto are all currently retrograding through Capricorn, and they are incredibly close together. They are also variously forming trines to Uranus (retrograding in Taurus) and sextiles to Neptune (retrograding at home in Pisces). Neptune and Uranus will continue their retrogrades throughout the month, activated by various aspects to the inner planets.
Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto are transiting over Capricorn’s last degrees before they enter Aquarius (Jupiter and Saturn this December, Pluto not until 2023). We are slowly trickling into the Age of Aquarius. This transition period is a time for the old structures to break down and for all previously un-questioned things to be called into question as we reassess our ideals.
The Council of Elders (Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto, and Pallas-Athena) in Capricorn is clearly having an impact on world affairs. Though trickling in for a while now, there is a revolutionary spirit that has spread rapidly across the world in 2020. This spirit seems to be fueled by the pandemic (which might have to do with Neptune Rx) and the need for everyone to reassess their role in collective and individual health, safety, and security (which might have to do with Uranus Rx in Taurus).
With the Council of Elders all turning direct this month, we are looking at part three of the whirlwind that has been this year thus far. All this is very well-timed with this part of the astrological cycle’s general themes: from Virgo to Libra is moving from earth to air but on a more relational rather than transpersonal level. Our focus is on balance. If we can channel this individual energy into our collective structures, we might be on a path to resolving all of the tensions of breakdowns caused by the Council of Elders’ dance in Capricorn.
Using Logic: Aspects to the Sun in Virgo
The Sun in Virgo will make a lot of powerful, supportive transits throughout September. It will most notably form trines to each member of the Council of Elders currently meeting in Capricorn (Pallas, Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto). It is an opportunity to solidify our role as individuals in the more massive, collective, structural changes this year.
We should use this earthly support while we have access to it, for once the Sun enters Libra, the kind of aspects it makes to the outer planets will change. Instead of Virgo’s earthly trines, the Libra season aspects will reignite the extremely intense cardinal square energy that has been dominant this year.
It is essential to mention that the Sun’s Opposition to Neptune mid-month is simultaneous with the Mars retrograde. The combination of these energies may make us more easily manipulated (especially if it is self-manipulation!). We need to be hyper-aware of any fantasies when this transit is most potent (approximately the week of 9/7-14), particularly any that have to do with the impossible concept of “perfection.”
The first thing to realize is that most ideas of “perfection” come from our upbringing, and we shouldn’t take these ideas so personally. And the second thing to realize is that we are already prone to putting too much pressure on ourselves during a Mars retrograde, so if we allow our illusions to pressure us also, we’re bound for a breakdown.
Most of the time, the Sun moving into Libra is when everything seems to fall back into its natural rhythm and balance. However, the Mars Retrograde in Aries (the sign opposite Libra) will make this particular Libra season feel odd. The good news is that after moving into Libra, the Sun has no more significant aspects for the rest of the month, so the last week of September should give our Egos a little break.
Sun Opposite Moon (9/2)
Sun Trine Uranus (9/2)
Sun Trine Jupiter (9/9)
Sun Opposite Neptune (9/11)
Sun Trine Pluto (9/15)
Sun Trine Saturn (9/18)
Sun Enters Libra (9/22)
Lunations: From Endings to Beginnings
Full Moon Pisces (9/2)
Half Moon Gemini (9/10)
New Moon Virgo (9/17)
Half Moon Capricorn (9/24)
Full Moon Aries (10/2)
In this month’s lunation cycle, we move from Mutable to Cardinal, and we close our Full Moon cycle (from Pisces to Aries). This lunation is seriously all about surrendering to the universe. The Full Moon in Pisces prepares us for all to come in the next Full Moon cycle because it is truly the best time of the year to release, let go of everything that’s holding us back, and be reborn. Then, the Last Quarter Moon in Gemini will be our first test on whether we released what we needed to and let go of the right things. If we didn’t, we still have a chance to work through all of that throughout the Mars Retrograde Cycle, which will be amplified by the next Full Moon (in Aries).
Luckily, the New Moon in Virgo in the middle of the month is a time for us to rest, reset, and set some intentions. This New Moon will be influenced by the Sun’s earthly trine to Saturn and Mercury’s cardinal square to Jupiter happening on the same day (9/17). Because of these strong influences, this New Moon is an incredibly powerful time for reconsideration and reassessment; Virgo is all about sorting the wheat from the chaff!
Take a look at the intentions you set at February’s New Moon in Pisces. How does looking at these intentions now, half a year later, make you feel? What progress have you made? Do you think that these are still worthy of your attention and focus? What can you edit to make them better suited to where you’re currently at in your development? Consider all of these questions when you set your intentions at this New Moon.
After the Sun enters Libra, we shift from mutable to cardinal energy for the rest of the month as the Moon grows and becomes brighter. Our last significant lunation of the month is the First Quarter Moon in Capricorn on 9/24, but then we have a powerful Full Moon in Aries at the beginning of October.
The timing, as always, is spot on. With all of the outer planets turning direct in Capricorn throughout the month, we can imagine the First Quarter Moon as the universe presenting us with a chance to put-into-practice everything we’ve learned this year about our roles in public life. The fact that this month’s New Moon is happening in Virgo (rather than Libra) and then our next lunation is in Capricorn should be a signal to us that we need to be really practical and logical in our expectations for ourselves and what we’re capable of while undergoing the necessary changes in our lives (in the upcoming cardinal season).
Setting Intentions for September 2020
Setting intentions can be done whenever, however, and wherever. All it requires is your attention and presence. It is incredible to set intentions for each day, first thing in the morning.
The Scope Scoop recommends Deepak Chopra’s four intentions to start your day: joyful, energetic body; loving, compassionate heart; reflective, alert mind; and lightness of being.
However, there is something particularly powerful about writing intentions down somewhere. It is good to set intentions at the beginning of each month and at each New Moon. If you really get into it, you can also set intentions at the start of each astrological season, and every time a planet moves into a new sign or retrograde period.
The Scope Scoop recommends: using the solar calendar intentions to focus on the everyday, material realm goals and the lunar calendar intentions to focus on the emotional, spiritual, and metaphysical realm wishes. That means that each month, you’ll set intentions at least twice, and surrender them to the universe, trusting that they will happen, twice--which just puts your will in much greater alignment with the universe!
September is the 9th month of the calendar year; it has the start of Fall and the Autumn Equinox (when the amount of time in the day and night are equal, symbolizing balance). September is the end of Virgo and the beginning of Libra season, which happens to be the midpoint of the astrological year.
When setting your intentions for this month, and the last quarter of 2020, remember the lessons of the first half of the zodiac (the personal signs of Aries, Taurus, Gemini, and Cancer and the interpersonal signs of Leo and Virgo) as you think about what you want to manifest regarding your relationship with yourself. Then, think about how these lessons can help you determine what you want to manifest in your relationship with others and the world.
Virgo and Libra are both perfectionists, often to a fault (particularly in early life). It would be wise to reflect on these questions: Does perfectionism hinder you? What does perfect mean to you, and why is it such a valued ideal to your Ego?
Wise Words for September 2020
“Balance your thoughts with action. If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you never get it done.”
Bruce Lee, Striking Thoughts, 2000
This month is all about the transition from earth to air energy, infused with a lot of fire energy. The personal planets are in four signs this month: Virgo and Libra both tend to overthink so much they end up not taking action, and Aries and Leo both tend to act without thinking things all the way through. The Aries-Libra polarity comes into full focus as the month culminates, and it is wise to keep this quote (as well as the inverse: if you don’t spend enough time thinking about a thing, you might not get it done in the best way and will end up facing more obstacles).
