Revolutionary Changes

In this year of preparations, November may be the most challenging month yet, in part because our growth takes us to the phase of Scorpio, perhaps the most challenging sign. This Monday, November 13th, we will have the new moon in Scorpio 21° (20°44′) at 1:27 AM in California, 03:27 hours in Mexico City. It will happen on my birthday—I was born with Sun at 20°49’—and I think it’s past due to dispel some of the misconceptions about Scorpio, a sign even considered “evil” by many. However, rather than continuing to include generic themes in these postings, I will place the signs and other astrological components in separate pages that may later serve as reference. The Scorpio page was released soon after this article.

If we begin by looking at the overall shape of the new-moon chart, we are immediately met by a continuing strong presence of the Taurus–Scorpio polarity we discussed in the last full-moon article, despite this being a new-moon chart where one doesn’t expect an axis polarity to be accentuated. By definition Sun and Moon form an exact conjunction at the new moon and, since Mercury and Venus are always “near” Sun due to having their orbits closer to the sun than Earth, one expects an emphasis on the new-moon sign rather than the axis. Scorpio is indeed emphasized by the triple conjunction of Sun and Moon with Mars at Scorpio 22°12′. Yes, the Mars that was conjunct with Sun and Mercury in the last full moon. As a matter of fact, the Sun–Mars conjunction will be maintained through the entire sign of Scorpio which is unusual because, on average, Mars stays two days in each degree while Sun practically changes one degree per day. This means that their conjunctions rarely last more than a week. This year, however, we get to experience the transformative energies of Scorpio not only deeply but forcefully.

Mars and Venus Involved

So we have a “speedy” Mars, and we know that a fast moving planet is taking and processing more solar (spiritual) energy to produce, in this case, the physical and psychic energies required to satisfy our desires (Mars). And it has been speeding through Scorpio in conjunction with none other than Sun! A very powerful Yang conjunction. A profound call for action with the Scorpio blend of cutting through any pretenses or lies to get to what Mercury has been showing while moving through the sign. On Monday, Moon will join them to receive the power of the Scorpio archetype and distribute it throughout the lunation.

Just as significantly, at the time of the new moon all three will be in opposition with Uranus at Taurus 21°05′, bringing the Taurus–Scorpio polarity to the forefront once more. In fact, the intuitive Sun–Uranus opposition will happen a few hours after the new moon, whereas the volatile opposition of Mars and Uranus would have been exact two days prior, on November 11th, an aspect that brings about shakings of all kinds. Actual earthquakes are possible given that Uranus is in Taurus (Earth), and we had one in Nepal recently, or we may experience financial tremors (Taurus–Scorpio).

Moreover, Venus, the planet of relatedness, maintains the 45° semi-square it formed with Sun at the last full moon, which is also unusual. Back then, it also formed a 135° sesquiquadrate with Moon giving rise to a triangle of “urgent” awareness to the full-moon polarity. This time, the sesquiquadrate is formed with Uranus and the triangle is concerned with its opposition to the triple conjunction, emphasizing the Taurus–Scorpio polarity. Indeed, the axis is in so much tension that José Millán titled his video “Small and Big Revolutions”, because not only the news will tell us how such tension manifests in the world, we will feel it in our personal lives. I preferred Revolutionary Changes but it was also inspired by those powerful oppositions.

Secrets Exposed?

In an opposition involving Sun, like the full moon, the opposing planet is placed under the lights and on stage. Uranus will always force an issue to be addressed, so the opposition of Sun–Uranus is one that will shed light on the polarity issues, and more when Sun is in Scorpio. The Scorpio energy is relentless in going deep to expose whatever has been kept secret, and will do so sooner or later. With Sun and Mars conjunct, the time is now! Uranus is the planet of revolutionary changes and is making us aware of some that must be made. Since Moon represents the people in mundane astrology, they are who demand the unveiling of secrets. In personal astrology, the need to access the truth stems from our emotions and mental content.

It is worth noting that Pluto, Scorpio’s ruler, continues to be in the sign of governments and institutions but is finally moving direct with awesome force. Even though it will return for a few weeks to Capricorn near the end of 2024, it is essentially saying goodbye to the sign and, more importantly, to the square it formed for many months with the Nodal axis, and it is not departing before leaving us some “going away” presents. Quoting José Millán: “this is not a month suitable for minors or those with a weak stomach”. Broadly speaking, Pluto will destroy all that is not consistent with the new consciousness we are receiving while Uranus will welcome new paradigms in their place.

Interestingly enough, note that Uranus, the planet of going against what Saturn built that is obsolete for the new tomorrow, is in Taurus, the sign that says: “I am what I am, nothing more and nothing less”, and a firm believer in the power of stability. This is not a comfortable pairing that at best can revolutionize our relationship with all that is “solid”, and in particular with Earth, but at worst will abruptly agitate all that is “solid”, which also includes Earth as evidenced by the recent earthquakes and floods. And now, it will be confronted by the potent “action trio” of Sun, Moon and Mars in Scorpio, the sign that says: “Oh yes, you can change, nay, transform what you currently are and even modify your DNA!”. I’m sure you get a sense of the tension which, I remind you, has Mars and Uranus as two actors in this Taurus–Scorpio drama.

In any case, look up in your chart which house contains the range Scorpio 17°–25°, for in that field of experiences you will have to become Luke Skywalker of Star Wars fame and confront its dark side. Individuals with planets or angles found in the same range of the other fixed signs (Taurus, Leo and Aquarius) are likely to have a wild weekend. Secrets are like underground hot magma pushing upwards with enormous force. Scorpio is the sign that gives us tremendous focus and willpower to “get the job done”, with little regard to whether all is exposed in a volcanic eruption (Uranus in Taurus) or what the consequences will be, only desiring to provoke a needed release of heretofore hidden energy. It is fair to assume that the house where this new moon will fall in your chart will provide opportunities to experience deep transformational changes.

Uncommon Sabian Symbol

In a WhatsApp message a while ago, I wrote about the history of the Sabian symbols, which the blog will have as a reference page when I’m done redesigning the blog site. For now, I want us to remember that the symbols were obtained in 1925 by Marc Edmund Jones in collaboration with the gifted clairvoyant and medium Elsie Wheeler. In 1931, MEJ wrote a series of articles for a course he was teaching in which he discussed the symbols. The course notes were read by Dane Rudhyar who began to work with the symbols and later obtained permission to include an abridged version in his 1936 treatise: “The Astrology of Personality”. In 1953, MEJ published the book: “The Sabian Symbols in Astrology”, where he provided a thorough interpretation for each degree. I don’t have such book but in 1973, after working with the symbols for many years, Rudhyar published his own compendium of interpretations under the title: “An Astrological Mandala: the Cycle of Transformation and its 360 Symbolic Phases”. Most astrologers and astrology websites use these interpretations by Rudhyar, me included, but I have come across a good number of astrologers who use Marc Edmund Jones’ early symbols.

The point is that there are at least three versions of the symbols and, as you will see, the differences are quite important for Scorpio 21°, to wit:

• The 1931 course notes by Marc Edmund Jones have it with the symbol: “A soldier derelict in his duty”; not a flattering image.
• In 1936, Rudhyar modified the image to: “A soldier ready to face charges of desertion for love’s sake”, which he expanded to: Conflict between old and new perspectives; a willingness to face chaos for the sake of order; yielding to emotions.
• Finally, in his 1973 book, the symbol for Scorpio 21° has the image: “Obeying his conscience, a soldier resists orders”, further explained as the readiness to face the results of a refusal to follow the authoritarian patterns of an aggressive society.

The initial change by Rudhyar reflects his philosophical mind, probably inquiring why the soldier was derelict and concluding that it was due to an internal conflict on some sort of relationship (“for love’s sake”) when, as he points out, is a conflict of perspectives. On the one hand, society’s safety depends on the performance of its defenders which often receive orders from superiors that should be obeyed and not questioned, and on the other, the best defenses are those able to react quickly to a local situation, making value judgements on a split second.

While the 1936 version presents a psychological and perhaps emotional conflict, the final version captures the deeper, spiritual conflict of this degree. Yes, there is often a conflict between society’s expectations of an individual and the values of the same individual, his conscience, and such conflict may be seen with more urgency in the armed forces, thus in the symbol we find a soldier ready to accept the consequences of his decision.¹ The bigger issue it presents, however, is clear. Writes Rudhyar: “Society in this situation seems to be all-powerful; yet the individual need not be spiritually bound, even if imprisoned. He can still display Inner Freedom (the degree’s key phrase) and prove himself an ‘individual’”.

Remember that the planet forms a functional conjunction of meaning with the sign through the degree. Sun and Moon in this lunation are, each and together, acting with inner freedom the archetypes of Scorpio. Together with Mars, they face Uranus, the planet of freedom from old structures. The symbol makes something else quite clear: we must have the courage to face the consequences, especially when they are known in advance to be as severe as the court martial suggested in the symbol. The dark side of this degree is simply a derelict soldier who disobeys for ego-driven reasons, perhaps to show that he has the power to disobey. Such is a scorpion Scorpio—in case you didn’t know, our sad excuse for President in Mexico was born on a November 13th. An eagle Scorpio would balance the desires of society versus his personal value system, which need not be ego-based and indeed could even indicate a martyr. Finally, the phoenix Scorpio would accept his own transformation as the consequence of following the Path pointed to by Spirit.

Much Transpersonal Energy

Thus, in the new-moon monthly seed, the “action trio” is operating with a spiritual inner freedom, unencumbered by past or social pressures (21°). Their opposition with Uranus stirs the Taurus–Scorpio issues under a ton of Yang energy, which is often confrontational as we are seeing all over the world. That said, the triple conjunction forms a double trine with Neptune (Pisces 25°02′), shown in green in the chart, thus forming what is known as a Mystic Triangle with the opposition. You may remember this configuration as a most successful one, for it provides an alternate path to the opposition, which in this case involves the Yin energy of Neptune in Pisces. Not only that, the sextile between the Sun–Moon–Mars conjunction and Pluto (Capricorn 28°10′), also in green, forms a Minor Grand Trine, given that Neptune and Pluto continue to form a sextile. In fact, it is worth noting that the “action trio” forms significant aspects with all three transpersonal planets! Yet another lunation seed full of symbolism about the arrival of a subtler consciousness.

Saturn in Pisces Redux

When we talked about the full moon of October 28th, we saw that Saturn was about to end five months of retrograde motion and be stationary at Pisces 1°, a degree on which it will be for over fifty consecutive days and whose symbol has the image of a crowded marketplace with commerce as its functional keyword. Any planet in Pisces reaches the end of its own developmental cycle and must assess its performance to prepare for the next cycle in Aries. Saturn has spent the last 27+ years building eleven different types of structures but now Pisces defies the entire concept of structuring. Saturn in Pisces has to admit that structures built in the past are incapable of providing lasting stability, they can only be a scaffolding for our ever-changing mental and emotional content (Moon). At the time of writing, Saturn has just began to move direct through its retrograde shadow (Pisces 1°–8°) representing opportunities to redo what we did between March and June, and have been reconsidering since.

Attitudes Towards Time

As we have seen, Scorpio is the sign of deep transformations which necessarily imply an ending of the old followed by a new beginning. Depending on whether the focus is on the old or the new, the impending transformation is either feared or yearned. When viewed from a time perspective, the focus may be on the cycle prior to the transformation, a cycle that represents the security of what is known, the unchangeable past, or focus on the cycle we will live once transformed, the unknown future we must meet with faith in the evolutionary process of constant transformations that often requires revolutionary changes. Two types of attitude follow regarding time in general: a negative attitude to time as the bringer of endings to those longing for what will never be again, and a positive attitude for those looking forward to a better tomorrow.

Wrapping Up…

This November is not for the squeamish, the days around the new moon will be especially difficult and chaotic but we can get through. We must have faith that all this chaos has a purpose, for there must be a big reordering in the world not unlike what happened after World War II, speaking in terms of scope and not of method. It is needed so we may begin to act as a humanity with a higher level of consciousness. Indeed, as the 1970s song said: this is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius.

We are constantly being reminded of how inertia resists change, the deeper the change the stronger the inertia and humanity is at the threshold of very deep changes. The inertia of the old paradigms is fueled by those in power who still benefit from the excesses of the individualistic consciousness we are leaving behind. Wars, famine, abuse, and racism are horrors that must be met with compassion and faith in the positive changes that will co-create a better world.

Effecting change is done by modifying our relationships. Since we cannot change anybody else, and it would be manipulative if we could, the way to change our relationships is by changing ourselves. People around us will notice and not only modify how they relate to us but will receive inspiration to make profound changes as well. Scorpio days are good days for effecting changes, meaningful changes, in our lives.

The new moon seed urges us to disregard the noisy chaos and stay firm within the “soul values” of our conscience, gleefully accepting the consequences of walking the evolutionary Path of our personal destiny.

Always Love. 🌹🙏💖

1. I once quit my job because it was the right thing to do for the company. I was asked to lead a product on what I considered the wrong path. My wife and children were not quite enthusiastic at the time but it all worked out fine, for the company and me. Years later I read the Sabian symbol and smiled thinking: “Astrology…” ↩︎