What is to give light must endure burning. — Viktor Frankl

Full Moon Taurus, November 15, 2005 4:57 PM PST

The time of year is autumn, the date is any year. Dropping into the season lifts us from chronological time into kairos time, the truest time. Let nature in-what a relief! Kairos time measures the eternal cycle of death and rebirth in nature & reminds us that in this life, we are ‘off the clock’. Inhale the smell of burning leaves bequeathed to us from our ancestors, those who have breathed the same sweet scent for centuries. We are eternal beings, as the trees shedding their leaves; the daylight concedes more of itself to moonlit darkness, like nature we endlessly recycle. Our recycling nature reminds us that we belong only to each other, and to the earth.

Scorpio is the notorious recycler, capable of shedding many identities in one lifetime. There is no psychological process which brings us closer to death than that of transformation. While we can align our will (choose) to change a habit, a lover, a hairstyle or job, this type of change is light reading for Scorpio. Scorpio transformation is the place we’re taken to- not of our own volition. While there may be an initiatory event, the event doesn’t reflect the soul reverberation, the deep impact. Transformation is a process that occurs largely ‘under wraps’ or ‘beneath the surface’. While we may outwardly resist, dig in our hooves and scream for ice cream like any good Taurus Moon, the Scorpio part of us recognizes our collusion, our secret scheming toward our own abduction. Something has been stirring for awhile and circumstances conspire to bring fruition to our next step in our evolution. This is the event, breakdown or disruption that appears as matter of fact as the morning sun. The journey of our life greets us, sweetly whispering- ‘Hello, dear one, you are not in control’.

This descent into darkness is a global mythology, common to all cultures. Like the myth of Inanna, who descends from the everyday world to her sister down below, the soul moves toward completion by moving downward, into foreign territory. It is the burning desire of the soul to know itself intimately, wholly, which prompts our descent. Moving downward requires relinquishment of something we thought we needed to survive, an idea about our self, the world, the ‘way things are’. What does it feel like to exchange what we thought to be true for something closer to reality, more true? Is it like wearing a blindfold while being led by an unseen hand? Here we experience a potent mixture of fear at what we’ve never known before & find a faith that eventually we will see the light again. The process surrenders light for dark so the world can be experienced more brightly.

Scorpio fears loss of control yet paradoxically possesses tremendous self-control, like a thick iron cauldron. Scorpio says: If you’re in the pot, you can take it. This is the thickness that allows us to thrive even in the thick of things; the burning process we experience in the midst of our inner turmoil, branding us for life. What emerges is a beautiful tattoo, uniquely branded with the hot iron of our own true design. We become tough and shiny in those same places once naïve or incomplete, or raw and bleeding. The scar tissue reminds us of where we are authentic and unafraid. Think back on an event that changed your life. It is inexplicable, the way you now hold your self differently, your life. It just is different. Everything has changed. At that point in time could you control or name what it would become? Transformation, although sensed then, cannot be fully known by our self until its completion, until it is sealed.

As autumn visits and gives way to winter, we become more intimate with the dark. If things feel impactful it’s because these are irrevocable ‘no turning back’ kind of changes. The choices we’re getting ready to make may be tested this autumn as Scorpio energy rids ourselves of what we no longer need. There are twisting passages and secret routes we’ll only discover as we take up the way. We take up the way with the sign that follows, Sagittarius the seeker–who gives us perspective by showing us the big picture through philosophy, religion, seeking universal truth. If Scorpio’s very personal truth-telling brings us closer to what, who and why we love, any transformation we’re experiencing puts us in cahoots with our destiny. Through descent, we remember that what needs to be healed is what separates us from fulfilling our hearts desire. And isn’t that what we’re here for?

Full Moon Day, 11/15. If the most powerful force in the universe is love, the 2nd most powerful must be desire. Only another week- Sun in Scorpio, a fascinating time of year, as we feel deep rumblings of desire, death, the taboo, secret longings long-buried traumas and heartfelt pleas for healing. Our dream figures run hot and cold, low throaty whispers speak to where we’re burning, biting and hissing where we’re ice cold. We crave completion and must do what it takes to get there. A Saturn Venus quincunx may have us feeling rejected or disappointed by others, a little lonely. Uranus changes motion today, stirring up nervous systems, sleep patterns and ritual de habitual. The planet of surprises and sudden changes moves forward only a couple days after Mercury went retrograde. Is this revolutionary thought, or electrical overload? The conversation about what to ‘do differently’ is in full swing. With the number of retrograde planets happening (Mercury, Mars, and soon Saturn) we’re insured plenty of kairos time for revision & re-working, fixing what is broken. Uranus will bring new agendas, new information to what was stuck even as the full moon carries the sense of ‘lockdown’- a grand cross in the sky via Saturn opposing Neptune. We’re impaled on the cross of matter, with many ideas even if we’re not clear how it’s all coming together. It’s a start.

11/16-17 Moon in Gemini, we’re taking in new information, re-evaluating the old. Mercury retrograde is bound to bring repeats, but perfect for having those conversations you’ve been meaning to have. Clear up old business, clear the air. 11/17 Venus and Mars trine, play lovebirds as we find sweet & sexy meeting over lunch, maybe not dinner. This is a practical couple, good for business endeavors and planning the future. Venus in Capricorn takes pleasure in status, money, improving her image, but is Mars broke? Settle for an amuse-bouche. Eich, he’s still moving backwards till December 9 when money matters become clearer. Scorpio sun on Pallas brings hidden information to light.

11/18-19 Moon in Cancer, but she’s not the story. We want nurturing this weekend but Mars square Saturn headlines for the next week. The past few weeks, we’ve been on the slow feed to this aspect known as ‘driving the car with the brakes on’. Is this accurately describing a part of your life? This combo is capable of creating damage only if we push too hard. The impasse is reached between the material, practical limitations of Saturn & Mars’ inclination toward motion. It’s time to practice conscious, responsible action, slow and well-considered. Mars moving backwards (til 12/9) and Saturn’s retrograde (11/22-4/5)-both create a drawn out (8 week) conversation, perfect for re-assessing the feasibility of our long-term goals. This is no time to make a spontaneous decision, but over time we are capable of moving the mountain in measured steps. Meanwhile, Saturn trines the Moon’s nodes favor relationship, partnership commitments. Sign on the dotted line and it just may be for life!

11/20-21 Moon out of phase, then Leo eve of 11/20-21. Retrograde Mercury squares Uranus, again ideas are being batted around. Perceptions are intuitive hits, erratic and inspired or brusque and off-the-cuff. This good idea may not fly, but it’s worth a second look. The Sun moves into Sagittarius 11/21 as the holiday spirit buoys us up for the next month. Festive, fun and restless, Sag is the jolly St. Nick, your favorite cheerleader, the eternal optimist, last one standing at the party. Emotional quicksand of Scorpio has us ready for Sag’s trampoline, where the higher we jump, the more possibilities we envision. Sag’s ruling planet in the sign of Scorpio means we’re still talking about money, merging and catharsis-with more perspective and information now. Expect holiday commercialism to kick in high gear as its Jupiter’s nature to broadcast everything. Don’t overextend on a line of credit, a risk with Jupiter in Scorpio. View all financial exchanges as investments, do they pay dividends?

11/22, 23 Moon in Leo on 11/22, but the fiery energy is upstaged by Saturn gone retrograde til April 2006. The mechanics of our lives slowly grinds to a halt, and then moves backwards. Spiritually, Saturn reminds us of our limits in form, delay time from dream to reality, from prayer to manifestation, from action to consequence. ‘It takes time’-he says. Use the time to examine our foundations, how it will all really work. If you’ve been meaning to renovate the house, do it. If you’re wobbly in an area of your life and need more support, ask for it. Boundaries may need to be set or re-worked, basic physical needs addressed. All this ushered in on the last Quarter Moon in Virgo, 11/23. Possibilities are all measured with an appropriately critical eye.

11/24-25 Thanksgiving on a Moon in Virgo day-watch out for overeating! Moon in Virgo means sensitive tummies, indigestion possible. Sun and retrograde Mercury are together, the mind is a mouthful in itself. When Mercury is heated up by the sun, mental chatter re-ignites old issues & a plethora of opinions. (Mercury under the sunbeams may make objectivity difficult). The gift of Sagittarius brings a storyteller to the table, one who weaves context with enchanting tales of what timelessly connects us all. Re-ignite the spirit of sharing: ask everyone around your table to either share a personal story or make one up. At the end of the day we feel content and loved. 11/25 moon is wandering, as we are on the day after. A good time for catching up with friends, taking it easy as moon makes her way to Libra this evening. Ceres transits Pluto for a sentimental holiday period involving mothers, family, and separations. Whether we’re at home or not, we truly understand: ‘home is where the heart is’.

11/26-27 Moon in Libra wants to balance our equilibrium even as Mercury moves backwards still, a brief dip back into the emotional scrutiny & honesty of the Scorpion. Retrograde reminisces about past hurts, yet joining with Athene and Chiron, healing synthesis is the potential. If it’s broken let’s fix it, but not before a few words are exchanged. 11/27 For the past few days and next, Jupiter and Uranus exact into a swift trine-providing tons of answers, even if they first spew tidal waves of emotion. Possibilities and potential buoy one another up, as something new meets something different. This is optimistic and hopeful energy for everyone to use.

11/28-30 The Scorpio moon is infamous for drawing down and into security, secrecy, protecting the self at all costs. This evening, in rolls Uranus square Sun, like an undercover detective on the beat, turning self-protection into a radical strip tease. Take it all off, change is for the making. Dig around in the dirt tonight for hidden treasure. 11/29 lets us off the hook as we emotionally stabilize for the energy of this next moon cycle. The day before new, moon enters Sag on 11/30 to the tune of Sun quincunx Mars, Mars lining up to oppose Jupiter. Mars is energy, so the risk is overextending energy to the tune of Jupiter who, like a hot air balloon, pumps everything up. Confidence runs high, and may produce errors in judgment. A retrograde Mars in Taurus is stubborn or thwarted energy, especially cranky. Opportunity presents but an old problem flares, or your timing is off. With Mercury, Mars and Saturn all retrograde, it’s hard to create situations that allow forward motion. Be careful not to over commit on time or effort. Re-evaluate, re-negotiate, and re-pair. Take your time as you consider the possibilities ushered in with the New Moon in Sag.