November 13 4:27 AM EST
This new moon marks a fresh beginning- as all new moons do- but an especially significant one since it also marks the end of eclipse season, which began on October 14th with the new moon solar eclipse in Libra. This is the very first Scorpio lunation we have had since 2021 that has not been an eclipse. But it is still nearly as potent!
This is primarily due to the fact that the eclipse, at 20 degrees Scorpio, is very closely conjunct Mars at 22 degrees Scorpio and the sun/moon/Mars conjunction is tightly opposed by Uranus at 21 degrees of Taurus. WOW. This is a firecracker of a planetary configuration. So fair warning: a caution is required. ANY kind of Mars/Uranus opposition is cause for any decent astrologer to remark that this (along with Mars/Pluto aspects) is an astrological signature of surprises, shocks, upheaval and “blindsiding”. While strong Mars aspects can indicate violence, Mars/Uranus also emphasizes technology, nature, science and “groups”- so there could be disruptions or surprises in these areas. It is clear to see how this may apply on the world stage and within the news cycle.
Mars is the planet of action. Its location, by sign, indicates its “preoccupation” and “way of getting its ‘needs met'”. For example, Mars in Libra is preoccupied with interpersonal relationships and beauty, and it gets needs related to these themes met by being diplomatic and charming. Mars in Scorpio, where is it currently located, has a different agenda. Mars is the traditional ruler of Scorpio (Pluto is the modern ruler), and hence Mars is very strong in Scorpio, one of its own domiciles. Mars in Scorpio is preoccupied with power, money, and sex, and it gets its needs in these areas met by being observant, emotionally attuned, determined, and calculating.
Scorpio as a sign, in general, can also be described this way. And when we have a new moon in Scorpio, conjunct Mars, it deeply amplifies all of these themes.
Now that the ‘caution’ about Mars/Uranus aspects is out of the way, we can focus on the higher vibrational potentialities of this aspect, and new moon, which are equally powerful and amplified. Scorpio is a sign of extremes, so the potentialities on both “sides” of the spectrum are very strong. After all, Scorpio is symbolized by both the ‘manipulative’ serpent and the high flying eagle of clarity, impeccability, and vision. How we engage with the energy of Scorpio, and this new moon, is as always, up to us.
On the higher vibrational side of the Scorpio spectrum we have a commitment to healing, transformation and integrity (in the original sense of the word: wholeness). Scorpio is not satisfied with the surface level, with superficialities. Its domain is the inner recesses of the psyche, of humankind, of life itself. It has rulership over the underworld, and our inner psychological processes. Its concern is heredity, trauma, hidden gifts and treasures, and understanding the many faces of power and its uses. This is a loaded area.
Every person has Scorpio in their chart. But those who have a Scorpio sun/moon/or rising are dealing with these themes as a core part of their life and growth journey. And when we have eclipses, or potent new moons, in Scorpio, we are ALL dealing with these themes. Since we have had 18 months of eclipses in Scorpio we have been enjoying some serious collective lessons about Scorpio themes such as manipulation, ‘shadow’ things, collective and individual trauma and its healing, transformations (including biological/sexual ones), sex organs and reproduction, abuses of power, and psychological astuteness (understanding gaslighting, narcissism, etc). These themes have dominated the headlines for the past several years.
Another area that Scorpio has rulership over is ‘collective finances’. We can think of this as anything involving groups of people such as banks, funds, the IRS, insurance companies, trusts, etc. This is contrasted with ‘personal finances’ which is the domain of Taurus, Scorpio’s opposite sign. So there have also been massive shifts and restructuring of many financial institutions over the past several years, as well as how that impacts the general public and the ‘power moves’ that are at play. In line with Scorpio, much of this has been done ‘behind the scenes’.
The eclipses we have been having in both Scorpio and Taurus for the past 18 months show us that there has been huge upheaval (even if it is only partially seen and understood) in our financial world both in our personal spheres and on the global stage. For some this has looked like a windfall but for most it has felt more complicated and nuanced. And we have also likely been tackling the often uncomfortable subjects of sex, power, psychology, trauma, ‘ancestral issues’, and inner purpose in whole new ways through this potent Scorpio eclipse journey.
Well, what have we really gotten out of it?
That is what this new moon is all about. The new moon conjunct Mars wants us to GET ON WITH IT. Again, Mars is the planet of action. Whatever it is we have learned, or whatever it is that we want to accomplish NOW, after the tumult of the past several years, this new moon is pushing us to do the thing, make the move, and get into action around all of it.
That said : How can we be SURE we are really on “the right path”? How can we be sure that whatever plans we are intent on putting into action now are exactly what is right for us? Our highest path?
Short answer: We can’t. The best we can do is listen for our inner knowing and heed its wisdom. We can learn to distill and interpret its signals in our body and energy field (Taurus lessons). The problem is that we are not ‘taught’ how to do this by the culture at large and instead most people spend much of their waking life drowning out the sound of their inner wisdom with the noise of the rollercoaster news cycle, or distorting their body’s signals with toxic foods or chemicals. So sometimes it requires major ‘curve balls’ or disruptions to catch our attention.
Hence: Uranus. The great awakener. The planet of disruption, surprises, and epiphanies. Uranus in Taurus is opposite this sun/moon/Mars Scorpio conjunction providing that electric shock of surprise that has the power to get us to think twice, to take a second look, to wake up and see if the direction we are now very deliberately, purposefully, passionately headed is REALLY what we want. If it’s a YES, from our true selves, from our higher wisdom and knowing, then we can get some wonderful alignments and positive surprises from Uranus. Things can “just click” in seemingly magical ways. If, however, there are some failings in our plans or simply some things that we need to see or recognize, then those can come to light now too. Which, of course, can be unpleasant.
But the truth is that we need to see if there are holes in our plans or vision. That is the only way that we can course correct and get into better alignment. So even if we get some surprises that we prefer not to have during this new moon cycle, it’s wise to keep this big picture sense of perspective. And, furthermore, it is likely that things are playing out in different ways in different parts of our life. For example, it’s possible that in our personal lives, we are thriving with happy Uranus surprises and Mars adding extra magnetism and sexual charisma to our relationships. But perhaps we are simultaneously dealing with unwelcome Uranian disruptions in our career situation and need to reassess our choices and path forward. So it’s not one size fits all.
Mars, as a co-ruler of the new moon, is very important and has already been discussed in detail. Pluto, as the other co-ruler of Scorpio, is also significant, and is fortunately harmoniously aspected to the new moon, and also to Uranus. As the planet associated with potent transformation it is auspicious to have Pluto, at 28 degrees of Capricorn, lending support here. The more we lean into what is happening, even when it feels unexpected, the more quickly we can get to the other side of it, and extract the Plutonian richness from the situation.
Just as Mars is in its home sign of Scorpio, Venus too is in one of its home signs: Libra. So while Mars in Scorpio is doubling down on its forceful purpose and action, Venus in Libra is doubling down on its own bottom lines: harmony, cooperation, fairness and balance. These are non-negotiables. While shadow lower vibrational Scorpio can have a “might is right” “my way or the high way” “the ends justify the means” mentality and do *anything* to get its way- Venus in Libra here is a strong reminder that things will always find their way to balance in the end. So we might as well approach any and all situations from a win-win fair-minded perspective, and thus sidestep any unnecessary dramatic rude awakening or pendulum swings (Uranus).
There is also support in the form of a trine from Neptune in Pisces to the sun/moon/Mars Scorpio conjunction. Like the positive sextile from Pluto to the new moon, Neptune in Pisces is encouraging us to TRUST and lean into whatever awakenings or epiphanies are coming up now, and listen CLOSELY for our inner voice and wisdom. It is speaking to us loudly now. And ideally is the voice that active Mars is choosing to listen to and follow.
Finally, we have Mercury at 4 degrees of Sagittarius. Sagittarius is an optimistic and free-spirited energy, but Mercury positioned here can “come off the rails” a bit, since clever Mercury at its best has clean, clear discernment and communication. The caution with Mercury in Sagittarius is that wishful thinking, rashness, impulsivity, or grandoisity can get the best of us. There can be exaggeration or we can be over-the-top in some way with our communication which, when combined with the Mars/Uranus opposition, can easily enflame situations. So it’s wise to think twice and double check everything communications related.
This new moon certainly packs a punch, but again, it’s all about how we deal with it and approach it. If we are open to seeing where we may need to course correct then we leave room for that to be a gentle experience. Possibly even an incredibly uplifting and exciting one. When we keep trying to go through a door that is closed, however, that is a sign that we need to look for another door. The more we try to force things, the more disruptive our Uranian re-alignments may be. So this is a time to look for the silver linings- their true value may only be recognizable in hindsight.
*art by @jenny.baumert
vibrational-astrology.com 