Every four weeks or so, the Sun and Moon travel through the sky alongside one another. On a zodiac chart, that natural phenomenon shows up as the Sun and Moon in the same degree of the same sign: a New Moon.
When the Sun and Moon are in the same degree of the same sign, we do not see the Moon. Only the side facing away from Earth is illuminated by the Sun. The small amount of light reflected by Earth upon the Moon is washed out by the Sun’s glare.
Though it be unseen, and even though every New Moon is defined as a zodiacal conjunction of the two luminaries, no two New Moons are the same. Even so, every New Moon is a reminder. With every monthly absence of Luna’s glow from the night sky, we are given reason to remember the cyclical nature of all things — both above and below.
With every New Moon, the previous monthly cycle of lunar phases ends, even as the next lunation simultaneously begins. Endings and beginnings merge into one unceasing continuum. With every merger of the Sun and Moon, there is a different context. The Sun’s position in its own yearly cycle, and your own position in the cycle of Earth’s seasons, are part of that context. The remainder is made up of where each planet is in its own cycles relative to other planets, along with where you and every other being are in the cycles of life.
The New Moon in Scorpio on Sunday shortly after 1:38 pm EDT (17:38:06 UTC) will in fact serve to orient each and all of us relative to a great many things. In relation to the seasons, Sunday’s New Moon will anticipate the midpoint between the Libra equinox and the Capricorn solstice. On the zodiac, that midpoint will be represented by the Sun precisely in the middle of Scorpio (an event that will occur on Nov. 6 or Nov. 7, depending on where you live).
Interestingly, the traditions of many different human cultures on Earth intersect when the Sun approaches and reaches the middle of Scorpio. Although the details differ, the common perception is of the cycles of life and death merging into one another. Many of you know this occasion as Halloween, an artifact of older, deeper and more serious observances dating back to days when every person was close to the Earth and familiar with the sky.
Perhaps more than interestingly, this coming Nov. 6 is when daylight savings time ends in the U.S. In addition, Nov. 8 will be the day citizens of the U.S. vote for their next president — for better or worse a significant event for all earthly beings. Hence, this year there is a unusual confluence of multiple natural cycles with several of those created artificially and arbitrarily by human beings. It is a set of occurrences worthy of note, especially when you consider that all of them will be taking place within the lunar cycle that will be renewed on Sunday.
For their part, the planets are also joining in. Sunday’s New Moon will take place just days after Mercury merges with the Scorpio Sun to renew their own respective cycle, and just hours after Venus and Saturn have similarly conjoined in Sagittarius.
On the whole, Sunday’s New Moon in Scorpio looks like it will represent more than just a renewing merger of the Sun and Moon, thanks to the astrological events that will occur during the following four weeks.
Indeed, it is as if the cycles of uncounted ages and generations are coming together like a multitude of rivers flowing into a vast and majestic sea, to remind you not only of your humble place, but also of your simultaneously indispensable importance.
For you would not be alive at such a time if you were not worthy to participate in creating it. Go forth, and show that you understand. Take your hand at turning the wheel yet another time.
Offered In Service
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On the new moon Venus is conjunct my natal sun to the degree and saturn conjunct my natal mercury to the degree with the new moon & sun forming quintiles with makemake rising in my chart. Something about the mystery, and fatefulness of the artistic journey. Creativity is flowing, when I meditate I feel like I’m dying a thousand little deaths these Scorpionic days. My experience has felt like an altered primal state lately, and seems to be heightening by the day.
Michael: Thank you sharing how a crucial part of your nativity is being impacted by the astrology of Sunday’s New Moon. When you write of “…the mystery, and fatefulness of the artistic journey.”, it reminds me of the early blues artists and what they shared of their lives with posterity. From what you have written, it appears as if you have a very aware handle on your Scorpionic meditations and experiences. One additional thing you might want to take into account is whether or not your natal Mercury was rising before the Sun. Those born with Mercury leading the Sun into the morning sky tend to thrive with a Prometheian mindset (reminiscent of Uranus, except more ephemeral). On the other hand, those born when Mercury is following a setting Sun seem to make the most of what the legacy of thought has to offer. Of course, and as always, it is important to see the entire birth chart in holistic context. Hope that helps. Thank you for continuing to share your inspirational journey with us.
Thank you for your interesting comment, Michael, and your fascinating response, Len! Central and southern Italy (where I live) is being rocked by earthquakes at the moment, so I don’t know how much is me, and how much is the earth I’m living on – am trying to explore this during my meditations right now.
Lizzy: Thinking of you, and wishing you safe passage through these tremors you are experiencing. I really don’t think it’s you. Ancient mythology is filled with allusions to the seismically active area where you live. It was explained in part as the legacy of the battles in which the pantheon gods (with Zeus/Jupiter as their leader) overcame and buried the Titans. Notably, the final showdown between Zeus/Jupiter and Typhon (if memory serves) ending with Typhon being buried under Mt. Etna. Many astrologers also correlate “hard” aspects from Mars to Uranus with what the late, great astrologer Rachelle (“Rockie”) Gardiner called “earthquake weather”. Let’s see if the passing of our current Mars-Uranus closing square brings some seismic stability and quietude to you part of the world.
Oh I do hope so dear Len! I thought the Mars-Uranus square might have something to do with it. I LOVE your mythological explanations! Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, and your wonderful supportive words. I feel better already – as my chair shakes (ever so slightly) beneath me, as I write this, for the umpteenth time. Bless you. (((())))
Though what I’m experiencing is nothing to what those poor souls in the earthquake zones are going through.
Virtual hugs right back to you, Lizzy. May those in the earthquake zones receive blessings in proportion to their hardships. May all of us remember that there, but for some form of good fortune, go each and every one of us. Please stay in touch to let us know how things continue to go there in the heart of antiquity.
Thank you, lovely Len! Will do! And in the meantime I will direct good thoughts and vibes to those hit by the earthquake.
Thanks Len, that’s good info, and with Mercury trailing it’s no wonder I “make the most of what the legacy of thought has to offer”. Instead of snatching the rod & demanding that the new paradigm be created “NOW!”; I often choose to fall in line with tradition, and work subversively as an agent of change from the inside. For example, taking the traditional college route as opposed to say for instance wild abandonment. Though I feel the pull of both, and try to balance the two. It seems to be working for me. Life is alchemy baby!