Thursday is an unusual day astrologically: the Sun, Moon and Venus all move into Scorpio, and meet up for a New Moon and a partial solar eclipse. Two days later, Mercury stations direct in Libra. So your life from now through the weekend may feel especially concentrated, but we’re all in this together — and it looks like some astrological factors will be easing the way.
Photo by Hal J. Cohen, taken at Amy Stacey Curtis‘ “Matter” installation, Oct. 4, 2014.
First, the basic facts: in a span of less than 12 hours on Oct. 23, the Sun, Moon and Venus will all leave Libra. The Sun enters Scorpio at 7:57 am EDT, the Moon and Venus enter Scorpio nearly simultaneously just minutes before and after 5 pm EDT, and the solar eclipse conjunct Venus happens just before 6 pm.
Scorpio is a water sign associated with intense emotions, deep eroticism, power, money and transformation — areas that make plenty of people squirm. Eclipses, in turn, are associated with periods of accelerated change: letting go of what you no longer need to make room for internal (and external) updates that will move you forward.
We tend to fear change just as intensely as we say we desire it, making eclipses more psychologically complex than perhaps they need to be.
A peek at the minor planets reveals something that may help us slide into Scorpio’s realm with minimal resistance — maybe even a sense of accomplishment.
Minor planet 1992 QB1 is in early Taurus, opposite where the Sun, Moon, Venus (and asteroid Pallas) are clustering. 1992 QB1 is associated with crossing thresholds into new phases of life and the people who assist the process. Midwives are a prime example of what Eric Francis likes to call a “thresholder.”
In Taurus, associated with the material world and the body, 1992 QB1 looks like it’s playing midwife in this event. It’s “grounding” (in an earth sign) all the deep, emotional transformation (or its potential) and the erotic undertones of the Scorpio cluster. It anchors the somewhat abstract need to cut away the superficialities of life and focus on what is truly important, by presenting a tangible sense of a doorway you can step through.
In other words, even if you are feeling a sense of pressure or fear about impending changes right now, try thinking of these few days less as an “ultimatum” and more like someone holding the door open for you. Actually look for the person(s) in your life acting in some capacity as a coach, guide, cheerleader, “creative birthing assistant” or emotional midwife. This person will be mirroring back to you what you might otherwise be afraid to see within yourself, despite (or even because of) the intense inward focus of this Scorpio eclipse.
Retrograde Mercury has also been urging us to look inward (and hear echoes from the past), though in relationship-centered Libra. It stations direct at 3:16 pm EDT Oct. 25. This means we’re currently in Mercury’s “storm” phase; pay extra attention to details from now through early next week as Mercury sorts itself out. That includes stepping up your efforts to listen, speak and write carefully; drive mindfully and patiently; focus on tasks with full presence.
Mercury stationing direct often comes with a moment when “the truth comes out” about something, and this moment will be occurring close on the heels of the eclipse. Consider any gold nugget of truth you receive in full context of whatever else is unfolding for you between today and next week.
The deep internal plunge of the Scorpio events is going to play out in relationship to others, so having patience with loved ones with a stormy Mercury in Libra will be key. Keep your eyes peeled for the metaphors to emerge in your life, including those that arrive in human form.
Excellent Amanda. Thanks.
Thank you, Amanda.
Thank you, Amanda. Your invocation of 1992 QB1 is both a great observation and a convincingly rendered interpretation that gives a fresh face to the Scorpio solar eclipse.Yet another reason to be grateful for you!
The eclipse has already knocked me for six – my grandpa passed away Tuesday afternoon. It’s good to know there may be something pleasant lurking behind.
“Scorpio is a water sign associated with intense emotions, deep eroticism, power, money and transformation…”
Lies! Lies! Lies!
I need a Creative Birthing Assistant… Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
Seriously though, amazing writing Amanda, as always! 🙂
I thought I’d share for those interested in crystal meditation and healing, one stone I am inspired to sit with right now is Selenite. It is one of the most powerful upper and etheric chakra stones present. It directs energy in such a way as to promote mental clarity and connect one to the higher self and non physical guides.
Selenite is also the only crystal, because of it’s clarity, that doesn’t need clearing. It clears itself and will also clear any other crystals you may have in your arsenal just by placing them on the Selenite. It can also help to align your spine! Lovely article on the eclipse. Thank you for your insight.
“Keep your eyes peeled for the metaphors to emerge in your life”.
Holy Crap, I almost stepped on a scorpion that was poised to strike next to the flip flops that I should have had on my feet. Eek!!! Synchronicity trance. Time to watch my step 🙂
Excellent, Amanda. Thank you!
“The deep internal plunge of the Scorpio events is going to play out in relationship to others, so having patience with loved ones with a stormy Mercury in Libra will be key.”
Yes, I have found myself needing to exercise more compassion for those around me the past several days. I don’t feel that I’m immune to these volatile energies, but with a fourth house natal Sun and lots of Scorpio/eighth house signatures, I naturally gravitate to inner work, and in a way, revel in it. I’ve realized that not everyone does, and this intense energy can sometimes overwhelm people. Patience is definitely key here, something I’ve been learning to embrace more and more.
Oh, Hugging Scorpio–Yes, Selenite is one of my favorite crystals. I actually have a small piece I carry around with me in my pocket wherever I go, especially when doing bodywork. I just realized I’ve been forgetting to take it with me lately. Thanks for the reminder! A perfect cleansing stone for this eclipse.
Great insights Amanda.
“Eclipses, in turn, are associated with periods of accelerated change: letting go of what you no longer need to make room for internal (and external) updates that will move you forward.”
This has been a strong theme in life over the last month or so. I think about it like this:
Let go of the sand castles – those parts of life that you put a lot of time and energy into, only to see all the effort washed away with the next tide.
Thanks for your work.
Amy Elliot – I send you condolences for your grandpa. Tuesday night I lost my great aunt, and it feels like I’ve had the rug pulled out from under me.
Thank you J – very sorry to hear about your great aunt too. Hope the rest of the eclipse season is easier for you. X
Thank you for this, Amanda. Glad I came up for air.
Yes, yes, thank you for invoking Taurean QB1 holding space. Really good to know, and I can feel that energy. You also invoke an image of Mercury standing on the other side of the eclipse portal, turning around and extending a gift … something I thought I lost, or did not recognize as important? A dreamlike, tarot card like quality emerging in this astrology. Beautifully written, seen, and felt, Amanda.
My heart goes out to everyone who has experienced losses. I heard somewhere that the time between eclipses is a portal that makes it easier to cross over. Any validation to that?
“We tend to fear change just as intensely as we say we desire it” – ah, so true, Amanda! I’ve been working with that BIG both/and as part of potential major changes in my life. No outcome yet, but in the meantime, I have time/opportunity to befriend the possibilities.
Jinspace & Amy, my condolences. I lost my dearest friend this past summer, suddenly & unexpectedly, & grief is often close by. We pass through it, but it cannot be hurried.
So sorry to hear about your loss Amy and jinspace and Bette. I experienced four deaths of relatives in a very short time span a few years ago, it does take time to get through it, but be sure to take the time. Many people tried to tell me when I should be done mourning, and I didn’t listen to them, I listened to my inner voice. I found that death forces you to analyze inward and the past in very intense ways, so this seems fitting for the current astrology. Condolences and best wishes to all who have experienced loss.
Hugging Scorpio, I have celestite near me as I work, and it is very helpful. I will have to get some Selenite per yours and Chad’s recommendations.
I am so ready for and excited about the changes that are happening. I have been transported to a different place, and it feels good. 1992QB1 is in my 10th house, and I have crossed a threshold into a new phase of life. Since the eclipse on 10/8 I have gotten three new part time jobs, all related to something I did in the past, one of them just contacted me today. I had no choice but to agree to these during Mercury retrograde, but I have confidence that any renegotiation that will take place will work out for the best. This eclipse is conjunct Ixion in my chart in the 4th house (and not far from my meridian at 26 Libra/Aries square my Sun), so I have been cleansing my house with sage and creating protective boundaries, and keeping my psychic antenna attuned to my surroundings and all the new people that have entered my world in this new phase. Over the years I have learned to be very cautious with new people and not reveal too much until I have a sense of their awareness and intentions. Patience is the key as you say Amanda, thank you for your wonderful and thought provoking writing.