This Week’s Astrology: Scorpio Sun, Inner Planets On the Move

Today is Monday, Oct. 24, 2011. The waning Moon begins the day in Virgo and enters Libra at 11:50 am EDT, on its way to the Scorpio New Moon on Wednesday. The Sun moved into Scorpio yesterday just after 2:30 pm EDT, so we start the workweek with solar energy in a new flavor.

While the week’s aspects present opportunity for inner and outer conflict, there are openings to other possibilities. It’s helpful to look at astrology as presenting choices, which may occur on what you can think of as layers of experience. If we go a little deeper, we get to another layer. For example, the Sun is now trine Chiron in Pisces, opening up the flow of energy between these two planets and signs.

That flow might be healing energy, in the form of an emotional flow. Barbara Hand Clow writes that “Chiron aspecting the Sun sets up a dynamic of knowing who we are with the soul in the body, and this spiritual fusion does not develop without service to others.” This is especially true with Chiron in Pisces, a service-oriented sign. In particular, Sun-Chiron-Pisces has creative flair. Remember, artists serve people! Also, note that Sun-Chiron can be about father. Involving the water signs, that means the emotional nature of men and the emotional needs or consequences of creative action. It’s a ‘be aware for opportunities’ kind of thing. The men you now meet may go beyond your notion of men in the past, especially your father.

The rest of the week is marked mainly by inner planet aspects involving Mars, the traditional ruler of Scorpio. Two of our personal planets in Scorpio, Venus and Mercury, are squaring the third this week — Mars (which is placed in Leo). This is, among other things, about understanding the psychology of desire, on the emotional and mental levels. With that Leo Mars, there is something about defining ourselves by what we want — and then assessing the results of that. We have an image of leveraging ourselves through some sort of transformation between our female and male aspects, plus that space within that seemingly has no gender (Mercury). Scorpio energy is powerful and Leo is fiery, so expect your emotions and drive to need some sort of outlet as you investigate. (Cue Sun trine Chiron: a creative outlet, or gentle emotional expression, for example.)

There are other creative opportunities. This week, Mars makes a sextile to Saturn in Libra, a slow aspect that we can use for a while. As you build your understanding of your desire, see how it can strengthen your relationship structures – and how rebalancing those structures may actually provide the freedom to express and experience that desire.

Jupiter retrograde in Taurus is trine Pluto in Capricorn, an aspect that has been developing for many weeks. Ask yourself questions that matter. Note the basis by which you make decisions.

Keep an eye on how values influence institutions and how tradition influences your values – and how all of this is being questioned and reflected by the #Occupy movement, which at its essence is about re-evaluation. At the end of the week, the Sun will take its turn opposing Jupiter, lighting up the Taurus-Scorpio axis again. How do you value yourself and your soul energy? This opposition will shine some light and possibly ask you to dig deep to evolve that inner relationship. Remember Chiron is in that mix, lending a hand with the soul-body fusion if you engage in creative service.

Today we experience the last of those hair-trigger aspects to Uranus by personal planets, with Mercury making the angle. If conversations have been a bit unpredictable, explosive or spontaneous, this is a likely reason why. On the other hand, this is also a great aspect for new ideas – so stay supple and receptive.

As for the currently developing New Moon: since it’s a conjunction of the Sun and Moon in Scorpio, we get to experience the two luminaries we identify with most closely magnifying the deep, transformative waters of Scorpio. This New Moon is conjunct an asteroid, Atlantis, which comes with the feeling of collective fears. These are often an opportunity for recognition, awakening and choice.

The Days of the Dead and Samhain (the proper name for Halloween, pronounced sah-wen) occur in about a week; these days the veil between worlds is thinnest. This year, with a New Moon so close in the mix, this lunar reset button begins a new cycle with some real weight and potential. What intentions do you want to set this year with regard to transformation, sex, death, money or your shadow self? What wisdom from your ancestors is it time to ask for? Which of their bags is it time to give back, with a blessing, so you can travel this next leg a bit lighter? The New Moon is on its way and will arrive before you know it. Start thinking, or more accurately feeling; notice where you can have the power of choice, and set your intentions now.

Looking for insights on how this week’s astrology affects your personal Sun and rising signs? Try out Planet Waves Light, our streamlined horoscope service. For deeper cultural context and astrological investigation, the premium Planet Waves subscription includes the same horoscopes, plus extensively-researched articles on Fridays.