Scorpio

October 23rd - November 21st  

Scorpio's contrasting personality is depicted beautifully in this photo of the Indian Ocean crashing on the beach of Struisbaai

(a fishing village along the South African coast).

Each newsletter includes a Juanita Coetzer photograph.

To see more of her talented visual art, 

click on the photo or follow her on Facebook.

The scorpion is a venomous creature capable of paralyzing its victims with one sting of its unsheathed tail, and in some cases, can even be fatal. They were here even before the dinosaurs, and scientists believe that 400 million years ago, they may have been the first animals to migrate from water to land. The scorpion is so potent and compelling that the Egyptians deified it in the form of Selket, the scorpion goddess of the dead. She is usually depicted on the walls of tombs, arms spread open protectively over the departed. The Hindu’s regard the scorpion as a “threshold” creature, capable of opening a doorway to the other side. Even Scorpio’s birthstone, topaz, contain elements of mystical powers. As a crystal, topaz is said to release occult powers, bringing peace of mind while offering protection from enemies or ill-health.

Of all the astrological outlines superimposed over their constellations, the stars comprising the sign of Scorpio actually resemble a scorpion. The myth begins with the death of Orion, son of Neptune. A handsome and fearless hunter, he was well-known for his prowess, strength, and virile masculinity. As with all mythology, there are many versions of this particular tale, but in one, Orion vowed to kill every animal on Earth. Gaia, goddess of Earth and protector of animals sent Scorpio, a giant scorpion, to kill Orion before he could do any harm. In gratitude to Scorpio, Gaia placed him in the sky, where each spring, he rises to chase Orion out of the heavens.

Samhain

October 31st

“May the winds be gentle, may the bees be blessed,

may water flow free and clean. 

May cold pass to heat in even measure, 

for each right month of the year.”

– Samhain Blessing

Samhain (pronounced sow-win or sav-ven) is Gaelic generally meaning ‘summer’s end’. You’ll find it referred to several other names by many modern-day pagans, depending on personal preference and Celtic roots.

The Wheel of the Year is comprised of four Sabbats (the equinoxes and solstices) and four seasonal cross-quarter festivals. In the northern hemisphere, Samhain is the halfway point between the Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice. Even though the actual astronomical midpoint is closer to November 6, most celebrate Samhain on October 31st.

Samhain is the third and final of the three harvest festivals, marking the moment the Wheel has come full circle. The crops have been gathered and the herd animals have been brought back from grazing. We bid farewell to Sun’s waning light and spend more time indoors as temperatures grow cold. Now is the time to focus on the preparations for the coming winter.

The Veil

A night of the living dead is celebrated in all parts of the world at around roughly the same time. The Wheel turns to the final spoke symbolizing the ‘closing down’ of the year. The Autumn harvest comes to an end epitomizing the dying and death phase within the circle of life. This is the ideal time to honour our ancestors and departed loved ones; and when you hear the term, “thinning of the veil”.

The veil is said to be a membranelike barrier separating the dimensions of our physical world and that of the Spirit. It is believed that during Samhain, this boundary is at its thinnest, a time when Spirits can cross over, while us mortals have increased psychic and intuitive abilities to receive. This is the mystical equation that allows Spirits to communicate more easily with the living.

In centuries past, villagers left food offerings at the edge of their communities for wandering spirits and those from the otherworld. Not every creature that crossed over was welcome however, and fearful citizens dressed as animals to fool a fairy or sprite wanting to kidnap a villager or two. Food was prepared and set out to appease the mischievous and the dangerous. They carved jack-o’-lanterns and burned torches along the edge of walkways to keep the witches away.

New Moon in Scorpio

November 4, 2021 @ 5:15 p.m. EST

The New Moon joins her brother the Sun in Scorpio @ 12˚39’. New Moons are about new beginnings, initiating change and taking action. With both celestial bodies in the same sign of Scorpio, this is a terrific time to:

1) Take inventory of your emotions. Is jealousy or insecurity causing issues? Are you in a head-to-head power struggle with someone? Take a step back to recognize and acknowledge these feelings. This is not a time to judge how you feel about it, just a time to concede these emotions. We are delightfully human after all, and these feelings are a natural part of our process.

2) Forgive. Create a ritual around any harboured grudges or negativity. Write them out on a piece of paper, strike a match, and watch them burn. The only one you hurt by holding onto past resentments and injustices, is you. Clean the slate and move forward with lighter energy and without the emotional baggage weighing you down. Leave the rest to Karma - she knows what she's doing.

Full Beaver Moon Eclipse in Taurus

November 19, 2021 @ 3:59 a.m. EST

The November Full Moon is the twelfth Moon of Creation. It goes by many names – Frosty Moon, Oak Moon, Dark Moon, and Mourning Moon, among others. The Ojibwe call her Little Spirit Moon and consider this a time of healing. However, like any self-respecting Canadian, my favourite reference is the Beaver Moon. The name came about as a result of the fur trapping days, when the first Full Moon in November was a sign the beavers were about to go into hibernation, and Winter was on her way.

The Full Moon opposes her brother the Sun in Scorpio. Full Moons are about self-reflection and releasing that which no longer serves you. You can augment this energy during your Full Moon Ritual, by knowing which house Taurus is in your natal chart. This information allows you to really zero in on what to specifically focus on between now and the Full Moon in Gemini. Add to that the eclipse energy and you’ve got an amazing opportunity for pure break-through moments. 

TAROT CARD

for Scorpio Season

Tarot De La Nuit by Carole Anne Eschenazi