The Context at the Beginning of Scorpio Season 2019
The sun joins the inner planets Mercury and Venus in Scorpio on October 23 marking the beginning of Scorpio season. At that time Mars is in detriment in Libra, Saturn and Pluto are still in Capricorn with the South Node, Uranus is in Taurus, and Neptune is in Pisces.
Planets in Scorpio
Sun joins Mercury and Venus in Scorpio on October 23
Sun opposite Uranus October 27
Mars enters Scorpio November 18
Matters that require finesse (Venus) and force (Mars) may be especially rough in the first week of Scorpio season 2019. Venus is in detriment in Scorpio, and Scorpio’s traditional ruler Mars is in detriment in Libra. The Sun-Uranus opposition on October 27 through Mercury’s retrograde station on Halloween look like an especially chaotic few days that could set the tone for the entire Mercury retrograde (October 31 - November 20). Things improve a bit when Venus escapes watery detriment in Scorpio to join Jupiter in Sagittarius (November 1) and Mars enters Scorpio (November 18), but the Uranus opposition to Scorpio and Mercury retrograde in Scorpio keep the overall vibe messy.
Planets in Sagittarius
Venus joins Jupiter in Sagittarius November 1
Building up to Venus-Jupiter Conjunction November 24
The condition of Venus improves significantly beginning November 1 when the planet moves from detriment in Scorpio to joining well-placed benefic Jupiter in Sagittarius. While other signs of the zodiac may still look rough, keywords like generosity, abundance, and friendship apply to this part of the sky as we head toward a Venus-Jupiter conjunction early in Sagittarius season.
Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio
Pre Retrograde shadow period October 11-31
Mercury Retrograde October 31—November 20
Mercury Retrograde cazimi (conjunction with sun) November 11 configured to Saturn, Pluto, and Neptune
Post Retrograde shadow period November 20—December 7
A Mercury retrograde period’s effect on an individual can be extremely significant or somewhat inconsequential—depending on the individual’s chart and other factors. To identify themes that may be significant for you this Mercury retrograde, consider the pre retrograde shadow period October 11-31. Often themes from the pre retrograde shadow are revisited during the retrograde. Work from the pre retrograde shadow may have to be rethought or redone entirely during the retrograde. Mercury retrograde conjunct the sun (cazimi) is often a moment of clarity in a period of confusion. But this time around, Mercury’s retrograde cazimi November 11 is configured to Saturn, Pluto, and Neptune, and the best one might hope for is a creative solution within the constraints of a major challenge. Mercury stations direct November 20, but there is likely still some unfinished business that will only get resolved in the post retrograde shadow November 20—December 7.
Scorpio Season Moon Phases
New Moon in Scorpio October 27
The moon is considered in its fall in Scorpio, and the October 27 New Moon in Scorpio—in exact opposition to Uranus and concurrent with an exact Mars-Saturn square—is looking pretty rough. Destabilizing is a key word that comes to mind.
1st Quarter Moon in Aquarius November 4
The 1st Quarter Moon on November 4 is a similar flavor (though not quite as dramatic!) with some emphasis on Uranus and concurrent with the Mars-Pluto square.
Full Moon in Taurus November 12
This full moon is a mixed bag. The Moon is typically strong in Taurus, but the November 12 Full Moon shares Taurus with unpredictable Uranus and highlights the Mercury Rx through a close opposition. Actions taken and projects completed at this time may have radical and unanticipated consequences.
3rd Quarter Moon in Leo November 19
This easy-going 3rd Quarter Moon in Leo on November 19 is a bright spot for this lunar cycle, in an exact trine with Jupiter. It’s a great day for some electional astrology (see below!).
Electional Astrology for Scorpio Season
Electional Astrology is the practice of choosing auspicious times to take an action or begin a project based on the astrology of that moment. Here is an election I noticed while studying this time period.
Tuesday November 19 a little after sunrise with Sagittarius rising. This is at 8:02-10:23 AM where I live in Somerville, Massachusetts, but use a tool like https://www.astro.com/cgi/genchart.cgi to see when Sagittarius is rising on November 19 where you live. At this time, Venus is applying to a conjunction with Jupiter in Sagittarius and the Moon is applying to a trine with Jupiter. This election is a good time to initiate matters relating to the self, travel, foreign languages, studies, friends, acquaintances and gatherings.
Scorpio has long been associated with darker themes, like death. Georgia O’Keeffe, born with the Sun, Moon, Mercury and Jupiter in Scorpio is famous for paintings of animal skulls and bones in desert landscapes, and closeup images of flowers that many have interpreted as a representation of genitalia (another Scorpio theme).