Jonathan Pearl - Star Pearls Column

Star Pearls 10*23*06

Scorpio
Star*Watch
Straight to the Moon
Wandering Stars

Dear friends,

Of all the signs, which one elicits the most shudders? Sure Aries might be seen as self centered, Taurus can be possessive, Gemini inconstant, etc, but no sign is as deeply potent as Scorpio. Messenger Mercury and rich uncle Jupiter are already in the sign of the scorpion; on Monday the Sun and Mars join them and Venus follows the very next day. Count'em: 5 of 7 visible planets in Scorpio, and for a brief few hours Tuesday morning that number will be 6 thanks to the Moon. The odds of this kind of lineup on the planetary slot machine are indeed rare.

Scorpio is one of the more misunderstood signs - what is the section of the zodiac about? First of all, like Cancer and Pisces, Scorpio is a water sign. While its true that scorpions differ from crabs and fish in that they prefer dark nooks and deserts instead of rocky shores and oceans, we are still in the realm of emotions. The water signs are the feelers of the zodiac; Cancer feels on the inside with a pull towards nourishing self and others; Pisces feels the whole with the perspective of compassionate oneness; Scorpio feels the dynamics and power plays of relationships.

Scorpio is a fixed sign. This means whatever emotion is there tends to stick. The common word is obsession. But this same fixity gives great staying power on any emotional level. No inconstant lovers here; Scorpio partners, if they are on your side, will stay with you to the end. Therapy is best in Scorpio times or with a like-minded counselor who can stay unflinchingly at the strongest emotions. Any activity that demands the ability to seek and take the truth, whatever that truth is, comes naturally to the animal who ferrets it out in the darkest places.

The ruler of Scorpio (from the tradition, of course) is Mars. This is what gives Scorpio the potency and involvement with power plays in the context of feelings and relationships. While cardinal Aries will have an quick and active manifestation of Mars energy, Scorpio bides its time; yet when it does act no sign acts with more force (OK Leo and Scorpio close here, both depending on condition of Sun and Mars). Since Scorpio is feminine, this action is often in response to something else as opposed to Aries and Leo which take the lead.

What about Pluto? Sorry, no. While both Pluto and Mars can be violent and have to do with power, Pluto eliminates and forces an end; the creation comes as some aspect of life is 'killed' or taken away and then there is space for a new form to spring up; Mars is the 'going for' principle and while it can destroy through hostility at times, it is a more creative force. Wherever Pluto is we expect an end of the current manifestation of that sign and then some new form following; where Mars is we expect increased potency and drive of that sign. Big difference! And while Mars turned bad can produce the difficult experiences like arguing, hostility and even violence; Pluto's power goes far beyond this, far beyond what you thought was possible.

The stereotypes are true - Scorpio rules the sex organs, and planets moving through Scorpio do more than affect us psychologically. Planet energy moves the body. Just check out all the sex themed Halloween costumes and parties this time of year in the Bay Area.

With 5 planets in Scorpio for more than 3 weeks (any lineup of more than 3 planets in one sign can be called a stellium, so now we've got a big one), those who know their rising sign can see what area of life is getting the positive sting. Here's a quick run-down:

Scorpio rising, stellium in the 1st house - You yourself acting with the maximum of power. Whatever you want, go after it.

Sagittarius rising, stellium in the 12th house - Great gains in therapy, retreats and time to hide out in the bedroom but watch self destructive action especially involving career and relationships.

Capricorn rising, stellium in the 11th house - With so many forces acting on the benefic 11th, you'll have opportunities with friends, overall gains and more force behind your dreams of life.

Aquarius rising, stellium in the 10th house - Career! Whatever your career goals, act.

Pisces rising, stellium in the 9th house - For you travel, education and spirituality are emphasized, yet work is less of a focus. Go somewhere, learn something, find your true path.

Aries rising, stellium in the 8th house - You may be supporting others, have something going on with other people's money or your partner may be having a huge financial month. For you, though, money is more problematic. Scorpio is a deep energy in the complex 8th - sorry Aries you are a bit out of league here; frequent sex might be the best way through these 3 weeks!

Taurus rising, stellium in the 7th house - Partnerships and how you are drawn to them are what this time is about for you.

Gemini rising, stellium in the 6th house - A new pet, gains in health or work skills can happen easily now. While this may not sound as sexy as some of the others, at least you'll have less drama as well.

Cancer rising, stellium in the 5th house - How interesting that the mother sign has the sign of sex on their house of pleasure. For men and those not wanting to be mothers, this time is also powerfully creative but only when you are enjoying it. Have fun with those emotions, Cancer!

Leo rising, stellium in the 4th house - A focus on home and family, a return to roots.

Virgo rising, stellium in the 3rd house - Communications, short trips, writing and siblings are all possibilities for the Scorpio energy to show up for you.

Libra rising, stellium in the 2nd house - Yup, $$$!

Next week we'll see what Homer had to say about Scorpio.

I'm a full time astrologer dedicated towards passing on the wisdom of this venerable tradition to help you live your life. For information on a life or update reading, please visit the Services page. Contact me for an appointment.

Want even more astrology? Check out the writings of two fine young Australian women astrologers both leaning in the traditional direction.

Email cassmbt@optusnet.com.au to get on Cassandra Tyndall's excellent email list and visit http://www.kellysurtees.com/ for a great site from another 'already there' up and coming astrologer.

Regular readers know that astrology is not just a general influence but affects us minute to minute. Here's my latest best: On Wednesday 10/18 I highlighted calls for down after 10:17, up after 10:55, down after 12:44, up after 1:54 and up again 3:25 to close - and ALL of these happened to the very minute! Check the predictions and chart here.

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Star*Watch - More info here.

Sun * into Scorpio. The pleasant diplomacy and dialog of Libra shifts to the emotional depths and power plays of Scorpio. Whatever we want, especially in relationships, we go for with more force; yet Scorpio knows not to play the first hand. Good for deep emotional work, yet easy to get stuck on feelings too. The best of Scorpio is creation through competition.

Moon * Moving towards 1st Quarter in Aquarius on Sunday 10/29.

Monday 10/23 * Moon in Scorpio, Mars into Scorpio. Though some astrology sites may make this Scorpio stellium sound like the apocalypse, really it isn't that bad. With Jupiter here, the Sun giving stability and Mars strong in its home turf we have good potential for the very best manifestation this sign. This means harnessing the power of deep emotions, positive sexuality and competitive creation.

Tuesday 10/23 * Moon in Scorpio, into Sagittarius 11:55 am, Venus into Scorpio early and Venus conjunct Mars late. Long time readers know I have written of the dance of Venus and Mars as cosmic dance of women and men. Today is the conjunction, from conjunctio, the act of joining - the most powerful aspect of all. Need I spell out more?

Wednesday 10/24 * Moon in Sagittarius, Jupiter square Saturn. If lately you have been feeling financial pressure, the sense of opportunities being cut off, a willingness to settle for hardships and give up what you thought was a greater good, and even general blahs; any or all of these can happen under the significant aspect of Jupiter square Saturn, when cosmic Santa's sleigh breaks an axle and the reindeer mope around having to wait. As this aspect passes and Jupiter regains force, prosperity, optimism, faith and even better luck will return!

Thursday 10/25 * Moon in Sagittarius, into Capricorn 8:45 pm. Sag ruler Jupiter has been in Scorpio since last October, but Jupiter has been retrograde or square to Saturn for most of that time. This means that the potentials of Jupiter in Scorpio - therapy and other healing modalities, positive sexuality and tantra, joint financial arrangements - have been on hold or happening with struggle. Now through the end of November, we get the goods.

Friday 10/26 * Moon in Capricorn, Sun conjunct Venus. Sun conjunct Venus means essential life (Sun) is in union with love, desire and beauty (Venus) - but let's not forget the Scorpio part! We love our steamy side, we are attracted to the depths, find beauty in darkness and desire deep intimacy and truth.

Saturday 10/27 * Moon in Capricorn, Mercury Retrograde! If all these Scorpio deep emotions weren't enough, Mercury stationing will amplify our mind energy at the same time. Mercury stationing right near Jupiter is a positive - we take the higher road through the power plays and find some wisdom in the power of our emotions. Communication with teachers and learning from wisdom figures is also highlighted throughout the week.

Sunday 10/28 * Moon in Aquarius, Neptune direct. Gadzooks, let's add yet another significant planet motion to the mix. Neptune is fantasyland and at its best has to do with ideals, art, music and transcendent experience; but the easier ways to Cloud9 these days usually involve drugs (sugar, alcohol, whatever) and sometimes that fantasy can translate as deception. Neptune direct will amplify desire for Could9 experience; yet all this Scorpio energy will insist on emotional depth and honesty. Let music move your soul to the core; experience art that is more real than your reality; let the more open space of the occasional trip to cloudland lead to penetrating insight.

Have a stellar week!

Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl

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Wandering Stars - the planets

Mercury * in Scorpio. Mercury in Scorpio is a deeply penetrating mind. Whatever truth needs uncovering, whatever force of intellect we need to power through, Mercury in Scorpio can do it. Mercury in Scorpio is also very good for talk therapy.

*** Mercury Rx alert 10/28 - 11/17 ***

Venus * in Libra, into Scorpio October 24. The lover in Scorpio is attracted to deep intimacy, emotional honesty, loves a kind of healthy competition in relationships, and, yes, sex and more sex. The traps: jealous obsessions and upsetting 3rd parties in love. Venus in Scorpio from October 24 to November 17.

Mars * in Libra, entering Scorpio on October 23. Why is Mars the ruler of Scorpio? Because to get to the bottom of things, to deal with deepest emotions, to face the whole of life, all of these take courage. When you need guts warrior Mars is who you want to show up. Mars in Scorpio on the better side gives tremendous potency and staying power to all the Scorpio drives; yet on a bad day can mean entrenched battles in relationships, love obsessions that take over life, and being unyielding in our interactions which can easily cause trouble. Mars in Scorpio from October 23 to December 5.

Jupiter * in Scorpio. Now finally passing the many month square to Saturn, so we get the positive side of Scorpio at last. Jupiter in Scorpio blesses therapies, healing modalities, joint finance arrangements and amplifies our sexuality. Jupiter wants to do good, but in Scorpio functions by responding to others with some kind of attack. The energy: This might hurt, but it is for your own good and my own protection! Great regeneration and power is possible if we find the positive side of our deepest emotions. Jupiter here also benefits Aquarius (by antiscion) and sister water signs of Cancer and Pisces. Jupiter in Scorpio through November 2006.

Saturn * in Leo. Developments in some long term structures in life are moving forward, but concrete Saturn moving into an opposition with destabilizing Neptune. This is a major aspect and will set the tone for everything else later this summer and on into 2007. Saturn in Leo through September 2007.

Dragon's Head * in Pisces. We advance towards peace, arts and spirituality, and partnerships are also a must. Without the sweet embrace of love, substitutes can be not just an occasional indulgence but a routine.

Dragon's Tail * in Virgo. As placements go, this is a bit tough. The Dragon's Tail is like the tai-chi master doing quiet movements but little else. How does this function in the sign of accomplishment through detail & perfection? We let go of ways we are unnecessarily restrictive. Hard work is a virtue, but unless guided by a Pisces wholeness will never bring us true peace.

* * * MAY ALL BE AUSPICIOUS * * *