Jonathan Pearl - Star Pearls Column

Star Pearls 11*06*06

Scorpio Intrigues
Star*Watch
Straight to the Moon
Wandering Stars

Dear friends,

After Odysseus proves himself in the games (see last week's column for Scorpio part I), the herald strikes up his lute again and sings an "irresistible" song, the tale of Ares and Aphrodite. Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, was married to the ugly Hephaestus, blacksmith god of crafts. She was enjoying secret dalliances with Ares, god of war, but a messenger tipped off Hephaestus. In anguish, he plotted his revenge and created a trap to catch the lovers in the act. He pretended to go on a journey and knew the pair would head straight to bed, right into his trap. The chains fell down and caught them, unable to move. Hephaestus returns with his heart in anguish, yet victorious over the god of war. The other gods have a good laugh at this, since the powerful Ares was caught by crippled Hephaestus who could barely walk.

A secret love affair, a jealous husband, deceit, revenge, the tables turned - many readers have wondered what this steamy passage is doing in the Odyssey, but all we need is one word and everything makes sense: Scorpio.

Next a dance, and Odysseus complements: "Phaeacia's dancers are the best - I watch and I'm amazed!" Since this is the second mention of dance in this chapter, I assume Homer is making a point. Has anyone noticed a pull towards dancing with the Scorpio stellium, or people who love to dance with Scorpio emphasized in their charts? It isn't part of the current stereotype of this sign, but makes sense when we think of dancing is an athletic interaction. Scorpio is a sign of Mars, and so by nature physical; and of the 3 water signs, Scorpio emphasizes what happens between people.

After this, all the nobles of the island give Odysseus parting gifts. The one who insulted him earlier gives a fine sword, and the two part in peace. The king commands that a steaming hot bath be prepared which Odysseus enjoys with relish. "What a welcome sight to Odysseus' eyes!"

This last bit is a small passage that most people wouldn't notice. But one day while talking to a close friend with Moon and Mars in Scorpio I realized - he loves his baths! And since being on the watch for this, I have found that people with Scorpio emphasized seem to have a thing for hot baths. If the drama of this stellium has been a little much, just consider it "Hot Bath Season" and find a place like Kabuki Hot Springs to recuperate.

Still more to Scorpio. After his bath, Odysseus calls the herald over and serves him a prime portion of meat. Homer always sees to it that the bard is well fed, hint hint. After further praising him, Odysseus asks for a song of Troy. Keep in mind that the crowd doesn't know who Odysseus really is, so this is a loaded request and sets the stage for the many chapters that follow. After the bard starting singing, Odysseus cries in secret just as earlier and again only King Alcinous notices. The king asks his guest for his name and story. "Did one of your kinsmen die ... or a friend perhaps, someone close to your heart, staunch and loyal? No less dear than a brother, the brother-in-arms who shares our inmost thoughts."

The chapter closes with a profound sentiment: someone who shares their innermost secrets is just like a brother. Scorpio insists on getting to the bottom of things and expects the deepest intimacy and truth in relationships.

If this commentary has inspired to to read the tale yourself, I highly recommend the translation by Robert Fagles translation, or if you prefer the easy way the cassette recording by Ian McKellen is bound to be top notch.

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.

There is more commentary written on Homer than even Shakespeare, but to my knowledge no one else has identified the astrological structure of the Odyssey. If you want to catch up with my comments, I've marked all Homer columns here.

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Sun * in Scorpio. Sun in a water sign puts our orientation on deep feelings and the power dynamics inherent in relationships. Whatever we want, 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 Last Quarter on Sunday 11/12.

Monday 11/6 * Moon into Gemini 8:45 am, Venus square Neptune. With Mercury backing into Venus, a day to communicate with past lovers. Some new developments might be on hold, yet other stellium trysts might delight in the banter. With Venus square Neptune, enjoy the pleasures of the mirage but don't expect the deepest truths in intimacy today.

Tuesday 11/7 * Moon in Gemini, Mercury conjunct Venus. The god of Mind meeting up with the goddess of Love sounds good right? Well yes, except if the mind is heading backwards, then even love herself can be confused. One option: read lovers prose a la Anais Nin. Um, Mercury Rx and square Neptune is about the worst possible astrology for truthful and accurate elections.

Wednesday 11/8 * Moon in Gemini, into Cancer 11:45 am, Mars trine Uranus, Sun conjunct Mercury. We'll want to act in bold new ways, but these plans are short term at best. Mercury Rx means more than a shopping diet - question all long lasting decisions especially today! On the plus side, research into past events can be especially fruitful.

Thursday 11/9 * Moon in Cancer, Sun square Neptune in the morning. Sun in Scorpio is already an emphasis on feelings; Moon in Cancer will bring even deeper awareness of our inner world. Sun in Scorpio wants to get to the truth, Neptune tends towards illusion; my advice is to forget about figuring everything out and have a hot bath instead.

Friday 11/10 * Moon in Cancer, into Leo 6:35 pm. After so much feeling, Moon in Leo is good for some entertainment. With Mercury backing into Mars, we might get a kick from moves like Fearless or others with violence or crime scenes. Just watch your own fightin' words the latter part of this week.

Saturday 11/11 * Moon in Leo, Mercury conjunct Mars early. Our minds feel more at peace today after the Mercury Mars aspect passes, and possibility of innovation can give reconciliation after any hostilities. Our confidence is back on track as we are less bogged down with indecision.

Sunday 11/12 * Last Quarter Moon in Leo, Venus square Saturn. This is a tough one - Venus in Scorpio wants love like all get out, but today frustration is much more likely. The steamy Scorpio love affairs of late take a chill. For astro students, waxing aspects can seem harder (more event oriented & difficulties) than waning (internal & delays). Since romance is challenged, try creating some good karma instead - it's a juiced up day in the Tibetan astro calendar.

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 Scorpio. 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 Scorpio. 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 past 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 * * *