In 2023, the Sun will be accompanied by Scorpio’s ancient ruler, Mars, as it transits the fixed water sign. Mercury will also be moving through these immensely passionate waters from October 22nd until November 9th. Additionally, the lunar eclipse of October 28th will be the final one in the present series of eclipses on the Scorpio Taurus axis. Compared to the November 8, 2022 lunar eclipse in Taurus, with its t-square to Saturn in Aquarius, this one should be somewhat milder. That said, Scorpio represents death and transformation. Since April, the eclipses have been shifting into the initiating cardinal signs of Aries and Libra, signaling that one paradigm is dying as another is born. Another difference in this year’s Scorpio cycle is that Saturn has moved from fixed Aquarius into mutable Pisces. From the flexible water sign, Saturn will trade a harsh square to the Scorpio Sun for an agreeable trine on October 24th. Further, on November 4th, the planet of restrictions, discipline and boundaries will station and turn direct.
Following an exceptionally strenuous stay in Aquarius, Saturn entered Pisces back on March 7th. By June 17th the taskmaster had reached 7º, before beginning a retrograde that has taken it all the way back to 0º. In that sense, Saturn is about to make the third and final pass of that 0″-7º range, a phase that will not be fully completed until February 7, 2024 when it moves past the 7° Pisces 13′ mark. As the eclipses change signs in the background, Saturn is in a position to support resolution of the recurring issues that have been surfacing since early March. This Scorpio Sun cycle is poised to add substantial clarity to the mix.
Modern astrologers consider Pluto to be Scorpio’s ruler, and Pluto is presently completing its time in constructive Capricorn. On one hand Scorpio has a reputation for keeping secrets, and on the other for unflinching honesty. Coming Scorpio conjunctions and connections to unyielding Pluto are set to be points of healthy revelation. With Pluto, they include November 8th’s Mercury sextile, November 20th’s Sun sextile and November 21st’s Mars sextile. The Mercury Mars conjunction of October 29th, in the wake of the full Moon and eclipse, and November 17th’s Sun Mars conjunction will shed more light into dark corners. Whether one views Scorpio as Mars or Pluto ruled, its energy is undeniably intense. For those looking for the bright spots during the coming Sun cycle, Venus will enter harmonizing Libra on November 8th and Mercury will enter optimistic Sagittarius on the 9th. The Sun will move into the mutable fire sign on November 22nd, followed by Mars on the 24th. However, after her Libra homecoming, the planet of beauty, love and relationships, Venus, will journey through Scorpio from December 4th through 29th. It seems that whatever the Sun, eclipse, Mercury and Mars unearth and fail to resolve will be left for Venus to settle. Interestingly enough, her visit to hopeful, global Sagittarius will begin the day before Sag’s ruler Jupiter will station direct and two days before Mercury will station direct at 22° Sagittarius 11’, following its December retrograde. Being the sign of philosophy, higher education, law and international relations, Sagittarius encourages a broad, elevated perspective. Viewing the coming Sun cycle from this bigger picture stance might be the key to better outcomes.
