Soli-Lunar Cycle: Scorpio New Moon Solar Eclipse on October 25

We are breaking from the usual format this week because the New Moon Solar Eclipse immediately follows a Sun/Venus Superior Conjunction, both of which represent significant new cycles. In part one of this two-part article, we will look at the Solar Eclipse. 

A new lunar cycle commences with the New Moon at 2° Scorpio on October 25 at 3:48 am PDT. This Sun/Moon conjunction is distinguished by being a powerful Solar Eclipse. Eclipses occur every six months and according to some astrologers can be 100 times stronger and their effects last much longer than other New Moons, especially when they significantly impact an individual’s natal chart. For this reason, astrologers pay close attention to Solar Eclipse charts.

One effective way to determine the meaning of any Solar Eclipse is to look at the Sabian Symbol for the specific degree it occurs on the Zodiacal wheel. Transpersonal Astrologer Dane Rudhyar wrote that the image for this Eclipse degree is “A house-raising party in a small village enlists the neighbors’ cooperation.” He interpreted this as evoking “the feeling of community demonstrated in a basic joint effort.” This synchronistic symbol emphasizes the importance of an individual needing to move toward being involved with the larger community of which they are a part. By actively engaging in cooperative activities, we can expand our social consciousness and derive a new sense of empowering connectedness.

Fresh off its Superior Conjunction with the Sun (discussed in part 2 of this article), Venus is exactly conjunct the Eclipse. As Venus represents the art of relating with others and what we want to attract to ourselves, these two significant new cycles beginning in sync further emphasize the need to engage with others in meaningful and productive ways. The Eclipse conjunct Venus in Scorpio also suggests we have the potential to reach a deeper sense of authenticity with ourselves and by extension, with others. Scorpio challenges us to move beyond identifications so we can operate fully from our soul. It rules the occult, the realm of Mystery where the complex workings of the cosmos operate. By exploring the depths of our mysterious unconscious, where dwells our greatest fears as well as our undiscovered gifts, we can gain deeper understanding of the core Truths of who we are. This is no easy feat and requires a resoluteness that extends to discovering our role in the cosmos as beings evolving in consciousness.

With Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune all retrograde, and Mars turning retrograde on October 30, the desire for forward movement may be sidelined by a need to integrate our unconscious motives with our conscious intentions. An air grand trine between Mercury in Libra, Mars, and Saturn in Aquarius, may encourage us to think about ways in which we might develop new strategies and structures over the next six months. While Mars has reached 25° Gemini, the degree it will station retrograde, and will move back into its trine to Saturn, which is still at the degree it stationed direct on October 22, both are quite potent and could lead to disciplined effort that stabilize our foundation while freeing us to implement our ideas.

The Solar Eclipse chart also features a long-term square between Mars in Gemini and Neptune in Pisces, in effect throughout October and November. As Neptune tends to cast a kind of fog on any situation, it’s important to develop goals (Mars) that are fluid and can adapt to new information coming in. The key is to remain flexible and open to changes, while understanding there are greater forces at work beyond human comprehension. The more we allow Neptune to dissolve our little ego, which is focused on self alone, the more we gain clarity and can express our higher self, which is at one with the cosmic force of Love that connects us all.