puzzle. Exactly opposite Alderbaran in the zodiac is Antares, the Royal Star that is "the heart of the Scorpion," clearly in Scorpio, the Scorpion—NOT Altair the Eagle.

So, where did the concept linking Scorpio with Eagle emerge? To be sure, it is very ancient, and we see it evidenced in various ways: many ancient sphinx portrayals (not Giza, which has only a lion body and human head) but others, have parts of each of the four main signs, the wings associated with Eagle/Scorpio. In many churches, both ancient and modern, one can see symbols included in the statuary that associate each of the four apostles with one of the four signs of antiquity: the Man, the Bull, the Lion and the Eagle. I have looked, but have yet to find a definitive source for why Scorpio is associated with Eagle as a alternative or "higher" symbol of Scorpio. Sources vary, but it does appear that the concept emerges from the mythical phoenix bird as the power of rebirth and renewal.

Scorpio, and its "natural" 8th house, have long been associated with death and rebirth, and this a primary concept of phoenix, the mythical bird that can go up in flames and then rise from the ashes reborn. Scorpio's modern ruler, Pluto, also emphasizes this basic concept of transformative power in this most complex of signs, as well as the choice to express a lower nature of protective shell and sting, or the higher nature that soars with the eagle.

At this New Moon, we're just past the major aspect of Saturn square Pluto, but are not yet entirely past it because of Saturn's retrograde/direct motion, the aspect will repeat twice more in 2010, in February and again in August. A basic principle of Saturn-Pluto in challenging aspect is one that pits structure (Saturn) against transformative power (Pluto). The more slowly moving planetary energy is usually the "heavy" and we can see daily on the news multiple things that reflect the tearing down of old structures with the attempt to transform them into new forms—and all the fears, arguments and turmoil that are part of each event, and/or its aftermath.

From a personal viewpoint, the Saturn-Pluto feels, at the moment, mostly like a lot hard work and some of the consequent tension of that, but also determination to succeed...and as a Scorpio, I can be VERY determined! Overall, when I think about it, I can see both my own life cycle and also world events as reflective of a much longer term cycle of Saturn-Pluto, so in case you, too, might relate to this, here are the basics of the cycle, in quarterly phase terms.
Saturn, the faster moving of the two, makes a full cycle from a first conjunction (New) to Pluto in Libra in 1982 to a return conjunction (New again) in Capricorn in 2020. The First Quarter (crisis of action) came in 1993, and the opposition (Full) was in 2001-2002 (years most memorably marked in our collective memory with the 9/11 world trade center attack and its aftermath). This current square is the Last Quarter (crisis of consciousness). The cycle ends and a new one begins in 2020, with Saturn conjunct Pluto in Capricorn. New structures will then be in place. What will they be on a larger world basis? What might they be in your personal cycles?

The beginning of the current Saturn-Pluto cycle in Libra would relate to LIbran issues, primarily how we relate to others—how we share resources and balance inevitable conflicts in that. Saturn, perhaps most simply, is Reality, but our reality is changing. By the end of this cycle, our concepts of reality, as well as the structures of our life will have been transformed. What will "reality" be then? That's not so hard to imagine on a personal level, for me, as already a "senior citizen." On a larger world level, we can observe and imagine what the world might be like in 2020, and choose (or not) on various levels to participate in the current crises of factions struggling for the power and control to shape that new reality.

This has become more like a blog this month. For those of you who want ritual, I'd best now provide a few ideas!

Ritual for New Moon in Scorpio
Scorpio can be probing, searching and ruthless about getting to the core of things, understanding them and then doing whatever needs to be done to start anew. So, maybe relating to the whole cycle just described or to a smaller need of this lunar cycle, let's first center and meditate on a primary focus in moving forward. We can also draw on the energy of New Moon's square to the visionary Jupiter-Neptune-Chiron conjunction in Aquarius.

First meditate, drawing on your highest spiritual energy. Then, with ruthless honesty, take apart any situation that's been bothering you piece by piece. List what is working and what is not. You might sort aspects of the issue into pros and cons. Be true to yourself and at the close of this ritual, you'll have plan on how to move forward. Then, make a small amulet to carry as a reminder and tangible symbol of your intent. A small bag or square of fabric and a cord to tie ends together will work to contain a few small symbols of the elements: something fiery red such as a small garnet perhaps, or a very red fallen leaf, for air, some mint (leaves or maybe the scent of a drop mint extract on your fabric. For earth, salt will do. For water, you could use a small seashell. Then, in within sacred space and in ritual, assemble and bless your amulet as you focus your intent. After the ritual, carry the amulet as proceed with your plan. A charm to use:

For courage to act, token of red
Mint for clearness in my head
Earth, my power to see it through
Water for inner guidance true!
Charmed success now flows to me,
This is my will, so mote it be!

Crescent Moon, 13 Capricorn 33, November 20, at 12:56 pm EST
It's Friday and likely to feel like that, rather benign and ready to relax rather than push. Though I'd normally say to move forward at this phase, this time I'm inclined to say, "Relax," at least for tonight. The weekend is likely to be more active, and may reflect a more upbeat change of tone with Sun in Sag, Moon in Aquarius.