Autumn Shifts: Turning Inward

Spider Woman's Web                                                                                                      Catherine Al-Meten
Astoria, Oregon                                                                                                                                          2012

Free me from my fears! Let my innate courage emerge! And let me be of the greatest use on the planet, for whatever I'm meant. Let me be used by You in service to the Light" (from Tosha Silver).  

Now is the time to spend some time preparing for the next part of the shift from Libra to Scorpio energy.  While Venus will just be entering Libra at the end of the month, the cycle of planets that have accompanied Saturn’s journey through the end of Libra, are coming to the threshold and passage. We are still in the energy and flow of the New Moon in Libra, and we are approaching the first quarter square to that New Moon at the same time the Sun enters Scorpio on October 22. What’s in the lineup for the next few weeks ahead astrologically?  The major shifts include: 

Sun enters Scorpio Oct. 22 at 8:14 P.M.

Venus Enters Libra at 9:04 AM October 28

Mercury enters Sagittarius at  11:21 P.M Oct. 29

Nov. 6, Mercury enters retrograde phase

Nov. 11 Neptune turns direct at 2:53 AM

Nov. 14 Retro. Mercury re-enters Scorpio

Saturday, October 20  the  Moon is in Capricorn and she sextiles Saturn (in Scorpio, the Great Teacher) , and Chiron, the Wounded Healer (in Pisces).  With both Saturn and Chiron in water signs, the nature of both our learning and healing come through our willingness to first of all, be open to learning, and second, to learn from the pain and wounds of the past.  As the saying goes, “the past is prologue,” and if we are unwilling to face what has happened to us in the past, we are likely to carry the wounds forward and act through them rather than healing from them and learning a new way to act, be, respond, and move forward. 

The Moon in Capricorn squared Uranus in Aries 7:19 am this morning, perhaps waking us with a start or shaking us up with a jarring dream. A passing effect, right now our emotions are triggering a deeper need to “do something” about whatever needs to be changed, altered or managed. Relax a little, and put this type of energy to work  clearing, cleaning, exercising, or doing something creative and active. 

The Capricorn Moon allows our feelings and emotions to be expressed with greater reserve and calm. The Moon is reflected in our emotional nature and the manner in which we feel, store, and express those emotions. For those with earth sign moons (Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo), the more reserved energy makes us feel more comfortable in our own skin.  For those used to expressing themselves more expressively or with greater outward thrust (fire signs: Aries, Sagittarius, Leo), or those used to deeply spiritual or internally emotional expression (water signs: Pisces, Cancer, Scorpio), or for those whose emotional expression is generally more mental or intellectually based (air signs: Aquarius, Gemini, Libra), the Capricorn Moon allows us a time to express our emotions in pragmatic, practical, grounded ways.  Through our actions we express our feelings. Through our actions, we connect with feelings and emotions. A good time to take action as a way of expressing what needs to be expressed.

This morning, October 20, Mercury in 13 degrees of Scorpio is in hard aspect to Uranus in 5 degrees Retrograde of Aries. With Mercury in Scorpio, our thoughts seem deeper, more introspective and questioning. We look for hidden motives, our own and those of others, and we seek answers as to what has been deeply buried or suppressed. We seem to need to know the truth, even if the truth we discover or create in our minds, is not what we expected or wanted to hear. Failing to face fears or confront anxiety, anger, worry or situations/conditions that need to be changed, is not the answer. Whatever fears, anger, conditions are unaddressed, become toxic and drain us of our resources and energy. When we face situations, seeking true and open communication with ourselves and others, we move into the difficulties, darkness, and whatever confusion, anxiety, frustration, fear, or other negative element block us, we soften it. We discover as we allow ourselves to be more forthright and honest with ourselves (about the hard and difficult truths of our lives), we are less afraid and stronger than we thought we are.

As Winnie the Pooh reminds us, “If ever there is a tomorrow when we’re not together...there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.“ This is true for all of us, and what we need most to help us see and experience that, is good, strong friendships and family connections, and that unwavering belief that we are braver, stronger, and smarter than we may think. Mercury in Scorpio is the herald, announcing and communicating in a deeply, Scorpio-like way, the messages of the soul and inner being. 

On Monday, October 22, the Sun enters Scorpio, allowing us to further awaken from the depths of our beings.  Scorpio, a water sign, expresses itself through our desires. We seek depth of intimacy and we experience a range of feelings. While the transiting Sun is passing through Scorpio, whatever area of your life that touches is stirred to the depths. For those with Sun, Moon, or Ascendants in Scorpio, this is a time when you seek greater intimacy, a deeper and more profound sense of meaning in life, and feel more at home in the watery, hidden depths of who you are.  You become more aware of the intuitive knowledge that guides and informs everything about you.  Not only is the a time of great healing and transformation, but also it is a time when you experience the more passionate and provocative aspects of your nature and those of your soul mates (by this I mean those friends and partners, children and confidants who truly “get” you on every level, and happily affirm and support you.)

As the last few days of the Sun in Libra complete a major cycle for ushering out Saturn, and seeing major movement and changes, the Sun will now be moving into Scorpio, where for the first time in a long time, the Sun will be in positive alignment with Saturn and Chiron. Scorpio’s rulers, Mars and Pluto (action and transformation), work on the a more emotional, subconscious, deeper level of consciousness and being in each of us now.  We feel awakened to depths, passions, and energies that demand attention, for some, for the first time in many years. Next week, we will explore the entry of the Sun into Scorpio in more depth. For now, we want to take one last look at what we have been clearing out, releasing, and letting go for the last few years. What is left to be swept away? What, if anything, has been ignored, left undone, or kept us distanced from our true self?  Spend the next few days in meditation, prayer, contemplation, as you nest for the changing season ahead.

Venus remains in Virgo through the 29, continuing to encourage the expression of our love through the way we live, serve, and share with others. The very pragmatic expression of Venus focus on how what we do, say, and share with those we love makes sense to them as well as to us.  We can help those we love by sharing a burden, giving some kind of service, or understanding that love, for Virgo, is more about how you show it than what you say you will do or feel. Truly, “Actions speak louder than words” is the keynote for the earth-signs of Virgo, Capricorn, and Taurus.  

Mars is in Sagittarius through the rest of October and into November. On the 16th of November, Mars will go into Capricorn, but between now and then, actions are highly motivated by  our energetic idealism. This is a time when we are putting more and more energy into those projects, relationships, and ideas that we believe in the most. We may find ourselves more edgy and anxious, particularly when handling detail-oriented tasks. I noticed earlier this week, it was harder for me to stick to a routine-like task than it was to be creative. The focus and attention it took for me to learn a new software program in order to do create a newsletter I found maddening, while writing an essay flowed.  It’s not possible for some of us to just not take care of detail-oriented tasks, but just knowing any anxiousness or edginess may be linked to the energy of Mars in Sagittarius. So what to do? Slow down, pay closer attention, and be careful around fire energy (stove burners, electrical appliances, candles), and take it easy driving.  Drive defensively (a Mars thing) and watch out for the sporadic or unexpected from other drivers (the negative side of Mars energy). Remember, Mars in a fire sign fueled by idealism (Sagittarius) is powerful. Use your energy for good, and be cautious with yourself and others. Let your head and your Venus in Virgo balance out the fiery energy of Mars.

Saturn has now taken its place in the depths  of Scorpio, and we are probably beginning to feel the shift. Anything we have carried over will continue to seek release, and whatever rose to the surface as we explored our relationships and the way we enter into, conduct ourselves, and complete commitments. Now is the time we must  thoroughly dig into and understand the dynamics of those relationships that we are committed to. We begin looking more closely at the power structure of relationships, and our roles in them.  Issues around control, manipulation, using and being used are becoming more and more evident and important to understand. If you’re in a relationship, and if you want to be authentic in that relationship, it is vital to understand the power dynamics in which you’re engaged. 

As Saturn in Scorpio begins to grow stronger as an influence in our lives, we will also experience increased awareness of fears, anxieties, and concerns over how we are going to be able to maintain the relationships we are in, or engage in new ones without repeating toxic patterns of past relationships. Our relationships reflect our growth and development. When they become stagnant or stale, they become toxic.  When relationships fail to grow and adapt both to our individual growth, maturation, and soul deepening, and to the life and soul of our relationships, we experience imbalance, toxic behavior, and unhealthy conditions both personally and in partnership. All relationships, marriages and love, friendships and family relationships, work and creative arts, social and community connections, neighbors and our view of cultures, traditions, and belief systems outside our own connection or understanding, all propel us into learning more about who we truly are and about what is needed in order to serve others and help co-create a better, healthier, more harmonious world.  Everything we do, and every person we come into contact with, is part of the web of life. Everyone and everything requires our concern and connection, on the level where we are able to have any kind of influence. For example, a kind word or smile to someone we hardly know, time spent praying for or serving someone in need, a quiet, open heart and willingness to listen to someone else’s voice...even such simple acts help us create a more peaceful world. 

At this time of the year here in the Pacific Northwest, we witness the web of life in a very real and dramatic way. Starting near the end of summer and the beginning of fall, the spiders begin weaving their webs everywhere you can possibly imagine, and some you might never suspect.  For two years I have had a spider living in my car’s rearview mirror.  Daily, I come outside to find fresh webs woven between the mirror and the door handle, or between the mirror and a tree near the car.  One day, when unloading groceries and carrying them up the stairs to my apartment, between a trip into my apartment of less than a minute, a spider who lives at the hallway entrance, managed to spin several strands across the doorway in just that short amount of time.  Spiders in this region, according to indigenous lore, signify creativity and all that goes into being creative. For years, I have developed a healthy respect for spiders, rarely if ever feeling the need to hurt them.  Throughout the world, the spider is part of numerous Creation stories. Creation stories are the most sacred stories of each culture, and are intricately tied to healing and other sacred rites and ceremonies.  

When spiders begin emerging from their safe, warm hiding place in late summer and into the fall, they become very active as they seek warmth.  They begin coming indoors, and at night when you run into one in the middle of the night, avoid panicking as they are simply seeking a warm spot. Very shy, spiders tend to their webs, gathering food to take them through the winter. Most spiders are harmless, and we humans have co-existed with them for thousands of years. This autumn as you watch spiders weaving their beautiful webs, remember the stories that are told throughout the world about the spider.

The Spider, is identified with the female creative principle, and is often revered in matrilineal cultures (such as many of the Northwest clans and tribes). Several North American tribes have legends connected with Spider. Spider Woman appears in the mythology of several Native American tribes, including the Navajo, Keresan, and Hopi. 

One of the Hopi stories is told of Tawa, the Sun God (active male creative principle) and Spider Woman, the Earth Goddess. In the beginning, all the mysteries and power in the Above belonged to  Tawa, while all the magic of the Below  were the realm of Spider Woman. Tawa and Spider Woman loved one another, and their children became gods who lived Below.  In the land Below, nothing existed but their children, the  sacred spirits. The only thing else that existed was water, which covered Below. As the story is told, one night Tawa had a dream about fish, birds, animals, people, and all manner of living things. Between them, Tawa and Spider Woman, using only their thoughts, created the Earth between the Above and the Below. At first, Spider Woman used clay to mold people, animals, plants and all living beings, but they remained lifeless. Tawa wanted things to move and have life as in his dream, so Spider Woman helped Tawa weave a fluffy, white blanket. The blanket was like a cloud but had magic in it. They put the blanket over the clay figures that Spider Woman had made, and they covered the figures with the blanket they had made. Still, the clay objects did not move. Spider Woman picked the clay figures up, and held them to her breast. They looked at the figures, and sang a song of life over them, and the clay objects came to life.

As you move more deeply into the depth and darkness of Autumn, consider what you can learn from the Spider.  What webs are you creating to link the disparate parts of your life together in some meaningful and purposeful way?  What are you holding close to your heart to give life to? How are you preparing your heart, mind, emotions, physical body, home, family, car, and lifestyle for the deepening depths of fall and winter? We are still in the time of harvest season, and there is still time to prepare ourselves and our homes for weathering the storms that lie ahead.  Autumn and Winter remind us in the Northern Hemisphere, what really matters for our survival.  We also need to nourish our souls, hearts, and build up a fresh supply of joy and optimism for dealing with those days and times when life is more of a struggle than a day on the beach. 

Weave, from your dreams, heart’s desire, imagination, and intuition, a creative plan to house you and your heart through the seasons ahead.  

Seek the joy of Jupiter’s abundance, transiting now through the mutable sign of Gemini. Adapt an optimistic, generous, sense of well being about life. Our perspective (the lens through which we see and , experience our lives) has more to do with how life appears and feels to us than the raw facts and data. Jupiter in Gemini represents the archetype of adventure. Whatever Pluto plows up in the way of transformation, and whatever Saturn awakens in the depths of your psyche to be embraced, learned, and synthesized into you and your life, are now activated by the mental playground of Jupiter in Gemini. We may feel more tolerant, open-minded, and ready to work in partnerships, finally able to see all angles of the coin, not just the either-or mode that we cling to when we’re holding onto our beliefs as an alternative to learning to live together in cooperation, mutual respect, and tolerance.  Time to lighten up a little more. Learn to laugh at yourself, and begin to appreciate the value of a good sense of humor.

Look for opportunities to communicate, grow, learn, and broaden your life experience.  Write, listen, talk, and open yourself to more contact and communication. We may find we need to reign in our intellectual discussions, particularly if we are taking ourselves or issues way too seriously.  Even during the most challenging and difficult times, nothing is ever so serious or important that we can’t afford to laugh, relax, or take a break.  Clinging to either beliefs, intellect, roles, or positions, are not helpful in convincing anyone of much of anything.  When we cling to our point of view to the point where we shut others down and give the impression we have not heard what they have to say, we act from a position of power over rather than one of openness.  Jupiter in Gemini may awaken the intellect, but it also calls for a sense of bringing the disparate parts of the whole together...in what we do personally, in how we get along with others, and in how we operate as a society of communities.  Zeal can be turned into energy to heal, produce, create, or extend resources, or it can be used to shut progress down.  Be wise, considerate, and respectful of how you use your energy and power.  If you find yourself trying to sell your ideas, point of view, or position too hard, you might want to spend some time contemplating how that is bringing something to life or how it is blocking life from emerging.  Pay attention to the higher vibration of Jupiter by looking for the bigger perspective.  Look to the house in your chart (indicates the are of life) where Jupiter in Gemini is now transiting.  This is the area of your life where you  might benefit from greater joy.  

Next week, from October 24-25, Venus sextiles Mercury making that a time that favors some joy, playfulness, and increased communication between partners and loved ones. This aspect often indicates a good time for declarations of love, promises and commitments, and clarifications and positive communication in love. 

Also Venus parallels Uranus Oct. 27-29 indicating a time when we are more open to new, innovative, and out of the ordinary types of encounters and experiences. We become less fearful, and more aware of how the door to love  through friendship is often a wiser path than that of the erratic attraction energies that are peculiar, avant garde, or unstable. On Oct. 28, when Venus is quincunx Neptune (planet of delusion and illusions), it is wise to be aware that there are times (like these) when we see, hear,  and accept what we want to believe about love, instead of seeing things as they really are. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.  If it’s worth it’s weight in gold, that won’t change because you step back a bit and wait things out.