Now, by mid-Autumn, we've truly begun to notice the transition of the seasons. Days are notably shorter and the air is starting to have that distinctive atmosphere that alerts us to the harvest time when the darkness begins to overtake the light. Nature is preparing to turn inward and return to the earth for a time. Meanwhile, especially in this season, the spiritual realm draws closer to our own as the time for our festivals draws nigh. For some, this is the start of the "spooky" time of year. A time of mystery and darkness. This is the time of Scorpio.
Scorpio is the sign of Fixed Water, and serves to balance the Fixed Earth sign of Taurus. Together, the two show us that we must balance our attention between the physical and the emotional. When we solely focus on the experiential qualities of the tangible physical world around us, we become blind to the full scope and depth of reality. This is a common pitfall of the pervasive modern mindset which deifies scientific materialism and recognizes nothing other than our immediate physical existence. If it can't be measured and quantified, it isn't real. Scorpio counters this by reminding us that there is always that element of mystery in everything. Not everything can be directly measured and tangibly experienced. Just as important is that unseen world which can often only be subtly perceived through the emotional body. Further, even that which is physical is dead and meaningless without the presence of emotion to give it individuality and feeling. This is much the same as the balance we see between the Cardinal Earth and Water signs of Virgo and Pisces. Practicality and analysis are only most effective when guided by spiritual inspiration.
Scorpio and its corresponding 8th house are known as the realm of sex, death, and the occult. This is not entirely inaccurate, but is still a rather limited way of viewing this energy. Anatomically, in keeping with its mysterious nature Scorpio rules the "private" areas of the body and is related to the genitals and the excretory system. The glyph is quite similar to that of Virgo, and can be seen as the intestines. While Virgo rules the digestive system as seen in the 'm' with the 'tail' turned back inward, Scorpio rules the elimination as seen in the 'm' with the 'tail' turned outward. Taurus ingests, Virgo categorizes and assimilates, and Scorpio expels the waste. Scorpio's rulership of the reproductive system correlates to its passion and intensity as the sexual energy is the most powerful energy in the body.
The 8th house is a house of transformation. The "death" that occurs here is a death to the former self. As Scorpio is the 2nd Water sign of the Wheel, before we can move on to the spiritual Fire of Sagittarius, we must die to our former selves and be reborn into the next level of existence. This is also seen in the planetary ruler of Scorpio which is Pluto. Pluto is the god of the underworld and rules over this evolutionary process of death and rebirth. We all must face our own underworld (the unconscious mind) and overcome the trials within in order to grow toward our full potential.
During this time of year when the light fades and the spirits draw closer, take advantage of the special season to explore deep within yourself and consider the things that dwell in the unconscious. Observe the process of nature as it fades and turns inward. Learn the lessons of Scorpio, that all things must come to an end, but that the end of one journey is merely the beginning of another.
Comments