Chaos to Clarity
Planting powerful seeds under a Mars Cazimi in Scorpio
Let the sunshine in after several days of lunar intensity
What’s happening this week?
Vibes of change, change, change are resonating through our lives as the Scorpio new moon of 11.13 continues to nudge us toward a new, possibly radical understanding of our existence and ambitions. The early part of the week could feel harsh thanks to the influence of that righteous trouble-maker Uranus, who was in an opposition first to Mars, and then our new moon. When Uranus has so much influence on important astrological aspects we all tend to turn into mini Aquarians…Aquarius lite, if you will. Meaning we could find ourselves incensed and energized over collective problems, rather than personal ones. We might also be startled by unexpected turbulence that negatively affects our status quo, essentially forcing us to transform whether we are comfortable with it or not. Think random, unwelcome news on the financial front, or a missed deadline that comes back to bite us after thinking we were in the clear - whatever it is, it will generate more transformational heat from our internal furnace, turbo charging our desire to switch things up and get started on a new chapter.
For those of us greatly affected by all the Mars/Uranus shenanigans over last weekend, energy levels may be exhausted and the ability to focus may feel seriously compromised - but worry not!
Venus and Mercury are forming a lovely sextile today that helps to smooth over any turbulence in both social and professional communication, and it will make the latter part of this week feel infinitely smoother than the first part.
People are taking a big breath and embracing more generous, compassionate approaches to interaction, gifting us with ease when it comes to things like business transactions, asking friends for favors, or having honest conversations with people close to us. This is a great evening to do something fun for ourselves, perhaps something that also forges or solidifies social cohesion. Say yes to post-work drinks, an impromptu date, or that random, nerdy game night.
On Friday we will experience the Mars cazimi, putting martial tendencies and a need for action and progress at the forefront of our minds.
When Mars stations in the center of the sun, it behaves like a celestial spotlight trained on our most pressing desires, making people antsy to get something, anything, done that furthers progress. The upside of this is that we could get a LOT of shit accomplished this weekend, given that we’ll feel infused with the capability and fortitude of Ares. The downside, as I’ve noted before when marinating on our god of war, is that Ares is an egotistical, hot-headed prick. People who naturally lead with their ego can easily fall into a bully archetype much like Mars, refusing to listen to cooler heads or different opinions, thus increasing strife and instability. We need to stay sensitive to this tendency in ourselves and others if we want this transit to bring progress, not strife. Nobody likes being perceived as a bully, and they like being the subject of bullying even less, so step away from situations if they become intractable and heated.
Mars and the sun get cozy in the philisophic 9th house on Friday, like two Scorpionic peas in a pod
Why do we feel like this?!
Some of us started this week massively worn down and wrung out, as though we were navigating the aftermath of intense exposure therapy. In some ways, depending on the specifics of individual natal charts, that’s exactly what has been happening.
Our moon, sun, and Mars have been positively awash in Scorpio energy, and that moody arachnid never does anything shallowly.
Scorpio is not satisfied with half-truths, fleeting pleasures, or the comfortable white lies we tell ourselves to get through the day as modern humans; Scorpio wants the truth by any means necessary, and she will force us to dig, no matter how painful the process, until we strike what we’ve buried and opened it up to examination. If the last week or so has uncovered painful memories or left-field revelations about what we want out of life, it’s because we are getting to the root of some inherent friction that has to change in order for us to move forward. When people seem moody and withdrawn, don’t take it personally - many of us are re-litigating parts of our past and ourselves, we’re just not broadcasting these notions aloud. These aren’t fleeting issues taking up mental space, either; it’s not like we’re hand wringing over what to make for dinner or whether or not we sell our car. This is more of people realizing things like, “Wow, my childhood actually sucked and set me down a path I have to course correct,” or, “It turns out I never wanted to be a lawyer - perhaps I should investigate circus work.”
Much like the 8th house that Scorpio rules, we are in a moment of depth and existential marination, and the addition of a Mars cazimi will super charge our need to address internal issues with external action.
With the help of Apollo, Ares is charging toward resolution to something deep and inherent, helping us to find our true, more grounded selves - and because Scorpio is unflinchingly honest above all else, don’t be surprised if some disturbing information changes the landscape. We can’t coherently deal with things that we won’t acknowledge as fact, particularly our own needs and shortcomings. This, then, is the perfect moment to acknowledge our 8th house darkness so that we can make a plan to do something about it, instead of accepting a life of gentle disappointment.
When is all this going down?!
Friday, 11.17.23 is our big Mars cazimi moment, so grab a citrine, get focused, and turn desire into action. The effects will last all weekend and into next week.
Things are going to start off feeling worse than they actually are, but Saturday more than makes up for our ennui
Tarot
If the beginning of our week felt wobbly, Wednesday is the demarcation line for re-energized focus and planning. The 9 of Swords will try to convince us that everything is terrible and we may as well expect the worst, but our doom and gloom won’t hold up to the scrutiny of the week. Sometimes, the world isn’t ending - we just feel like it is. That’s okay and understandable after last week, but we owe it to ourselves to admit that nothing dire is guaranteed.
By Thursday, things could be looking way, way more optimistic, particularly on the domestic or emotional front. The 6 of Cups reminds us of the good things left in our lives, as well as the things we used to engage in that produced more childish wonder and ambition. Nostalgia for our past selves, (or parts of them, anyway) might lead us to rejuvenate productive, empowering elements that we lost a bit in the noise of our obligations. Start doing those old, fun things again!
Resist the urge to cower on Friday beneath negative bluster; yes, there are genuine material and financial concerns that may need addressing according to the 6 of Zent reversed, but the situation may not be as miserable as it’s being presented. Check the facts and listen to intuition before commencing to freak out.
Saturday is shaping up to be a day of true empowerment - a delicious reward for all the internal work and worry with which we’ve struggled. Take the knowledge earned from last weekend and rise to new heights like the Phoenix. It’s okay if the direction we begin to travel on Saturday surprises other people; what most matters is that we stay true to our internal desires.
On Sunday, the Enemy reversed may have us crossing our communication wires with someone who means well, so avoid jumping to conclusions or responding with a nasty text - things might not be as negative as they seem initially, and responding with grace is a small concession.
Of course, not everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt, and some bridges serve us more fully when they burn. The 2 of Chalices indicates we have reached a limit with a partnership or resource that has added nothing of value to the conversation, and it may be time to exit stage left. Allow instincts to guide this situation - nothing says things have to end forever, particularly if reconciliation is possible further down the road, but it might be best to end them for now.
For more in depth daily readings you can find me at http://www.YouTube.com/@AlectoChaos , where fondle crystals and ring bells at my tarot cards, my cats, and myself while trying to divine our collective future.