New Moon in Scorpio arrives on the first day of November. With the return to standard time, it's suddenly turning dark at 5 pm. With the darkness, rapidly falling leaves, wilting flowers and the first hints of winter chill in the air, Mother Nature shows us plenty of physical evidence of the death theme associated with Scorpio and this intense sign's natural home in the Zodiac, the Eighth House. This is also the week of the solar seasonal festival of All Hallows Eve, called Samhain within the many Wiccan and other Neopagan rituals that will be held this weekend.

Our New Moon comes just one day past the magical fun of Halloween and "trick or treat," and just a few days before the Sun's annual return to 15° of Scorpio, marking the onset of the 8th phase of the 8-fold Wheel of the Year that began with Winter Solstice of last December. Then, waxing sunlight was reborn after the longest night of the year, heralding all manner of new beginnings. Now the Wheel has turned nearly full circle, and Samhain marks the time of endings. Here, in Eastern Time, Sun will come to the exact 15th degree of Scorpio in the wee hours of Monday morning, November 7, 2:30am. Applying aspects are always strongest, so weekend Samhain rites held just prior will take full advantage of the powerful energy of this turn of the Wheel. The great astrological philospher, Dane Rudhyar, wrote of the 15° points of each fixed sign (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) as points of greatest momentum and critical release of energy. For the seasons, the energy release creates momentum toward the season ahead, in this case the winter that we begin to feel even now, though its official first day will be announced as Winter Solstice.

At this time of year, it is said, the veil between the worlds is thin, and spirits walk among us...perhaps with messages, if we attune ourselves to listen. In general, during any New Moon phase, ideas often emerge instinctively, as if from nowhere. Such intuitive flashes can be valuable, if we heed them...and more than once, I've had reason to regret having ignored a "gut feeling" I should have taken much more seriously.

Astrology shows us additional complexities at this New Moon, chief among them, a strong grand cross in the fixed signs. I remember well a description the late great astrologer Zip Dobyns often gave for what she called "the fixed sign dilemma. Four cars approach a four way stop, enter and stop cold in the center, bumper to bumper, with none of them willing give an inch.

In this month's New Moon grand cross, Sun and Moon oppose Mars retrograde in Taurus and square Saturn in Leo and Neptune in Aquarius. What does that mean? Well, it could manifest in many ways, but let's, just for fun, imagine the darker nature of this group of planets in their current signs: Sun and Moon are intensely determined to get to the bottom of whatever they deem is causing their dark mood. A likely target is that other guy opposite them, that Mars, who is supposed to be taking much needed action, but seems to be stuck in the mud just now. Over there on one side, Neptune is casting a lot of fog over the truth and creating nothing but confusion, and on the other side Saturn is imperiously demanding that everyone else be accountable. Now, does any of this resemble current political news? More importantly, on a personal matter over which you have more a more direct power of change, does anything about this Grand Cross resemble a problem within your own life?

Squares or crosses, however challenging, also reflect positive action. Squares are action aspects. How they manifest has much to do with how you use them. Oppositions are, well, opposite, but polarities are complementary, if handled well. Let's imagine how the same group of planets might reflect a more positive use of energy. Sun and Moon are intensely determined to solve a problem. Of course, they'd prefer to do it right now, but must contend with an opposing force (Mars retrograde) that appears equally determined to resist. One can agree that the situation must be handled, but as Mars in Taurus insists, it just can't be rushed. Somehow, within you, a balance between New Moon in Scorpio and Mars in Taurus needs to be achieved, so that they can work together. With honorable action, accept the responsibility and accountability that Saturn in Leo demands, and look to Neptune in Aquarius for inspiration and vision on the higher planes of idealism and attunement with Spirit.

Ritual for Resolving a Dilemma to Clear the Way for Creative Change

Sometimes the physical work of solving a relatively small problem helps clear your mind toward solving a much larger dilemma. Here's a little solitary ritual that you might try:

Preparation: You'll need two candles to represent the New Moon, one white, one black. Then decide on an onerous little work project that you've been avoiding. We all have one somewhere—that junk drawer or closet that never seems to gets sorts out would do just fine. This job, whatever you choose, will symbolize the large challenge in your life that needs to be sorted out and understood. In this, all aspects of the Grand Cross can be dealt with—your own Mars resistance, for example. After all, how long have you procrastinated doing this? Then there's the Neptunian confusion of where to start, but also the inspiration that might emerge, and the Saturnine reality that if you don't take responsibilty for getting this chore done, who will? Then, of course, there is the mystery of the Scorpio New Moon to solve: what will you find...? You may be surprised!

The Ritual: Create sacred space around you and whatever area you need to be within to accomplish the work at hand. This can be done in a variety of ways, with or without tools. One method could be to cleanse the area by sprinkling around its perimeter with salted water, as you visualize all unwanted energies being cleansed from this space. Then you could use incense, representing Fire and Air, to charge the area with positive energy. The most important thing you do is to focus your mind on your intent. Within your space, mediate for a few moments, asking for the assistance of Spirit to help you think through your dilemma as you work and bring you inspiration for how you can resolve it.

Light the black candle, and then begin to work. Let the constantly changing Moon represent that which you are now changing in this time and place by sorting out your work project. Listen for the voice of the Goddess within for intuitive messages. Things you encounter during this small project could relate to your larger problem in ways you can't yet see, but will, if you are open and listen. With spiritual guidance, you'll find that the work you are doing takes on symbolic meanings, and as the work progresses, insight grows. When you've finished the task, you'll be well on your way to understanding what you must do about the larger dilemma it symbolized.

Never leave a candle unattended. You can snuff the white candle as needed, and then relight it whenever you need a few moments of meditation through this month, as you carry out your plans that emerged during this New Moon rite.