The skies of October are dark and introspective. Who sees that? A twinkling morning star (who we are), light years away and perfectly untouched by this robosapien ant hive.
That’s right. This is hardcore Merciful Witness training.
In astrological language, it looks like this:
Mars in life-loving Leo is in a tense stand-off with death-stinky Pluto– both square Venus retrograde in Scorpio.
Translation:
Only by attuning to the Shepherding Presence (God’s life-loving Leo leadership) can we shine a careful, constructive light on the dark underbelly of our relationship patterns so they can die and be reborn in a spirit of tender, spirit-guided grace.
October is “dark” only as much as we look at the events of this time through the lens of mind-on-a-countdown: the original doom-scroller. Great time to catch the devil in action!
Bottom line: Scorpio arrives early this year. For forty days and forty nights, (Oct 3- Nov 14) we are being plunged into a Venus Retrograde vision quest.
Forty Days and Forty Nights Vision Quest
For some, the challenges of this month will be significant.
That’s why I’m offering some soul-specific support and navigation tools. Message me now to purchase a Astrodharma Styles of Awakening Reading: a recorded 90 minute Zoom reading followed by a week-long Scorpio vision quest that includes daily perceptual tasks and self-inquiry exercises– designed to help you skillfully navigate this “let the dead be dead” Scorpio period.
Let the Dead Be Dead
Something wants to die in this month. Something, perhaps, that could take down an identity along with it. With Venus retrograde in Scorpio until November 14th, it isn’t just a “transform or die” moment in relationships.
Perhaps it’s that “hollow freedom habit” of being single, without adequate soul-mirroring, that craves a proper funeral. Perhaps it’s a false binary (money or soul-fulfillment) that wants to be put out of its misery.
Even now, if you listen closely, you can hear Venus in Scorpio’s witchy whisper,
Let the dead be dead.
Pressed to elaborate, Venus hisses,
It’s vanity to stay or leave. Don’t micro-manage. Let truth decide the form of your relationships.
Overview: The Five Stages of Venus Retrograde
October presents five stages of of “Letting deep Scorpio confession decide the form of our relationships.” Each stage of shadow-reckoning roughly equates with the four weeks of October, plus a “final decision zone,” mid-November.
Why drag the process out over the full six weeks? Because long term relationships (with a person, work or worldview) deserve better than a drive-by funeral that often results in a sentimental rebound.
Mark your Calendar:
Week 1) Confess and undress
Venus goes Retrograde alongside a tense T-Square involving Mars/Pluto/Mercury on Oct 3rd.
Week 2) Explore fair and equitable pathways to mend or gracefully release
New Moon in Libra on Oct 10th.
Week 3) Feel into what makes heart-sense
Mercury retrograde in Scorpio on Oct 24th.
Week 4) Feel into what preserves a modicum of security
Full Moon in Taurus on Oct 26th.
Week 5/6 in November) Postpone any and all final decisions to see which path forward survives the test of time
Final decision time: Nov 13/14 when Mercury and Venus both go direct.
Truth with Finesse
Fine. But how do partners communicate these emotionally touchy, life/death matters with finesse?
With so many extreme, all-or-nothing Pluto transits and Mercury retrograde in Scorpio approaching on the 24th, the temptation to release pent-up shadow material through dark blurting and Mars-triggered truth bombs is strong. I recommend 70% journaling, prayer and counsel with an impartial ally and 30% careful, crystalized confession, free of “you” statements.
A Supportive Glimpse
On Oct 23rd the Sun moves into Scorpio, conjuncting Venus, marking the exact half-way point of this 40 day Venus retro period. Be on the lookout for an inspiring glimpse of what a peaceful resolution and a settled outcome will look like.
Scorp Watch
Notice the news cycle: the suspiciously timed, vote-swinging scandals and exposes and the media constantly palpating, What percentage of the masses can I leverage using this fear of death vs. that one?
Notice how playful repartee twists into hurtful sarcasm and innocent flirting is quickly revealed to be “raunchy risky business.”
Notice the uptick in geopolitical power plays and old alliances crumbling. Consider it God’s gallows humor: a theatrical outpicturing of our own mind grasping at gain and fearing loss.
Notice the psychotic cosplay. The imaginary gap between self and other simultaneously begging and fearing to be bridged. The 10,000 ways ego distracts from the experience of One Being whilst imagining itself pining for Union.
Note for fridge
An immortal sleeper cell is embedded in my psyche. Dark agendas? Kid stuff.
_______
Oct 3rd- Venus Retrograde in Scorpio
Oct 3rd – Last Quarter Moon in Cancer
Oct 10th- New Moon in Libra
Oct 15th- Pluto goes Direct in Aquarius
Oct 18th- First Quarter Moon in Capricorn
Oct 20th- Sun conjunct Venus: Halfway point for 40 day Venus retro
Oct 23rd- Sun enters Scorpio
Oct 24th- Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio
Oct 25th- Venus Retrograde enters Libra
Oct 26th- Full Moon in Taurus
-Hunter Reynolds
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