On May 16th we are going to have the second and last eclipse of the first season of the year. This is going to be a Total Lunar Eclipse, taking place at 25° 17′ Scorpio. The first was a Partial Solar Eclipse in Taurus, and it was the new moon of the current lunation. This lunar eclipse instead is its full moon.
In general a solar eclipse affects the human willing. This is because the beginning of the lunation, the new moon, is dark and unconscious as the forces of our will. As we know from Anthroposophy human beings “are sleeping in their willing”.
A lunar eclipse instead affects mainly the human thinking. Thoughts are the result of the reflection in the brain of the imaginative etheric thinking. This reflecting activity belongs to the lunar forces, especially when the Moon is full. Simply put, the etheric thinking of the heart-Sun is reflected by the brain-Moon.
Since lunar eclipses occur during a full moon, they mainly affect our thinking. Steiner said that the cone of shadow that the Earth cast on the Moon during the eclipse allows nasty astral influences to pour into the earth. You can think of it as an upside down funnel, creating an opening for harmful entities. Hence, we want to take particular care of our thinking during a moon eclipse.
I consider myself a free researcher in western spiritual disciplines, in particular Rudolf Steiner’s Anthroposophy and the Neoplatonic Hermetic tradition. I have a three-year training in Astrology at the CIDA delegation of Trieste, the Italian Center for Astrological Disciplines. I graduated in Computer Engineering from the University of Trieste.
The golden colors of fall begin to turn into blood red tints. The senses get blurry as the first fogs of the season cloak us in their hug. Nature lets itself go, melancholy surrendering as it enters the heart of autumn.
The Soul of the World—Persephone—is about to cross the threshold of the Hades. All life around is inviting us to turn on a little flame inside of us, a lantern with which confronting the upcoming night of the year.
Stepping into Scorpio, the Sun shines with a supernatural light. Sol luce supernaturali refulget. It’s the spiritual light of the Ancient Sun, the stage of development of the solar system when—according to Anthroposophy—life itself was born.
We can clearly feel the Sun crossing the threshold of the spiritual world. As they say, the veil gets thinner as we approach Samhain, or Halloween—all saints’ eve. And we can get in touch more easily with our beloved departed.
The lantern, the inner light we are invited to turn on inside, can also be the light of thoughts we can offer them through prayer. Dead and alive, we are all connected, and helping them also helps us back in return.
I consider myself a free researcher in western spiritual disciplines, in particular Rudolf Steiner’s Anthroposophy and the Neoplatonic Hermetic tradition. I have a three-year training in Astrology at the CIDA delegation of Trieste, the Italian Center for Astrological Disciplines. I graduated in Computer Engineering from the University of Trieste.
The Sun has set. The light at dusk turns red, as if it was filtered by the black earth. The twilight resonates with the deepest parts of our soul. “There is life beyond death”. This is what the Sun tells us, as it goes through the sign of Scorpio.
The golden leaves on the trees begin to fall and rot. Nature falls prey to a magical sleep, shrouded in a thick fog. Our animal part feels the call of lethargy, as our vital forces diminish. And in the mist we can feel the echo of an ancient time when the curtain of the senses had not blinded us yet.
Have we turned on an inner light? Does our lamp have enough oil to make it through the season? Did we rekindle the spiritual flame inside of us?
We all know the shadows are coming back. They are rising quickly from the memory of last spring. The specter of another lockdown hangs over us. And the fear of contagion has now returned. Thus, the questions above are anything but abstract or rhetorical.
I consider myself a free researcher in western spiritual disciplines, in particular Rudolf Steiner’s Anthroposophy and the Neoplatonic Hermetic tradition. I have a three-year training in Astrology at the CIDA delegation of Trieste, the Italian Center for Astrological Disciplines. I graduated in Computer Engineering from the University of Trieste.
A young messenger darts quickly through dark and tangled alleys. With a light step he confidently goes through hidden passages in the night, a lantern lighting his way. In his hands a golden key has the power to open all the doors before him. There is no place dark enough or deep enough he can’t reach. Not even the realm of Hades.
Mercury is the only god allowed to come and go from the Underworld. In Scorpio he expresses exactly this powerful signification, especially then the planet turns retrograde. In fact in a general sense Mercury retrograde is about the mind turning its attention within. The psyche becomes the object of observation. And Immediately the alchemical motto of the V.I.T.R.I.O.L.V.M. is evoked.
Visita Interiora Terrae Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem Veram Medicinam. Visit the interior of the earth, and by rectifying you will find the hidden stone which is the true medicine. The black dirt of Egypt (al-Kemia) contains vital forces hiding in the mud.
Working on our shadow side isn’t easy, and sometimes not event desirable. It’s the soul’s journey into the underworld, the place keeping in secret everything we do not want to see. Most of the times we would rather turn our back to the unpleasant parts of us than facing them. Confronting our fears is hard. Still, this is what this transit is all about. And I believe that all the shadows that emerged during the lockdown—which was a forced social Nigredo—are going to come back during Mercury retrograde in Scorpio.
I consider myself a free researcher in western spiritual disciplines, in particular Rudolf Steiner’s Anthroposophy and the Neoplatonic Hermetic tradition. I have a three-year training in Astrology at the CIDA delegation of Trieste, the Italian Center for Astrological Disciplines. I graduated in Computer Engineering from the University of Trieste.
Reading Time : 2minutesI look at the Sun. My eyes closed, I can feel the warmth on my face as a blessing. The winds of fall have come, and the sunlight shines weaker full of nostalgia. Candles are lit, little beacons in the night that grows stronger.
Jupiter has entered Scorpio. Which kind of wisdom lies in the shadows? What can we learn from darkness? The swamp transforms everything by means of its secret fire. But its stinging mud is a mystery to us. Still, we are asked to dare and have faith: beneath the smelly dirt the treasures of the earth are waiting for the brave.
A philosopher walks alone in the mist. He carries an orange-gold lamp that illuminates his thick beard. His eyes are deep as the secrets he keeps. A silent man who’s alone only because few are willing to follow him. Still, he is smiling full of confidence and trust: death is just an illusion.
We die to ourselves again and again. Change is the little death that chases our shadow. But what if we were actually able to master change? Uncertainty wouldn’t be so painful and the croak of anxiety in our head would stop. Maybe.
Jupiter in Scorpio
Expansion in the depths of the Underworld. Exploring the Unconscious. To dare, to risk. Tasting taboos. Testing the extremes. Learning how black can turn into white, coal into diamonds. Rescuing life forces stuck in hell. Dosing sufferance for the greater good. Occult powers and knowledge. Experience from confronting the shadow. This if all goes well.
Otherwise the landing might be rough. To the negative, Jupiter in Scorpio becomes the door for nasty exaggeration. Plunged into psychic swamps. Narcissistic mind-games. Sex addiction and dysfunctional relationships. Spiritual intoxication. Black magic. Wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing. Financial manipulation. Power over ethics. Abusing elites. Poisonous truths. Political blackmailing. Blood for oil.
A Philosophy of Darkness
Without Sloth we would not rest. Respect your body.
Without Envy we would not be looking for who we really are. Find yourself.
Without Lust we would not be interested in others. Consider other people.
Without Pride we would not stand up for ourselves. Know your worth.
Without Rage we would not be looking for justice. Do what it takes.
Without Gluttony we would not feel the emptiness of what is meaningless. Search for meaning.
Without Avarice we would not restrain ourselves. Discipline yourself.
I consider myself a free researcher in western spiritual disciplines, in particular Rudolf Steiner’s Anthroposophy and the Neoplatonic Hermetic tradition. I have a three-year training in Astrology at the CIDA delegation of Trieste, the Italian Center for Astrological Disciplines. I graduated in Computer Engineering from the University of Trieste.
Each new moon occurs in darkness—like a seed sprouting underground. The doors of the skies are opened and new astral forces can penetrate into the orbit of the earth. Every month this process happens under the auspices of a zodiac sign, which leaves its mark on these energies.
A Black Moon in the sign of Scorpio, taking place on the via combusta—the cursed road of the Zodiac. A powerful image which does not bode well. It reminds me that kind of fear you have by night on your way home crossing a dangerous place. Dangerous and unpredictable. The applying trine of the Moon with Neptune gives this feeling a touch of drama and chaos, while imagination fills the shadows creating monsters—lurking in the darkness.
Sometimes this monsters are real, sometimes it’s all in your head. But the sextile between this Moon and a strong Mars—in exaltation in Capricorn—suggests that this time monsters are real. They do take advantage of the situation and are able to strike mercilessly.
So, how do you feel right now? Are you ready to give the coup de grace? Or are you rather frightened on your way home, trying to cross the woods safely? To me this seems to be the perfect night to hunt, and honestly I wouldn’t be in the shoes of the prey.
This creepy scenario is toned down by the mutual reception of the benefics: Venus in Sagittarius—conjunct Saturn—sextile Jupiter in Libra. This image talks about justice and righteousness which are emphatically pursued with a sence of urgency (Venus and Saturn trine Uranus). It’s almost like they were saying: we must do something about this prey in danger—it’s not right!
The prey, the predator and the rescuer. [ictt-tweet-inline]The whole picture reminds me the perfect triangle of victimism[/ictt-tweet-inline]. What do you think about it? Is this somehow resonating with you? Sometimes we feel like we must do something—that we have to save them. Personally, I believe we can just offer—not impose—our help because in the end they can be saved only by themselves.
Facing Powerlessness
Powerlessness is something very difficult to accept. Whether you are putting yourself in the role of the victim or the rescuer, the truth is that sometimes you just can’t do anything about it. If you could have done something, you wouldn’t be a victim; if you really believe you can save someone, well… in my opinion you are going to face frustration. [ictt-tweet-inline]No one can save anyone[/ictt-tweet-inline].
Just take for example what happened to my partner two weeks ago. When things like that happen there’s nothing you can do about it. You just have to rely on doctors and wait. Obviously, I’m helping him in all possible ways—I’m there for him. But I know that I can’t send his pain away, and yes—this makes me feel powerless. And it’s ok.
The hardest part to accept comes from the awareness that [ictt-tweet-inline]everybody is alone in their pain[/ictt-tweet-inline]. We are all in our own way challenged by life so you just can’t expect to deny the experience of pain to anyone—not even your children. You can only be there for them whenever they need—reaching them out with both open hand and heart.
I consider myself a free researcher in western spiritual disciplines, in particular Rudolf Steiner’s Anthroposophy and the Neoplatonic Hermetic tradition. I have a three-year training in Astrology at the CIDA delegation of Trieste, the Italian Center for Astrological Disciplines. I graduated in Computer Engineering from the University of Trieste.
Sometimes life is wierd. Simple, everyday actions sudenly go wrong and you find yourself injured—stuck in a hospital for three weeks. This is at least what doctors are saying, and no—I’m not talking about me.
Last week my boyfriend had a bad burn, caused by a hot water bottle that blew up behind his lower back. I am still cursing that damn thing. How can an object so small and common make such a damage? I still can’t figure it out.
Burns are hard. They are probably the worst kind of injuries you can get. They loose liquids, you are exposed to infections and the skin is not able to regenerate easily by itself. It takes time—if not a surgery—and you need to be very patient.
Furthermore, hospitals are like holes in spacetime. If you stay in bed long enough they start to mess with your head. Daylight and night time blend together—eclipsed by articial light—while restelessness, pain and meds welcome you in Wonderland.
Apparently, this is burns time. The staff of this department is very busy because a lot of people get hurt trying to start stoves or fireplaces (guys, please don’t use alcohol!). Personally, I like to think that this is the bad influence of Venus in Scorpio which—when this blog is published—will be in Sagittarius. Let’s talk about it.
The Skin according to Astrology
In Astrology the planets ruling the skin are Saturn and Venus, which give us two very different perspectives on the matter.
First of all, being the Reaper, Saturn has power over all dead things. Furthermore—as the Guardian of the Threshold—he also rules all sorts of borders and boundaries. Combining these symbols together we’ve got “dead borders”. This is obviously related to the skin considered as the border of our body which—at least on the outer layer—is made of dead cells.
In regards to Venus, we can say that she rules beauty, as well as pleasure or—in this case—well being. [ictt-tweet-inline hashtags=”astrology”]All women know that a luminous and young skin is the secret of beauty[/ictt-tweet-inline]—otherwise why bother with lotions and makeup? Our well being is seen by the skin, too.
Boundary (Saturn, earth element) and appearence (Venus, air element) are the two pillars of the skin according to medical astrology.
The Goddess and the Serpent
Scorpio is ruled by Mars and Pluto. It is the sign of death and rebirth, so every process of regeneration deals with its energies. This also applies to skin regeneration—just think about the well known metaphor of the serpent changing its envelope. This is mainly due to Pluto’s influence on the sign.
What about Mars instead? This fiery planet—the God of War—is the lord of all injuries. This is the main reason why the goddess of pleasure is not well here. [ictt-tweet-inline]Beauty and contentment are both sacrificed on the altar of deep regeneration[/ictt-tweet-inline] that requires a blood toll. Ironically, in my previous blogI compared red wine to blood, just inspired by Venus in Scorpio.
In conclusion I’d like to say that I don’t believe that a single planetary transit is able to affect people in such a deterministic way. As you may know [ictt-tweet-inline hashtags=”astrology”]I look at the sky looking for inspiration, not for mass prediction[/ictt-tweet-inline]. If you want to use astrology to dispel the darkness of an unclear event you should always—always—go back to your Natal Chart.
I consider myself a free researcher in western spiritual disciplines, in particular Rudolf Steiner’s Anthroposophy and the Neoplatonic Hermetic tradition. I have a three-year training in Astrology at the CIDA delegation of Trieste, the Italian Center for Astrological Disciplines. I graduated in Computer Engineering from the University of Trieste.
