Scorpio Season For 2020

Note: This is not an astrology forecast. It’s an exploration of solar seasonal astrology in its pure, archetypal form, with attention to ways we can develop ourselves and spiritually connect during the sign in question’s season. It doesn’t give attention to other astrological factors currently in play (e.g. planetary placements, Mars retrograde, etc.).

Welcome to Scorpio season! Scorpio season is the time when the Sun is in Scorpio, which begins October 22 and ends November 21 with the Sun entering Sagittarius. During Scorpio season, a Scorpionic mist hangs about our lives, which we can see in decorations of death and occultism abounding, and nature palpably darkening. There’s a texture in the air of something active beyond the veil, and that Samhain is near. Paralleling Persephone’s annual descent, we’re called to enter the Underworld within, the soil of our being, to do what must be done in darkness.

Scorpio is the fixed water sign (each element has three phases in Astrology: cardinal, fixed, and mutable). Fixed signs are steadfast, stubborn, persistent, and strong-willed, and Scorpio embodies these qualities. Water signs are home to emotion, intuition, psychic ability, and instinct, though they manifest these differently. Scorpio is the water of glaciers, wells, and the ocean deeps beyond the Sun’s reach. In its highest manifestation, Scorpio is a sign of truth telling, skin-shedding, transformation, regeneration, and owning our entire being: light and shadow. It has no interest in superficiality or hiding.

In Modern Astrology, Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, and traditionally, Mars. Pluto unrelentingly seeks truth at the expense of comfort and Mars is the assertive, passionate planet of boldness. These forces collectively inspire Scorpio to unlock the closets we keep our skeletons in and provide the daring and will to venture into them and heal (all water signs connect with healing in some fashion; it is fundamental to the element). Scorpio season can place what we usually avoid or deny in our face, demanding that we claim it or suffer for resisting to do so. The famous Zen Proverb “Let go or be dragged” may as well come from Pluto.

The best way I know to navigate this is to recognize that ultimately, what terrifies us from our shadow is the parts of ourselves and our history we struggle with, the actions we regret, and the aspects of life we fear. Centering ourselves and bringing these matters to consciousness while applying mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion can provide relief, especially with consistent practice (and we can pace ourselves in this work, which I explore in-depth in my book The Little Work: Magic to Transform Your Everyday Life). Scorpio season challenges us to integrate all of what we are, and in doing that, become freer.

The Dark is Rising

Scorpio is also known for being suspicious, even paranoid, which extends from the sign’s innate ability to see through falsehood and deception. One of the shadow sides of Scorpio is cynicism because in seeing through social masks and comforting illusions, Scorpio must grapple with disturbing truths: people can be profoundly selfish. Violence surrounds us. Nature is magnificent, but also deadly and unforgiving. Many of us care little about the suffering of others as long as our wants and needs are largely met. On the wave of this realization, Scorpio can become misanthropic and vengeful.

The answer to this isn’t to argue against these assessments, but to continue the Plutonian journey of truth seeking. Underneath the selfishness and cruelty of the human ego is the crystalline structure of the soul, and beyond that, the undiluted spirit common to all things. If Scorpio can just keep going, it will experience the alchemical flowering of consciousness. Mature Scorpio composts what it finds in its shadow and creates a fertile soil for the growth of others, whether directly as a teacher or indirectly by lived example.

Otherwise, Scorpio is tied with Taurus for being the most sexual sign, and that’s also available to us during Scorpio season. Where Taurus seeks sensual rapture, Scorpio wants to experience cosmic consciousness through sexuality. With other people, Scorpio craves nakedness on every level, and in that vulnerability and connection, to make such passionate love that all sense of separation from the divine dissolves.

Though Scorpio can be highly possessive, Scorpio season is often a time of purging. We have an opportunity to clarify what is and isn’t serving us, and to let things go or change them accordingly. Much like the Hindu deities Shiva and Kali, Pluto can destroy or create (or create through destruction), and when we align with Scorpio season, we shed skins to regenerate as deeper, fuller beings.

Important Dates

The sabbat that occurs during Scorpio season is Samhain (10/31), a time when the veil between worlds is said to be at its thinnest. There’s some hubbub about astrological Samhain – when the Sun is at 15 degrees Scorpio – versus calendar Samhain, when it isn’t, as astrologically, this would make sense as being the time when the veil is thinnest. My take is to soak in as much Spooky Season as possible, enjoying both! Having said that, magic the involves the zenith of the sign of Scorpio would be best performed when the Sun is at Scorpio’s midpoint on November 7.

The Taurus Full Moon occurs on Samhain at 7:49 a.m. PST. Full Moons happen when the Sun and Moon oppose each other. They are said to be times of illumination and revelation, as well as ripening, completion, and release. Matters come to a head, and restless energy is felt by many.

The Scorpio New Moon occurs on November 14th at 9:07 p.m. PST. New Moons happen when the Sun and Moon are atop each other, and they are said to be powerful times for looking inward, exploring the shadow and interior landscape, and breaking old habits and patterns. As the moon begins its increase, they are also opportunities for setting new intentions and creating affirmations.

Resonant Seasonal Activities

Here are some activities that align with Scorpio season to help avail yourself of the season’s energy for spiritual and personal development and healing. I recommend doing what you feel called to throughout the month, with the spirit of self-care. This is supposed to help enrich the experience of the season, not result in feeling burdened or like we aren’t measuring up.

In honor of Scorpio season being a time for illuminating the shadow, seeking deep truths, emotional bravery, candor, and shadow work, here’s a tarot spread and some journal prompts that can facilitate that process. With the journal prompts, some may warrant considering or revisiting throughout the season.

Card One: what am I avoiding that I should look at?
Card Two: where can I be more honest with myself?
Card Three: how can I be more honest with myself?
Card Four: how can I better integrate my shadow?
Card Five: what can aid me in bearing fear and grief?

Journal Prompts:

What shadows do you see around you? In your community, culture, place of employment, etc.?
What shadows do you see within yourself?
How have you been told to be inauthentic?
Identify three ways to live more authentically where it is wise to do so, and how to do that.
What is healthy darkness? In general and in your life?
What does the anger in your life indicate about your wants and needs?
If you feel guilty about something, what can you learn from that? Do you feel amends are appropriate?
What are you afraid of in your life now?
Are there any resolutions you want to make or actions to take in light of this process?

Ancestor Work

Being associated with death and dying, Scorpio season is a logical time to work with ancestors (which isn’t to suggest that ancestor work be limited to this time). Here are some actions you can take:

Build an ancestor shrine or clean yours if you already have one.
Make daily offerings to your ancestors.
Reflect on the history of your ancestors. What comes up for you when considering their journey?
Write a letter to your ancestors to help you connect with them.

Sacred Sexuality

As I wrote above, Scorpio is wedded to the energies that govern creation through form, as well as accessing higher consciousness through eroticism. Before exploring this subject, I want to acknowledge that some people are asexual, which is totally valid. Having said that, sexual energy is not synonymous with sex and can be divorced from sexual acts and seen more as the creative force of life. In most traditional Yoga practices, sexual energy is sublimated to the higher chakras through non-erotic meditation while Yogis maintain vows of celibacy, so being asexual or celibate need not bear on working with sexual energy (and if the label “sexual energy” feels uncomfortable, dismissive, or otherwise negative, it can be substituted).

For folks who identify as sexual, there are many ways to harness sex for healing, exploration of higher consciousness, and magic, whether with others or alone. I encourage anyone who feels hesitant to practice this with a partner to develop a solosexual sacred eroticism practice first.

Some resources for beginning to explore this include:

The Body Electric School
Erotic Engineering (a phallic-focused organization whose site depicts explicit solosexual content – I’m not linking to it because of that)
The work of Mantak Chia
Modern Sex Magick by Donald Michael Kraig

Otherwise, if you’re in a relationship, consider using this time to focus on sexual intimacy. Even with a dear love, how often are we truly showing up with as much presence as we could during sex? This is a potent opportunity to check-in with your partner(s) about your sex life. Are you having sex frequently enough for the two (or more) of you? Do you feel sexually satisfied? One of the most helpful workshops I’ve attended was on sacred eroticism where the instructor drilled home for us that our partners can’t read our minds and that by normalizing sexual feedback, we’re far more likely to experience heightened levels of pleasure (and as the giving partner, there’s nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about in not being a sexual mind reader).

May you have a profound and transformative Scorpio season!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider learning about my book, The Little Work: Magic to Transform Your Everyday Life, from Llewellyn Worldwide.