*Whether astrology is science or magic, we’re open to most things, if they may be of benefit. ~ Ed.

We are in the midst of something magical.

I bet you have felt your intuition rising as we entered Scorpio season on October 23rd? Perhaps a tingle of unexplained excitement on your skin?

Dark Moon: October 27th and 28th

New Moon: October 28th

Witch’s New Moon: October 29th and 30th

All Hallow’s Eve (Samhain): October 31st

Mercury Retrograde: October 31st to November 20th

Batten down the hatches, wild ones. With the sun, moon, Venus, and Mercury in Scorpio right now, the theme of this dark/new moon is seduction, death, and transformation.

At the last full moon, I talked about the season of the dark moon, which we are in, between autumn equinox and the winter solstice. The season is amplified on October 31, Witch’s New Year, the holy day of Samhain.**

With Scorpio’s tenacious grip on all things occult, we are called deep into the shadows, the proverbial Underworld and the secrets we keep.

Now the dark goddess rises. The hag, the witch, the seductress, the crone, the wicked woman who dared to defy her master—Lilith—so willing to dance naked and irreverent, sinful and dangerous, so reviled and suppressed, so wise and succulent in the face of conformity.

We have permission now to be one with her, to own those parts of ourselves which have been discarded and shamed. We allow ourselves this season of knowing the darkness as a place of rest and wisdom, where we can decompose what once was and nurture the seed of our re-growth.

Scorpio revels in death. Scorpio invokes introspection and transformation.

Before we can be re-born, before we can imagine new worlds, we must gestate in the womb of the dark goddess, who holds us in her surprisingly tender hands, dirt beneath her fingernails from where she has dug us up, her warm tears the rain of our resurrection.

She is the dark moon on the 27th and 28th, the incubating mother who holds our dreams in safety. She is the soil we sink into each month at the dark moon. Every seed of possibility must surrender to this darkness, must commune with rotting leaves and whispering spirits.

The cloak of the dark mother keeps us warm. It drags on the ground as she walks the earth in search of dreamers. Where would we be without dreams or the darkness that cocoons them. Before we grow wings, we sip the still waters of possibility. We wait…

It is important now to observe the moments of stillness before the witch’s new moon crescents and Mercury stations retrograde and together with Scorpio dips deliciously into long-held taboos, explores succulent secrets, awakens our sexuality and creativity without apology.

Stay open, heart open, and you will reap visions from the occult places of your soul.

What is hidden will be revealed; what is forbidden will be embraced.

Be mindful and conscious of these three chakras during dark and new moon:

>> Third and sacral for intuition
>> Throat and heart for authenticity
>> Root chakra for groundedness

Feed them with gratitude and love, as well as acceptance of all that you are. We are not seeking perfection but wholeness.

Mantras for the Dark Moon (Crone)

I am grounded in the unconditional love of the Great Mother.

I am safe in exploring my wildest dreams.

I embrace, love and retrieve my hidden, shamed, and discarded soul aspects.

I am open to aligned transformation.

I am empowered by stillness and seek the wisdom of my inner self.

I explore my sexuality and passion and awaken to my wild, sovereign nature.

I treat myself with compassion and empathy.

Mantras for the New Moon (Maiden)

I cast my dream seeds with confidence and gratitude.

I expand into the places of my soul and DNA which hold the blueprint of my dreams.

I am becoming.

I release the past and stand present in this moment.

I am ready to step into purpose and service.

I welcome growth and transformation.

I am abundant and joyful.

Mercury Retrograde Affirmations

I am present; I am mindful.

I listen carefully to all communication and respond with love.

I am grounded in my Earth Mother.

I see and feel with my intuition.

I am authentic and sovereign.

Everything is as it should be and I trust the flow of life.

I embrace my humanity and love myself as I am.

Harnessing the Forbidden to Manifest at the New Moon (best done on the night of the 28th transitioning to the 29th)

In this simple ritual, you can capture the essence of the dark goddess (crone) before you cast your dream seeds, then engage with the innocence of the maiden at the moment of release.

During the dark moon, write what you wish to manifest during the next lunar cycle on bits of paper and fold. Hide them in a small pouch and place beneath your pillow. You may tuck a sprig of your favorite herb inside, preferably dried, or anoint with essential oil of your choice (rosemary is nice).

Invite the dark goddess(es) of your choice to preside over your desires while you sleep, and Mercury to accompany you as you soul-travel other dimensions within dream time.

Set an intention for your sleep. Do you wish to visit the Underworld, meet ancestors, or invite Scorpio to help you see your own shadows with new understanding?

When you wake, record any dreams you had, say a prayer of gratitude, then empty the pouch into a shallow white or clear bowl. Open the papers wide so the dreams are no longer hidden. Light a white candle. (Be careful with fire; it likes mischief.)

Taking the lit candle in your hand, repeat this incantation or create one of your own:

“I release my dreams to the light of the new moon, the maiden as she grow into fullness. I engage with the powerful, mysterious, and creative forces of Scorpio to magnetize my dreams into reality. With gratitude, I envision the manifestation of my dreams. As above so below, as within so without. So mote it be.”

At the same time, drip the white candle wax onto the opened dream parcels, sealing them with your intention.

For a more intense ritual, aligned with Scorpio and Lilith, and if the timing feels right to you, you can further seal the intention with the most powerful form of creativity—sexual energy. During the moments leading up to and of orgasm, envision your dreams sprouted healthy and strong, bursting forth from the dark earth. The same method of sealing the intention with candle wax is appropriate and fun. I’ll leave it up to your imagination or desire as to where to drip the wax, with a partner or solo.

If you happen to love a Scorpio or are one, I’ll also leave you with some tips for their seduction.

New moon blessings, wild ones. I would love to hear how this moon is treating you.

~

**Southern hemisphere is experiencing the same Dark/New Moon – check accurate dates for your area – but is in the Maiden season of the year, as opposed to the Crone. However, the same mantras and ritual applies for the transition from dark to new moon. The Pagan festival for those south of the equator will be Beltaine/May Day instead of Samhain.