CV Henriette is a writer, maker of Cosmic Apothecary, and consulting Astrologer at ART of the ZODIAC. Follow her on Instagram at art_of_the_zodiac.
Somewhere in our lives each of us is being invited to take a journey into the deep and buried parts of our psyches. The intangible parts of us, furnished with antique furniture and fading photographs—where ghosts dwell, the floorboards creak, and gramophones play before a wood burning stove. The places where “memory mixes with desire,” to quote TS Eliot who may have penned the most Scorpionic line ever:
“It is worth while dying, to find out what life is.”
We are well into the second decan of Scorpio, a place that astrologer Austin Coppock describes as “a place of deep and excellent mysteries.” It has taken me the first half of the season—and a rather brutal lunation—to gather my thoughts around the topic. Everyone wants to predict the future, what’s going to get us through the moment?
Accept these words as a meditation on the decaying season—a pick-me-up to sustain you through a journey now long underway. If you’ve been listening, and even if you haven’t, you’ve no doubt received your cosmic marching orders and have identified the places in your life where you’re being asked to revisit and rewrite the master narratives.
The ones that thrive and multiply just below the surface. The thoughts that guide us even when we think we’re in control. The forgotten thoughts, the repressed thoughts. The ones that elude us as we hit our heads against a wall time and time again asking “Why do I keep doing the same thing over and over?” Attracting the same friends, bosses, toxic partners, ETC.
If you’re reading this, congratulations! You’re still alive. Even if it doesn’t feel like it. Soon enough the long walk of candles begins (aka Sagittarius).
As always, read for your rising sign. Or sun sign. Or moon sign. Or all the signs because why the hell not??! Take what feels good and discard the rest.
ARIES
How much joy do you get from other people’s problems? Sure, there’s a certain romance in being the dynamic, passionate lover who boldly and graciously solves everyone’s problems with brute force, but isn’t it exhausting? Sit with that for a moment. Maybe meditate on it.
All the energy spent in defense of ideas, people—is this really serving you? No one said you have to be a hero all the time. Especially if it means extinguishing your own creative flame. Or bank account.
TAURUS
Do you ever think about leaving your job one day and never returning? Maybe you’re an entrepreneur. Even better! Imagine toppling the whole deck of cards! You set fire to the business you built (metaphorically speaking). Or hand it over to your employees (better idea). Then you tell all your clients to have a wonderful day, as you turn on your heels and power walk into the sunset.
Maybe don’t do any of that. But think about it. Then come up with a clear vision of what you’d like to do instead and plan accordingly.
GEMINI
Did you know you can actually make yourself sick? Our course you do. And like the rest of us you probably choose to forget this neato fact and carry on with whatever toxic behaviors you’ve developed just to get you through the day. Like smoking. Or shopping. Or checking your email obsessively.
Then—BOOM! Something happens. An accident. An illness. You get the idea. The system just breaks down. And now you get to find new rituals and make a new routine.
CANCER
Sex is a terrific way to clear the mind! I don’t know who needs to hear that, but with the planet of passion passing over your zodiacal thrills, crab friend, consider taking the statement to heart. In the old times people used to wake up in the middle of the night to do all sorts of activities—read by candlelight, snack, make love. In the middle of the night! Doesn’t that sound cozy?
If you don’t have a partner—or partners!—make it a solo endeavor.
LEO
Not to be a drag, but most of us have something weighing us down. The burden of childhood, ancestry, the restraints of gravity and limitations of the human body (aka mortality). Add to this list the frustration of not being able to pick up a telephone to share these woes with our dead pals on the regular. Or ever.
All the while we have to go on living and loving and being entertaining to friends and strangers acting like we’re not one step away from falling into the void. It’s a lot.
VIRGO
The next time someone tells you to settle down, remind them that actions have consequences, and, sure, living in the moment is a fine idea, but who is going to prepare for the future? Sure you can take on all the work yourself, but, realistically, is it possible?
Perhaps there’s a way to voice your needs without inciting a panic attack and further destroying your already shaky peace of mind. Just a thought.
LIBRA
Upon entering the Underworld, one must remove one’s clothes. In this version of the story, guests are offered a robe and slippers to wear for the duration of their visit which is eternity because who besides Hermes gets to leave the Underworld unscathed? Orphee, but his memory is erased, so it doesn’t count.
Anyway, now that you’ve been stripped of your earthly belongings, take a moment to contemplate what means the most to you. And hold onto that.
SCORPIO
“I have never been one of those who cares about happiness. Happiness is a strange notion. I am just not made for it. It has never been a goal of mine; I do not think in those terms.”
An astrologer once pointed out to me that Scorpio risings rarely bare their teeth when they smile. That sort of aggressive display of happiness is reserved for Leos! Anyway, test it out. With Scorpio it's all about the eyes. Not a smile. A glare. From the depths of knowing.
SAGITTARIUS
The first centaur in history was the son of a cloud. Yes, a fluffy cloud just like Bob Ross liked. Despite this cute fact, centaurs have a reputation for being mean, lusty creatures, with a thirst for alcohol that makes them even more belligerent. Even the friendly centaur, Chiron, fell prey to these destructive urges.
Be on the lookout for centaurs this month. Those people you call friends—is it possible one of them is a centaur? Perhaps you’re a centaur.
CAPRICORN
Speaking of friends, how are they doing? Take a few moments away from the always-multiplying mountain of work before you to gauge the emotional weather. Just because you remembered your raingear doesn’t mean the storm is taking down everyone around you. It probably is. Fast and hard. Now is a great time to sharpen your empathy skills as you hold space for someone else. Even if it means being unproductive. Bonus points if you carry a spare umbrella.
AQUARIUS
Is there any reason why everyday can’t be Halloween? Sure, sure, the holiday is about more than dressing up! But for a moment, let’s pretend it is. Forever. Why not go to work dressed as a firefighter or an astronaut? Go ahead, wear a sexy cat costume to yoga class everyday! This is the new world! These are the new rules! Fake it until you make it. Be the change you want to see. ETC. ETC.
PISCES
Scorpio season is basically University for Pisces folks. In between dispassionate lectures, you sit alone in your room absorbing a bunch of dusty philosophers until you a.) gain enough confidence to share your new knowledge with everyone (Sagittarius season) and b.) eventually develop your own original thoughts on the matter (Aquarius season). By the time Pisces season rolls around, you’re buzzing with the newfound freedom of graduation and the enormous bliss of ALL OPPORTUNITIES ARE POSSIBLE.
Which is sort of depressing when you realize you can’t have it all at once.
