About the photography: A young woman with her legs spread wide; buttoned-up dressed workers on a city street. Contrasting photos like these of intensely private scenes, and snapshots of nameless passers-by are Nobuyoshi Araki’s early commentary on the heterogeneity of Japanese society, calling the moral responsibility of its members into question. The book ‘Impossible Love’ combines Araki’s Tokyo series from his early works with a selection of his recent Polaroid collages and newly developed slide shows—all of them exploring the contradictions between anonymity and intimacy, the public and private sphere, reality and dream. The legendary Araki is one of the most influential and widely discussed artists today, one who deals with nakedness, sexuality and the body in a radical and realistic way. Through an extreme emotional and physical closeness with his subjects, he becomes not only part of their lives but plays a central role in his own photos, thus transcending voyeurism. This text is from the book Impossible Love. The book is co-published with museum C/O Berlin.
To me the photography of Araki plays on the Taurus – Scorpio axis. The axis of Eros and Thanatos, love and death, sensuality and sexuality, the accepted and the taboo, both the desire and fear of intimacy, pleasure and pain. Araki’s work is known to show with all these topics. I think it also beautifully expresses the archetype of Venus in Scorpio.
During Scorpio season, from October 23th until November 22nd, there are two eclipses. The Lunar Eclipse takes place in Taurus, the Solar eclipse takes place in Scorpio. Taurus is ruled by Venus. Scorpio is ruled by Mars. The connection of the goddess Venus and the god Mars can be described as ‘impossible love’. A passionate relationship for sure, filled with both pleasure and pain. So far my choice of art for the astrology of Scorpio season.
Semi – horoscopes: I didn’t have the time to write horoscopes (they require a lot of creativity and time), but I was able to write down a list of where the eclipses fall in the chart of each of the risings signs. It may give you a clue of what eclipse season may be about for you. The list follows at the end of the article. I’ll also share a link to previous horoscopes that are still valid.
Now let’s talk about what Scorpio season / eclipse season has in store for us. And no, for most of us it will not be about impossible love. But yes, for a few of us it will. Because just like the ancient Greeks we secretly do love tragedy…
A bit of general info on Scorpio Season and Eclipses
The Sun enters the zodiacal sign Scorpio on October 23rd, and will leave Scorpio and enter Sagittarius on November 22nd. The Solar Eclipse (New Moon) in Scorpio is on October 25th 12.49 pm CET. The Lunar Eclipse (Full Moon) In Taurus is on November 8th 12.01 pm CET. Below I’ll share with you my insights on these two eclipses, and what we may expect. But first, let me give you some general information on eclipses. Eclipses take place when the light of one of the luminaries (Sun / Moon) is (partially) blocked, due to the alignment of the Sun, Moon and Earth. A Solar Eclipse is a New Moon where the Moon temporarily blocks the light from the Sun from reaching the Earth; thus the Sun temporarily becomes dark. A Lunar Eclipse is a Full Moon where the Earth blocks the light from the Sun from reaching the Moon; thus the otherwise bright Full Moon temporarily becomes dark. Traditional Hellenistic astrology and Indian astrology consider eclipses to be inauspicious; to have the otherwise life-giving light from the Sun and Moon to be removed, is a bad omen. Though I agree that events taking place during an eclipse can be challenging, sad or painful; they are not necessarily bad. Often times it is through loss and challenge that we learn and grow. Eclipses do come with endings, but they also come with beginnings. Sometimes they bring about necessary (re-)alignments in our lives. Let’s remind ourselves that there are 4 to 6 eclipses taking place every year; and that we don’t always experience upheaval, loss and trauma 4 to 6 times a year. It very much depends on where eclipses fall in your personal birth chart, whether they even signify major life events or not, and of what kind (they really don’t always involve trauma and loss). I’ve had eclipses taking place conjunct natal placements, signifying major life events that were very challenging, unavoidable and necessary. I’ve had eclipses taking place conjunct natal placements, signifying positive new beginnings. I’ve also went through plenty of rather uneventful eclipse seasons. In other words: we want to be able to go with the flow of life, whether it’s storm on sea or a calm stream.
The Solar Eclipse on October 25th 2022
The Solar Eclipse (New Moon) in Scorpio is on October 25th 12.49 pm CET. This New Moon / Solar Eclipse takes place at 2 degrees Scorpio, conjunct Venus at 2 degrees Scorpio. This New Moon is ruled by Mars. Mars is at 25 degrees Gemini, only a few days away from stationing retrograde.
Let’s talk about Venus first, because the eclipse is conjunct Venus. Venus is in her detriment in Scorpio, which means she’s in a place where she’s not exactly comfortable. Venus is at home in Taurus, the sign opposite of Scorpio. Taurus is a sign of stability and comfort; where Venus brings food on the table, warm (and beautiful) clothing to wear, money to pay for the gas bills. Scorpio is not about stability and comfort, but rather about transformation and discomfort. Venus being conjunct the eclipse, is a bit like Venus temporarily being swallowed into a black hole. Almost as if Venus will be eclipsed herself, and that happening in a sign where she’s uncomfortable anyways and also under the hot and burning rays of the Sun that take away her strength (which astrologers call combustion). It’s like a layer, on top of a layer, on top of a layer of discomfort for Venus. Instead of spending her time in a lush garden with beautiful flowers and wearing nice silks; she’s being tortured in a dark dungeon… Money to pay for the gas. Not so much. Warm clothing? Maybe from a vintage store, but no Chanel for Aphrodite this year. Venus significations are: beauty, comfort, pleasure and love (to name a few). One or more of these may feel absent this eclipse season. Venus is uncomfortable the entire time she spends in Scorpio (not just during the eclipse, but especially during the eclipse; and remember that the astrology of eclipses plays out over weeks and sometimes months). Mundane astrology talking: for most people on this planet these Venusian qualities may feel absent / hard to come by (which we don’t need astrology for to know, because we can already read this in the newspapers). Personal astrology talking: it all depends on your natal chart. But it could mean that you’ll experience struggles in your love life (maybe ‘impossible love’ after all), money wise, or experience physical / emotional discomfort. Again, as written in the introduction above, this will not be for everyone.
This eclipse is ruled by Mars. Mars is in Gemini, moving very slow as Mars will station retrograde a few days after the eclipse. Mars is not in aspect with the eclipse (meaning Mars doesn’t ‘see’ it taking place), but rules it nonetheless. As Mars is about to station retrograde, about to retrace past taken steps, we can expect this eclipse to invite things from the past. Whether that means past events, people from the past, or patterns that we thought we had broken.
As Scorpio is so much related to what’s deep and hidden, bringing back the dead would almost seem possible with this eclipse. The underworld is not just where we keep the death, it’s the place where we keep all that’s subconscious, taboo, or too challenging to deal with. Sometimes we need to face what’s in the dark. Sometimes we need to get a lesson once more, to see if we’ve finally learned. Scorpio is a sign of transformation. I often think of compost, when I think of Scorpio. Compost is what’s left of what once died. A plant dies. It rots. It rots more. It rots some more. It’s a dark and smelly process. But then… there’s compost. Extremely fertile, extremely powerful, helping new and beautiful plants to grow (Taurus). Scorpio and Taurus help each other out (as all opposite signs do); and sometimes the Venusian needs to die, in order to bloom later (it’s almost like a Venus retrograde).
In all honesty, this is not happy astrology. But that doesn’t mean it’s bad. Is there truly such a thing as benefic or malefic, good and bad, auspicious and inauspicious? Or is it us human beings that label the pleasant as good and the unpleasant as bad? Do the planets have the same ethics as we do? Does life? Without the process of rotting, there wouldn’t be the gold that is compost. The compost is exactly what a new baby plant needs. And since this eclipse is a New Moon, it does signify a new beginning. Often times, beginnings needs endings. And definitely: beginnings need compost. That new plant will have a far better chance at growing into a strong and beautiful tree, if is born in fertile soil. Thus, this astrology also comes with the invitation to not be scared of the discomfort.
Take note if you have placements in your natal chart in between 1 – 4 degrees of Taurus and/or Scorpio (and to a lesser extent 1 – 4 degrees Leo and/or Aquarius). This eclipse may come with significant insights, revelations and/or life events. To give two examples: If an eclipse happens near your Sun or ascendent, it may be about identity and self. If it takes place near Saturn, it may be about the structures of your life. Also take note of this eclipse if you’re a Taurus or Libra rising, since your ruler is in such an uncomfortable place: take extra good care of yourself during eclipse season.
The Lunar Eclipse on November 8th 2022
The Lunar Eclipse (Full Moon) In Taurus is on November 8th 12.01 pm CET. This Full Moon / Lunar Eclipse is at 16 degrees Taurus, conjunct Uranus at 16 degrees Taurus, also opposite Mercury at 15 degrees Scorpio and Venus at 20 degrees Scorpio, and square Saturn at 18 degrees Aquarius. Damn; those are a lot of intense aspects… Let’s break it down. And as usual I do this using metaphorical language. Uranus brings the unexpected; the lightning that strikes, the breaking down of a brick wall. Mercury brings the microphone; making that lighting even more visible, bringing headlines in the newspapers about the breakdown of the wall. Saturn, however, tries real hard to hold everything together. Saturn will be trying to build new walls elsewhere in order to keep some type of foundation is place; but probably no one is happy with that construction (though we need it). Meanwhile Mars is retrograde elsewhere, ruling over everything that happens in Scorpio opposite of the eclipsed Moon in Taurus; and not exactly being helpful.
Remember that this second eclipse takes place in Taurus and remember what I shared in the above about Taurus. Taurus is all about stability and comfort. Taurus is that warm blanket in a cold winter. Taurus is also a roof over our head and bread on the table. Apart from the physical, Taurus is about stability in general. Stability in relationships. Stability in work. This cow wants green grass wherever she goes; it becomes difficult to produce milk if she has no grass. What’s the green grass in your life? Where do you rely on? We all rely on something, that’s part of life. Sometimes we rely on friends. Sometimes we rely on our partner in love. Sometimes we rely on our partner in crime. We rely on jobs, on savings, on parents, on children, on a house with a roof, on government support, on so many things. Foundations may crack with this eclipse. Foundations that you thought were solid, whether that’s a house, job or relationship, may show cracks. It doesn’t mean that things will apart. When we spot the cracks on time, we may be able to heal them. Which is more of a blessing than a curse. Rather spot the cracks on time, so we can do something about it; than have them unnoticed for too long and things completely falling apart. Both can appear with this eclipse. Sometimes indeed the concrete that looks solid on the outside, is so rotten on the inside that a building collapses just all of a sudden.
In all honesty, this eclipse is a big fucking stress test. This entire eclipse season is no joke. Not everyone’s life will fall apart, not everyone will experience this stress test. Again, this also depends very much on your natal chart. I don’t want you to freak out. But speaking mundane astrology, talking about world wide matters, I do think we’re heading into a stress test (another one, because we’ve had plenty already in these past few years). Speaking personal astrology, in case this eclipse does take place in close aspect to a natal placement, it still not necessarily means that the walls in your life will fall apart, it can ‘just’ signify having important insights, unexpected revelations, about the foundations, structures and patterns in your life. Astrological transits don’t always speak about external events; sometimes the stars above reflect our emotional life, or thoughts and dreams.
How to navigate through this astrology? Don’t fight it. Don’t try to glue together what doesn’t want to be glued. Heal what wants to be healed, let go of the things that want to die. Don’t try to force things that are not under your control. Be compassionate with yourself and others. Try to find comfort in discomfort (meditation, breath work, yoga, may be helpful practices).
Take note if you have placements in your natal chart in between 14 – 18 degrees of Taurus and/or Scorpio (and to a lesser extent 14 – 18 degrees Leo and/or Aquarius). This eclipse may come with significant insights, revelations and/or life events. To give two examples: If an eclipse happens near your Sun or ascendent, it may be about identity and self. If it takes place near Saturn, it may be about the structures of your life.
Where do the eclipses fall in your chart?
Horoscopes of last year that are still valid: You may want to read the horoscopes for the Full Moon / Lunar Eclipse in Taurus of November 19th 2021 again (click here to read them). The Lunar Eclipse of November 19th 2021 marked the start of a 2 year long chapter of eclipses in the Taurus – Scorpio axis. These horoscopes of one year ago may be helpful to reflect on what happened back then and what has unfolded since then.
Below follows a list of where the eclipses fall in the chart per rising sign, in other words: the houses. Topics related to these houses are mentioned. During eclipse season you may experience endings and beginnings, or insights and revelations, related to these topics. The list of topics mentioned is not exclusive.
Aries Rising
The Solar Eclipse on October 25th takes place in your 8th house. Your 8th house is illuminated during entire Scorpio season, thus these topics may be significant during entire Scorpio season. Topics related to the 8th house are: collaborations, other people’s money and resources, debt, inheritance, taxes, anxiety, psychology, therapy / counselling. The Lunar Eclipse on November 8th takes place in your 2nd house. Topics related to the 2nd house are: your own resources, possessions, money, livelihood, talents, skills, (self-)worth.
Taurus Rising
The Solar Eclipse on October 25th takes place in your 7th house. Your 7th house is illuminated during entire Scorpio season, thus these topics may be significant during entire Scorpio season. Topics related to the 7th house are: romantic relationships, marriage, business partnerships, client relationships, other committed partnerships. The Lunar Eclipse on November 8th takes place in your 1st house. Topics related to the 1st house are: self, identity and the body.
Gemini Rising
The Solar Eclipse on October 25th takes place in your 6th house. Your 6th house is illuminated during entire Scorpio season, thus these topics may be significant during entire Scorpio season. Topics related to the 6th house are: work, service, health, lifestyle and routines. The Lunar Eclipse on November 8th takes place in your 12th house. Topics related to the 12th house are: isolation (meditation centre, prison, being away on travels), the subconscious, self-sabotage, secrets, hidden enemies / relationships / projects, spirituality, rest.
Cancer Rising
The Solar Eclipse on October 25th takes place in your 5th house. Your 5th house is illuminated during entire Scorpio season, thus these topics may be significant during entire Scorpio season. Topics related to the 5th house are: romance, creativity, sex, fertility, children. The Lunar Eclipse on November 8th takes place in your 11th house. Topics related to the 11th house are: community, friendship, the groups you’re a part of, audiences.
Leo Rising
The Solar Eclipse on October 25th takes place in your 4th house. Your 4th house is illuminated during entire Scorpio season, thus these topics may be significant during entire Scorpio season. Topics related to the 4th house are: home, housing, parents, ancestry, foundation, family, private life. The Lunar Eclipse on November 8th takes place in your 10th house. Topics related to the 10th house are: public life, career, vocation, legacy.
Virgo Rising
The Solar Eclipse on October 25th takes place in your 3rd house. Your 3rd house is illuminated during entire Scorpio season, thus these topics may be significant during entire Scorpio season. Topics related to the 3rd house are: neighbourhood, short distance travels and daily transportation, writing, studying, teaching. The Lunar Eclipse on November 8th takes place in your 9th house. Topics related to the 9th house are: long distance travels, writing, studying, teaching, religion, philosophy, science.
Libra Rising
The Solar Eclipse on October 25th takes place in your 2nd house. Your 2nd house is illuminated during entire Scorpio season, thus these topics may be significant during entire Scorpio season. Topics related to the 2nd house are: your own resources, possessions, money, livelihood, talents, skills, (self-)worth. The Lunar Eclipse on November 8th takes place in your 8th house. Topics related to the 8th house are: collaborations, other people’s money and resources, debt, inheritance, taxes, anxiety, psychology, therapy / counselling.
Scorpio Rising
The Solar Eclipse on October 25th takes place in your 1st house. Your 1st house is illuminated during entire Scorpio season, thus these topics may be significant during entire Scorpio season. Topics related to the 1st house are: self, identity and the body. The Lunar Eclipse on November 8th takes place in your 7th house. Topics related to the 7th house are: romantic relationships, marriage, business partnerships, client relationships, other committed partnerships.
Sagittarius Rising
The Solar Eclipse on October 25th takes place in your 12th house. Your 12th house is illuminated during entire Scorpio season, thus these topics may be significant during entire Scorpio season. Topics related to the 12th house are: isolation (meditation centre, prison, being away on travels), the subconscious, self-sabotage, secrets, hidden enemies / relationships / projects, spirituality, rest. The Lunar Eclipse on November 8th takes place in your 6th house. Topics related to the 6th house are: work, service, health, lifestyle and routines.
Capricorn Rising
The Solar Eclipse on October 25th takes place in your 11th house. Your 11th house is illuminated during entire Scorpio season, thus these topics may be significant during entire Scorpio season. Topics related to the 11th house are: community, friendship, the groups you’re a part of, audiences. The Lunar Eclipse on November 8th takes place in your 5th house. Topics related to the 5th house are: romance, creativity, sex, fertility, children.
Aquarius Rising
The Solar Eclipse on October 25th takes place in your 10th house. Your 10th house is illuminated during entire Scorpio season, thus these topics may be significant during entire Scorpio season. Topics related to the 10th house are: public life, career, vocation, legacy. The Lunar Eclipse on November 8th takes place in your 4th house. Topics related to the 4th house are: home, housing, parents, ancestry, foundation, family, private life.
Pisces Rising
The Solar Eclipse on October 25th takes place in your 9th house. Your 9th house is illuminated during entire Scorpio season, thus these topics may be significant during entire Scorpio season. Topics related to the 9th house are: long distance travels, writing, studying, teaching, religion, philosophy, science. The Lunar Eclipse on November 8th takes place in your 3rd house. Topics related to the 3rd house are: neighbourhood, short distance travels and daily transportation, writing, studying, teaching.