If there was ever a time for figuring out the source of difficulties in our lives, the New Moon at 24° 34′ Scorpio on November 16 is it.

The Sabian symbol for this New Moon is 25 Scorpio:

“An X-ray photograph helps with the diagnosis.” How appropriate is that for a New Moon in Scorpio square Neptune in Aquarius and trine Uranus in Pisces? There is little doubt that if we can identify a problem, we are well on the way to resolving it, providing we apply a generous dose of compassion and diligence.

Scorpio’s penetrating vision and willingness to use a scalpel to lance the wounds it finds may not be easy or comfortable, but if we can accept the necessity of doing so, we have an opportunity to really start healing wounds long ignored. There is also little hope of being able to continue to bury our heads in the sand, because our vulnerable backsides are sticking up, just waiting to get kicked. Fortunately, Uranus in Pisces trine the New Moon offers new possibilities and solutions to old dilemmas, with a nice measure of empathy thrown in.

Mars, Scorpio’s ruler, forms a square from dramatic Leo to Venus in very private Scorpio. This sets the stage for potential disagreements with friends and lovers, because both of these fixed signs tend to be somewhat possessive with jealousy consequently. Scorpio likes to hold their feelings close to the chest, and Leo prefers to make a public display of theirs – not a happy combination. Honesty is by far the best option, because if Scorpio finds out they have been lied to, there will be all hell to pay.

On the subject of honesty in relationships, the Saturn-Pluto square is just one day past making the first of three exact squares (the second one is January 31, 2010 and the third, August 21, 2010). At this time, we have help in the form of Mercury in forthright Sagittarius forming a sextile to Saturn in Libra and a semi-sextile to Pluto in Capricorn. Yes, the words may be blunt and to the point, but if they reflect the truth as each person understands it, progress in resolving our differences can be made. The rewards will be well worth the pain.

All New Moons take us into the dark, so we can mix with the Void, and emerge anew. This one is the Mother of all Dark Moons, in Scorpio, the sign of death that births the new. If we choose to, we can seek deep soul healing now. Or we might find sexual healing. You might just ask spirit to heal what’s hurting. What’s needed now is a heart open to change, and the willingness to do whatever that takes.

We enter a darkness that’s the cauldron of primal energies. It’s a time of coming back to the base of soul power. Everything from giving away our power, to the simple stress of living can cause parts of us to “check out,” leading to the sense of being shutdown.

The New Moon chart shows the Sun-Moon in Scorpio, along with Venus. A main theme here is surrendering to a deep healing, release, purge of what’s become toxic in your life. It’s having the courage to look at what needs to go, in order for you to grow. It’s facing fears of being enveloped by the ‘crazy’ as it’s being released and integrated, not trying to tame that primal energy, but honor it by finding a way to express it. That might be through some catharsis, sex, sustained creative projects or ritual:

In the Crucible

Just like the last Full Moon, there’s a lot of tension (squares) that creates internal pressure in all of us. The biggie now is the square between Saturn and Pluto, which is exact right before the New Moon. This one is going to be long term, with no easy outs. It involves the ground beneath us and the diseased state of our institutions (Pluto in Capricorn).

Since Pluto rules Scorpio, it’s significant that it’s so close to this potent New Moon. The cure may be extreme, since the dis-ease is so embedded in our culture and in the process; those that fear losing power are likely to lash out. However, take heart that Saturn is now in Libra, the sign of moral conscience, justice and diplomacy. The friction of this square will be in play, as a cosmic re-balancer of a world out of whack.

Quantum Leaps

The Sun-Moon in Scorpio are in a tense square to planets in Aquarius (Neptune, Jupiter). This adds urgency to the need to release what’s in the personal shadows, so you can keep up with the quickening process of the collective. It also makes it feel like a collective deep healing process that is personal, but part of the bigger story of humanity. As you heal, you contribute to the healing of everyone, since we are all linked.

Venus square Mars

This is yet another provocative aspect at the New Moon. Venus drives us to be authentic with our feelings, and inspires us to lose the fake smile. This can be a highly creative aspect, if we express the uniqueness of our genuine story. We honor what we’ve been through, by leaving denial behind, and by claiming it as part of who we are. Our own darkness and story of healing can be inspiring to others, as part of song, art, and sharing.

Shocks to the Heart

The Sun-Moon in Scorpio are in a harmonious trine to Uranus (the awakener) in Pisces. As you go into the shadow, this speeds the healing process, and opens you to forgiveness of yourself and others.

You may have startling dreams that crack things open, and unravel a psychic mystery that has had you bound. It’s a time of dark imagination, where mystery lurks in the shadows, and can be the stuff of great art.

New Moon Rituals

The days leading to total lunar darkness pull us inward. There is no need to figure anything out. You can go far with this plunge into healing, by looking at your own resistance to let go. What we clutch tightly, as if our lives depended on it, is often the very thing we have to let go of, and in the release, great stores of energy are restored, and available for your use. It feels risky, but the rewards are great. A New Moon Ritual might involve a commitment to let go. Only you know what is tying up your vital energies, or where you are losing power.

Ritual Ideas:

■Draw a healing bath with lavender, and envision yourself being cleansed of what you’re carrying.
■Make a collage that has images of what you are like to seed for Spring, or visions of personal power.