Scorpio draws us into the mystery of the underworld. Here Isis and Ishtar descend. Persephone savors her pomegranates. Cerridwen stirs her cauldron. The snake goddesses respect Scorpio’s powers of transformation and its gifts of wisdom. They understand that underworld empowerments usually come with a price. Yet the reward is always greater wealth. Give a little, get a lot. But first, initiates must be willing to enter the unknown, no matter how fast their hearts are beating. They must be willing to lose what they thought they couldn’t give up. They must develop the kind of patience that travels with passion and strength.
Enter the dark
Of course your new moon offering needn’t be so dramatic. A simple ritual would be to play in the dark. You might learn it’s not so bad in there. It can be creative, mysterious, wondrous not to know what you think you know. When your eyes can’t see, what will your other senses uncover? One night soon enter a favorite room in your house, turn off all the lights, and stand in the center. Sense the room. Isn’t it amazing what you can know and feel without seeing? Now go to your least favorite room and do the same thing. A little different, right? Stay with it until any fear or resistance dissolves, and you start discovering. The dark could be any situation that you find challenging–entering a crowded room; making a difficult phone call; just sitting in silence with yourself. Enter this nakedly. Wonder. Observe what’s happening inside and outside.
The dark can take you to a place deep within yourself if you let it. This builds genuine intimacy with your self. The stronger you have this deep relationship, the less needy you are for someone to give it to you. Rather, once you open to the Great Mystery, you’re ready to live in greater intimacy with the spiritual world.
Transformation
But there are other doorways. We in the Northern Hemisphere can follow the superb transformation agents–trees–the infallible natural gurus of this time. Why do trees turn crimson and gold in the fall? The short answer is, no one is entirely sure.
Yet what scientists have discovered so far is instructive: An autumn leaf is busy with purposeful activity. The trees are dismantling the chlorophyll in their leaves, drawing its nutrients back into their centers, storing its energy for new growth in spring. Some believe fall’s brightly colored leaves are simply left-over pigments, a tree’s version of graying hair. Others believe the reds and yellows serve a protective purpose, as a natural sunscreen, or a warning to insect predators. Either way, the trees are looking ahead. And so, perhaps, should we.
We release to create new space. By releasing something, we invite new energy into our core. Have your Scorpio ceremony beside a trash can: throw away something you’ve been hanging onto. Pay slow attention to the process. Is there regret? A tightness? Sorrow? Or simply relief? Let the event teach you something about yourself.
Or just sit with a tree that is transforming. Be with the intelligence of this tree. As you stand as still as the tree, sense how busy it is. Connect and listen. As the cycle unfolds, maintain your relationship. When the bright leaves of your tree go brown and fall to the ground, observe how your own transformation is progressing.
Or simply light a candle and say thanks to Scorpio for all the gifts it has brought you through death, loss, and rebirth. The perfect offering is the one you can perform sincerely and in the spirit of transformative Scorpio.
Your Scorpio Message
This is the fun part. No way can I predict it for you. But in the next few days or even weeks, keep your eye out for Scorpio visits. You may in a dream get a gift of power, an important message, or a sign. Scorpio’s surrogates may appear in your outer world. A pack of young Goths, dressed in black and chains, might cross your path. Or a raven will land outside your window and begin cawing. You’ll see an unusual poster with a snake or a smiling skull. You’ll feel an electric charge as a deeper part of you recognizes who sent them. Link this appearance to whatever you were thinking about at that moment. There will be a message. And it will be a gift.
Are you a Moon priestess or priest without a temple?
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© Dana Gerhardt
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