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Scorpio Season, Venus in Sagittarius, and Irreversible Things

Scorpio Season, Venus in Sagittarius, and Irreversible Things

The biggest portals of transformation are sometimes the most uncomfortable...

Aspen Beard
October 28, 2024

Vol. 65 // 10-28-24

In the true essence of Scorpio season, this section of this installment is going to be quite vulnerable and will address some potentially uncomfortable topics, including sexual assault and pet loss. If these are topics of sensitivity for you, I would highly recommend you forego this one. I had contemplated for a few days what I felt inspired to write about in this section for this week and continued to circle back to the taboos of my own life. I kept having moments where I’d ask myself, “Can’t we just talk about something else?” But I think I have already been reminded in the few days we’ve been in Scorpio season that power is found in vulnerability, and there are oftentimes many topics left undiscussed due to their uncomfortable nature, even though there may be someone out there yearning to have their complex feelings regarding difficult experiences validated by hearing others’ similar stories. I’ve shared about uncomfortable and taboo topics before, but this one is far more transparent and raw. If you at all relate to anything I discuss in this installment, I’m sorry for your ability to relate but hope that my words remind you that you are not alone.

The reason for this installment’s delay is that I’ve been grieving the death of my childhood dog. I awoke Thursday morning to a text and a few missed calls from my mom—despite it being early still, the sinking feeling in my stomach prompted me to call her back. My darling dog, Owen, had cancer in his mouth, and it was progressing so quickly that they decided the most loving thing they could do for him was to put him to sleep. He passed Friday morning. This is my first face-to-face encounter with death, and having to grieve from a couple of thousand miles away adds a layer of complexity and loneliness to this experience that I had not anticipated. I have known Owen for over half of my life; he has been a core soul in my childhood, and we’ve had many fun experiences together. I got him when I was eight years old. I did 4-H with him as a kid, and we even won reserve champion in Washington State one year. He was not the best at obedience, as he was a very independent lad, but he really shined in the showmanship ring. He was a Leo sun with a Scorpio moon, and even though he was a bit of a trickster when he was younger, he aged into quite the serene stoic. He was never one for excessive affection and hardly sought out a cuddle; instead, he was the type to quietly sit beside you while you read a book or took a nap. He loved getting his haircut because he loved feeling handsome, and whenever he was back from the groomer, he was always sure to parade around and show everyone how bright he was. He loved birthdays, but he loved Christmas more—I wish he could’ve had just one more. He had a long, well-loved, and beautiful fifteen years on this side of the veil.

Facing his loss has had me reminiscing on childhood, as he was such a vital part of mine, and in this contemplation, I’ve been thinking of the inescapable fact that I will only get farther from it. I think that has been one of the longest lingering themes in my life since moving away from my home state, as, while I have developed valuable connections and community here, I don’t feel at home in this place and still feel like a drifting stranger more often than not. I have no roots here and no nostalgic reminders of girlhood, which was not something I thought I’d miss—I didn’t even know this feeling existed. I have a great deal of appreciation for the little life I’ve established and the opportunities that have been presented to me, but I remain in an energetic “in-between” that has not subsided, even after living here for nearly four months now. There are some things that we're so used to being there that we don’t anticipate how we’ll feel once they’re gone.

I’ve been accomplishing a lot of healing and doing a lot of unlearning here, releasing shame and rewriting subconscious narratives that I have abided by since childhood. I attribute this primarily to this 12th house year I am living, a year infused with the themes of my Capricorn south node and Capricorn’s ruler, Saturn, which has just been amplified even further by my living on my south node line (I will have to share more about that in a future piece). And even though I do not want to operate through these narratives anymore, there is a bittersweetness that I feel in evolving beyond them, as their familiarity is weirdly comforting amidst all of the changes happening around me—sometimes it feels like those narratives and beliefs are all that I have left of home. Despite their inability to support me anymore, sometimes they feel like a baby blanket I can encircle myself in to feel a moment of comfort, even if that moment is fleeting and even if that blanket stifles my growth. It’s strange though, in this season of life, I feel like I am allowing myself to have experiences that I was never afforded in childhood, yet I am simultaneously drifting away from the nostalgic pieces that have still made me feel like I’m not yet grown up. The harsh rules I clung to for so long have softened, and I have been learning to invite more play and curiosity into my decision-making. I am navigating a social life that I have never experienced before and am, for what feels like the first time in my life, having new experiences on my terms.

As a child, I felt a profound responsibility from very early on to be mature and wise and to always make the “right” decision, which I often defined as the choice that would leave everyone feeling most satisfied with and appreciative of me. I seldom, if ever, acted in my own self-interest and developed a very strong moral complex in which I willingly inflicted emotional pain upon myself in the name of being “good” to other people—I often channeled this complex through excessive forgiveness, frail boundaries, and an overall overly accommodating personality. Because of this, there were many experiences in which I denied myself what I wanted as a child because, at the time, I thought my denying myself was honorable and a testament to my willpower to be a “good person”—I’ve come to realize that this was just deeply indoctrinated Christian principles and purity culture. The whole complex has been one that I’ve operated through for essentially my whole life, and just in the past three months or so, I’ve been deconstructing it profusely. But it’s left me feeling heartbroken for all of the younger versions of myself who were not allowed to explore innocent and pure-intentioned curiosities—I know how to be an adult in a lot of ways, but I’ve found myself having to learn how to be more childlike in order to atone for what my younger self prevented herself from experiencing.

In addition to my self-imposed blockages, there have been many “first” experiences in my life that have felt like they’ve been taken from me and have forced me to grow up faster than I wanted to, many of which revolve around sexuality. Growing up in the church with such a heavy shroud of sexual shame infused into the culture, I learned to suppress my sexual energy and curiosity for sexual experiences before I even knew what sex was. The cultural environment I grew up in seemingly was focused on raising young women to be good, respectable, modest wives—women who would never hope to attract the lustful gaze of men, causing them to “stumble.” When I was growing into my teenage identity, I remember feeling so deeply shameful and disappointed in myself for thinking of sexual experiences and being curious about the touch of a lover. My Pisces self seemed to dream of the most romantic first encounters and idealized relationships and marriage quite frequently. I yearned for the fantasy of that ~other-worldly~ love that ignites your soul, yet I was a stranger to my sexual power—my magnetism and creative wellspring—and therefore, had an unquenchable craving for validation. I did not know what it felt like to be empowered by my sexuality, so I did not know what it felt like to find pleasure in my own pleasure. All of my sexual “firsts” were assault—none of them were on my terms, even though I tried to convince myself for many years that they were. The innocent dream of vulnerable “first times” was quickly destroyed by someone I thought I could trust—I was so confused about why I felt so hollow in the aftermath. I eventually assumed it was what everyone experienced after losing their virginity.

I overly-sexualized myself for several years after that, which I’ve learned is a common response to sexual trauma—I think I felt like “taking the power back” entailed me choosing to have a higher sex drive than the person I was with; that way I would never feel like they were in a position to take advantage of me. And yet conversation about sexuality and intimate curiosities would make me extremely uncomfortable and bashful. I would often wonder, “How can I be so fixated on yet so avoidant of the same topic?” I felt like I was on defense for many years; it was almost as if this character, who was not me, would come out in sexual encounters to protect me and I would merely be an observer of the whole thing. It felt so contradictory and confusing. I thought that I had “fixed” the issue by overriding it in this way, yet lighthearted conversations would come up in which friends would share their embarrassing and awkward, yet innocent “first-times,” and I would feel that cold wave of isolation wash over me again, bringing me right back to that room and the blurry, paralyzing memory.

There is a bizarre common thread that I did not anticipate finding in the loss of my dog and my sexual assault. I still do not have all of the words to accurately articulate it, but I have started to understand. Losing Owen, especially so suddenly, has made me feel like a part of my innocence has been ripped from me, just as it was on the day of my assault. In a moment, life can change so drastically, and in some scenarios, you cannot escape the powerful hand of the pain that follows. Similar to how when you are young, thinking of the day you will get your driver’s license feels so far off into the future that you can’t imagine it actually happening, so I also felt about Owen’s death and having sex for the first time. When I was a young teenager, I would often think of how romantic and awkward yet intimate and innocent the latter would be, and yet, it was not at all that way. In the same light, I had the naive assumption that I would somehow be ready for the day that Owen decided to move on. Yet, in the wake of his passing, I’ve felt so unprepared to handle the grief that I didn’t even know was awaiting me. It is in these uncomfortable matters—sex and death—that I think we can learn quite a bit about ourselves, despite how unpleasant it can be at times. I’ve found myself grappling with the same frustration and confusion at this time as I felt when I began processing my sexual assault—no matter how badly I wanted to have that “first time” back or to have a chance to change things, I would never be allowed such a novelty. And death is just as convicting—it does not grant us the pleasure of undoing.

But it is through these experiences that we can radically transform, as I truly believe that grief is one of the most sacred teachers. And while I find myself feeling pushed further from childhood with Owen now gone, I am simultaneously retracing my steps and healing unresolved wounds that the younger versions of me did not have the understanding, confidence, or self-acceptance to heal. This year has challenged me so fervently to let go of control and to make peace with that which is asking to be acknowledged, even if I may not wish to notice it. I keep feeling like the moment I accept something that has been taken from me, another thing is pulled from my grasp, and, at this point, I am no longer trying to rigidly maintain my grasp on anything. I have left so many claw marks on people, things, and situations that were not in alignment with me, and despite wishing that they'd stay a little longer, I cannot act as if I know better than the bigger path I am traveling.

While this whole section still feels a bit disjointed for my liking, it is raw and relatively unedited, which I think is sort of the point. I may have to follow up on this in the next issue with some clarifying thoughts, but for now, I will leave you with this. Even the most painful experiences can be alchemized into a power that allows us to reach heights that were perhaps inaccessible to us previously, and while this is not a glamorization of pain or traumatic experiences, it is an invitation for you to sink deeper into your healing journey if that is something you feel called to do. The healing process is not always polished and composed; in fact, I’ve found it to be quite messy and chaotic. But this is a part of the cyclic and dualistic nature of life—we cannot know love without loss, we cannot know strength without weakness. Be well, my friends.

In Memory of my sweet boy, Owen - 7/31/2009 - 10/25/2024

Venus entered Sagittarius on October 18th and will remain there until November 11th; Scorpio season began on October 22nd. Here’s what you need to know.

VENUS IN SAGITTARIUS
Venus in the fire signs operates through excitement and a desire to experience; it’s not necessarily motivated by practicality or material pleasures. In Sagittarius specifically, Venus is infused with the blessings of Jupiter and is therefore optimistic, exuberant, and often quite animated. Venus in Sagittarius has a craving for extravagant experiences, but these do not have to entail large spending or material luxury. Sagittarius seeks out wisdom through experience, and this is what Venus might yearn for in her themes through this archetype. Venus governs pleasure, comfort, love, values, connection, and gifts, as well as money, surface-level attraction, and creativity. Her expression through this sign can often be much more motivated by the energetic sensation an experience will provide rather than its physical factors. Venus in Sagittarius finds the joy in all the plans going awry, yet there is still a story to tell afterward. She feels most inspired when she’s able to encounter something firsthand, so she might form her own opinion and learn more about herself. This placement embraces the magic in the “what if” and often encourages more open-mindedness when it comes to new creative, relational, romantic, and financial experiences. She encourages more leaps of faith and a bigger “go with the flow” mentality.

Being mutable fire, Sagittarius is immensely adaptable—arguably the most adaptable of the mutable signs. Sagittarius is able to learn along the way much more fluidly than the rest of the zodiac, as it has a heightened ability to trust the process and not feel too intently set on one specific future or outcome. Sagittarius is an open-ended question, one whose answer will depend on the feeling of that particular moment. Natives with this placement may find themselves to be naturally quite philosophical, with a great appreciation for symbolism, interpretive art, and other things with malleable meaning. These individuals are often difficult to pin down in a romantic sense, though, as they often require more intellectual stimulation than most may realize to remain curious and interested in the connection. These individuals can be quite loyal and devoted if they feel they are with someone they can expand and grow with. Venus in Sagittarius seldom is satisfied with living through the retelling of others’ adventures; they must experience it themselves. This oftentimes means that they will have quite the arsenal of stories and fond memories to fondly recount to any audiences they find themselves entertaining.

In transit, Venus through this sign often encourages us to be a bit more casual and carefree in our mindsets toward love, connection, money, abundance, and any scenarios in which we can practice believing that things will simply work out as they need to. While Venus in Scorpio can often instill an obsessiveness within us in regard to Venus’s matters, Sagittarius offers us a lighter take. We might find ourselves inspired to take new leaps toward financial opportunities, whether this is by starting a new project, launching a business, or investing in something that may help expand our minds (and therefore enhance our magnetism). Venus in Sagittarius asks us to set ourselves free, to provide ourselves with the openness to experience anything that may enhance or deepen our understanding of what we value, our mindset toward love, our relationship with money, or our experience of creativity. It encourages us to push the bounds that we may unintentionally place on these matters and consider what we may gain if we become more willing to venture into uncharted waters. This is an especially powerful time for us to rewrite our mental narratives about these things by taking action to affirm a new story, as Jupiter, Sagittarius’s ruler, is still retrograde in Gemini, making our minds much more receptive and moldable.

Consider what adventure you have denied yourself in the past, perhaps due to a fear of what may happen if you take the leap of faith or maybe because of limiting beliefs. This is a time to entertain more fun and curiosity, especially when it comes to creativity and our mindsets toward abundance. I find this transit to be beneficial for business owners, artists, and those who appreciate philosophy. You may find yourself having more moments of contemplation about the world around you—perhaps you will find yourself more aptly seeking out metaphors and symbolism in the mundane. This transit encourages us to seek out expansive experiences but also reminds us of the expansiveness that can be provided to us by more intentionally observing what is already in our immediate surroundings. Embrace where your adventurous spirit may lead you, but also be encouraged to find the magic in what is right under your nose.

SCORPIO SEASON
Scorpio is the fixed water sign of the zodiac, traditionally ruled by Mars, the planet of action, drive, willpower, and masculine energy, although it is more modernly associated with Pluto, the planet of transformation, empires, power dynamics, and the death and rebirth process. We can notice the theme of both of these planets infused into Scorpio’s archetype, as this sign is one that is quite polarizing. Scorpio is concentrated and calculated; it is often described as intense, obsessive, and powerful, which is fitting, as this sign craves intimacy and depth in all that it does, whether that is through connections with others, a career, an artistic path, their daily life, or something entirely else. Scorpio naturally governs the eighth house of death, taxes, taboos, sexuality, intimacy, trust, betrayal, and risk. The eighth house is one that can often be difficult to fully describe, as its themes can feel scattered and disjointed; however, I find this house to govern many things that we intentionally shy away from, perhaps out of fear, perhaps out of avoidance of wanting to see the truth—Scorpio can carry this same essence into whichever house it governs in the natal chart.

Scorpio points us to the truth as it nakedly stands; that is, it does not embellish it to make it look greater or worse. It simply points out what is. This sign is one that advocates for unedited, unrefined expression, which by default demands vulnerability. Interestingly, Scorpio addresses fairness and truth from a much more abrupt, but perhaps realer perspective than its preceding sign, Libra. While Libra often accounts for the weight of the circumstances and context when deducing what is fair, Scorpio does not indulge in these interpersonal factors; it looks at the good, the bad, and the ugly. Libra may try to paint a situation in a better light to preserve its social reputation; Scorpio does not bother with this, even if it knows the truth as it stands may not be as digestible if it is not curated to appear a certain way. Scorpio is a sign that can be mysterious and misleading, but it will be deeply transparent, vulnerable, and loyal to those who have earned to see its true form.

I find it helpful to discuss the themes of the house this sign naturally governs and how that house functions in the birth chart, as we will likely see the same qualities infused into the house that Scorpio naturally governs in each of our natal charts. The eighth house is arguably one of the most interesting houses in the chart, and it is by far the most convicting. It is the domain of our deepest fears, insecurities, sexual cravings, darkest secrets, pains, and open wounds. This house also describes taxes, debt, and inheritances, which apply to financial and emotional matters. The character qualities that result from other people’s influence or actions, such as inherited beliefs, wounds, or limitations, and trauma responses fall into this house—this is the house of cyclic behaviors and the “dark psyche.” Oftentimes this house describes the character traits that we find most repulsive, unbecoming, or ugly about ourselves, traits that we may try to keep concealed so others do not find them out. Matters that we may try to run from also reside here, which is why exploring this house (or the house that Scorpio governs in your natal chart) can be so helpful in accomplishing inner work, healing, and the transmutation of pain. The eighth house is quincunx the first, an aspect that creates deep misunderstanding, chaos, or discomfort but can accelerate evolution and healing; the relationship between the first and eighth houses reminds us that in the pursuit of knowing ourselves entirely (first house), we often have to venture into the depths of discomfort, fear, and weakness (eighth house). We can understand ourselves on a more complex level by experiencing grief or loss, even if we may not wish to experience the pain that often accompanies them.

Scorpio describes the darkness within each of us, but there is also a potent realness that resides there, and while it may not be as composed or polished as other aspects of who we are, there is something that is deeply entrancing about this essence of us. There is beauty in the broken, disorganized, and messy parts of us, as they speak to our humanness and, when addressed, remind us of the power found in vulnerability.

In Scorpio season, we may encounter many different iterations of transformation, death and rebirth, and “the underworld”—this is a season in which we are traveling through portals and being reshaped by encapsulating ourselves in chrysalises of introspection. It is advised that we be selective with whom we allow into our immediate circles at this time; we can have a healthy amount of skepticism about others’ motivations and intentions. This is a season in which it’s encouraged to keep your secrets to yourself unless you wish for them to be shared—secrets or things kept in concealment are often unveiled in this season, even if that is against our wishes. It is best to be intentional and aware of our actions at this time. That said, this is a supportive time to deepen our intimacy and trust with both ourselves and those we are bonded with. This is a season to explore your deeper cravings, especially those of a sexual nature, and free ourselves from cycles rooted in shame, woundedness, and discomfort. We may be able to know ourselves better and be known better in this season, but we must be willing to risk being observed in our nakedness; we must be willing to take off the protective personas, masks, and defense mechanisms in order to be celebrated for our authenticity. Risks that are taken under this energy are often rewarded later on—these could be actual risks, but may also be perceived risks, that is, actions we are afraid to take due to the vulnerability required and our having to confront fear in the process.

I always find this season to be deeply revealing—it’s as if the aspects of ourselves that we typically push away present themselves in spaces we never thought we’d find them in, requiring us to witness them whether we want to acknowledge them or not. This is a time for us to lean into discomfort so we might understand why it’s uncomfortable for us in the first place. We may find ourselves closing out cycles and accomplishing healing around ancestral wounds, sexual trauma, or other forms of pain that tend to linger in the body. Due to Mars and Pluto being in opposition for roughly the first half of this season, an aspect that only forms once every two years or so, and also considering this opposition is at 29º and will be the final Mars-Pluto opposition on the Cancer-Capricorn axis that we will see in our lifetimes, we may especially be closing out things regarding childhood and the future as we’ve anticipated it. This opposition will be the “spine” of a kite formation that will be coming together alongside the Scorpio new moon next week, which, in my opinion, is one of the most powerful new moons of the year, especially considering the transformative energies of the summer that required us to purge so much from our lives. I’ll be sharing more about that in the Moon Circle, so if you’re curious about what the nuances of that new moon will be, I’d encourage you to check that out.

In this season, especially because we are in the midst of a slow but powerful metamorphosis (which I will also expound upon in the new moon newsletter), I encourage you to give yourself the time and space to transmute any heavy feelings or energy that come to the surface of your awareness. This may be an especially intense and confrontational Scorpio season due to both of Scorpio’s rulers sitting in a 29º opposition for the majority of it. Take your time, clarify your intentions before taking action, and make space to notice what is shifting.
Sending you love. xx

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I find this spread to be quite cohesive with the themes of Scorpio season, as there is a clear invitation for us to embrace the aspects of ourselves that we may find repulsive or off-putting and integrate them into our identities to curate a more authentic persona. I always find the toad so endearing, as it references joy, humor, and the grotesque—it always makes me think of how some people find toads cute, while others find them disgusting! This is a reminder for us to consider what parts of ourselves we may find disturbing or upsetting and is a suggestion for us to hold them with more tender care. Even though some may be scared of or grossed out by toads, they are still fragile, delicate creatures, and the same goes for our inner wounds, fears, taboos, or unlikeable qualities. Under each of those is a deeper truth, which we can discover by holding that uncomfortable thing with a gentle hand—and this is what the tree references. We are urged to seek out the root causes of any pain points, insecurities, or shameful mindsets and may be inclined to uproot them if we find them beneficial to our growth into a more authentic expression of self. The rebellion card urges us to heal these things not by indirectly brushing them but rather through intentional, energized, and authoritative decisions. The author included on the rebellion card, Forough Farrokhzad, was an Iranian poet known for her abrupt approach to taboo topics like unapologetic sexuality, “sin,” and sensuality. We can learn something from her by more ardently pursuing the desires that we may otherwise hide and are encouraged to rebel against any inner frameworks of shame or woundedness.

Consider what parts of yourself you have cast aside or felt disgusted by due to unresolved pain that lingers beneath the surface. Identify how you might rebel against narratives that are keeping you in a disempowered state.

Scorpio Season, Venus in Sagittarius. Check your rising sign for primary messages, sun and moon signs for additional insights.

ARIES, this season naturally activates your eighth house, which may mean that you are venturing into the depths of your psyche and will be asked to embrace any transformative processes that present themselves to you. Consider what fears, wounds, or emotionally difficult experiences you have tried to avoid, as they may make themselves unavoidable in this season. This is also a favorable time to venture into new intimate connections, although you are encouraged to do so by embracing vulnerable and transparent conversation—you may discover that current or potential romantic connections are strengthened when you lower your walls and reveal the “naked” iteration of your personality. This season promotes deep introspection into the places that you may usually cast aside or push away and encourages you to embody the power that is accessible to you when you unapologetically show up in the world, regardless of how it may be received by the public. This could be a time in which you receive an inheritance or are dealing with the dispersal of assets, or perhaps you’ll find yourself taking an intentional loss now for a future gain. There is a higher likelihood of you becoming involved in a scandal at this time, which means that it may be best for you to be more specific with whom you spend your time and those you confide in this season. There could be unrest in your family at present, perhaps due to your unwillingness to participate in cycles that have perpetuated through your lineage—this season reminds you that while breaking cycles, especially those that span decades, can be difficult, the reward that you gift yourself and future generations is worth it, despite the pain and frustration you may encounter in the process. This is a season to embrace discomfort and vulnerability, as it may lead you toward favorable new experiences and opportunities.

TAURUS, you may be deeply focused on close intimate connections at this time or perhaps will find yourself contemplating the concepts of marriage, devotion, sacrifice, collaboration, and teamwork. You may be having insightful conversations about these matters or could simply be engaged in more enlightening conversations with close friends or a partner that will contribute to your bonds being strengthened. This is a time to perhaps consider what you have been avoiding addressing in your close connections; you may be understanding their inner structures better by intentionally seeking out the weaknesses that have been left unattended. While this may be a season in which you are learning about partnership in a hands-on capacity, you could also be contemplating the concepts of devotion and sacrifice and will perhaps find yourself allowing them to take on new meanings to you. Or perhaps you will be observing your relationship with death, taboo, sexuality, or other discomforts that you find yourself usually shying away from. You’re intently encouraged to expand into these themes should they find you, rather than trying to run from them. There may be inevitable contracts being fulfilled that require you to accept “what is,” even though you may wish to change what has already been written into the fabric of the universe. This season invites you to deepen and strengthen the connections that feel most revealing to you and encourages you to find gratitude for those whose truthfulness may allow you to evolve, even if what they say is not always easy to hear. You will likely be learning much about your inner programming this season.

GEMINI, this season will likely strengthen your capacity for work, although you may find yourself fixating on your responsibilities at times and overexerting yourself. It’s important that you remain aware of your physical and emotional limitations at this time. Perhaps you are going through a transformation in your physical health, which could be related to healing around sexuality, intimacy, or your inner power. There may be cycles coming to a close and others beginning in your daily rituals as well; you may find yourself naturally eliminating habits and routines that are no longer supportive of your longer-term ambitions, which is creating space for new ones to be curated. This is a time in which your relationships and intimate connections are perhaps going through a transformation as well, which could be drawing more curiosity and creativity into your connections and inviting for explorative experiences and conversations to be hosted. You may find that in order for these relationships to transform, you have to have some necessary, but perhaps uncomfortable, conversations. This season advocates for you to identify which boundaries you’ve established may have been curated due to an avoidance of the topics they’re defending. Perhaps it is time for you to lower your guard and embrace the discussions around these matters, as there may be blessings to reap from such conversations that will positively impact your connections, confidence, and productivity. You may find it useful to invest in more intentional self-care practices at this time and, if you can, simplify your schedule so you may save less important projects for a later date. This is a season for you to give the things that matter most to you a bit more intentional attention so that you can help them thrive and grow.

CANCER, this season focuses your attention on creativity, romance, and self-expression, which may mean that you are feeling more inspired to socialize and expand beyond your comfort zones in these respective topics. This may be a time for you to loosen your grip on what you feel obligated to be and instead make room for yourself to entertain a more raw essence of yourself, which may invite more judgment or criticism, but this is likely a risk worth taking, as embracing all aspects of your authenticity—even those that are considered less socially acceptable—helps you to find a more empowered and truthful essence of you. This season is one of enhanced creativity, which you may feel inspired to channel into artistic projects that are thematically based on taboos, sexuality, death, or metamorphosis. You may find that indulging in your sparks of inspiration will lead to more productivity in other areas of life as well, as Venus blesses your routines, health, work, and focus at this time. Embrace the flow of inspiration—you might find that when you move with it rather than trying to control its direction, you are able to accomplish far more than usual. This could be a favorable time for you to identify any inner limitations you have around self-expression and creativity so you might evolve into an identity that you feel better represents who you are at your core. You are likely feeling motivated to deepen your commitment to honoring the inner truths that you may typically avoid. Transmuting your insecurities will likely be most effectively accomplished through expressive mediums, those that don't require much thought but are accessed through feeling. If big feelings or waves of inspiration arise, try to indulge their complexity and depth.

LEO, you may have a multitude of different beginnings this season; you could be beginning a big project, implementing new foundational beliefs, shifting your physical home life in some way (by moving or redecorating), or investing in your basic needs with more intentional effort. This may be a season of dedicated inner work; you could be bringing more awareness to unwanted cycles that you have partaken in due to their familiarity. These cycles may involve habits, qualities, perspectives, or belief systems you were raised to have. Perhaps you will spend this season devotedly breaking away from inherited coping mechanisms and mindsets toward life, which may create some disconnect between you and your family members but may lead to you finding a more authentic iteration of your identity. You might find yourself “undoing” subconscious programming that has lingered since childhood—there may be a multitude of breakthroughs in your mental health and inner healing that create space for a new narrative to be written. With Venus in Sagittarius, you will likely feel more energized and creative; perhaps you are beginning a creative project or are taking action toward an inspired idea. Your social presence may be enhanced as well, which could lead to new friendships being forged or an increase in casual romantic connections. You may notice, especially in social environments, that you stand out a bit more than usual. This is a beautiful time for building real confidence; you may feel yourself returning to your inner child, which could feel quite vulnerable but also likely deeply healing. You may notice yourself becoming the person that younger you needed. Seeking out experiences that empower and inspire is encouraged.

VIRGO, this season may be infused with intensified mental activity and a stronger capacity for intellectual work—you may find yourself contemplating passing thoughts deeper than usual and could find that you have an influx of ideas. This could be a favorable season for you to deepen your awareness around the foundational narratives in your inner world, and this may be a favorable time for matters of the home. It’s encouraged that you invest more in your most frequented spaces and perhaps refine how you are attending to your basic needs—there may be a desire to take on more responsibilities, but this is a time to consolidate your energy and invest it intentionally into things that matter most to you. You may be the subject of gossip or may find yourself inclined to gossip about others at this time—it’s advised that you be intentional with your word choice and consider what impact you want to have on those in your immediate circles. Your words pack an extra punch in this season, which may lead to some drastic changes if you’re not careful. However, because of this enhancement to your mind and voice, you also have the ability to break free from karmic patterns or undesirable cycles by putting more conscious effort behind their undoing. Your power is most potent when you consciously assert your authority over it by directing it wherever you desire, which means that this is an insightful time to pay attention to where your attention is being directed. This may be a good time to ask yourself where your mind continues to go so that you might identify what you are unconsciously perpetuating. It’s also advised that you keep any creative ideas to yourself rather than prematurely revealing them to others at this time.

LIBRA, this season will likely feel quite empowering for you, especially considering the work around confidence, self-advocacy, and identity that you’ve been urged to participate in by the South Node and Lilith’s presence in your sign. You may find that your values, morals, and self-perception are transforming in this season, which may be leading you to embrace personality traits or qualities that you’ve kept hidden for quite some time. Perhaps you will feel more empowered to embrace a more raw version of yourself, one that is less concerned with maintaining everyone else’s comfort and is instead more focused on what feels authentic and truthful to you. This season could also be having you focus on your finances with more intention, which could mean that this is a favorable time to get your priorities straight and establish new financial habits. Perhaps you are working to evolve your mindset toward money into one that is less restrictive or conditional and is opening yourself to the possibilities of new streams of income. This may be a time in which you’re developing new ideas for possible projects or work-related matters, which could be urging you to analyze your inner beliefs around abundance, deservingness, and value. It is encouraged that you pave your own path in these matters; that is, you’re advised to discard limiting beliefs that may be perpetuated by those you surround yourself with on a frequent basis or your family unit. If you find yourself breaking away from a more traditional path, you could be met with a bit of criticism from either family members or your social world, but you’re encouraged to view your inner guidance—your intuition—as something to ground yourself in. Your mind is likely expanding beyond its usual limits at this time—embrace optimistic faith!

SCORPIO, with this being your season, this may feel like a rather rejuvenating time, especially considering the heavy twelfth house influences you’ve been processing through eclipse and Libra seasons. This is a time for you to reconnect with your identity, body, and core essence of self; you may find yourself in a rather explorative headspace though, which may have you understanding aspects of yourself that you had previously been confused by. This is a time to investigate the mysteries about yourself that have perhaps eluded you—you might find yourself traveling, learning new things, or seeking out unfamiliar experiences to better understand your inner world. With Venus passing through Sagittarius, this may be a time in which you’re focusing on your finances or values more intentionally; perhaps you are working on developing new streams of income or are considering beginning a new venture that will lead to financial gain further down the road. This may also be a time in which you’re placing greater priority on your well-being, and because of this, you might find yourself returning to exercise and eating habits that make you feel more energized and empowered. This could be a beneficial time to consider the beliefs you hold about your deservingness and worth; perhaps you will understand your value systems better. Whatever the case, this season is for you to return to yourself and reconnect with what gives you a sense of purpose in this space and time. Simplifying your schedule may help you to hone in on the things that are most supportive of your well-being and vitality. Consider how you’ve evolved and changed in the past year, and consider setting new intentions for the next twelve months.

SAGITTARIUS, this season will likely be quite inward for you, as you’re wrapping up your “inner year” with the sun activating your twelfth house. This is a time of introspection and contemplation; you may find yourself held in a waiting room of sorts as this season facilitates transitions and is often the host of necessary endings, whether those are conceptual endings concluding old mentalities or physical endings leading you out of a chapter of life that has reached its conclusion. You are likely more aware of your subconscious programming at this time and may have an increased interest in your own psychological processes, as well as psychology in general. This may be a time in which you are finding yourself more contemplative; perhaps you are identifying the interpretive nature of the world around you and are finding more meaning in even the more mundane aspects of life. Perhaps you are finding yourself closing out old cycles at this time—you may be breaking away from unhealthy habits or vices that you no longer want to depend on. This season encourages you to make time for more stillness and observation to identify things that may be hiding in plain sight. You may have convicting realizations in which you will have to take responsibility over matters that you’ve been exusing in the past—perhaps you will come to terms with how you’ve impeded your own progress or been the one perpetuating your distraction from something you’ve been working toward. This will likely be a favorable time of personal expansion that will allow you to be re-energized and inspired. This is also a favorable time to invest in your physical body, so be encouraged to make time for more self-care!

CAPRICORN, this season likely brings you into a more socially oriented place, as you may find yourself working to develop stronger community bonds. This could be a favorable time to connect with society on a larger scale than you are used to—perhaps you will feel called to take up a role of leadership in your community or begin reaching out to a more diverse crowd, either by utilizing social media or “putting yourself out there” more by initiating more interpersonal interactions. This is a favorable time for networking, but it’s advised that you pay attention to other parties’ intentions, as some may try to leverage your success for their own benefit. Such interactions can be beneficial to you as well, but you may find it useful to assess what you have to gain or lose from these types of connections before entertaining them beyond surface-level connection. You have an amplified power to influence the collective at this time, and you may even be a polarizing force among your social groups, which may lead to you unintentionally triggering the wounds of those around you. Know that if you receive negative responses from others due to this happening, this will likely be much more about them than it is about you, as they will likely be reacting to the inner wound that you are illuminating within them and may simply be looking for a scapegoat for their discomfort. This is an additional reason to clarify the why behind your motivation for spending time with others, as there will likely be individuals who will feel motivated and empowered by your intense presence. This is a favorable time to unite others by being raw and transparent, even if that may mean you will not be universally celebrated. This season reminds you that it is more favorable for you to curate a smaller, but more intimate audience, rather than losing your potency by trying to appeal to the masses.

AQUARIUS, this season may direct your focus to your long-term goals and aspirations and will likely give you a more determined will to reach them. You may become more attentive to what is required for success to be achieved and perhaps more devoted to the development process of larger projects and ambitions. Whether you work for yourself or someone else, this season may facilitate growth in your professional life but encourages you to be very intentional with whom you share any new opportunities or victories; it may be more beneficial for you to keep the matters of your professional development close to your chest. This is a season for you to work in secret and explore the taboos you have around success and being seen; perhaps you will be given opportunities to stand in the spotlight more often in this season and will have to address any discomforts you may have regarding being seen or misunderstood. This is a valuable time to connect with your community as well, whether that is interconnected with the work that you do or not. You may find that you have pleasant interactions with co-workers, collaborators, and the communities you show up in. Social media may be a place where you find favorable opportunities for financial gain or growth in professional pursuits. You may find your focus sharpened at this time and your ability to accomplish work enhanced efficiently. If you are hoping to see some growth in professional matters, this season advises you to pursue them boldly and with a devoted sense of willpower. Be sure to make time for restoration too, though. You may find yourself restoring harmony to your work-life balance at this time, as you will likely recognize that the more you invest in your well-being, the more energized and motivated you’ll feel to conquer your ambitions.

PISCES, this season may draw your attention to your belief systems and the bounds of your comfort zone, as you may find yourself deconstructing them and investigating how they came to be with more curiosity. Perhaps you will have new experiences—some of which may be of a sexual nature—that expand your perspective on your beliefs regarding sexuality, the inner psyche, expansion, what is “right” or “wrong,” and deeply seated wounds. This also favors your professional ventures, as you may find yourself experiencing new opportunities that will accelerate you toward your long-term goals, or you could receive rewards for leaps of faith that you’ve taken toward your professional matters or bigger plans for the future. When it comes to new experiences this season, you may find yourself confronting the fear of that which you don’t know and will likely be urged to stay faithful to your intuition, although you may encounter self-doubt more frequently. This is a season to develop more intimate trust in your intuition and instincts, as they will likely be sharper but will perhaps urge you to take action toward things you have not previously had the courage to attempt. You are also advised to embrace new experiences that may feel uncomfortable for you due to any preconceived beliefs you’ve had regarding them—this season advocates for you to form opinions on things by experiencing them first-hand. You might find yourself in a season of dreaming bigger as well, which may involve some searching for meaning in your identity or the future ahead of you. Whatever the case, trust your instincts to guide you through any uncharted waters at this time.