New Moon in Scorpio: By the Light (& Dark) of the Moon.

In the “Alchemy of Menopause” ongoing workshops, we entered the Albedo phase of the “Great Work”. Alchemy provides a framework to explore different aspects of the transformation process. Though it is set out in a linear sequence: Negredo, Albedo, Citrinas, Rubedo, in reality, it’s not quite so neat or systematic.

Psychological renewal is essentially the breaking down and reforming of psychic material… on repeat. In the case of menopause, which can be considered a bio- psycho-spiritual process, the body itself is undergoing huge transformational shifts. The menopausal journey encompasses change on every level.

In our most recent workshop, we worked with the Moon using astrology and the natal chart as a symbolic temenos. Topics we explored were: What does the moon represent archetypally; how do we interpret our natal moon; if the moon is representative of our own mother, what is our relationship with her, and what was our early experience of mother; what patterns have we inherited from our mother, and how has our relationship with our mother shaped our own experience of mothering?

Beyond the archetypal, symbolic, and personal moon, we also considered the meaning of the Black Moon, collectively and personally. Working with Black Moon Lilith, we reflected on what aspects of the feminine, particularly those aspects related to power, magic, gnosis, and universal or cosmic consciousness that have been repressed.

And what of this mysterious Dark Moon or “ghost” moon, thought by some to be a hidden second moon to our own moon? Whether it exists or not, we can place it in the astrological chart and work with it symbolically.

Out of all the Lilith points, asteroid Lilith is the only Lilith that is an actual object and is therefore the most graspable (if Lilith can be grasped). In last night’s workshop we entertained the idea that asteroid Lilith shows up as the place where we actively bring through this powerful feminine energy, both in our personal lives and the collective. Asteroid Lilith points to the areas we might become activists for a cause related to Lilith-like issues.

In the new moon chart (new moon at 28° Scorpio, happening on Thursday 20thNovember at 06.47 GMT), Black Moon Lilith is in a tight conjunction with the Sun and Moon. Venus is also in Scorpio, and Dark Moon (Waldemath), and White Moon (Selena) are in an exact conjunction at 13 ° Leo, making a square to Venus and inconjunct to the lunar south node.

I noticed that some astrologers are predicting the release of the Epstein files on account of the strong feminine/Scorpionic/ Black Moon signature, as well as Mercury in its retrograde motion. As relevant as this may be on a collective level, this new moon is a powerful moment to focus on the inner world and refrain from becoming too distracted by outside events.

To sum up, this most recent Alchemy of Menopause workshops involved separating out what belongs to us and what has been inherited or carried for others. We considered what we have inherited from our mothers, both positive and negative, and began to review to what extent those things reflect our truest Self.

Working with the light and dark lunar expressions, we explored ideas around what we have absorbed, what is our essential nature, and what we reflect or project.

There are few feminine archetypes that have been as exiled or demonised as Lilith, and it is interesting that she shows up in the astrology chart as five different points. The fragmentation of Lilith is reflective of the fragmentation of the feminine psyche. It is also reflective of an absence of an image of spiritual feminine wholeness. Menopause is among other things, an invitation to reforge the split aspects of the Self. But first comes the work of sifting and separation before authentic reconfiguration is possible.

There are a few entry points into the Alchemy of Menopause work. Let me know if you are interested in joining us.