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The Sun enters Scorpio I The Jawbone on Friday 23 October 2026 at 5:38 am EDT. The star Spica in Virgo will be just a few degrees behind him in the rearview mirror, and at 11:43-44pm the same day the Sun will conjunct Venus at 0° Scorpio 45′ at the Venus retrograde inferior conjunction. The day after, Saturday 24 October 2026, Mercury will begin their own retrograde in Scorpio, conjuncting the Sun on November 4 at about 9:30 am EDT — and not going direct again until 10:54 am EST on 13 November 2026. The Sun will pass through Scorpio I until 2 November 2026 at 5:09 am EDT, resulting in a Scorpio I that will last nine days, twenty-three hours, and eight minutes.
I’ve written about Scorpio I before, in 2019 – 2020 – 2021 – 2022 – 2023 – 2024 – 2025. This decan is ruled by Mars as the sign ruler, and administrated by Mars personally, while the overlapping Egyptian Bounds are dedicated to Mars and Jupiter. Scorpio I covers the four dodeks or twelfth-parts of Scorpio, namely Scorpio of Scorpio, Sagittarius of Scorpio, Capricorn of Scorpio, and Aquarius of Scorpio. In the Mediterranean world of the Hellenistic era, this time period was associated with the Nymphai or Nymphs, the ‘feminine’ spirits of beautiful natural places like relatively placid waterfalls, meadows and glades — and in the modern era the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn assigned it to the five of cups in the Tarot: drawn by Pamela Colman Smith, this is the card showing a mourning figure saddened about three spilled cups (one poisoned) while two remain full behind them. The name of this decan The Jawbone comes from the work of Austin Coppock in his seminal book 36 Faces published (1st edition) in 2014, while an alternate name, Storm of Tears comes from the work of T. Susan Chang in her book 36 Secrets published 2021.
The nymphs in ancient times were associated with beautiful natural places, such as glades, natural springs, open meadows, and other natural locations of singular beauty and relative safety. The nips were commonly understood as feminine beings in the spirit world, although the degree to which the ancient Greeks separated”the physical world” from “the spirit world” would require far more nuance than this column has space for. To face it to say that there was no hard and fast division; to some extent, the physical place was the nymph, just as their parents could be the mountain or river close at hand: there was no god of the river, so much as the river itself was a god.
As we will see over the course of the three decans of Scorpio, this sign is something of the “teenage school room of gods” — with the beautiful and nubile feminine spirits at Scorpio I, and the wild and impulsive, masculine spirits at Scorpio III, with Leto, the school mistress of the gods, standing between them at Scorpio II. Poor lady! How did she have to hold the responsibility for all these horny and out of control and teenager spirits, guardians of the gentle and wild landforms, forever pursuing and being pursued by one another? It may be that this is part of the metaphor that the Greeks had for the idea that the placid and easy beach by daytime in summertime becomes a dangerous and raging wavefront when the winter storms wrack it at midnight — that the beautiful and gentle environment can turn on us in a moment. I spent a chunk of my summer on Herring Cove beach in Cape Cod — and my wife and I watched an incautious swimmer nearly get swept into the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, not five yards offshore. The day before we arrived, a woman drowned only a few feet from where we parked our chairs and umbrella, and carried her corpse more than a mile out to sea. The gentle nymph in her tight sweater and poodle skirt may pretend to innocence, but the wild Korybant, fashionable haircut and biceps like Volkswagens, is ever at her elbow —both ready to play havoc with us nerdy and foolish mortals.
Austin Coppock called this decan the Jawbone, reminding us of the power of words as weapons. T Susan Chang called it the Storm of Tears. Both names should remind us of the emotional content of what we say, and do, and the way that these can be militarized. Especially in this lead-up to elections in Europe and the United States, and even Israel, it’s worth remembering that heightened emotions our tool of propaganda and manipulation. Scorpio I should remind us that sex sells … and that sex sells violence more than almost anything else.
Dates to Watch
Neptune sextile Pluto (until 30 October) — norms and customs that have been traditional and expected begin to pass away, not in a shattering way but more like the ways that the tide goes out: a gradual diminishing and retreat from the conventional shoreline. It is a natural part of life that all that is, must change. Larger forces of social, economic and political change are afoot, and beliefs long held may be worn away or proved incorrect, as you find new directions and new purposes that draw you away from old opinions.
23 October — Venus cazimi or Venus conjunct the Sun — This is often a day in which we have to use creativity, drama, tact, and our aesthetic sense to express love, desire, connection, reciprocity and mutual admiration. And yes, Love, too — though this cazimi takes place in a sign where Venus is detrimented, she’s also a triplicity ruler… you can expect an extra helping of the spooky, the grotesque, the melodramatic, and yes, the darker or more painful sides of erotic playfulness to make their appearance. Recognize that it’s a day of luxuriance and flattery and indulgent spectacle, but it also doesn’t last forever. Try not to give into vanity too much, or others may regard you with pitying eyes as an idiot.
24 October — Mercury Retrograde begins — Mercury retrogrades in Scorpio just on the cusp of their own term, meaning that it will be November 30 before they reclaim dignity in this Mars-ruled sign. Nor does Mercury return to Libra on this particular roundabout. You can hope that plumbers and electricians will finally call you back to make progress on those minor indoor projects you had in mind, now that major housebuilding is wrapping up for the season; doctors will be failing to return your calls; travel plans will undergo minor delays; and you’ll fail to recognize certain themes in your own Mercurial story until after the November US election… DO remember to vote, and make sure if you vote early that your ballot matches your intentions.
25-26 October — Sun square Pluto — Speaking of elections — these two days represent enormous pressures by important leaders upon the mob… and the mob standing their ground or pushing back. This may take the form of government figures pressing for change from the populace; or the populace in the street stressing out their elected officials. It it could just as easily represent leaders of unions demanding concessions, or having to face down a challenge from the rank and file. The crisis may indeed be approaching. In your own life, there are some places where you’re likely to be the authority figure… and other places where you’re part of the mob demanding real change. Knowing when to hold ’em, when to fold ’em, is the gamble of the present moment.
26 October — Full Moon in Third (Tropical) Mansion The Many Little Ones at 2° Taurus — Today’s full moon at 12:12 AM EDT (that’s twelve minutes after midnight, New York City time…. work it out from there, folks), is a famous astrological symbol for “all good things.” Its image is a woman seated in a cross-legged pose with her right hand lifted to the heavens generally (and the Pleiades in particular). In practical terms, the Moon will be shining just at the horns of the constellation Aries at that time, the stars of the First Mansion Sheratan and Menarsim just slightly above the body of the Moon. She’ll be almost at her degree of exaltation (3°), promising good things in coming days, and telling a story of justice and safety over the next two weeks.
27 October — Moon square Jupiter — The theme of lovingkindness and generosity continues with this transit, but be wary too — sometimes the way you choose to be generous is not the same as how other people show generosity to you. You’re likely to lift your heart toward the loftier aspirations and goals of life, and try to ignore the nastiness and ill feeling of the world. It’s good to put on a silly TV show and ignore the challenges that life throws you for a little while… But, use it as a recharge, not an escape.
30 October — Moon square Saturn — the opposite feeling, the downward spiral of depression and feelings of isolation, can send you into a tailspin today. You may be challenging to be around, even for loved ones, even while you’re planning holiday costumes together or trying out a little sexy role-play with your various props and accessories. Have a strategy for dispelling your negativity… write a bullet list of things that make you unhappy, and schedule dealing with them in mid-November. Write another list of things to be grateful for. Try to communicate the personal sense of isolation without dumping the emotional work of solving it on someone else: be responsible for your own feelings.
2 November — Venus retrograde sextile Jupiter — this transit often feels like contentment and benevolence, but with Mercury and Venus both retrograde it may be tinged with fears about sex, death, desire and the loss of it, and nostalgia for the parts of your life that may never appear again. It’s a good day for hanging out with friends and enjoying yourselves, but you may find that it’s hard to transact routine business or travel long distances. Financial markets may be unusually volatile; if you have the nerve and the cash, you might get some successful day trades — but remember that in any gamble, there’s always at least one fool being parted from their money.
House Delineations
The First House of self and self-presentation is Libra, ruled by inconjunct Venus in Scorpio. The Air triplicity rulers are opposed (Saturn), sextile (Jupiter) and inconjunct (Mercury). A balanced but linked approached is necessary to reconcile your self image and perception with your projected image or perception: how do you want others to see you? How do you want to see yourself? Those two things are not necessarily the same, but they ought to be related. Beware that some of your peers may want to cast you in the worst possible light, so air on the side of generosity and mercy when dealing with both colleagues and romantic partners. There will be confusion about your words, and promises in involving resources, so do your best to speak plainly.
The Second House of money and possessions is Scorpio, ruled by squaring Mars in Leo. The Water triplicity rulers are present but retrograde (Venus), square (Mars) and trine (Moon). The Sun and Mercury are also present, with the Sun in mutual reception with Mars. The challenges your friends face, may encourage you to open your wallet and your pantry and your other treasures. It would be good to be explicit about what is a gift and what is a loan. Put it in writing if you have doubt, but be prepared to write off the loan at a later date to maintain the friendship.
The Third House of extended family and intimate friends is Sagittarius, ruled by trining Jupiter in Leo. The Fire triplicity rulers are trine (Jupiter, Saturn) or inconjunct (Sun). The Lunar Apogee is present. A partner may try to set reasonable limits on how you offer help to your neighbors, but big hearted ideas about who is in your monkey circle may cause you to break long-standing rules and norms again and again. It will be part of the story you tell about yourself, but it’s worth acknowledging that you need to hold back some of what you offer, to maintain your own identity..
The Fourth House of home, household, and parents is Capricorn, ruled by squaring and exiled Saturn. The Earth triplicity rulers are sextile (Venus, Moon), or inconjunct (Mars). Being at home is more likely to bring contentment than going elsewhere, but there will be times when you are all too aware of the unspoken hierarchies that play in your household. A spouse, significant other, or important ally may have important things to say about how you manage your household, but the bluntness will be both startling and dismaying. Try to hold the vision behind the harsh critique, and do what you can to fulfill your role in the family pecking order.
The Fifth House of pleasures and pastimes is Aquarius, ruled by sextile but exiled Saturn in Aries. The Air triplicity rulers are sextile but exiled (Saturn), square (Mercury) or opposed (Jupiter). Pluto and the North Node are present. In the interests of providing happiness to others, you may find yourself over spending and mocking yourself for what you are willing to do for others, while being stingy for yourself. Taking care of your children, or pursuing your pleasures, are both likely to be more expensive than usual, and more needful than usual. Plan to tip more than normal when going out to eat.
The Sixth House of daily routines, pets, and injuries is Pisces, ruled by inconjunct Jupiter. The Water triplicity rulers are inconjunct (Mars), trine but retrograde and detrimented (Venus) or present (Moon). Financial analysts often write a disclaimer, “past results do not guarantee future performance” and this is advice you should take to heart. Your team will be less concerned with what you did for them a week ago, than what you can do for them today. Remember that everyone else’s team is also looking for a handout or praise or demonstrations of their value to your common endeavor; sometimes telling people “we fulfilled the mission today” is not enough to win their ongoing loyalty. Is there a more substantial reward can you offer?
The Seventh House of spouse, peer partners, and rivals is Aries, ruled by trining Mars in Leo. The Fire triplicity rulers are present but exiled and retrograde (Saturn), trine (Jupiter), or inconjunct (Sun). Neptune is also present and retrograde. A spouse or significant other is more likely to claim the title this coming week, than to honor the interaction: it will be more important that they have the title, than that they know how you feel. At the same time, nuance and boundary are more likely to be important to you; if you value the romance or the business partnership, though, it may be worth not fighting about definitions and nomenclature until after November 3.
The Eighth House of obligation, duty and legacy is Taurus, ruled by opposed, retrograde and detrimented Venus. The other Earth triplicity rulers are square (Mars) or sextile (Moon). The Lot of Fortune is present. You will have more freedom this week to decide what duties and obligations and chores to take up, and how those impinge on your resources, than at almost any other time this year. Yet your immediate decisions, to do this and not do that, will have long lasting consequences. Use your available treasures sparingly and responsibly, first to keep allies and second to retain supporters and contractors.
The Ninth House of higher learning and long-distance travel is Gemini, ruled by inconjunct Mercury. The other Air triplicity rulers are sextile but exiled and retrograde (Saturn) or sextile (Jupiter). Uranus and the Lunar Perigee are present. Travel plans are likely to be delayed and disrupted, banking and postal services may experience glitches, as Mercury retrograde begins. Be alert to the K-shaped experience in pairs or teams, where one partner gets upgraded to first class treatment, while the other gets a metaphorical strip search and dressing down by the authorities.
The Tenth House of career and professional reputation is Cancer, ruled by the trining Moon in Pisces. The Water triplicity rulers are inconiunct (Mars) or trine (Moon, Venus retrograde and detrimented). This week, you are likely to become known for what you try to keep secret, and go unrecognized for what is made public. Members of your team are likely to honor you for what you accomplished on their behalf; your own personal work to earn a raise or gain access to new resources, are likely to go unacknowledged. Fortunately, whatever anyone says to badmouth, you is likely to pass unnoticed or be a temporary scuffle; take the high road and let it pass you by in the gutter where it belongs.
The Eleventh House of friends, associates, and allies is Leo, ruled by the Sun in Scorpio. The Fire triplicity rulers are present (Jupiter), trine and exiled (Saturn), or square (Sun). Mars and the South Node are also present. Your friends may find themselves in difficulty, and you may find yourself rising to the challenge with ambitious dreams of helping them. Promising to help is a source of temporary glory, but actually helping requires considerable forethought and intentional but merciful pressure. In the current situation, recognition and honor will be temporary, but any network that you build will be useful when the shit next hits the fan.
The Twelfth House of both obstacles and opportunities is Virgo, ruled by sextile but stationed retrograde Mercury in Scorpio. The Earth triplicity rulers are inconjunct (Mars), sextile but retrograde (Venus), and opposed (Moon). There is a significant risk of analysis paralysis this week, as you try to balance the emotional needs of your team at work against the genuine need of friends and allies with only your personal resources to draw upon. There are secrets and confidences which you have promised to keep; and long-term commitments and Long planned programming, that are running up against more immediate crises (whether real or perceived). Remember that it is better to do something, even in reaction, han to panic and do nothing. Try to be grounded and practical in your response to anyone’s need, but don’t promise the world: small fixes are better than a grand vision you can’t deliver.
Horoscopes by Rising Sign
Decan I of any sign (usually covering the 21st of the month to the first of the following month) is free to all visitors; Decan II is only available to Patreon and Ko-Fi.com subscribers; and Decan III is available to Patreon, Ko-Fi, and MailChimp subscribers.
I recommend reading your Sun sign, Moon sign, and Rising sign for best results. I write them with rising sign in mind, but several people have told me they find that they do better with all three.
Libra: find three ways that your personal brand and identity is linked to both what you say and who you said it to, and what you own and how you can make it fashionable or appropriate for Halloween. It’s fine to be a little spooky, or even to dress a little spookier than normal – but be prepared to show up every day more cheerful than the last until November starts. Even if it is the right time of year for a raise, do your best to put off that conversation for at least a couple of weeks. A peer or ally or spouse is strongly motivated to say no based on previous experiences and imagined future possibilities. Recognize that they have the power to decide right now, but do what you can to strengthen connections with friends and acquaintances at this time; make sure you attend at least one holiday party with a clever costume.
Scorpio: a review of financial matters is in order, because you may have to get creative in order to stretch your last paycheck towards current expenses. There will be some delays in the delivery of expected resources; ask shipping companies for tracking numbers, and persist in following up with delivery services and agencies. When all else fails, show up in person and ask for a new check. Try to create a delightful experience for someone else every day this week; either recall to mind some past pleasantry, or make a date for some future adventure. Either identify a rival at work, or make an effort to find a new friend there
Sagittarius: you may want to stay close to home, and complain about your bones, but circumstances may require you to organize the troops to face the shit, and do what is necessary to earn those medals. A spouse or significant other has a lot of command power, but little ability to follow through; it will be up to you to divide and conquer the to-do list into achievable aims — and have fun while doing it. A sideways look at your long-term plans, and a deliberate effort to study your current career objectives, would be worthwhile. Revisit your hopes and dreams for your home and family, but find contentment in acknowledging what you have currently in your possession. A spouse requires hands-on attention in surprising ways.
Capricorn: Bring house and home to the center of your attention, or at least consider what your role in place in the family dynamic might be. There’s contentment and peace of mind to be found in knowing how others in the household constellation see you and regard your role. At the same time, know that part of your superpower is knowing what tasks to divide into smaller chunks, and then helping others do the division. Set boundaries and limitations around other people’s tasks, and prevent scope creep from taking over one project. Your expenses will grow this week if you’re not careful. Pay attention to how you commit resources to hanging out with friends and acquaintances, or agree to fulfill difficult jobs. It is easy to raise your hand and promise, not always as easy to deliver. Practice saying no — or at least shutting up until after someone else volunteers.
Aquarius: if you have children, this would be a good week to teach them the value and importance of a dollar in fun and amusing ways. If you don’t, it is a good time to evaluate the costs of your various hobbies and entertainment, and engage in a little playful self-criticism of whether these past times are readily feeding you. Some members of your extended family may be trying to find ways to separate you from your interests and intrigues, or have unpleasant criticisms to level against your childrearing habits. You are welcome to take umbrage in response, but be wary of throwing the first stone here; this fight you may be able to finish, but you should absolutely not begin it — wait until all the witnesses know who the aggressor is, before you strike back.
Pisces: committing to daily habits and profiting from them, requires both a sense of the past, and an awareness of the future. If you haven’t been keeping up with your date book, now is the time to start. If you used to like journaling, you may find that it is emotionally rewarding again this week. Just remember that the book or the app won’t magically pop into your hand; it will require you deliberately choosing this course of action. Of course, if you don’t, you’re likely to miss an important meeting or lose track of a project that should’ve been finished already. Be especially clear about noting down upcoming travel, including transit time to the airport and passing through security; or upcoming classes that you are expecting to attend, or maybe even lead. Take a creative project with you, there may be unexpected slow bit. Having something to occupy your hands would be useful. A sexy costume for Halloween should come with perfectly clear communications of expectations and boundaries to your date or escort.
Aries: there may be a host of lingering relationship issues that would be best solved piecemeal, rather than trying to roll them up into one big ball of contention. Cut and divide this sour dough into smaller bits, and bake them thoroughly before moving onto another issue. Recognize that there is joy and leadership to be found in Gathering groups of friends to entertain one another, rather than simply worry about difficult problems. Find happiness despite the darkness of the door, and honor those who take big risks to drive it away. It will be difficult this week to shine a light on your responsibilities, when darkness and evil seems so close at hand. Remember your forebears, and regard their creativity and pluck in the face of adversity. Speak to others in ways that collect that memory and store it for a future triumph..
Taurus: in the coming week, try to find ways to involve your partner in taking up the obligations of the present moment. There may be disruptions to your common finances, and your input will be sought, and how to solve them. Both argument and solution are likely to visit your doorstep and bring both turbulence and grace to your family. You are capable of marshaling the necessary forces to bring help, hope and happiness to others. Some of your long-term plans may have to be broken up and delegated to others, who will be reluctant to accept them; do your best to show your subordinates a vibrant vision of their future selves. It is difficult to be both a critic of your workplace and an essential partner in its labors; don’t just identify the problem, but begin coaching others towards suitable solutions. See the light in your spouse or significant other, despite current darkness.
Gemini: travel plans may turn into learning experiences, and vice versa, as canceled trains and delayed planes become important classrooms for studying patience and gracefulness under pressure. Be a public stickler for the rules this week, but send an ally behind the scenes to break the rules for you. It may require a colleague’s long-term experience in the field to properly divide a project in ways that it can be properly completed by being subcontracted and delegated. Consult early and often with those carry the big ideals in your professional circles, but don’t believe all their hype. Do what you can to men fences with a neighbor, in order to fix bigger difficulties that seem to be baring down on you. It’s important to round up common support for one another before you need it.
Cancer: professional matters may require secret meetings, and private conferences, but sooner or later, you will have to communicate what you remember of those meetings to your team. And you will have to do it in a way that is emotionally relevant to them. You will also have to hold out hope for success, in terms that means something to them: what are the rewards that this project brings? what does success mean? And what does failure mean? Your own resources may take a hit from this coming week, but you’ll likely recover later on; the subjective experience will be that you fall behind, but it’s worth studying the numbers for real to understand what actually happened. Your Halloween costume doesn’t have to be expensive in order to convey both the sweetness and the sting of the season. Dress warmly, but be prepared to show a little leg and give a bit of a tongue-lashing.
Leo: a friend or vague ally may be prepared to throw down, or at least break things off. It’s up to you to decide whether to draw you back together or not. Trouble may arise either way, but it’s worth asking, which is the good trouble? Are you better off with mended fences or a clear boundary that you’re prepared to defend? The choice of where you live may be on the table again this week, you might find yourself reconsidering a recent move, or looking fondly in the same neighborhood as listings that were almost perfect, but not quite. Don’t go rushing to your real estate agent just yet, but keep your eye on what is beautiful, and what is communicated well or poorly about a possible residence. Travel plans are likely to go less than smoothly; where you want to go, may be as much up in the air as how you get there. Divide road trips into smaller components, and divide study sessions into smaller sections of material.
Virgo: long-term plans may require a conference with someone in your inner circle who isn’t your spouse, child or parent. Those people are supposed to be your best cheerleaders, but sometimes become your second-harshest critics after yourself. You need both an expert in your field to take a look at your plan, as well as somebody whose aesthetics and design sense you genuinely trust. Have them look back over your previous work and make a few suggestions about how to improve it. Invite both blunt talk and treasured discoveries. Once you’ve gotten inner circle feedback, consider taking your show on the road to a wider audience, but expect that hear the criticisms will be harsher, and the discovery of mistakes will have consequences. If you’re working on a project of particular importance to your company or employer, beware of nasty surprises, hiding in the code or in the work of your hands that only a more experienced eye is likely to pick up. Presenting your labor, not so much as a finished product, as a work in progress, looking for feedback, may result in more effective guidance, and fewer remonstrances.
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If you want to read some of my astrologically-oriented poetry, the largest collection is called A Full Volume of Splendor and Starlight, available through my Etsy shop, and containing poems and hymns to the planets, constellations, decan deities, and Moon Mansion angels. While not astrological, Festae contains hymns to some of the older Roman gods and spirits from the calendar created by Numa Pompilius, the second ancient King of Rome.
I use iPhemeris for my charting software, and screenshot it to make charts. I want to thank the team that develops iPhemeris for the addition of Terms and Decans to their charts. I also use Hugh Tran‘s Physis typeface to craft logos for this blog, as well.
I use Christopher Warnock‘s The Mansions of the Moon as the basis of my Moon placement delineations, and Austin Coppock‘s 36 Faces for much of my planetary delineations. Neither gentleman endorses me.
