Enter the Sacred Cauldron

Heat and Grace in a Time of Purification

Astro Notes for Scorpio Season (October 22-November 22, 2025)

by David Nicol

First, a quick recap of the larger arc of this astrological year in order to understand the significance of this Scorpio season. 2025-2026 represents the epic, once-in-a-lifetime birthing process of a fundamentally new era for humanity. In my annual overview in March, I labeled the four quarters as follows:

* Q1 (March 21-June 21) Crowning

* Q2 (June 21-Sept 21) Birth

* Q3 (Sept 21- Dec 21) Mop Up

* Q4 (Dec 21-March 21 2026) Arrival

The first quarter saw the ingress of Neptune, Saturn, and Jupiter into new signs, giving us a glimpse of the shape of the emerging pattern.

The second quarter featured the entrance of Uranus into Gemini — the last of five major planets to change signs since November, completing the pattern and signifying the true birth moment of the new age.

In the third quarter, Neptune and Saturn move back into Pisces, and Uranus returns to Taurus. This is the last time these planets will inhabit these signs before re-entering Aries and Gemini, respectively, in the first half of 2026 — and then we’ll be sailing full-steam ahead into the new era, no turning back. I called this quarter ‘Mop Up’ because it represents the after-birth phase— messy, emotional, cleansing. The universe has delivered something new — and in record time — and now we have to deal with the aftershock, integrate trauma, and shed any residual attachment to old patterns so we can meet the new age with a clean slate when it arrives in earnest in 2026.

This year’s Scorpio season is at the heart of the Mop Up quarter — when the soul enters a bubbling, sacred cauldron to dissolve what cannot be carried forward into the new world. It supplies a potent concoction of searing alchemical heat and extraordinary healing grace — both to surface what needs to be purged and to carry these energies away with sublime compassion.

Scorpio season is always a time of heightened intensity, because it is the nature of the archetype to call us into the immediacy of the moment and to be ruthlessly honest about the truth of our situation. The penetrating Scorpionic gaze places pressure on any misaligned aspects of our lives we’ve been tolerating or hurts we’ve been repressing, forcing them up to awareness for an honest reckoning. We might justifiably be sick and tired of the very word ‘intensity’ given the unrelenting evolutionary pressure we’ve been under for years. But it’s actually the compassion of the universe — the ‘awful Grace of God’ — to sometimes push us past the ego’s capacity for control so that we have no choice but to surrender to the deeper evolutionary current.

Below is the chart for the Sun’s ingress into Scorpio. The dynamics shown in this chart are said to set the tone for the entirety of Scorpio season.

Event chart for Sun entering Scorpio, October 22, 2025

The thin, sharply-pointed triangle indicated by the dotted green lines shows the Sun at the apex of a Yod, or Finger of God, with Uranus and Neptune at the base. A Yod is an intense aspect pattern involving an apex planet (in this case the Sun) in quincunx to two other planets. A quincunx is an aspect between two planets that have absolutely nothing in common with each other — different element, different modality, different polarity. A Yod thus symbolizes an energetic reality that feels something like a conundrum — on the surface it seems impossible to resolve, yet it calls forth inspired, next-level solutions.

The Sun is also in a tight square to Pluto at 1 degree Aquarius. This too is an exceptionally intense aspect, forcing a confrontation with repressed or disowned contents of the psyche and/or misaligned dynamics in our external circumstances. Pluto is the ruler of Scorpio and embodies that sign’s transformative pressure; the square aspect brings friction that forces change — something’s got to give. When we add to that picture the Sun’s broader square with Jupiter (24 degrees Cancer) and opposition to Chiron (24 Aries), we have a Cardinal Grand Cross, one of the most pressurized aspect patterns in astrology, designed to awaken consciousness through the alchemy of conflict and stress.

Finally, the chart shows a triple conjunction of the Moon, Mars, and Mercury in Scorpio, adding intensity, depth, and power to our words, actions, and feelings.

Taken together, the Yod, Grand Cross, and triple conjunction of personal planets in Scorpio turn up the alchemical heat to eleven. It suggests we’re going to cook during this Scorpio season — steeping in a cauldron so the buried poisons of the past can rise to the surface for purification and release.

At the same time, Scorpio season opens a window of truly exceptional healing grace.

The large blue triangle in the event chart above shows the very beginning of a beautiful Water Grand Trine that will remain in effect for the whole of Scorpio season. This auspicious pattern involves harmonious connections between Jupiter in Cancer, Saturn in Pisces, and first the Moon, then Mercury, Mars, the Sun, and finally Venus in late Scorpio. Water is the healing element, with each water sign contributing a unique aspect of healing wisdom. Cancer brings intuition, empathy, and the ability to feel our feelings as they are. Scorpio supplies honesty, emotional depth, and immediacy of presence. Pisces adds energetic sensitivity and the blessings of the higher dimensions. Working together in a Water Grand Trine, these planets create a sublime and irresistible current to wash clean our wounds, soothe our nervous systems, and open us to inspired flow.

Jupiter in Cancer expands our ability to trust our feelings, while Saturn in Pisces gives those feelings form and direction, channeling compassion into tangible acts of healing. The procession of personal planets through Scorpio intensifies our healing journey, deepening the work into full-bodied purification and rebirth.

It’s a potent one-two punch — first the intense squeeze of the Yod, Grand Cross, and triple conjunction in Scorpio to surface our poisons, then the beautiful currents of the Water Grand Trine to wash them away. It’s all part of our purification and preparation so that we can walk forward into the new era dawning with a balanced stride and an open heart.

Getting Personal

Astro Notes for Libra Season (September 22-October 22, 2025)

We’ve just passed through the first peak of the most auspicious configuration of our lifetimes, a Minor Grand Trine between Uranus, Pluto, and Neptune that will last for three years and shape our civilization for decades, if not centuries, to come. When these forces align harmonically, we can expect a revolutionary period of massive technological and cultural change (Uranus), deep structural transformation (Pluto), and profound spiritual renewal (Neptune). 

From August 20 to September 14, these planetary heavyweights lined up exactly at 1 degree of their respective signs, the first of three precise alignments over the next three years. 

Why then, one might ask, are we not feeling more uplifted? Where are the promised breakthroughs? Indeed, in light of recent tragic assassinations, bitter global conflicts, and cultural fracture, it seems fair to say that rather than excitement about the future, there is a widespread sense of cultural malaise and foreboding. 

One reason for the discrepancy is that the outer planets represent transpersonal influences that tend to operate below the level of conscious awareness. The initial stages of a major outer planet configuration are like the turning of a massive ocean liner — these planets move slowly and their effects take time to seep into the collective psyche. This initial peak has been less about obvious breakthroughs and more about planting seeds of the new ways that will likely flower in the next few years. 

We must also consider that in 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, Saturn forms a conjunction with Neptune, applying a brake to the creative dynamism of the Minor Grand Trine. Saturn is the principle of realism, caution, and constraint, while Neptune symbolizes our dreams and ideals. Together, these forces can manifest as disillusionment and despair — the loss of the dream — before they open the door to new, more grounded visions. It’s a time of testing the emerging technologies, projects, and inspirations to ensure they will be anchored in reality.

We’re also moving out of a particularly intense eclipse season. Eclipses often coincide with a heightened sense of drama and crisis that can register in our nervous systems as alarm, even though their cosmic function is to restore alignment — albeit sometimes in forceful and disruptive ways. The intensity of the eclipse energy can temporarily obscure the deeper creative current flowing underground.

Finally, we need to remember that we’re in the midst of a profound collective birthing process — and birth is often a painful and messy affair. With Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto harmoniously aligned, a cultural renaissance is not only possible, but more or less assured. Yet as the creative power rises, the crust of the old order begins to crack under the strain. The chaos, instability, and sense of disarray are signs that the old world is struggling to contain the magnitude of what is being born.

As the Sun moves into Libra, however, we may start to become aware of the transformative power of the rising energies in a more personal way. 

Libra is centrally concerned with the art of relating, providing the charm, grace, and consideration for others that most of us appreciate in a friend or partner. This Libra season invites us to glimpse the emerging evolutionary potential in the personal context of our intimate relationships. 

On September 24, the Sun moves to 1 degree Libra, forming the base of a dynamic Kite aspect pattern that shines a light on the Minor Grand Trine of Uranus, Pluto, and Neptune. 

Sun Kite -- September 24

The Sun represents the light of conscious awareness. When it activates an outer planet transit, it can illuminate the underlying archetypal dynamics that have been occurring beneath our perception. In the collective sphere, this may be when the evolutionary power of the Minor Grand Trine suddenly comes into focus, e.g., through media or political narratives that highlight the historic and creative significance of what’s unfolding. On a personal level, this transit may help us to see more about our unique role in the emerging cosmic drama – how we are called to channel these world-changing forces into specific forms that express our unique talents and life experience.

In the first week of October, Venus forms a conjunction with the South Node of the Moon. As the ruler of Libra, Venus symbolizes the drive to relate, engage, and harmonize, while the lunar South Node represents old patterns, identities, and karmic imprints that once supported us but now limit our growth. When Venus crosses the South Node, we may become aware of old ways of relating we’re ready to outgrow, perhaps highlighted through an encounter with a person with whom we’ve shared karmic history. Since the conjunction is taking place in Virgo, these limiting patterns could involve being overly humble, self-critical, or even servile in our relationships – a ‘less-than’ posture we’re now ready to release to make room for a new, more balanced style of relating to emerge. 

In the collective sphere, the conjunction of Venus and the South Node could manifest as a deeper reckoning with the toxic nature of public discourse today, and may bring up our collective fatigue with polarization and dehumanization. In the wake of recent political violence, it could result in renewed calls for healthier ways of expressing disagreement in a context of mutual respect and human connection.

Then on October 14, Venus moves to 1 degree of Libra, again activating the Kite pattern with the Minor Grand Trine, but now with the planet of love and beauty at the base. 

Venus Kite -- October 14

Having let go of old relational habits during the conjunction of Venus and the South Node, we are now available to channel the immense creative power of the dawning New Earth energies into bold new possibilities, especially in our relational lives. Existing relationships could be re-invigorated, exciting new ones may begin, and unexpected social opportunities could emerge. On the global stage, we might see diplomatic breakthroughs, the formation of unexpected alliances, or even the signing of peace treaties. World-changing expressions of artistic or cultural beauty could be seeded at this time. A quiet revolution of values may be initiated in the public sphere, inviting us into a more heart-centered and relational future.

Despite the widespread sense of collective angst, the New Earth energies are here – and rising. The birth of an age is never a tame affair. This Libra season may illuminate our personal role in the great unfolding and offer us a direct taste of its liberating possibilities within our most intimate relationships. More than ever, this revolution is rising from the ground up. With joy as our compass, we need only take the next step. 

Seeds of the Future

Astro Notes for Virgo Season (August 22-September 22)

There’s a lot going on this Virgo season. Not one but two powerful new moons, a lunar and solar eclipse, challenging aspects — and the first peak of the most powerful astrological configuration of our lifetimes.

The good news is that Virgo gives us the willingness and capacity to roll up our sleeves and get to work.

After the self-expressive roar of Leo, Virgo brings the humility to focus less on ourselves and more on the practical tasks necessary to make our lives and projects functional.

Virgo is organized, competent, and detail-oriented. It’s highly discerning and analytical — a skillful problem-solver. Most essentially, Virgo is the impulse to be of service to others in a pragmatic way.

Virgo is perhaps the least glamorous of all astrological archetypes, yet its humble craft is not only indispensable if we are to manifest anything real in the world, but embodies a kind of spirituality in action. Whereas Pisces, Virgo’s opposite, represents the transcendence of ego in the realm of consciousness, Virgo symbolizes the absence of ego in the realm of form.

During Virgo season, we tend to feel motivated to attend to those mundane yet essential tasks that create the scaffolding through which our divine assignments can materialize.

This Virgo season, those practical steps are supercharged with higher purpose.

A Sacred Window

From August 20 to September 14, we are in a cosmic window of extraordinary possibility— the first peak of the most beautiful astrological configuration of our lifetimes: a Minor Grand Trine between Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.

Neptune in Aries stands at the apex of this pattern, in harmonious sextile to both Uranus in Gemini and Pluto in Aquarius. This configuration is no passing weather storm — it will dominate the zeitgeist for the next three years. Note in the chart below that Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are at 1° of their respective signs, bringing this potent formation into exact alignment.

There are several reasons why astrologers around the world are so excited by this aspect pattern. For one, it’s exceedingly rare — we haven’t experienced this exact configuration since the Fall of Rome. In astrology, the more rare a pattern is, the more potent it is.

Secondly, because they move so slowly through the sky, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are by far the most powerful influences on the character of an era. When these giants are in harmonious relationship with each other, the archetypal principles they embody interact in highly creative and synergistic fashion. This augurs well for a period of profound cultural dynamism, creativity, and regeneration. We are entering a time unlike any other we’ve experienced, when a fundamentally new template for living on Earth is being born.

And when these planets come into exact alignment — as they will do three times over the next three years — it’s like a divine choir singing in perfect harmony.

In 2025 and early 2026, Saturn (in conjunction with Neptune) is also at the apex of this pattern, ensuring that these transpersonal energies are grounded in reality. Saturn introduces a note of restraint, caution, and skepticism to the unlimited potential of the Minor Grand Trine. It’s a time for road testing our newly emerging ideas, technologies, and visions to find out what’s real amidst the hype.

This more conservative dynamic is reinforced this Virgo season by the fact that, after September 7, Uranus joins Saturn, Neptune, and Pluto in moving retrograde. When all the outer planets are moving ‘backwards’ in the sky (from the Earth’s perspective), our outer momentum tends to slow, our attention drawing inward to review and reflect on our lives and choices.

The presence of Saturn and the retrogrades suggests to me that this first peak window of the Minor Grand Trine is not when things will bloom into full creative expression, but is rather a time for planting beautiful seeds that could flower in the next two to three years.

New Moon in Virgo (August 22): Pressurized New Beginnings

There are two new moons in Virgo this year. The first occurred on August 22 at the first degree of Virgo (0°), the second will take place on September 21 at the final or anaretic degree (29°). It’s as though we’re being initiated into the full spectrum of Virgo’s humble wisdom, from tentative beginnings to efficient mastery.

The New Moon on August 22 invites us to begin a new cycle of refinement, self-improvement, and service, though under considerable pressure to adapt and change. This lunation forms a tight square to Uranus in Gemini, and sits at the apex of an intense Yod aspect pattern, with Saturn-Neptune in Aries and Pluto in Aquarius at the base.

New Moon in Virgo highlighting the Yod

The square to Uranus in Gemini demands that we open to new — perhaps faster, lighter, or more unconventional — ways of thinking, even though the perfectionist within us (Virgo) may resist. The Yod sets up a conundrum: Virgo’s pragmatic, detail-oriented impulse is pressed between the massive archetypal forces of collective transformation (Pluto) and embodied vision (Saturn-Neptune). It’s as if a vast creative dream is being channeled into a pinpoint of local action, requiring many micro-adjustments in order to find the right outlet.

Full Moon in Pisces//Lunar Eclipse (September 7): A Karmic Spiritual Realignment

We are already feeling the buildup to the lunar eclipse on September 7, typically experienced as an intensification of energy. Eclipses act as karmic adjustments, often bringing dramatic or fated events that re-align us with our path.

With the Full Moon in Pisces, we may be confronted with the extent to which we feel offtrack spiritually. Are we truly prioritizing our spiritual lives or are they getting drowned out by the noise of the world? What do we need to let go of to make room for our soul’s journey to wholeness?

The Moon’s ruler, Neptune, is conjunct Saturn in Aries, standing at the apex of the Minor Grand Trine with Uranus and Pluto. Here, we may start to grasp the spiritual significance and power of the New Earth dreams that have been arriving this year — not just for ourselves but for the collective. We are approaching a turning point in our relationship to spirituality and consciousness, as the cultural myth of materialism gives way to a more integrative vision. This Full Moon may demand that we ground our mystical ideals into disciplined action — action that can energize and amplify this gentle revolution.

New Moon in Virgo//Solar Eclipse (September 21): Destined Actions

This is the second new moon in Virgo, occurring at the final or anaretic degree of the sign. We may feel a palpable sense of urgency now to take crucial grounded steps toward the initiation of our new visions. We have been simmering in Virgo’s ambience of skillful efficiency and practical mastery for a month now — here we have a chance to demonstrate what we’ve learned with a few precise actions destined to set in motion an enormous ripple of creative inspiration.  

This lunation sits at the base of an exceptionally dynamic Kite aspect pattern, forming harmonious trines to both Uranus in Gemini and Pluto in Aquarius, while standing in opposition to Neptune and Saturn in Aries.

Both new moons in this cycle — August 22 and September 21 — funnel the vast creative power of the Minor Grand Trine into focused action. But whereas the first new moon operated under considerable strain and pressure, this one suggests lift off: the transpersonal energies are now harnessed and powerfully directed. And since this second new moon is also a solar eclipse, its reverberations will extend far beyond a single monthly cycle. This is a seed moment whose effects will unfold over months and even years to come.

Our task this Virgo season is to align practical mastery with transcendent purpose. If we can embrace with humility the assignment of building foundations for our New Earth dreams, the steps we take now, however small, will echo long into the future.