Facing our Shadows and Reclaiming our Power

The New Moon in Scorpio on Thursday, November 20th, at 1:47 AM is pulling us into the depths of our subconscious, shadows, and that which is hidden. It’s about going deep… deep into who you are and who you are becoming. While the energy may feel intense, it is also illuminating. By working with the energy rather than fighting against it, we can better navigate the mysterious waters of this New Moon.

In this guide, I’ll share why the energy is pointing to intense depth as well as the other planetary aspects at play. While reading, allow your whole body to be involved, and see what sensations, emotions, thoughts, or visions come up. Let this be an embodied experience, as that will help guide you in knowing which energy you are meant to work with at this moment.

New Moon in Scorpio Overview

New Moons symbolize the start of a new chapter or cycle. They are times to plant seeds of intentions or goals for the next lunar cycle. The dynamics of the New Moon—such as where the Sun + Moon are located and the other planetary geometry—can help us determine what area of life (or our psyche or body) we should plant those seeds in.

During this New Moon, the Sun + Moon are conjunct Mercury at 28° Scorpio. Scorpio is a fixed water sign symbolizing emotional depth, intensity, and passion. This sign represents that which is hidden or taboo, including secrets, sex, the occult, and money. It is the sign of mystery and the subconscious.

Unlike other signs, Scorpio has several prominent animal symbols associated with it, including the scorpion, snake, eagle, dragon, and phoenix. These symbols relate to the underworld journey of death and rebirth: the scorpion transforming into a snake, which then transforms into a dragon (or sometimes a phoenix or eagle).

The scorpion symbolizes a lower level of consciousness or emotional maturity, but through self-reflection, emotional development, and the stripping of egoic identities and beliefs, the scorpion matures into a snake. The snake then goes through another evolutionary phase and becomes a higher being with wings. This being (dragon, phoenix, or eagle) represents the development and embodiment of our higher, wise self. It is all about transformation, but to transform, we must first die to our old selves.

With the Sun, Moon, and Mercury in this sign, these are the aspects within us that we’ll want to reflect on and work with. The Sun is our conscious self, the Moon is our emotional, intuitive self, and Mercury is our mental, thinking self. As such, we have a greater capacity to explore the depth of who we are: consciously, emotionally, intuitively, and even intellectually.

However, Mercury is also retrograde, which is about turning inward and traversing the subconscious. Therefore, our mind and thoughts may not be as clear, so we’ll want to lean into our other wisdom centers. Because Scorpio is a water sign of intense emotions, our emotions are the doorway or guide to the wisdom, healing, or revelations we are meant to receive.

Our emotions may also be the portal through which a hidden truth arises that we are meant to face. Truth and revelations are some of the major themes of this New Moon because the Sun, Moon, and Mercury are tightly opposing Uranus at 29° Taurus.

Reflective Questions: 

• What seeds or intentions do I want to plant for this next lunar cycle? 

• What emotions, wounds, or memories have been surfacing lately, and what are they teaching me? 

• What would it look or feel like to shed an old layer (belief, identity, attachment) and step into the next phase of my own transformation?

• What qualities does my “phoenix” or “dragon” self hold? How can I begin embodying that higher wisdom now?

Uranus Opposition: Radical Truth and Awakening

Thanks to the Uranus opposition, there is an electrical charge surrounding this New Moon in Scorpio. It intensifies the emotional depth and shadow dynamics already unfolding. This energy may manifest as shocking revelations, sudden and dramatic change, intense spiritual awakenings, or the emergence of radical, revolutionary truths.

Because Scorpio is the sign of secrets and all things hidden, and Uranus is the planet of truth, this combination can point to secrets surfacing. We may see this happening both collectively and within our own lives.

That which has been denied, suppressed, or kept secret may no longer be kept in the shadows. These may be inward truths we’ve been afraid to face, as well as truths in our relationships, businesses, home life, or other areas of living. These revelations could involve sex, money, religious ties, power dynamics, or our emotional world, as all of these fall under Scorpio’s domain. But, they aren’t limited to these themes; they may also emerge as old wounds or unresolved trauma.

While it may be uncomfortable, painful, or even unraveling to have these hidden truths arise, they are ultimately for our liberation, healing, and awakening. They might seem negative in the moment, but ultimately—I believe—they serve our highest path forward.

With the intense emotional currents of Scorpio, these truths may surface with big or heavy feelings. That’s why staying present with our emotions and allowing them to move is one of the most important things we can do during this New Moon. After the storm clears, the light of the sun returns, and with it, a clearer understanding of what we are meant to see and know.

Alongside these emotional and psychological dynamics, this is also a highly spiritual time. The veils are thin, and with Uranus opposing the triple conjunction in Scorpio, there is an opportunity for profound spiritual experiences. The hidden truths emerging now may be connected to your spiritual gifts or your soul’s calling. This is further supported (and intensified) by two Divine Feminine archetypes: Mary Magdalene and Persephone.

Reflective Questions: 

• What truth feels like it’s knocking at the door of my awareness?

• How can I create a safe space for myself to fully feel and express my emotions? 

• What might be revealed if I stopped resisting what I already sense beneath the surface?

• What shadow aspect of myself is asking for understanding, compassion, or integration?

• What spiritual experiences, synchronicities, or intuitive hits have been happening lately? What might they be pointing me toward?

Grand Fixed Cross: Rise of the Divine Feminine 

In addition to the Sun, Moon, and Mercury opposing Uranus, they are also squaring Mary Magdalene at 29° Leo and Persephone at 28° Aquarius. Persephone is strongly linked to Scorpio because she is the consort of Pluto (Hades) and represents an underworld transformation. She goes from innocent, naive maiden to wise and sovereign queen, but she first had to strip herself of her former identity to realize the truth of who she was and is.

With Uranus and the triple conjunction squaring Persephone, there is a powerful pull into the underworld. This energy asks us to unravel and release all that we know—every aspect of our identity and who we think we are—so we may stand naked in the presence and truth of who we truly are.

Mary Magdalene represents feminine Christ consciousness and sacred heart awakening. She asks us to be a loving witness to our underworld journey. She is directing us to our heart, for that is where our treasure—our truth—resides. The heart is a portal to full-embodied knowing of divine, unconditional love. This love strips us bare, so we are once again naked in the presence of a Divine revelation beyond our understanding.

These Divine Feminine archetypes are calling to awaken within you—within your root, your womb, your bones, your cells, and your heart. Uranus is a kundalini awakener, pushing us to reclaim and embody the sacred codes woven into the matrix of our being. Because these archetypes form a grand cross, it may not be an easeful experience. There could be some rubbing against our edges; some friction and frustration that propel us into this knowing.

It may be a full-body release of pent-up emotions that guides us into the wisdom of the Divine Feminine, for She is the pure expression of feeling. The more we attune to Her and allow Her to move us (through emotion and freedom of expression), the more we can release what no longer serves, awaken to hidden wisdom within, and facilitate the seeding of transformational healing.

These dynamics also point to sexual healing and awakening. Mary Magdalene and Persephone represent different faces of the feminine lover. Both invite us to reclaim sacred sexuality, release shame, and open to the mystery of Sacred Union.

All of this is supported during the New Moon by masculine archetypes. Lovely Jupiter, Pluto, Neptune, and Saturn are adding their gifts to the mix—offering harmonious frequencies and helping us to ground in the intense energies swirling in our underworld.

Reflective Questions: 

• What parts of my identity feel like they’re unraveling or being stripped away?

• Where do I sense a deeper, wiser version of myself emerging from the underworld of my unconscious?

• When I imagine standing naked before the truth of who I am, what emotions, knowings, or sensations arise?

• Where in my life is my heart asking to be more open, vulnerable, or receptive?

• What would it feel like to let my emotions move through me without resistance or self-judgment?

• What beliefs, wounds, or shame around sexuality am I ready to let go of?

Double Kite Formations: Sacred Structure for Our Divine Unraveling

During the New Moon in Scorpio, the Sun, Moon, and Mercury are in two kite formations. Both share the same grand trine formation: Jupiter trine the Sun, Moon + Mercury trine Neptune and Saturn. 

In one formation, Pluto is the focal point, with the triple conjunction and Neptune + Saturn sextiling Pluto, who is opposing Jupiter. In the other, Uranus is the focal point (opposing the triple conjunction) and is sextile to Jupiter and Saturn + Neptune.

Essentially, all of these planets are connected, forming a geometric symbol that is imprinted during the New Moon. These dynamics are long-running, as they are slow-moving transits, which is why they keep showing up in each New and Full Moon report. In this way, they represent long-term patterns that we are reminded of each lunar cycle.

Because trines and sextiles are positive aspects, these planets are supporting the energies at play. Jupiter is adding grace and abundance while expanding the overall energy. Pluto is beckoning us to go deeper—to bring the light of our consciousness to our shadows. Saturn and Neptune are asking us to embody spiritual sovereignty and to seek wisdom and understanding from within rather than from outside ourselves.

In the long term, these planets are supporting the radical, transformative evolution of our collective human consciousness. During this New Moon, they support that process by pointing to our shadow and saying, “There are hidden truths you must face in order to move forward.”

For us to evolve and embody more of our higher selves, we must release what no longer serves and what is holding us back from living our truth. To release what no longer serves, we must first bring our awareness to it. That means diving into shadowy patterns and courageously being present with the fullness of our emotions. These masculine archetypes are holding a supportive container for this process to unfold, so we have the space to explore and express that which is meant to be explored and expressed.

This is a time of shadow work—of purging, releasing, and facing the truth within us. It is about reclaiming our power and sovereignty. It may not be easy or comfortable, but on the other side is immense growth, wisdom, clarity, peace, and healing.

Reflective Questions: 

• Where am I giving my power or authority away—spiritually, emotionally, or relationally?

• What does it mean for me to seek wisdom from within rather than outside myself?

• What truth might Uranus be revealing through breakdowns, disruptions, or sudden clarity?

• When I bring full, compassionate presence to my shadow, what shifts inside me?

• What structures, practices, or boundaries help me feel safe to go deep and explore my shadow?

Practice Ideas

Shadow work is one of the best ways to work with the New Moon in Scorpio. Because of the feminine archetypes in the mix, you want it to be an embodied experience. For example, you could start your practice with energetic hygiene and movement to help bring your awareness into your physical body.

Much of our shadow is in the depths, so we want to bring extra attention to our root and sacral (first and second) chakras. Move the energy there with your intention, breath, movement, visualization, sound, and touch. You want to activate and enliven those areas in the body and get the energy moving.

You can see where that organically leads you by asking, “What’s here for me?” Stay attuned to your emotions, and allow them to fully rise. From there, you can move on to one of the guided meditation ideas listed below. 

1. Uranus Activation: Invite the raw energy of Uranus to awaken and reveal itself in your body. You can call on this energy to enter you from your crown or your root, or it can blossom from within. Experimentally play with the energy while holding the intention: “May Uranus reveal the truth I am ready to face.” Allow the raw energy to move in your body, giving yourself full permission and freedom to be weird and wild. Pay attention to what thoughts, insights, feelings, emotions, or sensations come up. 

2. Persephone Activation: Explore your underworld by imagining yourself going down a rabbit hole or being pulled down into the ground by an unseen force. Go through the layers of the earth until you reach a tunnel or cave opening. Persephone, the queen of the underworld, will be there waiting. Allow her to guide you visually and energetically through your underworld. What does she have to show you? What does she have to say? How does her energy want to move in your body? 

3. Letting Go of Identity: Imagine stripping away everything you identify as, including your roles and responsibilities. Perhaps you visualize taking off layers of clothing or masks that represent your different identities. Take all of them off until you are energetically naked. Who are you now? What’s left when everything you think you are is gone? Tune into the truth of who you are beneath the layers of identity, and know that this essence of you is eternal. 

4. Mary Magdalene Heart Activation: Bring your awareness to your heart and allow the energy to awaken and move with your breath, sound, movement, touch, intention, and/or visualization. See if you can soften and expand your heart. Let it fill to the brim with love, and allow that love to cascade out into every inch of your body. Be with the experience. If you want to go further, you can ask Mary Magdalene (or your higher self) to show you what’s hidden in your heart. Ask her to show you the truth of your heart. 

Along with these practice ideas, you’re invited to explore the library of on-demand offerings available at Shadow•n•Soul. There are several offerings that will help you somatically work with your unconscious, which is highly supportive during this New Moon in Scorpio. Above all, allow your intuition to guide you to the practices that best serve you this New Moon.

May the intense energy of Scorpio help you release what no longer serves and courageously face what’s hidden in your shadow. May you be wrapped in love, gentleness, and safety as you traverse the realms of your underworld.

With Love,

Rhianna Quanstrom
Read my other works here on Substack!