Scorpio I: The cyclical nature of hunger

By Tamani

Still Life: An Allegory of the Vanities of Human Life, Harmen Steenwijck

"Do you know what hunger does to a boy, what grief does, or shame?" These chilling words were uttered by Alyn of Hull, a bastard son, to his father in Season Two of the HBO series "House of the Dragon," a prequel to the popular show "Game of Thrones."

Indeed Hunger, Grief, and Shame are some of the themes this article explores.

According to Austin Coppock's '36 Faces,' the Scorpio I decan represents a cycle of insatiable hunger. Once this hunger is ‘satisfied’, it often leads to a cycle of seeking fulfillment again. Hence ‘the cyclical nature of hunger’.

While I won't delve as deeply into “Death-Transformation”, it is another major theme of Scorpio-plutonic energy, as depicted by “The Death Major Arcana Card,” which represents the general Scorpio energy.

Death, Rider–Waite–Smith tarot deck

 

The Death Major Arcana Card contains several fine prints. A sunrise or a sunset appears at the horizon, representing hope and ending. In terms of hope, I would define hope as “a carrot that is easily dangled in front of the hopeless.” I chose this definition since it aligns with the moral subtleties found inside this “Death” card. For example, the image of a human figure lying unconsciously on the ground possibly trampled by a pale white horse that a Grim Reaper rides. The Grim Reaper is also approaching three other human figures, one looks like an authoritative figure who is beseeching mercy on behalf of the two other human figures and at the behest of the Grim Reaper who holds the power to determine the outcome. Conversely, I refer to the Bible’s interpretation of the Pale White Horse regarding death and endings. The Book of Revelations 6:8 (KJV) states

“And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.”

This biblical passage profoundly aligns with the Scorpio I decan. The themes of power, violence, hunger, and death are prominently elicited. As I have briefly discussed death, I will now explore Scorpio I energy by exploring power, violence, and hunger. Additionally, I will delve into shame and loss, as deeply intertwined and significant influences of this decan.

Power

The current Western astrological perspective on Pluto centers around power. Coincidentally, Pluto is the triplicity ruler of the Scorpio I Decan. I believe that as an outer planet, Pluto represents a collective psyche. To understand the overt and covert manifestations of power, I will discuss its mundane presentation. 

Covertly, “power resides where people decide it does. It is like an illusion, like a shadow on the wall that even the smallest person can cast a very large shadow.” Overtly, power is often gained through the accumulation of wealth or by exerting significant influence over collective decisions. 

In this energy, Mars, the Chaldean ruler of Scorpio I, can manifest its power through violent accumulation which may involve greed, exploitation, jealousy, and manipulation. Modern astrology refers to these actions as the ‘shadow’ traits of the water sign Scorpio. 

However, the abuse of power leads to repercussions, especially for the Mars-Pluto Scorpio I. In this decan, the power play between Mars and Pluto is seen where an abuse of power ultimately results in powerlessness. For universality, I focus on Hillary Clinton and Bill Gates (Both Sun in Scorpio I natives). 

While serving as the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton ignited negative public reaction for sending confidential information through private email servers rather than government-delegated. Plausibly, an abuse that may have led to her election loss. For Bill Gates, arguably, his goose is still cooking, and it is only a matter of time before it is served.

‘36 Faces’ states that the Sun in Scorpio I gives a nativity dependent on power to aggrandize their self-image. The activities and desires of this decan may lean towards how to obtain power regardless of the means to the end. This abuse will lead to results and frustrations.

Violence

I chose this theme to highlight the Martian influence on the Scorpio I decan.

“The Picatrix: Liber Rubeus”, depicts this theme with the image of a man holding a lance-like weapon in his right hand and a severed head in his left hand. The book describes this energy as the “face of disposition, sadness, evil will, and hostility.”

The Picatrix: Liber Rubeus

This image is also an apt symbolism portraying the planet Mars and its violent state. A lance is a magical Martian tool whereas the human head is connected with Mars as the ruler of the Zodiac Aries, which rules the human head.

Thus the lance represents the violent nature of Mars's actions. The diabolic red planet has no limits, in desperation, force is a means to an end, a destructive move. This is also elaborated by Henry Cornelis Agrippa in "Three Books of Occult Philosophy (p.368)" which states that

“The first face of Scorpio ascendeth a woman of good face and habit and two men striking her.” The book describes this act as “the operations of these are for comeliness, beauty, and for strifes, treacheries, deceits, detractions, and perditions.”

“36 Faces” describes Mars in the first face of Scorpio as Malefic. Hence, the strength to realize one's desire is great in natives with Mars in Scorpio I. To satisfy their desires, these natives can be focused and ruthless. Although they possess the power to attain all symbols of desire, many people will pay dearly. Hence it is prudent for the natives to realize 'a bird in hand is worth two in the bush' or simply the natives should count their chicks once they have hatched.

Similarly to Mars, the Moon in Scorpio I is also in a difficult position as it is the exact position of the moon in her fallen condition. ‘36 Faces’ describes this position as

"a place of supremely ill fortune... those born with the moon here will learn the truth of hunger better than most, This makes some ruthless or ashamed. The wise born with the Moon here come to understand the cyclical nature of desire, and become the master of their natures."

The passage further warns of manifestations during a waxing Moon in Scorpio I as the energy may bring desperation and the need to achieve a goal by any means.

Hunger

“Needs and desires awaken hunger that opens a hundred eyes, all in competition. Some may seek contention and others violence to wield the power necessary for obtaining the object of hunger.”

In Scorpio I, the understanding is that hunger cannot be defeated; only managed. The satisfaction of hunger, at times, makes people forget the struggle to obtain the object of hunger. This struggle was influenced by conditions that are bound to change. Sometimes, one might meet pristine conditions, other times the wheels would have turned. Thus a balance should be struck, picking your battles wisely and knowing that sometimes, more is less, and less is more. 

Austin Coppock’s 36 Faces presents the Scorpio I as an image of a Jaw Bone. However, I find the jaw bone image as an allegory and an integral picture of understanding Scorpio I decan. 

The Image of a Jaw Bone, Austin Coppock’s 36 Faces

The jaw bone is one of the most vulnerable features of the human face. When one experiences facial trauma (specifically a TMJ disorder), they will stay exposed to the meaning of hunger as they will be unable to feed. Forced to experience hunger pangs, they will learn to be in control of their hunger. 

Accordingly, Coppock contends that while in satisfaction we quickly forget, but in an unfulfilled state, the cyclical nature of hunger is quite clear.

Ibn Ezra's Picture of a woman enjoying a banquet (with a cupbearer beside him) directly points out the cyclical nature of hunger. The magnanimity of the banquet reveals excesses, wastage, and spillage. While the woman is full and satisfied, they may self-sabotage the “rainy days” ahead. On the other hand, the cupbearer could represent a lack of access that often brings desperation, guilt, and shame.

A drawing based on Ibn Ezra's description of Scorpio I

Shame and Loss

vis-à-vis the The Rider Waite tarot card ‘5 of Cups’  

But was it worth it? How did you obtain the object of your hunger? Didn't satisfying your human urges result in more wanting? 

Shame and loss often mirror disappointment. More so whenever things do not go the way one had planned.

The Five of Cups aka the disappointment card aptly reveals the themes of shame and loss.

The Five of Cups, Rider–Waite–Smith tarot deck

Arguably, the Five of Cups card portrays a human figure, hiding their face. Besides them is an unknown destination that is separated by a bridge and a flowing river. It is not apparent whetherif this destination is their past home or his future home. What is clear is that the human figure is emotionally crying over spilt milk, instead of letting bygones be bygones. 

Now, back to the human figure, dressed in black (a prominent color that Scorpios like to wear). Looking at a community, perhaps they are yearning to return or looking at it one more time, planning to go into exile. Yet, like the flowing river, these feelings are temporary due to regret that has arisen due to the loss of what they owned. What is evident is the aspect of shame, guilt, deep reflection, and a painful lesson learned.

It is why the card represents "disappointment" - a huge theme of the Scorpio I decan. Natives with this energy should learn that all outcomes breed disappointment. 

Hence, it is pertinent to learn to deal with the fact hubris lies that seamlessly one can conjure their future. Betrayals, upheavals, loss, shame, and guilt may encumber the way. Sometimes, it is us who author our suffering. Perhaps, by being too wasteful or giving more than we have. 

Therefore, it is important to appreciate misfortunes, grief, and shame as an innate part of the human experience. These feelings can transmute to hope and forbearance as one can always start again. By facing the dark, then we can only know the true light.

Mundane Manifestation of Pluto in Scorpio I decan

Robert Hand in ‘Chronology of the Astrology of the Middle East and the West by Period’ describes astrology as a “collection of the human psyche”. This, in my opinion, points to a collection of historical patterns that have happened in the past. At present, one can use these patterns to analyze and compare the past and form patterns that can help to anticipate in advance of the future.

The last Pluto in Scorpio I transit began on Sunday, November 6th, 1983, and lasted until 6th November 1987.

In my analysis, natives born during this epoch possess an energy alchemy that grants the ability to alchemize the potential of Mars and Pluto.

Notable people were born in this time, yet the most striking pattern is this face brought forth the current great athletes and entertainers who have cut out as the face of their disciplines.

Notable athletes born in Pluto in Scorpio I include Megan Rapinoe, LeBron James, Lewis Hamilton, Eliud Kipchoge, Cristiano Ronaldo, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal, Usain Bolt, Andy Murray, and Lionel Messi.

Lots of American entertainers were born during this period. Notable ones include Kendrick Lamar, Katy Perry, Ashley Tisdale, Lady Gaga, Lindsay Lohan, Emilia Clarke and Drake,

When I was in High School, one teacher, the Dean of Academics, mustered all of us to say the following words:

"When they sit, you stand up; when they stand up, you stand out; when they follow you and stand out, you become outstanding; when they become outstanding, you become the standard measure"

Competition is necessary for survival. The inadvertent results of competition are loss or profit, life or death, pride or shame, and sadness or happiness.

Indeed, in the Scorpio I Decan, the ultimate price of competition is Power. Now power as we already know is garnered through the accumulation of material possessions. Material possessions deeply vary, you can have an abundance of money, friends, "social capital", talent, political clout, social clout et cetera. Yet all is futile if you don't muster discipline to maintain the power. 

References

A. B. C. News. (2016, November 7). A Timeline of Hillary Clinton’s Email Saga. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/timeline-hillary-clintons-email-saga/story?id=29442707

Agrippa von Nettesheim, H. C. (1993). Three Books of Occult Philosophy. United States: Llewellyn.

Coppock, A. (2014). 36 Faces: The History, Astrology and Magic of the Decans.

Greer, J. M. (2011). The Complete Picatrix: The Occult Classic of Astrological Magic Liber Atratus Edition. United Kingdom: Adocentyn Press.

Hand, R. (Ed.). (1998). Chronology of the Astrology of the Middle East and the West by Period.

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About the Author

Tamani (He/Him)

I am an author and publisher based in Nairobi, Kenya. Since I was of early age, reading has been my hobby. In particular, I love philosophy; a topic that sparked my interest in many mundane subjects as well as Astrology. I previously ran a blog on astrology, Veins of Heaven. However, I am on a hiatus to understand how to better use Astrology as an art of divination.

Website: Veins of Heaven

X: @tamanidada