“Metaphorically, bardo can be used to describe times when the usual way of life becomes suspended… Such times can prove fruitful for spiritual progress because external constraints diminish. ~Wikipedia
November is an in between month. Not yet winter and no longer autumn. The sun setting earlier and earlier brings us into darkness for longer periods of time. It allows us to gather into our selves. The affects of a sun less intense gives us reprieve from feeling constantly on. We sink into the cozy realm of long shadows and appreciative contemplation.
Shadows offer us glimpses of what may linger within, that present as limitations in day to day experience. Shadows are a doorway to the unknown. The bardo, as described above and with origins in Vedic philosophy, is an in between state. In Buddhism it refers to a time after death and before rebirth. And can refer to our journey in the physical world.
As Chogyam Trungpa, a Tibetan Buddhist master, explained, “Bardo means gap…The bardo experience is part of our basic psychological make-up. There are all kinds of bardo experiences happening to us all the time…it is like not being sure of our ground, not knowing quite what we are getting into…”
That could aptly describe our current experience.
A moment can present us with the unknown and many moments of the unknown can string together into days, perhaps weeks. Our experience of these moments may be determined by fears or clarity. All depends upon our relationship with conditioning. When we have a moderate degree of awareness we can guide our selves through these moments with relative ease. If fear dominates we may have a longer stay in the shadows.
As we are all subject to the sublime energies that create our conscious shifts, we have plenty of encouragement to move us beyond these distant and near fears. In spite of external circumstances it is vital to remain anchored in trust. We are not the thoughts that perpetuate our suffering.
In the bardo we are confronted with whatever we are holding that pertains to old wounding. It can manifest after awhile as knots in our bodies. These impediments deny us the freedom to continue moving forward. The feeling of being stuck however, can often precede a major change of course in our lives. It is as though we are gathering momentum for a big leap.
Press the release button centered in the 3rd chakra where will, motivation, self-confidence, courage reside. Massage this area with a relaxing, deeply penetrating essential oil such as lavender to promote release of pressure or constriction that develops over time and can contribute to a perpetual knot here. Simple *Qi Gong exercises such as the Eight Brocades can help move energy that accumulates over time.
The sign of Scorpio, October 23-November 21, 2025, is a sign of transformation. As ruler of the 8th house it is the experience of birth, death, rebirth. Scorpio is a deeply intuitive and perceptive sign that includes three levels of experience—the scorpion, the eagle and the dove.
Earth and the material plane, air and the mental plane and spirit the ethereal plane where we are free of the illusion of body and mind.
This new moon in Scorpio at 28 degrees is a time for deep reflection that inspires new beginnings. We trust what is not known in these times of suspended familiarity. We do not have all the answers but they will come to us. The bardo is an opportunity to clear out the old so that we can hear these answers.
Every new moon is unique in what it offers. Sometimes that is quiet contemplation that seeds future growth. Or, as in this new moon, we find our selves steadily continuing to dismantle old structures and to bypass fears as though we have been given a ticket to freedom to be collected immediately. Am I in the queue to receive that ticket? Do I want to be in that queue?
Th answer is a collective yes.
These three configurations involve 8 planets: Sun/Moon/Mercury conjunct in Scorpio. Pluto in Aquarius, Neptune/Saturn in Pisces, Uranus in Taurus and Jupiter in Cancer. A mystic rectangle is composed of two sextiles, two trines and two oppositions. The oppositions (Uranus opposite Sun, Moon and Mercury and Jupiter opposite Pluto) present a tension that will demand our attention.
In this case the former opposition relates to evolution. Uranus and the Sun, evolution of the self, the moon emotional/instinctive self and mercury the mind. The other opposition, Jupiter and Pluto relates to optimism, resourcefulness and a transformative power that contributes to growth, and achievement of goals. Be careful of overly optimistic vision fueled by an inflated sense of ego.
The two kites, a grand trine annexed by a small talent trine represent ease of flow between all the planets involved. They provide ‘diminished constraints so that spiritual progress is supported’. Each kite is formed by seven planets. That is a lot of energy moving us from old patterns and habits to a simpler more graceful life. This is highlighted by the Sun, Moon, Mercury conjunction aspected by all five planets, Uranus, Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn and Pluto. Only Venus and Mars are excluded.
Be prepared for a range of emotions to surface and a series of unexpected events—ah, ha moments and perhaps oh no moments. The bardo is just one part of our journey and may be recognized in dream time as us sorting through the shadows. Always though, we are held in light. Light that permeates even the darkest of moments reassuring us constantly to put one foot in front of the other, to keep moving. We cannot not find our way. We are that way.
*Please see youtube video QiGong Flow-The Eight Brocades with Mimi Kuo-Deemer.
Be Still 
In this new moon, we find our selves steadily continuing to dismantle old structures and to bypass fears as though we have been given a ticket to freedom to be collected immediately.: sums up the reading you gave me yesterday!!!!…:) thank you, Anna:) Estelle🩵
Thank you for visiting!