Hello, hello, my darlings, and happy Friday the 13th! What an exciting Full Moon we have this month! Just after midnight on the 16th, we will see the Flower Moon (also known as the Budding or Planting Moon) in the sign of Scorpio. It will be both a Super Moon and a Blood Moon, meaning that it will appear very large as it is the closest that it passes to Earth, and due to its proximity, it will appear to be a deep red or orange in color. This change in hue is because of how the light from the Sun passes through the Earth’s atmosphere before it hits the moon. In addition to all of that, there will also be a Lunar Eclipse! Not to mention that Jupiter is going to be at zero degrees of Aries, meaning that it will be in a powerful position to bring new opportunities and fortuitous potential.
So what does all of this mean when we put it together? Let’s start with the Flower Moon. May’s full moon is a spiritual reminder of the fact that, yes, the flowers are in bloom now, but also that they started as a tiny seed. They broke out of their shell, the only space they’ve ever known, and that level of change is rarely easy. The Flower Moon is about transformation and shedding the old to make room for new possibilities and growth. Now take that energy and put it into the powerful, emotional, fixed water sign of Scorpio; the sign that is most associated with transformation. Ruled by Pluto, the planet of death and rebirth, Scorpio will bring to the front lines any issues with secrecy, manipulation, or control and force us to face the heart of it all so that we can free ourselves of our long held emotional baggage to make room for the new growth coming. And put your game face on, because Scorpio, like it’s ruler Pluto, is unafraid of taboo topics or our darkest secrets. If you have some skeletons in your closet or inner demons you’ve locked away, know that facing them may be unpleasant or even painful, but will ultimately relieve you of the hold they have over you.
This same Full Moon will be a Blood Moon, which scientifically is about light travelling through our atmosphere, but what about spiritually? What influence will this bring to the big transformational energy in our secret dark places? In the witching world, the Blood Moon portends a time when the path to our shadow side is opened allowing us a greater access to rage, shame and grief. Normally seen as “bad” emotions, it’s important to remember that if we meet these feelings without judgement, they simply are. Embracing these emotions is an important part of the healing process. Think of it as two feet. One is your good foot, the strong foot. The other is your bad foot, maybe with a weak ankle. You can only stand firmly planted and resolute when both feet are exercised, stretched, and cared for. The positive or negative effects only come from how we exercise these emotions and how we allow them to manifest in our lives.
There is so much work already in this full moon, but we’re only partway through. It will also be a Super Moon! Spiritually, this means that the energies and effects of this full moon will be intensified since the moon is as close to the Earth as it ever passes. It will be an emotional and powerful time for all of us. If you’ve been wrestling over a big decision, whether it’s quitting a job, professing your feelings to someone, or ending a relationship, you are going to feel incredibly strongly one way or another. Don’t forget about little old Mercury in retrograde, though. It’s waiting in the wings to stir up trouble with communication, so wait until these big emotions have passed before making any large decisions. Now is not the time to act impulsively or speak harsh words. Instead, allow the truth of your emotions to circuit through you without taking control of your actions. Meet them, and yourself, without judgement.
Finally, there will be a Lunar Eclipse during this Full Moon. Full moons are normally about cleansing and release, but when there is a Lunar Eclipse, this becomes an invitation to close doors, end chapters, and tie up loose ends, or even cut ties all together. There is a finality in the release of a Lunar Eclipse. As I like to say, “I don’t bring building materials to a bridge burning.” Whatever we release on Sunday night/Monday morning, know that it will be gone, and for your betterment.
While a lot of this post so far has sounded really ominous and difficult, I hope you can find solace in a lovely little planet that is in the mix called Jupiter. Jupiter, the planet of luck, fortune, opportunity, and possibility, is going to be at zero degrees of Aries. Gibberish, I know, but let’s break this down into its parts. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac. It is the beginning of the zodiac year, and it brings passion, enthusiasm, ambition, fire, and action. The zero degree mark is the VERY BEGINNING of Aries. It is the point at which exciting new journeys begin, where slates are wiped clean, and it is bursting at the seams with potential. So, as this full moon is large, red, and looming with transformative energies, the planet of luck and fortune will be starting its own path through Aries. A path laden with opportunity and ambition. So know that while we are permanently and firmly closing doors, Jupiter will be opening more to places that align with our core, our most authentic selves. Personally, I find a beautiful galactic harmony in this. Every end has to be the beginning of something else.
So nutshell; cause I’m long winded and I know things get lost between the lines. The Super Blood Full Flower Moon Lunar Eclipse is going to be an incredibly powerful emotional palate cleanser. It will allow us to shed our old skin, like the snake, so that Jupiter and Aries may allow us to rise up from the ashes of the past like a phoenix; both Scorpio’s animal representatives. Death and rebirth. Mercury’s retrograde may rock the boat a bit, but ultimately what we leave behind didn’t serve us. Now we make space for what will.
I would like to say that if you do want to take on shadow work, it can be very liberating, but make sure that you are in a safe place. If you aren’t sure what you’re doing, trying setting up an appointment with a therapist. Doing shadow work with a guide is much better than facing it alone, and in my opinion, therapy is exactly that; digging into your dark places to help let go of old traumas and allow you to move forward without them. If sharing this part of yourself with another person feels too vulnerable, make sure you are giving yourself the grace and space to explore with love and acceptance of yourself.
I know that normally I give you a step by step of the best way to harness these energies, but this is a deeply personal cosmic cocktail in the making, so let me just say this. Eclipses bring a lot of upheaval and chaotic energy. I would not suggest choosing to let go of something or someone in particular. Instead I would suggest that you remain open to whatever the universe has to offer you. I will actually be on vacation (wish me luck with Mercury also causing transportation problems!) and intend to spend time probing my shadow side through journaling and meditating with grounding crystals close at hand, Selenite for cleansing, Green Moss Agate and Fluorite for grounding and connecting with the earth, and Amethyst to channel my intuition. Sage and Rosemary are great staple herbs to burn for any ritual, but I would steer clear of attempting to manifest any particular future. Trust the wisdom and abundance of the Universe, my darlings. Stay open to change, allow it to flow through you like a cool breeze off the ocean waves.