FULL MOON IN SCORPIO & LUNAR ECLIPSE – Are you ready for something new to rise from the ashes? (May 15, 2022)

by Anne Reith, Ph.D.
Astrology
Astrology

In the Pacific Time Zone, the Moon will be full at 9:13 p.m. on Sunday, May 15.  With this Full Moon, the Sun in Taurus will be in opposition (180°) to the Moon in Scorpio.  To further clarify how this Full Moon will impact you on a personal level, locate 26° of Taurus and 26° of Scorpio in your birth/natal chart.  The issues associated with those two houses are going to be most impacted by this Full Moon’s presence.

All Full Moons involve finding a better balance between the qualities of the 2 signs involved.  This time, those signs are Taurus and Scorpio:

  • The best qualities of Taurus include being down-to-earth, responsible, resourceful, reliable, determined, patient, and loyal. The lower expression can involve being overly materialistic or cautious, and we may resist change, even when change is needed.
  • The higher expression of Scorpio includes being intense, deep, passionate, investigating, healing, and transformative. The lower expression could mean being overbearing, controlling, intolerant, secretive, jealous, or vengeful.

In general, any Scorpio Full Moon asks us to evaluate whether we have a healthy balance between understanding when simplicity is called for (Taurus) versus in-depth analysis (Scorpio).  As with all oppositions, both ends of the continuum are important, but now is a good time to evaluate whether we might be over-emphasizing one end or the other.

For some of us, what is out of balance may involve the lower expression of each sign.  This is because Full Moons and eclipses (see more about the eclipse below) tend to draw out the lower expressions of each sign.  Therefore, read through the adjectives provided above that describe the lower expression Taurus and Scorpio.  Then, we should think about any area of our life where one or more of those descriptive words might indicate that adjustments are needed.

Because the Moon is located in a water sign (Scorpio), emotions will very likely play an important role in this Full Moon.  For example, we may have recently become bogged down in emotional reactions to deep personal healing work.  Luckily, balance can be provided if we focus on Taurean topics, such as going out in nature or looking for simple pleasures that bring us comfort and peace.

However, this is a rather complex Full Moon and it’s also a full lunar eclipse.  The complexity stems from the fact that there are 2 very different planetary configurations influencing the interpretation of the Full Moon.

NOTES:  (1) For those readers who are not interested in learning about planetary configurations, you can skip the next 2 bullets.  (2) By definition, a planetary configuration is when 3 or more planets are joined together in a geometric pattern, such as a triangle or square.

  • The first planetary pattern in this chart is referred to as a cradle. (NOTE:  Some astrologers refer to it as a half-hexagon or trapeze.)  Because a cradle involves at least 4 planets and quite a few geometric relationships (i.e., aspects), it’s a bit hard to describe with words.  A cradle is formed when (a) 2 planets are in opposition (180°) to each other, (b) 1 planet forms a trine (120°) to each end of the opposition, and (c) all 4 planets (i.e., 2 planets in opposition, 2 planets that trine the ends of the opposition) are further interconnected by sextiles (60°) between all 4 planets.  One way to visualize a cradle is that it looks like a like a basket.  Normally, cradles would be considered a minor planetary configuration and are, therefore, not considered to be very strong.  However, the orbs between most of the planets forming this cradle are very tight.  Additionally, due to conjunctions (0°), 5 out of the 10 planets (i.e., Sun, Moon, Mars, Neptune, Pluto) and the Nodes are involved in this cradle.  (NOTE:  Either through wide or “out-of-sign” conjunctions, 2 additional planets [i.e., Jupiter, Uranus] are influencing this cradle.)  All of this increases the power of this cradle considerably.  Why is this configuration important?  Because it tells us that the planets that are located in the trines and sextiles provide support for finding a healthy balance between the planets (and this case Nodes) that are in opposition.  Unfortunately, the energy of a cradle can be overlooked.  It is a configuration that can lead to great potential, but we must consciously access it and use discipline.  We must choose to combine the energies involved and not allow our attention to be diluted by being pulled in too many directions.
  • Luckily, I believe that the other planetary configuration in this chart provides the help that we need to tap into this great potential! Saturn, which is the planet most associated with discipline, is squaring (90°) both ends of the Full Moon.  These aspects form a t-square (i.e., right triangle).  As with the cradle described above, the orbs between Saturn and the Sun/Moon opposition are very small (i.e., 0° 20’).  Therefore, this is a very powerful configuration!  Additionally, the Sun and Moon are conjunct (0) the North and South Nodes, respectively, which adds even more power and importance to the t-square.  T-squares always indicate that an important turning point is at hand, and that the changes needed will likely be strongly influenced by the planet being squared (i.e., Saturn).

So, what does all this mean?  Unfortunately, a comprehensive interpretation of the cradle, the t-square, and how these 2 planetary configurations are actually joined together and interacting with each other would result in an extremely long Moon Update.  Additionally, depending on how we each consciously choose to utilize the energy being provided, there are many different ways in which these energies could be expressed in each of our lives.  Therefore, I’m going to talk in general terms about how we can consciously access the positive potential and avoid some possible pitfalls.

As you review the following information, keep in mind that this Full Moon is also an eclipse.  This is a full lunar eclipse, and it follows the partial solar eclipse that was discussed in the last Moon Update.  All eclipses occur in 6-month cycles.  Their influence may be strongest at the time of the actual eclipse (i.e., now!), but their true impact tends to unfold during the following 6 months.  It is sometimes helpful to think back to what transpired during the last eclipse season (i.e., November 2021).  The present eclipses often represent the next stage of development in whatever was initiated 6 months ago.

One additional note:  Solar eclipses tend to be times of new beginnings, whereas lunar eclipses often coincide with endings.  The solar eclipse 2 weeks ago might have brought something new into focus.  With the current lunar eclipse, we may begin to understand what will need to end in order for the new beginning to truly unfold in our lives.  But lunar eclipses, like the one we are currently dealing with, blocks out the light of the Sun, which means we have less light to see clearly.  Consequently, (a) we may only have inklings about what those endings will entail or (b) we may know what needs to end but we can’t yet see what the implications of those culminations will be.

When we ask ourselves how we want to consciously use the energies of the Scorpio Full Moon, lunar eclipse, cradle, and t-square, here are some issues to consider:

  • Because the Sun and Moon are closely conjunct (0°) the North and South Nodes, respectively, this means that something from our past (South Node) may trigger deep emotional healing work (Scorpio). However, we are being taught that we can best find our way through any emotional morass by engaging in new behaviors (North Node) that involve grounding ourselves, simplifying our lives, and taking care of our bodies (Taurus).
  • The cradle is connected to the Full Moon, and it is there to provide support for finding a balance between the qualities of Taurus and Scorpio. The challenge, though, is not falling into the lower expression of either Scorpio (e.g., need for control, jealousy, vengefulness) or Taurus (e.g., stubborn, materialistic).  The planets being trined (120°) by the Full Moon include both Mars and Pluto, both of which provide courage, power, and energy.  But as is true with all cradles, the potential support provided through the trines (120°) and the sextiles (60°) could be taken for granted or ignored if not consciously used.
  • I believe that the powerful t-square is there to help us do just that! All signs involved in this t-square are in the fixed modality, which provides us with a great deal of determination.  Any t-square is designed to challenge us to change, but having Saturn as the “focal planet” (i.e., the planet being squared [90°] by the planets in opposition [180°]) provides us with structure, order, disciple, patience, and the ability to see the long-term plan.  And given the influence of eclipses tends to unfold over a 6-month period, this gives us time to let everything come to full fruition.  With this t-square, we need to avoid falling into the lower expression of Saturn’s energy, such as pessimism, doubts, and being overly serious or even grumpy.
  • Support is being provided by Jupiter, which is in a sextile (60°) to the Sun and a trine (120°) to the Moon. This can provide us with positive, optimistic, and hopeful energy.  However, in order to tap into Jupiter’s support, we need to resist any temptation to slip back into an old behavior pattern or belief (South Node).  The discipline provided by Saturn in the t-square (described above) may help us avoid doing this.  In fact, Saturn may help us recognize that something from our past is currently sabotaging our efforts and that we need to do something to change that (t-square).
  • More support is provided by the conjunction (0°) between Mars and Neptune in Pisces. This provides increased compassion that may nudge us toward fighting for a humanitarian cause.  However, if we feel the lower expression Scorpio tugging at us (e.g., a need for control, vindictiveness, jealousy), the Mars-Neptune conjunction may help us understand that sometimes the best choice available to us is to let go and surrender the outcome to the Divine.  Saturn as part of the above-described t-square can help us determine if this is the best option.
  • Mars and Neptune are part of the supportive trines (120°) in the cradle. The watery influence of Pisces and the physical focus of the Sun in Taurus means that we could benefit by relaxing in a warm bath or taking a swim.  Meditation, getting a message, or going for a walk (especially near a body of water) could also be helpful.  If you can’t physically go out in nature, visualizations can also help.
  • Any of these activities mentioned above can help us deal with the emotions that are likely to bubble up during this lunar event. These emotions may have to do with the past (or even a past life) because the Moon (emotions) is conjunct (0°) the South Node (the past).  Scorpio is the astrological sign that tells us that digging down deep into our emotional wounds can lead to healing and transformation.  However, especially during a Scorpio Full Moon when the Sun is in grounded Taurus, we need to understand that true healing will only occur if we don’t get so lost in the darkness that we can’t find our way back up to the surface.  (NOTE:  The Taurus-focused activities mentioned in the last bullet will help all of see the light of day.)
  • At the time of the Full Moon, Venus will be in an exact conjunction (0°) with Chiron. This could awaken feelings of vulnerability within our relationships or finances.  This is an opportunity to heal and find greater feelings of self-worth and self-esteem.  It may help to think about whether it would be beneficial to open our hearts to forgive someone else . . . or possibly we need to forgive ourselves.
  • Mercury retrograde is definitely influencing this lunar event because it is in an out-of-sign conjunction (0°) to the Sun and opposition (180°) to the Moon. The Sun-Mercury conjunction will sharpen our thinking, which can help with problem solving.  Given this is likely to be an emotional lunar event, Mercury increases the chances that we will be thinking a lot about our feelings.  However, due to the Moon-Mercury opposition and given the fact that Mercury is still in retrograde, much of our emotional thinking may be turned inward.  In fact, having Mercury in retrograde means that the time around the Full Moon may not be the best time to share our feelings with others.  It may make sense in our head but come out very differently.  If possible, wait a few days before engaging in conversations with others about important topics.

On Friday, May 20, the Sun helps lighten the energy by moving out of grounded Taurus and into airy Gemini.  This month, our minds will likely be full of ideas.  We will want to learn about something new, and we may be more social than usual.  Our curiosity is usually at an all-time high, but we need to be careful not to scatter our energies in too many directions at once.  We may feel drawn to take short trips, especially if we can learn something.

Then on Sunday, May 22, retrograde Mercury, which has been moving through Gemini, backs up into Taurus.  It will remain in Taurus until June 13.  During this revisiting of the sign of the bull (and especially until Mercury goes direct on June 4), it’s a good time to revisit our plans to make sure they are practical.  The Taurus influence also provides us with the determination to continue clearing out all that paperwork or mental debris that might hamper our progress if left incomplete.  We also might be thinking about how we can simplify our lives.  Although we can become stubborn in our beliefs when Mercury is in Taurus, we are capable of changing (especially changing our minds) if we are allowed the time we need to think and we aren’t pushed to make decisions quickly.

On Tuesday, May 24, Mars moves into its home sign of Aries where it will remain until July 5.  With Venus, Mars, and Jupiter all in Aries, we are being provided with a lot of positive energy, courage, and optimism.  There is likely a strong need to express our energy outward, and we may be ready to take a bold step forward.  It’s likely that even introverts will feel more extroverted right now.  However, Mercury is still in retrograde, so we may not be very adept at expressing our thoughts until after it goes direct on June 4.  But all that energy can be used very effectively to engage in all the “re” words associated with retrogrades (e.g., review, reconsider, reorganize, reorient, reevaluate).  This would be an especially good time to clear out anything associated with words, such as computer or paper files and/or mental files (e.g., old memories or beliefs).

Overall, this Scorpio Full Moon and full lunar eclipse provides what initially appear to be very contrasting energies.  However, the energies actually can be used to support each other and increase the chances of positive outcomes.  This eclipse season does mean that one chapter in life is ending and another one is beginning.  Especially given the very strong influence of the Nodes during the current full lunar eclipse, it is clear that our soul’s journey is being advanced in an important way.  However, the symbols of the phoenix that is associated with Scorpio tells us that something deep within us may need to “die” in order to be transformed into something new.  Whatever is going to be birthed from this process may not be fully clear yet because the lunar eclipse limits the light we have to see clearly.  If we are patient and trust in Divine Order, our new self will rise from the phoenix’s ashes once whatever needs to heal has been addressed and released.  For now, we need to go within to do some deep emotional healing work (Scorpio), and then we need to remember to come up for air by finding those peaceful, simple pleasures that help us get and stay grounded (Taurus).

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THIS BLOG POST WAS WRITTEN BY

  • Anne Reith, Ph.D.
  • For information about Dr. Reith’s downloadable eBooks and meditations, feel free to visit her online Store

SOME INFORMATION TAKEN FROM

  • The Mountain Astrologer (magazine)
  • Various online sources (e.g., www.cafeastrology.com)

REMINDER

  • New Moons and Full Moons often influence us for the 3 days before and 3 days after the actual event.

FULL MOON

Full Moon at 26° of Scorpio

  • Sunday, May 15, 2022, 9:13 p.m. PDT
  • Monday, May 16, 2022, 12:13 a.m. EDT
  • Monday, May 16, 2022, 4:13 a.m. GMT

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By Anne Reith, Ph.D.

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