SAIL AWAY
Optimism and openness to the future (and to each other) are back in style under this year’s Sagittarius Full Moon.
“At last, after a period of intense moons that have set critical milestones and have marked developmental changes for many of us, now the sky is clear again.”
Andrew Ifandis, Cosmos of Astrology
“It’s an antidote to the chaos of recent events, as loving, gentle and escapist as they have been jarring and mind-rattling.”
“There’s an influx of love, wildness and freedom coming after the release of constraints.”
Let’s see what else astrologers around the Web have to say about this lunation.
Sagittarius Full Moon
A Full Moon occurs when the Moon is opposite the Sun in the sky. Down here on earth, the event pits the emotive Moon against the rational Sun. Louise Edington sizes up this month’s balancing act:
“The Moon in Sagittarius is about seeing the bigger picture and releasing what prevents you from shooting your arrows of personal freedom into the future. The opposition to the Gemini Sun will bring in information to help you gallop into the future.”
A Full Moon also marks a measuring point in a cycle, with matters that are already underway coming to a head. My forecast elaborates:
“Full Moons always bring an emotional cresting. In the philosophical sign of Sagittarius, this harvest connects our feelings to our beliefs – whipping both to a fevered pitch, perhaps, or driving home how one affects the other. The culmination may also demonstrate the maxim, ‘The political is personal’ (and its reverse).”
Once, Twice, Thrice in a Lifetime
The Moon’s ruler is Jupiter, the beneficent, optimistic, expansive head of the gods. He’s the guy who ups the ante of any action he’s near. And his current action is whipping up something very yummy indeed.
Jupiter is just barely off his second of three trines to Neptune, lord of the seas, font of transcendence and higher love, and master illusionist of the cosmos. The pair first linked in December 2017 and will again in August. The most recent trine, which was exact on May 25, is the next-to-last time we will experience this with Neptune in Pisces for the rest of our lives.
“Jupiter and Neptune have been bridging the deepest parts of our being with our highest parts… Their link heightens perception, intuition and compassion, increases guidance and inspiration, and escalates our ability to rise above (or just plain escape).”
Can you feel the magic? Can you feel the love? In all its forms, of course.
Marina Macario, Darkstar Astrology, rhapsodizes about the trine’s possibilities:
“I’m calling this a fairytale aspect because this trine in water is just so darn dreamy.…”
“Traditionally Jupiter trine Neptune is extremely idealistic and esoteric. It is the archetypical guru, mystic, healer or spiritual teacher. It can herald someone coming into your life who serves as a great teacher or mentor, but there can be a tendency to idolize that person too. This is a supremely glamourous connection, almost fairytale. The temptation to go full-on fantasy mode with this as a transit is easy and it will prove hard to keep your feet on the ground.
“However, there is also great compassion and empathy here too. This aspect can cause an outpouring of charity to the unfortunate, but as always, we must be careful that honest and perhaps naive people’s good natures are not taken advantage of. There will always be opportunists who seek the gullible and profit from this sympathetic and idealistic atmosphere.”
“Sometimes healing grand water trines can perform miracles, but you have to steer them gently in the right direction. Full moons are great for bringing matters to a head so that you can heal them. This full Moon then will be perfect for shining a torch on your own or another’s demons.”
Jupiter also makes a trine as well to love goddess Venus in the nurturing sign of Cancer (which is the Moon’s natural home).
“Look for fun, flowing day of “reaching out” as they say these days. This is the kind of day where a person might plan dinner for six and then invite four more.”
Three Is a Magic Number
Venus and Neptune are in the same easy flow, too, which means that Jupiter, Venus and Neptune are making a grand trine. I explore this round robin of free-flowing energy:
“The ménage àtois with the love goddess is encouraging gentleness, kindness, nurturing, binge-watching romantic movies and acting out private versions of them.
“It’s a formula for sweet gestures, displays and exchanges of love and affection.
“They teem with potential for healing, for forgiveness, for soothing troubled situations and for opening connections that already go into outright bliss.
“The trio is also a formula for magic, for miracles and for heart’s desires and dreams coming true.”
Andrew Ifandis, Cosmos of Astrology, breaks the three-way down:
“This marvelous Grand Trine in the Water Signs emphasizes our most positive emotional qualities.
Jupiter trine Neptune brings vision, dreams, ethical belief, compassion and spiritual awareness. These qualities are compatible with the need for a true vision that the Moon in Sagittarius expresses and since Jupiter rules the Moon, we are all the more easily attuned to such feelings.
“Jupiter trine Venus attracts good fortune, brings joy and pleasure, good-natured feelings, appreciation for love and art, and socializing. In this positive mood our excitement is easily aroused.
“Neptune trine Venus is the love for the ideal, the idealization of love, the daydream fantasy of spiritual realms. It is through this extremely sensitive and inspiring mindset that our senses tingle, we feel optimistic and ready to embark on a new adventure.”
Take a Chance On Me
This Moon offers encouragement and motivation to go after those dreams and more. Jamie Partridge, Astrology King, looks at the Moon’s sextile, or opportunity aspect, to Mars, ruler of our drive.
“Full Moon sextile Mars gives a passionate enthusiasm to work and play. This competitive yet also a cooperative energy makes winning come easy. Success and popularity result from a warm attractiveness, which also make this time ideal for pursuing your stronger than usual desires for intimacy. Improving sexual relations with your partner, or finding a new playmate are real possibilities during this Moon phase. Bravery comes naturally now, so you could satisfy an inner primal need by fighting for a worthy cause, or for your family or clan.”
Make the effort and sweetness follows. I explain in my forecast:
“Though a grand trine has a fall-in-your-lap quality – the energies work on you without you having to do anything – this one does come with an open doorway that leads to something you want, if you walk through it. The Moon’s sextile to Mars in Aquarius opens that doorway and offers incentive to take it.
“Wondrous experiences are likely, even if you sit this Full Moon out in your bathtub, but why not work it, too? Taking a chance now – picking up the phone (yes, the phone), issuing an invitation, asking someone out on a date (yes, a date), speaking your heart – direct action leads right through that doorway and into the sweet, loving, magical flow of that grand trine. The result is likely a tender encounter and possibly an emotional blossoming that you have been wanting.”
Andrew Ifandis, Cosmology of Astrology, considers the harmonizing benefits in not merely the Moon’s sextile to Mars, but the Sun’s trine to the warrior god.
“These simultaneous harmonious aspects ease the sentimental tension and present an outlet for it through action.
“We feel energetic and invigorated, confident and bold, we are driven by being unique and letting the world know how we feel.
“There is no conflict between the need for a vision and knowing our facts. We have examined the facts, we have made the moves, and we have shifted our stance so as to begin forming a new vision or to start making an already held vision a reality. With this Full Moon we know where we stand, and we know that we are ready to move on.”
Just Kidding
Careful, though: not everything is as it seems. Or sounds. The Moon’s square to Neptune accelerates his illusionist streak.
Still, Elsa Elsa sees more tomfoolery than danger.
“You might read about ‘deception’ or ‘confusion’ but I don’t expect to manifest in a negative way. You might hear a “tall tale” but it’s likely to be told in good cheer.”
Adieu, Adieu to You and You and You
The purging potentials are still in effect from Jupiter’s ongoing sextile to Pluto. Don’t like something? Say bye-bye. I encourage this:
“If, as emotions crest under the Full Moon, you find situations that don’t feel good, right or appropriate, you can turn your back on them – or, better yet, cut them away – with ease.”
Other considerations
The sky is vast, and so are the number of ways astrologers have found meaning in the heavens above. Let’s look at how some of these add meaning, nuance and depth to the Sagittarius Full Moon.
Fixed Stars
The Moon is conjunct Antares and the Sun is conjunct Aldebaran, two of the four Persian royal stars.
Marina Macario, Darkstar Astrology, focuses on the fierce potentials of Antares:
“Antares is found right in the heart of the Scorpion. It’s is a beautiful flame red and emerald green binary star…. Some Antares keywords: Intense, fiery, compulsive, primal, survivors, trailblazers, combative, driven, maniacal, pushy, human, bestial, ravenous, rampant, wicked, devils-advocate, teasing, taunting, provoking, the phoenix from the flames, mover & shaker.
“Because Antares is a royal star, it will give great worldly success. However, Antares ambition can be quite ruthless as he finds it hard to modulate itself. Brady suggests ‘it also indicates that one can be the cause of their own undoing. The natural theme of this star is to generate success by going through a cleansing life-and-death experience. It can suggest one seeks intensity even when not required. By its mythological symbolism, it indicates extremes, whether by choice or not.’ [quoting Bernadette Brady]
“Antares is the anti-hero, but at least it is honest about it! What you see is definitely what you get. If you do happen to get involved with a bad boy or bad girl, then you have only yourself to blame if despite your best attempts at slaying their demons for them they still remain ‘bad.’ On the other hand, there are cases where a rough diamond is made good and this is also very possible with this Full Moon.”
Jamie Partridge, Astrology King, looks at the opposing pair of stars.
“The May 2018 Full Moon straddles the most important natural axis in the heavens which is The Heart of the Scorpion, Antares, opposite The Eye of the Bull, Aldebaran…. The activation of the militant axis generally means the winner takes it all.
“The star Aldebaran acts like Mars and Jupiter so according to Elsbeth Ebertin makes people tough, belligerent and pugnacious. This is an important star for military personnel and is said to convey mental alertness, strategic ability and courage and to make daredevils.
“The Moon brings out the positive nature of Antares according to Vivian Robson: Popular, broad-minded, interested in philosophy, science and metaphysics, liable to change religious opinions, influential friends, favorable for business and domestic matters, active in local affairs, great power, honor and wealth but benefits may not prove lasting, danger of violence, sickness, drowning or assassination….
“Each star gives an incredible amount of energy and activity. They also cause great ups and down in life, but after a fall they do give the tenacity and dogged determination to recover and reach the top again. Both stars are red colored Mars-type stars and are therefore a sign of war. The activation of the star axis in the sky has important ramification for global politics.”
Minor Aspects
Minor friction runs through this lunation, due to a semi-sextile between the Moon and Saturn, lord of order. Because of the luminaries’ opposition, the Sun is also contacting Saturn, in an adjustment aspect called an inconjunct or quincunx.
“Full Moon semi-sextile Saturn creates a difficult balancing act between ego gratification and heavy feelings of responsibility. Saturn will make you think twice before taking daring risks, but patience and self-discipline is not guaranteed. Saturn reserve and maturity are easily swayed by the strong and sexy influence of Mars and the fixed stars. Sun quincunx Saturn means you could swing between sober maturity and reckless disregard.”
Jamie King, Astrology King
“This Full Moon delivers an awareness of commitment and responsibility. With the Sun in conjunct order-loving Saturn, watch for adjustments in control of your communication and information flow, or in your thinking about authority and rules. With the Moon semi-sextile Saturn, you may see how differently, perhaps maturely, you are handling life, the universe and everything. (Especially if you take direct action toward a desire, which will have a component of new behavior.)”
Lunar Nodes & Apsides
Echoing the ease of the water grand trine, the Moon is trining her North Node. I see its meaning as:
“There’s a fated quality to this Moon’s unfolding…. Whether you’re aware or not, your heart is leading you to the future. Fade in Jiminy Cricket: ‘Like a bolt out of the blue, fate steps in and sees you through….’”
The two air/fire oppositions of the Sun and Moon and the North and South Nodes create a mystic rectangle configuration. Louise Edington expounds:
“Fire and air can consume all in its path as air fans the flames. It’s a burning down to clear out ready for the new to arise.
“The South Node in Aquarius is a point of release of feelings of disconnection and alienation to help you to open your heart to true connection and joy.
“There’s a wildness to this Full Moon that is like a wild horse straining to be free of the ties that bind.”
Decans
Each astrological sign can be divided into three sections, known as decans (10-degree divisions of the Zodiac). This Moon is in Sagittarius decan 1, which is ruled by Mercury and Jupiter.
Maria Macario, Darkstar Astrology, analyzes the decan:
“Austin Coppock calls this decan, ‘Poison Arrow’ because Sagittarius 1 is represented by the 8 of Wands Tarot card known as ‘Swiftness’ in the Thoth deck. At this Full Moon, we burst out of the Scorpionic hostage where they may have been captive. This is a fresh and urgent place for the Moon, but at the same time, it is not blindly impulsive. Those touched by this Full Moon will not strike until it is utterly sure of its target and then it will hit the bull’s eye straight off.
“Yes, with the Moon here we are swift, graceful and to the point. It is also more likely to be competitive in a less physical manner than you would expect from a sign with hooves. With the shadowy lone wolf prowling through this zone Scorpio’s influence is still fresh. There are also poisonous snakes in the grass, Hermes’ slinky Caduceus and voodoos dollies nailed onto trees…”
Sabian Symbols
Over the years, astrologers have devised systems to assign meaning to each degree of the Zodiac. The most popular of the past century has been the Sabian Symbols, proposed by Marc Edmund Jones.
The Sabian Symbol for the 9th degree of Sagittarius is: “A Mother Leads Her Small Children Step By Step Up a Steep Stairway.”
In his commentary on the Symbol, astrologer Dane Rudhyar gave this for its keynote:
“The need in any social situation to assist the less evolved in their management of the problems which society requires its members to solve.”
Lunar Mansion
Everyone’s familiar with the 12-sign Solar Zodiac. But did you know there’s also a 28-sign Lunar Zodiac? Demarking the Moon’s nightly resting places over its journey around the Earth, Arab astrologers called them the Mansions of the Moon.
The Full Moon falls in Lunar Mansion 20, which the Arab astrologers called Al Na’am(the Beam). Donna Woodwell of Donna Philosophica nicknamed it “The Hunter.”
The mansion’s purpose is “for success in attaining goals.” Donna advises:
“Set intentions and strive to meet them. Seek answers to questions. Perform tasks that require concentration. But don’t be lazy or allow distractions to get in the way of action.”
Summing It Up
The Sagittarius Full Moon has a dichotomy of energies: In one corner, sweet and loving, thanks to the water grand trine. In the other, pugnaciousness of the royal fixed stars.
Warrior or explorer? Jamie Partridge, Astrology King, has a caution about the warrior option.
“The militant fixed stars and Mars will urge you to go on the offensive and take what you want, regardless of the consequences. So, it is important to listen to the wise words of elders, respect your traditions and learn from history. The polarities in this Full Moon mean you can expect strong opposition if you enter a contest.”
Still, love and adventure may prevail. Andrew Ifandis, Cosmos of Astrology, gets the final words of inspiration:
“The positive energy of this Full Moon is a calling to the most expanding part of our psyche. The part that likes to explore and discover, a calling to a childish urge that says, “run, jump the fence, go down this road, find where it leads you….
“Yes, we stand under the stars and we savor the night air, we comprehend the big picture, and are feeling ready to jump on the first train to the next thrill.”
Lunaria Datebook
Last Moon Phase: May New Moon in Taurus
Next Moon Phase: June New Moon in Gemini
May Full Moon Times and Dates:
San Francisco: Tuesday, May 29, 7:19 a.m. PDT
New York: Tuesday, May 29, 10:19 a.m. EDT
São Paulo: Tuesday, May 29, 11:19 a.m. BRST
London: Tuesday, May 29, 3:19 p.m. BST
Istanbul: Tuesday, May 29, 5:19 p.m. TRT
Mumbai: Tuesday, May 29, 7:49 p.m. IST
Tokyo: Tuesday, May 29, 11:19 p.m. JST
Sydney: Wednesday, May 30, 12:19 a.m. AEST
FREE DOWNLOAD: Fearless Retrogrades
How to Skillfully Navigate the 6 Planetary Retrogrades this Summer
Download this free guide to Navigate Planetary Retrogrades & Know the Exact Dates of Each Retrograde in 2018! Discover what Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn & Uranus going Retrograde at the same time means for you! So you can STOP worrying about how to handle the SIX Retrogrades of Summer 2018…
Lovely and very insightful article – thank you!
So grateful for the loving wisdom!