Reading astrologers’ forecasts of the potent May 10/11 Scorpio Full Moon reminded me of an article I read years ago on the Hindu goddess Akhilandeshvari.
The Goddess Never-Not-Broken.
Writer and poet Julie Peters explains:
“This isn’t the kind of broken that indicates weakness and terror.
“It’s the kind of broken that tears apart all the stuff that gets us stuck in toxic routines, repeating the same relationships and habits over and over, rather than diving into the scary process of trying something new and unfathomable.
“Akhilanda derives her power from being broken: in flux, pulling herself apart, living in different, constant selves at the same time, from never becoming a whole that has limitations.”
Riding the waters on her crocodile spirit vehicle, Akhilandeshvari will be there when you need her…
… which, considering astrologers’ forecasts for this upcoming Scorpio Full Moon, might be sooner rather than later.
Scorpio Full Moon
Enter our once-a-year Full Moon in the sign of the Scorpion. The Moon craves comfort and security. So it’s no surprise Scorpio is her least favorite place to be in the Zodiac; Scorpio’s deep intensity provides little of either.
It calls us into the watery depths of our own psyches, to face and release what we find lurking there.
“Full Moons are times of peak intensity – something has been building, and it will be released via Scorpio’s profound, limit-destroying energy. The impact will be felt beneath the surface, so the ending/result will be much more than a superficial change.”
Nadia Gilchrist, Ruby Slipper Astrology
“Not every dark feeling brought to light by this Full Moon will be uncomfortable. … Unlike the previous lunation, the New Moon in Taurus which looked to planting new seeds of comfort and security, this Full Moon in Scorpio … is comfortable with things dying away. Not everything is sustainable and the Full Moon in Scorpio is okay with it. The Moon is in fall in Scorpio, being in the sign opposite of the sign the Moon is exalted in. … The Full Moon in Scorpio can handle looking directly into the face of darkness that other placements shy away from.”
“A Full Moon in Scorpio can be an experience of emotional catharsis: it allows us to purge negative feelings, flush out emotional toxins, and release the energy trapped in our subconscious. Facing the truth, we confront the shadow of our grudges, compulsions, obsessions, and, ultimately, reclaim our darkness as part of who we are. We reclaim our wholeness, through loss. We take back our power. …
“[T]his Scorpio Full Moon might also coincide with the peak of a process of transmutation of which the seeds were planted long ago. It’s a turning point in our personal Great Work, the vigorous push for evolution, the acceleration of a situation or relationship all the way to the next level, or the final amputation that allows us to release our emotional grip, mourn the loss, and make room for the new. Again, the theme is wholeness, and coming into wholeness through the disengagement from the toxic, detrimental dynamics / patterns that keep us enslaved.
“This Full Moon is like the athanor – the tall, self-feeding furnace of alchemists; her concentrated, slow-burn intensity erodes the rotting impurity that pollutes our mental clarity, our emotional health, our spiritual mastery. Nothing that crosses her threshold of fire remains unchanged – especially if it’s something that no longer serves any purpose.”
Underworld Lord
Like the recent Taurus New Moon, the Scorpio Full Moon is relatively unaspected, touched only by a sextile to Pluto.
“The only close aspect made by the Full Moon is to (Rx) Pluto, modern ruler of Scorpio, via sextile – a gently supportive connection that adds some ease to the proceedings. There are no other influences interfering with this delicate, poignant gestation – not even our own.”
“Pluto adds reassuring integration along with relentless transformation. Trines and sextiles represent paths of least resistance, so the change will happen naturally. And, it should fit right in with whatever else is happening in your life. The initial event may be jarring, but you’ll quickly see that it’s meant to be.“
Nadia Gilchrist, Ruby Slipper Astrology
“The potential for release comes from a supportive link from this Full Moon to … Pluto, ruler of the beasts and treasures alike that lurk within the deep. He’s also the lord of death and rebirth, and his participation enables swift and clean response: clarifying, simplifying, prioritizing and, where necessary, cutting away.”
“He’s escalating the sense of quickening, adding an air of facing the unavoidable and inevitable, and arming us with fearlessness and ruthlessness (which does not have to be cruel). The tools will come in handy no matter what is coming up. When Scorpio is involved, even developments you rationally see as positive have a way of inspiring you to take a deep breath before proceeding.
“Much of what transpires now will be natural, organic or unforced, like the cycles of nature that Pluto rules. You know on some level — cellular or subconscious, if not rational — what is ready to die, to leave, to be transformed, to be embraced and allowed to grow deeper and more intense.”
Kathy Biehl, Empowerment Unlimited
Shock and Release
Just a few hours prior to the Scorpio Full Moon, Mercury will meet Uranus. The two have been dancing for the past weeks during Mercury’s recent retrograde; the full Moon marks their third and final encounter for the year.
“On the same day, Mercury in Aries will conjoin Uranus. We have the bright flash on the surface, and the tremors underneath. Secrets and hidden motivations may be exposed. The truth will be surprising, although it’s been agitating since March 26 (Mercury’s first conjunction with Uranus). “
Nadia Gilchrist, Ruby Slipper Astrology
“The traditional ruling planet of Scorpio is Mars. And Mars is in Gemini, sign ruled by Mercury, Mercury is in Aries, sign ruled by Mars, creating a mutual reception. So, using its traditional rulership, this Full Moon should be providing electric insights and possibly shocking news (Mercury conjunct Uranus in Aries) about fairly weighty topics (Scorpio). The mutual reception from Mercury to Mars provides power to act on this information, so whatever news may be forthcoming we are not left helpless by it.”
“Thanks to Mercury and Uranus, you’re ready for any of these eventualities. The lightning strikes have already shattered your attachment to certain values, points of view and mundane situations. And so you may find yourself approaching the Scorpio cauldron with more relief and anticipation than dread, and excitedly tossing in this and that as it churns and bubbles and transmutes.
“You can spot decay with an objective eye and address, attack and clear, so work that ability. Look around to see what isn’t thriving, then deal with it. Prune the dead and dying. Unplug unsalvageable situations from life support. Clean out debris and clutter.
“Get rid of anything that doesn’t suit, support or nourish you anymore, or that no longer interests you, or that no longer deserves a place in what precious time remains. You’re freeing space and resources (time, money, emotion, energy) that could go to what you do want to flourish.”
Kathy Biehl, Empowerment Unlimited
Death’s Whimper
After the Scorpio Full Moon, the Moon turns Void of Course for nearly 20 hours. A Void Moon represents a lacuna in the celestial story; it’s the space between Luna’s last planetary aspect in a sign until she enters a new one. As the “translator” of the planets light down to the Earth plane, when she’s Void, it’s like a period of slack tide.
Void Moons average only a few hours every couple days. Twenty hours, then, is a very long time to reflect.
“Technically, the Moon will turn void of course just after completing the opposition to the Sun (like a minute later). To me, this further underscores the need to accept a natural cycle has run its course. A void of course Moon kinda acts like it exists in a vacuum and doesn’t follow a predetermined course, so while there’s power to act on the information given under this Full Moon, not everything will need to be acted on. Some things will just be announcing that their own death process is completed, the race has been run, and it’s time to break free from the rot and move on.”
Other Considerations
Beyond astrology’s basics, there are always other ways to explore celestial events. Here’s a few more for your consideration. (Consideration, of course, is a word meaning “with the stars.”)
Decan
Each Zodiac sign can be divided into three equal parts, called decans.
“This Full Moon in Scorpio 3 will open our eyes further to the degeneracy in the world (If they weren’t open enough already.) It is only after the stench of purification is revealed, that a new dawn is possible. It is interesting that director Stanley Kubrick had his Moon in Scorpio 3. His prophetic films show only too well what happens when people willfully keep their ‘eyes wide shut!’”
Marina Macario, Dark Star Astrology
Fixed Stars
This Scorpio Full Moon makes connections with two fixed stars: Zubenelschemali and Unukalhai. Fixed star maven Marina Macario of Darkstar Astrology explains:
“This Full Moon falls on an extremely fortunate star Zubenelschemali in the northern scale [of the constellation Libra]. It’s a good start, and provides the sweet to the dark cherry bitterness of the rest of the influences. This star represents gain and “It gives good fortune, high ambition, beneficence, honor, riches, and permanent happiness.” As well as being so lucky, Zubenelschemali aptly shines a deep emerald green. Green is the color of money, status and prosperity. …
“Unukalhai is a major star and found in the neck of the Serpens. This star has an unfortunate reputation according to the ancients. It is also connected with Lilith, Kundalini and sex magic. The Chiron medicine man is holding this forbidden fruit, which could be spiritual wisdom or poison. The Serpent is both deadly and sacred. The serpent revealed to Ophuichus how to bring the dead back to life, which could be seen as a transgression of natural law. The use of magic must be used responsibly and not for selfish purposes, which is why this star has the reputation that is does.”
Asteroids
Clarissa of Viva Combusta! points out the asteroid Juno has just stationed retrograde conjunct Pluto in Capricorn:
“And speaking of dead things resurfacing… soul mate asteroid Juno will have just stationed retrograde at 18 degrees Capricorn at the time of this Full Moon, sextile to the Full Moon and conjunct Pluto retrograde. Juno Rx conjunct Pluto Rx will, for a certain amount of people, raise old lovers from the dead, revive toxic people you thought were gone, bring an end to current dysfunctional romantic ties, and in certain cases will be showing outright abuse within relationship. If you’re in an abusive relationship now, or have suffered through one before, be prepared to face down the darkness here.
(It goes without saying but still needs to be said: abuse is not just physical. Emotional, mental and even financial abuse is still abuse. Feeling scared of another person for any reason is abuse.)”
Sabian Symbol
Astrologers have even looked to find meanings in the individual degrees of the Zodiac. One of the most popular degree symbol systems in the 20th century are the Sabian Symbols.
The Sabian Symbol for this Full Moon (21 Scorpio) is “Obeying his conscience, a soldier resists orders.”
In his commentary on the Symbols, Dane Rudhyar wrote: “Society in this situation seems to be all-powerful, yet the individual need not be spiritually bound, even if imprisoned. He can still display an inner freedom.”
In other words, it’s a symbol that invokes the importance of acting with integrity, no matter the consequences.
Lunar Mansion
In Western astrology, we use the familiar solar Zodiac; but there’s also a second, often forgotten lunar Zodiac. The Arab astrologers called the lunar Zodiac signs the Mansions of the Moon.
This Scorpio Full Moon falls in Lunar Mansion 18. Al Kalb, to Arab astrologers, but which I nicknamed the Caduceus.
It’s a healing mansion – for seeing healers and taking medicines quite literally. Or claiming your own medicine – your power to heal and find wholeness.
Summing It Up
The potent Scorpio Full Moon will cast a light on your darkest, most personal and intimate places. And so Clarissa’s perfect summation of this Moon bears repeating:
“Cliché as it sounds, the intention for this Full Moon looks to me like the proverb ‘God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change what I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.’”
(And of course, don’t forget: Akhilandeshvari is on call if you need her…)
Lunaria Datebook
Last Moon Phase: New Moon in Taurus
Next Moon Phase: New Moon in Gemini
Scorpio Full Moon Dates and Times
San Francisco: Wednesday, May. 10, 2:42 p.m. PDT
New York: Wednesday, May. 10, 5:42 p.m. EDT
São Paulo: Wednesday, May. 10, 6:42 p.m. BRDT
London: Wednesday, May. 10, 10:42 p.m. GMT
Istanbul: Thursday, May. 11, 12:42 a.m. EEST
Mumbai: Thursday, May. 11, 3:12 a.m. IST
Tokyo: Thursday, May. 11, 6:42 a.m. JST
Sydney: Thursday, May. 11, 7:42 a.m. AEDT
Enjoy our new and full moon forecasts?
Our unprecedented Eclipse Mastery program is OPEN for Enrollment. Learn more here!
THANK YOU!
Wow, so good!!! Thank you.
Thank you for the good read… Have to comment on the Sabian Symbol section – totally in alignment with current events in my country !