under the moon we do magick

Lunar Month Astrology

‘A column about the Sun and the Moon.’ 

The Alchemist Moon

With a powerful Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse around the corner, I’m feeling excited to write, and share with you my first Lunar Month Column for the IEHA community. While there are many astrological events that fit into a lunar month, I believe the best way to cultivate a connection with our skies is to keep it simple. Working with the two luminaries that we can easily track with our bare eyes, and tuning in to their sacred dance, is where I believe this practice begins. 

This particular column I write in the middle of a lunar month, and so my focus will be on the rest of this cycle and the powerful Lunar Eclipse in a few days time! Next column will follow in time for the New Moon in Gemini and the beginning of the new lunar month. 

Scorpio Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse 

In the midst of a season of change we come to a culmination point as the Sun and Moon align for the Scorpio Full Moon and Total Lunar Eclipse on the 16th of May. As the nature around us welcomes the next phase in the natural yearly cycle, we are invited to do the same; to embrace the change and gently let go of what no longer serves.. 

Dates to note:

Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse: 16 May (2.13pm AEST)

Sun enters Gemini: 22 May

Last Quarter Moon in Pisces: 22 May

As I’m feeling into this Scorpio Full Moon and Total Lunar Eclipse, the word alchemy comes to mind, and so I will call this Full Moon ‘The Alchemist Moon’. How suitable is the Oxford Languages definition of the word: ‘A seemingly magical process of transformation, creation or combination’ 

Scorpio Moon is about deep healing and transformation on an emotional level. As the Earth’s shadow eclipses the Moon, we might feel stirrings in the depths of our being, and receive messages from places within that we have long since buried. The eclipses have the reputation of bringing with them change, and this one particularly may bring about deep foundational shifts in how we perceive things. 

It can also be useful to bear in mind that with the Moon representing the inner child, this culmination may bring up old stories from our childhood to the surface, and with it, an opportunity to heal. This is a good time to do inner child work and send love and healing to the younger version of you. 

On the opposite axis, North Node is only three degrees away from the Sun in the earthy sign of Taurus, encouraging us to balance the watery depths of Scorpio by connecting with the physical world around us through our five senses. And this is where the alchemy takes place – trusting for the shifts to happen, conscious or unconscious, while staying present and deeply rooted in the physical world. 

It can be helpful to take a moment to contemplate – what are the things that allow your mind to grow quiet and invite your spirit back into your body? Be sure to make time for those things during this phase. 

Here are a few suggestions on how to nurture yourself during this Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse:

  • Be gentle with yourself – emotions can run high during this time
  • Journal – allow the nudges of your unconscious pour out on paper
  • Do something physical that you enjoy – release pent up energy while connecting with your body
  • Spend time in nature – always a good idea and especially supporting during an eclipse
  • Rest – essential during big energetic shifts  
  • Moon gaze and send love and understanding to your inner child
  • Dance under the Moon – allow the nature be the music  
  • Depending where you are in the world, watch the eclipse – I like to check the astronomical details here

After the intensity of the Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse, the energy begins to slowly turn inwards with the waning moon. There will be a notable shift in the cosmic energy on 22 May, as the Sun enters the playful sign of Gemini, kicking off the Gemini season. Gemini is the messenger and this energy is about assimilating new information and sharing new ideas, and of course having a blast while doing it! Last quarter Moon, also on the 22nd of May, in the dreamy realm of Pisces invites us to take a deep breath and surrender to the flow, as we settle into the last phase of the cycle.

Until next time,

Siina xx

/by