All things ripen under the Full Moon. The best laid plans, and the worst ones too.

With the first of two Sagittarius Full Moons in a row on May 21/22, it’s time to consider if what you’ve been aiming for is what you really want to achieve.

It’s Only a Sadgie Moon

Sagittarius: centaur, archer, adventurer. When the Full Moon illuminates a fire sign, we’re eager to get on our way. That’s true in what we do and say — Sagittarius is notorious for leaping before looking.

“When it comes to Sagittarius, the adventure starts within – in the mind, heart and soul. The vision that gets birthed from longings, ideals and thirst for knowledge is what stirs the archer’s restlessness and urge to roam free.”

Aeterna, Aeternalight Astrology

“This year’s Sagittarius Full Moon is a high-energy, high-octane blaze of hard-driving emotions. Even if we’ve been going with the flow lately (and what choice have we had, really?), reactions have been building up. … We’re in for profound feedback about beliefs and their ramifications. And, boy, is it ever motivating. ” 

Kathy Biehl, Empowerment Unlimited

“Mars is Bright Tonight”

There’s scene in Harry Potter where the centaurs Bane and Ronan look to the heavens and observe: “Mars is bright tonight,” a foreshadowing of the return of the Dark Lord.

The centaurs could have been looking up at our own sky. This Sagittarius Full Moon occurs in the same degree as red-hot Mars.

And Mars ruddy glow shines even more intensely than usual this weekend. In fact, Mars is at its closest approach to Earth in almost 10 years.

That’s the nature of retrograde motion. It occurs when planets are closer to us, and hence they get extra “earthy” (that’s ancient astrology code for messy).

Clarissa of Viva Combusta! explains its effect:

“It’s a little too hot to handle. The generic interpretation of Sagittarius usually involves words like optimism, adventure, and a philosophical turn of mind. All true, but probably not what we’ll experience with a Full Moon-Mars Rx conjunction.

“Mars is the warrior planet and incredibly frustrated with retrograde motion, its natural direct assertiveness thwarted. Such high energy unable to express itself directly typically turns inwards, or in uncomfortable directions, until it blows up in unhealthy ways.

“Mars stationed retrograde on Apr. 17, and since then many of us have felt the stress of wanting to move forward but being unable to. This Full Moon in Sagittarius conjunct Mars Rx does heighten our awareness of this frustration and provides a channel through which we can express our rightful, righteous anger.”

Adds Aeterna of Aeternalight Astrology:

“Indeed, with a supercharged, powerful conjunction between the Moon and Mars, the impulse to run with our dream and bolt for the horizon is going to be hard to ignore.

“The presence of Mars might also awake the zealous, opinionated side of Sagittarius – the crusader, the fundamentalist, the fanatic – triggering defensive, overblown responses to real or imagined threats to what we’re passionately convinced about.

“There is no better time than this Full Moon to remember that we have freedom to choose our response to external events. Should someone or something push our buttons, we can take the Sagittarius advice: learn from the experience and gallop away from conflict, making up a different trajectory along the way, savoring the journey as we go.”

And more from Marina Macario of Darkstar Astrology:

“Those of us who grew up in explosive families will feel this Full Moon acutely. The Moon rules memories and this one could remind us of walking through the domestic minefield of our youth. It is important that we don’t let ourselves be triggered into emotional flashbacks. You could now be picnicking in the most benign of pastures, so don’t let the angry Moon make you too paranoid.

“At this time it is best to work for ourselves, as those touched by this Full Moon will not be good team players at all. In fact it might even be quite dangerous to compete due the combative vibe in the collective. Sun opposite Mars can be so competitive that it takes really stupid risks just to get past their rivals. This Full Moon can make people egoistical and inconsiderate.”

(Let’s hope Voldemort isn’t hiding around the corner.)

Jupiter Tugging on Reigns

If you need a little help focusing the Luna-cy, look to the Moon’s ruler.

A Sagittarius Full Moon is ruled by Jupiter, who’s just finished up his annual retrograde in practical Virgo. Here, Jupiter’s natural enthusiasm is a bit constrained; he stops to check he’s packed everything three times before heading out the door.

Says Aeterna of Aeternalight Astrology: “Jupiter in Virgo … seems to stress this message of humility, reminding us to pay attention to the practical outcomes we are generating through our commitment to our beliefs and philosophy.”

Elsa Panizzone of ElsaElsa chimes in too:

“If you want to fare well, work the mutable angle. Be willing to change your mind…or open it. It might also be a good idea to forgive people who blurt things under this full moon. These days, entire careers come crashing down over the smallest thing.  This may seem fine when it happens to your enemy. It’s not so fine when it happens to you or your wife or your friend or your sister, your son or your mom.”

Once in a Blue Moon?

This may be a Blue Moon in the traditional sense (the third of four Full Moons in the spring season), but it’s also the first of two Sagittarius Full Moons in a row.

Blue Moons happen about once every 2-1/2 years. But a Zodiac sign gets two Full Moon in a row only about once every 19 years or so.

So, in addition to all the retrogrades going on (including the retro-train from Mars and Saturn in Sagittarius, to Sagittarius-ruler Jupiter in Virgo, to Virgo-ruler Mercury in Taurus), now we get a lunar do-over too.

Clearly, we’ve got some rethinking to do with Sagittarian themes. Are the dreams you’re aiming for really worth it? Time to figure it out!

“The plot that is being exposed, uncovered and divulged at the time of the first Full Moon is likely not to reach its full climax and resolution until the second Full Moon in June.

“This doesn’t mean that the importance of this first Full Moon should be overlooked or underestimated: a number of astrological indicators suggests that this is the pivotal turning point, the breakthrough in consciousness that sets up the rest of the story. “

Aeterna, Aeternalight Astrology

Mercury and The Grand Old Trine

Lest you feel like you’re all charged up with no place to release, take heart! At least Mercury is still getting some supportive trines from Jupiter and Pluto. You may need to dig a little deeper but you will find the answers you seek.

A “ray of hope comes from the grand trine of Mercury, Jupiter and Pluto. This is the main theme from Mercury direct the day after Full Moon … It brings people together to build a better future based on optimism and faith.”

Jamie Partridge, Astrology King

The Mercury retrograde officially ends the day after the Full Moon (called Mercury’s station), which means he’s hardly moving at all during the actual lunation.

Before you open your mouth to react with the Mars-conjunct-Sagittarius-Full-Moon thrumming in your ears, consider that even Mercury has the sense to be very, very still.

“The sluggish mental impairments we’ve struggled with from the beginning of the month will be lifting noticeably. … Mouths are gonna be working overtime! It will be as if people suddenly realized how quiet they’ve/we’ve been and decide to make up for lost time.”

Clarissa, Viva Combusta!

And a few more details

Fixed Stars

Caution lights are also flashing in the stellar realms. Astrology King Jamie Partridge points out a few fixed stars highlighted by planets during the Full Moon.

  • Mars with Dschubba has a reputation for violence, injury and crime.
  • As the Sun moves across Alcyone, this star brings hopefulness and love when well aspected, but deep sorrows and tragedies when not.
  • Venus moving across Algol (Medusa’s head) isn’t a good omen for love and peace. Beware grumbling discontent.

Lunar Mansion

The Sagittarius Full Moon falls in the 19th Lunar Zodiac sign is called Al Shaulah, or “The Stinger.” It’s a suggestion that, with such potent energies at play, use discernment to chose the best course of action.

Sabian Symbol

The Sabian symbol for the 2nd degree of Sagittarius says “White-capped waves display the power of super-personal motives.”

Dane Rudhyar suggests the image reminds us that the power of the rhythmic pulse of cosmic energies moving in the unfathomable depths of our souls is irresistible. The divine has its own plan; we can only trust the process.

Summing It Up

This Sagittarius Full Moon is your first opportunity to consider if you’re really pleased with the direction you’ve chosen. If not, don’t make a fuss. Get out the map, and plan a new route.

Lunaria Datebook

Last Moon Phase: New Moon in Taurus

Next Moon Phase: New Moon in Gemini

Full Moon May 2016 Dates and Times

San Francisco: Saturday, May 21, 2:15 p.m. PDT

New York: Saturday, May 21, 5:15 p.m. EDT

São Paulo Paulo: Saturday, May 21, 6:15 p.m. BRST

London: Saturday, May 21, 10:15 p.m. GDT

Istanbul: Sunday, May 22, 12:15 a.m. EEDT

Mumbai: Sunday, May 22, 2:45 a.m. IST

Tokyo: Sunday, May 22, 6:15 a.m. JST

Sydney: Sunday, May 22, 7:15 a.m. AEST

 

Leave a Comment