On May 18, 2019 we will enter a Full Moon phase in the zodiac sign of Scorpio.  This moon is also known as the Buddha Moon and was called the Flower Moon by Native Americans. This moon will also be considered a “blue moon,” although only in name. The popular concept of a Blue Moon is when there are two full moons in one month.  The traditional Blue Moon is the third of four moons in one season, which is occurring  this month.

Scorpio is ruled by Pluto and is a sign about death and birth- the phoenix rising from the ashes. Scorpio is a water sign that feels deeply and can be quiet intense.  Scorpio is also a fixed sign meaning they can be very stuck in their ways. Scorpio’s emotions fester and that water element has a tendency to come to a boil-needing to let out steam.  A moon in this sign is usually about bringing what is hidden to the surface and highly emotional. What is at the point of boiling over? What latent emotion needs to come to the surface? What are you keeping inside that needs to be expressed?Full moons are about endings and culminations of our labor.  This moon will be no different.

The namesake of the Buddha Moon is a nod to the death/rebirth of the Buddha when he gained enlightenment- leaving his role as a prince to seek something more.  An old self dying and re-birthing the man we know as the Buddha. The Flower Moon is representative of Flowers blooming around this time.  Flowers boom in place of what has passed on.

The sun will be conjunct Mercury  and oppose the moon in Scorpio during this phase. Mercury rules communication and thought. This aspect will create a need to communicate and express ourselves.  It will create a conversation between logic and emotion bubbling up.  Combined with the heavy emotional energy of Scorpio, there may be an urge to communicate in an impulsive emotional way.  However,  the sun is still in Taurus, who is not a sign known for being impulsive (even though she can be a bit harsh in her delivery of truth).  The aspect to Taurus will provide a softening energy to the Mercury aspect, bringing in a sense of observation and needing to gain perspective before speaking/acting. It will help ground and create stability with the emotion that may come up.

Coinciding this moon we currently have three planets in retrograde.   Pluto and Saturn are currently retrograding in Capricorn and Jupiter is retrograde in Sagittarius. These energies have already caused a lot of shakeup in the astrology world, but will also affect the energy of this moon phase.

Pluto rules Scorpio and is a planet about the unseen, shadow, and subconscious. Pluto is about bringing the truth to the light- she is a keen investigator.  She has been retrograde since April 24th.  You may have already experienced an unearthing of what was buried-even what you didn’t even know was buried. With this retrograde in Capricorn, an earthy, practical, and hardworking sign, Pluto might expose the areas where you need more joy. What latent desires are not being fulfilled. Maybe you are focusing too much on work and being practical and not enough on play.

Saturn is also retrograding in Capricorn, which is her ruling sign.  Saturn is the planet of karma.  Saturn is also about the day to day obligations and responsibilities of life. When she is in retrograde, what you may have been neglecting in your life will come to forefront.  The obligations you have been avoiding will start to nudge you to address them. You may experience an upheaval in your day-to-day routine and work-life.  If you haven’t been treating others well and being dishonest, that energy will likely come to roost during a Saturn retrograde. Saturn will also highlight areas we are being oppressed or being oppressive. It can also expose problems in family dynamics and structure.

Jupiter is retrograding in his home sign-Sagittarius. Jupiter is the planet of luck, success, and wisdom.  When she is retrograde there may be an urge to travel, learn something new, or seek new experiences.  Sagittarius is all about fresh, new, and adventure.  There may be an urge to make sudden changes due to a desire for something bigger and better.  It may be best to take a step back and evaluate before making any new big moves.  Once Jupiter goes direct you may not be so happy with any major life altering changes you made during the season.

Probably the biggest energy influence on this moon of the planets in retrograde will be Pluto in Retrograde, since Pluto rules Scorpio.  Pluto is only one degree from Mercur. This energy will push us to go deeper on what needs to be seen and communicated. Hard conversations may come about around this moon.

There are a lot of intense energies around this moon.  Trust that what may not be staying in your life, was not meant to be there.  Be open to having the hard conversations-some long needed heart to hearts may be ignited. Be mindful of your emotional state and how that needs to be expressed and what needs to be addressed.