May 2022: Tarot spread for the new moon in Gemini

Plus some journaling questions, an astro-tarot forecast and an exploration of the the Sabian symbol for the May 2022 new moon in Gemini.

The May 2022 new moon falls in the sign of Gemini. The Gemini archetype is very curious, an excellent communicator, and a disseminator of knowledge. It is the sign of the writer, of those who tend to think deeply, are highly perceptive, and prefer to learn from experience.

Spiritually, the Gemini archetype is about courageous conversation, be it with another person or with the Universe. Gemini adds its vibration to the advancement of culture and civilization through dialogue, be that via books or blogs or letters.

This Gemini new moon closes the eclipse portal that started in April 2022. This would be a good time to integrate any changes that you may have noticed over the eclipse cycle; any a-ha moments, shifts in perspective or new insights.

Often our biggest transformations can be tracked back to a string of tiny shifts and changes and realizations. If we don’t take the time to integrate them {i.e. journal with them, notice + acknowledge them, make tangible changes or rituals and routines with them, for example}, we could miss the signs of our own becoming.

Astro-tarot influences for the May 2022 new moon

To throw some more light on the May new moon astrology, let’s take a look at the astro-tarot influences of this lunation. The Gemini new moon falls in decan 1, which is represented by the Eight of Swords. This is to be interpreted in conjunction with The Lovers, which is associated with Gemini.

Love can set you free. The minute I saw these cards, that’s the thought that came to mind. So let’s unpack this a bit.

At first glance, this phrase seemed like the ultimate cliche: like something that belongs in a tacky romance novel, perhaps, not something I’d want to contemplate as part of my new moon ritual, thank you very much. But look at the cards closer, and you’ll see there are layers to this seemingly cliched phrase.

Sure, the figure on the 8 of Swords has her hands tied to her sides, her eyes are blindfolded, and she’s surrounded by swords, caged in and helpless. Except that the swords aren’t really caging her; there’s a path right at her feet, and it is clear.

But she isn’t standing on dry ground, there’s a little stream of water that looks almost like a winding, hilly road, which is interesting. Water represents feelings and emotions, something the swords with all its logic and “mind entanglements” is very good at ignoring {ask me how I know}.

The bonds around the figure don’t appear too tight, either. She could wriggle her way right out of them if she wanted to. Which makes me think of all the times I have tied myself into mental knots that cannot be untangled by thinking, analyzing, and researching alone. The only way out is by taking action, which means factoring in emotions, feelings, and gut instinct — not things I do too easily.

So right there, on a card that typically indicates restrictions and the inability to make progress, is the key that can help you to move forward — the watery realms of feelings, emotions, and intuition. What I find really interesting about this card is that the water forms a very clear path. This isn’t really about drowning in those waters, something that the airy swords suit can often fear, but about marrying logic with intuition; planning with flow; control with ease.

So how, when you’ve tied yourself into intellectual knots, do you begin to untangle those threads?

With love.

Love, as in the things that light you up, that excite you. The things that you just know are right, even though you may be tempted to analyze if you’re really sure that they are right. A word of advice from someone who has been there and done that: don’t do it! If you know something to be right, don’t question, analyze, intellectualize it. You’ll only tie yourself up in even more knots, and we really don’t want that!

Here’s the thing that I have come to realize — one of the reasons why we tie ourselves up in knots is because we want to be sure that we are making the right decision, or the correct choices. Often, we are choosing between multiple things that interest us, or are important to us. But the fact is we have a finite amount of time available to us. There are no guarantees that we will always make the “right” choice. But we can always stand behind our choices and give them all we’ve got. And be willing to make new choices when new evidence presents itself.

And if you do discover after a year or two or ten that the choice you made was “wrong”, it doesn’t necessarily have to mean that it or you were a failure. It simply means that you are human, and humans, contrary to what self-help books often tell us, are allowed to change their minds.

So — look to what you love, because love can set you free.

Sabian Symbol for the May 2022 new moon

The Sabian Symbol for Gemini 9 degrees is An Airplane Dives Towards Earth As Though Falling.

This symbol reminds me of stunt air shows — the excitement and sense of awe at the control and daredevilry of stunt pilots; and also the knowledge that things can sometimes spin out of control and lead to accidents. But it’s that thrill of flirting with danger, I think, that draws some people to extreme adventure sports.

And while most of us may not be interested in that kind of daredevilry {I know I’m not!}, we can all, I think, stand to take more risks. As Linda Hill writes in 360 Degrees of Wisdom: The Sabian Oracle, “This is certainly a time when courage is needed, but keep an eye on what’s developing, as everyone may need to bail out to safety.”

Tarot spread for the May 2022 new moon in Gemini

Here’s a tarot spread to tap into the energy of this Gemini new moon.

For this reading, think of a project that you’re really interested in, but that you’ve been avoiding or have been reluctant to commit to.

1 Heart: The heart of the project — in a way, this is what connects you back to your project when the going gets tough

2 Stuckness & fear: Draw 2 cards — these represent the anxieties and fears that hold you back from going all-in on your project

3 Freedom & love: Draw 2 cards — these represent a different perspective to view the stuckness and a way to move towards your project.

4 Mamma moon says: This is always an encouraging message

If you share your spreads on Instagram, please use the hashtag #moontarotstories or tag me @moderngypsy.in so we can connect with each other.

Journaling questions for the Gemini new moon

Not a cardslinger? No problem. Here are some journaling questions for you instead.

Where in your life has fear held you back/continues to hold you back?

What does fear have to tell you?

How can you lovingly acknowledge + talk back to your fear?

What one tiny step can you take to move towards love?

Resources to support you during this new moon

Tracking the moon – Some notes on tracking the moon + a peek into my very first moon journal

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