May 2023: Tarot spread for the full moon in Scorpio

The May 2023 full moon falls in the sign of Scorpio. The Scorpio archetype is known for its intense power and its ability to transform, much like the butterfly emerging from its cocoon, ready to fly. The Scorpio archetype isn’t afraid of the birth-death-rebirth cycle, for it is only when parts of us die and are reborn that we can fully transform.

So perhaps it’s not surprising that spiritually, the Scorpio archetype teaches us to surrender – to align our human will with divine will. It can teach us that sometimes our human trials can reveal a need for deep healing. This is not always easy to live with or to understand, especially when the need for healing arises from trauma, and yet on the other side of working with and healing trauma there can be deep and valuable transformation.

This month, we also have a lunar eclipse that will be visible in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Antarctica.

Lunar eclipses typically bring endings and closure, helping us to release things that no longer serve us. Expect sudden changes in consciousness, intuitive insights, and pattern-breaking a-has around this time. The seeds that you planted six months ago, at the solar eclipse, will also start to blossom around this lunar eclipse.

Go through your old planners/journals to see what was arising for you around the previous Scorpio eclipses on 15/16 May 2022 and 25 October 2022. Some of those themes may be coming to a close with the current eclipse.

Astro-tarot influences for the May 2023 lunar eclipse in Scorpio

To throw some more light on the May full moon astrology, let’s take a look at the astro-tarot influences of this lunation. The Scorpio full moon falls in Decan 2, which is ruled by the 6 of Cups. This is to be seen in conjunction with Death, which is associated with Scorpio.

I’ve been thinking about the Death card, and about how our first instinct is to flinch when it comes up, until we remember that it just means change — like the seasons and the cycles, inevitable, a constant part of the human experience.

But I’ve been thinking about that flinch, and about the body’s wisdom, and wondering if our body actually recognizes something in that symbol that does cause some discomfort, something that we’ve intellectually trained ourselves to ignore.

And as I’m thinking about this, I realize that I don’t always experience that flinch when I draw the Death card. There are many times when I can take it in my stride, when it isn’t unexpected because I am aware of the currents of change, and that I am flowing in them. Then, it comes as confirmation that I am still within that cycle of death…there’s still some way to go before the rebirth.

But when I experience the flinch, like I did when I remembered that Scorpio is ruled by Death, I pay attention. Something’s about to change, and I am either not expecting it or I’m not going to like it or it’s going to push me in ways that make me uncomfortable and force me out of my comfort zones or I am likely to actively resist it. But change is coming, because that’s what it does — and, I remind myself {and you} that it is a lunar eclipse. And that in and of itself indicates a sudden change.

So how can we prepare ourselves to meet it? To not crumble under the relentlessness, the inevitability, of Death…of change?

The clue is in the 6 of Cups, in that little moment of stopping to smell the roses. Of noticing — and appreciating — beauty. Of sucking out all the marrow of life, as Thoreau put it.

So in the midst of the swirling currents of this eclipse, remind yourself to notice the moments of beauty that surround you. To notice the sunlight as it hits your window; the butterfly hovering outside your door; the birds chirping on the trees; the sun as it rises and falls; and remember that change will take its course. You will make it to other side. And though the ride may be bumpy, there are little stolen moments of beauty to hold on to, to lighten the path ahead.

Sabian Symbol for the May 2023 lunar eclipse in Scorpio

The Sabian Symbol for Scorpio 14 degrees is Children Playing Around Five Mounds of Sand.

This symbol is another clue on how we can navigate the energies around this lunar eclipse. Through play. Through creativity. By taking any heaviness, any confusion, any why-mes to the canvas. Expressing it through paint and mark making. And then bringing in some order to that emotional release, by stepping back, looking at it, and finding ways to transform it into a thing of beauty. All the while remembering that our confusion and heaviness will also eventually change into something, hopefully, better. Because, there is always hope, even though sometimes it doesn’t feel like it.

There’s also something to be said for gathering with like-minded people. As Lynda Hill writes in The Sabian Oracle: 360 Degrees of Wisdom, “Nowadays, the true art of ‘Play’ has largely been lost. We have the apparent need for more and more complicated machinery and gadgets in order to bring joy. Much can be learnt from letting go and allowing yourself to experience joy naturally found in the company of others.”

An art play date — online or in-person — may be just the medicine we need at this time!

Tarot spread for the May 2023 full moon + lunar eclipse in Scorpio

Here’s a tarot spread to tap into the energy of this lunar eclipse.

1. Changing: What sudden changes or insights come to light under this Scorpio lunar eclipse offer?

2. Ending: What pattern or energy is ending at this time?

3. Soothing: How can I self-soothe during this eclipse?

4. Creating: What am I creating at this time? {Use this symbolically, to create a piece of art, writing, poetry, or music. You can also use this to discern a direction for your creative focus}

5. 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 May 2023 lunar eclipse in Scorpio

Not a cardslinger? No problem! These questions should help you refine your focus for this moon cycle. Cardslingers will also benefit from reflecting on these questions!

What habits or attitudes are no longer serving you?

In what ways are you holding yourself back?

What’s the worst that could happen if you took a chance on your dreams?

What changes do you need to make in your life — your habits, work, attitude? Pick one that seems most urgent and brainstorm the steps that you will need to take to make that change.