Stellar Insights: May 16 - 22

Feeling Eclipsed?

Were you able to see the Lunar Eclipse? Unfortunately, here in Seattle, the gray rainy sky eclipsed my ability to see the Eclipse.

And while the actual Eclipse is now in our rearview mirror, the intensity that may have recently emerged may still be unwinding. I have written before about how things feel unclear or hazy around the time of an Eclipse. This feels ever more true right now given that we’re also in a Mercury Retrograde period, a time when we’re seeking more clarity by seeing things from new perspectives and being open to information that can arise from sources other than those upon which we usually rely. Patience and graceful persistence feel like resources to turn to. It seems important to sit with situations, surveying an array of possible outcomes and options, without necessarily jumping to an immediate conclusion. Going slow and being open to possibilities while turning to past resources for insights feels like a way to orient during this quite liminal time.

That’s not to say that things may not feel quite ratcheted up. The Lunar Eclipse did feature the Moon in unearthing, passionate, feel-deeply Scorpio, after all. And with that, we may find ourselves—and/or have found ourselves—pulled to be engrossed in things that stir us to our core.

I experienced this this weekend in numerous ways including finding myself obsessed with Stefania, the song that the Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra sang to win this year’s Eurovision contest (Yay!). I played this upbeat and riveting song—a mix of folk and rap—on repeat again and again, so much so that it feels like it has taken residence in my mind (let alone in my heart). Given that the Moon represents mother, the Scorpio Lunar Eclipse feels so resonant in this song, originally dedicated to the singer’s mother and now an ode to the Ukrainian motherland. It expresses the ferocity of dedication (very Scorpio) of the mother, the feelings of the child (“my love for you has no end”) and their connection (“I‘ll always find my way home, even if all roads are destroyed”). And while the song’s performance at Eurovision was electrifying, the official video carries with it even more Scorpionic intensity as it was filmed in some of the Ukrainian cities that have been utterly devastated by the Russian invasion. I share the video here in case you want to watch/listen.

Additionally, with warrior Mars uniting with numinous Neptune this week, we’ve got further encouragement to go with the flow rather than push forward at all costs. See where the tides take you. Align with a sense of soulfulness and have it move you. Tune in to how love is fuel and compassion a catalyst. And with the heightened capacity to stand in another’s shoes that we may feel, don’t be surprised if you find yourself mobilized to fight for and champion others who are currently experiencing suffering. At the same time, watch your boundaries, not giving more than you actually have. Replenish your cup before you fill that of others so that you can give without feeling depleted.

Towards the end of the week, be aware of how the sensual intermingles with the intellectual, a desire to move leisurely alternates with an urge to buzz here and there, fixity feels juxtaposed with mutability, and things that bring comfort and pleasure are offered in a multitude of options. I share this because we will be experiencing the meeting point between Taurus and Gemini not once but twice this week. On Friday the Sun shifts from the sign of the Bull (Taurus) to that of the Twins (Gemini), ushering in a month in which curiosity is key, versatility a valued asset, and exploring the nuances of language something that captures our attention. All the while, owing to its backward jaunt, messenger Mercury embarks upon the opposite sign transition, moving from Gemini back into Taurus.

In the midst of that, the Sun and Mercury unite. Think: an enhanced desire to communicate, a stream of insights bursting forth, ideas prioritized over emotions, and lots of thinking. With both in Gemini, a sign that’s associated with the nervous system, do what you can to take care of yours so you don’t feel too buzzy or stressed given the possibility of information overload that often accompanies this alignment. Gentle exercise is always a good go-to as movement can help to disperse stuck energy. So can a short (or long) stint of meditation or breathing exercises. Epsom salt baths can be relaxing and White Chestnut flower essence can help to quell a racy mind.

Given all the Gemini energy this week, it feels aligned to end this missive with some questions.

• What have you found yourself obsessed with the last week-plus?

• What’s your go-to for centering your mind when it feels buzzy?

• If you were able to see the Lunar Eclipse, what was your experience of it?

Use these questions for personal reflection. And if you feel inspired, please share answers to any/all in the comment thread below so that we can all learn more from each other.

Be well,

xxStephanie

• Astrological Highlights

  • May 16: Scorpio Lunar Eclipse (Full Moon)

  • May 18: Mars/Neptune Conjunction

  • May 19: Sun/Pluto Trine, Mercury/Jupiter Sextile

  • May 20: Sun enters Gemini

  • May 21: Sun/Mercury Conjunction

  • May 22: Mercury re/enters Taurus, Mars/Pluto Sextile

All days reflect Eastern Daylight Time (-4 hours GMT)

Photo Credit: Jon Tyson, Jon Tyson, Heather Ford, all via Unsplash