Scorpio Full Moon 2026
The Scorpio full Moon is exact at 11°20’ on Friday, May 1, at 12:23 pm CST. The Sun is at 11°20’ of Taurus, opposing the Moon in Scorpio, and both the Sun and Moon are somewhat widely square to Pluto in Aquarius at 05°30’, forming a fixed T-square. The full Moon in Scorpio is also part of a yod configuration, quincunx Venus in Gemini at 09°09’, who is sextile to Saturn in Aries at 09°13’, meaning that the Moon is also quincunx to Saturn in Aries. Mars is the traditional ruler of Scorpio, and Mars at 16°55’ Aries is making a square to Jupiter at 19°00’ Cancer. Also of note in this full Moon chart is the close conjunction of Mercury in Aries at 27°19’ and Chiron in Aries at 27°32’ Aries. And finally, now that Uranus has made the final ingress into Gemini for the duration, all three outer planets (Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto) are in their Fire and Air element signs, forming that small talent triangle that we have been discussing for a while now. Let’s unpack.
Sun in Taurus opposite Moon in Scorpio, both square to Pluto in Aquarius, forming a fixed T-square
While a full Moon in Scorpio can have the vibe of picking a scab to look under the surface to see what is being illuminated there, with the square to Pluto, it is as if there is a doubling down on this signature. I don’t know about you, but I was absolutely fascinated with picking scabs as a little dirtling growing up in Lee County. The most satisfying scab pick would be when the entire scab surface could be pried away at one end, keeping the scab fully intact and attached, but allowing me to look underneath the scab hood to see the moist, pink skin regenerating itself underneath the thick scab. That new skin would not at all be ready for exposure to the world of adventures in the woods and bike rides, so the scab would need to stay in place, despite its partial disturbance at my grubby little hands. So while we may be compelled to see what is being illuminated for us at this Scorpio full Moon, we also may be a bit squeamish to see what is actually there beneath the surface of the scab - something that may yet be too fragile and vulnerable to be without its protective covering. With all three T-square planetary bodies in Fixed modality signs, there can be an intensity and concentration of this energy, but also a persistence and endurance that allows us to establish and then build upon our ability to secure ourselves and our situation in some way. This idea is echoed somewhat in the close conjunction aspect between Mercury and Chiron in Aries
Mercury in Aries conjunct Chiron in Aries
With Mercury, the planet of the mind, communication, intellect, and imagination applying to conjunct Chiron, the wounded healer, in the courageous and catalyzing sign of Aries, we may be ready to consciously think about, talk about, or imagine into a way that we have been wounded. We may finally have the courage to look at that moist, pink skin beneath our scabby exterior and see it for what it is - a little baby, still too vulnerable to be out on its own, and still in need of protection from infiltration and injury. But that little baby is regenerating fast, and will soon be able to be out and about, protecting itself from infiltration and injury without the need for the scabby exterior. But we sure can think about and talk about and imagine into that vulnerable little baby in the meantime, since the daring sign of Aries is likely influencing our ability to do so at this time of the full Moon in Scorpio. It seems that this theme is also echoed in the Scorpio-ruler Mars in Aries square to Jupiter in Cancer.
Scorpio ruler Mars in Aries square to Jupiter in Cancer
With these two planets in cardinal signs, there is an initiatory energy, an opportunity to confront the issues of life. Mars in Aries is catalyzing, forward action. Jupiter is about self-improvement, aspirations, and growth and in Cancer this growth can be centered around our sense of emotional safety and security, and forming emotional bonds and expressing deep feelings. Cancer movement is more the sideways sidle of the crab, and less the direct forward march of Aries, yet we are still being called to initiate change, whether we march or sidle. In what way are we being catalyzed into acting on our sense of emotional safety and security at this full Moon? In what way can we courageously form emotional bonds and express deep feelings, perhaps related to our as-yet-unhealed wound that we have exposed to our conscious mind and imagination by peeking under our scabby exterior?
Moon in Scorpio quincunx both Venus in Gemini and Saturn in Aries, forming a yod aspect pattern
Karen Hamaker-Zondag wrote the book on yod aspects, (Hamaker-Zondag, Karen. The Yod Book: Including a Complete Discussion of Unaspected Planets. Red Wheel Weiser, 2000. Pgs 55, 62, 63, 67) and she says that the energy of the yod has a searching quality to it, and travels in a zig-zag pattern, rather than a straight line. With the transiting yods especially (such as the yod that is formed by this Scorpio full Moon), another theme that can occur is having to make seemingly impossible choices, or feeling that circumstances dictate that we must make a choice that we don’t want to make. Yet, Karen H-Z says that to force a choice with a yod is unproductive, and a better way to approach the situation is with ease rather than urgency, simply being in the moment and open to any adjustments that likely will arise. And just in case you may be thinking, ‘welllll, maybe I don’t even need to choose then’, let’s remember the immortal words of Neil Peart: (Freewill Rush Permanent Waves, Music: Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, Lyrics: Neil Peart)
“If you choose not to decide, You still have made choice”
Transiting yods can be thought of as important turning points that may offer unexpected experiences that can reverberate within ourselves for some time. Because of this, Karen H-Z says to pay attention to the subtler things in life such as dreams, intuitive inclinations, and synchronicities, which may be beckoning us somehow into a new phase of being or understanding. However, she also cautions us to not become overwhelmed by tuning in to these subtler aspects, and to keep ourselves grounded, so as not to lose our wits and do something wack. And finally, the last thing I want to touch on with the yod aspect is this idea of although the path we’re on may feel zigzaggy, or ‘one step forward, two steps back’, if we zoom out and take it all in, we can see how each experience and activity that we’ve been involved in has somehow prepared us for our path ahead. While our past activities and experiences may seem unconnected with one another, we may be able to find a thread that we can follow through each experience that has allowed each subsequent experience to build somehow on the prior experience. While we may look back and think, ‘well that was a random class I took, or activity I involved myself in, or person I hung out with’, you may be able to see how that seemingly random activity has actually helped move you along on your path. Can you relate any of these yod themes back to your as-yet-unhealed wound that may have been exposed or illuminated at this full Moon?
The outer planet small talent triangle aspect pattern - Pluto in Aquarius trine to Uranus in Gemini, both sextile to Neptune in Aries
As discussed in previous blog posts, this aspect pattern suggests that we have support from the outer planets, in that they are all in dialogue with one another in a flowing aspect, rather than a clashing aspect. The aspect pattern is described by the Hubers as a “small talent triangle” (Huber, Bruno, et al. Aspect Pattern Astrology: A New Holistic Horoscope Interpretation Method. HopeWell, 2019. P. 140), as one of a “still developing talent”, with growth achieved by adapting, and a gradual development into a “distinctive and specialized talent” over time, with knowledge and skills gained by calmly absorbing experiences into our consciousness, and not necessarily through active striving. The outer planets will remain in this aspect pattern for several years, hopefully providing calming support for the social changes of this new Air and Fire era that we have firmly entered now that all three outer planets are in their respective Air and Fire signs for the duration. How can we as individuals calmly absorb experiences into our consciousness, with the aim of gaining knowledge and skills, while growing by remaining adaptable? This growth that we achieve by remaining adaptable may gradually develop into a distinctive or specialized talent over time. What does that look like to you? There are many years to ponder these ideas while this aspect pattern is in effect, but what is being illuminated for you at this Scorpio full Moon that may be giving you some clues in this line of thinking?
Since at the full Moon we typically think of it as an excellent time to release what no longer serves us, what is being illuminated for you at this full Moon that wants to be released?
What metaphorical scab might we be compelled to pick so that we may illuminate what lies beneath at this Scorpio full Moon? What might we be a bit squeamish to expose, possibly due to the fragility and vulnerability of this still-healing wound?
Can we sense an intensity or concentration of this energy around this scabby sore spot that also lends a persistence and endurance that allows us to establish and then build upon our ability to secure ourselves and our situation in some way?
Is there a way that we have been wounded that we may be ready to consciously think about, talk about, or imagine into at this Scorpio full Moon? Perhaps this wound feels too vulnerable to be fully exposed and out on its own, and is still in need of protection from infiltration and injury, but can we lift up that scabby, protective exterior for just a peek? If only to witness that yes, there is a wound under there, and there is in fact regeneration and healing occurring beneath that crusty scab.
In what way are we being catalyzed into acting on our sense of emotional safety and security at this Scorpio full Moon?
In what way can we courageously form emotional bonds and express deep feelings, perhaps related to our as-yet-unhealed wound that we have exposed to our conscious mind and imagination by peeking under our scabby exterior?
Are circumstances being illuminated for us that seems to dictate a need for us to make an impossible choice? Is there a way that we can approach the situation with ease rather than urgency, by simply being in the moment and open to any adjustments that likely will arise? Does this choice relate back to our still healing wound somehow?
At this Scorpio full Moon, can we look to the subtler realms of existence for clues to any important turning points toward a new phase of being, healing, or understanding that are we are being offered, perhaps in the form of unexpected experiences? Can we delve into these subtler realms while also remaining grounded and keeping our wits about us, and refraining from wack-ass behavior?
At this Scorpio full Moon, can we zoom out and take it all in, perhaps seeing how each experience and activity that we’ve been involved in has somehow prepared us for our healing path ahead? While our past activities and experiences may seem unconnected with one another, are we able to find a thread that we can follow through each experience that has allowed each subsequent experience to build somehow on the prior experience?
When releasing during the full Moon, I like to make it a thing. It doesn’t have to be exactly at the time of the full Moon, it can be any time in the day or night leading up to it, which is typically what I prefer, but do what you are able. If you miss the night before, do it the night of or even the day or night after, as long as the Moon still appears full in the sky, I think the symbology is there for you to work with. Take some time and create a sacred space for yourself and whoever else would like to make it a thing with you. This doesn’t have to be elaborate. Simply sitting quietly and focusing on your breath with lightly closed eyes and spine as erect as possible, or focusing on the sounds in your environment and intentionally taking this moment to connect with yourself and with the nurturing energy of the Moon, which I like to think of as our Cosmic Mother. If you have a meditative practice, feel free to incorporate that into your full Moon practice, but let the Moon guide you, don’t get too far into your solar self of Doing, but allow yourself to simply exist in your lunar self of Being. If you like to really get into your ritual practice, please do make it as elaborate as you wish. At the end of my full Moon practice, I like to make a list of what I’m releasing. I simply write “I release:” at the top of a piece of paper, and then I write down everything that came up during my quiet time with myself. And then I burn that mofo! Safely and mindfully into my little metal cauldron - let’s not set our selves or homes or fields alight please. It really is very freeing to watch the smoke from the burning list curl up into the ethers. Some folks like to incorporate the water element by tossing the cooled ashes into a body of water afterwards, but I’m happy to scatter them to the winds, figuring they’ll make it to water someday. COOLED ashes, mind you, ok? Like totally, 100% completely cold ashes, the next day at the earliest, but preferably even later than that. And there, just like that you have made some space for your higher Self to lead you on to your highest and best expression of yourself. I’m a big proponent of gratitude, so I like to give thanks at the end of my practice, so give thanks to whatever Deity you feel is guiding you. If you are PTSD from CCD or whatever other childhood teachings were foisted upon you, and don’t like the thought of Deities, simply give thanks to yourself for making this time to connect with yourself and give thanks to the Universe for coexisting with you.
Because as my yoga teacher Jaki Nett likes to say that everything comes back to yoga, we’ll tie this practice into yoga philosophy, wherein which one of the eight limbs of yoga are the Niyamas. The Niyamas are virtues or individual disciplines which calm the disturbed mind. One of these five Niyamas is known as Isvara Pranidhana, or “surrender to the Divine of all our actions”. In surrendering, we allow for the Divine to work its own magic, co-creating with us. If you’d like to work with the Zodiacal houses, and aren’t sure which house this Full Moon falls in your chart, feel free to reach out to me for that information.
Surrendering or releasing by house placement topics; if the full Moon falls in your:
1st house general meaning: Identity, Appearance, First impressions, Style, Self-image
1st house more nuanced meaning: How we approach life, The lens through which we perceive existence, Developing the self which we allow others to see, Forming, presenting, and maintaining identity
2nd house general meaning: Money, possessions, income, tools of the trade, personal values
2nd house more nuanced meaning: Developing healthy self-esteem and personal worth through cultivation of our value system, The value placed on the personal role of finances and what we receive, seek, or earn in life
3rd house general meaning: Neighbors, siblings, early education, communication, ideas, writing
3rd house more nuanced meaning: Development of practical skills, Inner cleverness at examining and using the various angles that life presents, What we learn from our daily encounters with life, Capacities for adapting
4th house general meaning: Home, family, roots
4th house more nuanced meaning: The way we create an individual personality outside of direct family influence, Developing self-sufficiency, Defining our own lives, A basic and fundamental side of our nature
5th house general meaning: Creativity, children, self-expression, pleasure, play, romance, sports
5th house more nuanced meaning: Giving and receiving love, Learning to find enjoyment or satisfaction from the routine tasks of life, Integrating creativity and self-expression
6th house general meaning: Physical health, wellness, daily work, routines, pets, employment
6th house more nuanced meaning: Improvement of self through applied discipline, How we handle both our internally generated rejection and the possible rejection from others, The efficient functioning of our body, Feedback from the body
7th house general meaning: One to one relationships, The Other
7th house more nuanced meaning: Cooperation, Compromise, and Competition, Working through disagreement and finding mutual satisfaction, Learning to live peacefully with the opinions of others without compromising your own interest or feelings, Learning interpersonal skills.
8th house general meaning: Death, taxes, inheritance, debt, shared money, psyche
8th house more nuanced meaning: Exchange of financial, emotional, and sexual energies, Intimacy, Entanglements, Understanding deep motivations within our psyche, Removal of any kind, including the mysterious removal of the self from the body at death
9th house general meaning: Travel, Formal studies, Philosophy, Religion, Meaning, Belief systems
9th house more nuanced meaning: Expanding your mind - through education, travel, new directions, Compare what the universe offers to what you presently know, Defining your personal ethics, philosophy, truths, basic understanding of how life works, Seeking inner unfolding
10th house general meaning: Career, Reputation, Vocation, Profession, Contribution to society
10th house more nuanced meaning: Setting high standards of conduct and meeting these standards, Gaining, using and wielding authority and how we use authority that others may grant us, How we handle the rewards or recognition received from our prior activities, The reputation we build through our actions, intentions, and directives, Acting in socially and morally correct ways
11th house general meaning: Friend groups, Organizations, Community, Hopes, Aspirations, Luck
11th house more nuanced meaning: Urges to improve the lot of self or others, Motivations for seeking change, Expectations about creating our niche in the world, Our perception of and attitude about humanity, Our needs for others in roles outside of a one-to-one companionship, Impersonal friendliness, Shaping or effecting change within the social or political system - because the old way no longer works well and a new way of seeing current reality is needed
12th house general meaning: Institutions, Solitude, Mental health, Ancestral forces, Unconscious
12th house more nuanced meaning: The hidden, the subjective, the inner, the changing part of inner definitions, Inner world exploration, Themes of escape, The mental mindset we create can limit us to narrow definitions of life - breaking through these narrow definitions, Facing and breaking through the barriers we create for ourselves