Whether you’re an astrology fanatic or wouldn’t know whether the moon is waxing or waning, there’s no denying that the lunar phases have an impact on all of us. For thousands of years, humans used the moon’s cycle as a way to track time, marking the changing forms as ‘moonths’ throughout the year. Today, many people experience a shift in physical and mental energy around the new and full moons, and when it comes to full moons, our emotions can feel close to the surface. The specific type of energy we feel at each full moon is down to the astrological sign the moon is passing through at that time. A Taurus full moon is most abundant in grounded earth energy for example, whilst a Sagittarius full moon could ignite our fiery side.
On the 16th May 2022, we’ll experience a full moon and a total lunar eclipse. As the moon passes through the mysterious sign of Scorpio during this time, there’s a lot of energy shifting and shaking, and emotions are likely to feel extra heightened. As you’ll know if you’ve read our previous full moon blogs, a full moon is a time of culmination, ending, finishing and manifesting anything you may have started on the previous new moon. Lunar eclipses also symbolize endings, breakdowns or breakthroughs, so if there’s something you’ve been wanting to put to an end, this is the time to see it through. Endings can also come as a surprise, so prepare yourself by practicing the art of non-attachment, and the Buddhist sense of Parinamavada – the notion that everything is always in a constant state of flux.
As this full moon and lunar eclipse are governed by Scorpio, we may feel more of the typical Scorpio characteristics of boldness, creativity, determination and passion, as well as a curiosity to push yours (and others) boundaries. We can lean into these qualities in order to help us bring to a close anything that is not serving us on this particularly relevant full moon and eclipse. Whether it’s a relationship, habit, social commitment or a belief you’ve been holding about yourself, this full moon is a powerful time to let something go.
Choose from our 5 full moon in Scorpio practices to guide you through the lunar eclipse this month!
Meditation
Meditation can be especially powerful around the full moon, as we may find ourselves more intuitive, in touch with our emotions, and able to experience breakthroughs more readily than at other times of the month. Set yourself up with the sustainable Yogamatters hemp meditation kit – complete with zabuton, zafu cushion, eye pillow and blanket – tune into your breath, and observe your thoughts. Allow your thoughts to come and go without getting attached to them, observing them like clouds floating in the sky. Give yourself space to slow down, and you’ll create more space for those breakthroughs and deeper insights.
Journaling Prompts
Answer these journaling points honestly and openly to discover exactly what you’ll benefit from ending or finishing this month with the light, encouraging and beautiful It’s Just Mercury In Retrograde journal.
-What is holding me back from being the best version of myself?
-How can I create more space for positive change?
-What is no longer serving me?
-What or who would I benefit from letting go of?
-I no longer need to… … … .
-I am ready to let go of… … … … … ..
Honor Your Emotions
The full moon is a time when all of our emotions can feel heightened, and we may feel more sensitive than usual. Naming and labeling our emotions as they arise can help untangle us from them, and allow us to understand and navigate them with greater ease. When we can recognize and name an emotion, it feels less mysterious and holds less power over us. Use the School of Life Box of Emotions card deck to acknowledge, name, understand, honor and let go of emotions that are not serving you.
Movement
Moving our bodies is one of the best ways to allow emotions and energy to move through us, and if you’ve been holding on to stress and tension over the last month, the full moon is the perfect time to shake it out and shake it off. Many cultures across the world practice full moon rituals including dancing and intuitive movement, so roll out your Yogamatters eco cork yoga mat, slip on your Gossypium Sway bodysuit, and turn up the volume on your favorite tracks for a session of dancing and shaking.
Tap Into The Wisdom of Buddhism
The Buddhist tradition is rich with wisdom on appreciating the moment and letting go of attachment. Just as the full moon and lunar eclipse symbolizes a time of ending and letting go, we too benefit from regularly assessing what we’d benefit from letting go of attachments to. Read The Buddha in Me, The Buddha in You: A Handbook for Happiness by David Hare to learn more from the tried-and-tested wisdom of Buddhism, combined with the best of modern popular psychology and personal development.
Give yourself the gift of pausing, reflecting and reconnecting to yourself this full moon, so you’re able to feel clear about what you’ll benefit from letting go of on the lunar eclipse. Which practices will you be adopting on this month’s full moon?
Emma is a 500hr qualified Yoga teacher, musician, massage therapist, cook, and writer. Having grown up surrounded by Yoga and meditation, Emma began her practice at a young age and has continued to study and develop her understanding of Yoga on a daily basis. Training internationally with inspirational teachers, Emma’s passions her now lie primarily in philosophy and Yoga off the mat. Emma currently teaches regularly in Sussex, co-leading teacher trainings, retreats, workshops and kirtans, and also manages the Brighton Yoga Festival.