It’s the Super Flower Wesak Blood Moon! The May full moon is traditionally called the “Flower Moon” because of the abundance of flowers in gardens this month. It’s also celebrated around the world as “Wesak,” the Buddha’s birthday. This year the May’s full moon will also pass through Earth’s shadow, creating a total lunar eclipse, during which the moon will appear red, hence the “blood moon.”
What’s more, this moon is at perigee, coming closest to Earth in its current orbit. That means it will look bigger and brighter than the average full moon, making it a “supermoon” (the closest supermoon of 2021). At the least, we can expect a bright night with high ocean tides. (The last time we had a moon like this was in January 2019, with the Super Blood Wolf Moon.”)
So those are the facts, now, what should you do with them? You could bang pots and drums as the ancients did to let the Moon know you’re eager for her return. You could perform a ritual on the day or night of the eclipse (here’s a lovely Wesak ritual). Or you could make it a point to avoid performing a ritual, as there are two schools of thought here. Some believe eclipses supercharge your ceremony. Others feel the energy is wonky and shouldn’t be trusted with important workings. I say, investigate!
I confess I’ve always been ambivalent about lunar eclipses—especially when, like this one, they precede the solar eclipse (more typically, lunar eclipses follow). Life has taught me to respect solar eclipses, but frankly I don’t have a single memory of a remarkable lunar eclipse, even those that triggered important points in my chart—as this one does! At 5 Sagittarius, it will be conjunct my natal Sun.
So I’m excited for another opportunity to investigate lunar eclipses. Will it rock my world, as most astrologers would argue—or will it be just another full moon? Of course test this yourself—we should start feeling the ripples of the lunar eclipse in the days ahead. Look for surprises or sudden eruptions of shadow material. Or not!
This eclipse has a fancy name, but lunar eclipses occur at least twice a year, every year. So the first thing to do is start paying attention to them whenever you get the opportunity. Notice what happens this week. How do you feel? Quiet, edgy or dull? What’s the energy like around you? Active or calm? Are you inspired to do anything? In other words, tune in and let the eclipse tell you what to do with it.
For an astrological analysis of how this eclipse affects your chart, there’s no better eclipse report than April Elliott Kent’s “Followed by a Moonshadow”!
And another 5 Sag sun here (in the 1st)! Also waiting from a place of curiosity. More than anything, I’ve become aware of many old ways of being (hiding—Cancer moon, here) that I’m really over and done with.
My Sun is likewise at 5 Sagittarius, so I giggle reading your ho-hum attitude about the lunar eclipse – I always appreciate when you take down the popular hype in favor of just experiencing our experiences. And so often it feels like big things are *always* happening in my life… simultaneously with not much at all! I’ll report back if I note any remarkable correlations on this one, haha. So grateful for the view through your eyes anytime, Dana!
Wow, look forward to seeing how it plays out for you! as always thank you for sharing your wisdom with us and fullmoon blessings Dana!
You’re welcome … and so far so good, an important eclipse usually makes itself known before the day of … and in my little world, all is good. 🙂