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May Full Flower Moon

By Robert McDowell

Reading this poem by James Wright, who left us too soon in 1980 at the age of 53, I think of the May Full Flower Moon.

A Blessing

Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota,
Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass,
And the eyes of those two Indian ponies
Darken with kindness.
They have come gladly out of the willows
To welcome my friend and me.
We step over the barbed wire into the pasture
Where they have been grazing all day, alone.
They ripple tensely, they can hardly contain their happiness
That we have come.
They bow shyly as wet swans. They love each other.
There is no loneliness like theirs.
At home once more,
They begin munching the young tufts of spring in the darkness.
I would like to hold the slenderer one in my arms,
For she has walked over to me
And nuzzled my left hand.
She is black and white,
Her mane falls wild on her forehead,
And the light breeze moves me to caress her long ear
That is delicate as the skin over a girl’s wrist.
Suddenly I realize
That if I stepped out of my body I would break
Into blossom.

This year, I also think especially of reprieve. For months, leading up to my electrical cardioversion procedure in late April, my heart had beat too fast and erratically, and the only way to reset it was to shock it back to its natural pattern.

Isn’t the end of something always like that? You go along in your body, in your relationships at home, or work, or school thinking everything’s fine, or just off for a day or two when bam! Fate takes you by the scruff of the neck and gives you a good shaking. Then you need to find a new stride that is like the natural stride you’ve deviated from.

My cardiologist told me after I woke up that I had “a tired heart,” but that it would repair itself over the next several weeks and be happy and energized once again. Indeed, every day since has felt like a breaking into blossom.

Here is a May Full Flower Moon exercise you might try. Take your journal outside and sit down among the flowers that are blooming everywhere. Perhaps you’re lucky to be near what W. B. Yeats called a “bee-loud glade.” Whether you are seated or lying on your back in the cool grass, close your eyes and breathe deeply. Enjoy the enlivening scents and the soothing sounds that meet you. As you continue to inhale and exhale, imagine that you are a flower budding, then blossoming. Enjoy this delicious reprieve from a hibernating winter. Become a raucous celebration! When you are ready, write down any sensations and observations that continue to play in your mind.

Every day, make time to commune with the flowers everywhere. They delight us and remind us to be grateful for this blossoming new year.

Filed under: Uncategorized

About Robert McDowell

Robert McDowell is the author of five books of poetry and the Amazon.com bestselling Poetry as Spiritual Practice: Reading, Writing, and Using Poetry in Your Daily Rituals, Aspirations, and Intentions (Free Press/Simon & Schuster 2008).

Comments

  1. Elaine Marie says

    May 31, 2013 at 9:09 pm

    … heart-full, eyes wide, flying freely into tomales point field of native “wild”flowers … yes thankful for poetic embrace of living … be well dear poet Robert.
    light, love, laughter.

    Reply
    • Robert McDowell says

      May 31, 2013 at 10:49 pm

      Ah, the flowers at Tomales Point! How I miss them. It’s good to think of you there. Thank you for your kindness and tender blessings, Elaine Marie!

      Reply
  2. Suman says

    May 24, 2013 at 12:48 am

    Hey I actually put a space in between that frowny face and my happy full moon wishes! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Suman says

    May 24, 2013 at 12:28 am

    Ahh…I’ve always loved the last line of that poem…I find myself resonating with your article Robert, and am pleased I’m not the only one really connecting with the flowers this time of year (my name actually means “flower”)…I too, got majorly derailed when two years ago was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. What will I focus on, as I lie in the grass under the moon? I focus on a healthy immune system and to be in harmony, but I still get sad at the diagnosis—-no cure for this auto-immune disorder that attacks the pancreas.. 🙁 Happy Full Moon all

    Reply
    • Robert McDowell says

      May 26, 2013 at 11:41 am

      Dear Suman,

      A perfect name! My sister works with the same challenge and has done well for almost ten years now. Blessings to you as you call in a healthy immune system, and may the resultant harmony transform the sadness that sometimes comes….

      And, thanks for the clarification! A space can mean everything sometimes, can’t it?

      Reply
  4. Georgianna says

    May 23, 2013 at 6:08 pm

    Thanks and blessings.

    Reply
  5. Jasmine says

    May 23, 2013 at 12:51 pm

    Thanks for sharing. I was diagnosed with “heart fatigue” at age 30, this gives me hope.

    Reply
    • Robert McDowell says

      May 23, 2013 at 1:56 pm

      Hi, Jasmine,

      A friend just wrote to say it comes and goes, and that there are options, so don’t despair.

      Blessings to you!

      Reply
      • Jasmine says

        May 24, 2013 at 1:09 am

        Thank you, blessings to you too.

        Reply
  6. Danielle says

    May 23, 2013 at 11:15 am

    Beautiful. I have some lillies at my front door that just blossomed and I think they say good morning to me when I leave for work. So beautiful, and heart felt.

    Thanks for the message.

    Be Well

    Reply
    • Robert McDowell says

      May 23, 2013 at 11:23 am

      Thank you, Danielle, for sharing the language of lilies. What a lovely greeting every day as you leave for work! Blessings to you,

      Robert

      Reply
  7. jenijo cuozzo says

    May 23, 2013 at 2:00 am

    thank you for the poetry of your words.

    Reply
    • Robert McDowell says

      May 23, 2013 at 10:42 am

      And thank you for reading and taking the time to reach out. I appreciate it.

      Peace to you,

      Robert

      Reply
  8. allison fine says

    May 22, 2013 at 8:50 pm

    Your physical heart may have been tired but your spiritual and emotional heart is vibrating with passion and wisdom. I am with you on breathing in the grass–a wonderful thing to do!
    Namaste

    Reply
    • Robert McDowell says

      May 23, 2013 at 10:41 am

      Thank you! Blessings to you.

      Reply

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The Moon is in its
Full Phase

in the
Sign of Scorpio


Today's Lunar Aspects (Greenwich Mean Time)
(subtract: PST -8 hours, PDT -7 hours, EST -5 hours, EDT -4 hours)

  • Moon opposite Uranus, 2:35am  May 13 2025
  • Moon trine Saturn, 6:37am  May 13 2025
  • Moon trine Neptune, 11:29am  May 13 2025
  • Moon sextile Pluto, 4:11pm  May 13 2025

Venus is currently
The Morning Star

in the sign of Aries


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Astrologers use a variety of house systems, or methods of dividing up the sky into twelve sections. I use the Porphyry house system; another popular house system is Placidus (this is the default on https://astro.com). If the chart I send you looks different from what you are used to seeing, then likely a system other than Porphyry was used. Whole signs, Equal House, Regiomantus, and Campanus are examples of other systems. If you find all of this confusing, do not worry. It is likely not critical to your report.

m  Conjunction:  Like peas in a pod, planets in conjunction tend to come from the same place. They act together, but it’s also hard to tell them apart. This aspect can increase talent, focus, and intensity (“two are better than one”). Or one planet can disappear as the other dominates. Their connection feels so natural, it’s easy to think everyone blends these planetary energies just as you do—but mostly, they don’t!.

p  Sextile:  Planets in sextile are compatible, though without any fireworks. This aspect doesn’t demand your attention. It quietly presents an opportunity. You can join these archetypal forces. Donna Cunningham has called this the “Oh, that!” aspect, because that’s generally what her clients say when she describes their benefits.  To get the most from sextiles you need to actively work them.

q  Square:  Squares are wild and wonderful—but difficult too. The power struggle between these planets was likely defined in your youth, when they were impossibly challenging. People are usually aware of their squares. They force the issues that make you to grow. And that’s their gift. They ensure you learn your lessons. When you rise to the occasion, they bless you with energy, action, and success.

r  Trine:  Michael Munkasey has dubbed this the “goddess aspect” because it’s so lovely. Identifying talents you may have perfected in a previous life, trines can bring you joy. There’s a nice flow of energy between planets in trine. They support and reinforce each another. But without any struggle, you might take them for granted—neither using nor developing their gifts. An unattended trine can sometimes trick you into negative behaviors.

t  Inconjunct/Quincunx:  Your quincunx planets are innately incompatible. Bringing them into harmonious expression requires constant adjustments. This can be stressful, also motivating. You’ve got to keep changing your process, opinions or attitude—which promotes highly creative solutions.

u  Opposition:  They say opposites attract—and planets in opposition are never far from each other, though they’re constantly bickering. You may be triggered into awareness of this aspect by other people who seem to resist or undermine you.  An opposition can make you feel uncertain, insecure, or discontent, until you can accept and see yourself in both energies. Typically people find it easier to identify with one side and project the other onto unsuspecting others in the outer world.

First House: Personality, physical body, beginnings. Includes the Ascendant and rules physical appearance, the image you project to others, your general outlook on life, how you start things; may describe your role in your family system, often guides your first impression of immediate environment.

Second House: Money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions, talents.

Third House: Communication, thoughts, language skills like writing and speaking, early schooling, siblings and neighbors, short trips, coming and going around town.

Fourth House: Your home, psychological foundations and roots, family, parents, domestic life, instinctive behavior, ancestry, your connection with the past, sense of security, domestic life, real estate. conditions at the end of life.

Fifth House: Children, creativity, romance; pleasure, entertainment, self-expression; all forms of “play”, speculation, gambling, and attitude towards taking risks; hobbies, attitude towards romance, lovers as opposed to partners, attitude towards having fun.

Sixth House: Work and job (as opposed to career), daily life, attitude towards service and coworkers, helpfulness, pets, attitude towards routine and organization, how you refine and perfect your skills.

Seventh House: Partnerships, one-to-one relationships, marriage, the first marriage, the “significant other”, business partnerships, competitors, open enemies, lawyers, mediators, counselors, contracts, negotiations, agreements. clients/the public.

Eighth House: Transformations and crisis, your ability to meet and rebound from crisis and change, sexuality; sex, death and rebirth, rituals and personal growth, your partner’s resources, addictions, psychology, other people’s money, taxes, divorce/alimony, inheritance.

Ninth House: Attitude toward expanding horizons, religious beliefs and personal philosophy, higher education, long-distance travel, morals, foreign languages and cultures, personal truths, publishing, commerce, advertising, your sense of adventure.

Tenth House: Career and profession, your contribution to society, social status, public reputation, material success, how you carve out a public identity for yourself; attitude toward authority figures, parents, caregivers, bosses, governments, attitude towards responsibility, desire for achievement.

Eleventh House: Friends, groups, organizations; hopes, wishes, aspirations, personal goals; your philanthropic attitude, concern for the collective, humanity; like tenth, can bring recognition and honors for fulfilling hopes and dreams.

Twelfth House: What’s hidden beneath the surface, karmic dustbin, limiting childhood/past-life messages, self-undoing, hidden enemies, hidden weaknesses, dreams, secret affairs, lost items, hospitals and prisons, hidden strengths, spiritual studies and soul growth.

A  Sun: Our vitality and magnetism; self-identity, ego.
Roles: The Self, the Hero, the Performer, the King.

B  Moon: Intuition, emotion, nurture.
Roles: The Mother, the High Priestess, the Child.

C  Mercury: Mind; physical dexterity and mental agility.
Roles: The Thinker, the Communicator, the Student, the Trickster, the Merchant, the Thief.

D  Venus: Our capacity for pleasure, receptivity, creativity, and social connection. Also indicates our relationships, self esteem, and financial abundance.
Roles: The Lover, the Seductress, the Artist.

E  Mars: Desire, initiative, anger.
Roles: The Protector, the Athlete, the Warrior.

F  Jupiter: Luck, opportunity, expansion, higher learning, religion.
Roles: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Traveler, the Monk, the Professor.

G  Saturn: Hard work, commitment, focus, inadequacy, leadership, suffering, loss.
Roles: The Task Master, the Grim Reaper, the Wise Old Man, the Builder, the Cynic, the Boss.

H  Uranus: Change, breakthroughs, upsets, discoveries.
Roles: The Revolutionary, the Humanitarian, the Visionary, the Snob.

I  Neptune: Imagination, spirituality, idealism, addictions, deception, compassion.
Roles: The Artist, the Romantic, the Guru, the Addict, the Martyr, the Victim.

J  Pluto: Transformation, power, psychological dynamics, helplessness.
Roles: The Terrorist, the Detective, the Psychotherapist, the Dictator, shady people.

a  Aries: Pioneering, competitive, selfish, impatient, courageous, reckless, independent, dynamic, domineering, “Me first!”

b  Taurus: Patient, stable, lazy, dependable, practical, sensual, stubborn, artistic, possessive, greedy, gentle, loyal.

c  Gemini: Intelligent, curious, adaptable, quick-witted, restless, clever, scatterbrained, lacking follow-through.

d  Cancer: Nourishing, intuitive, protective, moody, sensitive, maternal, domestic, childish, cautious, creative.

e  Leo: Proud, dignified, vain, expressive, romantic, generous, childish, overbearing, self-assured, creative.

f  Virgo: Perfection-seeking, practical, methodical, petty, critical, studious, discriminating, cautious, never satisfied.

g  Libra: Charming, sociable, peace-loving, refined, diplomatic, artistic, indecisive, apathetic, easily deterred.

h  Scorpio: Passionate, secretive, penetrating, resourceful, suspicious, manipulative, jealous, sarcastic, intolerant, determined, aware.

i  Sagittarius: Freedom-loving, philosophical, optimistic, enthusiastic, careless, impatient, talkative, a know-it-all, broadminded, athletic, honest.

j  Capricorn: Serious, responsible, practical, hardworking, stubborn, brooding, inhibited, status-conscious, domineering, unforgiving.

k  Aquarius: Progressive, individualistic, unpredictable, cold, intellectual, artistic, eccentric, shy, impersonal, scientific.

l  Pisces: Compassionate, intuitive, ungrounded, romantic, impractical, self-sacrificing, seductive, musical, artistic.