In the early hours of 13 May, we welcome the next Full Moon. It arrives at 2:55am AEST, meaning it will appear full on both 12 and 13 May. If you're wondering why this Moon looks a bit smaller than normal, it's because the May Full Moon is a micro Full Moon. This is because the Moon will be at one of its furthest positions from Earth in its orbit.

In the Northern hemisphere, this Full Moon is colloquially known as the Flower Moon – owing to the springtime blooms that start to appear when this Full Moon arrives. Of course, for those of us in the Southern hemisphere, this Full Moon comes at a time where we begin to descend into the darker, winter months.

This Full Moon falls in Scorpio, meaning it will bring emotional intensity and an air of secrecy. With soothing Neptune trine that sparks our imagination and Mercury and Mars halting our ability to clearly communicate, it's set to be a time of retreat.

What to expect from the Full Moon in Scorpio

As the energetic peak and high point of the 28-29 day Moon Cycle, naturally Full Moons are always considered intense times to a certain degree. But there are certain signs that can amplify the impact of a Full Moon, and Scorpio is certainly one of them.

It can be easy to forget that Scorpio is a Water sign as they are socially analytical and composed. Some could even call their cool outer shell aloof. But beneath the surface, a tempest rages. They are deeply complex beings with a vast emotional well that they often keep hidden from the outside world. Scorpio comes with an unwavering sense of loyalty, enhanced perceptiveness and a vindictive streak that can seemingly come out of nowhere. The energy of this sign is dark, deep and yet enticing.

So, what does this mean for a Full Moon in Scorpio? Well, since the Moon rules our inner and emotional selves, Scorpio energy tends to have an insular and isolating effect. Imbued with a desire for secrecy, we retreat into ourselves to battle our emotional conflicts solo. Shallow pursuits will feel tasteless and uninspiring as we seek out meaning, and ways to reconcile the darker parts of ourselves with the light.

This will not be the kind of emotional Full Moon that will have you spilling your feelings to your best friend over a wine. Rather, you feel the need to work through your turmoils yourself, even if a friendly ear could be of enormous benefit. Remember that your emotions do not make you weak, and feeling affected by the world does not open you up as a target. People who are truly in your corner will allow you to space to unload, even if you do so unwillingly.

Scorpio is also a highly intuitive sign that enhances our ability to understand the three dimensional chessboard at play. Here, we're given a chance for renewed clarity and understanding – and a chance to change our situations for the better. Scorpio is not above manipulating a situation to work in their favour. So channel this energy and make things work for you, especially if you're the kind of person always putting others first.

Mars and Mercury challenge communication and Neptune inspires imagination

Elsewhere in the sky, we have placements that will only enhance our retreat into the dark depths of our emotional selves.

Mars and Mercury are squaring off, impacting our ability to clearly communicate with the people around us. This aspect can lead to troubles in crystalising your feelings and an inability to express them without frustration. This will be particularly apparent for those with strong Virgo or Aries placements. With the Scorpio Moon stirring up a flurry of intense emotions and encouraging us to deal with it all privately, this aspect can make it more challenging to reach out for help when you need it. In this situation, putting your thoughts into words can help. Journaling to self soothe or reaching out a friend over text might feel easier than verbal interactions.

Our Moon forms a pleasant trine with Neptune during this Full Moon, and it's a placement that will ignite our imaginations. The fantasy worlds we retreat to when we're feeling creative will feel more vivid than ever. Coupled with the insular mood of Scorpio, we'll have a strong desire to dive more deeply into this space. Now will be the time to pick up a good book of the fantasy genre. It will feel freeing and cathartic to expand our minds into a far-off universe. Certainly, it will be a gentle reprieve from the challenging emotional friction besetting our inner selves.

And if it all feels too moody and too much, remember the Moon moves into Sagittarius on 14 May, sending a jolt of fresh optimism our way!

image: Anderson Rian on Unsplash