When poison becomes medicine, and death brushes against rebirth…
On May 12, a powerful full moon in Scorpio will rise—and this isn’t your average emotional tide. This lunation aligns precisely with the fixed star Unukalhai, also known as Alpha Serpentis, the neck of the serpent. This cosmic convergence invites us to confront one of the oldest archetypes in human memory: the snake—a symbol of both death and healing.
What Happens When the Moon is in Scorpio?
When the Moon enters Scorpio, emotions go subterranean. We feel more, intuit more, ache more. The Scorpio Moon is known for its psychological depth, its capacity to unearth secrets, and its obsessive intensity. This is a time when emotional truths—especially the ones we’ve buried—demand to be seen. It’s not comfortable, but it’s transformative.
With Unukalhai in the mix, this emotional excavation goes even deeper.
The Mythology Behind Unukalhai: The Serpent’s Hidden Wisdom
Unukalhai is derived from the Arabic ʻunuq al-ḥayyah, meaning “the neck of the serpent.” Situated in the Serpens constellation, the star is also poetically referred to as Cor Serpentis—“the heart of the serpent.” In ancient myth, the Serpens constellation is always entwined with Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer.
This figure—Ophiuchus—is often associated with Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine, who learned the secrets of resurrection and healing from a serpent. According to myth, the goddess Athena gifted him a vial of Medusa’s blood—a potent elixir with a dual nature: poisonous from her left side, curative from her right.
This duality—poison and cure, death and resurrection—is the essence of Unukalhai’s symbolism. It’s a star that holds both danger and deep healing, mirroring the serpent’s archetype in mythology: feared and revered, destructive and sacred.
Unukalhai & Serpentis in Astrology
Unukalhai (Alpha Serpentis) is an orange giant star, classified as a K-type star. Its warm hue symbolizes both vitality and decay—mirroring the dual nature of the serpent itself.
In astrology, Unukalhai carries the intense and fateful influence of Mars and Saturn. It represents both danger and healing—linked to poison, transformation, occult knowledge, and emotional depth. It is a star of powerful medicine, spiritual awakening, and the shadow side of healing.
Serpentis refers to the Serpens constellation, which is divided into two parts—Serpens Caput (the head) and Serpens Cauda (the tail). Unukalhai lies in the “head” section and is associated with ancient serpent myths, wisdom, and the symbol of life, death, and rebirth. In myth and astrology, it often represents the mystical tension between destruction and healing.
May 12 Full Moon Astrology: The Unsettling Influence of Uranus
This May 12 Full Moon in Scorpio (2025) doesn’t just merge with Unukalhai—it also tightly opposes Uranus in Taurus, bringing the electric tension of sudden events, emotional eruptions, and rebellious awakenings.
- Unexpected breakups
- Emotional volatility
- Intuitive downloads and psychic dreams
- A need to purge or sever toxic attachments
With Scorpio’s penetrating gaze, this full moon exposes whatever lurks in the shadows—especially in relationships, finances, and the subconscious mind. It’s a time for deep release, but also for deep realization.
Scorpio and the Snake: A Dance with Death and Rebirth
Scorpio is ruled by Pluto and Mars—planets tied to transformation, intensity, and crisis. With the Full Moon in this sign, we’re called to shed skins we’ve outgrown. The symbolism of Unukalhai intensifies this calling.
“The snake, like Scorpio, doesn’t fear transformation—it lives it.”
This lunation may stir fears, anxieties, or dark memories. But Scorpio teaches that only by walking through the underworld can we rise empowered. And just like the serpent, we are invited to transmute poison into medicine.
Spiritual Meaning of the May 12 Full Moon in Scorpio
This moon is a portal. But not the kind with glitter and fairy wings. This is the shadowy, bone-deep kind of portal where truth stings before it liberates.
You might:
- Recognize what emotional or psychological pattern is ready to die
- Be offered a rare chance to heal ancestral trauma
- Unearth a long-hidden secret that changes everything
- Feel an irresistible pull toward mystery, depth, and the occult
It’s not easy energy—but it’s powerful. This is why Scorpio moons are so powerful: they dissolve illusions, demand honesty, and initiate deep healing.
Why This Moon Matters
The Scorpio Moon is not for the faint-hearted. It brings our psychological shadows into sharp relief, especially when magnified by Unukalhai’s mythic legacy and Uranus’ radical shake-ups.
Yet, this very tension can be catalytic.
- If you’ve felt trapped in roles, relationships, or routines, this full moon may shatter the illusion.
- If you’ve been clinging to past pain or shame, this lunation might offer a strange kind of mercy: exposure, followed by healing.
Horoscope Highlights for the May 12 Full Moon in Scorpio
Aries
Unexpected developments around money, debts, or inheritance may arise. You could pay off loans, receive bonuses, or make bold purchases. Risky but passionate relationships may also stir things up.
Taurus
Relationships may go through dramatic shifts. Expect emotional surprises—some connections may break, others deepen. New partnerships, even financially focused ones, could form.
Gemini
Your daily work or routines might undergo sudden change. A job switch, health issue, or new responsibility could emerge. It’s a good time to break habits, start a diet, or reset your time management.
Cancer
Love life may get stormy. Jealousy, sudden confessions, or even surprise pregnancies may appear. Creative energy is high—just be cautious with risky ventures or investments.
Leo
Home and family life could feel intense. Emotional waves and past conflicts may resurface. It’s a powerful time to heal old patterns, resolve inheritance issues, or make home-related changes.
Virgo
You may shift how you communicate, market, or express yourself. Siblings or neighbors could surprise you. Watch out for tense conversations. Travel, paperwork, and tech matters also come into focus.
Libra
Money matters take center stage. Hidden financial patterns or desires may come to light. Sudden gains or losses are possible. Consider surgical or aesthetic procedures with caution.
Scorpio
This is your moment of transformation. Partnerships, legal issues, or major decisions may reach a climax. New awareness around your health or relationships could inspire lasting change.
Sagittarius
Spiritual cleansing is underway. Secrets or hidden enemies may be exposed. While your immunity may be low, intuitive insight and global opportunities are rising. Stay grounded.
Capricorn
Social circles are shifting. Friendships may suddenly evolve or end. A new community or group project could emerge. A romance might blossom from an unexpected place.
Aquarius
Career breakthroughs are likely. Sudden promotions or opportunities may boost your status. Home dynamics could feel tense—balance ambition with emotional needs.
Pisces
You may question your beliefs, plans, or education. A surprising truth could redirect your path. Travel, publishing, or legal outcomes may play a role. A fated turn could lead to long-term joy.
Scorpio Full Moon with Unukalhai
This is a full moon where the veil is thin, the emotions are raw, and the past is rising for reckoning. The presence of Unukalhai teaches us that some of the most dangerous forces—jealousy, grief, trauma—can also hold the keys to deep medicine and personal alchemy.
You cannot skip the underworld journey. But you can emerge from it reborn.
References:
- Internet Archive: Vivian E. Robson – The Fixed Star and Constellations in Astrology
- Internet Archive: Ptolemy – Tetrabiblos
- Constellations of Words: Unukalhai
