Art Therapy Ritual for May 2025: Embracing Transformation and Grounding your Creativity

May 2025 brings a dynamic blend of astrological influences that inspire transformation, grounding, and creative expression.

With the Scorpio Full Moon on May 12th, Pluto’s retrograde in Aquarius starting May 4th, Saturn’s shift into Aries on May 24th, and the Sun’s transition into Gemini on May 20th, this month is rich with opportunities for deep reflection, bold action, and communicative clarity. This art therapy ritual harnesses these energies, using creative expression to process emotions, release old patterns, and set intentions for personal growth. As an art therapist, I’ve designed this ritual to integrate the healing power of art with the cosmic currents of May 2025, helping you align with the universe’s transformative potential. This ritual can be done at any time during May to tap into these energies. I encourage you to use this ritual to deepen your healing journey, tapping into the cosmic currents to foster resilience and growth. May your art become a bridge to transformation, guiding you toward a brighter, more empowered chapter.

Purpose of the Ritual

This ritual is designed to:

• Honor the Scorpio Full Moon’s sacred, veil-thinning energy, encouraging deep soul-searching and emotional release.

• Reflect on inner transformations prompted by Pluto’s retrograde in Aquarius, focusing on community and personal evolution.

• Embrace Saturn’s move into Aries, fostering courage and responsibility to manifest creative dreams.

• Channel Gemini’s communicative energy to clarify intentions and connect with your inner voice. Through art, you’ll process emotions, release what no longer serves you, and set empowered intentions for the future.

Materials Needed

• Paper (preferably a sketchbook or watercolor paper)

• Art supplies (colored pencils, markers, paints, pastels, or collage materials)

• Three small objects (e.g., crystals, stones, leaves, or small keepsakes)

• A candle and matches/lighter

• A journal and pen

• Optional: calming music or nature sounds

• A quiet, private space

Ritual Steps

1. Create a Sacred Space

Find a quiet, comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed. Light a candle to symbolize the Scorpio Full Moon’s illuminating energy, which “thins the veil” and enhances intuition. If desired, play soft music to set a reflective mood. Arrange your three small objects in a triangle around your workspace, representing the mind (Gemini), heart (Scorpio), and action (Aries). Take a few deep breaths, grounding yourself in the present moment.

2. Cleanse Your Energy

Before creating, cleanse your aura to release any stagnant energy. You can do this by visualizing a white light washing over you, smudging with sage or palo santo, or gently tapping your body. As you cleanse, say or think:
“I release old energies and open to the transformative power of this moment.”
This aligns with Pluto’s retrograde, encouraging you to shed subconscious patterns.

3. Reflect on Transformation

Take a moment to journal in response to the following prompts, inspired by May’s astrological energies:

• Scorpio Full Moon: What deep truth or emotion is surfacing for me? What am I ready to release?

• Pluto Retrograde in Aquarius: How have I transformed in my sense of community or personal identity since October 2024? What old beliefs can I let go of?

• Saturn in Aries: What bold step am I ready to take to manifest my creative dreams? How can I take responsibility for my path?

• Sun in Gemini: What message does my inner voice want to express? How can I communicate my truth clearly? Write freely for 5-10 minutes, letting your thoughts flow without judgment.

4. Cosmic Crystal Meditation

Hold your three chosen objects, one in each hand and one placed in front of you. Close your eyes and visualize the Scorpio Full Moon’s silvery light bathing you, thinning the veil between your conscious and subconscious mind. Imagine Pluto’s subtle energy unearthing hidden truths, Saturn’s fiery Aries spark igniting your courage, and Gemini’s airy clarity sharpening your thoughts. For each object, assign an intention:

• First object (mind): Clarity and communication (Gemini).

• Second object (heart): Emotional release and truth (Scorpio).

• Third object (action): Courage and manifestation (Aries). Spend 2-3 minutes visualizing these energies merging within you, empowering your creative process.

5. Art Creation: Transformative Expression

On your paper, create an artwork that reflects your journal reflections and meditation. Let the astrological energies guide you:

• Scorpio Full Moon: Use deep colors (blues, purples, blacks) to express intense emotions or truths. Paint or draw symbols of release, like water, snakes, or phoenixes, to honor transformation.

• Pluto Retrograde: Incorporate abstract shapes or fragmented images to represent shedding old identities or community roles. Use lighter shades to symbolize emerging clarity.

• Saturn in Aries: Add bold, fiery elements (reds, oranges) or structured shapes to depict courageous action and responsibility. Draw a path or ladder to symbolize your goals.

• Gemini Sun: Integrate words, lines, or airy motifs (birds, clouds) to express your inner voice and communicative clarity. Work intuitively for 15-20 minutes, letting your emotions and the cosmic energies flow through your art. If you prefer collage, use images that resonate with these themes.

6. Reflect and Release

Once your artwork is complete, sit with it and observe what emotions or insights arise. In your journal, write about what the process revealed:

• What emotions did I express through my art?

• How does this piece reflect my current transformation?

• What intention do I want to set for the rest of May 2025? If you feel called to release something (e.g., a fear or old belief), write it on a small piece of paper. Safely burn it in the candle’s flame (use a fireproof container) or tear it up, saying:
  “I release what no longer serves me and embrace my transformation.”
  This act aligns with the Scorpio Full Moon’s energy of letting go.

7. Close the Ritual

Extinguish the candle, thanking the universe and the astrological energies for their guidance. Place your artwork somewhere visible to remind you of your intentions. Keep your three objects as touchstones for the rest of May, using them to reconnect with your clarity, emotional truth, and courage. Optionally, treat yourself to a soothing activity like a bath or tea to ground your energy, as suggested for Scorpio Full Moon rituals.

Astrological Context and Benefits

This ritual leverages May 2025’s key astrological events:

• Scorpio Full Moon (May 12th): Its supercharging energy enhances intuition and emotional release, making art a powerful tool for processing deep truths.

• Pluto Retrograde in Aquarius (May 4th–October 13th): This subtle energy encourages reflection on inner and communal transformations, which art can help externalize and integrate.

• Saturn in Aries (May 24th): This shift inspires disciplined action, and creating art with intention fosters commitment to personal goals.

• Sun in Gemini (May 20th): Gemini’s communicative energy supports expressing insights through art, enhancing clarity and self-awareness. The art therapy process promotes emotional catharsis, self-discovery, and empowerment, aligning with the healing potential of these transits. As an EMDR therapist, I’ve seen how creative expression can mirror EMDR’s ability to process stuck emotions, making this ritual a potent complement to therapeutic work.

Tips for Success

• Approach the ritual with openness, trusting your intuition as you create.

• If intense emotions arise, pause and use grounding techniques (e.g., deep breathing or holding your objects).

• Revisit your artwork and intentions throughout May to stay aligned with your goals.

• If you’re new to art therapy, focus on the process, not the outcome—there’s no “right” way to create.