Okay, let’s talk about this one, because it’s a big deal. The full moon lands in Sagittarius on May 31, and it’s a blue moon, the second full moon this month, which makes it rare. Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, so there’s expansion and luck baked in, but here’s the part that matters: this moon is squaring off with Uranus, the planet of breaking free, and it’s getting steadied by Saturn and Neptune. Translation, this is not a soft, dreamy, light-a-candle-and-cry moon. This is a tell-the-truth-and-set-yourself-free moon. Fire energy. My favorite. The kind that comes for the beliefs you’ve outgrown, the rules you never agreed to, the “this is just how it is” that’s been keeping your world small.
So that’s what we’re working with on the altar. We’re going to release the old story and aim the arrow somewhere bigger.
Before I give you the list, listen to me. Do not go spend money on this, unless you want to buy an oil. 🤣😘. The whole point of an altar is that you already have what you need. If I say purple and you’ve got a white candle, use the white candle. If I say jasmine and your neighbor has roses, cut a rose. Use what’s in your spice rack, your jewelry box, your junk drawer. Intention is the ingredient. Everything else is decoration. Pick a few things from each category that you actually have access to and let the rest go.
Candles and colors
Two energies are running this moon — the Moon herself, and Jupiter who rules Sagittarius. So you’ve got range. For the Moon: white or silver. For Jupiter and Sagittarius: purple, royal blue, gold, deep red, or orange. Honestly any fire color works because Sag is a fire sign. If all you have is a white candle or a yellow one, that is perfect, light it. Bonus move: rub a little oil on the candle before you light it — I’d reach for my Liberation oil for this exact moon, but any oil you’ve got that smells like freedom to you will do.
Flowers
For the Moon: jasmine, moonflower, lotus, or anything white. For Jupiter: go big and abundant, sunflowers, honeysuckle, carnations, anything that looks generous and a little extra. And if you live near a cedar or oak tree, a couple of branches are deeply Jupiter and cost you nothing. Sagittarius likes things that feel wild and overflowing, so don’t make it tidy.
Herbs
For the Moon: mugwort or motherwort, anything that grows in shady, cool, moony places. For Jupiter and Sag, go to your kitchen, sage, basil, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, anise, bay leaf. Bay leaf especially, hold onto that one, we’re going to use it. Sandalwood and dandelion root are Jupiter too if you keep that kind of thing around.
Stones and metals
For the Moon: selenite, moonstone, pearl, silver, or any crystal that’s white or glowy. For Jupiter and Sagittarius: amethyst, lapis lazuli, turquoise, sapphire, sodalite, citrine, and tin. Don’t have crystals? A silver ring works. A coin works. Anything that catches light works.
Incense and smoke
Frankincense is the move if you have it, pure Jupiter. Otherwise sandalwood, cedar, copal, or sage. If you’re a jasmine person, that pulls in the Moon side. Whatever you light, let the smoke be the thing that clears the space before you start.
Foods
This is where Sagittarius gets fun, because Sag rules travel and far-off places and Jupiter rules abundance, so the theme is feast and adventure. Figs (very Jupiter), honey, dates, anything rich and generous. Or lean into the traveler energy, make or buy a food from a country you’ve never been to, something a little exotic to you. Put a small plate of it on the altar as an offering. The energy you want is “the table is full and there’s room for more.”
Tarot
Pull one of these and lay it face up on your altar to anchor the whole thing. Temperance is the Sagittarius card, patience, aim, blending fire with wisdom. The Wheel of Fortune is Jupiter’s card, luck turning, the bigger pattern. And The Moon itself, obviously, for the full moon. Pick whichever one you need most right now and let it sit there and do its work while you do yours.
Symbols
Sagittarius is the Archer, so anything that points: an arrow, a feather, a compass, a map, even your passport. For this particular moon, with Uranus breaking things open, I’d add something that means freedom to you, a key, an open lock, a string you can cut. And the Jupiter glyph if you draw or print it. Lay these where you can see them while you set your intention, because they’re literally showing you the direction.
How to do it
Set everything up however feels right to you, there’s no wrong arrangement, your altar is yours. Light your incense first and let the smoke move through the space. Then anoint your candle with oil and light it.
Now the work. Sagittarius full moons are for releasing the beliefs that got too small. So get specific. Where have you been telling yourself a story about what you’re allowed to want, who you’re allowed to be, how far you’re allowed to go? Write that belief on the bay leaf. One thing you’re done carrying. Then burn it in the candle flame and let the smoke take it out of you.
Watch it go.
Then the second half, because Sag doesn’t just release, it aims. Hold your arrow or your symbol, look at it, and say out loud one real direction you’re pointing yourself in. Not a someday daydream. A true next step. Saturn and Neptune are backing this moon, which means the dream is allowed to be practical, so make it something you can actually move toward. Speak it like it’s already true.
Let the candle burn down on its own if you can do it safely. Leave the offering out overnight. And in the morning, notice how much lighter you feel, that’s the proof it worked.
If you build one, I want to see it. Send me a photo. There’s nothing I love more than watching you all make magic with what you already have.
In Love, Light and Fire, Donna