Into the Cave: A New Moon Descent for Transformation

What will you find in the darkness tonight?

The image symbol transmitted to me for the week of 5.26.25:

A cave.

Removal from stimuli.

Going inward.

This weekend, I have been attending the Northwest Astrological Conference, which as far as I know is the longest running astro conference in the US, and perhaps the largest. So, I didn’t intend to do a lot of work on this post. Instead, I had planned to simply share the collaborative post I did with Sarah Hawkins (I will share it separately because of Substack mechanics) from her Substack

From Psychosis back to more Psychosis.

However, in my usual check-in with my higher self and spirit team on Saturday morning, an image symbol for the collective came in. It was echoed later in a lecture I attended, in the form of the Cave of Pluto, where the abduction of Persephone was reenacted as part of the Eleusinian Mysteries. And because I felt called to pull tarot cards for each sign for the New Moon today, I caught another echo in prominent Scorpio themes (Pluto is the modern ruler of Scorpio).

Cave of Pluto in Greece, photo credit Atlas Obscurer User

My memory is pulling me back to the idea of a “pain cave”. I don’t know if this is a concept in regular life, but it is one I am familiar with from running ultramarathons. What it refers to is a period in the race where you are in some sort of torment - physical, mental, emotional, even spiritual - and you are turning in on yourself like you are in a cave of pain. No one can rescue you from this place, after all, you chose to run the damn thing knowing this was a risk. The only way through is to accept that what began with excitement and hope now feels the opposite, and if you can’t change the situation, you have to transform yourself … while sitting with pain.

I don’t think I am alone in feeling a similarly painful disorientation. With the world, with others, and within myself. After all, we are all connected to everyone and everything in the Universe. Or perhaps I was feeling Saturn pulling the collective back through the birth canal as it moved from Pisces to Aries on Sunday.

This week, I used another spread from 111 Oracle Spreads for Every Day by Krystal Banner. It is called the New Moon spread, and rather than interpret each card, I provide an overall interpretation, with the spread format explained below. I also provide a card and haiku for each sign of the zodiac, representing an energy the new moon brings to that sign. You may read either your Sun sign (conscious role/ego energy) and your Moon sign (your emotional energy), if you know it.

What the New Moon spread reflects

We have a desire to will our personal truth into existence. Yet, we are not charging forward. Why is that? The cards are guiding us to spend a little time exploring our personal version of the Cave of Pluto. There may be a limiting belief subconsciously holding you back. It may be something you learned and were steeped in from a young age. It snuck up like Pluto on Persephone, and became an invisible cage around you, keeping you from using your free will.

Trust your intuition to guide you to the block, trust that the strength it has repressed will be repurposed to assist you in pushing the block away from the cave entrance. Trust that when you emerge, there will be guides, including your own intuition, leading you to freedom to live authentically.

Note there are repeating 12s in the spread, indicating the point where something is ending so that something brand new can begin, hopefully built upon wisdom gained in reflection upon the previous experience.

Card 1: What is your energy going into the new moon?

Knight of Wands. From The Seventh Sphere Tarot by Labyrinthos.

Card 2: How can you make the most of this phase?

Elder Heron. Practice patience. #22 from The Animal Elders by Asha Frost, artwork by Hawaii Pichette.

Card 3: What is the new moon bringing in?

Blue Lotus. Intuition. #5 from The Herbal Astrology Oracle, by Ariana Ayales, artwork by Josephine Klerks.

Card 4: How are you growing?

You’re More Powerful than You Know. #12 from Intuitive Whispers Oracle, by Maude Hirst, artwork by Lori Menna.

Card 5: What will assist you with your goals and intentions?

Sacred sherpa guides you beyond. #12 from Wild Kuan Yin Oracle, by Alana Fairchild, artwork by Wang Yiguang.

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The New Moon energy for each zodiac sign

Aries, King of Wands

I can inspire you

Only when I inspire me

It’s just out of reach

Taurus, Page of Wands

New passions arise

Which direction calls to me?

Is it worth leaving?

Gemini, IX of Wands

Burnout is a threat

Unless I structure desire

To fuel and not drain

Cancer, King of Cups

We've been here before

I’ll hold steady through the waves

Past pain made me strong

Leo, Death

You notice I’ve changed

I’ve dropped what I will not need

My soul travels light

Virgo, Wheel of Fortune

I know time will tell

If my new habits will stick

A mentor guides me

Libra, The Sun

I am ignited

My soul’s calling is now clear

I radiate joy

Scorpio, V of Pentacles

I have a new chance

To trust I will have enough,

To know I’m enough

Sagittarius, VI of Cups

Memories won’t fade

Yet something new pulls on me

I must bet on this

Capricorn, The Hanged Man

I’ve waited so long

I just know it’s time to act

My goal is in sight

Aquarius, Justice

Who’s turn is it now

Perhaps I get to decide

On the right next step

Pisces, X of Pentacles

I’m feeling relieved

I’ve worked a long time for this

So all can enjoy

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I would love to hear whether anything resonates with you at this time!

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Below is a MariaLuz.online client review, from an Inspired Guidance session, in which I use astrology, tarot/oracle cards, and psychic abilities. I would love to see you as a client, too!

My session with Maria was both supportive of my current understanding of myself and also a calling to be in better alignment with my purpose and gifts.

During our session she walked me through my natal chart, a version of where the planets are in the present day and explained over the past decades of life how my soul chose to come into existence and the lessons I've been learning along the way. It felt like she knew my whole life story.

We then talked about what I'm being propelled to do and my purpose and the timing of the universe directing me. She was spot on in her explanation of what I might be feeling and intuitive in her delivery of how I would best understand it.

Finally, she called to anyone who might have something to support me - and my spirit guide showed up to her providing some very specific explanations of my role in society, my calling to service, and how to live in best alignment with my higher self. Her interpretation and empathy in this process was so thoughtful and also direct. It was very powerful and I've been feeling the effects of our work for several days now.

I'm grateful for Maria's clear analysis and kind communication along with her gift for intuition and channeling to connect with spirit. She enabled a monumental shift in my life.

- Susanna C., WA, USA