Full Moon in Cancer

Tending to the Cries of the Soul

We have a full moon in Cancer today, Monday 13th January, which becomes exact at 10.26pm, UK time, as the Sun and Moon align in exact opposition at 24˚ of Capricorn and Cancer respectively. There is a tension here between the moon in Cancer’s need for solace and sanctuary, inner reflection and family time, up against the Sun in Capricorn’s desire to plan, to strategise, and to put structures in place for the future. The Capricorn focus is on what needs doing practically in order to take things forward, whereas the lunar, Cancerian instinct is to trust how something feels, to sense inwardly whether or not it nurtures and nourishes the soul.

Moon Conjunct Mars in Cancer

The moon is conjunct Mars (at 27˚ Cancer) with just a 3˚ applying orb, which can activate our fighting spirit, and the desire to compete, it can promote our passions, and quicken us to anger. In Cancer though, it is not so direct, as the impulse here is first to protect, and to shield what is vulnerable from direct confrontation. So there are themes of fierce protection here, covert aggression and/or a quick nurturing instinct. We should guard against being too hasty to act or react under such conditions, even (or especially) when there is pressure to do so. We are motivated by a need to feel at home, prioritising emotional security, the deep nourishment of family ties, and the preservation of what is familiar.

We need to remember what it is to feel safe, without being overly protective of old fear-based patterns of behaviour. A Moon-Mars conjunction in Cancer can tend to have a ‘moody’, instinctive, reactive feel to it, it will tend to impress itself most upon those who have personal planets or angles (AC/DC or IC/MC) at 23 - 28˚ of Cancer or the other cardinal signs (Aries, Libra or Capricorn). Mars is also still in its retrograde phase, which can render us less certain of our actions, and potentially compromise our motivation. It is important to address the warrior within at such a time, call for courage and strength, and make sure that our actions are aligned to the deeper, inner calling of the soul.

Moon Sextile Uranus / Trine Neptune

The impact of the Moon-Mars conjunction is offset to some degree by presence of Uranus, the planet of radical change and innovation, currently in the sign of Taurus at 23˚ and making an exact sextile to the Cancer Moon. This can open up creative channels and may allow the Mars energy to move in a more progressive direction - perhaps there are other options available for us to put our energy into, that were not immediately apparent, and that can serve the future better than the more urgent matter at hand. Uranus can support us in detaching from the urgency that can grip us, help us see outside of the box, and allow in a different perspective. The Sun also makes an exact trine to Uranus, which further supports and fosters a different view of life.

Neptune is also very involved in the full moon chart, being trine to the Moon-Mars conjunction and encouraging us to let go, surrender and trust what is unfolding, persuading us that there is a more profound, spiritual energy coming through, and that it is futile to fight against or try to control that. Neptune is also in sextile aspect to the Sun, again emphasising the importance of transcending the ego and trusting in the divine flow that is guiding our way. Taken together, the presence of the Uranus and Neptune aspects in today’s chart, may support us in channelling the martial instincts of this full moon toward a more creative, enlightening, spiritually enriching goal.

Attending to the Soul

More generally, the Cancer full moon draws our attention toward the care of the soul, to how we respect and nurture our deepest places of connection, the most private parts of ourselves. It is important at this time to tend to our inner sanctum, to the cave of the heart. We are likely to be more in touch with that need for connection during this full moon, and more aware of the extent to which past memories bleed through into the present and influence our current perspective. There is a need to remember what has gone before, to honour the ancestors and recognise the ways in which our life is also continuation of their story and how our experience as a soul is characterised by the powerful images that the family system has impressed upon it.

We honour the moon by recognising the cyclical nature of life, the returns, and the returnings; by protecting what is most precious, and remaining mindful of, and compassionate towards our complex and often contradictory needs. We would do well to call upon the soul-nurturing wisdom of maternal elders whose connection with the deep roots of life help nurture a sense of belonging, and remind of us what really matters.

Questions to Ask Ourselves Over a Cancer Full Moon
During the Capricorn new year season, it is natural to think about our longer term intentions and goals, our vocational aspirations, projects and plans. But to what extent might you have been too busy protecting or defending your opinions, your reputation, or your standing in the world at the expense of what really matters most to you? How connected are you right now to your family, your loved ones, and to that quiet place of sanctuary within yourself?

This is the challenge of the Cancer full moon, for us to check in deeply within ourselves that our worldly ambitions are actually aligned to our soul’s calling. It is worth asking asking yourself: “who and what do I care most about?”, “what touches me in the deepest of my being?”, “what aspect of my being needs nurturing right now, with care and compassion?”

My Cancerian mantra runs: “I remember my origins, I honour the ancestors, and I am connected to the source of my being.”

Full moon blessings to all <3