The Full Moon in Cancer comes exact on January 4, 2015 at 11:53 PM EST
Click here to learn about the Moon. Click here to learn about Cancer.
At the Full Moon we reap the seeds sown with every New Moon. This particular Full Moon is known as the Full Wolf Moon; cold and hungry, packs of wolves would howl through the night around Native American villages. All that we intended during the Capricorn cycle now comes to culmination. The Moon will rise at sunset, peak at midnight and set at sunrise.
The Sun and Moon face each other in total opposition between cardinal earth Capricorn and cardinal water sign Cancer: practicality vs. emotion. You may recall that the Moon rules Cancer; when a planet returns to the sign it rules, we say in astrology that this planet is “at home.” The Full Moon in Cancer is about as lunar as you can get. Cancer is the Divine Mother: sensitive, nurturing, gentle and bursting with love. In my opinion, Cancer is the most feminine of all the signs.
Photo by Ren Tvedten, taken in Bandon, Oregon
Channeling the Divine Mother
In classic astrology Cancer is associated with home, children/family, protection and intuition. This sign has an extraordinary amount of emotional energy, as is the nature of water signs. Cancers are also known for their exceptional artistic abilities and interest in cats, baking, reading and music/dancing. When imbalanced, this sign may be nervous, anxious, fearful, irrational or emotionally unstable.
If they can properly channel the multitude of thoughts and feelings that keep their inner body so bright and beautiful, Cancers are among the most spiritually and artistically gifted souls around. Cancer is the sign of the crab. Those born under this sign move slowly and cautiously as they are quite susceptible to the energy of people and places. The psychic membrane separating Cancers from the external world is thin and porous; due to this, Cancers are often easily overwhelmed. When balanced, Cancers frequently act as resident counselor in any given social circle. Few other signs are equally understanding, empathic or sincere.
What I think vs. what I feel
The Cancer-Capricorn polarity is between the heart and the head, although this is a bit of an oversimplification. A more accurate delineation: Cancers see the heart as an organic and integral source of information, as do Capricorns, but the goat seems to struggle when it comes to collating what they feel versus what they think they should feel. Last month’s Full Moon in Gemini was wild in a frenzied, social kind of way. Gemini energy makes us want to go out and get kind of crazy. This Full Moon, however, will likely be colored by strong emotional outbursts, passionate declarations of love and a surge of psychic/intuitive conscious awareness.
Expect family members or important female figures in your life to play a prominent role during this phase. Unlike Gemini, Cancer energy is relatively calm, even lazy. The crab loves to cuddle, stay in bed all day and lounge around the house in pajamas, eating everything in sight! However, it’s only the imbalanced crabs who have trouble eventually breaking out of sloth mode.
Open your heart!
Cancers are wonderful because they feel like home. At the very least, they will do their absolute best to make you feel like you are. As cardinal signs, balanced Cancers are usually able to keep it together pretty well during tense moments. However, at the first opportunity, these types have to let it all out. The crab’s heart is a tender one. Cancers therefore seek out relationships and circumstances that provide longevity, stability and security, much like Capricorn. It is no small affaire de cœur when Cancers devote their love to another.
Opposite signs on the zodiac wheel have inherent differences, but they also have a lot in common. Cancer and Capricorn both naturally gravitate toward a life/reality that makes them feel safe and centered. However, the sea goat would do well to be more free and open in the heart. Cancer could likewise learn to use logic and rationalism in moments where the heart defeats the mind’s capacity to function. Too much Capricorn energy can make us callous or icy. Too much Cancer energy makes us wail and worry. The good news is that our problems are solved painlessly if we move slowly and deliberately. Ask yourself lots of questions and remember that every action is a choice. Above all, love yourself and others and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
If you are curious about how this transit affects you personally, please contact me for more insight. To ascertain your personal Moon sign, click here.
Mantra: I listen to my heart