Ful Moon in Cancer: Love vs Freedom

 I'd like to wish everyone a  Happy New Year! 2023 here we come!

I've gotten a bit behind ~ the dreaded lurgy (England's perfect word for being under the weather) - and then  Christmas and family visits etc. I will catch up and talk about 2023 next time. Suffice to say ~ change is afoot! For now the focus is on the Full Moon occurring later today.

 3:15 PST, 4:15 MST, 6:15 EST, 11:15 UT time etc (in the Northern /Western Hemispheres)

As we head into 2023 there are powerful forces pushing us forward (Jupiter in Aries) while at the same time other energies are holding us back (Mercury and Mars retrograde). We will have to find the sweet spot between the two, as we hold the tension between the past and the future, then and now, stillness and movement. 

The Cancer Full Moon today, January 6th,  brings a gentle wave of emotional cleansing that can move us from surviving to thriving. It has been a rough few years and we are all feeling a little bruised and battered. The heaviness of the 'karmic reckoning' that began 2020 is now finally beginning to dissipate, yet that doesn't mean we are done with all the wake up/shake up energy ... that's a longer process, and I'm afraid we will continue to get turned upside down and inside out. It is important to take this moment to tap into our feelings and find ways to take care of ourselves and those around us. In fact it is imperative that we do so.  Cancer represents the Mother, the child, the home. We come to this Full Moon as vulnerable human beings who have a deep need to be nurtured.  Chiron (wounded healer) links to both the Sun and Moon in a dramatic way~ bringing up our wounds from the past, and exposing parts of us that we usually keep hidden. 

Sacred mother ~ hold us close.

Yet in the midst of this vulnerability, there is a quickening in the air, what someone described as "a sweet exhale after a long period of heaviness." The Sun flowing beautifully (trine) with Uranus the Awakener brings a promise of change.

“You have slept millions and millions of years. Why not wake up this morning? Kabir

As we breathe in with feelings of anticipation ~ we may await the coming out -breath with some  hesitation. There is an energy building up (Jupiter in Aires, Sun/Uranus) that is being held in place by subtle forces created by Mars (action) and Mercury (communication and thinking) in retrograde motion.  As this energy turns us back into ourselves, feelings of restlessness can arise; we are  impatient to get on with it, yet not sure we have the energy to move forward.  Jupiter wants to go go go, yet it's two steps forward, one step back.  We must take one breath at a time, one step at a time.

The focus on relationships continues with Venus's recent encounter with Pluto bringing endings and new beginnings. It seems almost every day now I hear of someone departing. It is humbling and sobering and makes me want to live more  fully in each moment, as we are prompted  to  reflect on all those we have known and loved, near or far, here or gone. 

Venus and Mars are key relationship symbols.Venus is our feminine/receptivity and Mars is our masculine/drive.Venus/ Pluto can stir up unresolved relationship issues ~ people or memories from the past that are resurfacing may be needing some sort of closure. With both Mercury (communication) and Mars (action, desire) retrograde ~ we are re-working and re-visiting  our relationship patterns, in an effort to heal past wounds.

 

 Venus in quirky Aquarius needs lots of space - and Mars in Gemini thrives on innovation and variety.  This an excellent time to meet new people and/or explore and experiment with new ways to recharge existing relationships. Something is shifting ...  we mustn't stay stuck in those habitual responses where we stop actually seeing the people around us.  Have you heard of Esther Perrel? She's an amazing relationship specialist who talks about the need to renew and recharge our relationships (of all kinds) to allow us to see each other in fresh ways -  as not just part of each others needs and projections but as individuals with our own needs and proclivites. This fits perfectly with the theme of Venus in Aquarius- where nobody own anyone.

Meanwhile, the Sun and Mercury  in very  practical  Capricorn are looking to find ways to make things work.  Capricorn is rather stoic and contained - while the Moon opposite in emotional Cancer is highly emotional and needs her feelings acknowledged.  Yet when we hold others too tight they tend to pull away. This polarity can cause some tension... where we distance instead of meeting in the middle.  The natural detachment of Venus in Aquarius can help us out by cooling things down a little.  Not saying feelings aren't important - this is a Cancer Moon after all... where we get flooded with emotion. Its just good to get a broader perspective. If you love somebody, let them go. Moon in Cancer is hypersensitive and deeply emotional and fears rejection the most of all. Add  Chiron~ the wounded healer ~  to the mix (squared) and all our insecurities and vulnerabilities are amplified. 

 

 

This is a tender time that promises deep healing and  emotional shifts, if we can stay with the intensity and hold space for the emotions coming up. Mercury retrograde wants us to reflect and review whatever has  hurt us in the past (we may even get in touch with some  daddy or mommy issues). We will need to be patient with each other; take advantage of Venus in Aquarius ability to step back from the drama.  There's a promise of real breakthroughs - and  the possibility to free ourself of those old stories.   Even one less can make a big difference. Notice what words you tell yourself... how do you attract or create hurt feelings  to validate an old belief about who you are. Time to let that shit go!  We ARE  all worthy of love. 

Now and then I go to a spiritualist church where are my friend is a medium.  Yesterday my dad came through with a message that fit in with this overall theme. He wanted me to know that despite their conflicts and differences,  he and my mom really loved each other. He said it was really important for me to know this and share this with my siblings - how much he loved our mother, and that despite their differences, and all the arguments, it was that deeper love that kept them together. I was very emotional when the message was given.  I think he really wanted me to know that love is the most important thing.

So ...  there's a lot going on in this tender emotional Full Moon that promises deep healing and breakthroughs; it merely asks that we tread carefully, patiently, gently.  Tender hearts need tending. 

And remember ~ whatever you are searching for is already inside of you.

 

"Why are you knocking at every other door? Go, knock at the door of your own heart.” ― Rumi