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What are you manifesting? How have you evolved on your spiritual journey thus far? Despite the undeniable momentum that comes with ringing in a brand-new year, we can’t disregard the astrological energies at play. For instance, the mere fact that the clock struck midnight on January 1st with Venus retrograde conjunct Pluto, and Mercury already in its pre-retrograde shadow phase, speaks volumes. (Although, if you’re a fellow astrology enthusiast, then you know the new year doesn’t start until the spring solstice, AKA the first day of Aries season.) However, it’s important to note that both of these heavenly bodies — Mercury and Venus — just so happen to be personal planets, which means they’re prone to causing unexpected delays in our personal lives. Also, you’d think that the only thing “rare” about a Venus retrograde cycle is that it happens once every two years, but what made this transit even more unique is the planet of love’s close proximity to Pluto in Capricorn. This sure as heck doesn’t happen everyday, but I digress. What I’m trying to say is, the beginning of 2022 was simply a prelude of what’s to come, so keep your eyes peeled. Lastly, in the event of the upcoming full moon in Cancer, this is the sign you’ve been looking for to prioritize what matters most to you. Home is where your heart is. Follow your bliss, honor your sacred space, and above all, stay close to the people you hold dear.
An ocean of emotion, submerged in infinite consciousness and intuitive memory, Cancer’s cardinal waters cultivate the synergy that exists between the heart and spirit. However, when looking at Cancer’s zodiac archetype in terms of our human development, it’s not only the lowest point in the zodiac wheel, but also where we find the home within ourselves. This cardinal water sign is symbolic of the divine mother archetype. Superficially, this zodiac sign gets a lot of backlash for its “needy” and “overly sensitive” personality, but what most fail to mention is that those born under this moon-ruled sign are incredibly tenacious, and fiercely protective of their loved ones. Now, the only thing more auspicious about the full moon phase, is the fact that the moon also happens to be Cancer’s planetary ruler. A symbol of the divine feminine and the emotional center, Mother Moon’s cycles are equally mysterious as they are potent. Think about it: the same way the ever-changing moon waxes and wanes, our human experience, too, has its very own highs and lows. Similar to taking a deep inhale and exhale, the phases of the moon play a pivotal role in your emotional reality. When the moon reaches her peak of fullness, however, something that needs to be acknowledged in our lives becomes illuminated. This lunar phase occurs when the sun sits directly opposite the moon which is, essentially, a call for balance between our emotional world and our current reality.
Glimmering through the velvet night, on January 17 at 6:48 p.m. EST, the first full moon of the year is presenting us with an opportunity to purge what is no longer in alignment with our soul’s divine vibration. For reference, check which astrological house belongs to 27 degrees Cancer in your birth chart, as this is where you’re experiencing your full circle moment. Moreover, think back to the new moon in Cancer that took place on July 9, 2021—this lunation is equivalent to a full circle moment. With this in mind, take a second to reflect on the people, places, and things that feel like home. After all, Luna’s glimmering rays will shed light on the more private areas of life, specifically those that live deep within our heart space. Sitting in a tumultuous opposition with the Sun conjunct Pluto in Capricorn, there is an unavoidable layer of emotional intensity that can be equally as liberating as it is uncomfortable to process. Lord of the Underworld and the planet of all that is hidden beneath the surface, the essence of Pluto can be incredibly empowering, but only after it purges and transforms. The influence of this taboo-like planet can be emotionally triggering as it brings deep revelations, and catharsis. This means that while the Cancer moon is encouraging us to go within and nurture our emotional bodies, the sun’s close proximity to Pluto could make the healing process a bit more challenging than we’d like.
Shocking discoveries could catch us off guard, giving us no choice but to surrender to the rebirth that’s occurring. And though the moon is at home in Cancer, being gentle with ourselves is easier said than done at this time, as there are some harsh realities we have no choice but to confront. The best way to describe this energy is, if the moon in Cancer is symbolic of our emotional comfort, its opposition to the sun-Pluto is equivalent to ripping off the bandaid, and taking care of business. Sounds ruthless, but Pluto in Capricorn really wouldn’t have it any other way. In fact, I dare to say, Pluto’s close proximity to the Sun will only emphasize the polarity that already exists between Mother Moon and Father Time. Tough love is still love. Also, everyone has skeletons in their closet, but Pluto is here to help us declutter these shadowy parts of our unconscious. Keep in mind, these Plutonian energies will continue to be a prominent theme throughout 2022, especially now that the Nodes of Fate are officially entering the Taurus-Scorpio axis. In the meantime, harness the intensity of this lunation by holding space for the truths that resurface without judgment. Free yourself from the energies that bring out the worst in you, and embrace this change with compassion and patience. In harmony with boundless Neptune, it’s important that we find the will to flow with the powerful current of these emotional waves. Trust that your ancestors are with you every step of the way.
It’s time to purge, release, and set yourself free. Take your power back, and step into the vibration of unconditional love. This will be a magic carpet for your upcoming journey of self-discovery. Last but not least, remember that you are not alone in this process of healing. We are a part of something so much greater than you can imagine. The divine lives within you.
Aries
Come back home to yourself, Aries. Glimmering over your moon-ruled fourth house of ancestors, home, intuition, family matters, and emotional foundations, January’s full moon in Cancer will bring closure and clarity to themes surrounding your sense of security, as well as your inner sanctuary. Everything from the relationship you share with a maternal figure in your life to your emotional well being will be of great prominence at this time. Sitting in opposition to shadowy Pluto via your tenth house of authority, career, professional matters, and reputation in the world, this lunation will bring deep revelations regarding your personal vs. professional life balance, along with emotional burdens that need to be purged for your highest good. Full Moon Reflection: What makes you feel safe & at-home within yourself? How can you continue to nurture your emotional waves?
Taurus
You are loved and supported, Taurus. The first full moon of the year will touch down on your local third house of communication, neighbors, siblings, thought process, and inner circles, bringing sensitive topics to the forefront, and perhaps triggering an emotional epiphany in the process. Take a moment to reflect on your emotional responses as well as the foundation of your inner knowing at this time. After all, the moon’s cathartic opposition to revelatory Pluto — via your philosophical ninth house of education, faith, and worldly pursuits — will simultaneously uncover everything from the superficialities of your belief systems to the deeply ingrained influences surrounding your emotional world. Who you empathize with and why, along with the taboo-like experiences that ultimately sculpted your mindset may come up for review. Full Moon Reflection: How have you harnessed the power of your intuition? How do you express your vulnerability?
Gemini
What matters to you the most, Gemini? Activating your second house of comfort, possessions, money-making abilities, value systems, and sense of stability, an emotionally charged full moon in Cancer will bring significant clarity to themes surrounding everything from your sense of self-worth to the inspiration behind your financial earnings. Investments you’ve personally worked hard to maintain may come to fruition, but the way you’ve gone about obtaining these riches (tangible or intangible) could also be highlighted. Luna will sit in opposition to the sun and Pluto — via your eighth house of mergers, mutual gain, shared resources, and other people’s money — which, in turn, challenges you to flow through and remain emotionally present to the darker aspects of your intimate exchanges. Are these investments really worth your time and precious energy? Take your power back. Full Moon Reflection: Are your personal & financial investments emotionally fulfilling? What’s your end goal?
Cancer
Celebrate the people, places, and things that make your heart skip a beat, Cancer. The first full moon of 2022 is glimmering bright just for you, and everything from your personal accomplishments to your soul purpose will be at the forefront of this lunation. Show up for yourself; take note of your efforts, skills, and talents. Your sparkling individuality is ever changing like the moon, and it keeps everyone on their toes. Sitting in a tumultuous opposition with the sun and shadowy Pluto — via your committed seventh house of agreements, compromise, business allies, and significant others — you’re being called to take a closer look at the dynamic of your connections, whether personal or professional. Be it the need to control situations to be in power, or the surrounding energies of others that never cease to dominate your day, reflect on where your peace of mind is being taken away from you. It’s time to come back home to yourself, and honor your innermost feelings. Full Moon Reflection: What parts of you are no longer resonating with your highest good? Where should you start setting firm emotional boundaries?
Leo
It’s time to go within, and call your energy back, Leo. Despite your sunny disposition and flamboyant energy, January’s sentimental full moon in Cancer is encouraging you to rest, retreat, and look inward. Glimmering through your 12th house of closure, surrender, inhibitions, and dreams, this lunation is presenting you with an opportunity to nurture your innermost feelings and flow through the emotional waves in your heart of hearts. Holding space for your healing is key at this time, so don’t hesitate to do what makes you feel safe. This is especially true when considering Luna’s shadowy opposition to Pluto — via your sixth house of daily rituals, health habits, and acts of service — as it is simultaneously challenging you to take a closer look at the darker aspects of the people, places, and things you choose to emotionally invest in on a regular basis. Full Moon Reflection: What part of your daily routine needs to be purged for your emotional well being? How can you incorporate more time for yourself?
Virgo
It’s time to reunite with your soul family, Virgo. Intuitive and emotionally charged, January’s full moon in Cancer will glimmer through your socially conscious eleventh house of associations, community affairs, future visions, and sense of belonging in the world. Your emotional connection to themes surrounding camaraderie, teamwork, and fellowship will be highlighted at this time, as you are more receptive to the idea of collaborating with like-minded individuals who share similar aspirations. Do your friendship groups make you feel right at home? In a revelatory opposition to transformative Pluto — via your flamboyant fifth house of love, passion, pleasure, and self-expression — you’re being called to go within and confront the shadow side of your social life, as well as the foundation of your connections. Can you be your most authentic self in public? Or have you been consciously choosing to nurture the status quo? Full Moon Reflection: Are you emotionally fulfilled with your network of friends and peers? Do they make you feel like you have to hide your true self?
Libra
The emotional foundation of your public persona is under the spotlight of this lunation, Libra. Whether it be with regards to your professional endeavors, or perhaps even the relationship you have with a parent or an authority figure, this month’s hypersensitive full moon in Cancer is bringing something of significance to fruition. For instance, themes surrounding your legacy, notoriety, and divine mission on the planet will be of prominence at this time, but Luna’s opposition to the sun and Pluto — via your fourth house of innermost feelings, family matters, and emotional foundations — is simultaneously challenging you to go inward, and reflect on the darker aspects of your ambitions and desire for recognition. Does it stem from fear? Are you trying to prove something to a family member? This may or may not be hidden deep within your unconscious, so be gentle with yourself as you flow through the motions of this emotional wave. Full Moon Reflection: What does personal & professional fulfillment look like to you? Is there an imbalance between the person you are & what you present to the rest of the world?
Scorpio
Take a deep dive into your personal realm of emotions, and allow yourself to embark on this journey of self-discovery, Scorpio. Hypersensitive but divinely guided, the first full moon of 2022 will illuminate your expansive ninth house of adventure, faith, higher education, and unknown territory, bringing something about your inner calling to the forefront. (Btw, it’s no coincidence that the Nodes of Fate will be entering your astrological axis before the end of the month, which only continues to emphasize the magnitude of this spiritual shift.) Everything from the way you spread your divine wisdom to the overall influence of your belief systems will come up for review at this time. Sitting in opposition to the sun and your modern ruler, Pluto — via your curious third house of communication, thought process, and immediate surroundings — you’re also being called to reflect on the shadow side of your philosophies, as well as the darker influences of your upbringing and immediate environment. It’s all connected but it may be time to flip the script. Full Moon Reflection: What outdated thought pattern is holding you back from your soul’s purpose? Have you been allowing your fears to stifle your next adventure?
Sagittarius
Your emotional, financial and spiritual commitments are under the spotlight of this lunation, Sagittarius. Nostalgic and hyper-intuitive, January’s full moon in Cancer will illuminate your haunted eighth house of mergers, intimacy, sexual chemistry, shared resources, and spiritual relations, bringing emotions surrounding themes of “give and take” within your connections to the forefront. Single or taken, this could touch on everything from family inheritance to the foundation of a significant partnership, but the role this plays on your emotional world is key. For instance, if you’re looking at this from a professional standpoint, this could revolve around a sudden relocation or financial agreement, while others of you confront issues regarding a marriage contract and/or shared resources with mutual gain. Sitting directly across from the sun and Pluto — via your stability-seeking second house of comfort, finances, money-making abilities, and value systems — your full moon moment may require you to take a closer look at the shadow side of your investments, and sense of self-worth. Full Moon Reflection: Do your personal & professional contracts bring you the emotional fulfillment you desire? Is there loyalty & reciprocity?
Capricorn
Relationships are taking the reins under the light of this lunation, Capricorn. An emotional catharsis that’s been long overdue, this year’s full moon in Cancer will touch down on your harmony-seeking seventh house of agreements, compromise, business allies, open enemies and significant others, bringing closure and clarity to themes surrounding the emotional foundation of your one-on-one partnerships. How can you nurture your partnerships without disregarding your personal needs in the process? Sitting in direct opposition to the sun and Pluto in your sign, this hypersensitive lunation will simultaneously challenge you to go within and confront the shadow side of your relationship dynamics, especially those where you’ve been over exerting your power or perhaps consciously omitting important truths. Don’t get me wrong, this could very well be vice versa, but your individual autonomy is already undergoing a powerful shift, which means you are purging some toxic patterns in the process. Hint: your seventh house is equivalent to a mirror of your unconscious, so pay close attention to what your partnerships are bringing to your attention at this time. Full Moon Reflection: How has the emotional foundation of your 1:1 partnerships evolved in the last six months? Is there a relationship pattern or mindset that needs to be purged?
Aquarius
Take a load off, Aquarius. When was the last time you took a mental health day to simply spend time with yourself? This first full moon of 2022 will glimmer through the sentimental sign of Cancer, igniting your sixth house of health, daily rituals, due diligence, and acts of service. Is your everyday life emotionally fulfilling? Whether it be in terms of your health habits, or perhaps the decision to support an elder in the family, this lunation is putting a spotlight on everything from your acts of kindness to your overall well being. The challenge, however, could stem from the moon’s opposition to the sun and Pluto in Capricorn, amidst their journey through your mystifying twelfth house of closure, dreams, sacrifice, surrender, and all things behind the scenes. Having said that, take a moment to reflect on the motivations behind your day-to-day actions, as well as the darker aspects behind your coping mechanisms. Don’t be afraid to confront, cleanse, and clear. Full Moon Reflection: How can you continue to cultivate a healthier lifestyle? Are you being mindful of your routine habits & structures?
Pisces
There’s a magical lunation blooming in your favor, Pisces. What makes your heart skip a beat? Your happiness is your religion. January’s full moon in imaginative Cancer will beam through your creatrix fifth house of love, musings, pleasure, and self-expression, bringing emotional themes surrounding your heart’s desires, childlike nature, passion projects, and unique talents to the forefront. This lunation is not only encouraging you to find comfort in what brings you joy, but also inspiring you to take the stage, whether it be creatively or romantically speaking. On a more challenging note, the moon’s shadowy opposition to the sun-Pluto in Capricorn — via your eleventh house of associations, community, future visions, and sense of belonging in the world — will simultaneously challenge you to go within and confront the darker aspects of your aspirations, and collaborative efforts. Are there fears and/or toxicity attached to your hopes for the future? Take a moment to go within, and nurture your inner child, as there may be some fear-based illusions blocking your most authentic expression. Full Moon Reflection: Do you experience discomfort in social settings? What’s stopping you from fully embracing your magical energy?
Valerie is an astrologer, writer and third-generation witch. She writes daily love horoscopes for astrology.com; the moon is her muse. For more of her work & cosmic portfolio, check out valeriemesa.com or follow her on Instagram @valeriemesa.
