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Every 28 days or so, Mother Moon reaches her peak of fullness in the sky, activating our emotional bodies while heightening our intuition. Also referred to as a call for balance, the sun (a symbol of our ego, and physical reality) sits directly across from the moon (a representation of our inner world, and sense of nurture) during the full moon phase. And while this marks a time of celebration, completion and culmination, the gravitational pull that occurs between both of these ever-glowing luminaries will often trigger an emotional tug-of-war between your heart, and mind. On that note, before we take a closer look at January’s full moon, it’s important to consider a number of variables, starting with the fact this isn’t just an ordinary lunation. See, in addition to this being the first full moon of the year, it will also be the last full moon in Cancer with Capricorn’s ruler, Saturn in Aquarius.
For reference, check which astrological house belongs to Capricorn in your birth chart, and think back to the year 2008 which is when Pluto first entered this cardinal earth sign. (It’s a long way back, so feel free to browse your Facebook albums and/or media library if needed.) This is where you’re being called to reflect on your personal and professional growth, as well as the transformation of old structures and traditions that no longer resonate with the person you’re becoming. The essence of Capricorn has everything to do with the systems we were born into, and the structures we’ve spent the majority of our lives building. And the astrological axis of Cancer and Capricorn speaks to themes of family, responsibility, parental figures, and our sense of authority, which is why these zodiac archetypes go hand in hand.
Without further ado, let’s talk about this month’s full moon, as it will adorn the velvet night on January 6—at exactly 6:08 p.m. EST—via 16 degrees of sentimental Cancer. A symbol of the divine mother archetype, Cancer can be equally as nurturing as it is destructive. After all, it is a mother’s womb carrying the infinite cycle of death and rebirth at the very core of her being, which is precisely why we’re being called to be a mother to ourselves during this time. This water sign is also symbolic of the way we nourish and nurture ourselves, so if you’re looking beyond the emotional side of things, nutrition and sustenance can also be a prominent factor at this time. All in all, your personal life is being brought to the forefront under this hypersensitive full moon, perhaps in ways you’re not necessarily expecting.
As always, this is a full-circle moment, so feel free to think back to the new moon in Cancer that took place on June 28, 2022. How were you feeling? Were you in a comfortable living space? How was the dynamic with your family? The same goes for your eating habits, and rituals of self-love. Nevertheless, this lunation is urging you to tune into the psychic frequency and emotional undercurrents of your surroundings. On that note, make sure you’re being honest and compassionate with yourself; trust what it is you’re feeling. Again, we can’t undermine the essence of Capricorn season, as it is not only grounding us, but bringing us back to business. Also, the moon will be sitting directly across from both the sun and Mercury retrograde, adding a little something extra to this lunation.
For instance, when it comes to taking care of business, the influence of Mercury retrograde is simultaneously challenging us to reflect, review and reconsider the dynamic of our work vs. life balance, as well as our inner and external reality. Where can you be more conscious of your emotional well being? Should you be conserving more of your energy? Surrendering allows us to reconnect with our divine flow, so make sure you’re being mindful of what is being brought to your conscious mind. Moreover, there will be a mystical trine between the moon and Neptune, as the planet of dreams will also harmonize with the sun and Mercury retrograde in the process. This healing synergy is dissolving the illusions we’ve attached ourselves to in our physical reality, in order for us to become vulnerable with ourselves.
Here’s what to expect during the full moon in Cancer according to your zodiac sign:
Aries
As always, the full moon in Cancer invites you inward to heal, nourish, and partake in rituals of self-care, Aries. Touching down on your fourth house of home, family matters and inner most feelings, your full-circle moment could be more personal than you're comfortable with, but it is simultaneously presenting you with an opportunity to go inward and tend to your private life. Sitting in direct opposition to the sun and Mercury retrograde in Capricorn, this lunation is also highlighting what needs to be reconsidered and/or restructured when regarding themes of career, authority, and reputation in the world. Full Moon Reflection: Do you hold yourself accountable when it comes to your emotions or expectations? What traditions are no longer fulfilling you at an emotional level?
Taurus
Kicking the year off on a softer note, the full moon in Cancer will ignite your curious third house of communication, thought process, neighbors and immediate exchanges, bringing closure and intuitive clarity to everything from your communication style to the emotional undercurrents that surround you. In addition to the possibility of you reconnecting with someone via a heartfelt message, Luna's opposition to the sun and Mercury retrograde is also urging you to reflect on your philosophy and beliefs, specifically those that could've put a damper on the dynamic of your inner circles. Full Moon Reflection: Has a lack of boundary setting influenced your personal life? Is your perception around emotional expression the same as it used to be?
Gemini
What brings you comfort is unique to you, but this is precisely where your brilliant communication skills come in handy, Gemini. This is especially significant to consider during this year's full moon in Cancer, as it will not only touch down on your stability-seeking second house of money, values and sensual delights, but also make a direct opposition to the sun and Mercury retrograde in Capricorn, via your intimate eighth house of mergers, joint ventures and shared resources. Change of heart? If you're in the process of merging lives with a significant other, you are being called to cultivate a healthy balance between your personal needs and the connection itself. Full Moon Reflection: How have your values, related to home and family, evolved? Are you and your significant other in emotional alignment?
Cancer
Look up at the moon, because this one's all for you, Cancer. It doesn't get more magical than being ruled by the moon, but you are also more prone to being in your feelings at this time. Nevertheless, as the moon reaches its peak of fullness in your sign, it will sit directly across from the sun and Mercury retrograde in Capricorn, via your committed seventh house of compromise, contractual agreements and significant others. Retrograde energies bring things back around in order for us to consider our options, and reassess the situation at hand, which can suggest the possibility of you revisiting a professional and/or romantic partnership. Neptune will also harmonize with the moon, and sextile the sun and the messenger planet, so chances are you will be liberating yourself from illusions and/or patterns of self-sabotage. Full Moon Reflection: Are you and your partner's needs being met in a healthy way? How has the structure of your relationship(s) evolved?
Leo
It doesn't get more personal for you than this full moon... and to think, the moon is already a personal planet, Leo. Luna will peak in the sentimental sign of Cancer, bringing emotional emphasis and intuitive clarity to your 12th house of inhibitions, unconscious patterns and self-undoing. It will sit directly across from the sun and Mercury retrograde via your sixth house of health, due diligence and daily routines, highlighting everything from the results of your everyday habits to the effect this may have on your emotional well being. This is where you're being encouraged to revisit and reassess the structure of your schedule, so you can ultimately make it work for your highest good. Full Moon Reflection: How can you integrate more of your intuitive wisdom into your day-to-day life? Have you been wholeheartedly nurturing your mind, body and soul?
Virgo
Lean on your soul tribe for support, Virgo. Intuitive and innately sentimental, January's full moon in Cancer will ignite your socially conscious 11th house of associations, community affairs, future visions and sense of belonging in the world. Luna will also sit directly across from the sun and Mercury retrograde in Capricorn, via your expressive fifth house of creativity, romance and musings. This is where you're being encouraged to reflect on the structure of your hobbies, and definition of happiness and fulfillment. Others of you may be revisiting a creative venture, if not re-adorning your personal brand entirely. If this has something to do with your relationships, it's important to reflect on whether you're being authentic. Full Moon In Reflection: Do you feel comfortable in your extended community? Have you been playing a specific role for the sake of your professional identity?
Libra
Everyone wants to be supported in their endeavors, but having expectations isn't necessarily helpful either, Libra. Either way, the moon will touch down on your bossy 10th house of authority, career, and reputation in the world, which also happens to govern themes surrounding your parenting style and/or relationship with a prominent parent. The moon will also be sitting in direct opposition to the sun and Mercury retrograde in Capricorn, via your fourth house of home, family, emotional foundations and innermost feelings, highlighting everything from the foundation of your personal relationships, so the dynamic of your work vs. life balance. Full Moon Reflection: Is your professional occupation in alignment with your personal life, and emotional wellbeing? How has your relationship with your superiors and authority figures evolved?
Scorpio
Remember who you are, and where you came from, Scorpio. Intuitive and hypersensitive, January's full moon in Cancer will touch down on your exotic ninth house of adventure, expansion and self-discovery, bringing emotional emphasis to themes surrounding your ancestral lineage, and desire to venture into the unknown. Moreover, Luna will sit in direct opposition to the sun and Mercury retrograde via your third house of communication, thought process and immediate surroundings, highlighting what may need to be revisited and/or restructured when it comes to your perceptions and general belief systems. Full Moon Reflection: Are you unconsciously inhibiting yourself from experiencing your life to the fullest? Is a previous belief system holding you back from taking a leap of faith?
Sagittarius
You may not be fond of feeling all of your feels, but there's a time and place for everything, Sagittarius. In the meantime, the moon will reach its peak in the sentimental sign of Cancer, via your intimate eighth house of mergers, joint ventures, shared resources, and soulmate connections. Moreover, the moon will sit in direct opposition to the sun and Mercury retrograde via your stability-seeking second house of comfort, finances and value systems, highlighting everything from the structure of your spending habits to the balance of give and take between you and a significant other. Full Moon Reflection: Do you feel emotionally supported when it comes to your personal life? Are you comfortable expressing your vulnerabilities with significant others?
Capricorn
We all get by with a little help from our friends, so no need to isolate yourself for the sake of your own self-mastery, Capricorn. This is especially significant when considering January's full moon in Cancer, as it will shake up your committed seventh house of agreements, compromise, contractual agreements, and other people. Emotional and intuitive, Luna will sit in direct opposition to the sun and Mercury retrograde in your sign, encouraging you to reflect and reconsider your idea of compromise, especially when regarding your traditions, career and parental figures. Full Moon Reflection: Are you comfortable with the thought of committing to a family matter? Are you being supportive of your family, friends and loved ones?
Aquarius
Check in with yourself, and prioritize your health rituals, Aquarius. After all, with the full moon in Cancer touching down on your responsible sixth house of mindfulness, due diligence and acts of service, emotional themes surrounding your sense of nurture and nourishment is being brought to the forefront. Also, with Luna sitting in direct opposition to the sun and Mercury retrograde in Capricorn—your 12th house of closure, dreams, inhibitions—you're being called to go inward, and reflect on the structure of your life behind the scenes. Coping mechanisms after a long day at work, or perhaps even emotionally, could be of greater prominence. Full Moon Reflection: How can you show up for yourself, the same way you show up to work everyday? Are you committed to nourishing your mind, body and soul?
Pisces
The heart wants what it wants, Pisces. And believe it or not, this is especially true for you, as this cardinal water sign governs your fifth house of love, passion, pleasure and self-expression. Everything from your love life to your creative musings comes from an emotional space, and January's full moon is bringing emphasis and celebration to this area of your life. There is, however, a catch to this full moon delight, as it will sit in direct opposition to the sun and Mercury retrograde in Capricorn, via your socially conscious 11th house of associations, community and individual freedom. This means—despite your sparkling authenticity and individuality—you are being called to revisit and/or reassess the structure of your goals, aspirations and future visions. Full Moon Reflection: Where have you unconsciously limited yourself from your truest expression? Have you been depending on the approval of your community to free yourself?
Valerie is an astrologer, writer & visual storyteller. She writes horoscopes for PopSugar, StyleCaster, Elite Daily and more. For more of her work, check out valeriemesa.com or follow her on Instagram @valeriemesa.
