Astro: Full Moon in Cancer
17 January 2022 @ 23:48 GMT
All hail & Welcome to 'Astro: Full Wolf Moon at Home in Watery Cancer', our first Full Moon article of 2022. There have been numerous cosmic manoeuvrings over the past few weeks & this moon phase is full to the brim of our cauldron with these bubbling energies , as a result. It has been a tough couple of years for all of us in so many different ways. We have loved & lost, lived & learned. Everything we have experienced carries with it lessons which help us to grow into the people we are or are evolving into. Whether we have experienced the peculiarities in a good or bad way, there is always something we take from our lessons in life & we should be able to understand this with gratitude. We’ve experienced a lot of change & in affect our daily & personal lives have really taken the toll. In reflection, let us ask ourselves; what has been our teacher? What have we learned? What gifts have we received from our experiences which we are grateful for? What has helped our growth & evolution?
Astro articles are part of my journeyings through the zodiac wheel. The aim is to present you with an interpretation of the intricate nature of our cyclical cosmos. I begin by discussing the international phenomenon of naming the moons for this month which include Celtic & Ogham reference. I also provide links to sites with dates of celebrations & observances in a non-bias approach to all pathways. I will also discuss the astrological implications of this months full moon phase & how this may effect us. Finally I will list the coming months astronomical events for you to enjoy, weather permitting.
Its all in the cosmos my lovelies. The intricate weaving of the cosmic energies which have an effect on our planet & all flora & fauna, including us as part of the circle of life. So without further ado….
Naming the moons
Our January full moon is known by many names throughout the world. Depending on where you are or what your spiritual persuasion is, the names of the moon tend to represent an agricultural event relevant to your geographical area. Indigenous American tribes people named this moon ‘Old Moon’, ‘Wolf Moon’, ‘Ice Moon’, ‘Moon after Yule’ or ‘Winter Moon’. Montana tribes called it the ‘Hard Time Moon’. Indigenous Canadian names the January full moon ‘Dwarf Seal Moon’. It is easy to see the connections to weather and changes of seasonal hunting in these particular names, however that is not always the case with moon names. In China this months full moon is named ‘Holiday Moon’. This is indicative of the holiday season preceding the Chinese New Year celebrations, which usually take place some time between January and the end of February and depends on the lunar calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar. In India we are in the month of Paush which celebrates Paush Purnima and Shakambhari Purnima. This is a celebration of the Goddess Shakambhari who is a incarnation of the Goddess Durga.
It is said that the Goddess appeared to her people after a 100 year drought. Legend has it that Shakambhari presented from her body fruits, vegetables, green leaves, herbs and flowers, which she has become closely associated with, to suffice the hunger of her people. Rituals and Pujas are observed on this day in her honour.
The British Celtic Medieval names for January’s Full moon are ‘Wolf Moon’, ‘Stay Home Moon’ or ‘Moon after Yule’. The Ogham Celtic tree calendar dictates that we will be in the month of the Birch tree, Beith, from the 24th December to 20th January. This is considered a moon with feminine aspects, known as ‘Moon of Inception’, ‘Moon of New Beginning’. It carries with it aspects of child protection, purification and creativity; New beginnings & releasing old behaviours, nurturing, inception & rebirth.. In addition, setting boundaries & resolutions are also indicated.
The Coligny calendar names this month as Riuros, ‘Cold Time’….makes sense doesn’t it?
List of non-bias celebrations & observances can be found here:-
Astrology
Our beautiful celestial satellite aka the Moon, will enter full phase on 17th January 2022 at approximately 23:48 GMT.( You can check the time for full phase here at https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/ by entering your geographical area).
The Moon traverses the zodiac constellations at a rate of approximately 2 1/4 days per sign. The January Full Moon will be nicely placed in its home sign of Cancer. As Cancer is governed by the Moon we can expect to feel the intuitive watery energies of this sign expand into our beings. Cancer is represented by the crab, which carries its home on its back, so we can expect home, relationships, family, important female role models & motherly relationships to play a huge part of what is to come over this phase. In addition, we will be experiencing the creation of foundations from within which will give us the necessary cornerstone for what we will be putting our energies into this year.
Think carefully about this, ask :-
What do you want to blossom in you & your surroundings?
What roots will you put down to grow into a bountiful harvest this year?
Which seeds will serve this purpose?
Remember we are what we think, this is how intentions work. The more energy we put into something, the more we will reap from that space. You reap what you sow! With this in mind, what sort of harvest do you wish for this year?
The Moon represents our inner child, inner personality, intuition, feelings & internal dialogue as well as that which we need. In opposition we have the Sun in Earthy Capricorn. The Sun represents our ego, personality, the now, what people see of us. As a result we will be faced with oppositions in our lives, the like of which will follow suit. Needs versus wants, home versus work, watery intuitive Cancer Versus Earthy practical Capricorn. We must find the balance between the two in order to forge on in our lives. To ignore one or the other is to our own detriment & will cause imbalance & disharmony in our relationships, home, work & family environments. As we feel the opposing energies of Cancer versus Capricorn, we will be faced with working with both water & earth energies. Water can enrich the earth in which we plant our seeds at new moon, so again think carefully about which seeds we will sow at new moon or for this coming year of growth.
Full Moon is a time of fruition & a culmination of that which we sowed at new moon or New Year. It is also a time of release & with this Full Moon we must be especially careful to get it right. We may experience or have already been experiencing a heaviness, which has been asphyxiating or making us feel impotent. This needs to be released, for us to be in the right place for this moon to do its work. There is a good reason for this heavy feeling. Sun conjunct Pluto which I will discuss further on.
Cancer the crab has many positive & some negative qualities which we need to keep a look out for. This enables us to work with (positives) or rid ourselves of (negatives) that which presents itself to us over this phase & into the next 2 weeks, leading to New Moon. Cancer can be helpful, patient, compassionate, nurturing & vulnerable. There is a lot of love & sensitivity here as well as creativity & practicality. This is where we may feel the feminine rising in us as these are considered feminine qualities. However, over sensitivity, passive aggressiveness, becoming isolated & uncommunicative are also within Cancer’s nature. If we see the rising of any of these aspects, it is an indicator to look deeply into a situation & read it with discerning eyes. Furthermore, Cancer also represents the force of the divine mother. Maternal, nurturing & loving & it is also indicative of the dark mother Goddess who comes to reveal the places of shadow Cancer. The places we have been played or where we are playing out will be highlighted for our own benefit. It is time to ‘sort it out!’ . Know that whatever reveals at this time should not be taken at face value, rather investigate deeply to uncover the intention beneath & uncover the truth of things. Distortion is something we see everyday, whether we choose to accept it or not. Cancer’s feminine qualities are what holds our relationships together. However, we are sometimes subjected to distortion due to misconception & manipulation of these traits, which are considered unimportant & dejected. Where there is a reason to use an emotion for gain one should look deeper, to reveal the truth.
Planetary influences on Full Moon in Cancer
Sun conjunct Pluto, the planet of transformation is also a power planet of the birth, death, regeneration & rebirth cycle. Pluto is almost in direct opposition being conjunct the Sun, in Capricorn. This means we are faced with a struggle of control which will draw our attention to the places we feel we are at our strongest & weakest at the present moment. Transformation, stepping up to own our personal power, whilst attempting to avoid unnecessary drama llama’s is all on the cards! If we feel as though we have had no control over something in life, think about how to claim that power back! Waiting for something to happen to make the changes is not a good idea as it relies on others actions or events out of our control, so be mindful of situations where it concerns the machinations & motions of someone else. These oppressive energies are likely causing disharmony in the processes of regaining personal power. If these are behavioural patterns which have come to light, sometimes it is enough to acknowledge them, for the movement needed to begin the journey.
What can we do to create movement? We can begin by moving ourselves, out of a situation which is hurting us; moving our physical bodies is also great healing, dance yourself into well-being; writing by journalling or perhaps ritually writing what we want rid of onto paper & burning it is also a fabulous way to get things moving for us. Actively paint or draw with what is in the mind surrounding these changes.
Whatever it is that is changing in our personal spheres, know that the universe is supporting this journey back to our true selves.
Neptune in Pisces; trine the Sun & Pluto; is home for the watery intuitive flow. This formation will soften the blow of the Pluto - Sun conjunction, by bringing in a little magickal flow to our lives. The planet of illusion can encourage insight from higher states of consciousness or can represent delusion. Go with the flow by using reflection, inner self workings, openess to truth. Illusion is revealed by the truth.
Mercury Rx (retrograde) in Aquarius gets us thinking about humanitarian ideals & reaching for inspiration with the goal of creating new & inventive ideas. Delays are likely. Mercury Rx enters Capricorn 25th January where we may find little or no patience for chit chat & gossip, rather a more thought out discussion is likely required. Re-evaluation of life plans & aims. Ambition comes to the fore & we may learn more about how we & others perceive reputation.
Venus Rx will continue until 29th January . We can look into our relationships & finances & make necessary changes. Analysis of our perspectives toward relationships, love, finance & business plans are necessary before stepping into anything new. It may be a difficult time for close relationships to thrive, mindfulness is key to succeed.
Uranus Direct means that we will want to express ourselves more fully in our own distinctive ways. We may want to take risks & rebel. Our urges for change are enhanced. We want to make changes rather than be victims of circumstantial change forced upon us & we want responsibility back.
Astronomical events calendar
Not much occurring in February unfortunately. Lets hope the weather permits some clear skies for stargazing.
February 1 - New Moon. The Moon wil be on the same side of the Earth as the Sun , not visible in the night sky. This phase occurs at 05:48 UTC. No moonlight means better viewing of further celestial objects
February 16 - Full Moon. Moon on opposite side of the Earth as the Sun, its face fully illuminated. Phase occurs at 16:59 UTC.
February 16 - Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation.
Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 26.3 degrees from the Sun. Best time to view Mercury since at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky, low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
That’s it from me! Thank you for joining me on my first full Moon expedition of the cosmos. Please join me again closer to New Moon at Lunar Imbolc 1st February. I wish for you to journey well until we next meet. Merry met & farewell.
In gratitude, love light & all betwixt
Sheela
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Credits
Adhar. S . 2018, 2020 https://ancientfootprints.wixsite.com/ancientfootprints
Images
NASA
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