Full Moon in Cancer - Cardinal Crossing 🦀

Evolutionary progress is not something that humans seek out naturally... well at least not the majority of us. Most often, we try our best to hold on to the comfort of the familiar, no matter how much we stray from the core of ourselves in the process. Sometimes we know what we desire most, yet find excuses or obligations to keep us from moving closer to that inner ambition, ignoring our feelings along the way. Yet now the time has arrived, to come out of our shells in order to provide ourselves with the true nourishment that is needed.

We are blessed with the rarity of a full moon that is taking place on the solstice, touching down on two dynamic points that make up the very zodiac that us western astrologers align to. Known as the "cardinal cross" these solstice points - along with the equinox points of Aries and Libra - set up archetypal structures for much of what we experience in life. The self and the other - the inner world and the outer. These cardinal archetypes by there very nature alone are initiating influences, the energy that is needed to begin the next stage. Cancer points to true north as its natural place in the astrology chart - much like the North Star, this lunation is guiding us on a celestial journey - to get in touch with our feelings so that we may be directed to what the soul needs most.

Exact on Saturday Dec 22nd, 2018 at 9:49am - this full lunation is taking place at 0° of both cardinal solstice points - Cancer and Capricorn respectively - and is ushering in a seasonal turning point of maximum proportions. The need for forward momentum is upon us; change not for change's sake, yet a necessary evolutionary experience that can break us free from patterns that have been conditioned for quite some time.

The Aspects: Turning the Page 📄

Below is a chart of the moment for the Full Moon in Cancer at my location here in sunny San Diego, CA. You can see by the octogram star below, that we have a few planets either on or approaching these key cardinal positions. There are also a couple planetary combinations that are creating a buzz in their own right, most notably Mercury in conjunction to Jupiter and the Sun and Moon making flowing aspects with another planet noted for shaking things up to vibrate at a higher frequency, and that is Uranus. There are a few more aspects taking place, as well, so let's waste no time and dive right in...

First let's discuss our luminaries, as they really are the key pieces of any new or full lunation. We've already determined that the main factor of this particular line-up is the fact that the Sun and Moon are meeting at the cardinal solstice points. Also of note we have Luna in her sign of domicile, Cancer. This makes the emotional factor quite strong, and guarantees that our feelings will be the ones initiating these dynamic turning points in our lives. Paying attention to how you feel - albeit normally solid advice - is crucial during this lunation.

We also have Venus in Scorpio making a trine to Neptune in Pisces, which is creating a flow of transformative energy that is willing to let go and allow the spiritual currents to take us to our next destination. The day following the full moon, Luna will activate a grand water trine between these two planets, one that can help soften and ease the healing process that will be underway. Particularly with the Sun squaring Chiron, which happened a few days prior, we may need that healing balm to help us emotionally align with Spirt's directive in a way that can open us up to surrender to the changes taking place. It may take some maturity in order to do so, yet the cleansing that can take place may be just what we need for our soul's nourishment.

We also have the Sun now in Capricorn and heading to its yearly conjunction with taskmaster Saturn. The last time these two met was at this 0° point on the Solstice last year! So dare I say, especially with Saturn being the archetype that enforces the necessity of patience, there may be a decision taking place that is a long time in the making. One that we may have been entertaining since this conjunction last year, an aspect which most commonly brings into our awareness the desire to architect and organize our lives in such a way that allows us to take responsibility for our goals and aims in life. The longterm, the end game. So now we reach this critical point of choice, and as we do so, we will steadily move towards the planet that is willing to do the hard stuff necessary to make these plans a reality.

Another crucial factor in the energy taking place, and the ability to see the big picture in order to makes changes to the plans in the first place, is that Mercury is meeting with Jupiter for the final conjunction in Sagittarius. These two have been dancing with one another since they first met at the tail end of Scorpio back on October 29th. Then Mercury and Jupiter both moved into Sagittarius, and not long after, the messenger began his retrograde dance to interact with the great benefic once again. Now we align for a conclusive merging, having fully assessed this bigger picture plan and the changes that need to be made in order to realize our higher aspirations in life. Some of us may already be there and working through the newness one day at a time and others may be at the starting stage of the quest that is to come, either way, we are all impacted in a fashion that has us adapting to new beliefs around how life is expanding and our place within the grander scheme of things. We may have only had the whys and not the hows, yet as Mercury catches up to seed with Jupiter for the final yearly conjunction, we start to understand as our mind catches up with the growth that is taking place.

Mercury will then go on to follow the Sun's footsteps and trine Uranus on Jan 3rd, right before the great awakener stations for direct motion. And with our lunation flowing ever so well with this liberating and revolutionary force, there really is no going back to where we have been. Despite Cancer & Capricorn's natural tendency to conserve and preserve - particularly what has been longstanding tradition - there is no way to hold on to the past, we must set our course for the future. Yet, that doesn't mean we can't keep our memory of what was alive... it just means that investing in the security of what is to come will be more rewarding in the end.

The first few weeks of 2019 are bound to be quite a ride, as we take this fresh awareness that is hatching from its celestial egg and make way for tangible change. Capricorn season is dynamic each year for its cardinal presence, and as the Saturn / Pluto conjunction looms ever closer, each transit through this sign will be highly impactful. As Mars approaches a conjunction with Chiron before crossing the 0° Aries point to move into his daytime domicile, we are surgically cutting out these past wounds through forgiveness, surrender, and the belief in our ability to heal our lives and take progressive measures towards what the self desires most.

The Symbol: Switching Flags 🚩

So now let us take a look at the Sabian Symbol as it adds an extra dimension to this full moon! We are going to take the degree plus the minutes and round up, for which we get the following:

1° Cancer - "A furled and an unfurled flag displayed from a vessel."

Keyword: Adaptability

Theme: Decision

I find this symbol rather appropriate as it shows the changing of the flag we are flying, another symbol pointing at the fact that this lunation holds a significant turning point. Full moons - nature's primary opposition - tend to indicate when a situation apexes to culmination or we are confronted with an issue that has become so bright and in our face that there is no choice but to make a choice. This can come from outside of you, or from within - and quite possibly both.

So there is a possibility that we may have a change of heart that allows us to align with this new flag, particularly if you yourself have been out of integrity. There is no shame in changing loyalties if you are not being loyal to yourself in the process. And as the Sun heads towards Saturn, and Mars towards Aries, we may have to take a risk to let go of what was familiar - and sometimes that can upset our lives or other people in a way that can be hard to swallow... particularly if you are more of a people pleaser. Yet any good Capricorn or Saturnian personality will tell you that sometimes that is a necessary aspect of life - especially if you desire to progress along the lines of your personal principles.

I thought it would be a good idea to look at the symbol for the Sun as well, since we are talking about the cardinal points. Here we get the following:

1° Capricorn - "An Indian chief demanding recognition."

Keyword: Inflexibility

Theme: Confrontation

So as you can see right away, we have a polarizing degree here that supports the need to adapt to the emotional changes, yet the awareness that is driving these new preferences in the first place are in need of confrontation - and that is where we would do best to remain inflexible and operate from a place of personal dignity. We must adapt our emotional response in order to make decisions that carry out the inflexible demands of our updated consciousness. There may be no other way.

Moon Horoscopes on Patreon 🌝

If you want to find out more on how this full moon may interact with you personally, I encourage you to check out my Moon Horoscopes on Patreon! For $3 per month, you not only help support the content that I release daily, you also get bi-monthly moon forecasts that are specific to your Sun and Rising sign, along with an animal ambassador for the lunation. I also have my weekly Tarot Subscription, for those who like to pull the cards, which focuses on the aspects I talk about in my Energetic Principles Podcast and helps relate them more personally to what is going on in your life through purposeful card placements. This upgrade is only $6 per month, and features the weekly custom spreads, early access to the podcast, AND these Moon Horoscopes I speak of! What is not to like?? Come on down and check it out here!

Wishing Full Moon Blessings To All! 💫

The wheel is spinning with this full moon and if you have a tale to tell about your own experience, I'd love to hear it! I have a sneaking suspicion that most of us are turning a page in a significant way that sets up a personal about-face that will be reflected in the worldly sphere sometime down the road. Yet, do note: eclipse season is upon us next... so this ride is just beginning! Buckle up your safety belts, put your best foot forward and let's get ready to roll!

May the stars be with you! ✨✨✨

💜 Mel