Cancer Full Moon, Dec 25, 2015 at 3:13 am PST
The Full Moon at 3 degrees of Cancer occurs on Christmas Day and four days after Winter Solstice. It is called the Full Long Nights Moon and is longer in the sky than any other Full Moon. Christmas Day is a holiday of great activity and celebration while the Winter Solstice is an honoring of the stillness, the going within in the dark time of the year in the northern hemisphere. So there is a paradox between culture and nature. There is a natural desire to go within and hibernate like the bear in the winter, to dream the future while we rest from outer activities. And yet, we are called upon to gather and celebrate with family and loved ones which is also very important. But it can create emotional fatigue and confusion as our psyches want the stillness.
Cancer is a water sign and thus, related to emotions. It is ruled by the Moon which is at its strongest when full. The Full Moon in Cancer has the potential to be highly charged. We know the tides respond to the Full Moon as does the Earth herself; they say her surface rises six inches at every Full Moon. Our human bodies contain a higher amount of water at the full moon and our weight will often go up. But even more important is how the Moon effects human and animal behavior; emergency rooms are busier and more crime occurs on the full moon. The terms lunacy and lunatic refer to increased emotional behaviors at the full moon.
So as many of us are gathering with our families on this Full Moon in Cancer on Christmas, it will be important to understand the energies that are present. One of the many gifts of the sign Cancer is the emotional bonds we have with our families or those who feel like family. Emotions will be very close to the surface and there may be a strong potential to express them. So be prepared to open your heart. It could be a time of great healing as we allow love to come in and love people for who they are. But family gatherings could also be very emotionally charged and people easily triggered. As Ram Dass says, “If you think you are enlightened, go home for Thanksgiving.” In this case it is Christmas.
The Full Moon in Cancer brings in the unconditional love of the Mother. The archetypal mother loves her children because they are hers, not because they have done anything to deserve her love. This season is not only about loving others but about self-love and remembering that we are beings of love. Our biggest challenge is to love ourselves and to remember that we have never been separated from Source.
The Sun is in Capricorn, opposing the Full Moon. Capricorn is the archetypal Father energy which encourages self-discipline, integrity, solitude and achievement. Capricorn is about character building and brings the gifts and challenges of becoming a mature and responsible human being. In the northern hemisphere, Capricorn occurs deep in the winter when the weather is most inhospitable requiring strength to survive.
The Moon in Cancer, being very sensitive, reminds us of every hurt we have ever had. The Sun in Capricorn says we must do it alone, that we are survivors. This can lead to depression and feelings of isolation and pain. Many are suffering right now for varied reasons but the energy of this Full Moon can exaggerate these feelings. It is important to reach out to those who are suffering as they may not be able to ask for the help they need. I know for myself, that when I have dark feelings of depression, what can pull me out is looking at my life and all the blessings that I do have. A sense of gratitude can often change a very bleak outlook into a day with much more hope. A day with hope is a day that I feel supported by the love of the Universe as I allow myself to receive that love.
Uranus in Aries goes direct Christmas Day after having been retrograde for the last five months and is square Pluto in Capricorn. When Uranus goes direct so many of the changes that have been happening internally in each of us will externalize in the collective as they enter into our conscious awareness. The Uranus/ Pluto square, although not exact, will be very close for the next three months creating change and chaos. Don’t fall into depression over what is happening in the world, become awakened into action by it. Act from love, not from fear. Be the change!
This Full Moon is a time for deep reflection and returning to oneself for renewal. It is a time of dreaming the future and planning what is to come. Moonlight is longer than daylight during this Full Moon. Take in the gifts of Grandmother Moon such as love, feeling, mystery, intuition, change and cycles. Draw down her Love into yourself and into the world. This Full Moon brings into awareness the light that was reborn at Winter Solstice and the Christ Consciousness of Christmas Day. It is the light of Divine Love, reminding us that we are not alone. We are held in the embrace of the Divine even in our darkest moments. Open your hearts to feel that embrace and receive the love and support that is always there.
“The Universe only pretends to be made of matter. Secretly it is made of love.” Daniel Pinchbeck
Sibyl Star
