Collage by Cathryn Virginia | Photos by Michael Cummings via Getty Images and NAS
Werewolf lore describes perfectly normal people transforming into wolf-headed, clawed, howling beasts under the light of the full moon, a metaphor for brewing desire and anger that we hide as we move through polite society—but eventually spills out if we don’t find healthy ways to explore and express fantasies and rage. Capricorn season, which spans from December 21, 2022 to January 20, 2023, finds the sun in polished, professional earth sign Capricorn, a sign that’s famous for being buttoned-up, logical, and unexpressive, even unemotional. But the full moon in Cancer—which can only take place during Capricorn season—on January 6, 2023 invites us to explore the depths of our emotions and express our truth. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, this full moon (also sometimes called the Moon after Yule) is named the Wolf Moon in honor of the wolves heard howling during chilly winter nights. Each zodiac is ruled by a heavenly body, and Cancer is ruled by the moon, so a full moon in Cancer is quite the event! Cancer is famously intuitive, creative, protective, and emotional, and a full moon in Cancer can push one to finally listen to their inner voice (especially if it’s been ignored), to pursue a creative project (even if it doesn’t bring fame or fortune), to stand up for the people we love, and to be honest with ourselves about our true emotions. The full moon in Cancer can find you getting something important off your chest. Important discoveries may be made, information could come to light.Again, the sun in Capricorn is business-minded, stoic, and cold, but the full moon in Cancer comes along during Capricorn season to reconnect us with our feelings. Capricorn is an earth sign that’s focused on building wealth and legacy, but sometimes we might forget why we’re working so hard. The full moon in Cancer comes to remind us!The 2023 full moon in Cancer finds the sun in Capricorn applying (which means “approaching” to astrologers) a conjunction with Mercury retrograde in Capricorn. A conjunction takes place when two planets are at the same degree of the zodiac, and symbolizes a fresh start of some kind. As the sun symbolizes ego and personality, and Mercury symbolizes communication, this union implies a fresh start regarding communication. In business-minded Capricorn, we may be addressing contracts or agreements concerning money, career, legacy, or the future. Communication boundaries may also be discussed, and because Mercury is retrograde, this meeting could bring an especially significant realization about the past!Remember: Full moons are all about release, but they’re also about balance. While the full moon in Cancer may call us to shout our feelings from the rooftops, the sun in Capricorn also urges us to act cautiously and consider future consequences. The sun’s meeting with Mercury retrograde can find us exploring a new way to talk about things. New perspectives may be shared and important realizations take place.The sun separates from a trine to Uranus and the North Node, both in Taurus: Trines are considered harmonious astrological aspects, inspiring an easygoing, connected atmosphere. Uranus is the planet of surprises, and its astrological influence can be quite rattling—but separating from a trine with the sun might imply a free-spirited, adventurous, and experimental mood. The North Node symbolizes destiny and new opportunities, and like Uranus, the North Node can find us stepping out of our comfort zones, but the trine with the sun implies a readiness and comfort in doing so. Taurus is a sensual earth sign that’s concerned with beauty and comfort; unexpected romance may bloom.The moon separates from a sextile to Uranus and applies to a trine to Neptune in Pisces. Like trines, sextiles are harmonious alignments, suggesting ease with communication. The moon’s separating sextile with Uranus can find us talking about something emotional with more confidence than we expect, and perhaps learning something quite unexpected! Mercury retrograde in Capricorn applies to a trine to Uranus, which can also inspire a surprising discussion. Creative solutions to tricky problems may be found. The moon is very sensitive and emotional, while Mercury is logical, and Uranus is unpredictable: Their easy alignments with each other during this full moon may find us taking a detached but honest approach to communication. The moon’s approaching trine with Neptune inspires sentimentality, romance, and creativity—a whimsical, magical energy flows! Venus in Aquarius applies to a trine to Mars retrograde in Gemini, inspiring collaboration: Full moons can find us confronting issues, but Venus and Mars in helpful alignment creates an easy energy toward collaboration and compromise. Venus separates from a sextile to Jupiter in Aries, suggesting that people are in a generous, open-minded mood. Ugly feelings might rear their heads during full moons: The emotions and thoughts we stuffed away, hoping to repress them forever, may seep out. But incredible healing can take place when we address what’s lurking in the shadows, and this full moon can ultimately find us healing the past so we can build a happier, more secure future!
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What does the full moon in Cancer represent?
What’s special about this year's full moon in Cancer?
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