Cancer Full Moon Lunar Eclipse: Getting Honest
Photo by Cedric Letsch via Unsplash
January 10, 2019: Cancer Full Moon Lunar Eclipse
Even if we can’t see a Lunar Eclipse in the sky, these celestial events are potent harbingers of illumination in our lives. Things may seem as if they are coming to fruition as we may be sensing that we are experiencing the outcome of steps previously taken. Yet while life-shifting events may appear, to which exact destination they will lead may seem obscured. So, if things feel blurry, that is as it should be—the haze should start to lift over the coming weeks.
Generally, on a Cancer Full Moon Lunar Eclipse we often gain insights into the ways we contribute to both the world and the people to whom we are closest. We may also be better able to understand the role with which we are mainly identified (both by ourselves and others). This may be the work we do, the family we nurture, the relationships that we tend, and/or other things that carve out our identity and bring us nurturance. We may gain a greater sense of how we feel about the legacy we are creating and whether it truly aligns with our deepest needs and desires, whether it feeds the core of who we are.
This Eclipse, and the days surrounding it, feel really quite powerful!
Here’s why:
The Lunar Eclipse features the Sun conjoining Mercury and Ceres, as well as Saturn and Pluto, the latter two which will be exactly conjoined two days later. Jupiter is sidling up to the South Node. And shake-it-up Uranus stations direct.
As I’ve been reflecting over the last year, 2019 and 2020 have been and will be colored by the Saturn/Pluto Conjunction. These planets that unite every 30+ years (the last one was November 7, 1982) come together exactly on January 12. Yet it’s not just that this is happening near the Eclipse that makes this time so potent—it’s that Saturn and Pluto come together at a spot in Capricorn that has it connected to the Eclipse itself. The day of the Eclipse the Sun is at 20 degrees Capricorn and the Moon opposite it at 20 Cancer, while Saturn and Pluto are 23 Capricorn.
And so, the Full Moon Eclipse will be illuminating this planetary powerhouse and further bringing its themes to light.
Consider the past year, and where in your life you’ve been finding yourself yearning for a make-over. Yet, not one that’s superficial, rather one that pulls out the old by its roots so that you can create space to transform aspects of your life in the most integral of ways.
Perhaps you’ve discovered how certain things in your life—whether habits, personal narratives, objects, relationships, your work, the ways you treat yourself or others, et al.—are more deadening than vitalizing and you just can’t continue on living your life with them in tow. In the process, you may have noticed that you just don’t have the time or interest to deal with your own BS and can even more clearly see through others.
There may have times when you allowed yourself to open to the deepest of feelings that previously have been swept under the rug for fear that they may disorient you, only finding that while these emotions may have felt volcanic, that it’s more destructive to avoid them than to embrace them. The calling for wholeness and sustainability has gathered more power than the desire to maintain an artifice or the status quo.
I’ve been framing this invitation—of the Saturn/Pluto Conjunction—the pull to Deconstruct to Reconstruct.
And so, given that the Lunar Eclipse connects to this dynamic duo, we may find that all that we’ve been moving through related to it feels center stage. A Lunar Eclipse is a Full Moon after all. And with that, we could find that the work we’ve done in this realm yields tangible results. All that we’ve worked hard for, and which may have been hard to do, seems to get more of the light of day. Alternatively, if we’ve been doing our best at the shadow-avoidance dance, we could find ourselves at the receiving end of the axiom of “what you resist persists.”
It’s a time to go underground to find hidden treasures, not a time to bury our head under the sand. And with that we may find that our ostrich-imitation skills have limits and actually are limiting us.
It feels really important to hone in on all of this this week. The reason being is because it can help us with wayfinding through the rest of the year, given that Jupiter will come together with Pluto around this same spot. As such, we want to really see how we can honor Saturn’s priming us to take responsibility, effectively and patiently reforge structures, and prune away the excess, since this whole realm will still be in our sites throughout 2020. (This is a topic I focused upon in my talk for the online Starstruck Summit, so if you want more information, sign up for it—and the talks of 20+ other astrologers discussing 2020 —here. You can use the code HOLIDAY to enjoy savings).
One last note about the Eclipse. It’s almost a mirror of the one that we had on July 16. As such, see if a reflection into what occurred that month doesn’t but give you insights into what it is that’s arising for you now and where you may want to further focus your attention.
Now, let’s bring in Mercury and Ceres. As Mercury is the messenger planet, information and the desire to communicate may seem especially strong. If you find yourself overwhelmed by the news or social media missives, turn off your tv or devices. The information will be there later, and not capturing every detail doesn’t mean that you’re not honoring what is of essential importance to you.
Ceres is a dwarf planet that reminds us of the power of Mother, and the ferocity that she can have when her children are threatened. When Ceres is strong, we may pull further into our caring and protective nature, whether related to our own children or those of others, or the things that we created. And, of course, Ceres reminds us that the great mother, Mother Earth, must be honored. With Ceres in Capricorn tying into this Eclipse, themes of sustainability and regenerativity feel like they may greatly capture our attention.
And wait, there’s more…
Jupiter with the South Node may have us realize that growth sometimes comes from maintaining a less-is-more-perspective. We can also tap into a laser-like focus in which we can see how some of our inherited beliefs could use a review, as they may keep us back from living in a more sustainable and heart-felt way.
Finally, we have Uranus stationing direct. As you may remember, when a planet stations to shift directions, the themes it represents may seem louder in the collective. Around the time of Uranus’ bi-yearly station, we may find ourselves in the midst of unexpecteds and out-of-the-blues. It’s a time when we’re encouraged to stay bouncy and maintain a flexible posture. Be open to surprises, notably allowing yourself to surprise yourself. See what you may be able to achieve by taking a different path, and if a detour arises instead of only feeling that it’s an obstacle to getting where you’re going, see it as a path to discoveries you’ve yet to experience.
This month’s Full Moon Lunar Eclipse falls at 20 degrees of Capricorn (Sun) and Cancer (Moon). While everyone experiences the energies of a Full Moon, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around this degree in Capricorn, Cancer, or the other cardinal signs—Aries and Libra—it may impact you more intensely. In addition, if you know your astrology chart, you can further understand how this Lunar Eclipse may inspire you by seeing in which of your houses 20 degrees of Capricorn and Cancer reside.
Cancer Full Moon Lunar Eclipse Apothecary Suggestions
Capricorn is associated with the skeletal system, joints, and skin while Cancer is associated with the stomach, sinuses, and breasts. Pay extra attention to these parts of the body and areas of health around the time of this Full Moon.
Honeysuckle flower essence: With the Moon in Cancer, we may find that the past has a pincer grip on us, just like the claws of a crab, the symbol for Cancer. When this happens, it can lead to a reduction in vitality, disturbing our ability to maintain the sense of presence required to fully participate in the present. If you need some energetic assistance releasing the shrouds of wistfulness and making peace with the past, consider trying Honeysuckle flower essence. (Flower essences are made from flower-infused water and work energetically to restore emotional and mental balance. You can find them in natural food stores or holistic pharmacies.)
Frankincense essential oil: Frankincense is one of the most sacred of scents and one that aligns beautifully with the sagacity of Capricorn. Used in temple ceremonies for ages, it can help us to open to the mysteries of life as well as the cycles of creation and manifestation. Using it in a diffuser, adding some to a mister bottle of water to scent a room, or mixing it with a few drops of plain body oil and applying it as a perfume are some great ways to enjoy it. It’s also a great tonic for helping to support Capricorn-related rheumatic health so mix a drop or two with plain lotion, massaging it into your muscles, paying particular attention to your joints.
The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse is exact at 2:21 pm EST (- 8 hours GMT)