This full moon in Cancer on January 17th at 6:47 p.m. EST helps us further examine goals that may longer provide a sense of enjoyment or fulfillment from the New Moon in Capricorn on January 2nd from just a few weeks ago. 

To fully grasp the pitfalls and opportunities of this lunation, we must first pick apart its bare bones. It is in the nurturing and introspective sign of Cancer that we see lunar energy expressed in its most natural way.

Forming the polarising dichotomy familiar to all full moons, the sun sits directly opposite in the ambitious sign of Capricorn.

Subjective vs Objective.

Matriarchal vs Patriarchal.

Personal vs Impersonal.

Family vs Society.

These are the kinds of opposing themes that form a natural tension in this lunation. Paying attention to these stories as they appear individually (and as a collective) will afford us the opportunity to bring a greater degree of awareness into our lives. 

Ultimately, lunations pave the way for the integration of experience with solar (ego, purpose, self-expression) and lunar (instincts, intimate needs) faculties. Integrating awareness gives us choices to make better decisions and direct our energy consciously and creatively rather than compulsively and destructively.  

What exactly is this lunation calling our attention to?

It will undoubtedly differ from person to person, but it might present the opportunity to take stock of the ways in which we have adapted our security needs and explored our most intimate inner landscapes in the face of ongoing change.

But there is more going on beneath the surface. The Sun’s illuminating rays will be tinged with transformational energy as Pluto conjoins the sun.

Sun-pluto conjunction in Capricorn suggests an increased sensitivity to the processes of change and transformation deeply embedded in structures. At this time, one’s sense of self and purpose may reach a crisis point, or feel like shedding old skin for a new one.

This lunation may require some kind of psychological death and rebirth, particularly in relation to one’s connection to roots and emotional vulnerability.

Emotions might be tested and the warmth of our inner-security needs may be disturbed. 

Anger, manipulation, resentment, explosiveness.

These are all dynamics that can be stirred up from deep psychological complexes whenever Pluto is involved in transit. Since the Moon is illuminating Plutonic and Solar themes, this may be a time of increased sensitivity to destructive undercurrents that seem to threaten our sense of security.

The kinds of behaviors or power dynamics that are not overt but nevertheless hit us square in the gut could be exposed.

When this happens, the instinctual reaction may be to clam up and become well “crabby”, as the Moon in Cancer has the capacity to crank up the emotional dial causing potential nostalgia to overwhelm when we stay a bit too long ruminating the past.

Understanding that these are just defensive reactions to the loss of security or connection to one’s roots is key if we are to unlock the more creative expressions of the sign and apply them to our lives. Empathizing with one’s self is the first step towards compassionate action. 

Moon-Pluto Lunation

In its most constructive expression, Moon-Pluto lunations can enhance our feeling of warmth and joy by allowing us to be emotionally vulnerable & intense, scrutinizing experiences that in turn, provide us with a renewed sense of direction.

This may not be a wholly comfortable process, but it is nevertheless one that will serve to ensure that our deepest security and emotional needs are able to adapt to a changing world.

The challenge of showing radical empathy in the face of destructiveness and transformation may not be the most comfortable experience, especially if one is not familiar with this kind of energy in their natal chart.

But fear not, a separating trine between the Moon and Neptune brings an added heightened sense of creativity, imagination, and intuition (use it!).

Aiding the cause further is a sextile between the Sun-Pluto and Neptune. This may present opportunities to dissolve things that were once deemed rigid and rebuild them in a way that benefits everyone and better reflects our imaginative potential.