On January 3, at 4:03 am CST, the Moon will reach a precise opposition with the Sun and be fully illumed in the 14th degree of Cancer. Cancer is characterized by caring and nurture; a sense of home or security. A crab in its shell is the symbol of Cancer, suggesting that theme of home, as the crab carries its home with it everywhere it goes and thus tends to travel in a sideways manner. Though Cancer is a Cardinal sign, which indicates a forward-orientation, it is also is prone to nostalgia through its affinity with the home and nurture. It is worth noting as well that nurture doesn't always entail pleasant experiences. Traumatic events and dysfunctional dynamics are undeniably impactful during our formative years, and as such must be included when describing the nurturing we received (or endured) throughout infancy, childhood, and adolescence.
Cancer is also associated with the chest, the bosom, and by some accounts the heart and/or stomach. Home is where the heart is, afterall, and the way to Man's heart is often said to be through his stomach. Indeed, all mammals are inherently drawn to the breast of the Mother, both for sustenance and survival, but also as shelter and reprieve.
As the natural 4th House, these themes are given even more prominence. The 4th House is where we either intentionally retreat, or invariably land, when we are unmoored or destabilized. The cusp of the 4th House (the Imum Coeli, or Bottom of the Sky) suggests where and how we find our footing during or after times of instability or chaos. Whether we lean on our family of origin, comfort foods or other rituals of nostalgia, or even by setting sail for far-away places, the Cancerian indicated by the 4th House shows up as an instinctual impulse.
The planetary ruler of Cancer, the Moon, further instantiates these themes. Though the Moon is considered a Luminary in astrology, it does not in fact produce any light of its own. It is only the light of the Sun which the Moon reflects and offers to us in cyclic fashion. It is often stated that the Moon represents emotions, but it may be better to think of the Moon as representing a response to emotions. The Moon represents our instinctual responses to stimuli, just as the Moon responds to the light of the Sun. The physiological experience of anger or grief is, at some level, the same for all beings capable of such emotion. The neuro-chemical activity is largely definable and distinct. It is how people respond to those experiences which varies. For those with the Moon in Water Signs, an emotional impulse is experienced in a raw and unfiltered manner; they feel the feelings. Conversely, Air Sign Moons tend to respond to an emotional surge with reason, words, and logic; they often seek for explanations through thinking or intellectualizing. To be very clear, none of these modes of responding to emotions are wrong nor bad, they are merely modes of response. The Moon, again, indicates responses and instincts in general.
This particular Full Moon, in addition to reflecting the full brilliance of the Sun in Capricorn, will also carry with it the energies of Venus and Mars, which are in a close conjunction with each other and with the Sun. Venus and Mars are a polarized pair, as are the Moon and the Sun. The conjunction of Venus and Mars can manifest as balance, merging, pressure, or extremity of the Masculine and Feminine functions. The opposition of the Moon and Sun often plays out as balance, distinguising, harmonizing, or tension of Masculine and Feminine functions. The dynamics of these expressions of polarity will surely be a profound feature of this lunation.
If the presence of both a conjunction and an opposition isn't enough to make this Full Moon particularly interesting, then the presence of Jupiter surely is. Jupiter, the cosmic amplifier and exaggerator, is transiting retrograde through Cancer and will be conjunct with the Moon mere hours after the Full Moon. In the ensuing days and weeks, Jupiter will stand in exact opposition with the Venus, Mars, and the Sun. Interestingly, the retrograde cycle Jupiter is working through will come to a halt in the 16th degree of Cancer, very close to the degree of this Full Moon.
Perhaps more than usual, this Full Moon may offer an opportunity to observe exaggerated responses or displays of our instincts. We may get to see clearly what it is which we resort to or lean on in times of duress or instability. Furthermore, we may have the opportunity, more than ever, to wield our instincts and responses intentionally. We may find that, more than ever, we are able to receive whatever is shining upon us (be it good, bad, or utterly absurd) and reflect it outward with a sprinkle of our own flavor and intention. In this way, instinct becomes Dharma, noise becomes music, and chaos becomes meaning.
"A house is made of bricks and beams. A home is made of hopes and dreams." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Yin-Yang-Yoga 
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