Written by Cari Campbell
December 2023 Cancer Full Moon
This lunar event features a cradle formation, which is formed between the Moon, Sun, Jupiter and Saturn. A cradle is four points separated by three resources (sextiles), two manifestations (trines), and with the first and last points (the Moon and Sun in this case) forming a bridge.
A cradle offers a gift- this one brought about by Jupiter and strengthened by Saturn. Saturn can provide the structure and diligence to bring this gift fully to fruition. The Moon in Cancer is family, home and loved ones. This is a great energy for nurturing and loving family during the holidays, but can also bring lots of emotion around nostalgia, loved ones, etc. The holidays are ripe with this every year, and this Cancer Moon is amplifying our emotions.
With the Sun in a bridge in Capricorn, we are likely feeling pulled towards responsibilities, goals, and our routines. The key with a bridge is to balance this feminine (Moon in Cancer) and masculine energy (Sun in Capricorn) and reside somewhere in the middle. We can love and nurture ourselves and our loved ones, and still carry on with some responsibilities. Take time for both!
The Moon in also conjunct Astraea, whose energy is all about balance, justice and feminine energy, so balance is definitely called for during this time.
Retrograde Mercury and Mars are in communion in Sagittarius and in a stepping stone with Neptune in Pisces. This means this is the second of three stepping stones that Mercury will have with Neptune- we are covering old ground and with the Mars communion we may be feeling feisty about something. Mars could provide a push to do something towards a long-held dream, or on the flip side Mars may be adding fiery energy when we are meant to keep reviewing (for now, while Mercury completes his retrograde cycle). The final stepping stone between Mercury and Neptune will occur on January 8th, and Mercury and Mars will start their new cycle on January 27th, so whatever is coming up now likely isn’t the final version.
Chiron is stationing direct, so if something hurts right now, trust that it is being shown to you so that you can integrate and accept it. We don’t “heal” our Chiron wounds, we learn to love and accept these parts of ourselves. As we do that, we “whole” ourselves.
This is a great time to practice loving ourselves fully and wholly and turn, we love others more authentically and we allow others to love us back.
Happy Holidays!