The January 2020 full moon falls in the sign of Cancer. The Cancer archetype is emotional, intuitive, nurturing and healing. It also symbolizes “home” and all the things that home represents – not just our physical home, but also our emotions, energy, body, and the spiritual hearth of our souls.
Spiritually, the Cancer archetype is one of compassion, of recognising that people act to the best of their abilities, limited by their education, upbringing and current awareness. The Cancer archetype knows that love and forgiveness are the best way to respond to destructive behavior.
The January full moon also highlights our belief systems, the acquisition of knowledge and wisdom, and more importantly, what we do with that knowledge. There’s an expansive quality to this moon, and as the first full moon of this decade, it can have potentially far-reaching consequences.
As we grapple with questions of right and wrong, we need to ask ourselves if we will deal in absolutes, or if we are willing to broaden our horizons and accept that there are binaries. That being fixated on ‘one right way’ makes us totalitarian instead of truly liberal. And that we bring this approach to almost everything and every aspect of our life – from the personal to the political and everything in between.
Astro-Tarot influences for the January 2020 full moon
To throw some more light on the January full moon astrology, let’s take a look at the astro-tarot influences of this lunation.
The Cancer full moon falls in decan 3, which is represented by the 4 of Cups. This is to be interpreted in conjunction with The Chariot, which is associated with Cancer.
The 4 of Cups represents exhaustion and apathy. There’s a sense of discontentment and a need to be alone with your own thoughts – somewhat of a time-out from the happening and events around you. The Chariot represents focus and strategy; the alignment of the will and emotions to achieve the goals you’ve set your mind to. It could also represent a hard exterior mask or persona that conceals a vulnerable or confused heart.
This presents a contradiction – a desire to go after your goals and a need for a time out. Considering we are just about getting this year started, it can seem a bit alarming. Does this mean you’re going to break your resolutions already? Well, no!
Given the high drama that has played out – and probably is playing out – on the global political stage, there’s a sense of collective exhaustion. And whether or not we actively follow politics and current affairs, the fact is that there is a lot of heaviness in the collective unconscious.
This Cancer full moon gives us a change to rest a bit. To come back to center, collect our energies, and bring ourselves back into alignment. To shut out some of the noise around us – meditation will help – and drop in to our bodies. Into the here and now. To take exquisite care of ourselves and get clear on our personal priorities.
Yes, the world may still be crazy and the news may be telling us an Armageddon is coming. But what is there now, in front of you? The sun is still out. The birds are still chirping. The sun still rises and sets. And until such time as an Armageddon comes – or doesn’t, because no one can really predict these things – what do you want to focus on? What do you want to grow? How do you want to bring meaning to your life? Where do you need clarity? What do you want to do with your one sweet life?
Sabian Symbol for the January 2020 Cancer full moon
The Sabian symbol for 20 degrees Cancer is a prima donna singing.
This brings to mind someone at the peak of their talent, who is unafraid to be in the spotlight.
What talents are you hiding away in the shadow? Bring it into the light. Share it. You never know who you may inspire!
This Sabian symbol also alludes to the pursuit of fame and fortune. Often times, our cultural idea of success is based solely on financial gains and social popularity. We rarely stop to consider the price of such success. Neither do we ask ourselves what success means to us. This often leads us running after goals that are not meaningful to us, which leads to a sense of being unfulfilled even though we can cross all our goals off.
Tarot spread for the Cancer full moon
Here’s a tarot spread to help us tap into the energy of full new moon.
1. Pause: this card will give you some ideas on how you can ground and nourish yourself.
2. Collect: this card represents your source of inspiration and wisdom.
3. Shine: this card represents a new way of thinking/being in the world that’s being illuminated for you now
4. Mamma moon says: this is always a message of love and motivation
Journaling questions for the January 2020 Cancer full moon
Not a cardslinger? No problem! Here are some questions to reflect on instead:
1. How can you disconnect from the noise all around you and come back to center?
2. What is it you wish to grow this year?
3. Is there a subject you wish to learn or get better at this year? decide how much time you would like to devote to it – be it daily or a few times a week.
4. What talents or knowledge do you keep hidden or not speak about? How can you start sharing them in ways that don’t feel too scary?
5. Look over your goals for this year. Are these things that *you* want, or things you think you *should* want? And what will success look like/feel like for you, with these goals? (e.g.: if feeling fit is your goal – what is your marker of success?)
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Start your month on the right foot with the monthly energy forecast. And tune-in to the astro-tarot forecast for each new and full moon.
The new and full moon updates will include a tarot spread to help you tap into the energy of the moon, and a set of journaling questions to help you reflect more deeply on your big, beautiful visions and goals.
Expect three to four emails per month {more likely just three}, with a link to the post containing the forecast, a beautifully designed tarot spread, and the journaling questions.
Working with the moon
The full moon is a time of completion. The intentions that you set at the new moon are ready to be birthed into the world. The full moon illuminates the fruits of the work you’ve done towards achieving your new moon intention and to make any tweaks as necessary. This is a good time to release any negative emotions, habits, thoughts, beliefs and to look within and shift any blocks and old patterns that don’t serve you any more.
I tap into the energy of the full moon to call in and celebrate the sign’s qualities in myself; to release any related limiting beliefs; and to express gratitude for whatever is coming up.
What an interesting dual message. I agree with the thought of exhaustion and the need to recharge. Balance is possible only by taking a pause.
I’d like to work with the moon and release negative energy and hope to see the results of the hard work.