January 2022: : Tarot spread for the full moon in Cancer

Plus some journaling questions, an astro-tarot forecast, exploration of the the Sabian symbol, mini ritual, and additional resources for the December 2021 full moon in Gemini

The January 2022 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 recognizing that people, in general, act to the best of their abilities, limited by their education, upbringing and current awareness. The Cancer archetype knows that love and forgiveness, where possible, are the best way to respond to destructive behavior – along with firm boundaries, of course.

This full moon also highlights our partnerships, illuminating our marriages, business partnerships and the like. Emotions could run high around this full moon, so tread carefully, especially if any cracks or wrinkles are highlighted at this time. Spending time with loved ones — be it friends who are in your bubble or a zoom meetup could also be a lovely way to spend some time soaking in the energy of the January 2022 full moon.

This Cancer full moon will also shine the light on our intentions, helping us fine tune and hone in on our new moon intentions and also on our plans for the year. Pay attention to any nudges or bursts of inspiration and make note of them before they disappear into the ether!

Astro-Tarot influences for the January 2022 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 Four of Cups. This is to be interpreted in conjunction with The Chariot, which is associated with Cancer.

While most modern tarot decks depict The Chariot in motion, in Pamela Coleman Smith’s original rendering of the card, The Chariot is completely still. The two Sphinx are seated, the charioteer himself is standing tall. He appears to have things in control, his gaze confident and steady, as though he is ready to ride into battle at any minute.

But looks can be deceptive, and behind that exterior mask of confidence could lurk a tormented soul.

One of the things that that lies behind the projection of confidence is willpower, and the assertation that if we have enough willpower, we can achieve anything that we put our minds to. But as you and I both know, that really isn’t true.

Willpower has its place, for sure, but it isn’t the answer to every problem, and it cannot guarantee us success. But the problem is that the word doesn’t tell us what to do when our desires are thwarted; when we feel like we are spinning our wheels and getting nowhere.

And when we are desperate and looking to grasp at straws, we are met with “conventional wisdom”, which is an euphemism for the toxic positivity that has spread its treacly tentacles into every sphere of life.

And so we work on our “attitude” and purge ourselves of “negativity” and cancel the news and the curmudgeons, and convince ourselves that any failure is our own fault because we aren’t being “positive enough”.

But, as the 4 of Cups shows us, there is a different way; we aren’t always open to seeing it.

We focus on what we know. On what “people” say. When doubts and questions arise, we quickly tamp them down because that is what we have been taught to do.

But when we can accept that our will isn’t enough to get us what we want, that the Universe isn’t going to “hand us our orders” if we focus hard enough on what we want, how may things change?

Sabian Symbol for the January 2022 full moon in Cancer

The Sabian Symbol for Cancer 27 degrees is An Indian Girl Introduces Her College Boyfriend To Her Assembled Tribe

I see this symbol as one that encourages us to see how we can bridge the gap between seemingly unrelated situations or people. Weaving seemingly disparate things together mindfully and respectfully creates a richness and depth that isn’t possible when things remain scattered and boxed in to their own corners.

As Lynda Hill writes in 360 Degrees of Wisdom, “It is in both the giving and seeking of acceptance that we show a wise heart, even in the face of surface or social difficulties.”

I think there’s a charged quality to this symbol, too, especially in the current times, when issues like cultural appropriation and social justice are at the forefront. But what this symbol indicates, I think, is a respectful coming together of cultures.

From my perspective as a person of color, an Indian living in the familiarity of my own country among my own people, I see a complete lack of nuance in the cancel culture that surrounds cultural appropriation. As Chenxing Han and Trent Walker write in an article on the Lion’s Roar, “There’s a temptation to reduce cultural appropriation to reassuring lists — here’s how to spot it, here’s how to stop it — as if we were dealing with halitosis or athlete’s foot, embarrassing but eliminable with a simple remedy.”

But its not always that simple. I remember a Twitter outcry a few years ago against an American artist wearing a traditional Japanese costume playing a traditional Japanese instrument at an event hosted by Sony. While many Twitter users “cancelled” him and Sony, many Japanese came forward in support of the artist — Cornelius Boots. Turns out, he’s one of the few living people recognized as the master of that instrument. This nuance is what I see missing in most discussions of cultural appropriation — and this nuance is what I think this symbol alludes to.

Tarot spread for the January 2022 Cancer full moon

Here’s a tarot spread to tap into the energy of this full moon.

1. Stop: this card will indicate an old way of viewing the world and how you interact with it.

2. Start: this card represents a new way of thinking/being in the world that’s being illuminated for you now

3. Accelerate: this card represents your source of inspiration and wisdom.

4. Mamma moon says: this is always a positive message

If you share your spreads on Instagram, please use the hashtag #moontarotstories or tag me @moderngypsy.in so we can connect with each other.

Journaling questions for the full moon in Cancer

Not a cardslinger? No problem. Here are some journaling questions for you instead.

Did you set some goals or intentions for the new year? This would be a good time to check-in with them. Do they need refining or tweaking?

As you look at your goals list, do you notice any patterns of thinking associated with any of your goals? Write it down. Examine it. Is it helpful or does it hold you back? What would be a more supportive way of looking at it?

What inspires you? This may be a good time to create an inspiration board – it could be a collage in your journal or on the wall, or a Pinterest board.

Are you new to the tarot, and still struggling to make sense of the cards?

Join me for Tarot Fundamentals, my ecourse specially designed for tarot newbies.

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* The two mainstream Tarot systems and the best starter Tarot decks

* The structure of the Tarot

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