The First Full Moon of 2023

Date: January 6, 2023

Image of a VERY bright Full Moon With the Star/Arrow Consult the Sky logo on the right hand side- underneath are the words Full Moon and 16 degrees cancer 21 minutes at January 6 2023 perfects at 4:07 PM Mountain Standard TIme

 

The first Full Moon of 2023 is of course in Cancer and perfects January 6 at 4:07 PM Mountain time. The Full Moon in Cancer is arguably the most powerful Full Moon of the year as the Moon is in it’s own sign making it potent. Emotions run high when we’re collectively experiencing Cancer energy. Add in the intensity of the Moon at full brightness plus the fact that it’s way out of bounds and it can spell trouble. For some people, this Full Moon can be very helpful to help them speak up and honouring their difficult feelings. Things that have been repressed may have to be expressed now.

With both Mars and Mercury retrograde we may be feeling much frustration. Mars retrograde has had many people feeling impotent and ineffective. While Mercury retrograde can always create the potential for misunderstanding and misinterpretations. Cancer is a very nostalgic sign and stores all emotional energy, so we may be revisited by the past- with the retrograde energy we may realize we’ve misremembered some things. Cleaning out the past- especially the more distant past is a great use of this Full Moon- especially if what you’re holding on to allows you to resent, or remain angry. We can’t change how we’ve been hurt or let down- so now is the time to forgive yourself and maybe others for the past.

This is the first lunation in a while that holds a sliver of newness. I went and looked up some interpretations of this particular degree in Cancer and one description was “ The life urge to actualize one’s birth potential. Keyword- GROWTH” from http://www.mindfire.ca/. From SabianSymbols.com:

The Seed Grows into Knowledge and Life

This symbol shows situations pregnant with meaning and significance. Something starts with a seed and grows until it becomes something reliable and strong. Sometimes, you may feel that you are not growing or developing properly, maybe dissatisfied at perceived failings. Things take time to develop and, rather than being rushed, need to be nurtured to develop. It is important to start small and grow, fertilize and water in order for things to grow and flourish. Remember that small and steady beginnings can lead to beautiful flowering. This can indicate pregnancy or the inception of a new idea. 

Warning against grabbing the fast dollar. Pregnancy, childbirth and growing up. Embryonic cells. The giving and receiving of lessons. The Kabala. The Tree of Life.

Trying to do things that aren’t fully developed. Rushing and missing vital parts in the situation. Aborted attempts. Arrogance about how much one knows.

I think that all of these warnings are particular potent given the state of Mars and Mercury. Mercury in Capricorn can seem like it knows everything- and since that’s the sign Mercury is retrograde in and given it is snuggled up to the Sun for this Full Moon- lessons around feeling, acting or being seen as intellectually superior are a possibility. With Mars in Gemini and stationing direct on January 12th- the likelihood of moving forward impetuously is something we all need to be cognizant of. Mars is also out of bounds, which can make behaviour unpredictable and difficult to harness. The best thing you can do is delay reacting- take a few deep breath, count to 5, wait until the next day to send a certain email- do whatever you need to do to stay more objective.

Mercury goes direct on January 17th – we’re almost there people. I am definitely looking forward to these 2 planets not being retrograde for a while. I’m going to stay open to new ideas and I’m going to TRY to take a beat before reacting. Let’s all try to focus on nurturing ourselves and what’s around us. xo