Cancer Full Moon Date and Time
Monday or Tuesday 17 / 18 3:47pm, West Coast, USA 6:47pm, East Coast, USA 12:47am, Rome, Italy
About the Cancer Full Moon
This month’s first full moon of the year is in the gentle, sentimental, and active sign Cancer. Full moons are full of energy and known to produce heightened emotions. A full moon in a water sign indicates a fluctuation in moods and everyone may be more sensitive than usual.
This particular Cancer full moon is emotionally amplified because of the relationship of some other astrological events. We have both Venus and Mercury retrograde. This adds a vibe of looking backwards to move forwards.
The planet Pluto is involved in the planetary line up connecting with this Cancer full moon, which intensifies the vibe. Whatever feelings, moods, and fluctuations you and those around you feel will be intensified. Pluto also adds a purifying and cleansing component.
As this Cancer full moon stirs our emotional waters, it will likely intensify the themes that are already popping up for you. You may start feeling like you are full of something and ready to burst, pop, yell, scream, or lose your patience. Take deep breaths and know that this process is to help you move forward.
Look to mid-February to see solutions finalize, unfinished business to be cleared up, and a feeling of moving forward again. Now is the time to slow down, notice what is coming up for you, and allowing yourself extra time to take care of loose ends.
Cancer is a sign known for being sentimental and cherishing memories. Retrograde energy is about going back over where you have already been. This Cancer full moon happens during the Venus and Mercury retrogrades asking us to reflect backwards.
The Cancer full moon vibe will help grease the wheels of the mind for tracing back to things that are unresolved with others or with things undone. Like taking care of unfinished business, bringing closure, renewal, re-doing things, correcting course, and redesign, so that you move forward on more solid ground.
Retrogrades have a tendency to push us outside of our comfort zone. This has a lot to do with living in a western mentality that teaches us to live in a linear fashion, always forward, rather than embracing cycles and spiraling upward. Retrogrades remind us to slow down for a period of time, reflect back, and correct course.
It’s like nature. We see cycles around us all the time. In order to notice the cyclical way of life vs the linear, watch a plant cycle, think about seasonal fruits and vegetables, how they go through their cycle to produce over and over again. It’s a symbolic comparison that is helpful in understanding why things hit snags, go through difficult times, growth spurts, and renewal.
I write about this concept in the Venus retrograde blog. Pop over there if you want to go deeper into that concept. It is a concept that can help you swim through this wave of emotion that may come around on the full moon and the days surrounding it, or just how life in general tends to be cyclic rather than linear.
This Cancer full moon will highlight the same themes the retrogrades are. That retrograde energy started last month, and will continue through to the end of January. The Cancer full moon may bring things to a peak, spotlight what’s on your mind, help you sort out things from the past to move forward, and/or make a choice.
If you are faced with a choice or reach a breaking point for something in your life, this is a chance to put energy toward a resolution and tie up loose ends. The time period following the full moon will give you ample opportunity to invest in resolutions, refinements, solutions, and clear up unfinished business.
The process may not be easy, but it is likely to be purifying. When you purify situations, it helps wipe the slate clean so you can start over or enter a new cycle.
Self-Compassion under the Cancer Full Moon
Cancer is a nurturing sign. Those with a Cancer ascendant, Sun, or Moon are generally warm people who like taking care of those they love. They love to cook or bake, give hugs, and create a cozy and homey environment. This lovely energy can be used to engage in self-compassion, self-care, and self-nurturing. I recommend it.
With the Cancer full moon vibe syncing with the retrogrades, we are called to engage on to reflect back and its up loose ends. As you go through this process, engage in lots of compassionate self-care and self-nurturing. Cancers are usually taking care of others. I am suggesting you carve out time to take care of yourself.
Do self-care things like taking care of your body and health. Do self-nurturing by investing your time in things that make you feel good. Not what you ‘should’ do, but what you ‘want’ to do. Invest time in yourself, what makes you feel good, what brings you joy. Use self-compassionate language with yourself and tell your inner critic to take a hike.
Self-compassion is the mantra for this full moon. Watch the internal dialogue you are having with yourself. Reframe any negative statements to compassionate ones. If you struggle with using kind words to yourself, use phrases that say you are open to it.
For example: ‘I am worth it’ or ‘I am open to accept that I am worth it.’
If you need a little inspiration, check out this page with some compassionate and inspiring quotes. I love reading quotes and I liked this grouping a lot.
Self-compassion is one of the best mindfulness techniques you can use to help get into and maintain a growth oriented mindset. This allows you to expand your possibilities and learn lessons rather than beat yourself up for any perceived mistakes or mishaps.
This Cancer full moon phase is a great time to watch your words, reframe them, and start new habits of using self-compassionate self-language or internal self-talk. Especially as it relates to your internal dialogue about the past and missteps you have made.
We need to have some stumbles in life to learn and grow. We have all done things that we would do differently if we knew then what we know now. But life wouldn’t be life without tripping up now and again. This is a great time to work on your positive self-language and kick off a new habit of speaking nicely to yourself.
Water Cleansing under the Cancer Full Moon
Cancer is a water sign, the astrological element of our emotions. One great way to be in the rhythm with this full moon is to get in a body of water. Whether it’s a pool, ocean, sea, lake, jacuzzi, or bathtub. Get in and replenish, or sit by water and meditate.
If you can get to a spa and dip in a jacuzzi, do it. Your bathtub at home works just as well. Use some essential oils and candle lite for a relaxing bath. Listen to relaxing music and let yourself enjoy this nurturing self-care time.
Take time away from distractions to just be near the water. Tap into your subconscious and listen to what is on your mind. The Venus and Mercury retrogrades may be sending you messages of what needs renewed and replenished. Meditate and listen.
Humans need water to survive, so be sure you are drinking enough clean water. Water is cleansing and purifying, just like the energy of this full moon. Do a symbolic cleansing of your spirit and soul with water, fresh fruits, vegetables, and juices.
You may also want to let yourself have a good cry. If you have been feeling emotional lately and holding it all in. Let it out during the full moon. Schedule some time for it if you don’t have privacy and space. Feeling your feelings is important, and it can be overwhelming, so be sure to have time afterwards for journaling and self-care.
Get your box of tissues and let the tears flow. Then journal, nourish with healthy food, and drink water. If you are having more serious thoughts of depression or self-harm, seek out your support tribe of people or professional help.
This is not a time to spiral into desperation, sadness, or overwhelm alone. But if you are needing to let out some angst, sadness, grief, or steam through tears, this is a good time to let them flow. A good cry may not be for everyone, but if it speaks to you, engage and flow.
Another thing to do that is water related is a cleanse that includes juices and flushes. This could be a good time to flush out toxins from the system. Especially if you overindulged over the holiday season. There are many products and systems out there. Find one that is nourishing and check with your physician on what’s best for you first.
Natural Health and Astrology Series
I co-host a video series called Natural Health and Astrology, with Annabelle Fraser, a naturopath and gut health specialist. Each month we talk about the energy of the full moon and essential oils that support the vibe. The following essential oil information is from Annabelle.
This month Annabelle suggests Rose oil for this full moon. Rose is the oil of love and perfect for practicing self-compassion, self-nurturing, and self-care. Rose oil helps feel compassion for ourselves and others which is perfect for the Cancer full moon.
Use fresh rose petals in your tub for a luxurious self-nurturing bath, spritz on some rose water, or get an oil pre-diluted with essential rose oil to roll on your skin. Use Rose essential oil during your full moon ritual to invoke a feeling of love and self-nurturance.
Rose essential oil is quite expensive so look for a diluted oil like the doTerra roll on or a spritz of Rose water, which you can find at many health markets and even some supermarkets carry it.
Rose is also an antidepressant and aphrodisiac. It has a gentle, feminine aroma, and a gentle effect on our mood, hormones, and skin.
Check out this month’s full moon video on Facebook. For more information on natural health and gut health, contact Annabelle. Or join her private Facebook group, Natural Health Italy, by signing up. You can contact Annabelle for purchasing doTerra essential oils from anywhere in the world.
Natural Health and Astrology episode 24 Use Self-Compassion to Feel and Heal Available now on Lori Barnes Astrology Facebook page by Annabelle Fraser and Lori Barnes
On the Full Moon
Do a full moon releasing ritual for the element water.
If you can be near water, go to the sea, ocean, lake.
Go to the spa and sit in a jacuzzi or take a bath at home, submerge yourself in water with fresh rose petals.
Do nurturing things like cooking a meal, taking time off, listening to your favorite music, or a home facial.
Engage in your most favorite activities, the ones that make you happy.
Journal about your deepest feelings and don’t hold back.
Do a full moon releasing ritual to let go of worn out emotional baggage that doesn’t serve your best interests, higher self, and core values.
Write down a self-compassionate mantra to use for the life situations you are in right now.
Things to Do between the Full Moon and next New Moon
Sign up for a class or activity that really excites you.
Spend time in or around water that soothes you and replenishes your energy.
Try out a hydrotherapy session.
Do a cleanse or toxin flush. Always consult with your physician before doing anything health related.
Take action toward mending and healing unresolved relationship problems.
Take action toward releasing people and activities that are unhealthy for you.
Read, evaluate, re-write, re-evaluate, and update your 2022 goals. Run them through the SMART test (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, have a timeframe).
Practice self-nurturing boundaries so that you take care of yourself before taking care of others. This will allow you to better help others.
Use self-compassionate language and practice stepping into the non-judgmental zone when it comes to yourself.
Have conversations with your inner critic so you can develop new self-compassionate language that is nurturing and growth oriented.
Cancer Full Moon Questions and Journaling Prompts
What is happening in your life right now that is calling for a resolution? What unfinished business do you have with someone or something?
Is this unfinished business something that calls for mending or releasing? Describe what the solution or resolution looks like in a way that is self-compassionate and self-nurturing.
Write, evaluate, or re-evaluate your 2022 goals. Are they specific, realistic, and achievable. If not, update them so that they are.
List the ways you self-nurture yourself. Now write 3-5 new things you want to do for self-nurturing that you can start right now. Watch out for ‘should’ and look for things you ‘want’ to do, not ‘should’ do.
Wrap Up
The Cancer full moon is happening during the Mercury and Venus retrogrades. It is a perfect time to invest in looking backwards to move forwards. Take time to meditate and allow your mind to reflect on areas in life and people where there is unfinished business, renewals, or replenishment needed.
The theme of the Cancer new moon is self-compassion to feel and heal. Take time to do things that you love. Use self-compassionate language and come up with some positive mantras to replace harsh inner critic language. Get in or near water for the Cancer full moon phase as a symbolic replenishing of your spirit.