Cancer Full Moon 01/13/24
The Mantle of Leadership
We begin the year with a Full Moon in Cancer, ushering in all the feels. Echoing this theme Mars is also retrograde in the sign of Cancer, highlighting emotional layers. In short- the air is heavy with feelings, and our nerve endings are a bit extra-sensitive. Cancerian times likewise suggest that we can expect situations and experiences that poke at our emotions. So, don’t be surprised when life events make you feel some things. That’s the point, actually. Feelings get our attention. Ideally, they rouse us to right action.
With Mars playing center stage, I imagine anger is a poignant theme. This is exactly right, of course. Anger is that inner force of assertion that allows us the gift of clear delineation between right and wrong. It’s that part of us that rises up in the face of subjugation, oppression, or injustice and says, “no, not today.”
Anger, like all emotions, carries valuable information. However, as with any feeling, it isn’t always an accurate reflection of the present moment. Emotions can linger in our systems, shaped by experiences long past. Wounds and betrayals, losses and hurts—they don’t just live on as memories but also as emotional scars. When a present situation touches an old wound, it can trigger feelings from the past, blending them with the present.
This often shows up as reactivity—a knee-jerk emotional response. Unfortunately, reactivity can cause significant harm before it’s noticed, halted, and repaired. Compounding the issue is that many people remain unaware that their feelings might not be entirely accurate or rooted in the here and now. Still other capitalize on reactivity as conflict entrepreneurs.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, feel, and discern the wisdom our emotions are offering us before acting. Cultivating this skill—sifting through emotional noise to uncover clarity—will be essential as we navigate the complexities of 2025.
2025 is set to bring an abundance of noise. Currently, Mars in Cancer stirs the waters, but as the year progresses, we’ll see fiery transits dominate the astrological landscape. Mercury will retrograde in bold Aries and passionate Leo, Venus will retrograde in Aries, and both Neptune and Saturn will shift into Aries as well.
Aries, as the first sign of the zodiac, symbolizes a tremendous capacity for initiating change. However, change—especially under Aries’ influence—comes with intensity. It demands courage, assertion, and the willingness to embrace disruption. Aries change doesn’t ask politely; it pushes us to confront obstacles head-on, challenging us to shed old ways and take decisive action.
This fiery backdrop invites us to step into our power and navigate the inevitable bumps in the road. It’s not just about weathering the storms of transformation but learning to direct their energy purposefully.
Some important themes to remember collectively and personally as we contemplate this coming year these Mars/Aries themes.
Find your grounded authority. The words “I am” are potent forces of creation. The first sign of the zodiac, Aries, is where we are meant to grasp the inner sovereign uniqueness of being. Requiring radical self-awareness, humility, and integrity. Knowing the truth of who you are, shadow and light, honors the whole of our being.
The right use of anger. Anger fires us up to stand in our grounded rightness. The high destiny of anger lives in the sovereignty of our most healed spaces, not our wounds. It allows us to set sturdy and healthy boundaries and assert ourselves. Anger is the clarity of passion and purpose. It ignites our will to take inspired action.
You will need to pick a side. Aries-type change doesn’t happen when we straddle the messy middle. We must determine the point of delineation between old and new, right and wrong, and our parts and our self-led inner authority. There are times when neutrality is required. This isn’t one of them. You will need to pick the right direction.
Embrace conflict. Change summons that chaotic space between the stasis of potential and the kinetic expression of the new. Whether it is a seed pushing through soil to catch the sun, the caterpillar growing wings in the cocoon, that hard conversation in your relationship, or the clashing of our inner committee, conflict is necessary for growth. The trick is to do it well, using it as a force of creation rather than annihilation or wounding.
Summon courage. This time will challenge our fears, asking us to confront discomfort and step into the unknown. Courage doesn’t mean the absence of fear but rather the willingness to act despite it. It calls us to rise with conviction, defend what matters, and take bold steps toward growth and transformation, even when the path feels uncertain or daunting. Aries reminds us of our courage to navigate the uncertainty of change.
Which brings us back to Cancer, the sign that honors the grace of empathy woven with right leadership. Because all good leaders need a heart.
The Sabian Symbol for this Full Moon—A dark shadow or mantle thrown suddenly over the right shoulder—represents the unexpected assumption of responsibility, authority, or a transformative role. When approached with empathy, this energy suggests the rise of leaders who meet challenges with wisdom, humility, and a commitment to the greater good.
However, without empathy, this energy can spiral into narcissism, unchecked arrogance, and a domineering misuse of power. The shadow side emerges when confidence turns into hubris, leadership becomes control, and initiative prioritizes self-interest over collective well-being.
Want a good way to ascertain the difference of expression? Watch patterns of behavior. People, especially leaders, reveal exactly who they are by the words, choices, actions, and the consistency with which they show up. Integrity is reflected not in isolated moments but in the patterns that emerge over time. Pay attention to how someone handles conflict, treats those with less power, and whether their actions align with their stated values. These patterns speak volumes about their true character and intentions. When we choose people to lead us, we choose the patterns they embody. And patterns have consequences.
No doubt this year consequences will be on full display. Expect reality to get really real. And these consequences won’t just hit us in actions, experiences, and stories we see out “there”…we will FEEL them. They will be personal.
So honor where you are. Take care of yourself. Use soul screen as needed to protect your energy. You, the feeling ones, are essential on the front lines. Your empathy and sensitivity are not weaknesses—they are your greatest strengths in this transformative time.
“Choose a leader who will invest in building bridges, not walls. Books, not weapons. Morality, not corruption. Intellectualism and wisdom, not ignorance.”
― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem
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This New Moon occurs at 24° Cancer.
Photo by Red Zeppelin on Unsplash
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