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Cancer Full Moon: Belonging

By April Elliott Kent

This Full Moon in the family-oriented sign of Cancer brings to mind a story from my recent trip to New Zealand.

Jonny and I are standing in a tiny house, part of a museum in Okains Bay, a remote village on an out-of-the-way peninsula southeast of Christchurch. We’ve made a pilgrimage here to visit the general store, built by Jonny’s great grandfather in the 1870s. The little building is still operating today as the town’s grocery and post office and is reportedly the longest continuously operating store in New Zealand. We enjoyed having a quick look, and on the advice of the new proprietor we had stopped off at the museum down the road, a collection of small buildings filled with Maori and colonial artifacts.

The walls of this tiny dwelling, the home of some early settlers, is lined with posters detailing the colonial history of the community. Jonny is reading, with keen interest, the stories of his Moore and Robinson forebears, while I roam around aimlessly looking at old household items. Suddenly, he calls out, “I don’t believe this! April, come look!” He’s pointing at a paragraph adjacent to his family’s history, to an account of one Tom Coffin of Nantucket Island.

One of my ancestors.

I’ve always mused at the unlikely set of circumstances that had to fall into place for me to meet my husband, when we were born ten years apart in opposite hemispheres. How still more extraordinary to find that our families were acquainted eighty years before either of us was born!

Both of us, youngest children with independent streaks, are growing more interested in family as we get older. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because once you start moving into the Last Quarter phase of your life, you want to understand it in a larger context. Rather than seeing yourself as some singular, stand-alone miracle (why did I always assume I was the first person in my family to get to New Zealand?), you start to see that you are, in fact, a tiny thread woven into a larger tapestry. The older you get—and the fewer members of your family that remain—the more comforting it is to think of yourself as part of something timeless, as belonging to something.

Capricorn, the Sun’s sign at this Full Moon, symbolizes the place we carve out for ourselves in the world by dint of grit and fortitude. Cancer, its opposite, symbolizes the place we inherited, with no effort at all, simply because of having been born into a particular family and place.

The Cancer Full Moon falls near the Solstice this year, in the heart of the holiday season which, more than any other, throws our family relationships into bold relief. Being with family or away from them; reminders of holidays from youth; estrangements and losses that ache like an arthritic shoulder in cold weather… we may celebrate the holidays or not, but we can’t easily separate them from the legacy of family.

Not every family story is a happy one; for some of us, the healthiest life is one that cuts us out of that family portrait. But the family we’re born into is only the preamble to a lifetime of building intentional family, those dear friends, spouses, children, and neighbors who make you feel that you belong to them.

The mystery of how we choose a mate, close friendship, or even a place to live feels a little less random to me after that day in Okains Bay. Perhaps when a new person or place reverberates with uncanny familiarity, it’s not necessarily about past life connections, at least not our own past lives. Something electrical in me leapt to attention the first time I heard my future husband’s voice on the phone, and now I wonder: was it our Moore and Coffin DNA calling to each other in happy recognition, leading to a happy series of events that eventually called us back to that faraway place where we were once neighbors?

I suppose you could just call the whole thing a coincidence. But it’s in my nature and in my job description as an astrologer to read meaning in symbols. The Cancerian part of me feels strengthened and comforted to know that if I can find a family connection on a remote peninsula on the other side of the planet—because that probably means that I can go virtually anywhere in the world and find myself among family.

For some of us, this is a sad time of year. If it’s cold out there and you’re feeling disconnected from others, estranged from your family, missing someone dear, or not at home in the world, consider this: you belong here. You’re part of what makes the world what it is, and without you it literally wouldn’t be the same.  You’re the latest installment in a story that began a long time ago. So under the bright, Cancerian Full Moon, let’s summon that long ago time when our ancestors were friends, neighbors, cousins; no matter how far apart we may be, dear reader, it’s good to know you are out there, and that we belong to the same family.

Filed under: Home Full Moon Featured Article

About April Elliott Kent

April Elliott Kent is the author of Astrological Transits (Fair Winds Press), The Essential Guide to Practical Astrology (Alpha/Penguin), and Star Guide to Weddings (Llewellyn). She has contributed articles to The Mountain Astrologer and Dell Horoscope magazines and Llewellyn's Moon Sign, Sun Sign, and Sabbat annuals. April is member of ISAR, NCGR, and OPA and is a past President of the San Diego Astrological Society. Her weekly Big Sky Astrology Podcast can be found on iTunes and wherever you listen to podcasts. Read more of April's articles at BigSkyAstrology.com

Comments

  1. Mark Thayer says

    Jan 1, 2019 at 1:14 pm

    I love your wisdom, your writing ing concrete and right on, easy to apply and full of loving grace.
    I am a new follower. I always look forward to new postings.
    Satnam

    Mark Thayer

    Reply
  2. Patricia says

    Dec 25, 2018 at 4:40 pm

    Your article really hit home for me, being a Cancer Sun, Mercury & Venus. Thank you for articulating so clearly it reached my heart strings.

    Reply
  3. Edye says

    Dec 23, 2018 at 10:00 am

    What a lovely post! Thank you so very much!
    Blessings!

    Reply
  4. Jelena says

    Dec 22, 2018 at 1:56 am

    Wow what an amazing story about you and your husband.

    Thank you also for the uplifting message in the last paragraph that without every single one of us the world wouldn’t be the same. So very true.

    Wishing you a blessed holiday season.

    Reply
  5. Anita says

    Dec 21, 2018 at 9:54 am

    Thank you for this lovely column. I am missing many dear family members who have passed, my sister, my Dad, my grandparents and sweetheart husband just this year. As Venus trines Neptune and mercury crosses jupiter today this I am wishing for you and those who read your column a most happy solstice, a blessed full moon and a very merry Christmas.

    Reply
  6. Laura says

    Dec 19, 2018 at 10:08 pm

    Eerie. I’m experiencing a lot of synchronicity with someone online who is the other side of the country, and I think he’s feeling it too. We knew each other briefly in high school and share friends even now.

    Reply

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The Moon is in its
Full Phase

in the
Sign of Capricorn


Today's Lunar Aspects (Greenwich Mean Time)
(subtract: PST -8 hours, PDT -7 hours, EST -5 hours, EDT -4 hours)

  • Moon square Neptune, 10:55pm  May 15 2025
  • Moon trine Mercury, 5:29pm  May 16 2025
  • Moon square Venus, 5:45pm  May 16 2025

Venus is currently
The Morning Star

in the sign of Aries


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Astrologers use a variety of house systems, or methods of dividing up the sky into twelve sections. I use the Porphyry house system; another popular house system is Placidus (this is the default on https://astro.com). If the chart I send you looks different from what you are used to seeing, then likely a system other than Porphyry was used. Whole signs, Equal House, Regiomantus, and Campanus are examples of other systems. If you find all of this confusing, do not worry. It is likely not critical to your report.

m  Conjunction:  Like peas in a pod, planets in conjunction tend to come from the same place. They act together, but it’s also hard to tell them apart. This aspect can increase talent, focus, and intensity (“two are better than one”). Or one planet can disappear as the other dominates. Their connection feels so natural, it’s easy to think everyone blends these planetary energies just as you do—but mostly, they don’t!.

p  Sextile:  Planets in sextile are compatible, though without any fireworks. This aspect doesn’t demand your attention. It quietly presents an opportunity. You can join these archetypal forces. Donna Cunningham has called this the “Oh, that!” aspect, because that’s generally what her clients say when she describes their benefits.  To get the most from sextiles you need to actively work them.

q  Square:  Squares are wild and wonderful—but difficult too. The power struggle between these planets was likely defined in your youth, when they were impossibly challenging. People are usually aware of their squares. They force the issues that make you to grow. And that’s their gift. They ensure you learn your lessons. When you rise to the occasion, they bless you with energy, action, and success.

r  Trine:  Michael Munkasey has dubbed this the “goddess aspect” because it’s so lovely. Identifying talents you may have perfected in a previous life, trines can bring you joy. There’s a nice flow of energy between planets in trine. They support and reinforce each another. But without any struggle, you might take them for granted—neither using nor developing their gifts. An unattended trine can sometimes trick you into negative behaviors.

t  Inconjunct/Quincunx:  Your quincunx planets are innately incompatible. Bringing them into harmonious expression requires constant adjustments. This can be stressful, also motivating. You’ve got to keep changing your process, opinions or attitude—which promotes highly creative solutions.

u  Opposition:  They say opposites attract—and planets in opposition are never far from each other, though they’re constantly bickering. You may be triggered into awareness of this aspect by other people who seem to resist or undermine you.  An opposition can make you feel uncertain, insecure, or discontent, until you can accept and see yourself in both energies. Typically people find it easier to identify with one side and project the other onto unsuspecting others in the outer world.

First House: Personality, physical body, beginnings. Includes the Ascendant and rules physical appearance, the image you project to others, your general outlook on life, how you start things; may describe your role in your family system, often guides your first impression of immediate environment.

Second House: Money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions, talents.

Third House: Communication, thoughts, language skills like writing and speaking, early schooling, siblings and neighbors, short trips, coming and going around town.

Fourth House: Your home, psychological foundations and roots, family, parents, domestic life, instinctive behavior, ancestry, your connection with the past, sense of security, domestic life, real estate. conditions at the end of life.

Fifth House: Children, creativity, romance; pleasure, entertainment, self-expression; all forms of “play”, speculation, gambling, and attitude towards taking risks; hobbies, attitude towards romance, lovers as opposed to partners, attitude towards having fun.

Sixth House: Work and job (as opposed to career), daily life, attitude towards service and coworkers, helpfulness, pets, attitude towards routine and organization, how you refine and perfect your skills.

Seventh House: Partnerships, one-to-one relationships, marriage, the first marriage, the “significant other”, business partnerships, competitors, open enemies, lawyers, mediators, counselors, contracts, negotiations, agreements. clients/the public.

Eighth House: Transformations and crisis, your ability to meet and rebound from crisis and change, sexuality; sex, death and rebirth, rituals and personal growth, your partner’s resources, addictions, psychology, other people’s money, taxes, divorce/alimony, inheritance.

Ninth House: Attitude toward expanding horizons, religious beliefs and personal philosophy, higher education, long-distance travel, morals, foreign languages and cultures, personal truths, publishing, commerce, advertising, your sense of adventure.

Tenth House: Career and profession, your contribution to society, social status, public reputation, material success, how you carve out a public identity for yourself; attitude toward authority figures, parents, caregivers, bosses, governments, attitude towards responsibility, desire for achievement.

Eleventh House: Friends, groups, organizations; hopes, wishes, aspirations, personal goals; your philanthropic attitude, concern for the collective, humanity; like tenth, can bring recognition and honors for fulfilling hopes and dreams.

Twelfth House: What’s hidden beneath the surface, karmic dustbin, limiting childhood/past-life messages, self-undoing, hidden enemies, hidden weaknesses, dreams, secret affairs, lost items, hospitals and prisons, hidden strengths, spiritual studies and soul growth.

A  Sun: Our vitality and magnetism; self-identity, ego.
Roles: The Self, the Hero, the Performer, the King.

B  Moon: Intuition, emotion, nurture.
Roles: The Mother, the High Priestess, the Child.

C  Mercury: Mind; physical dexterity and mental agility.
Roles: The Thinker, the Communicator, the Student, the Trickster, the Merchant, the Thief.

D  Venus: Our capacity for pleasure, receptivity, creativity, and social connection. Also indicates our relationships, self esteem, and financial abundance.
Roles: The Lover, the Seductress, the Artist.

E  Mars: Desire, initiative, anger.
Roles: The Protector, the Athlete, the Warrior.

F  Jupiter: Luck, opportunity, expansion, higher learning, religion.
Roles: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Traveler, the Monk, the Professor.

G  Saturn: Hard work, commitment, focus, inadequacy, leadership, suffering, loss.
Roles: The Task Master, the Grim Reaper, the Wise Old Man, the Builder, the Cynic, the Boss.

H  Uranus: Change, breakthroughs, upsets, discoveries.
Roles: The Revolutionary, the Humanitarian, the Visionary, the Snob.

I  Neptune: Imagination, spirituality, idealism, addictions, deception, compassion.
Roles: The Artist, the Romantic, the Guru, the Addict, the Martyr, the Victim.

J  Pluto: Transformation, power, psychological dynamics, helplessness.
Roles: The Terrorist, the Detective, the Psychotherapist, the Dictator, shady people.

a  Aries: Pioneering, competitive, selfish, impatient, courageous, reckless, independent, dynamic, domineering, “Me first!”

b  Taurus: Patient, stable, lazy, dependable, practical, sensual, stubborn, artistic, possessive, greedy, gentle, loyal.

c  Gemini: Intelligent, curious, adaptable, quick-witted, restless, clever, scatterbrained, lacking follow-through.

d  Cancer: Nourishing, intuitive, protective, moody, sensitive, maternal, domestic, childish, cautious, creative.

e  Leo: Proud, dignified, vain, expressive, romantic, generous, childish, overbearing, self-assured, creative.

f  Virgo: Perfection-seeking, practical, methodical, petty, critical, studious, discriminating, cautious, never satisfied.

g  Libra: Charming, sociable, peace-loving, refined, diplomatic, artistic, indecisive, apathetic, easily deterred.

h  Scorpio: Passionate, secretive, penetrating, resourceful, suspicious, manipulative, jealous, sarcastic, intolerant, determined, aware.

i  Sagittarius: Freedom-loving, philosophical, optimistic, enthusiastic, careless, impatient, talkative, a know-it-all, broadminded, athletic, honest.

j  Capricorn: Serious, responsible, practical, hardworking, stubborn, brooding, inhibited, status-conscious, domineering, unforgiving.

k  Aquarius: Progressive, individualistic, unpredictable, cold, intellectual, artistic, eccentric, shy, impersonal, scientific.

l  Pisces: Compassionate, intuitive, ungrounded, romantic, impractical, self-sacrificing, seductive, musical, artistic.