Cancer Full Moon: Time to Shine

Most people associate Whitney Houston with the iconic hit “I Will Always Love You” (from her sexy 1992 movie The Bodyguard). But it was Dolly Parton who actually wrote the song in 1973 when, as a 22-year-old up-and-coming country singer, she was struggling with a professional breakup – not a romantic one.

Parton had been feuding with Porter Wagoner, her mentor and on-screen duet partner. After starring on his TV program for five years to great acclaim, she was ready to go out on her own. But Wagoner wasn’t having it. So, Dolly did what Dolly does best and wrote a song to convey how much she cared about him, even though she had to leave. It was her time to shine, and nobody was going to stand in her way.

Parton’s song moved Wagoner to tears, convincing him to let her go. And it shot to the top of country charts, launching her solo career. Soon thereafter Elvis Presley wanted to record it, if she was willing to sign over half the publishing rights. After much soul-searching, Parton declined. Ironically, 20 years later when Houston’s (Dolly-sanctioned) version debuted, both women made an enormous profit. Parton even joked that she’d made enough money on it (over $10 million) to buy Graceland. Instead, she bought a strip mall in a mostly Black neighborhood in Nashville, to refurbish it and create opportunities for low-income folks – the kind of passionate philanthropy her Dollywood Foundation has become known for.

Dolly Parton has the Sun conjunct Venus in shrewd, get-it-done Capricorn. And they oppose her retrograde Mars conjunct Saturn in Cancer. This powerful opposition reflects her hardscrabble youth, growing up in a family of 12 kids in a one-room rural Tennessee cabin. Yet she has utilized that Mars-Saturn tenacity and Capricornian business acumen – along with her awesome Venusian talent and Cancerian big heart – to create an amazing legacy that’s benefitted so many. (Note: During her split with Wagoner and shot to stardom, freedom-loving Uranus was squaring that opposition.)

In 1992, when “I Will Always Love You” was topping charts once again and breaking records worldwide, there was a Cancer Full Moon with Mars retrograde in Cancer that lit up Dolly’s cardinal axis as well as Whitney Houston’s destiny-charged North Node in Cancer and South Node in Capricorn.

And now we’re coming up on another Cancer Full Moon making the exact same aspects – for the first time since 1992. At the upcoming Cancer Full Moon (Jan. 13, 2:27 p.m. PT), we might also feel called to take the spotlight in some way. As the Sun at 23 Capricorn opposes the Moon and Mars in Cancer, we’re sure to have strong feelings and perhaps feel moved to protect the vulnerable. This could be a touchy lunation, though also deeply stirring and illuminating. Mars has been marking time in Cancer since late last year (early Sept. thru early Dec.) at which point it entered fiery Leo and went retrograde. The Warrior recently returned to Cancer, where he turns direct in late Feb., then zips through Leo till mid-April. That’s a long time for Mars (supercharged yet frustrated while retrograde) to be stirring up the realm of home and kin. Plus, he has to work extra hard while forced to operate in emotional Cancer, not a comfortable sign for him. If Aries or Scorpio are strong in your chart, Mars turning direct should be a big relief.

Meanwhile, what might this scrappy Cancer Full Moon hold for us? Especially for those with planets from 20 – 29 degrees of Cancer or Capricorn, this is your time to shine. But think of this radiance more like moonglow than bright sunlight. In other words, follow Dolly’s lead and act on your own behalf, but do it with love. Feel into what means the most to you, even what you’re willing to fight or die for. Give to people, animals and organizations which desperately need your loving care.

As this lunation moves to its culmination next Monday, draw close to those you care for – especially if you haven’t seen them in a while. But if you need to make a break with (or take space from) someone, do that too. Cancer reminds us that we’re all one big (if not always happy) family, which must learn to live together. And sometimes that means doing things for yourself. Whatever it may bring, this opposition between the Sun and Moon is sure to cast a powerful spotlight. Are you being called to step into it?