Full Moon in Cancer with Mars Retrograde: Healing, Feeling and Cutting Away from the Past

The Full Moon in Cancer will be conjunct Mars Retrograde, creating an emotional as well as a reactive energy.

You might find you’re more emotional or sensitive under this Full Moon in the water sign of Cancer.

Memories of the past might bubble up, or you might reminisce about how things used to be. The past converges on the present as the ‘look back’ themes of Cancer might see you reconnect with people, possibilities or even pain from the past.

 

Normally I’d talk about a Full Moon in Cancer as a time for nurturing, for connection, for seeking – and finding – belonging in places you feel safe with people you can be vulnerable with.

And those elements are there – but there are other, stronger themes too, thanks to the presence of Mars, right next to the Full Moon.

Mars is retrograde in Cancer, kicking up grief, anger, frustration and the reactions that come from feeling threatened or scared.

Catch up on Mars retrograde in this podcast episode with Kelly.

All of those uncomfortable feelings are likely to be strong and need attention as the spotlight of the Full Moon rests on Mars.

Even though the Full Moon and Mars are in Cancer, a water sign, the intrinsic heat of Mars can add a pushing quality, that feeling of I need to do something, anything, I need to decide, do, push or make happen.

Identify a Problem with Mars

In astrology class, I often say Mars needs a project or a problem to tackle, a challenge to set his efforts towards.

Under this Full Moon, Mars retrograde may speak for the need to clear the past, to cut away what’s been hurt, to excise scar tissue.

The wounds of the past may never fully heal, however if you can find a new way to be with what once hurt you may be able to live more from the present moving forward, rather than letting the ghosts of what once happened continue to call the shots.

Healing, Family and Tenderness

Even though there may be pain under this tender Full Moon in Cancer conjunct sharp and grumpy Mars retrograde in Cancer, I believe there can be healing too.

Family is often linked to the Zodiac sign of Cancer. In addition, I think Cancer as sign can also describe where we feel safe, the people we feel safe with, as well as the places and the people that might nurture, nourish and protect us.

Under a Full Moon in Cancer, which is like a peak lunar expression of energy – the Moon is big and bright in her home sign, ruling her own state of fullness – you might become aware of the tenderness, the need, the essentials (people, places, passions) that require care and feeding.

Clarity Around What’s Not Working With Mars in Fall

With the Full Moon so close to Mars, and with Mars in technically challenging condition, (Mars is retrograde and in fall) this Full Moon might help bring to light what’s not working. You might get clear on what’s wobbly, unstable or not sustainable. Who or what no longer nurtures.

In turn this can highlight the need to make a choice, to turn away from one thing to turn towards another. The sharp edge of Mars might require a cut, an ending, a pruning.

In the garden, pruning always begets lush growth in the future. This Full Moon may well bring drama, a revelation and lots of feelings. It might also help you connect with what needs to be cut away to support future growth and expansion.

Under this Full Moon, the message may be pare back, heal or soften towards the past, before you can grow forwards.

How are you feeling under this tender Full Moon? What’s coming up for you? What will you cut away to support your growth?

For more on working with Mars Aspects, this webinar goes deep.