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The Full Wolf Moon: Howl

full-wolf-moon

As we find ourselves back in the grind of life, we experience the first full moon of 2017 in the sensual, security driven, feminine sign of Cancer. Under normal circumstances, a full moon in Cancer—a sign ruled by the moon—would signal a fabulous lunar ritual: a reverent moment to connect with the mystery and power of the Earth’s moon, the passing of time, and a bright sky lit up by La Luna in her own sign.

Yet this full wolf moon happening at 22 degrees of Cancer on January 12th at 6:33 am ET feels less like a decadent lunar ritual and more like sitting at the crossroads of life.

Depending on the specificity of each of our individual charts, we can expect this full moon—comprised of four planets squaring in cardinal signs, as well as two oppositions—to create change. Massive change. On top of that, no planets are retrograde until February 5th, so things are going to take off—fast.

So rather than a quiet full moon moment in which you bask in its mystery and emotionality, your ritual this month may call for something more like a wild roar. Get outside under the full moon to have a time of connection, and belt out a savage howl.

At the time of this lunation, the Sun travels through the third decant of Capricorn, a salt of the earth sign that favors practicality and hard work over free-wheeling fun. The Sun also occupies a quadrant of the sky particularly close to powerhouse Pluto—a celestial influence that asks us to dig deep into the shadow and unearth sovereignty and psychological prowess.

As if that weren’t enough, Jupiter, the planet of good luck, fortune, and abundance, squares the Sun and moon—pushing us past our comfort to explore vast levels of growth and expansion. Jupiter represents knowledge and wisdom, and it is currently traveling through balance and justice-driven Libra. Jupiter’s position during this full moon takes a particularly confrontational stance: we need to move beyond comfort (Cancer) and hard work (Capricorn) into judicious evolution. After all, why grow if we don’t do so in agreement with wisdom?

Fair enough, right?

But even this notion has opposition.

The opposition comes in the form of Uranus, the planet of revolution, and Eris, a dwarf planet that represents feminine anger and discord. These planets travel side by side in Aries, and both square the sun and moon, too. So we can expect this full moon to not only ask us to incorporate wisdom into our growth, but also focus on speed, agility, and rapid movement as well. Maybe even upheaval too!

With four squares and two oppositions all in cardinal signs, this full moon forms a legendary Grand Cardinal Cross.

While this configuration may sound stressful, I prefer to see it as an empowering initiation presenting us (probably very obviously) with where change needs to occur. (How cool is that?! Thank you, universe.)

Rather than feel like we need to take action and force things ourselves, all we need to do is witness where the change is happening right before our eyes, and the choose how we want to dance with it.

Let me highlight the word choose. Our reactions are our choice. A Cancer full moon asks us to honor our emotions: to feel them and allow them. And yet, it behooves us to refrain from becoming our feelings. Rather, give space for them, and then integrate their wisdom into our lives.

We can have the emotion or experience without becoming the emotion or the experience.

Jupiter asks us to access wisdom—and we discern wisdom through observation. So during this full moon, witness the chaos, the change, the release, and integrate it. You may wish to practice this observance through meditation, self-care, and presence.

We can deduce. We can become informed. And then, through our wisdom, we can carry on accordingly with fierce focus, unwavering from our values, despite the chaos. (This is how we slay.) The focus that arises via the Grand Cardinal Cross may just equate to a year’s worth of life coaching and therapy combined. So pay close attention, because I promise it’s informing us, and guiding us past our blind spots, our shadow, and our need to control.

If we can stand at the crossroads, and let the universe direct our path (instead of us needing to control the universe), our howl will feel more like a primal exaltation rather than an excruciating crucifixion.

Get out there and howl! Let the cry feel cathartic, therapeutic, invigorating, and releasing. And then connect with the beauty of the moon. She’s guiding us into our power and our wisdom as we consciously (and subconsciously) become present with our truth.

Even more specifically, truth in the form of our marching orders for 2017!

Have reverence for this moon. She’s a powerful one. Simultaneously, stay compassionate towards others. They, too, are under the same moon! We’re all in this together. One moon, one love.

All of my love,

Jenn

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7 Comments

  • Renee

    Hi Jenn, thank you for your information. So, I’ve been journaling about the things that don’t serve me in preparation for the Full Moon. I’m now aware and working to alter certain behaviors for 2017. So now that the Full Moon is here and when I take a walk tomorrow at 6:33 a.m. – it sounds as though I should acknowledge what I’ve learned about myself, be thankful and keep moving forward? Thanks again for helping me understand how the moon and I can work together. Renee

    • jracioppi

      You got it Renee, beautifully articulated. There are other things you can do too, like write down what you are letting go and burning it tomorrow night in the form of a ritual as well. But I do think you have a solid plan here as is. If there’s anything else you need, feel free to email me. I am always here for you!

      All of my love!

  • Kimberly

    Thank you Jennifer for this uplifting & inspiring blog post. I’ve always known there was a special connection with the moon. You articulate the relationship so beautifully. Thank you for this. Learning to let go & trust the process is a difficult one but a worthy endeavour nonetheless. I do look forward to your emails! xo, Kimberly

    • jracioppi

      Thank you, Kimberly. I appreciate this comment a great deal. I look forward to hearing how things unfold for you. All of my love!

  • nikki

    LOVED this article! So enjoy your writing style.

    Feeling all of this strongly. Very inspiring! Is there a way to tell where our in our chart things may be activated during this Grand Cardinal Cross?

    Thank you
    x

  • Ashley

    Such amazing information, Jenn, thank you!! Tuning into my negative patterns today and looking at the wounds causing the patterns (thanks to Gabby Bernstein’s lecture!) so I can heal more fully 🙂 and of course, having self-compassion the whole way. Happy full moon!

  • Ryanne Dunlap

    Love this Jenn! This bit in particular was so powerful for me:

    Rather than feel like we need to take action and force things ourselves, all we need to do is witness where the change is happening right before our eyes, and the choose how we want to dance with it.

    And also this:

    If we can stand at the crossroads, and let the universe direct our path (instead of us needing to control the universe), our howl will feel more like a primal exaltation rather than an excruciating crucifixion.

    Being sick I can’t exactly howl at the moon, but I did go talk to her this morning while I was out with my furbaby! 🙂 My intention this cycle was about surrender and accepting my role as co-creator instead of sole-creator and this full moon (little did I know) is all about that. It’s kind of amazing. Since I started the journaling work on the challenge and continued it, I am more in-tune, at peace and I am feeling ready for what’s coming. Each cycle is another step and I’m in love with this part of the process.

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