*Eleditor’s note: Astrology isn’t a religion. We’re not sure it’s a science, either. It’s magic, maybe. But, as with feng shui, say, things affect things. So as long as we don’t go blaming our problems on the stars, as long as we assume responsibility for our own actions…well, hell, a little auspicious coincidence and applicable wisdom can’t hurt. And so, with that grain of salt…enjoy!

The final full moon of the year takes place in the early hours of Christmas morning.

Therefore, on Christmas Eve the moon will be 99% lit up, radiating its brilliant light and guiding Santa on his annual trip with his reindeers and sleigh. If we look up to the skies in the early hours of Christmas morning, we may just see this magical sight gliding across the surface of moon.

The full moon is in Cancer during the Christmas holiday period, therefore, the focus will be on love, intimacy, compassion, emotions, family, friendship, relationships and intuition so all of these things will be in the spotlight as the moon radiates its full power. We will be feeing a deep desire to feel nourished, nurtured, cosy, protected and safe, especially since will likely be experiencing emotional tidal waves before, during and after this full moon.

Cancer is ruled by the moon, so when the moon is full and at home in her sign, we can expect all of our deep rooted feelings and sensitivities to be significantly illuminated. Cancer corresponds with the 4^th house  which is the house of childhood—correlating to the past and the beginning and end of homely matters. It is also associated with our unconscious reactions and behaviors and due to the feminine energy of the moon—this could relate directly to a motherly/maternal nurturing nature. Over this period we may be forced to look at our own role as a parent, or how we are/were parented, or even both. Our parental instincts bring forth our natural defensive and protective reactions and we will question the overly possessive and controlling behaviors, along with wondering if we, or others, do enough.

We should listen to and tend to the unique emotional needs of our own inner child, plus the children who are under our influence.

As Cancer is a water sign, the moon will be reflecting everything back at us and we can try and look away, but our emotions will not hide. Not only will we radiating loving feelings, we may also radiate the lows that are associated with our shadow emotions, the ones we usually prefer to deny.

While the moon is shining its light on our feelings, we can work with the electrifying energy so that our intuition and insight is magnified. We can then take a look at any past excruciatingly painful wounds than need to be acknowledged, cleansed and healed, while also cascading forgiveness, love and compassion to those who may have hurt us. We ought to be careful though, as this isn’t always easy. Throughout this blazing full moon will see everything and everyone in our lives with far greater clarity and we may not always like what we see. If we witness sides to others that may offend or shock us, we may be seduced to the darker side and lose ourselves in rage, anger or aggression.

We could be compelled to express understanding, consideration and affection toward those closest to us, or to show the polar opposite.

Christmastime can feel stressful.

Tensions are heightened as everyone feels pressure to be happy, gentle and kind to one another, regardless of what dysfunction simmers below the surface. Family and friendship dynamics can trigger us to respond in ways that we usually wouldn’t, especially if there are overly excited spirits or alcohol is involved. Our temper will be tempted to flare up due to feuds from our childhood or recent years, coming back and haunt us.

In these situations, biting our tongue is not easy at the best of times, let alone when we have to spend longer and more intensive lengths of time with people who we are not normally around. Rather than allowing people to press our volatile buttons, we can override our emotions by breathing deeply—allowing the chemicals in our system to flow through us, rather than allowing them to erupt into furious outbursts.

When the heat is on, our emotions can explode and raw “truths” may spill out. Even though, at the time it might be tempting to express and release the anger, we will feel better for it long term if we hold the reigns and soothe how we are feeling, rather than letting ugly expressions spark in the air. Especially if the fireworks happen at the Christmas dinner table.

Although is not always easy, we can respond calmly, rationally and with love, even if inside we are seething as we do so.

The more we do this, the easier it becomes and our reactions will likely take the others by surprise.

When people prodding and poking our emotions, whether intentionally unintentionally, we are momentarily vulnerable the emotions stored inside are squeezed out. When we are aware of this, we can pay attention to what is causing the friction—making a mental note to deal with it later when we are more calm and our mind is clearer. And also when the other person isn’t in the audience viewing our dramatic performance.

When we are triggered we may not be reacting in a way that is true to current circumstances. What we may think is an accurate response, quite often, is a delayed reaction to an accumulation of what has happened in the past, rather than what is happening in the present moment.

We should be true to who we consciously want to be and act with integrity, rather than accepting the erupting volcano and believing it to be our current truth.

This full moon draws out our vulnerabilities, insecurities and all of our unmet emotional needs.

We can use this time to forge closer bonds with those around us by gently communicating our innermost feelings, paying full attention and listening to the responses we receive. We can also release and let go of any resentments that we are harboring which have underlying negative connotations that cause us difficulties in our relationships.

Cancer notoriously has one foot in the shadow of the nostalgic past and the other stepping into an enticing and brilliantly lit future. It is ultimately our choice whether we remain caught up in our old behavior, repeating similar patterns or whether we force ourselves away from the past and directly toward our soul’s purpose, creating the exact life and circumstances we want and deserve for ourselves.

Full moons give us the opportunity to reap what we sowed during the last new moon. The new moon, that took place on December 11^th, asked us to look at the fragmented pieces of our lives so that we could finally make decisions to allow them to come together and click into place.

If we have used the past two weeks to assess the areas that have been causing us conflict, we can use the strength of the full moon to tie up loose ends, sweeping away any negative cobwebs so that we close the year with compassion, harmony, tolerance, understanding and acceptance.

We should ask the crab to finally release it’s tight grip on all that it has been holding on to. It is the perfect opportunity to make peace with any conflicts that may have taken place throughout the year.

When we are attuned to the moon and aligned to its energy, we can use the power to shift areas of our life that have become stagnant or particular situations that are dragging toward the seduction of the past. The full moon ebbs and flows and we can either elegantly flow with it or fight a battle against it, it is our choice.

A full moon is a potent and transformational time as the veil between our inner and outer world is thinner than normal. We will be far more sensitive and intuitive which allows us to control our destiny and choose to redirect our lives by burying the old and bringing in the new.

During December, it is the perfect time to reflect on the year, let go of the past, while becoming secure in who we are so that we can head straight toward a new and vibrant year ahead.

Full moon on Christmas Day is a rare event.

It has been almost 40 years since the last one and NASA has confirmed we won’t experience this celestial phenomenon again until 2034. If we miss witnessing it early in the morning, it rises once again at approximately 5.32pm on Christmas evening.

This Christmas full moon is the perfect way to gather together in the cold night air to celebrate and share special, rare moments, especially if we can go somewhere near water. Look up at the sky while absorbing invaluable shared memories of quality time with loved ones, setting the scene for a harmonious and peaceful future. Genuine heartfelt presence is the greatest gift we can give, or receive.

Our choices at the end of this year will influence how the next year begins and also sets the tone for how it plays out. It is a challenging full moon, though one that allows us to firmly take on the role of the alchemist and transform our lives. We can do this by making a resolution for the new year to release our desire to remain wallowing in the past and make a courageous and magnificent leap in the direction of a brightly illuminated future.

Relephant: 

Author: Alex Myles

Editor: Ashleigh Hitchcock

Photo: Pixabay