Following close on the heels of the Winter Solstice, this month’s Full Moon occurs on 22nd December 2018 at 17:49 GMT at 00 Cancer 49.
In the first decan of Cancer, this degree is allied with the tarot card Two of Cups – a favourable card to which the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn attributed the astrological energies of Venus in Cancer and titled the “Lord of Love”. The card from the Rider Waite Smith deck depicts an adoring couple, toasting to their love from chalices of gold. The Two of Cups often heralds a new romance, but can signify a friendship or even a happy working partnership. It speaks of two people (or complementary elements) in complete accord. As Aleister Crowley writes, this card signifies; “perfect and placid harmony, radiating an intensity of joy and ecstasy”.
The auspicious meanings of the Two of Cups are reflected in the mostly fortunate attributes of the 8th Lunar Mansion, Al-Nathrah, which was originally located in the constellation of Cancer and of which it is written in the Picatrix; “…in this Mansion it is good to make images (talismans) for love and friendship, and for the safe travel of those who go by wagon through villages, and to cause friendship between allies”, although the it is less favourable for captives, and is also less beneficial for mice and bugs, who can be expelled from ‘whatever place you wish’ under the influence of this Mansion. Just as a strong and well placed Moon can often denote fame and popularity in a Natal chart, or the potential for a favourable outcome in Horary and contest charts, the Moon in this Mansion can augur victory or the attainment of a cherished goal.
The Moon is in her own sign in Cancer, making this Full Moon particularly powerful for manifesting any goals relating to a harmonious home and family, promoting love and reconciliation in relationships and working on personal attraction, glamour and brilliance. Those with the sign of the Crab prominent in their charts, and particularly those with key planets or angles in the early degrees of the sign, may find this Full Moon particularly magical.
Following on from the Full Moon, the next lunar aspect is an opposition with Saturn in Capricorn. With Saturn and the Moon both so strongly dignified, this aspect may not be as challenging as usually expected and could even contain the potential to translate the inspirational, visionary qualities of the Moon into concrete results (although not without some Capricorn diligence and hard work). Expansive Jupiter in his own sign of Sagittarius underscores the meanings of the Two of Cups by highlighting the joy and generosity of the Yuletide season, his influence magnified by the Full Moon in Cancer, the sign of Jupiter’s exaltation . Providing we remain mindful that Mercury is still in the sign of his detriment and ensure we attend to words and details with care, this month’s Full Moon marks a hopeful start to the Astrological season of Winter and promising outlook to the New Year.
By Louise Of Arabia www.louiseofarabia.com
Chart calculated by AstroGold for Mobile
Bibliography
“The Book of Thoth” : Aleister Crowley
“The Mansions of the Moon” : Christopher Warnock
“The Picatrix” (Liber Atratus Edition) : Trans. by John Michael Greer and Christopher Warnock
ASTROLOGY BY LOUISE OF ARABIA 