Our first Full Moon of the new year occurs early Monday at almost precisely midnight EST.

The preceding Sunday is packed with astrological vitality, making this Moon super-duper—so, let’s get started.

Venus and Mercury have both recently moved into Aquarius. They are now sextiling Saturn, new to Sagittarius. This adds plain good judgement and success to any plans made now—especially artistic or career-wise.

Saturday saw the Sun join Pluto at the 13º of Capricorn. They will remain intertwined for the duration of the Full Moon, while sextiling Pisces Chiron.

The Maverick adds fuel to the already volatile healing capabilities of Sol and the Lord of the Underworld, BUT with the gentleness and compassion only a Piscean planet (or asteroid) can provide.

As she moves into Cancer, Luna, herself, dances with Chiron in a free flowing trine. Water meets water to dissolve old scars and give fresh perspective.

Yes, Sunday night’s event could be a major point of catharsis for us, depending on the intentions set at the New Moon as well as individual house position—look to 12 to 14 degrees of the Cardinal signs.

As you know, the Full Moon occurs along the Capricorn/Cancer axis. Earth and Water. The Father and the Mother of the zodiac.

Themes of nurturing and protection will surface. Quite possibly old ghosts from childhood could arise—don’t forget Pluto is in the frey.

How do we provide for our inner child?

How do we protect those—people, ideas, projects—we have committed to nurture?

How are we building structures that nourish and shelter the children—metaphorical and otherwise—we have birthed and are seeing to maturation?

Do these structures allow for growth in all areas—physical, mental, spiritual, emotional? Or are they outdated, in need of overhaul?

As the natural rulers of the 4th and 10th Houses respectively, Cancer and Capricorn bring along fundamental questions of our place and security in the world. Issues of do or die.

Alright, and now to get to the meatiest part of this opposition.

If we add in the Nodal Axis at 14º Libra/Aries, a Cardinal Grand Cross is formed between the Nodes, Aries Uranus, the Cancer Moon and Capricorn Sun/Pluto. Learn more here.

The inclusion of the Nodal Axis guarantees mistakes of the past do not need to be repeated. As of yet, undiscovered talents can now be affirmed and asserted.

It is worth mentioning that the Libra North Node inconjuncts Pisces Chiron for even greater abreaction energy.

This is where it all leads back.

Wait, did you say a Cardinal Grand Cross?

Holy wow!!!

Yes, grand crosses produce extreme amounts of tension, but tension with no ‘out,’ such as t-squares and kites contain. Add to this the Cardinal modality and, well, it’s all bark and no bite.

How frustrating!

So, of course, being the pollyanna that I am, I want to spin it in a more positive light.

If one had this configuration in their natal, I would be more inclined to see it in the traditional uber-adverse way—but this is a transit.

Big difference.

In astrology, tension = power. Transient power we can all claim and use.

As I mentioned above, there is no ‘out’ to a Grand Cross.  Fully locked in. I can’t help but think of a cattle brand, seared into time and space, never to diminish, marking ownership of a possession.

That is how I feel we should approach the FM opposition. Any intention genuinely thought upon during this event will forever contain the tremendous power of a Full Moon Cardinal Grand Cross, a Sun/Pluto conjunction, the radical transformation of the Uranus/Pluto square and the healing magic of Pisces Chiron out the wazoo.

Not too shabby.

It’s all there for us to use OR simply walk right past.

If you choose the later, though the night’s vibe might be odd, no harm, no foul.

It’s all up to you.

Happy Perihelion.

Lona