Nodes of Fate Officially Change

Today the nodes of fate officially change. This is the closing of a chapter of our lives looking at the balances between our relationship with others, and ourself as the Nodes transition from the Aries/Libra axis to Pisces/Virgo. With the North Node in Pisces, our collective future destiny is to find deep connection to our soul, immerse ourselves in the spiritual and sacred, live in full trust and surrender, knowing that we are always fully supported and guided, and follow our intuition and deep internal wisdom. The South Node in Virgo asks us to leave behind patterns of overthinking, worrying, and trying to control and hold on to things that are ready to be let go of. It is asking for us to loosen our grip of control, micromanaging , perfectionism, and overworking tendencies. Letting go of the pressure to have everything align, make sense, and be figured out. Encouraging us to sit in stillness, tap into our inner wisdom, and be in the flow.

Full Moon in Cancer - 1/13/2025

The full moon occurs at 24 degrees of Cancer on Monday, January 13th, at 5:26pm EST. This moon carries some magick with it and will be potent. The lunar nodes change signs just two days earlier and this full moon is beginning a story that will unfold through 2027.

Aspects:

• Opposes the Sun and Pallas Athena in Capricorn & Pluto in Aquarius

• Conjunct Mars (still retrograde!) in Cancer

• Sextile Uranus in Taurus & the South Node in Virgo

• T-Square with Aries Stellium - Chiron, Eris, Hygiea squaring the Moon

• Trine Neptune & the North Node in Pisces, Juno in Scorpio, & Astraea in Sagittarius

The last Gemini Full Moon came to help each of us tell and begin to live a new life story. Then, to set the tone for our year ahead and move us into deeper purpose & potential, was the Capricorn New Moon, offering us action oriented and supportive energy to achieve our goals. Now, to illuminate our way forward is the Cancer Full Moon.

The moon is at home in her ruling planet of Cancer. As the cardinal sign of water, Cancer carries profound potency. This full moon is calling us home and asking you to begin from a place of well nourished rest, introspection, connection, and deep grounding. Only from a place of deep authenticity and owning all parts of yourself in love and complete acceptance, are you able to fully tap into the innate wisdom of your soul’s calling, connection and purpose, and fully co-create the reality ahead that you wish to bring in.

The nodes which have just changed signs are prominently supporting this full moon in sextile and trine, echoing the affirmation that this begins a new chapter in the story of our lives. The deep water of Cancer & Pisces encourages us to lean into stillness, our deep, innate inner wisdom and connect with our Higher Selves & purpose. To truly sit in surrender and flow. While the South Node in Virgo, encourages us to move past any blocks that may delay this connection: overthinking, worry, perfectionism, and control. The North Node in Pisces asks us to lean into full trust of our divine intuition, faith, and fully trust and surrender to divine timing. And, to embrace unconditional love, forgiveness, and interconnectedness.

With Chiron in Aries, we are also being asked to heal wounds of unworthiness. In other words, releasing a need to look outside of ourselves for approval, validation, or anything else external that you may be using to fill a void of feeling “enough”. The Moon in Cancer reminds us that this fulfillment will only come from being deeply grounded, loved, and at home, within yourself. Nothing external will ever fill your void of self worth and love, but you. And as you accept this and journey fully back home to yourself, fiercely embracing your own love and worth, only then will you see that you no longer seek as much from the outside world and that all you need, has, and will always be, found within you.

One of the most magical aspects of this Full Moon is that she squares Chiron at 19 degrees of Aries. This is the exact same degree point of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, in which Chiron was conjunct. This offers us a huge opportunity to close old stories and heal old wounds and patterning. It asks us to get really curious and reflect back to themes of self worth. Where have you been living from your worth wounds and playing small? Where have you been allowing stories of not being good enough or limiting beliefs hold you back from achieving your wildest dreams?

Chiron is also conjunct the dwarf planet Eris & asteroid Hygiea and creates a T-Square with the Sun/Pluto and Moon offering a powerful opportunity for deep self healing and stepping into your power. At the heart of this tense aspect is a profound healing medicine. The breaking of old patterns. Eris, who was said to cause the Trojan War out of rage that she was always relegated to outsider status, is standing arm in arm in a conjunct aspect with Hygiea and Chiron - the two most potent healers of the zodiac and Greek pantheon. Let Eris show you boldly where your soul purpose lies and what patterns need to be released for you to advance on your path. These energies call you into deep forgiveness, healing, and empowerment.

Another magical thread forms as this Full Moon creates a sextile to the exact degree point of the Virgo Full Moon Lunar Eclipse that will happen on March 14, 2025. What we begin now, will be transformatively affected to this first eclipse in Spring and continue through 2027.

So, how are you becoming your own safe space and sanctuary? How are you nurturing your inner child and yourself today, this full moon, and every day? Unless we come from a place of wholeness, we cannot operate at our fullest potential. Not in relationship, not in work and service, and not in connection with our gifts and with ourselves.

We are being asked this year to live fully guided by our intuition and the Universe. Following the signs, synchronicities, and fully trusting our soul to lead the way. Our main motivating force for this year is spiritual awakening and commitment to our spiritual practices and soul growth - truly finding and stepping into our soul mission. As the Moon opposes Pluto (in an out of sign conjunction) this could not be more loud and clear. Pluto is about to spend his first full year in Aquarius since 1779 and is breaking the chains of patriarchal injustice and bringing the power back to the people. He is reminding us of who we truly are - powerful co-creators, having a human experience. Pay close attention to where you give your power away and live from the outside in. This Full Moon is calling for you to anchor in your own essence, truth, and soul, and to remember that the outside world is a direct reflection of our own inner world. It is a powerful call home to yourself, your sovereignty, and to fully claim what you desire, living in a way that is true to who you are and who you are here to embody.

To help us with this is Uranus, who is sextile to this full moon, shaking the foundations of your life and asking you to free yourself from anywhere that you aren’t fully free to be all of yourself. It is our wake-up call to action, to be authentic and ensure we are in alignment in our life, no longer playing small. In true Uranian energy, you may find yourself pushed along your path, needing to leap out of your comfort zone, face up to things you have been avoiding, or accept challenges that you’ve not felt quite ready for. 2025 is a year of true soul growth, expansion, and evolution, calling us to remember who we are and why we are here. Neptune’s trine helps to further support this, connecting us to our soul, with divine and deep spiritual connection. Allow yourself to trust and be guided to where you need to be. Surrender to your soul and know that you are part of something much greater- always being supported and guided along your path.

Cancer, the cardinal water sign, helps us to generate the water within ourselves. Our water element is what helps us to heal, connect with Spirits, and replenish and nourish our soul. It reminds us that we are both soft and fierce. It also teaches us the magic of flow and soft change. Just as the ocean gently molds the shoreline, we too can shape our own lives if we are willing to be patient. There will be times in our lives when this soft flow is needed, and times we tap into our fire, blazing in swift change with a crash. Both of these energies are beautiful in their own right and both are necessary at different chapters of our life as we carve our own place in the world.

Cancer is represented by the crab, who uses their hard shell to keep all of their emotions contained and close to heart. The challenge that Cancer carries is to explore vulnerability - the willingness to acknowledge that life is meant to be lived, enjoyed in full, and not always be hidden. That, to grow, means to put yourself out there and take risks at times. As the crab leaves the safety of his own shell to grow into a new one, he is exposed to elements that force him to rely on surviving through intuition and instinct alone. Just as the crab evolves through times of transition, so do you, even if they make you feel vulnerable or afraid. The silver lining of uncertainty is that it gives you no choice but to trust and rely upon your own inner knowledge and power. The lesson showing us that empowerment can often come through being vulnerable. So, this Full Moon, consider if you, like the crab, need to leave your old shell full of patterns, safety, and limitations for a new shell, capable of holding your new expansive self. Are fears - of the unknown or other - holding you back from taking a leap of faith in a new direction or allowing yourself to grow? Feel into what transformation is calling to you. Allow yourself to process all the emotions it brings so that you can take the steps you need to fully evolve next year.

This Full Moon will magnify your intuition as well as your emotions. Cancer teaches us that the two go hand in hand. You cannot access your deep inner wisdom without feeling your way there. If you shut yourself off from feeling or suppress your emotions, your intuition is also lost. Let the moon bring forth inner knowledge that you know, without hesitation, is your truth. For this, brings out your magick.

Lastly, I want to talk about the Cancer/Capricorn Polarity axis because these are the energies we are feeling and tuning into this Full Moon. The sun still being in Capricorn and the moon sitting in her glory, in Cancer. These two zodiacal archetypes oppose each other and have different rulers - Cancer being ruled by the Moon, and Capricorn, ruled by Saturn. This is the axis of structure - of learning to dance between the dualities of interdependence and self-sufficiency which often play out like a theme of inner emotional security vs. external achievement. Cancer, rules our emotions, our care, and nurturance, reflecting our deep need to feel safe and supported by others. Cancer also emphasizes the need for interdependence - our ability to connect emotionally and build relationships that foster belonging and mutual care. It is what allows us to build and nurture a family, or cultivate our own deep, internal “home”. Cancer teaches us to embrace vulnerability as a strength, showing us that needing others isn’t a weakness and reminding us that we are all innately hard wired for relationship and connection. Cancer, perhaps more than any other zodiacal sign, also helps us to understand the cyclical ebb-and-flow nature of life and our emotions. She is the wisdom keeper of our emotional body and helps us unlock the keys to that gift. At its best, Cancer teaches us that interdependence - forming authentic bonds and seeking support - is a fundamental part of the human experience and reminds us to trust in others. Capricorn is the polarity opposite and embodies structure and self-sufficiency. Ruled by Saturn, Capricorn symbolizes ambition, discipline, and responsibility, and is focused on self-sufficiency and drive. Capricorns thrive in environments that reward hard work and determination and seek to build a legacy through concrete achievements. It teaches us to take personal responsibility for our own success and security and to create healthy boundaries that protect our containers, independence, and autonomy. Capricorn also teaches to cultivate the gifts of resilience and endurance which are critical to weather life challenges without falling out of balance and into unhealthy patterns of reliance on others. The duality of the axis again dancing between the need for deep emotional connection vs. practical ambition, nurturing vs. material provision, healthy dependence vs. independence, and the wealth of both inner and outer success. Together these energies challenge us to learn when to rely on others and ask for help and when to lean into our own internal drive and rely upon ourselves. They teach us that both types of care (emotional nurturing and material and structural provisions) are valuable and that balance is key. Overemphasis on one vs. the other (ie. unhealthy codependency vs. emotional neglect) creates imbalance. And it teaches the importance of cultivating deep emotional wisdom and intuition as well as the need to remain grounded, practical, and emotionally restrained to achieve our material goals. Learning to cultivate a balance upon this axis is key to success in life. Cancer calls us to dive deep under our shell, get real, and cultivate our own self love and security instead of relying upon, and seeking it, within others. It calls us to recognize when nurturing becomes enabling and teaches us to set healthy boundaries. Capricorn teaches us the need to develop emotional awareness, resilience, and allow ourselves to become vulnerable, even while striving for independence. It pushes to really understand the concept that developing emotional support does not diminish our own strength, but instead can strengthen our vessel for success. This axis ultimately guides us to embody and integrate these dualities and finely balance them within us, creating a life that honors both energies and provides us with the skills for ultimate fulfillment and success.

Journal Reflections:

• Think about what makes you feel safe and supported. What are the cues that let you know you are safe to let down your exterior walls, soften, and feel safe and secure? What does emotional security mean to you and how can you cultivate this in your life?

• What is your own internal “home” frequency (ie. love, peace, gratitude, contentment, etc)? What self care practices can you create to return back to this frequency no matter what happens throughout your day? What will bring you back to yourself and your intuition? Decide how you want to feel this Full Moon, and commit to feeling that way each day as you flow with the curveballs of life.

• What emotions have I been ignoring? How can I honor and release those today?

• How do I balance caring for others vs. taking care of my own needs?

• What family dynamics or ancestral patterns are you ready to heal & release this Full Moon?

• Where are you overly self-reliant and how can you allow others to support you? In what ways do you lean too heavily on others for emotional support and how can you bring balance to this dynamic? In what ways can you nourish your inner child?

• How can you release old fears or insecurities to make space for deeper emotional fulfillment?

• What intentions can you set to nurture yourself and others more deeply in the coming weeks?

• What blessings in your life fill you with profound gratitude?

Dancing with Mars: Working with His Synodic Cycle

From Earth, the planet Mars (the closest planet outside of Earth’s orbit) has a regular, visible pattern in the sky that can be observed. We call this pattern a synodic cycle.

The Synodic Cycle of Mars begins and ends with its relationship with the Sun and refers to the full orbit of Mars with the Sun which takes 780 days or roughly 26 months. The Sun is our sense of purpose in our lives, it is the core essence of who you are - your soul’s purpose, vitality, and the light you radiate. Mars is the energy that drives and fuels your ability to act on that purpose, embodying your courage, willpower, and determination. It is the sacred warrior energy that takes the Sun’s purpose (your Divine Will) and brings it into the world through action and desire. It is the “how” that fulfills the Sun’s “why”. In other words, the Sun holds our vision and Mars actualizes it. Without Mars, the Sun’s purpose remains unfulfilled, existing only as unrealized potential. Both are dependent on the other to fully fulfill their destiny. They work together to bridge the spiritual and physical realms and, when in harmony, they align and create a balanced flow between vision and action. The esoteric journey of integrating the Sun and Mars is learning to act with purpose - Mars through the wisdom of disciplined action aligning with the higher light of the Sun, while the Sun reminds Mars to act in service of the greater good, avoiding impulsivity and self-centered ambition.

The Mars synodic cycle influences how we experience and work with Martian themes like:

• Energy & Drive - the cycle will reveal how our motivation and energy levels ebb & flow over time.

• Conflict & Action - Mars’ retrograde and opposition often coincide with heightened conflict or the need to re-evaluate how we assert ourselves.

• Ambition & Goals - cycle marks phases of initiation, culmination, and adjustment in our pursuit of goals.

In Shamanic Astrology, the synodic cycle begins with the Mars-Sun opposition. This perspective emphasizes the conflict and tension inherent in the Mars opposition, viewing it as a crucial turning point in the cycle where confrontation and necessary change are likely to occur and kicks off the transformative cycle (6 phases). In Western Astrology, it begins with the Mars Cazimi (Mars conjunct the Sun). This approach sees the cazimi as the initiation point of the Mars cycle, signifying a time of intense focus, motivation, and potential for strong action due to Mars' close proximity to the Sun.

I think both views of the cycle carry value; its a personal preference in what story framing most aligns with you. Let’s look at the Shamanic Astrology Cycle in closer detail. In its opposition with the Sun, Mars is physically closest to the Earth. This is when Mars rises in the east as the Sun sets in the west and is called an acronychal rise. The zodiacal sign that Mars is in when beginning their Synodic Cycle is called the overtone. The planet typically spends 7-8 months in the overtone sign before, during, and after, the acronychal rise.

In Shamanic Astrology this Synodic Cycle pattern is divided into 6 distinct phases which is outlined below. In this train of thought, Mars represents the archetype of the Divine Masculine and explores the ideas of healthy masculinity, such as standing in one’s power, embodying courage, and pursuing passion and purpose with integrity. If you are working with Divine Masculine healing, Mars can provide insights into your natural assertiveness and how you channel that energy in healthy ways.

Phase 1:

Beginning with the acronychal rise, Mars is retrograde for half of this phase and also at its brightest. Phase 1 ends when Mars returns to back to the original point in the sky (sign and degree) that it was at arconychal rise. Shamanically, Phase 1 is like the Call to Adventure or the start of the Vision Quest. It can also be seen as a birth and emergence as well as an early youthful period of time for the Masculine.

Phase 2:

This is the longest phase of the cycle and typically spans 10-11 months. During this phase of the cycle Mars meets the Moon on a monthly basis. In Shamanic Astrology, these are known as the Challenges and represent specific areas of growth for the masculine varying greatly on the sign and constellation that Mars is in. Phase 2 ends when Mars disappears in the glare of the Sun (15 degrees from Sun).

Phase 3:

This phase lasts 3-4 months and is known as the “underworld phase” and is a time of masculine surrender. From Earth, Mars is now on the other side of the Sun during this phase. Shamanically, it is celebrated as Native American Sundance of Okeepa initiation. It is a process of facing one’s fears and death/rebirth.

Phase 4:

This part of the cycle occurs when Mars is visible in the early morning, right before sunrise. This phase lasts 4-5 months. It ends when Mars re-enters the zodiacal sign that it was in at the acronychal rise.

Shamanically, this phase is about rebirth and growth, or harvesting the potent wisdom from the Phase 3 journey through the underworld.

Phase 5:

This phase begins when Mars re-enters the zodiacal sign of its original acronychal rise. Shamanically this represents the gift of maturity and elder wisdom. This phase ends when Mars reaches the zodiacal sign of its next undertone.

Phase Zero:

This is a period of gestation in preparation for the next phase of the Mars cycle. It includes metamorphic shift from one sign/archetype to the next, carrying with it the wisdom of the previous cycle.

The cycle ends at the acronychal rise / Mars-Sun Opposition.

Looking at the Western Astrology Approach, there are also 6 key phases, aligning with her movement and angles with the Sun:

Conjunction - Mars sits behind the Sun and is invisible as it is obscured by the Sun’s glare. This is symbolic of the “seed point” in the cycle, akin to a new moon. It represents a time of initiation, setting intentions, and beginning new actions. New energy & plans related to Mars begin to germinate.

Emergence - Mars as a Morning Star; Mars emerges from the Sun’s glare and becomes visible in the morning sky before sunrise. This is a period of growing awareness and active engagement. The seeds planted begin to take form. This is a time to act on new ambitions, confront challenges, and assert independence.

Opposition - Mars is Opposite to the Sun; this is when Mars is physically closest to the Earth, at its brightest, and is visible all night. This is considered the “Culmination” or peak of the cycle; akin to a full moon. Actions, conflicts, or themes come to full expression and it is a time for resolution or escalation of issues.

Retreat - Mars as an Evening Star; after its opposition, Mars begins to move away from Earth and appears in the evening sky after sunset. This phase represents a waning energy in the cycle. A time to reflect and integrate lessons learned during the peak; ie. analysis of results, adjust strategies, and let go of what is not working.

Retrograde - Mars appears to move backwards in the sky from the Earth’s perspective (an illusion due to the differences in orbital speeds between Earth & Mars). Mars slows down her external progress and invites an inner exploration into Mars energies (goals/action, anger, desire, conflict, and energy expenditure). This is an invitation to internally reflect on past conflicts, reassess desires and actions.

Return to Conjunction - cycle begins anew as Mars returns back to align with the Sun again.

The Mars synodic cycle aligns beautifully with the Hero’s Journey as it represents a cyclical process of growth, challenge, and transformation through the lens of our personal drive, courage, and the Divine Masculine.

• Call to Adventure - Mars Cazimi. The hero hears the call and begins his new journey. Your individual inner warrior is reborn with new desires, ambitions, and a renewed sense of purpose.

• Crossing the Threshold - Mars Evening Star Phase. The hero crosses into the unknown and the journey begins.

• Trials & Challenges - Mars Opposes the Sun. The hero’s story unfolds as he confronts external trials, allies, and enemies. It is a time of testing strength, courage, and resolve forcing you to confront fears and limitations. Emotional triggers and external pressures test your ability to stay focused, aligned, and in balance.

• The Descent & Ordeal - Mars Retrograde Phase. As the illusion of Mars moving backwards in the sky unfolds, so does this symbolize a backward motion on our journey. This is the chapter of deep inner work and integration. It is the dark night of the soul on our journey. The hero confronts their shadow, unhealed wounds, and inner demons. It is a time of reflection and re-evaluation. The Divine Masculine energy becomes introspective and invites you to evaluate how you take aligned action.

• The Atonement - Mars Direct & Emerges As the Morning Star. The hero integrates their lessons and emerges transformed. This is a period of clarity, understanding, and alignment with one’s true purpose. You will emerge with a renewed sense of confidence and drive. The lessons learned in retrograde help refine how you assert yourself and take action in the world. You will begin to engage in the world in a much more empowered way.

• The Return Home - Mars Approaches the Next Conjunction (New Cycle Preparation). As he moves closer to the Sun, he completes his cycle. The hero returns home with newfound wisdom and strength, ready to share their gifts with others and begin again on a new chapter of their journey. New rebirth and wisdom of your Divine Masculine Energy emerges.

As the Mars Opposition occurs today, it offers the reflection of clarity re. patterns of confrontation or empowerment that have surfaced:

• What situations or relationships in my life are testing my courage and assertiveness right now?

• What drives my actions today: love, fear, or anger? How can I align more with love, trust, and purpose?

• In what areas of my life do I need to reclaim my power and take action?

• How can I face challenges with strength and integrity instead of aggression or avoidance?

• Who or what is triggering me today and what lesson does this hold for my growth?

• What can I do today to balance boldness (Mars) with mindfulness (Sun)?

• Am I taking actions that align with my long-term goals and values or am I distracted by short term frustrations?

The Mars synodic cycle reminds us that most things in nature have a cycle and that attuning to that cycle can often impart wisdom and beautiful shifts in our alignment in life. As the classic phrase from the Emerald Tablet reminds us “As above, so below”, tracking Mars’ phases in your natal chart allows you to align your actions and ambitions with the natural rhythm of the cycle, enhancing your own personal effectiveness and growth.