The Astrology Behind December's Full Moon In Cancer + How To Work With It

This month's full moon is in the sign of Cancer, arriving Tuesday, December 26 around 7:30 pm EST. As astrology expert and author of Astrology SOS, Imani Quinn, tells mindbodygreen, with the influence of Cancer, this might be a particularly sensitive and homey full moon.

"This moon is like a grounding resting place to experience the emotions that are coming up, which are going to have reverence and a strength about them," she says. To that end, we think of Cancer as being an emotional sign, but this isn't weak and vulnerable energy; "It's very strong, and the Capricorn energy from the sun is really helping solidify that," Quinn adds.

Cancer also happens to be a deeply intuitive sign, so Quinn notes that we might all experience heightened intuitive hits at this time with regard to where we want to go. Fitting energy for the last full moon before New Year's, if you ask us!

And remember, we did just have the winter solstice just a few days ago. That energy is very much still palpable, with Quinn telling mindbodygreen that we'd do well to revel in slowness under this full moon, allowing it to be emotionally and intuitively stabilizing.

On the very same day as the full moon, Chiron will also go direct in Aries after an extended retrograde, which Quinn says could bring up some deeply buried truths around our wounds, particularly mother wounds. Mercury and Jupiter will be finishing out their retrogrades during this full moon as well, she adds, with Jupiter going direct on New Year's Eve, and Mercury on New Year's Day.

Since this full moon is in water sign Cancer, Quinn recommends tapping into that energy with a soothing, winter-inspired ritual bath. You could add some orange and lemon, and even lavender, cinnamon, or thyme, Quinn suggests.

As you're in the bath, meditate on your emotional body and feel free to journal anything that comes up for you. "Being in water is very alkalizing and it's utilizing the energy of Cancer," she adds.

As the final moon of the year, December's full moon is also sometimes known as the "Cold Moon," marking a time for resting, resetting, and practicing self-care as you reflect on the past 12 months.

Full moons are all about letting go of what no longer serves us, and this one happens to close out the year 2023. Be sure to check out what this full moon means for your sign in particular.