Full Moon in Cancer: A Ritual for your Inner Child
A full moon in the hands of a person with long brown hair wearing dark colors against a beach background.
Quick note, I usually share these intro details in my newsletter but I will be keeping the extra aspects and ritual to members only. So feel free to jump to the next section after the galaxy photo if you read the newsletter.
This full moon appears near the end of Capricorn season, wrapping up the cardinal sign that kicks off Winter in the northern hemisphere. With the moon in its domicile, we enter into a full moon that has the potential to help us truly tune in to our receptive lunar energy. As with most lunations, there is much to love about this chart and a bit that causes pause. While both Saturn and Mars are not in contact with the moon in this chart, Pluto has had its grips on us through this Capricorn season and it doesn’t lesson on this full moon, especially given that it immediately follows the Sun-Pluto conjunction.
Before I begin diving into the aspects, I want to share a bit more about what I see for this moon generally speaking. With this lunation, I envision it as an opportunity to reconnect to our shadow selves. I see this full moon as a gleaming orb serving as a mirror, reflecting back our ugly-crying face, a battle between our most broken bits and the part of us filled with child-like wonder and hope.
May this full moon serve as a reminder that we are all the moon’s child, whether we hold Cancer placements or not, as the planet nearest to us there is no way to not be intimately connected to the lessons of the moon.
A chart of the full moon on Monday at January 17th at 3:48pm PST.
Let’s jump into the main aspects of this chart and how it might reflect in our days. The main element that I want to explore is the fact that Pluto is so closely conjoined to the Sun and in opposition to the moon. The houses that hold Capricorn and Cancer are getting major revelations. This is the interesting thing about Pluto, while yes, it does tend to be connected to themes of transformation and destruction and the underworld, it’s also a very revelatory planet, shining the spotlight on things that many would prefer to keep hidden and under wraps. With Pluto in direct opposition within 1.5° of the moon, this tells me that this lunation will be especially revealing in terms of secrets that we keep from ourselves.
I’ll be sharing a tarot spread down below to help with this process but let’s explore this a bit more. With both of these planets in these signs, the theme that we’re exploring within ourselves is that of stability. How do the systems and structures of society work in opposition or with the systems within you that support your emotional stability? What truths do you deny in yourself so that you can “operate within” and “fit the mold” that society attempts to push you into?
The other planet aspect I want to discuss is this wide orb sextile from the sun to Neptune, and the wide-orb trine from the moon to Neptune. Look, modern astrology often connects Neptune to psychic abilities, to intuition, to dreaminess, but as all planets teach us, there is always more than just the traits we WANT to acknowledge. The truth is, Neptune is kind of a diffusing B. She’s dreamy, but as many dreams are, also confusing. Neptune aspects and transits can often resemble an energy of diffusion, like a mirage, painting a vision that isn’t quite what it seems. With this sextile and trine, I want you to ask yourself, what are the visions you’re holding on to that are more of a mirage than a truth? Where in your life are you afraid to move towards the reality because the vision is a little nicer to behold than the journey is to travel? With Neptune at play and Pluto too, you have a chance to face the truth and move forward from this full moon ready to let go of unrealistic expectations and embrace the truthful version of your dreams.
Additional Realm Only Details
In this chart, one of the asteroids I’m most drawn to is the position of Juno. In this chart, Juno is within a 3° orb of the Sun but only 2° away from Pluto. In this position, I see Juno as bringing up issues related to abandonment. She’s in a position where she’s adding influence to Pluto’s placement. This lunation occurs while Venus is also still Rx. With Juno so close to Pluto in the sign of Capricorn opposing the moon, we may notice that issues of abandonment stem more than usual, we may feel the wounds of not being supported be a bit inflamed.
As we move into the ritual, I want to honor the triggers Juno imparts. While we cannot ever fully heal the wounds left by those who walk away when we most need them, we can decide to step in and reparent ourselves. We can decide to give ourselves what we most needed and what we currently desire in terms of stability and partnership. We are living in times that can be very isolating and lonely, but Juno’s position in this lunation invites us to prioritize the relationship we have with ourselves.
The Spread
A tarot spread with 5 cards descending with number 1 from the top.
What truth are you afraid to face within you?
What systems of support will help you embrace this truth?
What do you need to release with this moon?
What idealistic mirage are you clinging to?
What journey are you ready to embark on?
About this ritual
This ritual will involve creating one of your own tools: cascarilla. I use cascarilla for a variety of things but it is a powerful cleansing and protective agent that you can use in combination with other spellwork. In addition to creating this tool, I’ve created a ritual as well.
Creating Your Own Cascarilla
Here are the supplies you will need. At this point there isn’t a vegan alternative.
Clean and peeled eggshells from 1-3 eggs. They have a small membrane inside the shell that is easier to peel once they are dry.
Any of the following herbs: Lavender, Rosemary, Chamomile, Thyme
Any of the following essential oils: Lavendar, Rosemary, Cedar, Palo Santo Fruit (sustainable), Citrus
A mortar and pestle or small blender or coffee grinder
Sea salt
Part Zero: Prepare the Cascarilla
You’ll want to dress a white candle with standard blessed oil or any healing or protective oil. Use your intuition and guidance. Feel free to add words or sigils that fit your intentions. Once you dress the candle, light it and begin gathering your supplies. I really enjoy and prefer to use a mortar and pestle but depending on your own abilities and tools, you may want to use something else.
I suggest peeling the eggshell membrane prior to preparing the cascarilla.
Once you have your supplies, add the eggshells bit by bit to the mortar and pestle and begin breaking that down slowly until you get it to a nice powder texture. I like powder versus chunks but follow your own guidance. Once you have broken down the egg shells, you can begin adding the herbs bit by bit and crushing those further along with the salt. Once you have a nice powder or thicker texture, you can choose to add a few drops of essential oil. I personally prefer to only add herbs but I also know some folks don’t have the option to work with fresh herbs only. Let this cascarilla charge with the candle near it. Afterward, you can store this and use it for a general cleanse or add to bath or floor wash for added benefits.
Two small dolls on a white tabletop.
The Ritual
I decided for this ritual I would walk you through creating a small doll to represent your inner child. I love the idea of working with the cancer full moon because of the way it connects both the need to reparent the self (Capricorn Pluto) and the need to nurture the emotional self and inner child (Cancer Moon). This may be especially helpful for those with opposing placements in Capricorn and Cancer.
For those who don’t know how to sew, there are a few approaches you can take to creating this. I found a couple of links to help with the actual execution, while I will explain the magical aspect. These blogs have some guidance but I don’t necessarily recommend or endorse them as any other kind of resource so don’t align my views with these sites as I didn’t do research in that regard.
Supplies
A fabric that would please your inner child
A little bit of stuffing whether that be fabric scraps, stuffing, etc.
Some dried herbs that you’re intuitively drawn to. Speak to your inner child for guidance.
Cascarilla powder you created (optional)
Crystals you feel drawn to (optional)
Magical oils you feel drawn to (optional)
Part One: Gather Supplies and Enchant Them
The above videos will guide you in selecting the exact amount you will need for your small doll. Once you have your fabric selected, I encourage you to take the wrong side, and draw some sigils within. Depending on your practice, there are a variety of symbols you can use. I’ll share some great ones below. You’re also welcome to use standard symbols like the heart, a star, a cross, or some combination of all of these.
Using your cascarilla or a blessed/magical oil, I want you to draw some sigils or symbols with intention on the reverse part of the fabric. As you do this, focus on the intention of healing your past self and your inner child. This doll will be a physical representation of your inner child and past self. I’ll give you instructions on how to feed it and nurture it and how to connect with it going forward. If you’d like, you may also write out any nickname you cherished as a child.
Part Two: Build the Doll
Using the instructions from one of the blog posts, or your own knowledge of sewing, I want you to build the base of the doll. As you do this, speak words of affirmation with each stitch (if hand sewing) or as you form the doll (if doing no-sew). Here are a few affirmations you may enjoy:
I nurture both my past and present self.
I listen to my inner child and honor their needs.
I honor my own needs.
Part three: Stuff the Doll
As you build your doll, I encourage you to add in some of the dried herbs you used in your cascarilla (if you made it) or any herbs that you feel called to. I especially love chamomile and bay leaves. PLEASE make sure that the herbs are fully dry unless you plan on checking on the stuffing — you don’t want it to get moldy. If you are drawn to crystals you may want to add a few chips or smaller ones.
As you do this, continue weaving your spell of affirmations. As you add the final bits and close up your doll, give it three big breaths to add some of your spirit and life to it.
Part Four: The After - Nurture and Feed the Doll
The point of creating this doll with this lunation or anytime you feel drawn to, is to create an actual representation of your inner child. On the full moon, if you choose to do this during the lunation, I encourage you to sleep with your doll and whisper your dreams to it.
When not connecting with the doll, you can place it on your altar or in a spot that you feel honors the doll. I recommend once a month or more frequently, giving the doll offerings that you might give to your inner child — think of the things you most enjoyed like ice cream, candies, comics, etc.
Other things I suggest doing with this doll, is bringing it along when you do inner child work or inner child dates —an activity I recommend to others often. If you’re watching a movie that gives you nostalgia, bring the doll along. When you ask your inner child what they need, direct that question to the doll.
If you choose to no longer use the doll at any point, please honor it’s essence and spirit by giving it a proper goodbye through burial or as an offering.
