The first full moon of the new year occurs on Saturday 3 January 2026, with the Moon at 13°02′ in the sign of Cancer (the Crab) and the Sun opposite at 13°02′ in the sign of Capricorn (the Goat), which is exact at 9:04PM Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).

You may need to convert the date and time details into your time zone, which can be done here.

Full Moons are a cycle of culmination, release and completion, so if you have any personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars) or angles (particularly the ‘cross of matter’ – ASC/DSC (1/7 house cusps) and IC/MC (4/10 house cusps) between 9-17 degrees of the Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) you may feel this full moon more intensely than others.

The sign of Cancer

Cancer has a Cardinal quality; with this modality signifying the change of season. Cardinal energy is initiatory, so these signs are action-oriented starters and like to “get new things going.” Cancer is also one of the signs (along with Scorpio and Pisces) which is associated with the Water element concerning feelings and emotions, instinct and sensitivity. Some keywords for Cancer include: caring, nurturing,
protective, receptive and tenacious.

The Moon ruling the sign of Cancer

The planet (or luminary) ruling Cancer is the Moon. The Moon is associated with security and safety, instinctive responses, the unconscious, family, our heritage and ancestry, Mother, basic needs, caretaking, food, feeding and the rhythms and tides. The Moon rules food, and the stomach and the breasts are connected with being fed and with feeding, the taking in and the giving out of nourishment. The Moon also rules the fluids in the body and the lymphatic system, as well as the body’s containers, such as the stomach and breasts, as well as the womb and the bladder.

Since Cancer is an emotionally sensitive Water sign, we will hopefully be feeling emotional in a positive way as we celebrate the holiday break over Christmas and the New Year with family and friends. (Although I acknowledge the recent abhorrent terrorist attack on Bondi beach which has destabilised feelings of security in my homeland, Australia).

The sign of Capricorn

Capricorn is one of the signs associated with the Earth element of groundedness and practicality. Some keywords for Capricorn include: serious, conservative, traditional, mature and organised. It also rules ambition and can also be cautious, serious, steady and
controlled. Reaping rewards for effort and hard work is also a Capricorn theme. Capricorn is further associated with being productive and professional, and having a focus on status, social standing and respect in career and other worldly aspirations.

Saturn ruling the sign of Capricorn

Capricorn is ruled by the planet Saturn. Some keywords associated with Saturn include: authority, structure, boundaries, responsibility, commitment, tradition, convention and realism.

At the time of this full moon we may therefore be thinking about our home and personal or family life, and issues around nurturing, caring and protecting those you love (Domicile Moon in Cancer), as opposed to controlling and ordering your work, career, status and achievements in the world (Sun in Capricorn). In particular, we may be reflecting on whether we have the balance right in our inner and outer worlds.

There could therefore be a push-pull between feelings of emotional attachment and involvement with clan, versus pragmatic productivity, self-sufficiency, ambition and independence in the professional world.

Jupiter in Cancer 2025-2026

The planet Jupiter is currently transiting the sign of Cancer, the sign of its Exaltation, where he has been transiting since 9 June 2025, providing growth in emotional security and our connections. This has also given Cancerians a boost to their personalities, where they may become more self-confident, expansive, exuberant, and enthusiastic. Optimism and generosity is increased, and the cycle has the potential for being a more fortunate time where opportunities and improvements generally abound. Jupiter enters the sign of Leo on 30 June 2026.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful, safe and happy Christmas and New Year. Best wishes for 2026.