If you’ve been feeling stagnant or stuck in these first couple of weeks of 2025, you’re not alone — it's in the energy of the moment.
This week offers some help in illuminating the issues and dynamics that might be keeping you from moving forward with your visions and goals.
The week started with the Full Moon in Cancer, which peaked on Monday.
At a full moon, the Moon is directly opposite the Sun, which allows it to be fully illuminated by the Sun’s rays. A full moon is a peak experience; it’s the mid-way point of the lunar cycle, a culmination of something.
We’ll get a similar dynamic on Wednesday when Mars opposes the Sun.
Full Moon in Cancer Dynamics
Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz said it best:
There’s no place like home.
At home, we can access the resources we need to do our best work.
The planets are no different.
The Moon’s home is in the sign of Cancer, so a full moon in Cancer means that the Moon is in its own sign, and receiving the full illumination from the Sun.
The Full Moon in Cancer is typically a time for nurturing, connecting, forging bonds, seeking belonging, and feeling into our big emotions — this is what the Moon helps us do.
All of this is true at this Full Moon, with a twist.
Full Moon Conjunct Mars Retrograde
At this Full Moon, from our perspective on Earth, the moon was next to Mars, the planet of action, aggression, and anger.
Mars in Cancer is in the sign of its “fall,” or “depression,” which means that it struggles to do Mars things (like taking action) in its preferred style.
Adding to its challenge, Mars is currently retrograde, which means that it appears to be moving backward.
Mars in a place where it struggles, not moving forward with swift action, is not a happy Mars.
Mars at Opposition With the Sun
On Wednesday, January 15, the Sun and Mars perfect their opposition. On an astronomical level, this marks Earth's closest approach to the red planet.
This dynamic also marks the midway point of the Mars retrograde, which began on December 6 with Mars in Leo. Mars moved back to Cancer on January 6.
As the Sun shines its light on the Moon and Mars, it illuminates what we’ve been experiencing and learning so far during this Mars retrograde “adventure.”
Mars stationed retrograde on December 6 in the sign of Leo, and moved back into Cancer on January 6.
You might find it useful to reflect on what’s been coming up for you during this time. Since Mars represents our energy, motivation, and drive to action, it’s normal to feel stagnant, less motivated, and tired.
Areas to Review
My blog post on the Full Moon in Cancer offered 3 areas that are ripe for review at this mid-way point of Mars retrograde, specifically related to the themes of Mars in Cancer:
1. How do you act — or react — when you feel threatened?
2. Where are you being evasive or avoidant?
3. What isn’t working?
Read the blog to get more depth on these areas, including journal prompts to help you engage in some soul reflections.
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Sometimes we need someone to help us see the deeper patterns of our behavior, or at least hold the flashlight while we excavate. In my coaching practice, I help clients identify their Sabotage Blueprints — the unconscious patterns driving undesired behavior — and transform them into Success Strategies.
During Mars Retrograde, I’m opening a limited number of spots for short-term coaching, including some single-session opportunities, to help you get clear on your vision and goals, what’s not working, and how to plot a path forward.
Typically I work with clients for a minimum of 6-12 months, so this is a perfect way to experience working with me without that longer-term commitment.
These limited spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you’re interested in learning more, click below to get in touch for more details.
P.S. Our “inner Mars” is the part of us that values independence and believes it doesn’t need support. One of the lessons I’ve been learning through this Mars retrograde is that asking for support doesn’t strip us of our independence. Rather, it helps us foster greater confidence in our actions so we can turbo-charge our inner Mars.
We are not meant to do this work alone. Supporting others in these journeys is part of my best work, and it would be my honor to hold your flashlight.
