Yahoo Lifestyle January’s Full Wolf Moon Represents ”Intense” Emotional Release, Astrologers Say
Wondering why you feel like letting out a howl lately? Follow-up question, is the moon full tonight? You’re getting hotter! The first full moon of the year, known as the Wolf Moon, rises on the evening of Monday, January 13, and reaches peak fullness at 5:27 p.m. ET (though it looks full to us for about three days starting the day before). Of note for sky gazers: This full moon will pass in front of Mars.
As it turns, the alignment with the Red Planet, especially in combination with the full moon’s position in Cancer right now, is giving serious new year, new you vibes, according to astrologers. So Country Living reached out to our go-to expert Sam Manzella, astrologer and staff writer for the astrology app STAR/CHILD, to break it down for us. What does January’s full Wolf Moon mean for you in 2025? Read on.
What does this Wolf Moon mean, astrologically speaking, and what should we be mindful of in our daily life and relationships?
“This Full Moon is all about emotional catharsis; about tapping into those raw, messy feelings we sometimes bury and being honest with ourselves about what we need to feel emotionally safe and cared for,” Manzella says. “It’s really good for releasing old patterns, sentimental attachments, or core beliefs we’ve been clinging to that no longer serve us (even if we go kicking and screaming...old habits really do die hard).
“Since Mars is a key player here, this Full Moon is also a prime opportunity to examine our relationship with anger and confrontation. When you get upset or triggered, are you able to take a step back and respond rationally, or do you let your emotions run the show and go with your knee-jerk reaction? Also: is that sadness or listlessness you’re feeling actually repressed anger that needs to be expressed?”
It’s also a time to consider releasing old grudges or resentments, Manzella adds: “Is being mad at them really worth your energy anymore? Cancer energy tempts us to cling to the past and recall how people made us feel, but Mars is asking us to take some power back and cut ties with anything that’s wasting our time or holding us back.”
Tell us more about how the full Wolf Moon being in Cancer influences its meaning?
Cancer, a sensitive water sign, is the only zodiac sign that’s ruled by the Moon, Manzella explains. “So astrologers pay special attention to any lunations that occur here. They tend to be more potent opportunities for emotional release, catharsis, and growth. With Cancer energy in the mix, topics like home, family, material security, or emotional safety could come up,” she says.
Why is the full Wolf Moon’s alignment with Mars meaningful?
Mars is the planet of action, challenges, and conflict, Manzella explains, and those qualities come into play during its close conjunction with the full moon on January 13. “It’s imbuing it with a lot more heat and intensity than your average Cancer Full Moon,” she says. “On the day or two surrounding the Full Moon, you might feel a bit crabby, emotionally volatile, or physically agitated, like you’re literally or figuratively running hot. And we can’t forget the ongoing Mars retrograde. Since early December, Mars has been moving backwards through Leo and Cancer, forcing us to slow down, turn inward, and get clear on what it is we’re really fighting for. If you’ve been feeling sluggish, unmotivated, or uncertain about next steps, this Full Moon could offer some answers. (They might not be the answers you want, but hey, Mars asks us to be courageous.)”
Are there any other astrological factors of note at play?
“Mars stuff aside, this Full Moon is also forming supportive aspects to Uranus (the planet of freedom, individuality, and sudden shake-ups) and Neptune (the planet of imagination, fantasy, and delusion). If you’re facing any challenges right now, these influences could be a helpful nudge to think outside the box and get un-stuck,” Manzella says.
Who should pay most attention to this full Wolf Moon?
“People with their Sun, Moon, and/or rising sign in Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn, aka the four cardinal signs, will be the most directly impacted by this Full Moon,” Manzella says. “Cancer placements should definitely clock this one, though. Since it’s occurring in their sign, they’re being nudged to stop clinging to the past, release old emotional attachments or self-limiting beliefs, and make room for growth and self-discovery in the new year.”
But why is it called the Wolf Moon?
The meaning of the name for January’s moon is unrelated to its astrological meaning. The widely used title comes from The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s published moon names, which in turn, according to the publication, come from an amalgam of “Native American, Colonial American, or other traditional North American sources passed down through generations.”
These names have seasonal significance: Wolves howl in January. It’s the beginning of their mating season, which comes with more social behaviors. “Howling is for long-distance communication to pull a pack back together and to keep strangers away,” the National Wildlife Federation says.
Though it has no bearing on astrological interpretation, the name does happen to be appropriate this January—the emotional catharsis ahead may indeed make you feel like letting out an ahh-wooooooo!
You Might Also Like
