Full Moon Rituals: Harnessing Lunar Energy Through the Year
The Moon has been a companion to humanity for as long as we’ve looked up at the night sky. Its cycles shape not only the tides but also the rhythm of our lives, influencing sleep, energy, and even our emotional wellbeing. While not everyone feels the same pull, many people find the Full Moon an ideal time for reflection, release, and resetting intentions.
Full Moon rituals aren’t about perfection or adhering to strict rules — they’re about creating a moment to pause, connect, and honour where you are in life. Whether you’re drawn to Astrology, spirituality, or simply love the beauty of the Moon, building your own practice can become a grounding, empowering part of your self-care routine.
And here’s the fun part: every Full Moon through the year has its own unique character, shaped by both Astrology and centuries of folklore. From January’s Wolf Moon to December’s Cold Moon, each one carries stories, symbolism, and seasonal wisdom you can weave into your rituals.
Let’s walk through the different Full Moons of the year, their names, and some ways you might work with them.
January: Wolf Moon in Cancer
Hungry wolves once howled through the long nights of January, giving this Full Moon its name. It’s also been called the Old Moon, Ice Moon, Stay Home Moon, and Quiet Moon — names that all reflect winter’s stillness.
Astrologically, the Cancer Moon stirs emotions close to home: family ties, comfort, security, and nourishment.
Ritual ideas:
Create a “cosy altar” with blankets, candles, and nourishing food. Spend time in intentional rest.
Perform a release ritual: write down habits or feelings you don’t want to carry into the year, then burn or bury them safely.
Crystals:
Moonstone: Intuition and self-discovery
Black tourmaline: Protection and clearing negative energy
Amber: Warmth, vitality, and lifting seasonal heaviness
Journal prompts:
Where do I feel most at home right now?
What emotional patterns am I ready to let go of?
How can I nurture myself more this season?
Affirmations:
I welcome rest and nourishment into my life.
My home and heart are safe spaces.
I release old patterns and open to renewal.
February: Snow Moon in Leo
Ritual ideas:
Try a fire ritual: light a candle and speak affirmations of strength and joy.
Express yourself through dance, art, or singing — something playful that shakes off winter heaviness.
Crystals:
Carnelian: Action, confidence, and courage
Citrine: Creativity, joy, and manifestation
Amber: Solar energy, vitality, and support during seasonal lows
Journal prompts:
What brings me joy, even in difficult times?
How am I dimming my light, and how can I shine brighter?
What playful activity can I bring into my week?
Affirmations:
I shine my light boldly and joyfully.
My creativity flows freely and with confidence.
I am worthy of celebration, even in the quiet of winter.
March: Worm Moon in Virgo
As the ground softens, earthworms reappear, and so does the Worm Moon. Other names include Chaste Moon, Death Moon, Sap Moon, and Sleepy Moon.
Virgo’s practical, earthy energy makes this Full Moon perfect for clearing space — physically and emotionally.
Ritual ideas:
Do a physical cleanse: declutter a space, or organise a drawer.
Ground yourself by walking barefoot or spending time in nature.
Drink herbal tea to support your body’s reset.
Crystals:
Fluorite: Clarity, decision-making, and detoxing
Smoky quartz: Grounding, practicality, and letting go
Green calcite: Harmony, forgiveness, and easing stress
Journal prompts:
What clutter — physical or emotional — am I ready to release?
Where in my life do I crave more order or balance?
How can I create routines that truly support me?
Affirmations:
I create space for clarity and balance.
I let go of what no longer serves my wellbeing.
My daily habits support my highest self.
April: Pink Moon in Libra
Named after a wildflower that blooms early in the season, the Pink Moon is all about renewal and growth. Other names include the Sprouting Grass Moon, Egg Moon, and Fish Moon.
With Libra’s influence, relationships and balance are spotlighted.
Ritual ideas:
Create a gratitude practice focused on the people in your life.
Write letters — of thanks, forgiveness, or closure. You don’t need to send them.
Surround yourself with flowers or decorate your space with beauty.
Crystals:
Rose quartz: Love, compassion, and emotional healing
Amazonite: Truth, harmony, and hopeful communication
Chrysocolla: Self-expression, new beginnings, and confidence
Journal prompts:
What relationships feel supportive to me?
Where do I need to create more balance?
How can I bring more beauty into my daily life?
Affirmations:
I invite harmony and balance into my relationships.
Love and compassion guide my choices.
I deserve beauty and joy in everyday life.
May: Flower Moon in Scorpio
Spring is in full bloom, inspiring the Flower Moon. Other names include Hare Moon, Milk Moon, and Corn Planting Moon.
Scorpio adds depth and intensity — making this a powerful time for transformation, release, and deep emotional work.
Ritual ideas:
Do a release ritual: write what you’re ready to let go of and burn it.
Take a ritual bath with flowers or petals to symbolise rebirth.
Explore shadow work: face truths you’ve avoided.
Crystals:
Obsidian: Protection, grounding, and facing hidden truths
Amethyst: Calm, purification, and emotional release
Black moonstone: Intuition, empowerment, and connection to the divine feminine
Journal prompts:
What am I ready to shed so I can grow?
Where do I fear change, and how can I lean into it?
What truth do I need to face with compassion?
Affirmations:
I embrace transformation with courage and grace.
I release fear and step into my power.
I honour the depths of my emotions as teachers.
June: Strawberry Moon in Sagittarius
This Full Moon is named for strawberry harvesting, but has also been called the Rose Moon, Hot Moon, and Lover’s Moon.
Sagittarius brings a sense of freedom, expansion, and truth-seeking.
Ritual ideas:
Spend time outdoors — walk, hike, or simply gaze at the sky.
Set intentions around learning, travel, or broadening horizons.
Do a bonfire or candle ritual to symbolise expansion.
Crystals
Labradorite: Transformation, manifestation, and potential
Sodalite: Insight, wisdom, and intuition
Red calcite: Vitality, clarity, and seeing the sacred in the everyday
Journal prompts:
Where do I long for freedom or expansion?
What lessons have I learned this year so far?
How can I invite more adventure into my daily life?
Affirmations:
I expand with curiosity and trust the journey.
Freedom and joy flow naturally to me.
My spirit is open to adventure and wisdom.
July: Buck Moon in Capricorn
July’s Buck Moon marks the regrowth of deer antlers. Other names include Thunder Moon, Blessing Moon, and Hay Moon.
Capricorn energy focuses on structure, responsibility, and long-term goals.
Ritual ideas:
Write down long-term goals and break them into smaller steps.
Ground yourself by connecting with earth — sit against a tree or work with soil.
Create a vision board for the second half of the year.
Crystals:
Hematite: Strength, grounding, and endurance
Smoky quartz: Organisation, release, and practical focus
Bloodstone: Vitality, resilience, and family connection
Journal prompts:
What foundations am I building in my life?
Where do I need more discipline or structure?
How can I balance ambition with self-care?
Affirmations:
I am strong, steady, and resilient.
My goals are achievable with patience and dedication.
I honour the foundations I am building.
August: Sturgeon Moon in Aquarius
Fishing tribes once named this the Sturgeon Moon, as the fish were most plentiful. Other names include Green Corn Moon, Fire Moon, and Red Moon.
Aquarius brings innovation, community, and big-picture thinking.
Ritual ideas:
Host a gathering with friends or like-minded people.
Journal about boundaries — how you balance individuality and belonging.
Meditate on your role in the collective and what you want to contribute.
Crystals:
Aquamarine: Clear communication, self-acceptance, and fluidity
Angelite: Serenity, gentle self-expression, and fighting loneliness
Lapis lazuli: Vision, transformation, and magnifying intentions
Journal prompts:
What does community mean to me?
Where do I need to strengthen my boundaries?
How can I honour both individuality and connection?
Affirmations:
I celebrate my uniqueness and value my community.
My ideas have the power to create change.
I honour both independence and connection.
September: Corn Moon in Aries
The Corn Moon lights the harvest, rising bright and early to aid farmers. It’s also called the Barley Moon or Harvest Moon (when closest to the autumn equinox).
Aries adds passion, drive, and fresh starts.
Ritual ideas:
Write down bold actions you want to take — no holding back.
Light a fire or candle and speak your intentions aloud.
Celebrate with a meal of seasonal food.
Crystals:
Red jasper: Action, motivation, and urgency
Carnelian: Courage, creativity, and vitality
Ruby: Passion, leadership, and strength
Journal prompts:
Where do I need to take brave action?
What am I harvesting in my life right now?
How can I channel my energy into meaningful growth?
Affirmations:
I take bold action with courage and clarity.
My energy fuels growth and new beginnings.
I trust my instincts to guide my path.
October: Hunter’s Moon in Taurus
Following harvest, hunters relied on the bright Hunter’s Moon. Other names include Blood Moon, Kindly Moon, and Dying Grass Moon.
Taurus energy centres on stability, pleasure, and the body.
Ritual ideas:
Cook or bake something slowly and intentionally.
Take a mindful bath with herbs or oils.
Create an abundance altar with seasonal fruits and grains.
Crystals:
Green moss agate: Endurance, grounding, and harmony with nature
Gold tiger’s eye: Confidence, practicality, and family grounding
Emerald: Compassion, love, and abundance
Journal prompts:
What abundance already exists in my life?
How do I nurture my body and senses?
What do I need to feel safe and stable right now?
Affirmations:
I am grounded, safe, and abundant.
My body is worthy of care and pleasure.
I am grateful for the resources that sustain me.
November: Beaver Moon in Gemini
Named for the busy activity of beavers building winter dams, this Moon is also known as the Frost Moon or Mourning Moon.
Gemini energy highlights communication, curiosity, and flexibility.
Ritual ideas:
Do stream-of-consciousness journalling — write without stopping.
Try divination: pull cards, cast runes, or use another system to explore your questions.
Share stories with others — connection through words.
Crystals:
Sodalite: Communication, confidence, and mental agility
Amazonite: Harmony, truth, and magnifying intentions
Ocean jasper: Optimism, emotional healing, and self-expression
Journal prompts:
What stories am I telling myself, and are they true?
Where do I need to be more flexible?
How do I want to communicate my needs this winter?
Affirmations:
My words are powerful and clear.
I remain flexible as I grow and learn.
I share my truth with openness and compassion.
December: Cold Moon in Cancer
The Cold Moon signals winter’s arrival. Other names include Long Night Moon, Spirit Moon, and Oak Moon.
Cancer themes return — family, home, and emotional wellbeing.
Ritual ideas:
Create a “year in review”: journal about highlights and lessons.
Rest intentionally: switch off tech and simply allow stillness.
Light a candle for hope in the darker season.
Crystals:
Moonstone: Emotional healing, fertility, and self-discovery
Rose quartz: Gentleness, peace of mind, and family connection
Selenite: Cleansing, clarity, and fresh perspectives
Journal prompts:
What am I most grateful for from this year?
How can I nurture myself through the winter months?
What seeds of intention do I want to plant for next year?
Affirmations:
I honour the lessons of this year with gratitude.
Stillness restores my spirit and body.
I step into the new year with hope and self-love.
Blue Moon
Every couple of years, we get an extra treat: a Blue Moon. Despite the name, the Moon doesn’t actually turn blue — it just means two Full Moons fall in the same calendar month. Traditionally, it was also used for the third Full Moon in a season with four.
Because they’re rare, Blue Moons are often seen as especially potent — a chance to amplify your intentions or mark something memorable.
Ritual ideas:
Create a special ritual you wouldn’t normally do — something “once in a blue moon.”
Meditate on rare opportunities you’d like to call in.
Crystals:
Clear quartz: Amplification, cleansing, and new beginnings
Labradorite: Manifestation, transformation, and psychic ability
Merlinite: Intuition, ancient knowledge, and hidden wisdom
Journal prompts:
What dream feels “once in a lifetime” to me?
How can I make space for the extraordinary?
Where in my life am I waiting for the perfect moment, and how can I begin now?
Affirmations:
Extraordinary opportunities flow to me with ease.
I embrace the magic of rare moments.
My intentions are powerful and amplified.
Harvest Moon
Perhaps the most famous Moon of all, the Harvest Moon is whichever Full Moon falls nearest to the autumn equinox (usually September, occasionally October). Its glow gave farmers extra hours to gather crops, symbolising abundance, gratitude, and preparation for the darker months ahead.
Ritual ideas:
Share food with loved ones or prepare a meal using seasonal produce.
Create an altar with grains, apples, and autumn leaves.
Journal on what you’re harvesting in your life.
Crystals:
Citrine: Abundance, joy, and manifestation
Peridot: Nature, self-discovery, and growth
Unakite: Grounding, fertility, and soul connection
Journal prompts:
What am I grateful for right now?
What am I harvesting from the work I’ve done this year?
How can I prepare for the darker months ahead with hope?
Affirmations:
I am grateful for the abundance in my life.
I celebrate all that I have created and achieved.
I prepare for the next season with balance and joy.
Creating your own Full Moon ritual
The beauty of Full Moon rituals is that there’s no single right way to do them. Your ritual can be elaborate or simple, private or shared. A few ideas to inspire you:
Journalling: Reflect on what’s coming up emotionally and where you’d like to go next.
Cleansing: Light incense, use sound, or clear your space in a way that feels good.
Release: Write down what you want to let go of, then burn, tear, or bury it.
Movement: Dance, stretch, or walk under the Moon’s light.
Rest: Sometimes the best ritual is simply pausing and letting the Moon be your reminder to slow down.
Remember, rituals are about tuning into yourself. You don’t need fancy tools or complicated steps. It’s about creating space to acknowledge where you are, celebrate your progress, and invite in what you want to grow.
Why Full Moon rituals matter
In modern life, it’s easy to move from one deadline, scroll, or responsibility to the next without stopping to check in. The Full Moon acts as a monthly reminder to pause. By working with the Moon, you’re building regular opportunities for self-reflection, release, and renewal.
Whether you’re manifesting big dreams, tending to your mental health, or just carving out a few minutes of peace, each Full Moon offers a chance to reconnect — with yourself, with nature, and with cycles bigger than us all.
