Cold Moon
The longest-night full moon, for rest, reflection, releasing the year and welcoming returning light.
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Where the name comes from
Cold Moon is one of the traditional North American full moon names popularized by the Old Farmer's Almanac, which gathered them from Algonquin and other Native American sources and from colonial American usage. The name simply reflects the deepening cold of December, when winter takes hold across most of North America. Another well-known traditional name for this full moon is the Long Night Moon, because it falls near the winter solstice, when nights are at their longest. In that season the full moon also rides high in the sky and stays above the horizon for many hours, lighting the longest nights of the year.
Cold Moon magick
In the Northern Hemisphere the Cold Moon shines close to Yule, the turning point when the sun begins its return. Its themes are rest, reflection, release and hope. This is a good full moon to look back over the whole year, to let go of what you do not want to carry into the next one, and to give thanks for what you have learned. It also supports dream work and quiet divination. Darkness is not something to fear in this season. It is a time to rest deeply, trust the cycle, and keep a small light burning for what is to come.
Southern Hemisphere: In the Southern Hemisphere this full moon falls near the summer solstice, so focus on celebration, vitality and the sun at its height instead.
Correspondences
A simple Cold Moon release ritual
- Set a red candle on a fire-safe dish and place a clear quartz in front of it. Add a cinnamon stick and a sprig of holly or evergreen. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Diffuse a few drops of pine oil in a ventilated room. Never swallow essential oils, and keep the oil and holly berries away from children and pets.
- Light the candle. On a slip of paper, write what you are ready to release from this year.
- Read the paper aloud, then tear it into small pieces and place them in the trash or compost as a sign that you are letting go.
- Hold the clear quartz and name one hope for the coming year. Snuff the candle and sleep with the quartz on your nightstand.
Journal prompts
- What am I ready to leave behind as this year ends?
- What did the past twelve months teach me?
- What small light of hope do I want to carry into the new year?
Cold Moon dates
Shown in your time zone.
- Wed, Dec 23, 2026, 8:29 PM ETSupermoon in Cancer
- Mon, Dec 13, 2027, 11:09 AM ETCold Moon in Gemini
- Fri, Dec 1, 2028, 8:41 PM ETCold Moon in Gemini
- Thu, Dec 20, 2029, 5:47 PM ETCold Moon in Gemini
- Mon, Dec 9, 2030, 5:41 PM ETMicromoon in Gemini
- Sun, Dec 28, 2031, 12:34 PM ETCold Moon in Cancer
- Thu, Dec 16, 2032, 3:50 PM ETCold Moon in Gemini
- Tue, Dec 6, 2033, 2:23 AM ETCold Moon in Gemini
- Mon, Dec 25, 2034, 3:55 AM ETSupermoon in Cancer
- Fri, Dec 14, 2035, 7:34 PM ETSupermoon in Gemini
- Wed, Dec 3, 2036, 9:09 AM ETCold Moon in Gemini
- Tue, Dec 22, 2037, 8:39 AM ETCold Moon in Cancer
- Sat, Dec 11, 2038, 12:31 PM ETCold Moon in Gemini
- Fri, Dec 30, 2039, 7:38 AM ETMicromoon in Cancer
- Tue, Dec 18, 2040, 7:16 AM ETCold Moon in Gemini