Magical Moon Phases: Monthly Full Moon Correspondences

Celebrating the Magic of the Full Moon

Each of the monthly full moons has its own associations with magic and folklore. Use this list of the different full moon phases to get information on how to celebrate them appropriately. There's even a special section just for our Southern Hemisphere readers, to help figure out how to celebrate below the Equator!

January: The Cold Moon

ColdMoon.jpg
In January, we celebrate the aptly-named cold moon. Image (c) Photodisc/Getty Images; Licensed to About.com

January's Cold Moon is one that falls when the nights are still dark and long. It's a time of year when many people feel a bit off-kilter, as we adjust our bodies to the chillier temperatures. In some magical traditions, it's a good month to work on developing the inner self, connecting with the deities of our paths, and focusing on self-discovery and awareness. January's Cold Moon

February: The Quickening Moon

SnowMoon_1500
February's full moon is the time of the Quickening Moon. Image by David Clapp/Image Bank/Getty Images

February is a season of bone-chilling cold in many areas, yet because of its proximity to the coming spring, it's also a season of quickening. New life and conception are taking place, in anticipation of the warming of the earth, and magical rituals this month often focus on new beginnings and plans for the future. February's Quickening Moon

March: The Storm Moon

SpringMoon_1500.jpg
Celebrate the arrival of spring with a full moon ritual. Image by Pete Turner/Image Bank/Getty Images

March comes in like a lion, and in many areas, we never know what it's going to do. We could have bright sunshine one afternoon, and be snowed in by the next morning. Use this month to celebrate balance, rebirth, and renewal. March's Storm Moon

April: The Wind Moon

SpringMoonBlossoms_1500
April's full moon is a time of pending rebirth. Image by Project with vigour/Score by Aflo/Getty Images

Sometimes called the Seed Moon, April is a month of pending rebirth. As the earth and soil prepare for new life to sprout, watch as the natural world around you begins to change. Look for buds and blossoms to start appearing. This is the season to stop talking about what you want to do someday, and just go ahead and make it happen. April's Wind Moon

May: The Flower Moon

FireMoon.jpg
Celebrate May's full moon with fires and ritual. Image by Ingetje Tadros/Imagebank/Getty Images

May is a time of fertility, passion, and lust. It's the month to sow that which you hope to reap later on. In May, focus on magic related to careers and jobs - if you've thought about changing jobs, or even entering a new career field, this is a good time to do it. Expand your horizons this month. May's Flower Moon

June: The Strong Sun Moon

SummerMoon_1500.jpg
The strong sun moon celebrates the longest days of summer. Image by Ingolf Pompe/LOOK/Getty Images

June is full of long, light-filled days, and the nights are short and warm. This month's magical workings are perfect for maintaining and enhancing things you already have. Let your garden and your heart blossom and bloom this month, and focus on things that will improve your spirit and nurture your relationships. June's Strong Sun Moon

July: The Blessing Moon

SummerMoon2_1500.jpg
Celebrate the Blessing Moon with divination and dream work. Image by YouraPechkin/Vetta/Getty Images

July's moon, also known as the Meadow Moon, is a time to work on divination, dreamwork, and meditation. Count your blessings this month, and think about what you can do to bring more of them into your life. July's Blessing Moon

August: The Corn Moon

CornMoon_1500.jpg
August's corn moon is a time of the early grain harvest. Image by shaunl/E+/Getty Images

Thanks to kicking off the month with Lammas, August is a month associated with the grain harvest. It's no surprise, then that the Corn Moon is a time to focus on harvesting that which you have already planted - but don't forget, it's important to set some of your harvest aside for the coming winter months. August's Corn Moon

September: The Harvest Moon

HarvestMoon_1500.jpg
September is the month of the Harvest Moon. Image by Stocktrek Images/Stocktrek/Getty Images

In September, the fields are full of bounty and abundance - and it's a season to celebrate hearth and home. Brew up some comfort food, begin storing your harvest for the winter, and settle in for a month of thanksgiving. September's Harvest Moon

October: The Blood Moon

OctoberMoon.jpg
October's full moon brings falling leaves and cooler nights. Image (c) Photolibrary/Getty Images; Licensed to About.com

Coming right before Samhain, the Blood Moon of October reminds us that the winter is coming, and the nights are cold. It's the dark half of the year, and the veil between our world and the spirit world is thin. Focus on divination, communication with departed ancestors, and psychic messages this month. October's Blood Moon

November: The Mourning Moon

NovemberFullMoon_1500.jpg
Use November's full moon to shed the baggage of last year. Image by Brian Phillpotts/Photolibrary/Getty Images

In some of the early Celtic societies, November was considered the beginning of the new year, since it followed Samhain. Why not use this month to shed your bad habits and toxic relationships, and get a fresh start? Work on developing and strengthening your connection with the Divine as well. November's Mourning Moon

December: The Long Nights Moon

WinterMoon2_1500.jpg
The Long Nights Moon is a good time for self-evaluation. Image by Milamai/Moment/Getty Images

As the days get shorter in December, we force ourselves to get through the darkness. Now is a good season for spiritual alchemy -- time to evaluate your life, and know that you'll survive the dark times. If you've already put the darkness behind you, take your good fortune and share it with others. December's Long Nights Moon

What Is a Blue Moon?

BlueMoon_1500
The blue moon occurs when a second full moon falls in a calendar month. Image by Andy Williams/Taxi/Getty Images

We've all heard the phrase "once in a blue moon," but believe it or not, it's more than just an expression - a blue moon is a name given to an actual phenomenon. Here's what it is, how it works, and what you can do with it magically. What is a Blue Moon?

Moon Phase Names in the Southern Hemisphere

MoonOverSydney_1500
If you live in the southern hemisphere, consider celebrating the moon phases based on local markers. Image by Yves ANDRE/Moment/Getty Images

If you're one of our Southern Hemisphere readers, your seasons are directly the opposite of those in the northern hemisphere. This means that the traditional moon phases will fall slightly differently for you. Here's an important bit of information on how you can calculate which moon is being celebrated in your part of the world, based on agricultural markers and local traditions. Learn more about the moon ​phases in the Southern Hemisphere.

Format
mla apa chicago
Your Citation
Wigington, Patti. "Magical Moon Phases: Monthly Full Moon Correspondences." Learn Religions, Apr. 5, 2023, learnreligions.com/magical-moon-phases-2561862. Wigington, Patti. (2023, April 5). Magical Moon Phases: Monthly Full Moon Correspondences. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/magical-moon-phases-2561862 Wigington, Patti. "Magical Moon Phases: Monthly Full Moon Correspondences." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/magical-moon-phases-2561862 (accessed March 19, 2024).