Have you ever noticed that there are certain times of the month when you just feel inexplicably more...powerful? Well, look to the stars, or check your favorite astrology app—it might just be because there’s a full moon.
FYI: A full moon can impact people on a physical and psychological level. “Think about how we all feel around the full moon. The energy is high, it's intense, so let's work with it,” says Julia Halina Hadas, a witch, cocktail mixologist, and author of The Modern Witchcraft Book of Astrology. “Think of it as if the energy is the wind pushing you forward.”
So, how does one utilize the power of this monthly cosmic phenomenon to better themselves? There are several different ways you can observe the full moon and harness its power in order to set positive intentions and meet your goals each month. Through full moon rituals, you can expel negativity from your life and connect with your own inner power.
Ahead, experts dive into the importance of full moons, and how you can harness their power through rituals.
What is a full moon?
Scientifically speaking, the full moon occurs when the sun and the moon are perfectly aligned on either side of planet Earth. Because of this, the face of the moon is fully illuminated.
Spiritually, though, the full moon has different meanings across cultures. “Generally speaking, the full moons are an incredible time for release, letting go, and really taking inventory of what's in our life,” says Aliza Kelly, a professional astrologer, author, and founder of the Constellation Club coven.
To truly understand what a specific full moon represents, it is also important to look at its astrology. When the moon is full, it will always be in the opposite sign of the sun. For example, if the sun is in Aries, the full moon will be in Libra, and vice versa. “The sun represents your external truth, and then the moon represents your emotional, internal truth," notes Kelly. During the full moon, “you're getting a full range of insight and perspective.”
What are some full moon rituals I can try at home?
When crafting your full moon rituals, keep the scientific, the spiritual, and the astrological aspects in mind. These 15 ritual ideas can help you harness the power of the full moon, whether you’re looking to try a new one each month or welcome a few new ideas into your regular practice.
Meditate.
Put on some calming music, light a few candles, sit down, and focus. You can even meditate under the full moon in order to pinpoint the aspects of your life you want to transform. Ask yourself what it is you want to let go of and what you want to manifest. Practice visualization. Repeat mantras that make you feel powerful.
Step outside.
Yep, your full moon ritual can be as simple as going outside. “If you go out at night during a full moon, it casts this beautiful snow-like light on everything. Just going out for a walk to connect at that simplest level [can be a ritual],” says Hadas. Even if you're not in the middle of the woods, this ritual can be effective, adds Kelly. Just work with the energy of the place you're in and tap into the rhythm of the place around you.
Journal.
“I like to journal a lot, reflecting on what's going on in my life,” says Hadas. Use the full moon as your time to write down everything that is no longer serving you and everything you want to release. Reflect on the past moon cycle and make note of your gratitude. Then, make lists of your goals. Put the pen to paper and write down everything you can do to manifest and achieve those goals.
Move your body.
An excellent way to get in touch with the spirit of the moon, the divine feminine, and your own inner witch is to move your body under the light of the lunation, says Hadas. Go dancing with your friends outside or have a party for one in the comfort of your own room. Feel the power of the moon flow through with every movement—this simple act of joy alone can be your full moon ritual. If you don't feel like dancing, try practicing yoga or stretching under the full moon to release tension and dispel negativity.
Practice breathwork.
Harnessing full moon magick (or spirituality) is as easy as breathing. Because this moon is a transformation, it offers a great reset–a time to be rid of the old and welcome the new. “Breathe in healing light and energy, and exhale out what you want to get rid of,” suggests Hadas. “When you start to feel where emotion is kept in your body, you can breathe in the moonlight to those places and exhale negativity.”
Light a candle.
Lighting a candle is one of the most efficient ways to make magick happen under the full moon. You can do whatever kind of candle spell you see fit, or maybe one specifically for the full moon. “Write down your intention on a piece of paper, fold it up, and place it under the candle," says Sarah Potter, a tarot reader, psychic medium, and resident witch at the Ashbury Hotel. "When you light that candle you set the intention into motion.” (Spoiler alert: Writing down your intentions is key for so many full moon rituals.)
Gather with friends.
This one is easy—and fun. Make each full moon a special time to get together with your girls. “Full moons have always been a time for gathering,” says Kelly. “We’ve had night markets and different lunar festivals on the full moon because you have the illumination from the moon so you can see in the dark in ways you wouldn't be able to for other lunations.”
Share your feelings.
This one might be a little unexpected, but it's incredibly important and easy. Not only should you gather with your friends, but you should also “share what is going on with you, share what you’re feeling, share what is on your mind, share what your sensations are,” says Kelly. “The reason for this is because the full moon is so linked to our emotions.” This practice can help you and your community find commonalities and support each other, she adds.
Cleanse your home.
“The moon is associated with the Cancer [zodiac] sign as well as the fourth house,” says Hadas. This means the moon is aligned with nurturing energy and the home—therefore, the full moon is the perfect time to clean your space. To take it a step further, you can also cleanse it with smoke or salt water, then use a rosemary sprig to fling the water counterclockwise around your home to dispel negative energy, suggests Hadas. Or, make an aromatic mist containing herbs and essential oils related to the moon. Once you dispel the negativity from your home, spray that same water clockwise around your space to bring in positive energy.
Do an energy cleanse.
“For a lot of people, the moon is connected to their empathic intuition,” Hadas notes. You hold tension in your body, and part of the transformation that occurs with the full moon ought to include releasing that tension. Much like cleansing your home, you can do an energy cleanse with smoke, water, or crystals. The key is to visualize the negativity, stress, and trauma leaving your body while imagining the light and power of the full moon entering your body in order to start anew.
Draw a ritual bath.
This is the perfect way to quite literally soak in the power of the full moon. You can draw yourself a simple bath, or add some moon water, essential oils associated with the moon like eucalyptus, or herbs that are linked to whatever sign the moon is presently in. You can also step it up a notch by making homemade sugar and salt scrubs infused with ingredients associated with the moon, like lemon, rosemary, and salt, suggests Hadas.
Make a drink.
Drink in the power of the full moon with a cocktail, mocktail, or herbal tea. All you need? Moon water (water that has been sealed in a container and placed outside to soak up the moon's energy), ingredients that coincide with its energy, like lemon, or herbs like rosemary for cleansing, and your own manifestation powers. Hadas suggests mixing counterclockwise to get rid of things you don’t want in your life, and clockwise to bring positive energy in. “Add every ingredient with the intention,” she says. “When you’re ingesting it, visualize bringing that energy into your life,” says Hadas.
Make an altar.
Much like rituals themselves, an altar is whatever you make it. This can be a designated space for you to carry out your full moon rituals, or a spot in your home to sit down and relax, meditate, or journal. Your altar can be as simple as the bedside table you light your candles on or the kitchen counter where you make your meals. “Bring in elements that coincide with the season and the current energy of that moon,” says Potter. “I always go to the store and pick up the freshest looking flowers in whatever colors of the season.”
Try a burning ritual.
Burning rituals are one of the surefire ways (pun intended) to use the transformative power of the moon to rid yourself of things that are no longer serving you. “Write what you want to let go of on a piece of paper, and then burn it with a candle,” Kelly says. It's as easy as that.
Cast a chart.
If you're into astrology, take the full moon as your opportunity to sit down and cast a chart. See what the stars are doing, which signs the planets are in, and what's in retrograde, and prepare for what’s in store with the upcoming moon cycle. “I really like to base a lot of my rituals off of whatever the story is of that lunation,” says Kelly. "I look at the chart, I see what planets are involved, I see what storylines are present, and then I’ll develop a unique ritual based on the flavor of what that particular lunation is."
What should I avoid during a full moon?
"This is a time for letting go, it's a time for endings, so this is not a good time for planting seeds," says Jessica Lanyadoo, a humanistic astrologer, host of Ghost of a Podcast, and author of Astrology for Real Relationships. So, it's a great time for wrapping up loose ends, but it's not a good time for starting new projects. (If you've been thinking about a home renovation project, now's not the time to go all in on it.)
The power of the full moon is yours to work with in whatever way you see fit, but at the end of the day—er, night—each full moon ritual is your deserved opportunity for radical acts of self-care.
Meet the Experts: Julia Halina Hadas is a witch, cocktail mixologist, and author of The Modern Witchcraft Book of Astrology. Aliza Kelly is a professional astrologer, author, and founder of the Constellation Club coven. Sarah Potter is a tarot reader, psychic medium, and resident witch at the Ashbury Hotel. Jessica Lanyadoo is a humanistic astrologer, host of Ghost of a Podcast, and author of Astrology for Real Relationships.
Aliza Pelto (she/her) is a rurally raised, NYC-based writer, Gemini, and iced coffee enthusiast. Her work has appeared with The National Organization for Women, Alma, and both in print and online at BUST Magazine. When she’s not reading, recording her podcast (Little Sleep//Much Reading), or doing something witchy, you can find her dissociating via TikTok for hours on end.
