Full Moon December 2023: Illuminating its Spiritual Meaning

December’s long dark nights and cold frigid days bring the Moon’s annual cycle full circle. The Cold Moon spiritual meaning indicates now is an ideal time to start visualizing what you want to bring into your life. Once 2022’s Full Moon of December arrives, we’ve completed an entire trip around the sun. Now is a beautiful moment to focus on all the good things headed your way!

You’ve been working so hard and have some serious gumption, trust that the universe will help bring your intentions and dreams to fruition. The Cold Moon encourages you to follow your greatest passions and spiritual joys.

Every full moon has its own name based on the month or the season in which it appears. Creating a name for each full Moon allowed people to reflect on each season and how it affects them AND the natural world. There can be some variation on the Full Moon names due to the origins from whence they came.

Most Full Moon names are English translations of Native American names, others are rooted in Celtic, European (Anglo-Saxon and Germanic), and more recent Neo-Pagan origins. I created a guide to each Full Moon, complete with their meanings and how you can celebrate

Please note that I make every effort to ensure this information is correct and accurate through my own experiences and referencing sources throughout OR at the bottom of this article.

Posts on this site may contain affiliate links that allow me to earn a small commission from your purchases (at no extra cost to you!)

Table of Contents

When is the Full Moon in December 2022?

In 2022, December’s Full Moon is called the Cold Moon and occurs on December 7th and reaches its peak at 11:08 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

The Cold Moon has a great trajectory through the sky since it’s sitting opposite the sun, whose path is very low this time of year. This means we’ll be able to see it in the sky for much longer than other full moons).

Something strange will happen on December 8, 2022 when the red planet Mars—just a few days after being the brightest it ever gets in our night sky—is covered-up by the full “Cold Moon.”

The hour-long occultation is only visible from a narrow path across Earth, which includes North America and Europe.
Forbes – When Is The Next Full Moon?

Cold Moon Spiritual Meaning

December brings not only the Cold Moon but also Winter Solstice. While Nature appears to be dead and lifeless, looks can be deceiving. Deep beneath the surface are themes of rest, renewal, and hope.

The 2022 December Cold Moon spiritual meaning corresponds with Nature’s dormant energy. It’s a time for introspection and soul-searching, a chance to recharge and reconnect. This is a magical season full of transformation and deep internal work.

It may seem counterproductive to pause, rest, and reflect. However, remember your worth isn’t defined by your productivity. Use the Cold Moon as a symbolic guide to “freeze and hibernate” as well. Slow down and be fully present in activities that truly bring you joy and pleasure. Before you know it, Spring will be here, so enjoy these quiet moments of rest and solitude.

December Cold Moon Meaning Video

If you’d like to see how I celebrate December’s Cold Moon check out my YouTube video

Alternative Names

Moon Before Yule (Anglo-Saxon origins)
Dead of Winter Moon (Ukiugraq) Inupiat Language, North Slope, Alaska
Oak Moon or the Full Cold Moon (Celtic origins)
Winter Moon (Tahch’asap’ara) Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana
Yule month (Ýlir) Norse origins (source: Nordic Culture – Skjalden)
Sun Has Traveled Home to Rest (ik’ohbu yachunne) Zuni Native American origins
Bitter Moon (Chinese Origins)
Evergreen Moon (Comanche Native American origins)
Springbok Moon (Antelope) South African origins (source: Centre for Astronomical Heritage)

For a list of even more Native American Moon names, check out American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association’s article here or Western Washington University’s article here.

Cold Moon Spiritual Correspondences

The spiritual meaning of December’s Cold Full Moon is a powerful time for reflection and magic, as well as a lovely time for meditation. To get you started, here are some spiritual correspondences and intentions!

Cold Moon Spiritual Meaning and Intentions

Reflection
Development
Change
Peace
Growth
Reawakening
Shadow work

Colors

White
Black
Silver
Evergreen

December Cold Moon Spiritual Meaning Journal Prompts

Create a to-do list for this Winter holiday that captures your inner child. What would you like to do to bring more holiday magic to the season?
How do you avoid shallow consumerism this time of year and connect to the magic of nature and spirit instead?
What obstacles in your life can you start viewing as opportunities?
The main spiritual focus during Winter Solstice is honoring the afterlife, celebrating the slow return of the sun, and banishing negative energy. How can you incorporate this into your life right now?
Write about a moment this last year that made you feel stronger and what actions you wanted to take after

How To Celebrate and Ritual Ideas

Here are a few Cold moon rituals, intentions, and magical ideas to help you celebrate December’s full Moon.

Forgiveness Ritual

Part of releasing any lingering negative energy from this year is practicing forgiveness. This can be difficult if you’ve not been given an apology. However, it’s essential to your emotional well-being to find a way to move on from this pain. This anger can weigh you down and fill you with resentment. Life is too short to spend your days filled with that bitterness.

You may need to forgive yourself as well. Do you cringe at how you acted or something you said in the past? This can be a small act or one so large you find yourself unable to move forward. Remember the words of Maya Angelou, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

Do not leave space for shame, anxiety, doubt, or unproductive thoughts. Practicing this forgiveness ritual under December’s Full Cold Moon is a beautiful way to close the year and start fresh for the next.

Spend time sitting quietly, focusing on your pain with your eyes closed. Once you feel ready, imagine a butterfly floating toward you. You reach out towards it and lift your hand so it can land on your fingertip. Allow the butterfly to take your frustrations from you and notice it leaving your body. As the butterfly flies away, feel your resentment and pain going with it. Spend a few more moments enjoying the lightness and joy filling your heart.

Outdoor Altar

Gather seasonal items outside or at your local grocery store to create an outdoor altar. You can make it as simple or elaborate as you like. Add bits and bobs symbolic or meaningful to you or a treat for the birds. The choice is up to you, and an excellent practice beneath the light of December’s Full Cold Moon! Don’t forget to create some Moon Water while you’re at it! Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Create a Winter Solstice spiral
Evergreen Branch
Dried citrus
Pinecones
Cinnamon sticks
Dried flowers
Herbs
Crystals
Candles (please use safely)

Read or Listen To A Book On Your Must-Read List

With so many obligations during December, find time to slow down and read a book you enjoy. With the longer nights and colder days, it’s a perfect time to snuggle up and relax. Pick something purely for pleasure or a non-fiction book that can help you learn something new or change your perspective.

You can also learn about holiday origins like the history of Yule and Winter Solstice or legends like Krampus!

Embrace Nostalgia

So many days inside combined with the holiday season awaken bits of nostalgia and breed creativity. Go through photos and find creative ways to use them. This could be in an album, photo collage, or framed for gifts.

Think about your favorite seasonal activities, songs, or treats you enjoyed as a child. Sometimes as adults, we feel silly doing childlike activities like building a snowman or having snowball fights. However, these simple but joyful activities help us embrace the season and let go of stress and to-do lists. Have fun and be silly!

If you’re looking for DIY Winter Solstice decorating ideas, check out these posts:

Gratitude Ritual

This is the season of giving! Do you have any particular charities or activities you enjoy participating in? Any local charities you are passionate about contributing to? Open your heart to friends, family, and strangers. Connect with those facing difficulties either emotionally, physically, or spiritually.

The month of December reminds us of the many things we can be grateful for. Spend some time sitting quietly and focusing on five things in your life that truly fill you with joy. Ruminate on each one and truly feel the emotion of gratitude within you.

Finish this ritual by focusing on a manifestation you’d like to bring to fruition next year. When we practice gratitude, we let go of our ego, which creates skepticism and uncertainty. It also raises our vibrational frequency to another level and helps us to manifest our desires.

Take a long, deep cleansing breath through your nose and exhale deeply through your mouth. Welcome the energy of the Cold Full Moon and let it help you embrace your beautiful peculiarities and encourage you to find moments of gratitude each day.

You can check out more of the Full Moon series here: