Snow Moon: The Extraordinary Full Moon of February 2023

ByAmanda Brethauer
February Full Snow Moon

It’s no secret people are fascinated by full moons and want to know their meanings and spiritual significance. In 2023, the February Full Snow Moon comes with a certain mystique and power that instantly draws us in.

Winter is still ever-present, and freezing winds cut through our jackets and force us to tighten our scarves. Depending on where you live, snow continues to fall, and it can start to feel like these bitter and icy days will never end.

However, a stir is just beneath the surface, a quickening heart full of tiny changes that may go unnoticed by others. The days begin to get longer, some animals begin their mating season, and the birds are a bit more active. As the sunlight strengthens, your dreams and ambitions for the year are beginning to take shape as well.

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 AND 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!)

When is the February Full Snow Moon in 2023?

The February Full Snow Moon is the second full moon in 2023, occurring on February 5th. It will reach its peak illumination at 1:29 pm EST.

When is the February Full Snow Moon

Is the February Full Snow Moon a supermoon?

No, in 2023, the February Full Snow Moon will NOT be a supermoon.

However, we will see TWO supermoons in August (and a Blue Moon) this year. Depending on your definition, there may also be two additional supermoons in July and September. (There are no official guidelines for what distances the Moon must travel to be considered a Supermoon).

Richard Nolle, an American astrologer, first used the word supermoon in 1979 to refer to both a new and a full moon that appeared at or close to 10% of perigee (the closest point of the Moon’s orbit to Earth).

The astronomical term for this [supermoon] phenomenon is perigee-syzygy Moon. The alignment of the Sun, the Moon, and Earth that occurs at both new and full moon is known as syzygy.

Britannica – Supermoon Astronomy

Will the Snow Moon Have A Lunar Eclipse in 2023?

No, the February Full Snow Moon will not have a lunar eclipse this year. However, there are two lunar eclipses in 2023!

May’s Full Flower Moon will have a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse and will be visible in Europe, Asia, Australia, Antarctica, Africa, and the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.

A penumbral lunar eclipse takes place when the Moon moves through the faint, outer part of Earth’s shadow, the penumbra. This type of eclipse is not as dramatic as other types of lunar eclipses and is often mistaken for a regular Full Moon.

Time and Date – Solar and Lunar Eclipses Worldwide – 2023

October’s Full Hunter’s Moon will have a Partial Lunar Eclipse and will be visible in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa, and most of South America, as well as the Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, and Indian Oceans.

There will also include an Annular SOLAR eclipse on October 14th, 2023. An annular solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, creating a “ring of fire.”

February Ice Moon Spiritual Meaning The Peculiar Brunette

When is February’s New Moon in 2023?

February’s New Moon lands on February 20th. The New Moon starts a new lunar cycle and appears as a very thin and delicate crescent in the sky.

The New Moon is a reset and a chance to start again, giving you a clean slate. This is why the New Moon is often associated with manifestation work and intention setting.

Learn more about New Moon Rituals, Intentions, Spiritual Meaning, and Correspondences here!

What Pagan Holiday is associated with the February Full Snow Moon?

Imbolc is a fire festival celebrating the home and the halfway point between Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. It is quite literally mid-winter, and while the days continue to grow lighter, it is still dark and cold outside.

Since Imbolc takes place on February 1st, the Snow Moon is often linked or associated with this Pagan Holiday.

Learn more about Imbolc and How to Honor Midwinter here!

What is February’s Snow Moon Spiritual Meaning?

February’s Snow Moon spiritual meaning is full of change and transition. Even the weather is fickle trying to decide between bright sunshine or snowy cloud-covered days.

Nature is straight-up being dodgy right now! Is spring on its way or what? Ha! Seriously though, your patience might falter, and you may even start to feel agitated and edgy.

Take a moment to reflect on what people in ancient times had to contend with during this season. They spent so much time storing their food and supplies and slowly watched them dwindle. Will they make it through the last of the cold winter days that lay ahead?

You can begin to understand why this moon is also referred to as the hungry moon. Really reflect on the true spirit of this time frame. The last of the heavy late winter snow and frost is about to be elevated by the fresh spring days ahead.

However, it’s so much more than literal snow. February’s Snow Moon symbolizes change, hope, creativity, and growth. That’s the spiritual meaning of the Snow Moon!

Does February Have a Black Moon Month in 2023?

No, this year does not have a Black Moon Month in February.

However, Space.com says there will be a Black Moon in May because there are four New Moons this season. It’s the only Black Moon in 2023!

The next Black Moon by the seasonal definition of the term will occur on May 19, 2023. 

Space.com

A Black Moon is a modern phrase that is very similar to a definition of a Blue Moon. However, it involves two NEW MOONS inside a specified time period rather than two FULL MOONS.

A Black Moon brings success and good luck. While a Black Moon is not an astronomical phrase, it’s honored and celebrated by those interested in Nature Spirituality (Pagans, Witches, etc.).

February Full Snow Moon Alternative Names

  • Hungry Month (Kagali) Cherokee Native American origins
  • Storm Moon, Ice Moon, and Snow Moon (Celtic and Old English origins) (source: Time and Date)
  • Thorri (Þorri) Norse origins (source: Nordic Culture – Skjalden)
  • Frost Sparkling in the Sun Arapaho Native American origins
  • Moon of Purification and Renewal Hopi Native American origins
  • First Flower Moon (Siwekure Araskehe Nuti ) Catawba Native American origins
  • Dassie Moon 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 or Western Washington University’s article.

February Snow Moon Correspondences

Remember, growth during the Snow Moon isn’t always comfortable or easy. Figure out ways you can relax and surrender to this transitional season. How can you clear out the unnecessary to make room for the meaningful?

During this time, we start to move past the goal-setting stage and into the realistic planning stages. How are you going to make your intentions come to fruition? Direct your magical intentions on rituals this month focused on new habits, goals, and plans for the future.

Take some time to really focus and be present. Contemplate your personal and spiritual intentions. This is a truly magical time, full of beautiful energy and momentum! These are the days the Full Snow Moon rises.

Snow Moon Spiritual Meaning and Intentions

  • Ambition
  • Fresh beginnings
  • Creativity
  • Change
  • Deep internal reflection
  • Abandoning bad habits

February Full Moon Colors

  • Purple (Amethyst)
  • Soft pink (Rose Quartz)
  • Blue (Ice)
  • White (Snow)
february full snow moon rosemary

How To Celebrate and Ritual Ideas

It’s easy to lose connection with the moon and nature during these brisk and chilly days. Here are a few ways to help you reconnect and realign with February’s Full Snow Moon spiritual meaning during these cold days of mid-winter.

Reflection

This can truly be one of the most important rituals to engage in during the February Snow Moon. Too much focus is put on goal setting, achievement, and pushing yourself to do more and improve. However, take a moment to stop to reflect on how freaking awesome you are!

How have you grown in the last year? 5 years? 10? What challenges have you overcome? How have you educated yourself? Maybe you learned a new creative skill, read a non-fiction book that helped change your perspective, tried a new recipe, made new friends, changed jobs, etc.

Maybe you made a drastic change in your life or a series of small ones to create a meaningful life you love. Maybe you FAILED at something! I sure hope so because you learned a lesson you can truly flourish from. Give yourself permission to try again because you’ll start off on better footing the next time. Recognize your ability to achieve amazing things!

Spend some time writing or making a list of how you’ve grown into who you are now. Maybe even go through some old photos to help remind you. When you’re through, hang it somewhere you can see it often to remind yourself just how strong and tough you really are! Especially on a challenging day when you really need to refresh your memory.

Here’s a list of 22 mid-winter journaling prompts that can help get you started!

February Snow Moon Guided Meditation

Here’s a guided candle meditation I created focused on February’s Full Snow Moon and its spiritual meaning! I hope this helps you connect and focus on this beautiful season filled with fresh beginnings!

Creative Endeavors

In these final weeks of being cooped up inside, why not push yourself with a new creative project? Try something that scares you or pushes your boundaries. Something you always felt you wouldn’t be good at, so you’ve never even tried.

Try taking that local pottery class, learn to knit or watercolor by watching some YouTube videos, or try a new way of cooking. Your options are limitless! Pushing your creative boundaries right now can really help lessen the burden of the heaviness of late winter.

Light a Candle

Your spiritual intentions can be totally uncomplicated and as easy as lighting a candle. Take a moment to be fully present, say a small chant, or meditate. Such a simple but powerful ritual to connect to nature and yourself.

You can also try using specific candle colors based on their spiritual meanings. Candles are an essential element of every spiritual practitioner. They can be used in rituals, spiritual intentions, or spells to strengthen and spread magical energy.

If you’re feeling a bit EXTRA, why not try crafting your own beeswax candle? You can find a kit with beeswax sheets to keep it simple!

Light a Candle for February Snow Moon The Peculiar Brunette

Collect Snow For Your Moon Water

If you’re able, adding snow to your Moon Water in February really helps add a bit of *oomph* to your water. Take a moment to meditate quietly with the container of water. Placing both hands on the container, imagine your goals and intentions flowing into the water. Use your Moon Water to help your ambitious plans come to fruition.

Try adding your Moon Water to your clothes before a big interview (maybe even in the washing machine?) or dabbing it onto your vision board to strengthen your intentions. Check out 50 Creative Ways To Use Moon Water for more ideas.

Love In Many Forms

February is known as a month of love. However, it doesn’t only have to be romantic. It can be friendship, family, or self-love too!

Enjoy a Gal-entines or Guy-entines celebration with your friends! This can be a simple meal together or a weekend away! You could even have a potluck dinner and a movie marathon. The choice is totally up to you! Make time for your VIP friends and tell them how much you value them.

Self-love is all about nourishing your mind, spirituality, and physical body. Try to aim at all three of these to create a more well-rounded self-care plan. Focus on activities you get excited about doing. This is all about you, after all! If it doesn’t give you a little thrill, why bother?

Speaking of the month of love, do you know if the Pagan festival of Lupercalia the origin of Valentine’s Day? You’ll never guess the answer!

Future February Full Snow Moon Dates

Need to know future February Full Snow Moon Dates? Here are the upcoming dates according to Griffith Observatory!

  • February 24th, 2024, peak illumination at 7:30 AM (Eastern Standard Time)
  • February 12th, 2025, peak illumination at 8:53 AM (Eastern Standard Time)

2023 Full Moon Calendar

Lunar Eclipse Schedule in 2023

In 2023 there will be TWO LUNAR eclipses!

The first is called a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, which takes place during May’s Full Flower Moon. This eclipse is barely visible and will only slightly block the Full Moon. It will be visible in Europe, Asia, Australia, Antarctica, Africa, and the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.

The second will be a Partial Lunar Eclipse taking place during October’s Full Hunter’s Moon. It will be visible in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa, and most of South America, as well as the Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, and Indian Oceans.

Solar Eclipse Schedule in 2023

In 2023 there will be TWO SOLAR eclipses!

  • April 20th, 2023 – Total Solar Eclipse visible in Australia, Asia, Antarctica, and the Indian and Pacific oceans.
  • October 14th, 2023 – Annular SOLAR eclipse (when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, creating a “ring of fire.”) Visible in North America, South America, and the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic oceans.

2023 Supermoon Schedule

In 2023, there will be TWO supermoons in August (including a Blue Moon)!

  • August 1st, 2023
  • August 30th, 2023

Note: There are no defined rules for how close the Moon must travel to earth to qualify as a supermoon. Depending on how you choose to define a supermoon, there could also be one in July and one in September. However, they don’t orbit as close to the earth as the August Moons.

Enjoy the February Full Snow moon; lots of love to you, and remember, as always…

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