The month of December is the month of the December Solstice which on the Northern Hemisphere is the month of mid-winter celebrations. As the days are now shortest and the days longest houses and windows are decorated with lights and evergreens.
As the year draws to a close and the chill of winter sets in, the full moon in December shines bright in the sky, giving us a reason to celebrate the Cold Moon. This celestial event is not only a great excuse to gather with friends and family, but also a nod to our ancestors who once relied on the moon’s phases to mark the passage of time.
The Cold Moon got its name because it shines bright in the cold, dark nights of December. It’s a time when the frost creeps in and the world seems to slow down, making it the perfect time to cozy up by the fire and enjoy the stillness of winter.
For those who are culturally inclined, the Cold Moon has been celebrated for centuries by indigenous cultures as a time to reflect on the past year and make preparations for the year to come. It’s a time to gather with loved ones and offer gratitude for the blessings of the past year, while also looking forward to the future with hope and optimism.
So, how do we celebrate the Cold Moon? Gather with friends and family and have a warm, cozy dinner. You could also go ice skating, build a snowman, or have a winter picnic. Sip on hot cocoa, have a winter bonfire, or go ice skating under the moonlight.
So, as the Cold Moon rises in the December sky, grab your hat, scarf and mittens, and head outside to celebrate this amazing celestial event. And remember, just like the winter weather, the Cold Moon is a valuable part of our calendar and a reminder of the changing seasons. Whether you choose to celebrate in a traditional or unconventional way, just remember to keep warm, have fun, and most importantly, don’t forget to howl at the moon!
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The full moon in December is also known as:
Big Spirit Moon (Ojibwe)
Bitter Moon (Chinese)
Christmas Moon
Cold Moon (Celtic) (Old English)
Darkest Moon
Drift Clearing Moon (Cree)
Fruit Moon (S. Africa)
Hoar Frost Moon (Cree)
Little Spirit Moon (Anishinaabe)
Long Night’s Moon (Neo Pagan) (Mohican)
Mid-winter Moon
Moon of the Popping Trees (Oglala)
Moon When the Deer Shed Their Antlers (Dakota)
Oak Moon (Wicca) (Old English)
Peach Moon (Choctaw)
Snow Moon (Cherokee) (Haida)
Twelfth Moon (Dakota Sioux)
Unduvap Poya (Buddhist)
Winter Maker Moon (Western Abenaki)
Upcoming Cold Moons: 2022 December 8, 04:08 UTC 2023 December 27, 00:33 UTC 2024 December 15, 09:02 UTC 2025 December 4, 23:14 UTC 2026 December 23, 01:28 UTC
