As the final full moon of the year rises on 4 December, it brings a powerful sense of closure and quiet illumination. This is the moon that gently asks you to pause, look back over the year, and honour how far you have come. It is a time to soften, to exhale, and to allow what no longer serves you to fall away.
The name Cold Moon is widely associated with Native American and Celtic naming traditions, in which each full moon reflects the seasonal landscape. In many regions, December marked the arrival of harsh cold, frozen ground, and longer nights, so the full moon that lit these conditions naturally took on the title associated with winter’s chill.
Some sources trace the Cold Moon specifically to the Mohawk people, whose moon names often described the typical weather and environment of that time of year. Celtic and medieval English traditions also used the term Cold Moon, or Full Cold Moon, as a simple, descriptive name for the midwinter full moon.
Because December’s full moon falls close to the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, it has long been associated with themes of darkness, introspection, and the gradual return of light. In older European traditions, its titles Moon Before Yule and Long Night Moon link it to solstice festivals that honoured the turning of the sun and the promise of renewal.
For many Indigenous cultures, this moon also signalled practical cycles such as the end of most harvesting, changes in animal behaviour, and the time to prepare for the hardest stretch of winter. Today, the Cold Moon is often embraced symbolically as a moment to slow down, reflect on the year, and acknowledge both the starkness and quiet beauty of winter before a new cycle begins.
Spiritually, full moons are traditionally associated with culmination and clarity. Energy that has been building throughout the year often feels stronger now, bringing emotions closer to the surface and making it easier to see where you are holding on too tightly. Rather than resisting this, you can work with it and notice what feels heavy, acknowledge old stories or habits you are ready to release, and permit yourself to step into a lighter way of being.
Because this is the last full moon of the year, its symbolism is especially potent. It marks an energetic gateway between what has been and what is yet to come. You might feel called to reflect on your biggest lessons and blessings of the year.
Offer gratitude for the people, places and experiences that supported your growth.
Set gentle intentions for how you wish to feel as you move into the new year, rather than rigid goals.
A simple full moon ritual at home can be a beautiful way to anchor this energy. Create a quiet space, light a candle, and spend a few minutes in stillness. Journal on questions such as: “What am I ready to let go of?”, “What did this year teach me?”, and “How do I want to care for myself in the months ahead?” If it resonates, write down what you are releasing and safely burn or tear the paper, symbolically handing it back to the universe.
At Chivitr, this full moon is seen as an invitation back to your inner sanctuary. Gentle yoga or stretching, a calming herbal tea, and a mindful walk in nature can help regulate your nervous system and ground the heightened emotions that sometimes come with this phase. Ending the evening with a short meditation, focusing on the breath and the soft glow of the moon, can leave you feeling clear, held and at peace.