The final full moon of 2022 will peak at 7:08 PM, MST on December 7th. This night marks the final night of our year-long journey together. And so appropriately, the subject of tonight’s Full Cold Moon Ritual is ‘Achieving Closure.’ Soon the Winter Solstice will be upon us, and with it the longest night of the year and the great celebration of Yule. This final full moon of 2022 is a great opportunity to prepare ourselves for the upcoming celebration. December’s full moon is commonly known as the Cold Moon, as the month is a time of cold weather across the northern part of North America. It has also called the Bitter Moon, the Big Winter Moon, the Oak Moon, or the Long Night Moon.
Throughout 2022, we have focused on personal growth, and now that the year is ending, our last lesson is about achieving closure. Recall that last month, our lesson was called Blood Moon Rising, as there was a lunar eclipse; it provided us with an opportunity to face prophecy and pay heed to the message it brings. In the months before we discussed how to find our tribe and how getting back to basics served to remind us to stay on or steer back to our chosen paths. In August our focus was on navigating difficulty. July was our off month. In June the focus was about networking. May was about risk taking, April was about overcoming emotional challenges. March covered embracing the lunar energy and allowing it to influence all aspects of our lives. In February we built planning skills and in January our focus was preparing ourselves for chaos. Each lesson laid the foundation for the next, and the next. Now, as we come to the final lesson, everyone comes together.
Preparing For The 2022 Full Cold Moon Ritual
As always, this ritual should be preformed outside under the moonlight. It’s a good idea to position your circle around a bonfire or fire circle during the colder months. Dress warmly and prepare to be one with the lunar energy.
What items you’ll need to collect for this ritual (as written)
Quarter Candles (yellow, red, blue, green)
Goddess Candle
Paper and pencil for each participant to write things down to burn
Fire pit or cauldron suitable for safely burning small objects and paper
Altar – decorate with winter evergreens (pine branches, holly, ivy, mistletoe, etc.) or pure white to symbolize the illumination of the full cold moon
Leave space on the altar and remind your guests in advance that anyone is welcome to bring stones, crystals, wands, or other magical tools to be charged under the moonlight during the ritual.
Any portion of the ritual that is bracketed by <> symbols should be understood as instructional notes and not to be spoken aloud.
Full Cold Moon Ritual Begins
Winter night and cold moon light, with open hearts and knowing sight, we gather round to cleanse our souls, and break the bonds of all controls. In this time and at this place, I conjure now a sacred space!
Calling of the Quarters
East
Citizens of the world, a great greeting I offer! Turn with me towards the East and let the great spirits of Air fill you with the energy of the night. Let your soul be at peace, as the great mystery unfolds in a great but unseen awakening of the senses. We call upon the wind to surround this circle, protect us from the mayhem of the outside world, and ultimately lift the smoke from our cleansing fire away. <light yellow candle>
South
Now, with the energy of the night filling our very existence, turn to the South, where the great spirits of Fire tend to the great forges that lie beyond the horizon. Feel the warming energy as it radiates outward and upward. Watch in awe as the flames crackle, dance and stretch their long tongues at the sky above. Our voices unite tonight, in calling for the destructive power of the fire to burn away the negativity that we shall impart to it. <light red candle>
West
With each moment spent under the full cold moon our power grows. Now again, I beseech you all to turn with me to the West, where the great spirits of Water emerge to form the icy winter waves and rising mists across the land. Immerse yourselves in the magnificence of transmutation. Hear us great spirits, watch over us as we open our souls and rid ourselves from that which no longer serves us. <light blue candle>
North
And now with flame, and wind, and water, I call each and every soul to turn with me towards the North, and honor the great spirits of the Earth. Even as the land rests, the energy still waits. It rises at our calling, strengthening our resolve and forever grounding us. We welcome all that wait on the edge of our sight, to venture forth and join us for our full cold moon ritual. <light green candle>
Goddess
Great Goddess, tonight and every night in our future, we ask for your continued blessings and protection in all aspects of our lives. Give us protection as we engage in this great celebration of lunar energy. We honor you and are forever in your debt for the many blessings you heap upon us. Our gratitude is endless. <light Goddess candle>
Welcome!
Introduction – 2022 Full Cold Moon Ritual
Welcome one and welcome all to our full cold moon ritual. This is the last full moon of 2022, which provides a wonderful opportunity for cleansing and clearing, right before Yule and the Calendar New Year. If you plan on making any New Year’s resolutions, now’s the time to get right.
December’s full moon is commonly known as the Cold Moon, as the month is a time of cold weather across the northern part of North America. It has also called the Bitter Moon, the Big Winter Moon, the Oak Moon, or the Long Night Moon. If you’re celebrating outside tonight, you’ll feel the difference in the air. Last month the days were warm and the night air only brought a chill. That’s no longer the case in December.
Musical Interlude
Music is the universal language, to which all humans have a connection. Our ancestors would bang drums, chant, and dance as a part of their rituals. The music was important as it helped to build energy for the celebration. Each month, I journey through the digital stacks, looking for a piece which complements the ritual. Tonight’s selection was a fortunate discover. It is called Winter Moon, by Erutan, and it is simply beautiful; a perfect piece to carry you skyward in a beautiful lunar meditation.
2022 Full Cold Moon Ritual – Achieving Closure
Closure, the process of ending or bringing something to and end. Sounds pretty easy, right? Well, it’s not. Closure usually happens with someone getting hurt, shunned, or blindsided. Reason being, in most cases, one person does the closing, while the other suffers some kind of loss. Bringing a relationship or ending a friendship to closure means breaking up; someone is hurting. Now, before anyone thinks to say that something like ending a feud brings closure, burying the hatchet and all. I challenge you to ask yourselves, does ending a feud mean neither party was hurt, or just that they grew weary of the conflict.
Because it’s risky, many people avoid closure; rather to suffer in silence, than risk the pain of suffering in public. It’s why many people carry negative energy around, forever. They aren’t ready to achieve closure. They aren’t ready to confront the difficulties that closing a situation would bring. Other factors are connected to the source, and if one falls, they all could fall. What if I’m wrong; there’s no way back in some cases. I have no choice. I’m stuck. As you can see, true closure is something else. It’s being completely done with something and moving on. And it’s completely necessary for growth.
So, how does one achieve closure? What steps must they take? How long will it take? Questions, questions, and more questions. The answers might scare you more than the questions. It’s simple: you decide to, whatever it takes, and however long you wish. Sorry, but there is no simple answer on this subject. There is, however a positive process that you can use to teach yourself how to deal with challenging things in life.
First, identify the problems. Write them down in a notebook. Find the smallest ones; they will be your practice tests. Let’s say you have a questionable acquaintance that you need to cut out of your life. Think about how you interact. Consider each connection a cord. Let your inner analyst out and think about how you could cut each cord, even if it is dramatic. You may have to delete your social media to rid yourself of some people. Once you’ve visualized how to cut those cords, then you must decide when to detach, and then just do it. Free yourself from the negativity. But, also plan for how you’ll deal with them, if they confront you. Write a script and memorize it, if necessary. If you don’t have a defense plan, they have a good chance of pulling you back.
By breaking down the problem into a bunch of small parts, we can easily identify how to make the right decision. Pile all those decisions up, along with an aftermath plan, and you’re mostly there. Then, when it feels right, focus all your intention to commit to never return to the person or situation. You’ve reached closure.
Cleansing and Clearing
As we have done on each full moon of 2022, we gather together tonight to release negativity. It is no secret that negativity is everywhere. We all experience it within ourselves, our friends & family, and at our place of employment. It may come in the form of a friend or an opportunity. It may be passive or constant. But one thing it won’t be, is hard to notice. It will be dark and disruptive. Even when negativity tries to hide in plain sight, we can still see it, but only if we choose to open our eyes. If you’re burdened by negativity, then tonight is an opportunity to release it into the cleansing fire and smoke of our circle. So give it some thought for a few minutes, and then we’ll begin our guided meditation. Remember, that in order to banish something, it must first be named.
<take a few moments, or more, to allow for the group to self-reflect>
Throughout the year, we’ve all grown, found the strength to retake control of our own lives, and rid ourselves of negativity. Each month we take another step toward complete spiritual independence and inner peace. Yet, for some of us, the battle within continues, for some negativity has deep roots. And in our quest to continue growing, we gather together to support one another in the fight.
The full cold moon comes at a time when the earth is entering into dormancy. For the next three months, the nights will be long, the air frigid, and the burdens of winter will show themselves. Hardship, illness, and misery seem to grow during the winter months. People stay inside, breathing dry, stale, smoky air. Many become easy prey for negative thoughts and their minds can fill with jealousy, hate, and anger. So use tonight to make a clean sweep and fill your spirit up with positive thoughts and a readiness to be the shining light in the darkness of winter.
So now rise from your earthly slumber. The lunar energy and the power of the full cold moon is everywhere. Now is the time. Shut out the noise of the outside world and simply be one with the energy. Make a connection with the earth and prepare for great change. You are about to step through the door on a guided meditation of awareness, magick, and infinite clarity into the possibilities your future holds..
<this is a guided meditation, which means from this point forward, the ritual leader should significantly slow down – each sentence must be allowed to sink into everyone’s thoughts and each person should have time to absorb them completely – read one sentence, then take a pause, then another then pause, and so on – speak with an even and calming voice throughout – your voice will help relax and allow everyone to focus>
Close you eyes. Take a deep breath and then another. Relax. Your are getting lighter. Take another deep breath. Surrender your power to the night wind. Move with it. Sway as the air chooses to take you. You are light as a feather. Completely weightless. There is no dark nor light. No black or white. Everything is neutral and balanced. Free your mind. That which has come or that which may come has no meaning. No sight and no sound. Forget the future and forget the past. Listen until you can hear your heart beating. You are simply you. A lifeform within a greater lifeform. Listen until you hear the whispering of your ancestors. You are completely calm. Here you are protected. Here only rational thinking takes place. This place of everything and nothing at all. The threads of the universe are exposed for you to observe. Let your inner sight wander through this infinite collection of thought. Ponder on the many questions.
Can you see your connections? The threads that extend into the great beyond. Who are you bound to? Why are you bound? It is of your choosing? Where is your energy flowing? Are those being fed, feeding you in return? Is the energy in balance? Do you see your vibrational level? Are you falling short of your goals? Or are you being held back? Are you sailing on the high sea’s or anchored in port? Is there a yolk around your neck? A burden someone of something convinced you to carry. Does a master hold the lead to your bindings? Are your behaviors manipulated to serve another’s? Are you lost to the great abyss or simply prisoner to one of its puppeteers? Do you see darkness? Does it surround you? Where do you lay your head at night? Does it bring you pain or pleasure? Are you trapped? Ask yourself why you give something or someone permission to hold you against your will. Are your desires breeding chaos? Are you the pilot of your own destruction? Are you worthy of redemption? Yes…you are.
Comprehension is what makes us uniquely human. Remain focused. Do nothing but think. Analyze every moment, but use only seconds. Understand the meaning of the universe, yet remain lost within it. Infinity is but the snap of a finger and a single heartbeat echoes on and on and on and on. Time is but a concept of those who seek to control it. Control is but a concept of those who are empty inside. Emptiness is but a state of the great construct. And yet, it is we, who can choose. To be empty or to be full, and whether that be positive or negative. We decide what walls can be built and which can be torn down. And it is we who can decide when. Remember these words for now we must leave this place.
Breath in deeply and hold it. Focus on the memories we have just created. Exhale. Focus on your inner power. Breathe in deeply and hold it. Focus on naming that which needs to be named. Exhale. Prepare yourselves. Take a deep breath. Take another. You are no longer weightless. The cold energy of the earth is pulling you back. You can feel the cold night air and hear the sounds of the wind. Remember. Remember. Remember and release.
<wait a minute or more>
Now slowly open your eyes. Your destiny awaits
<distribute paper and pencils>
The universe will unwind, showing you its inner secrets, but only if you unlock it. The same is true for stepping out of the darkness, you are the keyholder. It takes commitment and great spiritual strength. The cords that bind us are powerful and will not surrender without a fight. Call upon the great power of this full beaver blood moon for strength. Call upon your ancestors for guidance. But most importantly, call upon your soul, the truest form of who you actually are, for permission. Allow yourself to become the best version of you, that is possible.
Now, write down everything or everyone that is working against you. Choose to reject those thing which attempt to hold power over you. Do not allow fear to limit your progress. Do not succumb to false emotions such as guilt or shame. For you are part of the Human Condition, and there is no judgement here. Cut those cords, and then pledge to yourself that you are cutting them forever. This is the moment to burn away that which causes you pain. This is the moment to free yourselves from fear and anxiety. I call out to everyone to regain their personal power and to take back the real you from those who’ve tried to take it from you. Stop participating in unhealthy relationships. Decide to no longer be at someone else’s disposal. Stop being used. Break free from the abuses. As you command it, then it shall be!
And when you’ve gathered up the transgressions and committed them to ink and paper, then I bid you, arise! Step forward with great conviction and cast them into the flames, finally and without fanfare. Feel the release as they burn away and say aloud, “I release that which no longer serves me!”
<Provide ample time for everyone to burn and meditate over what was released>
And now a great weight has been lifted. But, before we close this Cold Moon ritual, know this. Breaking free from negativity is easy, but keeping it away can be challenging. Negativity doesn’t give up easily. Darkness has a familiar pull and preys upon us when we are weak. A great cleansing leaves empty spaces, which the darkness will seek to fill, but only if you let it. Fill them with positive thoughts before the evil can creep back in. Find your tribe, follow your path, rebuild your defenses. Strive to become the best version of yourself. Immerse yourself in the energy of the full moon. Trust in yourself, for you are much stronger than you think.
So Mote it Be!!
Closing the Full Cold Moon Circle
North
And now, the night is deep and the time is near. Join me once again and look towards the North, where the immense power of the Earth makes its home. We offer great blessings for the bounty, our honor to the spirits which have visited here, and our yearning for the snows to come later and the piles to be lighter. <extinguish green candle>
West
Now to the West, to all, I bid turn. For the great lesson of water is nary but a pace from everywhere. Whether rain, or mist, of the frozen ponds in winter, Water is a part of us. And as we remember, we understand. And as we understand, we grow, teach and share the magnificence of transmutation. <extinguish blue candle>
South
To the South, all shall turn, the direction that burns. For the lessons of Fire are many, as it creates and destroys. And yet, tonight wed care little for creation, but offer our prayers to ensure the flames have consumed all those things which are no longer served their former masters and mistresses. <extinguish red candle>
East
And finally, we reach our last. Look to the East, and engage with the winter winds. The power of Air has been with us tonight. Such strength and protection from that which is unseen, reminds us that trust and faith are not only words and they need not prove themselves. For the believers will flourish and the uncertain will not. That is how it has to be. <extinguish yellow candle>
Goddess
Great Goddess, Queen of all our eyes can see, Provider of life, Giver of gifts, and Mother of Nature, we thank you for joining us in this great lunar celebration, courtesy of the full cold moon. The cold winter is upon us and we seek your protection and guidance in all that we do. We humbly offer you our gratitude for your abundance, your guiding wisdom, your continued blessings, and your unconditional love. <extinguish Goddess candle>
This full cold moon circle is open but never broken!
Huzzah!
Additional Readings
2023 Pagan Calendar – Sabbats, Moon Cycles, Zodiac, and More
If you’d like to browse other Full Moon Rituals available, check out the Rites & Rituals Archives on The Gypsy Thread.
- October’s Full Hunter’s Moon 2024 -Joining the Ancient Hunt - October 12, 2024
- September’s Full Harvest Moon Ritual for 2024 - September 12, 2024
- May’s Full Flower Moon 2024 – Blessed Abundance - May 22, 2024
