Here's How December's Full Cold Moon Will Actually Affect You
As the year winds down and the days start growing colder, the final full moon of the year is set to heat things up one last time. Every 29 days, the moon completes a full lunar cycle, with each lunar phase ushering in a unique energy with it. And when the full moon illuminates the night sky, it shines a light on the good, the bad, and the ugly that you might've been ignoring. "In the literal sense, what the full moon does is expand and it magnifies everything," explains astrologer Athena Perrakis, Ph.D, to Reader's Digest. And this month, the full moon set to grace the night sky on December 7, 2022 carries some heated and highly charged energy.
The December full moon is annually known as the Cold Moon, a term coined by the Mohawk tribe that symbolizes the turn toward the chilly winter months, when we find ourselves drawn to rest and rejuvenation, per The Old Farmer's Almanac. "As the last full moon of the year, but rising in the middle of winter, the Cold Moon marks a time for a detailed, complex reflection. Embrace the spirit of duality of Gemini and balance, in your mind, thoughts of the past, present, and future," Ask the Answer astrologer Rhianne tells PopSugar. Arriving just a few weeks ahead of the Winter Solstice, the annual Cold Moon in astrology marks a time where you must go inward and face the darkest aspects of your life, in order to move toward the hope and promise of a brighter future.
What to expect from December's Cold Moon
Full moons are famous for bringing hidden emotions and deep transformation to the surface, and the upcoming Cold Moon in December will be no exception thanks to a few key aspects that will light the fuse on this explosive lunation. On December 7, 2022, the full moon will form an exact conjunction to Mars retrograde at 16 degrees of Gemini, marking a very emotional and heated time where the pressure, frustration, and anger you've been repressing finally reaches a boiling point (via Astro–Seek). This full moon marks the halfway point of Mars retrograde, emphasizing all of the feelings and confusion that have had you mixed up since it began back in October. So, there's a good chance sparks will fly and words will be exchanged, per The Cut.
Luckily, there will be some added support during this full moon that you can call on to give you the strength to keep your cool. The upcoming full moon in Gemini will also form a pleasant trine aspect to Saturn in Aquarius, giving you the clarity needed to build strong foundations for the future. So although there may be some bumps in the road during this last lunar event of the year, a little preparation ahead of time might be all you need to come out stronger on the other side. As astrologer and reiki healer Michelle Fedrizzi explains on Twitter, this is an ideal time to reflect on your truth through journaling, shadow-work, or other full moon rituals.
Which signs will be most affected by the December full moon?
This December, the full moon forms a conjunction to Mars retrograde at 16 degrees in the sign of Gemini, affecting anyone with major mutable sign placements (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) and anyone with Mars as their chart–ruler the most directly, per Cafe Astrology. These individuals can expect some major emotional revelations to challenge the way they view their reality, and some newfound awareness regarding what needs to change. Because the full moon will be exactly conjunct with Mars retrograde, which is also opposing the sun in Sagittarius, every sign should prepare for this lunation to shed light on how much has been accomplished over the last year, and how far there is still left to go (via Astrology.com).
Each month, the full moon offers you the chance to reflect on your feelings and deal with any loose ends that have been holding you back. And regardless of your zodiac sign, anyone can take the opportunity to pause, breathe, and re-center during these emotionally charged cosmic events. "... it's time to revisit the past and discover what you have abandoned or ignored along the way to where you are right now," shares sidereal Vedic astrologer and tarot reader @indramistress on Twitter. "Every [relationship] will be tested. Claim your power but never burn yourself."
If you've felt as though you've been wasting your time and energy on destructive relationships, thought patterns, cycles, or behaviors lately, the upcoming Cold Moon is a good time to confront them directly and release them back into the universe.