Love at Frost Sight - the Snow Moon
TRANSCRIPT
If you’re looking how to find and appreciate Divine moments every day, and deepen your connection to Nature and indeed the Universe we inhabit ... there is no better time than the Winter to do so. Especially the Full Moon in February.
So stick around to the end of the video because I’m going to share some tips, some little known facts, and an easy ritual template that will help you make the most of this auspicious time.
From time immemorial, the moon has played an important part in our human culture, tradition, and history. The phases of the moon are a powerful and constant reminder that life is a series of cycles that repeat themselves, ad infinitum.
The moon has been our constant celestial reminder of our connection with Nature, the universe, and our own alignment within it.
In the Ara Tradition, we celebrate the sunrise, sunset, new and full moons, and seasonal changes as connected.
When we observe the changing phases of the moon and how each full moon connects to the seasons, we reconnect to a sense of organic flow—how all life experiences are woven together.
Importance of Full Moon Rituals
Full moon rituals, just like our seasonal holiday rituals, are about aligning ourselves with Nature and Her natural rhythms.
Full Moon rituals help to bring our awareness of our own internal seasons. We can become aware of how our own seasons are naturally aligned with Mother Nature's seasons. We can experience the ebb and flow of the universe we live within.
In recent times we have either forgotten or simply lost touch with our connection with the Great Mother and the Universe at large. Full moon rituals are an opportunity to revive this connection with Nature, our bodies, our natural rhythms, and the universe.
And bringing a ceremonial frame of mind to your time in Nature, communing with the Moon, infuses the moment with sacredness.
What’s Cool about the Snow Moon
February’s full Snow Moon reaches peak illumination at 1:30 P.M. EST on Sunday, February 5, 2023.
This full moon is also a micro-moon.
A Micro-moon is when a Full Moon or a New Moon coincides with apogee, the point in the Moon's orbit farthest away from Earth.
Because a Micro-moon is further away, it looks approximately 14% smaller than a Supermoon. In addition, the illuminated area appears 30% smaller, so it might look a little less bright.
Learn more about our full moon rituals:
Why is it Called the Snow Moon?
Full Moon names come from several places, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources.
Traditionally, each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred, not just to the full Moon herself.
The Full Snow Moon is so named because February is typically the month when the heaviest snowfalls occur.
It is a time when winter is in full swing and the snow and cold can make life difficult.
The full moon, symbolizing completeness and wholeness, is a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination required to endure these harsh conditions.
Historically, the Full Snow Moon was considered to be a time of introspection and spiritual renewal. The quiet and stillness of winter provided an opportunity to reflect on one's life and to make plans for the future.
It was believed that the full moon provided a powerful energy that could be harnessed for personal growth and transformation.
Names for this month’s Moon have traditionally had a connection to animals.
The Cree traditionally called this the Bald Eagle Moon or Eagle Moon.
While the Ojibwe called it the Bear Moon and the Tlingit called it the Black Bear Moon …. Both referring to the time when bear cubs are born.
The Dakota also call this the Raccoon Moon, certain Algonquin peoples named it the Groundhog Moon, and the Haida named it Goose Moon.
Another theme of this month’s Moon names is scarcity. This moon is also known as the Hunger Moon because it was a time when food was scarce and the cold made hunting difficult. It was a time to come together and rely on the community for support.
How to Watch for the Full Moon Rise
At a full Moon, the Moon is located on the opposite side of the Earth to the Sun so the face of the Moon facing toward the Earth will be completely illuminated by the Sun’s rays.
It will be below the horizon at this time, so for the best view of this Moon, look for it starting the night before or later on Sunday;
Of the two evenings, Sunday offers the best opportunity to see the full “Snow Moon” rise into a twilight sky from North America. From North America, it will be best viewed that evening at moonrise for your location because the full Moon in February will rise during dusk.
In New York, sunset is at 5:11 p.m. on Sunday, February 5, 2023 (EST) and moonrise is at 5:17 p.m. EST (the moment of full Moon is at 1:30 p.m. EST).
It will drift above the horizon in the east around sunset and reach its highest point in the sky around midnight.
The Farmer's Almanac has a helpful Moonrise Calculator to see what time you can expect to catch a glimpse of the full moon in February!
How the Zodiac Influences the Moon’s Energy
For those of us who live in concert with Nature’s rhythms, the Full Moon is one of the most magical of times -- an ideal occasion for becoming intentional and for creating change.
The Moon orbits one full turn around the Earth in 28 days. And as it does, it passes through each of the Zodiac signs for about 2 to 2 1/2 days.
The sign of the Moon on any given day broadcasts a subtle emotional undercurrent.
Just as our personalities can be described in terms of the position of the Sun and Moon at the time of birth, the changing moods and energies of our daily lives can be correlated with the passage of the Moon through the Zodiac each month.
Although any Full Moon can mark a time for manifestation, it is helpful to know which sign of the Zodiac the Full Moon is in, and how that effects the energies at work.
Like the mystery of the lunar pull, it's hard to put your finger on … it’s also not scientifically proven … yet it can serve as a good guideline in terms of whatever goal or intention we’ve set out for ourselves.
Sun / Moon axis
When there's a full moon, she sits opposite the sun, which symbolizes divine feminine and masculine energies coming face-to-face to enkindle harmony between your emotional and physical reality.
The sun reflects your outer world, physical identity, and the ego; it is the way you express yourself in the physical dimension. Its light also provides you with enough strength and courage to move forward.
With the sun and moon on complete opposite sides of the zodiac wheel, you — both personally and collectively — are being asked to create balance between your inner and outer world. One cannot exist without the other.
Full Moon in Leo
The Full Snow Moon in the sign of Leo adds another dimension to its already powerful energy. Leo is a sign that is associated with courage, creativity, and leadership. When the Full Snow Moon is in Leo, it amplifies these qualities and encourages us to be bold and to take charge in our own lives. This is a time to be confident in our abilities and to let our inner light shine.
Like every Full Moon there is a need to find balance between your physical and emotional needs.
While the Moon is in Leo, the sun is in Aquarius.
The Leo/Aquarius axis is supporting you living from your heart and expressing your truth into the world.
Leo emphasizes your personal power and what you want to do or be in the world (Aquarius). It enhances your sense of self, aligning you with your heart and what you love.
The Sun in Aquarius may be highlighting what wants to be known and the Moon in Leo helps you anchor that dream within. You may have deep insights into your unique purpose and how to bring that forward.
With the Sun and Moon pulling your psyche in opposite directions, take time for self-care and restoring balance.
Leo reminds you to embrace your inner child. Dance, play and be silly to loosen up. Notice how creativity flows when you let loose. Tune into childhood dreams and explore “what if’s” to activate your brain and new possibilities.
Listen to the subtle clues that are opening and awakening your heart. Trust what is coming up and follow intuitive guidance that aligns with what you want most.
Putting It All Together
In this video learned some important facts about the Full Moon in February that will help you make the most of this auspicious time.
Also discovered why Full Moon rituals are so important.
You discovered that the Full Snow Moon in the sign of Leo is a time of great potential for personal growth and transformation. Its combination of the moon's completeness and wholeness with the courage and leadership of Leo encourages us to be bold and to take charge of our lives.
And, its connection to the Native American tradition of the Snow Hunger Moon highlights the importance of coming together and relying on our community in times of hardship.
So make sure you schedule some time to get outside to enjoy the Full Moon.
Full Moon in February Ritual
And if you’re looking for an easy Full Moon in February ritual, here are some tips for you:
- Spend some time focusing on your breathing, to bring yourself into the present moment and to let go of all the everyday troubles and concerns.
- Take a moment to think about all that you learned in this video and what wisdom Grandmother Moon may have for you at this time.
- Specifically -- What wisdom does the Full Moon in February have for you? How can you absorb Her energy as She sits in Leo? What wisdom does the Native American lore have for you?
- Now Focus your gaze on the moon. Feel the energy of the Moon cascading down upon you –
- Allow the full moon to bathe you in a protective circle of light. Vibrant with energy, feel your space transformed, filled with the purity of spirit.
- Feel the energy shining on you, illuminating you…
- Allow your intuition to receive what Grandmother Moon may have to say to you at this time.
- Take a moment to write down the words that you were given, the words that you created.
Your Next Step
If you want to learn more about how to find and appreciate Divine moments every day, and deepen your connection to Nature and indeed the Universe itself, … to achieve joy, fulfillment,
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Click or tap the screen to watch the next video about NATURE MAGIC because you’ll learn even more about unlocking magic in your life with Mother Nature as your guide.
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