Long Night's Moon

The full moon tomorrow, Friday, December 12, is sometimes called Long Night's Moon because it is the full moon closest to the midwinter solstice - the longest night of the year.

I always feel that this full moon is particularly powerful because it rises so early and is visible for such a long time. It is a good time for spells of renewal or endurance and for meditating on personal spiritual journeys and transformations.

An old name for December's full moon is Cold Moon, because it is when the bitter weather begins to bite. With snow having already fallen thickly in many parts of England, that is certainly true.

This year's Long Night's Moon falls on a Friday. An old Irish saying is that you should never cut your hair, begin a journey, move into a new house, start a business or cut out a dress on a Friday, particularly if it is a full moon.

That might seem slightly at odds with my earlier description of this being a moon of transformations and renewal, but it probably just means that a Friday night is better for having a good time rather than doing any hard work. I'd certainly go along with that.

For more information about the magical significance of the full moon, follow these links:
www.pagancalendar.co.uk/

http://bean-sprouts.blogspot.com/2007/12/long-nights-moon.html

http://pagan-magic.co.uk/shop/moon-phases-a-27.html?ad=badwitch

http://witchcraze.moonfruit.com/#/coldmoon/4526715054
http://www.new-age.co.uk/moon-dates.htm
www.pagan-heart.co.uk/articles/moonnames/moonnames.html
www.farmersalmanac.com/full-moon-names

http://www.midnightmoonchild.com/moonchild13thmoonpage.html