I find it wonderful that on the night of the Snow Moon rising, our sanctuary will be blanketed in fresh snow and the skies will be blanketed with clouds gifting our region with some much needed moisture. If your ritual needs require a visual connection with the full moon, do not fret, you can do your ritual work tomorrow night when we are supposed to have clearer skies.
As most of you know by now, I like to read horoscopes, astrological analysis and try to glean some insight from the folks I trust that are astrologers. I am not an astrologer. I encourage you, if you are interested, to look at your chart, find somebody you can understand explaining astrological analysis and see what the stars have to say about your way forward. For this ritual, and many rituals I have put together in the past, I have read a few analyses and come up with a few images that stood out to me for the central working. Then I added gratitude, breath and moon gazing.
The following ritual can be followed as is or elaborated on to your liking. As always, pay attention to your own needs and the resonance you feel with any step or guidance. You are encouraged to manifest this full moon ritual offering in whatever manner suits you.
Altar
Cloth- in a color that encourages you
Candles- preferably tall where the flame can be seen while you work
Favorite divination tool- I was going to use Runes but the tool that you are most familiar with, or are trying to build a relationship with perhaps, might be a better choice for you
Offering bowl
Bowl of water or black mirror
Chalice with sweet beverage
Ritual
Take a few deep breaths, letting go of the day and being present in your sacred space
If you want to call quarters or draw a sacred circle, this is a common place in the ritual to do so
Recognize the day and the divine feminine you are honoring- whether it is silent or five minutes of flowery language, this part is the centering of the ritual
Give offering and recognize the gifts, out loud or silently, that the goddess has shared with you- pour some of the beverage from the chalice into the offering bowl or directly onto the ground if you are outside
If you are able, this is a good time to gaze up at the moon- bathe in the light- feel the light wash over you and the relationship you have with the divine feminine strengthen-
Coming back to the altar, restate your purpose for the ritual tonight- if we had been in person tonight, I would have pointed out how the full moon is a time of culmination and celebration. I would have spoken briefly about how the planets are all direct right now and how that allows for a fair amount of forward motion in our lives. I would have reminded everyone gathered that with culmination comes opportunity for the next big thing to start.
If you can, position the items on your altar so that there is space on both sides of your gazing bowl or black mirror while your divination tool can still be easily reached. Take a few deep breaths and watch the reflective surface for a few minutes, letting your gaze become unfocused. Ponder the parts of your life that are in the culminating phase- what projects have you finished? What doors are you closing? Pull one of whatever you’re using as a divination tool and place it on the right side of your gazing tool.
Take a few deep breaths and watch the reflective surface for a few minutes again, letting your gaze become unfocused. Ponder the parts of your life that are in the dreaming or pre-planning phase- what is on your horizon? What goal do you have for the Spring? What door is on the verge of opening for you? Pull one of whatever you’re using as a divination tool and place it on the left side of your gazing tool.
In theory, these two cards or runes or sticks will be guidance on what or how to celebrate what is culminating and what is still coming.
Feel free to sit with these two bits of guidance for as long as you need. You may want to do more moon gazing/bathing at this time so that you can meditate on the guidance you received for a few more minutes.
When you are ready, say another word of gratitude for blessings from the divine feminine or the full moon and pour another bit of beverage from the chalice into the offering bowl
Echo your recognition of the day and the divine feminine in the moon to close your rite
If you called quarters or drew a sacred circle, this might a good time to release them
However you choose to honor the Full Moon, I pray that the blessings of the goddess are felt and recognized around your hearth this snowy Snow Moon day!
Blessings!
Jean Loomis
