December: The Cold Moon

December: The Cold Moon

Winter takes a firm hold and temperatures plummet at this time. Sometimes this moon is also called the Long Night Moon as the winter nights lengthen and the moon spends more time above the horizon opposite a low sun. The full moon name often used by Christian settlers is the "Moon before Yule".

According to The Farmer's Almanac, The December Full Moon is known as The Cold Moon, The Longest Night Moon or The Oak Moon. Folklore says, if snow begins when the moon is young, it will be finished at moon rise.

Correspondences

Nature Spirits: Snow Faeries, Storm Faeries, Winter Tree Faeries

Herbs: Holly, English Ivy, Fir, Mistletoe

Colours: Blood Red, White and Black

Flowers: Holly, Poinsettia, and  Christmas Cactus

Scents: Violet, Patchouli, Rose Geranium, Frankincense, Myrrh, Lilac

Gemstones: Serpentine, Jacinth, Peridot

Trees: Fir, Pine and Holly

Animals: Mouse, Deer, Horse and Bear

Birds: Rook, Snowy Owl, and Robin

Deities: Hathor, Hecate, Neith, Athene, Minerva, Ixchel, Osiris, Norns, Fates

Magickal Working: To endure, to be reborn, Earth tides turning, Darkness, a time to reach out to friends and family and those in need.