How to Perform a Full Moon Ritual: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Harnessing the Power of the Moon

The Full Moon has always been a time of magic. The lunar phase when the Moon is fully illuminated and we can see her at her most glorious has captivated those of us here on Earth for thousands of centuries and full Moon rituals go back at least as far as the Ancient Egyptians.

Today you’ll learn how to perform your own Full Moon ritual and discover other rituals you can engage in during this time.

As you begin to work with the celestial entity you’ll find that some months have two Full Moons, some have a blood moon or supermoon, and some have a lunar eclipse. I’ll explain a bit about how to work with those as well, but the overall concept is the same for each. Here’s a full moon calendar for the year to help you plan ahead.

This guide offers a range of Full Moon rituals, what to avoid during this time, and step-by-step instructions for a releasing ritual to help you clear space for new energy. Let’s get started.

Why Do We Work with the Moon in Magick?

The Moon has long been regarded as a source of mystical energy. Other than the Sun, it’s also the only other celestial body we can easily see in the sky, and thus, it’s not surprising that we’ve found ourselves drawn to it.

Practically, its phases allowed ancient cultures to plan their calendar and some social activities (such as Noumenia, for the Greeks), and of course, it literally controls the tides here on Earth.

But for thousands of years, it has also been associated with the feminine, intuition, and hidden wisdom. And moonlight has been used for divination, dream work, and connecting with the subconscious mind. Working with the moon fosters a sense of connection—to nature, to the unseen, and to the cycles that govern our world—reminding us that we, too, are part of something greater.

In magick, working with the moon allows witches, magicians, and other practitioners to align their intentions with its phases, amplifying the effectiveness of spells, manifestations, and rituals rather than working against them.

Each phase of the moon carries its own unique energy and you can learn more about how to attune your magic with the different moon phases here. The New Moon is a time for new beginnings and setting intentions, while the waxing Moon supports growth and momentum.

The Full Moon, at its peak illumination, is the most potent phase for power, release, and manifestation, whereas the waning moon is ideal for release, banishment, and introspection. Hellenistic astrologer Courtney Trethic of Interstellar Harmony explains, “Each full moon holds a different energetic frequency, especially when you’re looking through the lens of astrology. Though, one thing for certain is its ability to bring to light those more subconscious thoughts…it brings your attention inward, forcing you to get real with the world around you. Instead of getting caught in gossip or the whirlwind of inner chatter from a restless mind, try meditation, visualization, or solitary spellwork.”

Full Moon Rituals

The full moon is when the moon’s energy is at its peak, making it the best time to charge tools, perform spellwork, and reflect on personal growth. It’s also the time when doing these actions is the most practical, because you can see what you’re doing in the dark.

Here are some full moon rituals to try, each designed to help you harness its energy in a meaningful way.

1. Charge Your Tools

The full moon is the perfect time to cleanse and recharge your magical tools, such as wands, athames, and tarot decks. Place them under the moonlight overnight to enhance their effectiveness and spiritual power. If you live in an apartment or if it’s not practical to place them outside, place them in a space in your home where they can be bathed in the moonlight.

2. Charge Crystals

Many people use the full moon to cleanse and energize their crystals. Simply place them outside or on a windowsill where the moonlight will fall on them. Some believe that moon-charged crystals become more powerful. This will work for all crystals and stones, but moonstone, selenite, and lemurian quartz crystals are ones to consider if you want to work more with her hidden aspects.

3. Make Moon Water

To make Moon water, fill a glass jar with water and leave it under the moonlight to absorb lunar energy. This water can be used for drinking, spells, cleansing rituals, baths, or watering plants.

4. Practice Divination

The heightened energy of the full moon is said to enhance intuition. This means it’s a good time for tarot readings, rune casting, or any other divination. You can also try a divination method connected with the Moon, such as gazing into a bowl of water to see what images come forth.

5. Meditate

Meditating under the Moon can provide insight and clarity. This is a good time to focus on what is being illuminated in your life and what needs to be released.

6. Gather in a Moon Circle

Meet with friends or coven members for a Full Moon gathering. Share what you wish to release and what you want to manifest. Consider working together to do a spell or a releasing ritual.

7. Take a Ritual Bath

A Moon bath is both a magical act and self-care that allows you to relax and release stagnant energy. Add salts, corresponding herbs and essential oils, or even a bath bomb (this relaxing lavender one is kind of perfect for this) to enhance the experience.

8. Set Intentions and Manifest

Use this time to write down or speak your manifestations out loud. This phase of the Moon amplifies energy, making it a strong moment for calling in abundance and transformation. Each Moon has its own energy, so you may want to consider working with that as well. Below, you’ll find which moons are best for manifesting and which are best for releasing.

9. Reflect on New Moon Intentions

Think back to the intentions you set during the last New Moon. Have they materialized? Do they still align with your path? The full moon helps bring clarity on what is working and what needs to be adjusted.

10. Do a Spell

Magick and spellwork peformed during the Full Moon is particularly potent, especially for spells related to release, protection, and enhancement of psychic abilities.

11. Observe Dikhomenia

In ancient Greece, the Full Moon was a time for honoring Selene, the lunar goddess. The ritual of Dikhomenia involved making offerings such as milk, honey, or white wine and reciting prayers to Selene, that ask for guidance and protection. This is still practiced today by modern Hellenists.

12. Perform a Releasing Ritual

Write down what no longer serves you on a piece of paper, meditate on it, then burn or rip up the paper as a symbolic release. Follow this with cleansing and a salt bath to complete the process. We’ll get more into this in a moment.

13. Have a Date with the Moon

Take the Moon on a date! Spend time outside basking in the moonlight, sipping tea, and simply being present with the lunar energy. Rebecca Fox has a lovely guide on how to do this.

14. Create Your Own Ritual

Do none of these idea resonate with you? Establish your Full Moon tradition that speaks to you. You could also consider giving each month’s Moon a name of your own that corresponds to what’s going on in your life at that time to create a more personal connection.

What Not to Do During a Full Moon

The full moon’s energy is intense — some believe it causes heightened emotions and can disrupt sleep — and because of this, there’s a few things to keep in mind not to do.

• Avoid starting new projects: The Full Moon is about culmination, not initiation. New endeavors are best started during the waxing or new moon phase.
• Don’t make impulsive decisions: Emotions run high, so avoid acting on impulse or reacting out of heightened feelings.
• Don’t ignore the need for rest: The full moon can be energizing and you might want to use that to power up your projects, but overexertion can also lead to burnout. Balance is best.
• Don’t begin a difficult conversation: Trethic says, “this is never the time to bring up sensitive conversations or even disclose what’s been bothering you. Odds are you won’t communicate it correctly, or the other party won’t be able to receive it. Instead, get to pen and paper and use that time to constructively dive into your ‘why’.”

Trethic also mentions that “Full moons have a way of stirring up a lot of excess energy, and sometimes not in the way that we’re hoping for. Angst, impatience, and agitation are easier to come by within ourselves and definitely easier to experience at the whim of other people’s inability to self-regulate. Within my own practice, it is definitely a time to veil, or cover your head for a spiritual purpose. Covering your crown chakra helps keep your energy protected and also helps you regulate with a bit more grace than not.”

Blood Moons, Supermoons, and Lunar Eclipses

The same recommendations and rituals apply to all Full Moons, but some witches and practitioners prefer to work with certain spells or intentions when these astronomical events occur. If you do as well, here’s a look at what each

• Blood Moon: This occurs during a total lunar eclipse, when the Earth casts a reddish shadow over the moon. This creates a time of intense transformation, endings, and karmic shifts. It’s powerful, but unpredictable energy. Use the Blood Moon for deep shadow work, protection rituals, and breaking cycles. Avoid manifesting and focus on clearing instead.
  
• Lunar Eclipse: A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth’s shadow partially or fully obscures the moon, creating a time of sudden shifts, revelations, and energetic resets. Eclipses act as cosmic course corrections, bringing hidden truths to light. Use the lunar eclipse for cord cutting and letting go or, as Trethic suggests, double down on resting. It’s not the time for manifesting.

• Supermoon: A supermoon happens when the moon is closest to Earth, making it appear larger and brighter in the night sky. This amplifies the usual full moon energy. Use the supermoon for manifestation, charging moon water, tools, and crystals, and being open to intuitive downloads. But also be mindful of how intense emotions might be at this time.

Step-by-Step Full Moon Releasing Ritual

1. Write down what you want to release.

Start by reflecting on what has been weighing you down—this could be negative habits, limiting beliefs, toxic relationships, or old emotional wounds. Be as specific as possible when writing them down on a piece of paper, as clarity strengthens your intention. Think of this act as transferring these burdens from your mind onto something tangible, making it easier to let go.

2. Light a candle and meditate.

Choose a candle color that resonates with your intention. (Here’s our candle guide to help you choose.) As you light the flame, take a few deep breaths and focus on the present moment. Let the candle serve as a beacon of transformation, guiding you toward release as you sink into meditation.

3. Visualize the Moon washing away those things you wish to release.

Close your eyes and picture the things you want to release dissolving in the moonlight, drifting away like mist. Feel a sense of weightlessness as you surrender these burdens to the universe, trusting that they no longer have power over you.

4. Burn or tear up the paper.

If it’s safe to do so, burn the paper in a fireproof container or fire pit, watching the flames consume your written words as a symbol of release. If burning isn’t an option, tearing the paper into tiny pieces and burying them in earth also works. The key is to destroy the paper in a way that feels final, affirming that you are truly letting go.

5. Cleanse your space.

After releasing, it’s important to clear away any residual energy. You can do this by smoke cleansing with herbs like sage or rosemary or using sound, such as a bell or gong. This step helps you reset and create an open, refreshed environment for new energy to flow in.

6. Take a salt bath to wash away old energy.

End your ritual by soaking in a warm bath infused with Epsom or sea salt, herbs, and essential oils that promote relaxation and renewal. As you submerge yourself in the water, imagine it washing away any lingering negativity, leaving you feeling light and refreshed. If a bath isn’t possible, a shower with a salt scrub can provide the same relaxing, purifying effect.

FAQ

What’s the spiritual difference between the new and full moon? The new moon is for beginnings, fresh starts, and setting intentions. The full moon is for release, culmination, and reflection.

What gods and goddesses are connected to the full moon? There are many gods and goddesses tied to the Moon. Here are some. The Greeks worked with Selene, Artemis, and Hecate. The Romans with Diana, Luna, and Trivia. The Norse with Máni. The Aztecs with Metztli, Tecciztecatl, and Coyolxauhqui. The Celtics with Cerridwen and Arianrhod. The Egyptians with Thoth and Khonsu.

How long does full moon energy last? The strongest energy is felt the day before, the day of, and the day after the full moon, but its influence can last up to three days before and after. If you miss the actual night, you can still perform your magic just before or after.