The Wolf Moon

January 17 marks the first full moon of 2022. Also called as ‘Wolf Moon’ in the Northern Hemisphere, others also call it ‘Old Moon’ or ‘Quiet Moon’ because of the stillness and quietude of Winter.

Legend has it that the name of the full moon was given after the wolves were howling because they were hungry in the dead of winter, but the wolves echoes carried in the cold air defined their territory, allowed them to locate pack members, and called them together to hunt.

This is a time of purification and the energy of the Wolf Moon can be harnessed to start with a clean slate, whether it’s relationships, finances, or career undertakings.

The howling wolf energy of the full moon reminds us of the importance of community, the power of authentic communication and our own desire to communicate our inner truth.

This full moon reminds us that words can be misleading unless they are spoken from the heart, although we may want to take immediate action to communicate our needs, we should examine the intention behind our words before we speak.

Ask yourself before you speak:

• Is what I am about to say true?
• Is it helpful?
• Is it necessary?

This inspired and authentic communication requires ongoing self-inquiry and alignment with Spirit.

“Mindfullness gives you time. Time gives your choices. Choices, skillfuly made, lead to freedom”

– Henepola Gunaratana

This full moon is also a time for new beginnings and releasing which no longer serves you. This is the perfect time to put aside the negative energies present in your life and start anew with fresh new thoughts and goals.

Use this time for working protection magick and reversal spells. It is also a powerful time to practice any magick or rituals concerned with fertility and conception.

DEITIES: Freya, Inanna, Sarasvati, Hera, CH’ang-O, Sinn

STONES: garnet, onyx, jet, chrysoprase

HERBS: marjoram, holy thistle, nuts and cones

For me, honoring the cycle of new moon to full moon and back again isn’t about worshiping a goddess or even about worshiping the moon. It’s a  routine that makes me check in with myself at least once a month, makes me reflect and think about what’s going on in my life. (My practice is spiritual, not religious.) It is so easy to let time slip away and not do anything for yourself for months at a time, and following the cycle of the moon helps me keep that from happening.

Cleanse your space with smoke (I love to use palo santo and incense), light a white candle and cast a circle of protection around yourself, or sit in meditation and imagine a white, protective light around you. You might also like to work with a protective crystal (I use Amethyst)  and a mantra to create a protective shield of energy.

Brew a cup of white tea. and let it cool slightly on your altar, if you have one.

Move through two rounds of Chandra Namaskar or Moon Salutations.

Meditate. Use this time to really focus on what following the moon cycle means to you: what it meant in 2021 and what you want it to mean in 2022.

I love to conclude meditation with a divination exercise – generally tarot. Take your time with this: you are doing a reading for the coming year. Whatever the cards tell you, try to imagine a few different interpretations as to how they could play out in the next twelve moons. Write them down so you can revisit at the end of the year!

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