If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or just need to let go of negative energy, a full moon release ritual might be just what you need.
Full Moons are a really powerful time to release anything that is no longer serving you, and make space for new beginnings.
You can use full Moon energy to help you let go of anything, from negative emotions to bad habits to toxic relationships. Creating rituals will amplify your intention, and make it more effective, for many reasons that we’ll go into later.
There are many different ways to perform a full moon ritual, from simple practices like journaling and meditation to more elaborate ceremonies involving crystals, candles, and incense.
The key is to find what works best for you and your needs and also to understand that your ritual is only the beginning. While it will catalyze your process of letting go, there’s always personal work to do.
Reading this at the new Moon? Check out: 10 New Moon Manifestation Rituals (and why they work so well!)
Why is it good to release on a full Moon?
The full Moon is considered an ideal time for releasing and letting go because it corresponds with peak lunar energy, which is all about culmination and completion. As the climax of the 28-day lunar cycle, this phase brings a natural ending, which is ideal for taking a sacred pause.
As the Moon reaches its fullest illumination, the light and energy also aid the process of reflection, making it easier to gain clarity and see what needs to be released.
For many people, the Moon’s power at this phase also increases personal strength and confidence, allowing them to fully release the burdens holding them back.
Another reason it’s good to release during a full Moon is that after the peak of the cycle, the Moon’s energy will naturally wane. This disseminating wave can be harnessed, meaning anything you consciously let go of will reduce in strength and power, fade and decay, and finally die off by the time the new Moon cycle begins.
Phases of the Moon
Moon cycles are often separated up into eight distinct phases, which are:
- New moon
- Waxing crescent
- First quarter
- Waxing gibbous
- Full moon
- Waning gibbous
- Last quarter
- Waning crescent
One lunar cycle lasts approximately 29.5 days. This is the time it takes for the moon to orbit the Earth.
What time should I do the full moon ritual?
The Full Moon release ritual needs to be done at the exact time of the full Moon, or just afterward. You can perform your ritual up to a maximum of three days after the full Moon. This could be at any time of the day or night, but be sure to allow yourself enough time so you’re not rushing.
You could even incorporate monthly full Moon rituals into your routine to help you stay connected to the lunar cycle and harness the energy of the Full Moon every lunar cycle!
Step-by-step Full Moon Ritual for Releasing
Here’s a simple releasing ritual to do on the full Moons:
- Create sacred space
- Set your intention
- Ground and center
- Write down what you are releasing
- Burn your list
- Invite in new energy
Your Full Moon ritual for release is a practice that involves intention setting, consciously releasing what no longer serves you, and performing a symbolic act to make it so. Here are the basic steps to follow, to craft your own ritual –
1. Create sacred space
Creating a sacred space for your Full Moon ritual is important to help you focus and set the right intention. It is a space outside of ordinary reality, where you can feel safe, comfortable, and free from any distractions. Here are some tips to help you create your own sacred space:
- Choose a quiet and comfortable space where you can sit or lie down. This could be your bedroom, living room, or any other space where you feel relaxed and at ease.
- Cleanse the space by removing any clutter and negative energy. You can do this by smudging or saining the space with sage, palo santo, or ideally a locally harvested dried herb. You could also burn essential oils to purify the air.
- Light candles or use soft lighting to create a calming atmosphere. You can place candles on a bedside table or on the floor around you to create a circle of light.
- Set up a small altar or space where you can place any items that are meaningful to you. This could be a crystal, a piece of jewelry, or a photo of a loved one.
Also read: Simple Altar Building
Once you have set up your sacred space, take a few moments to breathe deeply and relax. Visualize the space being filled with light and positive energy. You are now ready to begin your Full Moon release ritual.
2. Set your intention
Take a moment to set an intention for your ritual. You can do this silently, or aloud. Keep it simple and use affirming language, for example: “My intention for this ritual is to invite in the energy of Grandmother Moon, to support me in releasing the things that no longer serve me in my life”.
3. Ground and center
With your eyes closed, take a few deep breaths and allow yourself to get centered, grounding into your body. Practice slow, deep breathing to help you to focus. As you breathe, visualize the energy of the full Moon flowing into your body, filling you up.
4. Write down what you are releasing
Take a piece of paper and make a list of things in your life you want to release. This could include emotions such as fear, and low self-confidence. Or behaviors and patterns such as low motivation or a lack of direction. Or perhaps an attachment to people who don’t value you.
5. Burn your list
Using a candle and a fireproof bowl, safely burn the piece of paper on which you’ve written your list. As you see the smoke rise, visualize the things you are releasing leaving your life. Know that it is done, and offer gratitude to the Moon, the Universe, and/or the Goddess for helping you with this work.
6. Invite in new energy
It’s really important to invite something else in, to fill the space you have created, by releasing. Full Moons aren’t the time to begin sowing seeds, so instead simply invite in a new energy. This could be love, beauty, clarity, or focus, for example.
Use this step-by-step ritual as a basic outline to craft your own. As long as the basic steps remain the same, you can add any other elements to personalize it. The more personal you make it, the more effective it will be… for you.
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Moon Magic: New Moon vs Full Moon Rituals (what’s the difference?)
Other full Moon rituals and spells
There are many different full Moon Rituals that you can try. Some are simple and straightforward, while others are more complex and ceremonial.
The most important thing is to find a ritual that resonates with you and that you feel comfortable performing (so if you don’t want to dance naked under the Moon, then don’t put this on your to do list of spiritual practices!)
- Full moon bath
- Gratitude journaling
- Moon gazing
- Release meditation
- Cleansing smoke ritual
- Dream incubation
- Pull tarot cards
- Burying release ritual
- Lunar yoga
- Moon water creation
- Gather, or host a Moon circle
Full moon bath
Soak in a bath with calming essential oils like lavender and chamomile. Reflect on the challenges you’ve faced during the past lunar month, and think about what you want to release. Visualise any negative energy being washed away by the water
Remember that this lunar phase is a time for self-love and self-care, so be gentle with yourself.
Gratitude journaling
Under the moonlight, write brief notes of thanks for the blessings in your life. This shifts your mindset from focusing on problems to recognizing abundance.
Moon gazing
One of the most simple full Moon rituals, Moon gazing involves sitting quietly and observing the Moon’s power and beauty, feeling its energy wash over you. You can also use this time to perform a Full Moon meditation…
Read next: How to Moon Gaze
Release meditation
On a full Moon night, sit comfortably and breathe deeply. On the exhale, envision negativity, heaviness, and whatever you want to release leaving your body out through your feet into the earth. Imagine you are being filled up with the silvery light of the full Moon.
Repeat until you feel lighter.
Cleansing smoke ritual
Smudge yourself, a room, or an object with a locally harvested and dried herb such as mugwort or yarrow. This ancient tradition harnesses the cleansing, clarifying capability of the smoke of our plant allies.
Some people use sage, however, this holy herb is being overharvested, so try to avoid.
Dream incubation
Around the full Moon phase, set intentions before you go to sleep, for the answer to a question to be revealed to you in a dream.
As soon as you wake up, write down your dream and ponder on its meaning.
Pull tarot cards
The Full Moon phase is an ideal time to have a session with a tarot reader, or pull oracle cards because of the extra illumination that the Moon offers at this time.
Burying release ritual
Write down what you want to release on a piece of paper, then bury it in the Earth outside, asking Mother Earth to compost your unwanted, undesired things.
Lunar yoga
Move through gentle yoga poses in sync with your breath outside under the moonlight. The Moon represents the divine feminine principle, so practicing yin yoga will help you to feel tension fade as you stretch.
Moon water creation
Leave a bowl or glass jar of pure water under the light of the Moon, to energize and fill up with the Moon’s transformative power. You can place it outside, or on a window sill, but be sure to bring your Moon water inside before the Sun rises, to retain its potency.
Use your Moon water for other moon rituals, blessings, or drinking for its lunar properties.
Read next: How to Make Moon Water, Plus Benefits + Uses
Gather, or host a Moon circle
Gather together with other like-minded women and men, in a moon circle. Full Moon is a great time to come together share your intentions and experiences.
10 Full moon release affirmations
Using affirmations is a really great way to anchor in the powerful energy of positivity that the full Moon can bring, without getting hung up on what you’re trying to release!
Here are 10 full Moon release affirmations to try –
- I release all fear and let peace in.
- I forgive myself and others unconditionally.
- I let go of stress and worry, trusting in life’s flow.
- I am enough as I am.
- Old hurts have no power over me anymore.
- I embrace positive change with an open heart.
- I am free and empowered in my choices.
- The past no longer defines me; I create my future.
- I release attachments and live fully in the present moment.
- I am whole
Love affirmations?
Read this post next: The BEST Full Moon Affirmations According to Your Zodiac Sign
After your full Moon Ritual…
Take some time to reflect on your experience and the intentions you set during the ritual.
Did you feel a sense of release and relief?
Did you gain clarity on what you want to manifest in your life?
Did you feel a connection to the night sky and the energy of the Full Moon?
Remember to be kind to yourself and practice self-love. You may have released some heavy emotions or negative thoughts, so it’s important to nurture yourself with positive affirmations, self-care, and rest.
As you move forward, keep your New Moon intention in mind. Use your own intuition to guide you towards your goals and trust that the universe is conspiring in your favor.
Here are some additional tips to help you continue your full Moon practice:
- Create a Moon journal to track your progress and reflect on your experiences.
- Practice gratitude by writing down what you are thankful for in your life.
- Set new intentions for the upcoming New Moon.
- Spend time in nature and keep connecting with the energy of the Moon.
Remember, Full Moon rituals are a powerful way to release what no longer serves you and manifest what you want in your life. Keep practicing and trust the process.
