Full Moons are the halfway point in a moon cycle.
It is a time to reflect on any obstacles that have come up for you recently in certain parts of your life, a challenge with work, or a particular relationship. Maybe it’s more internal, specific thought patterns that have been popping up for you that are weighing you down. Self-doubt might be a familiar obstacle that pops up time and again. It could also be a heavy emotion you’re holding onto in the body. Although the holidays signify joyous times, being overwhelmed is a common experience around this time of year, and it is essential to be gentle with ourselves as we move through it.
Yes, the year of 2024 is coming to an end.
And we love to get excited over fresh starts and new beginnings. As a type A Gemini, I love setting goals and making lists of things to accomplish and work towards. But this is not the time for that. Save your new intentions and goal-setting for the new moon on December 30th. How beautifully convenient that our next new moon lands right as we get ready to celebrate a new year. New moons are the start of a brand-new moon cycle, so this pairing is ideal.
Let the December 15th full moon stand on its own as a time for reflection and letting go. Thinking of what has worked for you in 2024 and what hasn’t so you know what you’re ready to leave behind. Give yourself the time to pause and decide how you want to spend these final days of the year.
As a yoga teacher, I always invite students to seal their time on the mat in gratitude. Ending each class by acknowledging, in the mind & body, at least one thing you are grateful for. Experiencing contentment for what we do have is a massive part of the practice. Constantly seeking more implies that we are not happy with where we are. It overlooks the abundance we already have access to and is a continuous cycle of dissatisfaction. When we can grasp the blessings in front of us (sometimes it’s as easy as acknowledging the bed we sleep in and the food we eat), we invite more blessings to make their way to us - like attracts like!
This December full moon is in the sign of Gemini, an air sign known for its communication skills and adaptability to diverse environments. This full moon can bring up scattered energy because of its busy body air sign tendencies—all the more reason to lean into the practice.
Our yoga asana practice is a way to move the body with intention - to release stuck energy and get more comfortable processing our emotions. What we avoid gets stuck in the body. So it's a practice of getting unstuck.
If you want a short (about 25 mins) at-home yoga practice centered around the full moon, check out the YouTube video below.
Another form of yoga I love to practice aside from the poses is mudras and pranayama.
Pranayama is the practice of mindful breathing. Different breathing techniques help us get grounded and more physically present. Mudras are symbolic gestures often referred to as yoga with the hands. There are many mudras, and they all benefit from the practice in their unique ways. The Ganesha mudra is one of my favorite mudras to pair with full moons.
If you want to experience a short intro to this mudra and how to use it with a guided mini pranayama meditation, check out the video below!
Lastly, I will leave you with some journaling prompts to go with the December full moon and the closing of the year 2024.
What are your favorite memories, moments, accomplishments, and/or experiences from 2024? This could be a new relationship formed, a new job experience, a vacation, a concert, a health goal achieved, a wholesome moment, etc.
Why are these your favorite memories? How did they make you FEEL? Be specific when describing emotions and feelings.
What were your most significant challenges in 2024? What lessons did you learn? When obstacles appear, we are presented with a lesson to learn from. Looking back on the year, where did you face difficulties, and what did you take away from them?
In 2024, I practiced…
Good habits you practiced and how they made you feel:
Unhealthy habits you practiced and how they made you feel:
As I reflect on 2024 (list as many things that pop into your head for both)…
I am grateful for:
I am ready to release and leave behind:
This was so beautiful. For me I’m constantly setting new goals and trying to achieve all that I can In this lifetime. But I do forget to reflect on where I’ve been. This was a much needed reminder and I can’t wait to sit down and go through the journal prompts. Thank you for taking the time to write all this out it’s so valuable ❤️