What happens during the ritual
A full moon rises over a still lake. Name what you are ready to release, let three lanterns drift into the moonlight, and end with one thing that went well this month. Each stage moves on by itself; there are no wrong answers and nothing to complete.
0:00–1:00 Arrival
A full moon rises over a still lake. For a few minutes, let this be the only thing you need to watch.
For many people the full moon marks the month: a natural moment to pause and look back.
1:00–2:30 Naming
What are you ready to release this month? A habit, a worry, a disappointment, or something without a name.
A single word is enough, or simply hold it in mind.
You are not throwing anything away. You are choosing what you will carry less of.
Optional: write a word, or simply continue without writing. Writing pauses the ritual until you continue.
2:30–5:00 The lanterns
Three lanterns rest at the water’s edge. Each can hold a part of what you are releasing.
Watch the first lantern lift toward the moon, or send it with a touch.
The second lantern. Let it go at its own pace.
The last lantern rises. Notice how small it becomes against the light.
Optional: tap to release each lantern early. Otherwise each one does so on its own, one per minute.
5:00–7:00 Moonlight
The lanterns become part of the moonlight. Let the light settle over the lake, and over you.
If you like, trace the full circle of the moon. Some things are easier to see in a full light.
Rest here for a moment. There is nothing more to do.
Optional: Circle the moon, or let the stage continue on its own.
7:00–8:30 What went well
Before the month turns, notice one thing that went right, however small.
Letting go leaves room. What went well is worth carrying forward.
Optional: something that went well (A kindness, A small win, A moment of rest), or make no choice.
8:30–10:00 Return
The moon is still full above the lake. Begin to notice the room around you again.
The next full moon is about a month away. You can come back to this whenever you like.
When you are ready, carry the light home.
Before you begin
Find a comfortable place. You can turn sound on or off, preview it, and reduce motion before you start. Optional AI-generated voice narration reads the on-screen guidance. You can turn the voice off separately from the ambient sound. Pausing is always fine, so a session can take longer than ten minutes in real time. You can close the ritual early at any point; nothing is lost by stopping.
Your privacy
Anything you write or choose stays in this browser tab. It is not sent to a server, stored in your browser, or included in analytics. Refreshing or closing the tab clears it. At the end you can download a reflection containing only what you choose to include.
What this ritual can and cannot do
Full Moon Release is a symbolic practice for reflection. It can help you mark a moment and notice what you want to carry forward. It cannot remove a curse, change another person, or guarantee an outcome, and it is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or legal help.
November 2026: Beaver Moon full moon ritual
Use the next lunar date as an optional moment to reflect; this ritual also works on any other day.
Upcoming full moons
The next full moon, the Beaver Moon, is on Tue, 24 November 2026 at 14:53 UTC.
| Date | Time (UTC) | Traditional name |
|---|---|---|
| Tue, 24 November 2026 | 14:53 | Beaver Moon |
| Thu, 24 December 2026 | 01:28 | Cold Moon |
| Fri, 22 January 2027 | 12:17 | Wolf Moon |
| Sat, 20 February 2027 | 23:23 | Snow Moon |
| Mon, 22 March 2027 | 10:43 | Worm Moon |
| Tue, 20 April 2027 | 22:27 | Pink Moon |
| Thu, 20 May 2027 | 10:59 | Flower Moon |
| Sat, 19 June 2027 | 00:44 | Strawberry Moon |
| Sun, 18 July 2027 | 15:45 | Buck Moon |
| Tue, 17 August 2027 | 07:29 | Sturgeon Moon |
| Wed, 15 September 2027 | 23:03 | Harvest Moon |
| Fri, 15 October 2027 | 13:47 | Hunter’s Moon |
Upcoming lunar eclipses
Can I do a ritual during an eclipse?
Yes, if a quiet reflection feels useful. Eclipses are astronomical events, not a special requirement or a source of power for a ritual. Visibility depends on your location.
- : penumbral lunar eclipse.
- : penumbral lunar eclipse.
- : penumbral lunar eclipse.
Dates of greatest eclipse from NASA’s eclipse catalogue. Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA’s GSFC.
Questions about Full Moon Release
When is the next full moon?
Full moons come about every 29.5 days. The next twelve, calculated for this page, are listed below, and the page also shows tonight’s moon in your own time zone.
Do I have to do this ritual on the night of the full moon?
No. The full moon is a natural reminder to pause and look back on the month, but the ritual works any evening. Some people like to return to it once a month.
What is a full moon release ritual?
A symbolic practice for letting go at the end of a lunar cycle. Here, you name what you are ready to release, let three lanterns drift into the moonlight, and notice one thing that went well. It is a reflection, not a spell.
Does the full moon affect how we feel?
Studies of the full moon’s effects on sleep and mood have produced mixed results, and there is no strong evidence of a large effect. Here, the full moon is simply a visible, regular moment to stop and reflect.
Is it safe to release real sky lanterns?
Sky lanterns are banned in many places because they can start fires and harm animals and livestock. The lanterns in this ritual rise on screen, so you can mark a release without any risk.
What is the next full moon called?
The next full moon, on Tue, 24 November 2026 (UTC), is traditionally called the Beaver Moon. Names like the Harvest Moon, Hunter’s Moon, Wolf Moon and Cold Moon come from North American almanac traditions and vary between cultures and sources. The table above lists the traditional name for each of the next twelve full moons.
Tarot cards with related themes
The Moon · The High Priestess · Four of Cups
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By Velvet Omen · An original symbolic ritual, written with AI assistance. It does not draw on a historical tradition and makes no supernatural claims. Our editorial approach.
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