A Moon Named for Winter
On December 5, 2025, skywatchers across much of the Northern Hemisphere had the chance to witness a luminous and striking lunar event known as the Cold Moon.
This was the final supermoon of 2025 and one of the brightest full moons of the year.
Astronomically, a supermoon occurs when the full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth, known as perigee, in its elliptical orbit. During a supermoon the lunar disk can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon. This is especially distinct low on the horizon at moonrise.
But beyond the science, this December supermoon carries layers of folklore, seasonal symbolism, and traditional names linked to how cultures have watched the sky for centuries.
A Moon Named for Winter
Full moons have long been given folk names to reflect seasonal rhythms and natural life cycles. The December moon is traditionally called the Cold Moon because it occurs when deep winter cold begins to settle in, frost blankets the ground, and the nights stretch long and dark.
Other historical names for this lunar phase include the Long Nights Moon which highlights extended winter darkness.
It is also known as the Moon Before Yule to mark the approach of Yule celebrations around the winter solstice. These names blend seasonal observation with cultural rituals that honored the shift into winter.
Folklore and Cultural Traditions
Many Native American communities used lunar names as markers of seasonal change long before modern calendars. The Cold Moon signaled a time to prepare for the hardships of winter by gathering supplies, tending fires, and drawing close to community and hearth.
In Northern European folklore, the full moon before Yule was a guiding light during the long winter nights. Lighting candles or lanterns during this moon was thought to invite protection, warmth, and good fortune for the coming season.
Symbolism of Light in Deep Darkness
Across cultures, winter moons invite introspection. With the year drawing to a close, long nights encourage reflection on endings and beginnings. In some traditions, the Cold Moon was a time to tell stories, honor ancestors, and prepare hearth and spirit for the cycle ahead.
The brightness of the Cold Moon against a winter sky becomes a powerful symbol. It represents resilience in darkness by finding warmth and strength when daylight is scarce.
It signifies a quiet illumination and the insight that comes not from haste but stillness. It also marks a time of endings and beginnings by closing one cycle and opening space for renewal. In folklore and seasonal observances, this moon reminds us that even in the coldest nights there is light.
Modern Rituals and Reflections
For many today, the Cold Moon is more than a skywatching spectacle. It is a moment to sit outdoors or by a window bathed in moonlight. It serves as a time to journal or reflect on the passing year while preparing intentions for winter and the coming year. Some choose to light a candle or lantern as a symbolic beacon in the dark. Astrologers and modern spiritual traditions also lean into this energy as a time of release and clarity.
Since the December supermoon falls in Gemini, a sign associated with thought and communication, rituals might involve letting go of outdated thoughts to embrace clarity for 2026.
Why This Supermoon Felt Special in 2025
Because this supermoon occurred close to the approach of the winter solstice on December 21, 2025, it stood unusually high in the night sky. This offered dramatic views and inspired many to look upward as the year wound down.
For skywatchers, families, and storytellers alike, the Cold Moon 2025 was a reminder that seasonal cycles have shaped human meaning for millennia.
Like ancient lunar names and folk practices, this event connects us with rhythms older than any calendar.