13 Powerful Rituals To Try During The Next Full Moon

The full moon is the peak of the 28-day lunar cycle, bringing with it a hefty dose of lunar energy. Whether you're looking to release, manifest something, or simply set aside time to get in touch with yourself, here's why the full moon is a great moment to do so, plus 13 rituals to try yourself.

By doing rituals on or around the full moon, you're both amplifying the effects of your rituals through the moon's energy, as well as working with the natural rhythms of the lunar cycle.

As author of Inner Witch and Bewitching the Elements Gabriela Herstik puts it, "It's like you're plugging into the energetic outlet of the universe" around the full moon. "It's a very intense time. The moon teaches us about how things transform, and the full moon is the peak."

Here are 13 ways to harness the powerful cumulative energy of the full moon—and use it to your advantage. From quick and easy to more involved, there's a ritual on this lunar list for everyone:

Moon water is water that has had time to sit under the light of the full moon and soak up some of its power. It can be used for a number of things, from drinking to bathing, and even watering your houseplants. Here's how to make it:

If you're into crystals, you'll be happy to know the full moon offers a great chance to clear and charge them. Similar to moon water, all you have to do is place your crystals under the light of the full moon (inside or outside). You could even leave your crystals with your moon water and tackle two birds with one stone.

Full moon circles are a great way for friends to come together and work with the full moon. While you can make your circle anything you want it to be, they typically involve setting intentions, clearing energy, and sharing your experiences with one another.

Because full moons are a powerful time for divination, Herstik recommends tapping into your own intuition with an oracle or tarot reading. Grab your favorite deck, ask the cards your questions, and pull as many cards as you like. Check out our full guide to tarot readings for spread inspiration and helpful tarot tricks and tips.

"You can say your full moon intentions aloud while you're relaxing in the tub as you imagine the full moon restoring every cell of your body," they say, adding you can even take a dip in a lake, ocean, or pool if weather and location permit.

Here's one example of a full moon meditation to try:

Here's one to get you started:

Once the full moon reaches its peak, it then begins to wane back to the new moon. As such, full moons are often associated with release and letting go of what doesn't serve you. To tap into this energy, Herstik recommends doing a releasing ritual—and it doesn't have to be anything elaborate. Here's what she suggests:

Want to manifest love under this full moon? Herstik recommends a honey jar spell for that. Here's what you'll need:

And here's how to do it:

If you're looking for something straightforward, Herstik tells mbg the full moon is also a great time to do some journaling. While you can write about anything you want, you can make your journaling sesh particularly potent for the full moon by thinking about themes of release and manifestation. Ask yourself questions like:

What better way to soak up the full moon than by simply basking in its rays? Herstik says spending time outside under the full moon connects you to nature and the moon itself, and you can incorporate other rituals into your outing as well. Perhaps you meditate under the moon, hold your full moon circle outdoors around a fire, or do a tarot reading outside. The options are endless!

If you've ever tried breathwork, you're going to love this breathwork technique from Herstik that couples the power of the moon with a visualization. Here's how to do it:

There's never a bad time to do a self-love ritual, but the night of the full moon is a particularly great one, according to Herstik. This can look like virtually anything that makes yourself feel loved, but here's an idea from Herstik to get you started:

While full moons can be an emotional and intense time, when we understand how to work with them, we're able to live in tune with their rhythms and harness their power. This fun ritual list can help you get started.