Tonight will be the first Full Moon of the year. It is called the Wolf Moon because at this time hungry wolves would howl up to the big, bright January Moon outside of towns and villages. It is also called the Cold Moon, Winter Moon, and the Old Moon.

The word January comes from the Roman name for this month. It is named after the God, Janus, who was the God with two faces. This was the God of the past and future, beginnings and endings.

This Moon is a time of protection and strength for guarding ourselves. While it is the first Full Moon of the calendar year, in terms of nature it occurs in the middle of the cold, winter season; a season of death and desolation. In these respects, the Wolf Moon can be seen as a time of both beginnings and endings. We have said goodbye to the old year and are now looking toward the new year in front of us.

This is not a light and casual Full Moon. It is kicking off 2016 in a big way, with focus on what needs to shift, change, transform, end, and be released in our lives. We can use this Full Moon to gain clarity on where we are holding on and what we need to let go of.

This Full is in the sign of Leo, which will give us great strength a courage to meet any new challenges coming our way. This can be a loony lunar peak, so stand by for moments of irrationality or lashing out. Your emotions will be on high alert for a while, so watch what you say to people in heated moments. Try to find some time to relax and calm down and to soothe frayed nerves. It may feel hard to make decisions at the moment, as you may feel you’re being pulled in all directions and aren’t sure which way to turn. Try to stay calm and the right decisions will come to you.

The Leo Moon is reminding you to use your feelings to guide your life. What you think and feel matters. Feelings are powerful indicators in every moment. Feelings don’t lie. Feelings are never right or wrong. Feelings are the best part of you. Your power lies in what you do with your feelings. Watch out for mental obsession, when we worry that we focus on what we do not want. Wherever your mind goes, energy follows. Focus on what you want to happen, not on what you do not want to happen.

This Full Moon asks us to make a decision. We will feel as though we are at a crossroads; to stay with the old and familiar or to move into the unknown of something new. Try not to go to extremes, as it is all about keeping a balance. The waters may seem stormy now, but they will calm and you will feel a sense of clarity and see everything for what it is. This may bring up crisis points, but also the potential for major realization. “Aha moments” and inner or outer shifts in our personal lives, relationships, home/family situations, career, or life purpose. We are looking at big changes coming this year, steer these changes in a positive direction. Open yourself up and allow love, support, and happiness to enter your life.

Use the fire aspect of Leo to burn away the old, negative energy and cleanse your spirit, letting the flames heal you physically and emotionally. Sometimes, like a phoenix, you have to die a little inside in order to be reborn and rise from the ashes a stronger and wiser you.

Have a blessed Full Moon & may the Goddess watch over you.

Written credit goes to Wicca Teachings

Photo Credit goes to Various

Edited by Lisa Marino