Despite many recently-founded parties growing in popularity, the concept of a full moon party is nothing new. In fact, people have been worshiping the moon for millennia.
Celebration and worship of the moon is as old as recorded history itself. References to a sacred moon can be found in the oldest Egyptian, Babylonian, Indian, and Chinese writings. In Greek mythology, the moon was originally known as the Goddess Selene, and later Artemis. In ancient Rome, they celebrated the moon Goddess Luna, and later Diana.
Even today the moon is celebrated among many religions; most notably those with Pagan roots. However, in popular culture, full moon parties have morphed into a symbol of creativity and rebirth. Perhaps it is because of this that the popularity of full moon parties have exploded all over the world.
However, it is not always possible or at all necessary to travel far in order to participate in a full moon party.
Here are some ideas for how to throw your own full moon party:
Research the theme
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, early Native Americans created different names for the moon to help track the seasons, as they were not on a Julian or Gregorian calendar. Some tribes created twelve to thirteen names for the moon, while others created only five or six. While every tribe had its own naming preferences, the Farmer’s Almanac uses twelve names from the Algonquin tribes who lived from New England to Lake Superior.
The names are:
January: Full Wolf Moon
February: Full Snow Moon
March: Full Worm Moon
April: Full Pink Moon
May: Full Flower Moon
June: Full Strawberry Moon
July: Full Buck Moon
August: Full Sturgeon Moon
September: Full Corn Moon
October: Full Hunter’s Moon
November: Full Beaver Moon
December: Full Cold Moon
To fully celebrate each moon, buy some artifacts that correlate with the particular month. For example, snack on some corn on the cob during Corn Moon, or some strawberries during Strawberry Moon. Make sure you understand the historical significance of each moon, and why the names were chosen in reflection of nature.
Pick a location
Have your full moon party in a place that makes you feel at peace and comforted. And make sure that wherever you have it grants you a great view of the night sky!
Invite some friends (or don’t)
Who says a full moon party can’t be done solo? While it is always fun to have people around you to partake in the festivities, if you feel called to honor the moon solo, there is no shame!
Set the mood
Decorate your space with themed accoutrements, turn on some relaxing music, and light some appropriately scented incense and candles to help you focus and feel at peace.
Write down some manifestations
In many cultures around the world, the full moon signifies purification and a sense of starting anew. Therefore, it is a great time to write down some manifestations for things you want in your life, the things you want to shed, or even simply the things in your life you feel grateful for.
Start with writing down as many things you can think of to manifest. These manifestations can be as broad as “world peace” or as personal as “financial stability” or “a new cat.” Anything goes, as long as it is framed in a positive way. If you are among a trusted group of friends, read these manifestations aloud and allow the light of the moon to touch the paper. After your full moon party, take them home with you and put them in a place where you can later reference them.
If there are things in your life you’d rather get rid of, write these down on a separate piece of paper. Again, they can be as broad or as personal as you’d like, but don’t hang on to these. Anything negative written down can first be purified by the moon, and then either burnt with a candle flame or buried in the ground and returned to nature.
