Every full moon has a certain meaning and silent power. February brings us the full Snow Micromoon on Saturday, February 24, 2024. A micromoon is located at the furthest point from Earth. This full moon is about 400,000 kilometers away and will be the smallest full moon of 2024. The name comes from several places and has roots in Native American, early American and European sources. Traditionally, the name of each full moon extends beyond the event itself to encompass the entire lunar month. The name of February’s full Snow Moon is fairly simple. Normally, February is the heaviest month for snowfall in the North American region.
Other names for February’s full moon have been associated with animals: Eagle Moon (Cree), Racoon Moon (Dakota), Groundhog Moon (Algonquin), and Bear Moon (Ojibwe). Throughout history, the human desire to name natural events after animals, weather, temperatures, colors and seasons demonstrates the age-old awareness of the flow of nature and its connection to all things, visible and invisible. The full moon connects us deeply with nature and its purpose.
Year of the Dragon
In Chinese culture, the Snow Moon is the first full moon of the Lunar New Year and brings with it its own unique consciousness. Everything in nature is connected. February’s full Snow Moon is the first in the Year of the Dragon. Its frequency is associated with all Full Moons and each Year of the Dragon.
So how do you prepare for this amazing opportunity? Start with the full moon diet! This is not a traditional diet with an eating plan and exercise regimen. Instead, it’s a chance to clear your mind and find a place of peace.
- Make yourself a priority! Start your day from a place of peace and introspection. Close your door, close your eyes and breathe. Notice how you feel your breath flowing through your body.
- Quiet the running to-do lists and overview of responsibilities that run through your head all day long. Everything else can wait.
- Focus on taking care of yourself. Pour yourself a hot cup of tea and instead of running to your computer, take the time to enjoy it.
- Stretch your legs. Take a walk and notice the emptiness and hustle and bustle in nature at the same time. Which one do you connect with?
- Practice Qigong. Delay The dragon stands between heaven and earth as long as you can, every day. As you practice, imagine your feet are on the earth and your hands are in the sky. Imagine the moon and your connection to this universal presence.
Sun and moon: visible and invisible
The moon represents the entire invisible world; the sun represents the visible world. Living things depend on both the sun and the moon. But while the sun must show itself every day, the full moon is invisible every day except one day every month. It brings together an entire month of energy into just one beautiful display.
At the full moon we see yin and yang, day and night, invisible and visible. Together with the sun, the moon has the power to control the rise and fall of the tides in the ocean. Seventy percent of our Earth – and coincidentally, our bodies as well – is made up of water. You are a being of nature, connected to the miraculous power and energy of the moon. Whenever you face a challenge, let the invisible yet powerful essence of the moon rejuvenate you. Let it be a source of cleansing, a kind of reset button – a clean slate.
Intentional Connections: Get Involved!
If you stretch out your hand or turn your face upward on a sunny day, you will feel the warmth of the sun. But the moon is different. You must intentionally connect with the moon to experience its power.
Embrace the power of the full Snow Moon, this new beginning and all its possibilities.
February’s full Snow Moon will reach maximum illumination on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 7:30 AM EST. It’s below the horizon right now, so for the best view, look for it starting Friday evening or at sunrise Saturday at 5:56 PM EST. During the training we will practice together virtually Tao of Morning Qigong at 8:00 am EST. If you’re not a TMQ member, join us at 8:00 AM EST, wherever you are, and hold The dragon stands between heaven and earth.