Snow Moon, February 1st 2026: Resistance is Witchcraft is Resistance
This February, the full moon will take place in Leo on the 1st, the same day as Imbolc, or the day that falls between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. The nickname for this moon is the snow moon, because it takes place at the snowiest time of year for those places that experience snow. The US has definitely seen this recently with the heavy winter storms that have been piling snow and ice in many parts of the country, especially the Midwest whose residents have been fighting extra hard against the cold to be out in the streets standing up for their community. Snow affects the land and people in mixed ways. It chills, of course, being made of ice, but also insulates, being made of air. It blocks progress, by closing streets and pathways, piling up in doorways. We shovel it away to keep the world turning. It also cleanses and hydrates, cleaning the air as it falls, and providing stores of precipitation that can slowly melt into our waterways as spring warms the world. Snow will slow you, tell you to stop, change your routine, proceed with caution, and put extra effort into living. It is cold enough to kill, but soft enough to play in. And as daylight hours get longer, a glimpse of the rising sun beaming on fresh laid snow is a reminder that the earth is just as beautiful as she is brutal, and that those qualities aren’t opposites, but nesting dolls that carry each other inward to the atom and outward to the infinite boundary of comprehension.
This full moon comes at a moment when brutality is falling in blankets. Let’s meet it with cupped hands, tongues out up to the sky, impressions of angels at our backs. They are at our backs.
This full moon will be taking place in the second decan of Leo. Leo is the sign of the Lion, ruled by the sun, unafraid to stand in the spotlight and be authentically themselves in every moment. This means that it is the time for the collective to find an embodied truth, and come into a deeper understanding of themselves. Full moons are a culminating moment of the subconscious, and this full moon will likely come for many with some wrenching realizations. In order to find the new truth that will empower us all, lots of folks are going to have to get rid of old beliefs that have been holding them back. It’s okay to be scared of that, but it's not the time to ignore your feelings or self soothe them away. It’s time to process and take action. Laura Chung, one of the astrologers who I referenced for this article, described this full moon in her most recent podcast (linked at the end of this article) as the time to figure out your personal role in collective liberation. It is the perfect moment for finding some autonomy, and putting yourself out there in an authentic way, that maybe you’ve been scared to do before. Speak up for what you believe. Make that change that you’ve been scared to do because of what someone else might think. It is time to be you, and perhaps even to realize who you really are and what you stand for.
Each decan of a sign on the Zodiac wheel has an associated card in the minor arcana of the Tarot. The tarot card for the second decan of Leo is the six of wands, which is what I would describe as the card of a battle won. Because of this, I urge you to take the placement of this full moon as a sign to keep fighting. It will be worth it, because there are victories coming soon. Of course, what follows the six of wands in the story of the tarot is the seven, a card of tired and continued fighting, because this victory is not the final one; the fight will continue. Even the end of the suit of wands is not a scene of perfection, but a chance to rest very tired bones when a burden has been removed. It isn’t a linear journey straight through the cards as lunations move through the decans either. There will be times we move backward and forward in progress through the tarot correspondences, so don’t get discouraged. But also be aware that next time the full moon will be in the last decan of Sagittarius, and the end of the suit of wands, will be in December of 2028. Keep in your mind that the battle highlighted under this full moon will probably carry on all the way through until that moment of rest.
In the cauldron goes the snow. Goes the ice. Goes the brutality of murder and goes the beauty of the streets swollen with songs of freedom. Goes the six of wands and goes the heavy burden of the ten, and goes the waiting and the fighting, and the staying staying staying strong. Goes the Lion. Goes the turning. Goes the Moon. What comes out when the bubbling is done?
We are on the brink of things in many ways, this society. Witchcraft is used to it. It has always existed on the brink, on the edge, amongst the marginal, immersed in the speculative. We are uniquely equipped to see, and help others see outside the confines of current problems, and into solutions that lie outside the normal. On this full moon, any ritual will do. The most important thing about the ritual you do this month is that it must remind you— you are a witch.
Here are some mundaneish ideas for self embodiment and empowerment to get you started before the spells.
Do something to your body that you’ve been wanting to do. Schedule a tattoo! Do some exercise! Get a haircut! Yes! Cutting your own bangs in your bathroom is WITCHCRAFT if it reminds you that you are the author of your body.
Do something to your space. Outside of your direct body is your living space. Do something this full moon that makes it more authentic. Light a scented candle, paint the walls, get rid of that gift you really hate but have been keeping out of guilt.
Be visible in your community. This can mean showing up to your commitments, and not giving in to the urge to cancel plans when the world feels overwhelming. It can mean signing up for something new if you haven’t really been involved much at this point. Look for clubs, events, protests, and mutual aid to get involved with. Or if you have been really isolated and have no idea where to start looking, you can begin by literally just going outside and walking around your community. Explore, and you might just find yourself making those discoveries.
Now for the magic. The magic that you want to do on this full moon will be related to self empowering, and protecting your community.
Do protection spells for your community against ICE.
Do protection spells for Trans community members.
Do glamour spells that make you more convincing when speaking about the cause.
Do sweetening spells on your republican neighbors.
Then during the waning moon, switch to justice workings. Resistance witchcraft must be the default right now.
Honey Tongue Spell for Spreading Positive Ideas
This can be performed alone, or with a group, the leader reading the spoken text, and others repeating it back in unison.
Supplies: Honey, Toothpicks or spoons depending what is available and how many people are participating. (Prepare by dipping toothpicks for everyone participating into a dish with honey so that everyone can grab one when the time comes.)
Cast your circle, or prepare your space as usual. Ask your gods to join you in your ritual space.
“My tongue is made of honey. It is aided by the gods”
“To spread ideals of justice to all with whom I speak.”
“When I converse the coils of the truth enrapture minds.”
“The deceptive fog of fear is cleared away by understanding.”
Imagine golden light dripping out of your mouth, flooding the floor and out of the building. It rushes into the street, rising higher, a liquid light that as it rises, drives out smog and grime. It continues rising until it fills the whole valley, then sinks into the ground, leaving behind golden dewdrops on the grass. This is the power you have when speaking to others. To help them clear away the lies they have been told and help them see the possibility of a better world. Each time you speak to someone against the evils of this world you will remember that this is your power. It will bolster your words, and what you say will become sweet inside your mouth and in their ears.
Everyone take a toothpick with honey on it.
“My tongue is made of honey. It is aided by the gods”
“I speak in love and truth and will be understood.”
Put the honey in your mouth and suck it off the toothpick.
“So mote it be.”
Release and ground the energy you have built. Close your circle, and end your ritual.
