“If we can just let go and trust that things will work out they way they’re supposed to, without trying to control the outcome, then we can begin to enjoy the moment more fully. The joy of the freedom it brings becomes more pleasurable than the experience itself.” ― Goldie Hawn

Ready to release the stress and drama from your life? Try this Full Moon Release Ritual.

Ever notice how some days you are full of exuberant energy and some days you’re completely drained and lethargic?

We’ve learned there are natural cycles and rhythms of the universe. We even use the stars to calculate our navigation and the changing of the seasons and full moons have a highly charged energy!!

There’s no doubt that if the moon has the power to pull ocean tides, surely it must affect us, humans, too, whose bodies are made mostly of water.

Just as the phases of the moon affect the seas, they can also send waves of emotions through us.

Creating rituals at the new and full moons will allow you to tune into your inner world and use the energies available to manifest in the external world.

While it might sound woo-woo, it’s not really that “out there” if you consider our ancestors planted, hunted, fished and traveled by the seasons and cycles of the moon.

Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life. What is it you would let go of today?” -Mary Manin Morrissey

What is a Lunar Cycle?

Each month, over the course of about 28 days, the moon goes from completely invisible to full, then back to invisible again. Think about it – 28 days is also a woman’s period or “moon time”.

These two cycles govern creativity and hold the key to manifesting with moon magic.

After realizing these two cycles went hand in hand, I began tracking my own cycles by the moon to see if there was a correlation between my “cray-cray” and the phase of the moon.

Turns out, each phase offers us a different level of energy. Lunar energy is feminine based and all about receiving.

The new and full moon energies last for a few days before and after the main event, so it’s totally ok to perform your moon rituals during the 3-day phase.

Lunar Cycles

New Moon // Make some Moon Magic!

New beginnings, new relationships, new adventures, and positive changes. This is a time of turning inward, tapping into your intuition and setting intentions for what you want to manifest in your life over the next 2 week or 6-month cycle. A great time for evaluating your life and deciding what you want to create or how you want to grow. Natural time of menstruation. Sloooow down and get some rest.

The new moon’s energy is wonderful for visualizing, setting intentions, and gathering energy for the coming work at hand. This time isn’t good for action, but more planning, dreaming and scheming. (Ready to manifest? Try this New Moon Manifesting Ritual.)

Waxing Moon // Pick up the pace.

Growth, learning, creativity, healing, and transformation. As the moon appears to grow, energy builds and the time for action begins. Think of your intention and take strategic steps forward to begin materializing your desires. Action initiates the Law of Attraction. Patience required.

When we have trouble welcoming something new into our lives, an internal shift is needed to create the change we seek. The active waxing moon is a time to notice all the inner obstacles so you can release them at the upcoming full moon.

Full Moon // Ready, Set, Manifest!

The full moon is a time of releasing and receiving. During this time we are letting go of the old so we can grab on to the new intention we manifest at the time of the new moon. Full moons are a time for celebration! Gather with your closest friends and harness the powerful magic of the full moon. Natural time of ovulation.

Waning Moon // Do the work.

Letting go, cleansing, releasing, opening up. When the visible moon starts to darken, it’s a reminder to slow down, relax more and do less.

Now is the time to do some internal work. Journal, meditate and ask your higher self or spirit guides for help working through whatever needs healing.

Balsamic Moon // Sweep + Sleep

Feeling worn out or fed up? Check your calendar because there might just be a Balsamic Moon in the sky which happens three to four days before a New Moon.

As we wind down and complete a month-long lunar cycle, the Balsamic Moon reminds us to clean house. Let go of draining obligations, toxic emotional ties, and anything else that’s gotten more complicated than it’s worth. Go take a nap and pay attention to vivid dreams during this time. Instinct and intuition are high.

How to Perform a Full Moon Release Ritual:

Supplies: pen, paper, candle, matches, glass bowl to burn your paper in. Optional: crystals, tarot/oracle cards, sage wands, relaxing music or essential oils to set the tone for your sacred space.

Step 1Create a Sacred Space. If you’re not performing this ritual outside, find a serene place to sit and turn on some relaxing music. Place crystals or other special items around you.

Step 2Clear your energy. Light a candle and incense to connect to your senses. Burn sage to clear negative/low energies. Close your eyes and imagine yourself standing under a silver waterfall and allow all negative energies to be washed away.

Step 3Become Present. Become fully present in your body by bringing awareness to your breath. Send each breath into the body from the top of the head to the tip of the toes. Notice any tensions and allow them to relax with each breath you take.

Step 4Declare it. Write on the piece of paper what you intend to release from your life. What limiting beliefs do you want to be free from? What relationships or job are no longer serving you? What emotions need to be healed and forgiven?

Step 5 – Seal it. Sign and date the paper when you’re finished and ready to release.

Step 6Let go. Breathe deep into your heart and declare “I now release  ________. And so it is” Let the universe handle it from here.

Don’t wanna do this alone? Watch the Goddess Gathering Full Moon Release Ritual + Meditation virtually here. No opt-in required!

Now for the FUN stuff! Hold one corner of the paper over the candle allowing the flame to burn away what you are releasing. Watch the smoke release your intention to the Universe.

If your piece of paper struggles to light or burn, please consider if you are really ready to let this go! Only when you are truly willing to let go will the page burn – the faster the flames, the more willing you are to let it go.

Step 7Forgive it. Sit in silence for a moment to integrate the feelings of a new lighter energy. End with forgiveness and gratitude. Let all the negativity you have toward these problems drain away by forgiving the situation or person who wronged you (even if it’s you!) and thank yourself and the Universe for taking care of this situation on your behalf.

BONUS! Reward yourself by taking a hot Epsom salt bath or give yourself a massage with essential oils to honor the physical and emotional release you’ve just experienced.


Essential oils for the Full Moon:

  • Rose
  • Lime
  • Bergamot
  • Orange
  • Tea tree
  • Hyssop
  • Orange
  • Sandalwood


Things to Release

Fear of change || Grief || Shame || Releasing a job || Ending a relationship and the energy attached to it || Belief that you’re not good enough || Comparing yourself to others || FOMO || Worrying about money || Clinging onto things || Fear of success || Letting go of the need for approval from others || Fear of criticism and judgement || Old beliefs that are no longer serving you || Forceful energy || Searching externally for answers rather than going within || Resisting Divine Will

  1. Mary Anderson says:

    Dearest Brittney, will this release help me to let go of an old boyfriend that has come back into my thoughts? I didn’t get to have closure with our relationship & it’s tearing me apart We had been together for 14 years. Then one night when I was to join him for dinner up pops a woman that basically said he was hers and she wasn’t letting him go. We both confronted him and it wasn’t pretty. Thank you for this spell. Blessings to you, Mary A

    • Absolutely love! Now is the time to release all those hidden shadows so don’t be surprised with Mars in retrograde that some of those emotions would rise to the surface. You’ve got this babe! 😀

  2. […] Try this FREE Release Ritual + Meditation to help you LET GO of what no longer positively serves you so you can make room for what your heart desires. […]

  3. […] How to Perform a Full Moon Release Ritual + FREE Guided Meditation […]

  4. Alex says:

    Hi Britteny! I just came across your article and was looking for some advice. I wanted to write a letter and get all of my feelings out from the past and let it all go. However, I do not feel comfortable setting it on fire, is there any other way I can let a letter go?
    Thank you!

  5. Dree says:

    Hi! Thank you so much for all this info! I’m new to this all and tonight is my first full moon ritual! Tonight’s moon reaches its full at around midnight, i’m up late all the time anyways so i figured I would do it tonight, but when do you recommend doing full moon rituals in this case? tonight at midnight or tomorrow night on the official full moon date? Thanks!

    • So glad you’ve found this! The best time to do the Full Moon Ritual is within 48 hours of the Full Moon time, of course with it’s peek being the most potent! Will you be joining us tonight for the Goddess Gathering? Sign up at brittneycarmichael.com/goddess-gathering-full-moon

  6. Fawn says:

    Hello Brittany!

    Thank you for sharing this ritual! I was unable to do anything last night during the full moon. Is it ok to do full moon rituals the morning/day after?

    Thank you

    • Hey Fawn! Thanks so much for reaching out. You can do this ritual anytime, but the 48 hours surrounding the full moon are the most potent! If you have time today I would catch the replay of our live virtual Goddess Gathering Full Moon Release Ritual in the #SHINETRIBE Sisterhood Facebook group to be guided through the process and a relaxing meditation. xo

  7. Sonny says:

    Hello Brittney! What a wonderful, thoughtful and descriptive post! I did the release last night to release people who are toxic to me. I found, this morning, one person’s name that wasn’t burned. This person was the cruelest to me out of all the names. What does this mean and what can I do? I always felt this person gave me the evil eye so I tried my best to stay away from them. Now I am ready to claim back my energy and release the negatives. This, however, caught me by surprise.
    Thank you for any and all information to you send me!

    • Wow! That’s crazy. I would recommend doing a cord cutting ceremony and call back all your energy from this person. Sounds like a little forgiveness wouldn’t hurt too! 😉

  8. Blanca says:

    Thank you so much for sharing this with us! I feel so called to do a ritual for this full moon. I have been having a hard time completely letting go of my past relationship. We were together for over 10 years! I’m also really wanting to manifest my career job. I recently moved to a new city and I am trying to look for a teaching job. I just feel blocked and stuck even though I have been working on self love/ self care. Almost everyday I get so many signs about releasing, letting go, and trusting the universe. I feel like I am doing that, but clearly I am not. LOL. I am hopeful that this ritual will enlighten me and help clear my life a bit. 🙂

  9. […] this FREE Full Moon Release Ritual to help you get started on clearing away the BS! […]

  10. Fwhite says:

    It says you have 3 days to use the power of the moon for a ritual. Does that mean I have 2 days after a full moon to use the power of the moon or does that mean I have 2 days before the full moon and 1 day after the full moon?

    • Thanks for tuning in. You can use 3 days leading up and after to harness the magic of the moon. However, INTENTION is stronger than any moon phase. So show up with your heart fully committed and the magic will be made!

  11. Niki says:

    Hi Brittney,

    I came across your blog the other day and saw it as the perfect oppurtunity to do release ritual yesterday on the Wolf Moon 21 january. This was my first ever full moon ritual and wrote every step for my self down and wrote a letter for a big thing i wanted to release and let go of. I just had an abortion and have been struggling before it actually happened with my emotions, afterwards i felt relieve and the feeling like i did the right thing. But now after the ritual i just feel really empty and kinda sad. Maybe because i couldnt really focus during meditation, what do you think?

    • I’m so glad you’ve found my page! Thanks so much for reaching out! Anytime we do a big release there comes a slight grieving period. Hearing that you’ve just made the decision to have an abortion, I can only imagine the deep emotion attached to this experience would create a sense of sadness. This wave will pass. Take a deep breath and give yourself the space to feel your way through it. xo

  12. Brittany says:

    Hi brittany,

    I’m very grateful I found this page on a full moon while in Thailand. It’s a rare occurrence and I could feel the elements of earth working for me, excited for the changes to come.

  13. Sparkle Toes says:

    Hi Brittany, I discovered your ritual while searching for a full moon ritual for the Capricorn full moon that we are in right now. My job ended a few days ago, which I needed to end because the dynamic with my Capricorn boss and the environment was toxic. A new job that I really wanted and thought I would get also fell through because I was overqualified. I am flying without a safety net and it feels very uncomfortable, however, I am using your ritual release my “baggage” before I can move forward. Finding your site was very timely and your meditation was balm for the soul. Thank you.

    • Hey Sparkle Toes 🙂 🙂 So glad you found this page in divine timing. Sounds like the changes you’ve been asking for on the inside are starting to reflect on the outside. So proud of you for committing to change! xo

  14. N. says:

    Dear Brittany, thank you for the beautiful article. One question: I felt good during the whole”ritual” but, when I burned the paper, the flame unexpectedly grew faster and, even if the papar was burning in a safe bowl, I wasn’t feeling too safe as I was in a room, rather than outside.

    So I just decided to open a bit the window to let the wind just calm the fire. Buy as there was a too strong wind that day, this turned the fire completely off. And it left me a weird and incomplete feeling.

    Also after that I could take a moment of silence, but still I felt as if something rushed me. Generally I’m feeling better since the ritual, but still there is something missing… Would you suggest me to repeat the same ritual with the same purpose I released last time?

    Thank you!

    N.

    • Hello N. Thanks for sharing your feedback! If you feel like this ritual is incomplete, I definitely recommend restarting when you feel ready. Sounds like you have some energy to burn!! Best wishes and BE SAFE!

      • N. says:

        Hii! Thank you out for the answer. But but: this means I have to do it again on a full moon night?

        • Hi! Actually no, you can perform this ritual anytime you have something to release. However, the full moon is a powerful time to do this release process – it isn’t totally necessary. You can release ANYTIME! 🙂

  15. Melanie says:

    Thank you so much for this Brittney! Your positivity is such a light in this world. I am so excited to use this tomorrow for the full moon!

    • I’m so glad we’ve crossed paths! Thanks for trying out my Full Moon Ritual! xo Be sure to join my private Facebook group #SHINETRIBE Sisterhood to join in on LIVE moon rituals! 🙂

      brittneycarmichael.com/join

  16. Quanna says:

    I would like to know what the purpose of burning sweet grass is after smudging with sage… I was told that no entities like it good or bad.. Ty in advance for your time and co consideration

    • Great question. I love hearing of all natural remedies. I Googled the use of sweetgrass and smudging and found this interesting article:

      “Many Native tribes in North America use sweetgrass in prayer, smudging or purifying ceremonies and consider it a sacred plant. It is usually braided, dried, and burned. Sweetgrass braids smolder and doesn’t produce an open flame when burned. Just as the sweet scent of this natural grass is attractive and pleasing to people, so is it attractive to good spirits. Sweetgrass is often burned at the beginning of a prayer or ceremony to attract positive energies.”

  17. Lindsay says:

    Love this!!!

  18. angela says:

    I have tried to download the full moon meditation and every time I put in my email address it does not go through. I would love to listen to your meditations, in the past they are really wonderful =)

  19. Barb says:

    I thank you also Brittany. I am very interested in the stars and energies so i will definitely try this tonight. I would love to learn more!!

  20. MS Rainbow says:

    Thanks and Aloha! You look like my twin sister if I were 20 years younger!
    Love the purple in the blond…

  21. Mary says:

    Thank you for sharing :)! I printed this out and can’t wait to celebrate tonight.

  22. Rachel says:

    I’m definitely cleansing some negative energy out the house for the moon. I’ve done it a couple times already this month but a thorough one is needed ❤️

    Loving the blog btw!

  23. Melanie says:

    Thank you Brittney for sharing this beautiful ritual! I loooooove the moon and it’s energy! Thanks again!

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