A Ritual for the Full Worm Moon

Every full moon throughout the year has a name. These names often originate from First Nations wisdom, but sometimes they have a relationship to traditional names in Colonial America or Europe as well. March’s full moon is called the Worm Moon, likely referring to the movement under the earth that begins in the early spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s a time when the ground is melting, the frozen earth is beginning to give way, and the worms begin to wriggle and move beneath the ground.

[Read: “The Spiritual Meaning of the Worm Moon.”]

The energy of this moment is very much about moving out of the frozen, hibernated mood of the cold winter and starting to allow things to shift. Full moons are generally about looking back and then letting go. We may begin to feel something thawing within ourselves—new energy, new ideas, or old emotions that are newly arising, ready to be processed. Just like the name of this particular full moon suggests, you’re going to have to get down and dirty to really tap into the energy of the full Worm Moon of March.

An Exploration Ritual for the Full Worm Moon

Please gather:

• A candle
• A handful of dirt, which you can carry in a jar
• A damp cloth
• A heating pad, hot water bottle, foot bath, or whole-body bath
• A journal and pen

Begin by getting settled in your space. Have your heating pad warm or get into the bath. Imagine a circle of protection around you. This could be a circle of stones, flowers, fire, chalk, salt, whatever feels most resonant for you. Invite any talismans of safety—objects, places, people, ancestors, or spirit guides—into the circle.

Acknowledge the traditional land you are working on. Say the names of the land if you know them. Light your candle to signal the beginning of the ritual.

Hold some of the dirt in your hands. Close your eyes and drop into your breath. Try to allow it to move down into your belly and your pelvis, the lower parts of your body that are connected to the earth.

Allow yourself to feel the earth in your hands. Let it speak to you and let your body speak back. Feel your hands, your breath, your belly, your pelvis. Let the earth help you to ground yourself into your body and into this moment. Imagine you are allowing your body to speak to you. If you ask it anything, ask: “What do you need?”

[Read: “6 Refreshing Ways to Connect With the Earth.”]

When this feels complete for you, thank the earth, put it back in the jar, and wipe off your hands with the cloth. Settle into your warm bath or place your feet on your heating pad or hot water bottle (or put it on your lap if that’s more comfortable, just on the lower half of your body). Feel the warmth in the lower half of your body and imagine it is melting whatever is frozen within you, allowing the energy to be drawn down toward the earth.

You may notice that emotions arise as you do this. Keep breathing—if tears come, that is especially helpful for thawing. Stay in this restful place, allowing your energy to move downward and flow freely into the earth below you.

When this feels complete for you, write (or draw) in your journal about whatever came up for you during the meditation. When you are ready, blow out the candle. In your own time, return the earth to the ground, thanking the worms for helping you release whatever needed to melt within you.

Want to go deeper? Discover five ways to practice grounding for spiritual renewal.