December Moon Gardening: Aligning with the Waning Gibbous, Virgo, the Full Cold Moon, and the Black Moon

Full Cold Moon: Embracing Winter’s Onset

The Full Cold Moon on December 15, 2024, marks the transition into winter. Its name originates from Native American, Colonial, and European traditions, signifying the time when cold and darkness truly set in. Often viewed as the final full moon of the year, the Cold Moon symbolizes reflection and gratitude for the abundance harvested throughout the seasons.

In the garden, the Cold Moon is an excellent reminder to honor the gifts of the earth and to prepare for the resting phase of winter. As this is published on Thanksgiving Day, it feels fitting to pause and give thanks for the beauty and sustenance our gardens have provided all year long. Whether you’re savoring the last of your fall crops or admiring evergreen perennials, this is a time to celebrate the connections between the earth, the moon, and ourselves.

Use the Cold Moon’s light to reflect on your year in the garden. Write down lessons learned and hopes for the next season, expressing gratitude for nature’s resilience and abundance.

Waning Gibbous and Virgo: Reflection, Closure, and Grounding

As we approach the Winter Solstice on December 21, 2024, we’re entering a powerful lunar time in the Pacific Northwest. This December, we experience both the Waning Gibbous Moon and the Black Moon—two phases that offer us unique opportunities for reflection, renewal, and new beginnings. Here’s how you can align your moon garden with these phases, featuring plants associated with the Waning Gibbous in Virgo and the Winter Solstice.

The Waning Gibbous Moon, occurring just after the Full Cold Moon, invites us to reflect on the past year and begin releasing what no longer serves us. This phase, in the sign of Virgo, encourages introspection and grounding, focusing on practical steps for personal growth. Virgo’s earthy energy aligns perfectly with plants that offer stability, protection, and purification.

Helleborus spp. (Hellebore)

December and the Winter Solstice: Hellebores, also known as Christmas or Lenten Roses, are an ideal choice for a December garden. These resilient perennials bloom in winter, just when the world feels dormant, symbolizing endurance and renewal—qualities perfectly suited for the Solstice. Their delicate, nodding flowers thrive in the PNW’s cooler, wetter climate, providing beauty and color during the darkest months of the year.
Gardening Tip: Plant hellebores in shady spots where they can thrive in the winter months. Consider them for the edges of your garden, where they can reflect the Virgilian qualities of balance and healing, softening the transition between seasons. As a bonus, their blooms are an early sign of the renewal that follows the winter chill.

Laurus nobilis (Bay Laurel)

Virgo and Winter Solstice: Bay Laurel is a perfect herb to associate with Virgo’s practical and earthy energy. Known for its medicinal and culinary uses, Bay Laurel also carries spiritual symbolism. It represents wisdom, protection, and purification—qualities that resonate with Virgo’s desire for order and the reflective nature of the Winter Solstice. In the PNW, Bay Laurel thrives through the cooler months, offering both culinary benefits and symbolic strength.
Gardening Tip: Bay Laurel can be grown as a small tree or large shrub, ideal for a moon garden focused on introspection and renewal. Its evergreen leaves can be used for both practical purposes (in cooking) and spiritual practices (for purification rituals or divination). Consider using Bay Laurel to craft wreaths or add to seasonal rituals as a symbol of protection and wisdom during the dark months.

The Black Moon: A Time for New Beginnings

In addition to the Waning Gibbous and Winter Solstice, December brings a Black Moon on December 30, 2024. This rare event, which occurs when two new moons fall in the same calendar month, represents a time for fresh starts and deep intentions. It’s a time to focus on planting seeds for the year ahead—whether physical seeds in your garden or metaphorical seeds for personal growth.

Gardening Tip for the Black Moon: This is an ideal time to prepare your garden for the coming season. You can focus on planting winter herbs that will continue growing through the cold months, such as chives or alpine strawberries, both of which thrive in the PNW. Alternatively, use the Black Moon’s energy for cultivating your garden’s deeper purpose—whether by planning for the spring season or by focusing on spiritual growth through garden rituals.

How Eco-Restore Can Support Your December Garden

At Eco-Restore, we specialize in helping you align your garden with the natural rhythms of the Pacific Northwest. Whether you’re inspired by moon gardening, seasonal cycles, or permaculture principles, we can guide you in creating a space that thrives year-round. Let us help you cultivate gratitude, growth, and renewal in your garden this winter. Contact Eco-Restore for personalized support and seasonal inspiration!

Here’s how we can help this month:

Winter Planning & Planting: Need help incorporating winter blooms? We’ll recommend plants that align with your goals and thrive in your microclimate.
Seasonal Reflections: Our garden coaching sessions help you reflect on what worked this year and set intentions for the next growing season.
Practical Solutions: From soil preparation under the Black Moon to designing moonlit garden spaces, we’ll provide actionable tips to make your garden more resilient and aligned with nature.

Aligning Your Garden with the December Moons

Incorporating Hellebore and Bay Laurel into your moon garden this December offers you the chance to tap into the reflective, grounding, and protective energies of Virgo and the Winter Solstice. Use the Waning Gibbous to prune away old growth, both in your garden and in your life, preparing for the fresh new beginnings that the Black Moon will bring.

Embrace the energies of the season by cultivating a garden that is both symbolic and practical—a space for grounding, renewal, and personal growth as we transition into the new year.

Winter’s Onset