Leo’s Snow

As February unfolds, we are presented with a unique opportunity to align our gardening practices with the energy of the Full Snow Moon in Leo. This phase guides us through a time of reflection, renewal, and creative self-expression. Let’s explore how we can honor these moments and apply them to our moon gardens, enriching our connection with nature and the lunar cycles.

The Full Snow Moon and Micro Full Moon

The Full Snow Moon on February 12, casts its glow over the winter landscape, its name evoking the deep snows that often blanket the land at this time of year-marking a time of stillness and quiet beneath the cold winter sky. This year’s Snow Moon is also a Micro Full Moon, appearing slightly smaller than usual as it reaches apogee—the farthest point from Earth in its orbit. This Snow Moon will offer a gentler, more reflective energy compared to a Supermoon, which appears larger when closer to the Earth. 

In gardening, the Full Moon is traditionally a time of abundance and culmination. This is a perfect moment to harvest root crops, prune established plants, and celebrate your garden’s successes. The Snow Moon’s cooler energy invites us to pause and reflect, preparing ourselves for the imminent return of spring. This lunar event can also be a time to meditate on the balance between your personal and community goals, a theme amplified by its astrological connection to Leo.

Astrological Sign of Leo: February’s Full Moon

Astrologically, this Full Moon falls in the fiery sign of Leo, a placement that encourages bold self-expression, creativity, and leadership. Leo’s energy invites us to celebrate our individuality while also recognizing our role within the larger community. In the garden, this can be a moment to reflect on how our personal landscape contributes to the greater ecosystem. Whether you’re tending a backyard plot or a community garden, the Snow Moon asks us to cultivate both beauty and resilience.

In your moon garden, you can embrace the creativity of Leo by planting vibrant flowers and bold, showy plants. Consider flowers that command attention or plants that bring a sense of theatrical flair that bloom in the evening.

Imbolc, celebrated on February 1-2, marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. In many traditions, this is a season of preparation and renewal. It is a time of hope and anticipation, making it ideal for starting seeds indoors or preparing your garden for the spring season.

Crocus (Crocus spp.): As one of the first flowers to bloom in late winter, with its delicate petals emerging through the cold earth, crocuses symbolize the return of the sun and the promise of spring—a fitting symbol of Imbolc and midwinter’s promise of renewal. Their pale, bright blooms reflecting the moon’s gentle glow, light up the garden like miniature sunbursts. As early risers in the garden, crocuses remind us that change is just around the corner, waiting to unfold.

The Chinese Lunar New Year continues through the first two weeks of February, culminating on February 12 with the Lantern Festival, which coincides with the Full Snow Moon. This cultural celebration marks new beginnings, and the lighting of lanterns to guide the way into the new year. The festival’s glowing lanterns mirror the full moon’s radiance, symbolizing renewal, guidance, and hope. This is a time to clear away the old and welcome fresh energy, both in the garden and in our personal lives. As part of your moon garden, this is a moment to incorporate plants with bright colors and luminous qualities that symbolize renewal and blessings.

Angelica (Angelica archangelica): This herb has a long history in celebratory traditions and protective rituals, making it a fitting addition to your garden during the Lunar New Year. Its tall, luminous presence and moon-shaped umbels echo the themes of transition and vitality of the Leo Full Moon, and it thrives in the winter months, making it a perfect herb to welcome the coming change of seasons. 

Lunar Apogee

Just two days after the Snow Moon, the Lunar Apogee on February 14 will occur, marking the point when the moon is at its farthest distance from Earth. This phase subtly shifts its pull on the tides, our own internal rhythms, and can affect the moon’s brightness. The reduced brightness of the Full Snow Moon during this time offers an opportunity for quiet reflection and inward growth.

In your garden, this could be an excellent moment for pruning or tidying up spaces to get ready for the new growth of spring. Since lunar energy can feel more distant during the Apogee, it’s an ideal time for working with plants that require more patience and slow, steady growth, such as perennials that need time to develop strong roots.

At Eco-Restore, we help gardeners integrate these lunar and seasonal rhythms into their own spaces. Whether you are looking to incorporate reflective moon gardens into your landscape or seek guidance on seasonal tasks like pruning, planting, or soil preparation, we’re here to help. Our design services embrace permaculture principles, ensuring your garden is not only beautiful but also sustainable and resilient. From selecting cold-hardy blooms like Crocus to medicinal plantings with Angelica, we provide thoughtful recommendations that honor both tradition and ecological balance.

With the Leo Full Moon inviting creative expression, we can work together to craft a garden that reflects your unique personality and brings joy to both you and your community. If you’re ready to take the next step toward creating your moonlit sanctuary, Eco-Restore’s design services and quarterly garden coaching are here to guide you every step of the way.

As the Snow Moon rises, consider how you can work with the rhythms of the season to nurture your garden’s potential. Whether through planting, pruning, or simply observing, aligning with the lunar cycle offers a way to deepen your connection to the land and its unfolding story.