The First Full Moon of 2026: A Cyclical Check-In
The first full and brightest light of the year.
Today is January 3rd, 2026, and the first full moon of the year rises, a timely reminder that everything in nature moves in cycles.
Just as the moon waxes and wanes, so do we, as cyclical women.
Our energy, emotions, clarity, and capacity are never fixed — they ebb, swell, release, and renew.
As I write on this special day, especially after all the New Year wrap-ups and reflections, it feels like such a gentle reminder that we don’t need to rush ourselves forward, but instead allow the light to softly illuminate where we already are.
I am currently in Australia, on the Gold Coast, and I’ve been observing the moon since just after Christmas, noticing how gentle she’s been.
The soft glow behind rain clouds.
Her quiet presence in the morning light.
And with today also marking the first day of my bleed, I can’t help but feel an even deeper pull and connection to the moon. Hence this entry — a space to share a gentle ritual for navigating this energy as a woman. (And yes sister, if you’re feeling everything a little more intensely right now, you’re absolutely not alone. Keep reading.)
Whether you’re reading this from Australia, Asia, or somewhere in between, this moment invites the same pause. A chance to orient yourself before the year gathers too much speed.
Full moons have a way of showing us what’s been living just beneath the surface.
Thoughts, emotions, patterns.
Not to judge or fix, but simply to notice.
This one asks less of us.
And offers clarity instead.
Illumination before release
In cyclical living, the full moon represents a moment of illumination, when what’s been quietly forming beneath the surface becomes visible.
This is not a time to push forward.
It’s a time to notice.
For many women, this phase can mirror what happens in the luteal or menstrual window of the cycle — when Progesterone rises and Estrogen begins to soften, energy naturally turns inward, and the nervous system becomes more sensitive.
Think of Progesterone like that inner voice that gently says,
“Alright love, it’s time to go home now.”
Not because something’s wrong, but because your body has done enough.
You may feel more reflective, emotional, tender, or tired than expected. Sleep can feel lighter. Thoughts may feel louder. Your need for rest and boundaries may increase.
This isn’t something to fix.
It’s your hormones and nervous system responding intelligently to rhythm, change, and transition.
When Progesterone invites us to slow down, it’s not asking us to stop.
It’s simply asking us to listen deeper.
Just like clarity doesn’t arrive through force or overthinking.
It arrives when we allow ourselves to feel, soften, and make space for what’s already present.
You might wonder why full moons often feel so emotionally charged. Research suggests that sleep can become lighter and more disrupted around the full moon, even when we’re not consciously aware of it. When sleep quality dips, the nervous system becomes more reactive, emotions sit closer to the surface, and our capacity to tolerate stress lowers.
For women already moving through the luteal or menstrual window, this combination of lighter sleep, hormonal shifts, and heightened nervous system activity can naturally amplify sensitivity. If things feel louder or heavier right now, it’s not your imagination. It’s your body responding to rhythm and change.
Here’s a simple full moon ritual you can try during this time
All you need is your presence.
Find stillness.
Dim the lights.
Light a candle if you like.
Sit near a window or step outside if the moon is visible.
Take a few slow, intentional breaths, letting your exhales be longer than your inhales and inviting softness into the body.
You might journal or simply sit with these prompts:
What feels illuminated in my life right now?
What am I ready to release without force?
What intention feels supportive, not demanding, for the rest of 2026?
There’s no need to overthink your answers. Let them arrive intuitively.
And whenever you’re ready, close the practice gently by placing one hand on your heart and one on your belly.
Take five slow, mindful breaths.
Offer a simple thank you to your body for carrying you into this year.
If you’d like to go a little deeper tonight, I absolutely love tuning into Lisa’s gentle moon meditations.
(I’m not affiliated with this in any way, simply sharing from one sister to another, with love.)
Supporting your nervous system during the full moon
This is a time to regulate, not stimulate.
You might choose:
Slower evenings and earlier rest
Warm, grounding foods and drinks
Gentle stretches or floor-based movement (pilates or even some mindful yoga flows)
Fewer commitments, softer boundaries
Longer exhales to calm the nervous system
The body often knows what it needs before the mind catches up.
Moving forward, cyclically
The moon reminds us that growth isn’t linear.
There are phases to expansion, reflection, release, and rest.
You don’t need to have the year figured out yet.
You don’t need a five-step plan or a perfect vision.
Let this full moon be a quiet witness, a moment of truth-telling, clarity, and permission.
Carry only what feels true into the year ahead.
Leave the rest behind.
Happy Full Moon, my loves!
Go gently. 🌕
Love & (the brightest) light,
Winny x