❍ Cold Moon
December Supermoon
Date: Thursday 4 December 2025
Moonrise: 4.14pm
Book an exclusive one hour night-time session at our WildSpa sauna and plunge for up to 6 people when you stay at Westerlands during a full moon.
December 2025
Cold Moon
Why It’s Special
The Cold Moon is the final full moon of the calendar year, and this year, it is also a supermoon, meaning it occurs when the Moon is near its closest point to Earth in its orbit, making it appear slightly larger and brighter than a typical full moon. The name reflects the depth of winter: long nights, frost-covered fields, and the chill in the air. Historically, this moon was a marker of both the end of the farming year and the approach of the winter solstice. Its bright, steady light provided both practical illumination for late-year tasks and a symbolic reminder of endurance through the darkest part of the year.
What You’ll Notice
At Westerlands, around 4.15pm, the Cold Moon will climb above the eastern horizon in a soft amber glow, gradually brightening to a silvery white as it ascends higher into the sky. Because it is a supermoon, it will appear noticeably larger than average, and the long, clear nights of early December will make its light seem almost magical. Frosted fields and bare trees will be cast in sharp relief by the moonlight, and ponds, streams, and other reflective surfaces will mirror its glow. Its brightness will dominate the night sky, offering a rare opportunity to enjoy a fully illuminated winter landscape.
Folklore & Tradition
Across Europe, this moon was called the Cold Moon, symbolising the deep chill and long nights of winter. It was also known as the Long Night Moon, a reminder of the year’s darkest time and the need for reflection and preparation. Farmers and rural communities relied on its light to finish essential tasks, tend to livestock, and ensure that stored food would last through the winter months. In some traditions, the Cold Moon was also seen as a guide for rituals marking the transition from the old year to the new, offering a sense of continuity and reassurance during the season of scarcity.
Seasonal Connection
For farming communities, December was a time to consolidate and prepare for the harsh winter ahead. Livestock were sheltered, food stores were checked and replenished, and fields lay fallow under frost and snow. The Cold Moon’s illumination extended the usable evening hours, allowing farmers and households to complete chores that might otherwise have been impossible in the early darkness. Its timing coincided with the turning of the solstice, linking human activity to the rhythms of the natural world. Just as people prepared for winter, the Moon’s presence reminded them of nature’s cycles, providing both guidance and reassurance.
Tips for Viewers
At Westerlands, look to the east at 4.14pm to catch the first appearance of the Cold Moon. The low-horizon amber glow is especially striking against frosted fields or bare winter trees. As the Moon climbs higher, it will shine brightly across the landscape, ideal for photography or simple appreciation of the winter night. Bring binoculars or a telescope to observe lunar features in crisp detail — the clear air of December often makes the Moon’s craters and maria appear unusually sharp. Walking under the Cold Moon, you can experience how its light transforms the rural landscape, illuminating barns, hedgerows, and fields in a silvery glow that would have guided farmers for centuries.