Full Moon Tarot Spread: A Powerful Ritual for Release and New Intentions

The full moon has been calling to seekers and mystics for millennia, and there's profound wisdom in honoring her luminous energy. As the moon reaches her peak fullness, she offers us a sacred invitation to both release what no longer serves and manifest our deepest desires.

I've been working with full moon energy in my tarot practice for years, and I can tell you there's something magical that happens when you combine the moon's amplified energy with the archetypal wisdom of tarot. It's like having a cosmic conversation with your highest self.

This full moon tarot spread has become one of my most treasured monthly rituals. Whether you're new to moon work or a seasoned practitioner, this spread will help you harness the full moon's transformative power to create meaningful change in your life.

Understanding Full Moon Energy

The full moon represents the peak of the lunar cycle—a time when intentions planted during the new moon come to fruition and hidden truths are illuminated. This is nature's monthly invitation to:

Release and let go: Full moons are perfect for shedding old patterns, limiting beliefs, and anything that's blocking your growth Manifest and attract: The moon's amplified energy makes this an ideal time to call in your desires Gain clarity: The full moon's bright light helps reveal what's been hidden in the shadows Express gratitude: Acknowledge how far you've come and celebrate your progress

Working with tarot during the full moon allows you to tap into this natural rhythm and receive guidance that's aligned with cosmic timing.

Preparing for Your Full Moon Tarot Ritual

Creating Sacred Space

Before you begin your reading, take time to create a ritual atmosphere that honors the significance of this practice:

Cleanse your space: Use sage, palo santo, or simply open windows to clear stagnant energy Light a candle: White or silver candles honor lunar energy, but use whatever feels right to you Gather moon water: If you have water that's been charged under previous full moons, include it on your altar Set intentions: Take a few deep breaths and connect with why you're doing this reading

Timing Your Reading

While the full moon's energy is strongest on the exact day, you can perform this reading 24-48 hours before or after the peak for maximum effectiveness. Evening readings feel especially powerful as you can see the moon's light.

The Full Moon Tarot Spread: 7 Cards for Complete Lunar Guidance

This seven-card spread mirrors the complete lunar journey while focusing on the full moon's gifts of release and manifestation.

Card Positions:

Card 1 (Center): Current Energy - What energy surrounds you right now? Card 2 (Left): What to Release - What is ready to be released from your life? Card 3 (Right): What to Manifest - What are you being called to bring into your life? Card 4 (Top): Hidden Truth - What does the full moon's light reveal that you need to see? Card 5 (Bottom): Root/Foundation - What foundation supports your growth right now? Card 6 (Upper Left): Action for Release - How can you actively let go of what no longer serves? Card 7 (Upper Right): Action for Manifestation - What steps will help you call in your desires?

How to Read Your Full Moon Spread

Start with the center (Card 1)

Your current energy card sets the tone for the entire reading. This card reveals what's most alive in your energy field right now and influences how you'll interpret the other cards.

Explore the balance (Cards 2 & 3)

Look at the relationship between what you're releasing and what you're manifesting. Often these cards will show opposite energies or complementary themes. For example, if you're releasing fear (Card 2), you might be manifesting courage (Card 3).

Seek illumination (Card 4)

The hidden truth card often contains the most important message of the reading. This is what the full moon's bright light is revealing to you—pay special attention to this guidance.

Ground in your foundation (Card 5)

This card shows you what's solid and supportive in your life right now. Even during times of change, you have strengths to rely on.

Take aligned action (Cards 6 & 7)

These cards give you practical steps for working with the full moon's energy. Card 6 helps you actively release, while Card 7 guides your manifestation efforts.

Sample Full Moon Reading Interpretation

Let me share how this might look in practice:

Current Energy: Three of Cups - You're in a season of celebration and connection What to Release: Five of Swords - Let go of the need to be right in conflicts What to Manifest: Queen of Pentacles - Call in more nurturing abundance Hidden Truth: The Moon - Trust your intuition even when things feel uncertain Foundation: Four of Pentacles - Your careful planning provides security Action for Release: Temperance - Practice patience and moderation in disagreements Action for Manifestation: Ace of Pentacles - Take one concrete step toward your abundance goals

Enhancing Your Full Moon Ritual

Before Your Reading:

• Take a ritual bath with sea salt and essential oils
• Journal about what you're ready to release
• Set clear intentions for what you want to manifest
• Meditate to center yourself in lunar energy

During Your Reading:

• Speak your questions aloud to amplify their power
• Trust your first impressions of each card
• Notice which cards feel especially charged or significant
• Allow extra time for reflection and journaling

After Your Reading:

• Write down key insights in your moon journal
• Create a simple ritual to release what Card 2 revealed
• Take one concrete action toward manifesting Card 3's guidance
• Place your cards under the moonlight overnight to charge them

Working with Challenging Cards

Sometimes the full moon reveals truths we're not ready to face, or shows us releases that feel scary. This is part of the moon's gift—she illuminates everything, not just what's comfortable.

If Card 2 (Release) feels overwhelming: Remember that release is often gradual. You don't have to let go of everything at once. Start with one small step.

If Card 4 (Hidden Truth) is difficult: Trust that you're being shown this for a reason. Sometimes we need to face uncomfortable truths to grow.

If the actions feel too big: Break them down into smaller, manageable steps. The moon's energy will support you over time.

Monthly Moon Journaling

To deepen your practice, consider keeping a full moon journal where you track:

• Which cards appear repeatedly in your moon readings
• How your releases and manifestations evolve over time
• Patterns in what the moon reveals to you
• How your intuitive abilities grow with regular practice

This creates a beautiful record of your spiritual growth and helps you see the deeper cycles at work in your life.

Honoring the Lunar Cycle

While this spread focuses on full moon energy, remember that manifestation is a complete cycle. The new moon is for planting seeds, the waxing moon for taking action, the full moon for release and harvest, and the waning moon for gratitude and rest.

Working with all four lunar phases creates a natural rhythm for your spiritual practice and helps you stay aligned with cosmic timing.

Your Next Steps in Lunar Magic

Ready to deepen your connection to lunar wisdom and develop your intuitive gifts even further? I offer guided meditations specifically designed for moon work, including a powerful full moon release meditation that pairs beautifully with this tarot spread.

Whether you're just beginning your journey with moon magic or looking to enhance your existing practice, combining tarot with lunar wisdom creates a powerful path to self-discovery and transformation.

Ready for deeper moon work? Explore our guided meditations and tarot tools in the Tarot Guru Store!