December is here, and with it, another special moon in the lunar calendar. And in 2025, the final full moon of the year is a special one: Cold Supermoon.
Rising in Taurus, the Cold Supermoon, it’s the third supermoon we’ve had in a row and the second largest after the November Beaver moon.
But what is a supermoon? Why is it called Cold? And how will it affect you?
Read on to find out more…
When will the Cold Supermoon happen in Australia?
The December full moon will peak on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
Because the moon will bear perigee, its closest point to Earth, this full moon is classified as a supermoon, meaning it will appear a bit larger and brighter than a typical full moon.
So, for moon-watchers in Australia (or anywhere with clear skies), this night is a perfect moment to step outside and look up.
Why is it the Cold Moon (and Cold Supermoon)?
Like other full moons in the lunar calendar, each has a special name that has been attributed to it by people all over the globe. Many of the English names for moons come from the northern hemisphere and from Native American culture. As it is winter in the northern hemisphere, it’s not very surprising that its traditional name from the people up north is “Cold Moon”. And it’s called the “Cold Supermoon” this year because, you guessed it, it’s a supermoon!
Other names for the full moon in December include “Long Night Moon”, seeing as it happens around the longest nights of the year, the “Moon Before Yule”, aka the Anglo-Saxon name for Christmas, and the “Oak Moon”.
What’s the connection with Oak Moon, mistletoe and the ancient Celts?
In some Celtic traditions, the oak tree is special; it’s a symbol of strength and endurance. Another link to the season is that mistletoe tends to grow on oak trees. Ancient Celts harvested mistletoe from oak trees during the wintertime for fertility rituals.
Pliny the Elder wrote about this in his book Natural History in the first century. He wrote that the druids climbed oak trees to harvest mistletoe on the “sixth day of the moon”. They then would host a banquet beneath the tree where mistletoe would be consumed, and they would also have a ritual sacrifice of white bulls to cure infertility and poisoning. Celtic appreciation of mistletoe is likely where we got the tradition of kissing under the plant at Christmastime.
Mistletoe is a symbol of fertility because it is an evergreen plant with whiteish berries which show up in late autumn through winter, which then bursts into bloom in early spring. As most other plants die in winter, you can imagine why the early Celtic peoples would associate the parasitic mistletoe with a symbol of fertility!
What makes the 2025 Cold Supermoon special?
Because this moon is a supermoon, it will appear slightly bigger and brighter than average — a subtle but noticeable difference, especially when it’s near the horizon.
This December full moon also rounds out a rare run of three consecutive supermoons (October, November, December 2025), making it the final and perhaps most memorable lunar spectacle of the year.
Because the moon will be more luminous and its surface a bit more pronounced, it’s an especially photogenic moment — ideal for moonrise photography, stargazing or simply savouring a moment beneath a luminous winter sky.
How to see the Cold Supermoon in Australia?
You don’t need a telescope — just look up with a clear view of the sky. The best moment to catch it is around moonrise, especially as it climbs above the eastern horizon, when the combination of low horizon, atmospheric glow and large apparent size can make it look particularly dramatic.
You don’t need a telescope — just look up with a clear view of the sky. The best moment to catch it is around moonrise, especially as it climbs above the eastern horizon, when the combination of low horizon, atmospheric glow and large apparent size can make it look particularly dramatic.
Even in urban areas, just step outside after sunset and look east. The brightness of the Cold Supermoon means it should be visible from most places, weather permitting.
Does the December full moon have any special significance at our year’s end?
Full moons have long carried symbolic meaning — times of culmination, release, and reflection. The Cold Moon, arriving at the close of the year, feels particularly apt for a pause, a moment of breath before the new year’s rush.
It’s a perfect moment to reflect on the year gone by, let go of what no longer serves, and usher in winter (or, where you are, the early warmth of December) with calm intention.
For photographers, romantics, night-sky lovers or anyone simply needing a breather, the Cold Supermoon offers a subtle but powerful reminder: even as the year ends, there is light — and beauty — to gaze toward.
If you would like to see if this moon could affect your horoscope, check out our astrologer’s predictions for December here.
