January Was an Energetic Shit Show. Now Let’s Talk About This Full Moon

If you read my posts on January 19 and January 28 (2026), you are probably getting the gist by now.
January has been an absolute shit show of energy. (if you need a recap you'll find them here blog.nicolaheart.com )

If you are feeling conflicted, it is no surprise.

2025 and the 9 energy already closed out.
2026 and the 1 began again.
But the Snake was still shedding for six long weeks.
And the Fire Horse was not here yet, although you could feel it coming.

So basically, part of you was being pulled to get going. To start fresh. To feel excited. To dream again.
And at the same time, you felt heavy, stuck, and unmotivated to do any of it because the bloody Snake was still forcing you to let go of what you thought you had. But really, you had not.

None of this truly settles until the Wood Snake leaves and the Fire Horse arrives on February 16th - 17th through Chinese astrology.

But strap yourself in.

Because just in case things were not conflicting enough already, the full moon is here.
And this one is going to make swimming with piranhas look like a wellness activity.

When Is It Here?

The full moon, also known as the Snow Moon, reaches peak illumination on Sunday, 1 February 2026 in UTC time, around 5:09 pm EST. Here in Australia, the official local date and time of the peak full moon falls on Monday, 2 February 2026, in the morning, around 9:09 am AEDT.

And I can hear you asking already.

How can a moon be in the morning? The sun has been up for three hours by then.

It sounds like a contradiction—the sun is up, the birds are chirping, yet the moon is at its "peak" fullness. You might wonder how a moon can be "full" when it’s 9:09 am and the sun has been up for hours.

The answer lies in alignment, not visibility. A full moon is a precise astronomical moment when the Earth sits directly between the Sun and the Moon.

In astronomy, this straight-line configuration is called syzygy. At this exact second, the Moon is 180° degrees away from the Sun in celestial longitude. Even if the Sun’s light is washing out the Moon's glow from your backyard in Australia, that 100% illumination is still happening out in space.

Sun ➔ 🌍 Earth ➔ 🌕 Moon

Simply speaking: - a full moon is not defined by when it looks full in the sky or by whether it is night or day. It is defined by a precise alignment. The Moon is still 100 percent illuminated even if the Sun is already up. We just cannot see it clearly because daylight washes it out.

And even the very science of this carries its own soul message.

Fire vs. Snow: The Contrasting Energy of the Leo Full Moon

It is known as the Snow Moon, named by Native American traditions to reflect the heavy snowfall that happens in parts of America around this time.

And just as a side note, if you have seen the raging snowstorms in America right now, you might be forgiven for wondering if that is purely coincidence.

But astrologically, this is actually a Full Moon in Leo.

Leo is fire energy.
Solar in nature.
Bold, expressive, and unapologetic.

So energetically, we are sitting in opposing forces.
Fire versus snow.
Heat versus cold.
Expression versus suppression.

And that tension matters.

The Transition: From the Wood Snake to the Fire Horse

This Snow Moon carries strong culmination and illumination energy.

Full moons always bring things into full view.
Climactic insights.
Realizations that have been quietly brewing beneath the surface.

This is not about starting new.
It is about seeing clearly what already exists and releasing what no longer serves you.

Emotional and Spiritual Themes

Intuitive clarity and emotional truths

Full moons heighten intuition, emotional sensitivity, and inner knowing.
You may notice feelings rising to the surface that you have been sitting with quietly.
That is part of the moon’s gift.
It helps you name what you need and what has outgrown its chapter.

Releasing old patterns

There is a natural pull to let go of what has felt heavy or stagnant.
This is not about forcing change.
It is about making space emotionally and energetically for what is aligned.

Embodied reflection

These days around the full moon are ideal for inner reflection.
Literally sitting with your feelings without judgement.

Balance over force

Full moons can stir intensity.
Rather than reacting, this energy invites curiosity and compassion toward yourself.

What Is It Here to Tell Us?

The Full Moon in Leo, with its connection to the Sun, reminds us that dimming our light does not serve us.

We are here to be unapologetically ourselves.
Not the version we think we should be.
Not the version others expect us to be.

This moon is about reigniting spark.
Playfulness.
Excitement.

All the parts of you buried under layers of conditioning, subconscious patterning, and programming.

Leo wants love, adoration, and attention.
And this moon is asking us to call that in.
Not from others.
From ourselves.

Love yourself.
Pay attention to yourself.
Care for yourself.

Create a life that serves you.
That ignites your soul.

Leo is the king of the jungle.
Harness that regal energy.

Leo teaches us that going within and facing ourselves takes the courage of a lion.

You might not know where the path leads.
Your heart knows the next step.
Your soul understands you do not need to know the destination.

Only to move forward.

This Full Moon in Leo strengthens your ability to trust that inner compass, even when the destination remains clear as mud.

Rocked to Your Core: What This Upheaval Really Means

Let me say this clearly.
This is exciting stuff.

My coaching clients and readings last year were full of this energy.
I have hundreds of stories of people receiving closure, being forced into closure, and having the rug pulled out from under them because they were hesitating about whether to close something out or not.

And it is wonderful to witness the new beginnings that follow.

But let’s be real.

It is not without an absolute shit show of upheaval and conflict.

Right now, the Snake is leaving behind the last of its skin.
I can hear the hooves of the Horse in the distance.
January is already gone in a blink.
There are only eleven months left in the year.

And now this moon.

If you have not let go.
If you are still holding on.
If you are using your ego as armour.

You are about to get rocked to your core.

Knowing the destination is not important right now.

You just need to take a step onto a different path.

Practical Ways to Protect Your Nervous System This Moon

Firstly, slow down. When everything is moving quickly, your best strategy is to step back:

• 🌕 Observe: Watch the energy unfold without needing to fix it.

• 🌕 Reflect: Look at the layers you've already shed this month.

• 🌕 Create awareness: Identify your current patterns and those of the people around you.

• 🌕 Breathe: Use your breath to stay in your body when things get intense.

• 🌕 Choose your strategy: Wait for the clarity to arrive before you act.

Sit with your intentions and ask:

• 🌕 What wants to be seen?

• 🌕 What am I ready to release?

Light a candle and write down what you are ready to let go of. Use these journaling prompts:

• 🌕 What truth am I ready to acknowledge?

• 🌕 What patterns are complete in my life?

• 🌕 What feels lighter when I imagine releasing it?

Even if the sky is not clear or you cannot see the moon, place your hands over your heart and breathe into any sensations rising up.

Final Thoughts

Now, whether you are woo woo or not, you need to know this.

The moon messes with our waters.

Many years ago, (about 350 moons ago - yes do the math), I worked with a psychiatrist who had special systems in place every month to deal with the energy and the antics that occurred leading into and out of the full moon.

These days, as much as possible, around any full moon, I avoid public places and roads. I stay close to my inner circle. I keep my diary quiet. And sleep becomes an illusion.

Sometimes that is not possible. Yesterday was one of those days, where the requirements of life took precedence over my need for seclusion. How I avoided ending up highly sedated in the care of medical professionals or in prison still remains completely unfathomable.

So for now, I am putting the tin foil, also known as the steel bowl, on my head. I will be hiding under the covers in a corner. Riding the wave.

Tune into your hearts and protect your nervous systems (FYI - breaking open a pack of chocolate biscuits always works a treat for me)

This moon is not here to play nice. It is here to wake you up — because your future is asking for more of you than your past ever did.

And if you let go, the path forward is lighter than it feels right now. xo