Have you been experiencing strong emotions at this time? Anger, frustration? Whether you are reading this at the time of the last full moon of 2022 or not, this post offers some techniques to help with processing anger, especially during times of endings.

I found it quite appropriate that this last full moon of 2022 is called the “Cold Moon”. That term sums up how I have been feeling lately. Not cold in the sense of weather and temperature but cold in the sense of feeling a mix of anger and a desire to no longer do anything that doesn’t fuel and feed me well.

This means people that I don’t feel good around, situations and activities I don’t want to do, looking outside myself for validation etc. are being iced out completely. It’s like a bs meter, and I ain’t having it!

I have been feeling angry. And I don’t even know why (well I have about a 100 reasons but anger isn’t my usual experience, melancholy is. Triple Pisces here!). Recently I did some animal drum journey’s in my shamanic studies to find all of my personal power animals that are present with me in this current life journey. They make up my medicine, life lessons and power in this lifetime.

I was stunned by the animal that came through for me as my healer power animal. A polar bear! And it came through with such anger that I cried. And then I smiled. It was a powerful journey that gave words and presence to something I have been feeling as an undercurrent for a long time. Righteous anger!

What I didn’t understand was how that was beneficial to my healing and spiritual journey. And yet, as this full moon approaches and the seasonal change calls on me to reflect and transmute, the picture is getting a little bit clearer. Anger has a lot of energy behind it. It can drive and direct. But we aren’t taught that. We are taught that anger is bad, shouldn’t be expressed, is ugly etc. And we rarely experience anger, whether it is our own or someone else’s without it being linked to a negative experience (an argument, a falling out, a bad day or sometimes trauma).

Now full moons are symbolically a time of illumination. Full moon energy can be utilized to help us bring something to a close. And sometimes many things as we push back on aspects of our life without always knowing the reasons why (that is the wise magic of life). We don’t always have to be fully aware for it to try and reveal to us what needs our attention, but we do need to be aware in order to transmute that energy well (and make the necessary changes with less struggle). As the moon is full, it illuminates what we have been spending most of our energy and attention on. Full moons show us what is fully present in our lives (regardless of the meaning we assign to it, good or bad). Whether you are intentionally practicing full moon rituals or not, you may be feeling the energies of transformation in different ways. You may be confused by your emotions or even the emotions of others and how this is affecting your relationships.

Winter is also a time of slowing down to mull over what we have been experiencing and what we are ready to grow into, out of or become. Combine all of that with the end of the year upon us and it is feeling quite potent right now! Almost like a triple impact of completion.

Certain themes have been circling for me. With the energy of this time, you may also be feeling something similar and the following questions can help you be more present in this current energy and use it to drive you towards the path your desire.

What stories about myself am I struggling with, releasing, removing, and transforming? (Or full-on dissecting and raging against?)

Anger has been a theme for me and as someone who has historically shoved my anger down and not known how to express it, much less give myself space to feel it, I will share with you what I have learned about processing anger and transmuting it in a healthy way!

What do I not like about how I am acting or how I am spending my days/time/energy?

This is big one and may require some shadow work to be fully forgiving and in recognition of self. The techniques at the end of this post can help process this work.

Who do I WANT to be now? (Even if it feels scary or challenging)?

Actually, especially if it feels scary or challenging. I am finding that the pieces I want to become, or the life I truly desire feels like an insurmountable hill to climb and the dream of this life and next version of me is a rewrite of everything I thought was possible. This is big, difficult energy to contend with.

In what ways do I need to take more care of myself, or prioritize myself more? And in what ways do I need to take care of those I love more?

Balance, and what is not in balance.

What do I want to experience in 2023 and what can I do to make that happen?

Dreaming big here, and why not?

What am I most grateful for from this past year?

This part is important as I recognize the need for a change and shift but still want to give thanks for all that I have been blessed with over the past year. (Yes, even the challenging times that taught me about myself and my relationships). Gratitude work is not just a trend, it has real psychological affects that improve mood, shift perspectives and help you to see clearer.

If any of these themes resonate for you, you may benefit from asking yourself these questions and using some of my techniques below.

Techniques to process anger and the energies of this final full Cold Moon of 2022!

1. Stop running from yourself, stop keeping yourself excessively busy and slow down a little.

   This will make space for your intuitive knowing to be heard and may even reveal to you what you have been avoiding or what you are ready to start healing. I love the idea that we are presented with the next wave/circle of our healing when we are ready for it. It won’t be revealed to you if you don’t have the capacity to give it some attention. So what are the big themes for you and how can you acknowledge them now?

2. Take out a journal and let pen to paper reveal your innermost truths.

   Conscious stream writing is very beneficial right now! It is a simple tool that allows you to express yourself, unedited, un-filtered and fully honest. Begin to write and keep writing everything as it comes. Don’t stop to question it, judge it or edit it. No one will see it, so let it flow!

3. Now that you’re opening up, move that energy through your body. No more storing it!

   Ecstatic/Intuitive dance: put on some music that makes you move and dance like no one is watching! Let everything you have been holding onto flow through you and out. Anger can get stuck in the body, just like grief can. You don’t need to hold that in, let it be expressed in a healthy way. You can also scream, cry, make whatever noises need to come out, and do so without shame.

   Try some self-love, self-touch, self-pleasuring to release those emotions and transform them. Sexual energy can be very healing, even if you do not reach completion, simply turning yourself on can activate and open your emotions which then makes them more accessible to release. Yes, even anger can come out in a sexual release and it is a powerful release when it does.

4. Try an activity that requires your body’s strength.

   I have a kick-boxing bag for this, which helps me to express and expel anger. There are many that you can get online that are gently used if you don’t want to purchase a brand new one. Pillows and couch cushions also do the trick! Other activities could be running, boxing, wrestling, or exercise.

5. Do a breathing exercise.

   Stand up, feet planted on the ground. Using your hands, feel the energy in your body and as you breathe in, pull it up. When you exhale, release that energy by moving your arms out over your head and to the sides. Up and out. Repeat and each time, take up all that energy rooted in anger, frustration, judgement etc. and pull it up and out of your body. When you feel done, place your hand on your heart and ground yourself back down. This practice is like an energy hygiene, quick cleaning tool and helps to clear out what is stuck and brings you back to a more centered place.

It is no surprise that rage rooms where people pay to break things is a popular activity. Processing anger is not a skill we are taught (much like self-love) and so it is common for anger to be suppressed and held within the body. One thing I have learned is that anger is normal and expressing it can be done in a healthy way that helps us to process and transform it. I will leave you with one final thought and question.

Anger can be used to help motivate and drive our life towards what we truly want and desire. If you could take the intense energy of your anger and direct it (in a healthy way) towards something that will support and benefit you and your life, what would that look like?

How would you use your anger in a positive way?

Unlocking that is a powerful tool that I am exploring now and what better time than the Cold Moon of 2022!

With love,

Ash