On the eve of Thanksgiving, Pagans will celebrate a traditional and lesser-known occasion known as the “Mourning Moon.” Moonrise on Wednesday, which comes on the heels of September’s “blood moon” and a supermoon in October, is the last time the moon is full before the Winter Solstice.

In the Pagan religion, the Morning Moon marks a time of cleansing, and with it comes a number of rituals designed to help Pagans rid themselves of baggage. Alternatively called the Fog Moon or Snow Moon depending on the region, the type of rituals practiced on Wednesday are meant to rid a person of bad habits.

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In the Pagan tradition, autumn is a time to physically and mentally prepare for winter. For Pagans, the last phase of preparation in anticipation of colder months involves letting go of old things, habits or people. The rituals are largely symbolic, yet are thought to help Pagans embrace the new year unencumbered by attachment to negativity or grief.