Full moon in March 2023: When is the Lenz moon and why is it rising now

The full moon in March is also called Lenzmond, Wormmoon or Crow's Moon - because spring begins in March and the animals stir again.

Frankfurt – The moon is a conspicuous celestial body.

If it is in the sky and no clouds disturb it, it is almost impossible to miss.

In times without electric light, it was even more conspicuous - no wonder that the full moon was given a different traditional name depending on the season or month.

There are different names for the full moon, depending on the seasonal peculiarities around its appearance in nature or which important dates there used to be at this time of the year - mostly from agriculture or hunting.

Old names from German-speaking countries have been handed down, but also traditional names that come from the Algonquin people, a tribe of Native Americans who live in North America.

Full moon in March: Lenzmond or crow's moon

The full moon in March bears the German "nickname" Lenzmond, which is derived from the Old High German term for the season that begins in March: From a meteorological point of view, spring (Lenz) begins on March 1st, from an astronomical point of view with day-and-day. Equinox on March 19, 20 or 21 (the fluctuation is partly due to leap years).

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The full moon in March is traditionally called Lenzmond, Wormmoon or Crow's Moon.

© imago/Eibner Europe

Among the Algonquin of North America, the full moon in March is called the Worm Moon.

This term is also taken directly from the living environment of the people: In North America, too, the temperatures rise in March and the birds start to pull the first earthworms out of the ground.

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Full moon in March: Lenzmond or crow's moon is in the sky today

Other names for the full moon in March are: crow's moon, fasting moon, bark moon and lenzing - also terms that reflect the reality of people's lives.

After all, Lent between Shrove Tuesday and Easter usually falls in the month of March.

The full moon in March - i.e. the Lenz moon or crow moon - falls in 2023 on March 7 at 1:42 p.m.

By the way, there seems to be a connection between the full moon and poor sleep, new studies show.

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List of rubrics: © imago/Eibner Europa