Full moons have unique names, often derived from Native American, Colonial American, or other traditional North American sources.
These names are related to nature and the seasons, and reflect the environmental changes such as seasonal phenomena or specific nature.
Examples include the 'harvest moon', the 'strawberry moon', and the wolf moon, the full moon that will appear in our winter sky on the night of Tu Beshbat, the night between Thursday and Friday of this week. In preparation for this amazing lunar event, we investigated, with the help of ChatGPT, the origin of the chilling name of the birth of the full moon in the first month of the civil year, its cultural connections and why it is considered especially special among moon watchers.
Full moon in a hazy night sky, photo: @h9images / Freepik
The full moon of January was nicknamed the 'Wolf Moon' in the North American culture of hundreds of years ago - the days of the Indians and colonial settlers.
People of isolated communities at that time, in the middle of winter, heard the howling of packs of wolves that roamed the forests outside the villages in search of prey.
Wolves pointed their snouts at the moon and howled soulful howls for reasons that served several purposes;
Gather long-range flock members under the bright moonlight, signal their location, strengthen social bonds, or declare a territory.
The increased activity of wolves in the winter months, which coincides with the January full moon, may contribute to this association, but their howling is not directly caused by the lunar cycle.
Either way, their menacing, spine-chilling wails echoed through the barren trees in the full moonlight, giving the settlers a sense of terror.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by International Wolf Center (@intlwolfcenter)
The Algonquin people who originally lived in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States called the full moon of January the 'Wolf Moon' as a reflection of the season's intense and treacherous cold.
The searing howls of wolves were for them the sounds of danger and the approaching wildness of winter, which was also established among other Indian tribes in North America.
The name captured the imagination of the European settlers when they heard the howls of wolves under the first full moon of winter, howls that for them were ominous.
While wolves are the immediate symbol of January's full moon, the lunar cycle also seems to affect canine behaviors.
One study found that dogs may howl at a full moon, but this behavior is not directly caused by the moon itself.
Howling in dogs, descendants of wolves, is a form of communication.
They may howl in response to loud noises, sirens or other triggers, which may happen to occur on a full moon night.
The idea of dogs howling especially on a full moon is more of a popular myth than a consistent behavioral pattern.
Beyond North America, January's full moon takes on different culturally symbolic names in other regions.
Different cultures in Europe called it the 'Old Moon', the 'Ice Moon', the 'Snow Moon' and the 'Winter Moon'.
In China, it is called the 'Holiday Moon', while in parts of India it is known as 'Paush Purnima' or 'Makara Sankranti', coinciding with the harvest festivals.
No matter the name, the full moon at the beginning of winter carries a cultural fascination around the world.
What makes the Wolf Moon of 2024 unusual from a moon-viewing perspective is its precise timing.
As it rises in the east as the sun sets in the west, sky watchers will be able to spot a glow high overhead around midnight EST.
Additionally, thanks to its waning moon phase that begins several days before, the nearly full moon will dazzle once night falls.
For optimal viewing of the Wolf Moon, find an open area free of tall obstructions such as trees, buildings and utility poles, with a wide view of the sky.
Once the moon rises, its immense brilliance will be visible even in partly cloudy conditions.
Crystal clear or partly cloudy, the vision is expected to be spectacular.
As an added bonus, January's Wolf Moon also gets the special nickname of being one of the brightest and largest moons of the year due to its proximity to Earth during its elliptical orbit.
Its incredible splendor and size along with its cultural mystique will cast an ancient allure on the frozen January nightscapes on the upcoming full moon.
So when the sun sets on January 6th, find a spot to see the tingling splendor of the Wolf Moon.
Just be prepared for its mesmerizing moonlight to evoke eternal winter visions of lupine animals unleashing their untamed calls into the frozen night air as an eerie moon spotlight shines overhead.
were we wrong
We will fix it!
If you found an error in the article, we would appreciate it if you shared it with us