Dark Skies: the moon and her name
Connecting the moon, her name, and the seasons of living
The moon has been our constant companion from the beginning of time and arguably one of the most important backdrops of human history. Looking into the inky blackness with the silver highlights we have done everything from spinning tales of creation, making the moon a god and a planet, to measuring time and seasons by her phases, noting her journey as we walk ours.
While we may no longer use the moon as a calendar, there are names that we call the moon that still honor the cultures that came before us who were guided by her light. These tailor-made names carry unique significance. In North America we recognize the full moon under the names that were given by Native American tribes and colonial Americans. There are common names that we recognize for the full moon every month, but there are multiple names that represent aspects that were important to the culture observing the moon.
For instance, different traditions place the Harvest moon in either September or October signifying the season when crops were ripe and people would gather food for the long cold season ahead. The Strawberry Moon, on the other hand, harks back to the period when strawberries ripen in the summer, infusing the season with a sweetness and vibrancy. Some names exclusively represented the full moon, while others marked the commencement of the lunar cycle, either on the full moon or new moon. There were even names that described entire seasons.
There is a rich history of the ever-present moon in the night sky, connecting us to ancient traditions and the natural rhythms of the world around us.
|
MONTH |
OLD FARMERS ALMANAC NAME |
OTHER NAMES |
CONNECTIONS |
|
January |
Wolf Moon |
Quiet Moon, Snow Moon, Cold Moon, Freeze Up Moon, Frost Exploding Moon, Hard Moon, Severe Moon |
During deep winter months you can hear wolves howling and not much else. You are doing all you can to survive the cold |
|
February |
Snow Moon |
Ice Moon, Storm Moon, Hunger Moon, Big Winter Moon, Bear Moon, Month of the Bony Moon, Eagle Moon, Goose Moon, Groundhog Moon |
This time of year typically sees snow on the ground, hibernating animals are giving birth around this time, people are going through the last of their food stores |
|
March |
Worm Moon |
Chaste Moon, Death Moon, Seed Moon, Moon of Winds, Sap Moon, Moon of the Snowblind, Crow Comes Back Moon, Eagle Moon, Goose Moon, Snow Crust Moon, Wind Strong Moon |
As the winter months come to an end you start to see signs of life returning to the world. Earthworms start emerging from the ground, migrating birds begin to return, strong winds bring changing seasons. |
|
April |
Pink Moon |
Seed Moon, Planting Moon, Budding Trees Moon, Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs, Moon of the Red Grass Appearing, Moon When the Ducks Come Back, Moon When the Streams are Again Navigable, Sugar Maker Moon |
In the eastern US one of the first flowers that blooms is pink. The ground is softening and you can begin planting. |
|
May |
Flower Moon |
Hare Moon, Bright Moon, Budding Moon, Egg Laying Moon, Leaf Budding Moon, Planting Moon, Moon of Shedding Ponies |
Wildflowers are in bloom, spring sees the return of plants and animals. |
|
June |
Strawberry Moon |
Mead Moon, Moon of Horses, Lover’s Moon, Berries Ripen Moon, Blooming Moon, Hatching Moon, Green Corn Moon, Hot Moon |
Berries are beginning to ripen, corn is beginning to grow, the summer has begun in earnest. |
|
July |
Buck Moon |
Hay Moon, Moon of Blood, Thunder Moon, Berry Moon, Halfway Summer Moon, Month of the Ripe Corn Moon, Moon When the Chokecherries are Ripe, Raspberry Moon |
This time of year coincides with when the male deer start to grow their antlers and berries are ripe. We see thunderstorms more frequently, and the crops we have planted are thriving |
|
August |
Sturgeon Moon |
Corn Moon, Barley Moon, Harvest Moon, Black Cherries Moon, Mountain Shadows Moon, Ricing Moon |
The last months of summer are the best time of year to fish for sturgeon. Tending to the crops is of utmost importance to prepare for the months to come. |
|
September |
Corn Moon (the Harvest Moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the equinox) |
Wine moon, Sturgeon moon, Autumn Moon, Corn Harvest Moon, Falling Leaves Moon, Harvest Moon, Leaves Turning Moon, Moon of Brown Leaves, Moon When the Rice is Laid Up to Dry, Yellow Leaf Moon |
The seasons are changing, crops are being harvested. |
|
October |
Hunter Moon (the Harvest Moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the equinox) |
Blood Moon, Harvest Moon, Falling Leaf Moon, Moon of the Changing Seasons, Drying Rice Moon, Falling Leaves Moon, Freezing Moon, Ice Moon, Migrating Moon |
Game is fattening up to prepare for the long winter months, and hunting is necessary for you to survive as well. The ground is starting to freeze and temperatures are starting to fall |
|
November |
Beaver Moon |
Snow Moon, Dark Moon, Fog Moon, Moon of Storms, Moon when Deer shed Antlers, Freezing Moon, Frost Moon |
The beaver’s heightened activity allowed for trapping before rivers and lakes froze over. Storms are setting in more regularly and temperatures are continuing to drop. |
|
December |
Cold Moon |
Oak Moon, Wolf Moon, Moon of Long Nights, Big Moon,Little Spirit Moon, Long Night Moon, Mid-winter Moon, Moon When the Deer Shed Their Antlers, Snow Moon, Winter Maker Moon |
The cold has set in and winter is upon us. We are in the longest nights of the year. |
When was the last time you stood bathed in the light of the full moon, looking at the stars?
The Dark Skies collection celebrates the connection we have always had with the moon, our surroundings, and the ever changing seasons. With each new lunar cycle a new design will be released and only available for those 29 days. Get yours before it’s gone…
