From Wolf Moons to Cold Moons: The Stories and Science Behind Each Month’s Full Moon
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Full moons have captured human imagination for millennia. They light up our nights, set the pace of agricultural cycles, influence the tides, and have inspired cultural legends across the globe. Each month’s full moon carries its own name and history—reflecting the changing seasons, natural phenomena, or human activities once crucial for survival. If you’ve ever wondered why a “Strawberry Moon” comes in June or what makes a “Harvest Moon” so special, this guide is for you. And when you’re ready to keep track of these lunar landmarks year-round, our 2025 Full Moon Calendar ensures you never miss another mystical moonlit moment.
January: The Wolf Moon
Origins: Many believe this name originates from Native American and early European traditions. January nights often echoed with the howls of wolves, howling to mark territory or call their pack, and so the moon shining overhead in these deep winter months became known as the “Wolf Moon.”
Cultural Note: Wolves have long been symbolic of wilderness, guardianship, and instincts, making this moon a reminder of survival and unity during harsh mid-winter.
February: The Snow Moon
Origins: February is often the coldest month in the Northern Hemisphere, known for heavy snowfall and bleak, frozen landscapes. Native American tribes called this month’s lunar display the “Snow Moon,” as it shone over a world blanketed in white.
Cultural Note: This moon’s name highlights the seasonal challenges our ancestors faced, reminding us of nature’s cycles of scarcity and endurance. For this reason, some North American tribes called it the Hungry Moon.
March: The Worm Moon
Origins: As the grip of winter loosens, the soil starts to thaw, and earthworms begin appearing in the warming ground. Native tribes observed these stirring signs of life and named March’s full moon after them: the “Worm Moon.”
Cultural Note: The Worm Moon signals the earth’s awakening, heralding the start of planting seasons, the return of migrating birds, and the renewal of hope. Some Native American tribes called this the “Crow Moon” to signal crows coming back.
April: The Pink Moon
Origins: April’s full moon doesn’t actually appear pink. Rather, it’s named after the pink phlox flowers that bloom early in spring. Early settlers and Indigenous peoples noted these blossoms as nature’s call to rejuvenation.
Cultural Note: The Pink Moon symbolizes fresh beginnings, growth, and the gentle stirring of life after winter’s dormancy.
May: The Flower Moon
Origins: May’s landscapes burst into color with countless wildflowers blooming across fields and forests. The “Flower Moon” captures this joyous explosion of life.
Cultural Note: This moon celebrates fertility, creativity, and the harmonious rhythms of nature as plants reach full bloom and humans embrace warmer days.
June: The Strawberry Moon
Origins: In many regions of North America, strawberries ripen in June. Indigenous groups took note of this prime harvesting period and named the full moon accordingly.
Cultural Note: The Strawberry Moon invites us to savor life’s sweetness, appreciate nature’s generosity, and enjoy the abundant produce of early summer.
July: The Buck Moon
Origins: Male deer (bucks) begin growing their antlers in July, covered in a soft, velvety fur. Tribes noted this natural cycle, naming the month’s moon the “Buck Moon.”
Cultural Note: The Buck Moon symbolizes growth, strength, and development—qualities we can relate to as we evolve in our own lives.
August: The Sturgeon Moon
Origins: In the Great Lakes and other large bodies of water, August was prime fishing time for sturgeon, a large, ancient species of fish. Indigenous communities named the “Sturgeon Moon” to mark these plentiful catches.
Cultural Note: This moon underscores sustenance, abundance, and the reliance on natural resources that has guided human life for centuries.
September: The Corn Moon (Harvest)
Origins: September is the month Native American tribes harvest their corn, which is why it is often referred to for this month. However, unlike other full moons, the Harvest Moon isn’t tied strictly to a month—it’s the full moon closest to the autumn equinox, around September 22. It is usually in September, but about every three years, it falls in October. This timing provides extra light just after sunset, giving farmers more hours to harvest their fields.
Cultural Note: The Corn and/or Harvest Moon both symbolize hard work, gratitude, and the culmination of the growing season’s efforts. It was vital to agrarian societies, influencing community celebrations and feasts.
October: The Hunter’s Moon
Origins: After the harvest, hunters took advantage of the bright moonlight to stalk game preparing for winter. Known as the “Hunter’s Moon,” this period was crucial for securing food stores before the cold set in.
Cultural Note: The Hunter’s Moon emphasizes preparedness, the respectful use of natural resources, and maintaining balance with the earth’s cycles.
November: The Beaver Moon
Origins: November’s full moon is named after beavers, who are notably active this time of year, building dams and preparing for winter. Trappers also took advantage of this period to set their nets before the swamps froze.
Cultural Note: The Beaver Moon stands for diligence, preparation, and working in harmony with the environment’s seasonal rhythms.
December: The Cold Moon
Origins: December nights are long and frigid in the Northern Hemisphere. Appropriately named the “Cold Moon,” it reflects the stark, silent beauty of the year’s final stretch.
Cultural Note: This moon encourages reflection, conservation of warmth, and connecting with loved ones as winter’s darkness envelops the land.
Keep Track with Our Full Moon Calendar
Ready to follow these lunar moments year-round? Our Full Moon Calendar marks each month’s full moon, sharing both the official date and the traditional name. Whether you’re a stargazer, gardener, folklorist, or simply curious about the cosmos, our calendar brings the moon’s rich heritage into your home. With it, you’ll never miss the enchantment, cultural significance, or natural guidance each full moon provides.
Cool Facts About Full Moons
- Blue Moons: A “Blue Moon” occurs when two full moons appear in a single calendar month. While not truly blue in color, the rarity of a Blue Moon is what inspired the phrase “once in a blue moon,” meaning a rare event. The next Blue Moon is scheduled to occur on May 31,2026.
- Supermoons: A “Supermoon” happens when the full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth (perigee). This makes the moon appear larger and brighter than usual, offering a dazzling lunar show. There are three Supermoons in 2025: Hunter’s Moon on October 6th, Beaver Moon on November 5th, and Cold Moon on December 4th.
- Cultural Traditions Worldwide: Beyond the well-known Native American and European names, many other cultures have their own moon names, including the Chinese Lunar Calendar and Hindu traditions, each reflecting local landscapes and beliefs.
- Tidal Influence: The moon’s gravitational pull affects Earth’s oceans, causing tides. During full (and new) moons, these tidal shifts are more pronounced, known as “spring tides.”
- Agricultural Guidance: Historically, farmers and gardeners timed planting, weeding, and harvesting by the phases of the moon, believing that lunar cycles influenced the growth and vitality of crops.