Wolf Moon: January full moon significance explained
January’s Full Moon is traditionally known as the Wolf Moon, although you may also know it as the Ice Moon, Old Moon and Moon after Yule. The unusual name is believed to follow the time-keeping traditions of Native American tribes. Each of the Moon’s 12 full phases has a unique name, such as the Flower Moon in May or Sturgeon Moon in August.
When is the Wolf Moon this week?
The Wolf Moon will peak later this week when it finds itself directly across from the Sun at a 180-degree angle.
Astronomically speaking, a Full Moon only lasts for a brief moment but it appears full to the naked eye for about three nights centred on the peak.
This year, the Wolf Moon will peak on the evening of Thursday, January 28.
Here in the UK, the Moon will reach full illumination by the Sun at about 7.16pm GMT.
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What is the meaning behind the Wolf Moon’s name?
January’s Full Moon has many different names across the globe, although Wolf Moon is one of the more popular ones, particularly in the West.
This particular name is attributed to North America’s native tribes who named the Moon’s full phases after seasonal changes in the landscape.
The Wolf Moon is said to be named after hungry wolves howling in the dead of night during the cold winter month.
Amy Nieskens of the Old Farmer’s Almanac explained: “January’s Full Moon is called the Full Wolf Moon.
This Full Moon appeared when wolves would howl in hunger
Amy Nieskens, Old Farmer’s Almanac
“This Full Moon appeared when wolves would howl in hunger outside of Native American villages.
“The association of wolves and the Moon appears in folklore all around the world, including Scandinavian, German and Native American mythology.
“The Moon seems to hold some majesty and mystery, not only in folklore but in the exploration of the celestial body itself.”
Since the Moon is tidally locked to Earth, we only see one half of it, leaving its so-called far side shrouded in mystery.
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What is the wolf moon?
The Wolf Moon is also known as the Moon after Yule as it is typically the first Full Moon after the Yule festival.
Yule or Yuletide was historically observed by the Germanic people and is tied to pagan mythology.
Since Yule falls around the time of Christmas in late December to early June, December’s Full Moon is often called the Moon before Yule.
January’s Full Moon is also called the Paush Purnima as it is the last day of the Hindu month of Paush.
According to Gordon Johnston of the US space agency NASA, the day after this Full Moon marks the start of a period of austerity known as Magha.
Mr Johnston said: “Bathing in the holy waters of India is an important activity for both Shakambari Navratri and Magha.
“For the Buddhists of Sri Lanka, this is Duruthu Poya, which commemorates Siddhartha Gautama Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka.”
January’s Full Moon also falls in the middle of the lunar calendar.
In Judaism, this Full Moon falls in the month of Tevet, and in Islam, it is the month of Jumada al-Thani.
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