We've Had The Snow - Are You Ready For The Snow Moon?

The full moon in February will be called a snow moon as it is named after the snow on the ground.

It is called a snow moon because it appears during one of the coldest periods of the year, along with heavy snowfall, as often February can be the coldest and snowiest month of the year.

Some Native American tribes gave the February moon the name of Hunger Moon because of the scarce food resources and difficult winter hunting conditions.



A lunar calendar treat

In 2021 we are in for a lunar calendar treat. There will be 12 full moons including four supermoons, two lunar eclipses and a rare blue moon.

The first supermoon of 2021 is on 28 March, followed by another on 27 April, 26 May and 24 June. Supermoons are said to appear 14% bigger and 30% brighter than usual.



Full Moons in 2021

Wolf Moon - January 28
Snow Moon - February 27
Worm Moon - March 28
Pink Moon - April 27
Flower Moon - May 26
Strawberry Moon - June 24
Buck Moon - July 31
Sturgeon Moon - August 30
Harvest Moon - September 29
Hunter's Moon - October 28
Beaver Moon - November 27
Cold Moon - December 27

Many of these ancient moon names have been given based on the behaviour of the plants, animals, or weather during that month.

It is said that they were the names given by Native American tribes and included into our modern calendar. However the Full Moon names we now use also have Anglo-Saxon and Germanic roots.

So weather permitting, lockdown can’t stop us looking up at the skies to see the full moon.