Look Up

Although the rain continues, there’s always one thing that’s usually visible between the clouds – the moon and already January’s full moon was Friday. It was, and will be, visible most of the night(s) because it will be rising at dusk and setting just before dawn. January’s full moon is mostly known as the Full Wolf Moon. It’s believed that January’s full moon came to be since wolves were heard howling more often during that time. During colonial times, it was thought that wolves howled due to hunger, but now we know that wolves howl for other reasons, such as: to locate other pack members, coordinate hunting, to outline territory and strengthen social bonds.

Another full moon name for January is the Center Moon. It was called that because it almost marks the middle of the winter season. This name was used by the Assiniboine tribe, they were also known as Stonies, they lived in what is now Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Other January full moon names describe the harsh coldness, such as: the Cold Moon, or Frost Exploding Moon, from the Cree, indigenous people, who primarily live in Canada. There’s also the Freeze Up Moon from the Algonquin, indigenous people of eastern Canada. Lastly, the Dakota Native Americans called it the Severe Moon or Hard Moon.