We have a full moon coming
up on Sunday 17th November 2013. This full moon appears to be most
commonly known as the Beaver Moon. There appears to be two possible
explanations for this beaver Moon name. One is that November is a month when
traditionally hunters would set traps for Beavers; the other is that November
is a time of increased activity for Beavers, when they are busy rebuilding
their lodges and dams. The Beaver is primarily nocturnal therefore it is
fitting that the November Moon should be named after this fabulous animal.
Beavers do not hibernate thus they need to be ready for the stark cold months
ahead, this explains why they are very busy at this time of the year but also
they grew a thick pelt of fur thus this was a prime time to catch them. Beavers
were once hunted to the point of extinction in many parts of the world.
Thankfully this is no longer the case as beaver hunting is now controlled but I
still find it terrible that these creatures are still killed for their fur.
Another common name related
to Beaver Moon is Hunters Moon. This is also used for the September Moon. This
name is given because the moonlight is ideal for
the hunters who frequently began their hunting season by autumn moonlight to
begin building a supply for winter. At this time of year the moon is in
the sky for longer as it rises closer to the time of Sunset. The shorter time
between successive moonrises around the time of the Harvest and Hunter’s Moon
is because the orbit of the Moon makes a narrow angle with respect to the
horizon in the evening in autumn, leading the Moon to higher positions in the
sky each successive day.
Another very common name for
the November Moon is the Frost Moon or Frosty Moon. This is obviously named as
November is the time on the Wheel of the Year when many parts of the world receive their first frost. We
have still to have our first frost in my part of England, it seems
exceptionally mild at the moment which is strange considering the cold winter
we had in 2012.
There are many more names given to
this November Moon, usually based on what nature is doing at this time of year.
Examples of names for the November
moon around the world are:
American Beaver
Moon
Chinese White
Moon
Cherokee Trading
Moon
Choktaw Sassafras Moon
Dakatah Sioux Moon
When Horns are broken off
Celtic Dark
Moon
English Snow
Moon
Pagan Tree
Moon
In ancient Celtic practices this moon
signaled the beginning of a new year because the Celtic year ended on the eve
before Samhain (October 31st) and began again on the day after. It was
considered a Moon month of beginnings and endings. The Druids called this moon
the mourning moon as this was the time to remember our ancestors. Prior to the
1700s, it was a feast day in parts of Western Europe, perhaps in conjunction
with the honouring of ancestors. Other societies celebrated their dear at this
time too. Among the Incas it was a time of the Ayamarca, or Festival of the
Dead.
November was the ninth month in the
old Roman calendar. The goddess Hecate had many celebrations throughout the
year, but November 16 was known as the Night of Hecate. Hecate is celebrated
throughout Pagan religions as the Crone Goddess, Goddess of the night, ‘the
distant one’, Queen of the Night, Goddess of the crossroads. People who worshiped Hecate honoured Her by performing Magick and
holding a supper at what they believed to be the Crossroads. Food was left there as an offering to her. Hecate was known to rule
the passages of life and transformation, birth and death. Hecate’s Moon
therefore could be an appropriate name for this November moon. Although
strictly speaking Hecate is Goddess of the dark moon, I still think that
Hecate’s moon is a good name for the full moon this year that is so close to
her feast day.
The Chinese name of White Moon is
possibly named for the Goddess Chang-O or Change’e. Chang-O is celebrated at
the full moon closest to the Autumn equinox. Yutu is a white pet rabbit
accompanying the goddess Chang'e on the moon in ancient Chinese myth, thus the
name White Moon could come from association with this rabbit belonging to
Chang’e the Moon Goddess.
What name would you give this moon in
November? Perhaps you have a family tradition around this time of year or a
particular plant that you see close by you?
This is a perfect time to plan for new beginnings. You don't have to wait until January to start new resolutions! The Sagittarian energy that is around at the moment will lend an extra boost of fire and optimism to the building new moon energy. This means this is a perfect time to harness that fire , take control and step towards your goals. Allow that wonderful new moon in Sagittarius to power you towards all that you desire.
