January and a brand new calendar year offers us the Wolf Moon. The first of three supermoons in 2026, this moon occurs on January 3, peaking at 5:03 am (EST).
Native American traditions used the name as wolves were heard howling in January. These vocalizations were to maintain pack bonds, define territory, and coordinate hunts.
Different cultures used descriptive names for this moon based on winter conditions, such as:
- Cold Moon or Frost Exploding Moon(Cree).
- Center Moon (Assiniboine), marking the midpoint of winter.
- Greetings Moon (Western Abenaki).
- Spirit Moon (Ojibwe).
Bringing nature to ourselves, this gives us the opportunity for introspection, identifying community, and every wild instinct that we can find symbolized by the wolf. Yes, I did say that.
I did a quick Google search about characteristics found in wolves:
- Social & Family-Oriented:Wolves live in family units called packs, typically led by a mated pair (often called alpha) and their offspring, working together to hunt and raise young.
- Apex Predators:As top predators, they hunt large ungulates (hoofed animals like deer, elk, moose) and sometimes smaller prey, using teamwork, stealth, and endurance.
- Masters of Communication:They use complex howls to communicate over long distances, mark territory, and rally the pack, alongside body language and scent.
- Vast Territories:Packs require huge areas to find food, covering significant distances daily (up to 30 miles or more) and defending large home ranges.
- Diverse Appearance:While known as “gray wolves,” they come in various colors, including black, white, brown, and reddish hues, adapting to different environments like tundras, forests, and mountains.
As we take time to watch and reflect on the gift of this beautiful full moon, it is important to know our pack. Commit to who we run this journey with and feel safe within that community. You have strength in your singularity, but power in the ones you chose.
You can stand in full strength of who you are, while behind you, all around you, and sometimes even running ahead of you is the power of your pack.
Like the wolf, chose this wisely. Knowing who you are, those that run with you know that too, and with authority, you are your own. Even from afar, you will hear them, they will hear you, and your voices together are infinitely – resoundingly – strong.
May peace, power, and community run with us all into this new year.
Peace,
cath
BeYOUtiful life❤ 