Tag Archives: full-moon

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The Powerful Stillness of the Cold Moon

Our final Super Moon of 2025 will be 100% illuminated on December 4 at around 6-6:30pm (EST.) For the most dramatic view, watch just after moonrise, when the Moon appears larger near the horizon—a phenomenon called the “Moon illusion.”

The Old Farmer’s Almanac names for this moon come from centuries of Native American, colonial, and European traditions. December’s full Moon is most commonly called the Cold Moon (Mohawk), reflecting the frigid season. It is also known as the Long Night Moon (Mohican) because it rises during the longest nights of the year, near the winter solstice, and remains above the horizon for an extended period.

Other traditional names that highlight the cold and snow include:

Drift Clearing Moon (Cree)

Frost Exploding Trees Moon (Cree)

Moon of the Popping Trees (Oglala)

Hoar Frost Moon (Cree)

Snow Moon (Haida, Cherokee)

Winter Maker Moon (Western Abenaki)

Moon When the Deer Shed Their Antlers (Dakota)

Little Spirit Moon (Anishinaabe)

This moon invites stillness, reflection, and release.  We are nearing the end of this calendar year, heading into the Winter season, the solstice is right around the corner as the return of the light, as longer days are now also upon us.  It is powerful time.

It is sometimes impossible to shut off the noise in our lives and sit in stillness. I often think about fresh fallen snow, and how it acts as a buffer to sound.  You can hear the quiet in those moments. This moon is here to remind us the importance of the stillness.

As we enter a busy time, perhaps a stressful time of the holidays, this moon comes to us for a moment of stillness. Reflecting on the past year, reaffirming and also releasing what is keeping the quiet from our minds.  Just as the earth takes a break to prepare for spring, the Cold Moon signals the importance of rest and renewal. This is a time to recharge, nurture the spirit, and align with nature’s rhythm of quiet strength.

Let her be your reminder to move away from things that hold you back, take your joy, and keep things all around you loud. Stand in your own light and move closer into reflection in stillness. As we are near the solstice, let your light return with the sun.

Peace,

Cath

Winter Solstice

https://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-winter-winter-solstice

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Our Reflective November Moon

The November full moon, called the Beaver Moon, marks when beavers prepare for winter and is significant for trappers harvesting pelts. It symbolizes preparation, patience, and letting go of the past, also known as the Mourning Moon, being the last full moon before the winter solstice. Other names, like Frost Moon, highlight the arrival of cold weather.

This moon will give us light on Wednesday November 5.  I have noticed though, the moon right now in my hemisphere for the last few days has been very bright, with yesterday appearing to be completely full.

Indigenous Tribes used the full moons to track seasons and time, with the November moon being a significant marker for the coming winter.

Recently we worked on clearing out our summer garden, turning over some dirt, adding different forms of natural mulch from seasonal porch plants, and enjoying the last of the summer harvest.

We do this around our homes every year.  Cleaning up, reorganizing, sorting out warmer weather clothes for the cold weather things. Then the time changes and it gets darker, and more still earlier.

We begin to look forward to the Yuletide season.  Decorating, planning, and preparing as the Winter Solstice nears.

This November moon is the most perfect time to reflect on our own life, and what no longer serves, what needs to adjust, and what we can let go of.  Just like that old wool sweater we pull out of the box or tote, that we really haven’t worn for a few seasons, yet takes up all the room – do we really need that sweater? 

Use this time to rest, balance, restore, and renew as you see this beautiful super moon.  Recognize the accomplishments of the Summer and Fall and applaud your planning as we head toward the Winter, a much quieter and more reflective season.

She also can represent a time of growth.  Under the surface of our earth, there is growth happening all through this cold weather season. Those first buds we see in the spring are proof of that.

This is the perfect time as we reflect, to know that we are always growing, evolving and changing.

When you see her, the bright and beautiful November moon, remember the beavers as they prep for the winter.  Let go, refresh, renew, and grow.

Peace,

Cath

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October gives to us the Harvest Moon.

The idea that who you are, and who you know yourself to be, is determined by anything or anyone other than YOU, is a great lie. You are your own. YOU determine.

Our October 2025 full moon is the Harvest Moon, occurring on the night of October 6th and reaching its peak at 11:48 p.m. (EST) It is also a supermoon and will appear larger and brighter than usual due to its proximity to Earth.

This moon is my favorite, and I watch for her each year.

Although October’s full moon is often called the Hunter’s Moon, the moon closest to the autumn equinox is the “Harvest Moon”. This year’s Harvest Moon happens to fall in October.

For farmers, the October full moon was the time to harvest the last crops and store them for winter. In many ancient civilizations, this time of the year also marked the end of the agricultural cycle, with festivals and rituals aimed at celebrating the earth’s bounty before the cold season arrived.

We mark Autumn with so many joyous things. There are pumpkin festivals, apple festivals, fall fests, October Fest, and so many other celebrations.

Just as ancient hunters prepared for winter, this full moon is a call to complete your “internal harvest”. This means reflecting on your accomplishments, acting on goals, and gathering the necessary energy and resources for future endeavors.

Lately I have been spending time reflecting. This is not always easy. There were times in my life when I worked so very hard to fit myself into what others would want me to be. I would say and do things that I believed would bring me acceptance and validation. Because I began to come into my own and break out of those molds that I allowed others to place me in, I also lost those people from my life. Sometimes I do not blame them, because I did that. I formed myself into what I believed they wanted me to be, but it was not me.

I watched a leaf fall from the tree in my front yard a few days ago. Just one. Silent, floating down until it softly hit the ground. I looked up and saw all the other leaves that were yet to fall. That leaf can grow a whole other tree. Strong and tall. It fell alone. What can grow from that will be beautiful, tall, and strong in its own way, adorned with beautiful leaves, not one the same.

I think of those that left relationship with me. I am sad about it. I miss the laughter and time shared. The beauty in this sadness is I do not have to miss ME.

Watch our Harvest moon on Oct. 6. Take this time to see the harvest in your own life, and know she is there, high in the sky to light your way – even in the dark places.

Peace,

Cath

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Our August Moon

The “Sturgeon Moon,” a full moon in August, is named by Native American tribes for the sturgeon fish, abundant during this time in the Great Lakes. It is also called the Green Corn Moon or Grain Moon, highlighting the fish’s importance as a food source. In 2025, the full Sturgeon Moon will occur on August 9.

The sturgeon, known for its impressive longevity, symbolizes resilience and the capacity to overcome obstacles.  This moon’s name connects us to the wisdom and knowledge passed down through generations, this moon asks us to connect with our intuition and inner knowing. Things that never deceive. 

The Sturgeon Moon can be a time to reflect on our current path, see areas that need cleansing or clarity, and prepare for upcoming changes. 

We have a small backyard garden. This year in my area, we have experienced more hot temperatures than usual, in early summer.  These temperatures posed a definite struggle with the ripening of our tomatoes.  One thing that a tomato gardener knows is as you go through the season, when you see spots or other signs of possible disease on the leaves, you begin to prune and trim those to put a stop to further problems, and to allow the nutrients in the soil to focus the growth. After going through this process of trimming and pruning several times, even despite the extra normal heat, the tomatoes began to flourish.  Now we have so many – all at once! It is time now for us to preserve that, so we can take these into the winter months, after this growing season.

This August moon reminds us, what is true about the sturgeon fish.  Sturgeons are considered living fossils, having existed since the time of the dinosaurs. Despite whatever this ancient line faced, they are out here thriving. We can be reminded that despite anything, we too can light our own paths with strength, stripping away what does not serve us, or block our path from light.

This moon speaks to us that we are our own.  YOU are your own. Let this beautiful moon speak to you as you see her light the night sky.  Asking the question what serves, what aids in your growth and what does not. Drawing from ancestral wisdom as the Sturgeon in our resilience.

Peace,

Cath

Growth comes and guides from ancient wisdom

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The “Strawberry Moon.”

“You could smell ripe strawberries before you saw them, the fragrance mingling with the smell of sun on damp ground. It was the smell of June, the last day of school, when we were set free, and the Strawberry Moon, ode’mini-giizis.”

― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants

The full moon that takes place in June is known as the “Strawberry Moon.” This name originates from the Algonquin tribes of North America, who would harvest wild strawberries during this period.  In 2025, the Strawberry Moon will come to us on June 11.

The Strawberry Moon invites us to concentrate on the abundance present in our lives, both in material and spiritual aspects. This is a moment to celebrate the rewards of our hard work and to acknowledge the generosity of the earth.

The deep bond with nature, especially during the summer solstice, (Fri, Jun 20, 2025) makes the Strawberry Moon an ideal opportunity to engage with the natural world and tap into its energy.

During this Full Strawberry Moon, you might experience an increased sense of responsibility and productivity regarding your goals, aspirations, and overall life journey. The surge of Capricorn energy will assist you in remaining grounded and focused, enabling you to take practical steps toward realizing your objectives.

Do I ever understand that.  We planted our garden this year, and I have been extremely impatient.  Bordering on obsession. I read up on gardening, watch videos, pretty sure I need to rip it all out and start again – on and on. I have been gardening in one way or another for over 30 years. I ask myself everyday what is wrong with me? I don’t really want that answer on the whole, just about my garden.

 I had been following an account on a social media platform for years.  She had the most beautiful garden.  It was planned to perfection.  She has archways, and nooks, and a place to sit right in the middle.  I watched her so intently over our cold long winter, and I kind of think that is the problem.  Because I came to find out what she was presenting was not her.  She had a Company come in and plant her garden.  She had people come on the daily to maintain it. She only picked what was photogenic. All of it was real, but none of it was her. When she confessed to this all I could do was laugh.  I was comparing myself to her, and it was stealing from me the simple joy of one red strawberry that I watched grow.  It occurred to be that Strawberries are considered a symbol of abundance and prosperity associated with peace, tranquility, and harmony.

Let this Moon show you all that you have, teach you the abundance of this life as she shines. 

Peace.

Cath

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Flower Moon

Monday May 12, 2025, brings to us the Full Flower Moon. She will be full in the sky reaching full illumination at 12:56 pm. Even though that is daylight hours she will still shine into the night sky, before this and after as well, with the New Moon on May 26th.

With the Harvest Moon being my favorite, this May moon is the most meaningful one to me.

This moon has particularly powerful feminine energy. Bringing forth intuition, cycles of life, and spiritual connection. It is often associated with emotions, the subconscious, and the ebb and flow of life’s experiences.

Every full moon invites us to Let go of what is no longer serving us, but this moon asks that we grow. That we surround ourselves with food for our souls. That we stay rooted in who we are. It also invites us to be compassionate and be that soul food for the ones we love.

Just like we plant a seed in the ground, water, feed, and nurture to flower –

we do for ourselves and those we encounter.

The appearance of flowers in abundance inspired the name for this Moon, a term used by Algonquin and Ojibwe peoples.

Similarly, the Cree names of Budding Moon and Leaf Budding Moon celebrate the awakening of plant life. Egg Laying Moon and Frog Moon are other Cree terms for this period. Moon of the Shedding Ponies is an Oglala term. Planting Moon (Dakota, Lakota) marks the time to plant seeds and start the year’s crops.

This is a good time to plant your garden if you have not already. It is also a good time to reflect on what is good. What will grow, and what will not. A time to consider what in your life feels abundant and what requires more attention to thrive.

When you see her, our Flower moon, take the time to pause and let yourself feel. Get outside, find some flowers, meditate, and most of all, enjoy.

Peace to you.

Cath

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Pink Moon

April’s full moon will peak on Sunday, April 13. It’s known as the Pink Moon and will be a “micro moon,” meaning it will appear slightly smaller than usual in the sky due to its distance from Earth.

While the term “Pink Moon” may evoke images of a beautifully rosy Moon, the truth is somewhat just as enchanting. The name actually originates from the early spring flowering of a wildflower found in eastern North America: Phlox subulata, commonly referred to as creeping phlox or moss phlox. This flower, often known as “moss pink,” typically reaches its peak bloom around the time of April’s full Moon.

April’s moon is a very important one.  Easter’s date is determined by the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox and the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

April’s full Moon names reflect the vibrant signs of spring!

The Farm’s Almanac shares with us these beautiful names.

The Breaking Ice Moon (Algonquin) and Moon When the Streams Are Again Navigable (Dakota) reference the melting ice and the increased mobility of early spring.

The Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs (Tlingit) and Moon of the Red Grass Appearing (Oglala) highlight the plant growth about to take off.

Other names focus on the return of certain animals, like the Moon When the Ducks Come Back (Lakota), Moon When the Geese Lay Eggs (Dakota), and Frog Moon (Cree).

The Sucker Moon (Anishinaabe) marks the time to harvest sucker fish, which return to streams or shallow lakes to spawn.

Legend says this is when the fish come back from the spirit world to purify the waters and the creatures within them.

This name can also apply to the February Moon, honoring the sucker fish’s sacrifice to help the Anishinaabe survive the winter. 

I find myself thinking about how this will be a micro moon, appearing smaller, but only to our eyes. Much like us. We may believe we are small, and our impact is “micro.”  But just like this April Moon, the implications of who we are, who we touch, who we heal, and how we move and live and breathe upon this earth have meaning and importance that we may never know or understand fully. As we shine, just like this moon, an entire universe is illuminated.

As the gentle warmth of spring arrives, the pink moon invites you to welcome fresh possibilities, emotional development, and artistic expression. Much like blooming flowers, let this enchanting lunar phase inspire you to open your heart, embrace your vulnerabilities, and gracefully evolve into your most vibrant self.