For our ancestors, the moon was a guide, a marker, and a rhythm keeper. Every moon carried a name that reflected what was happening on the land at that moment. These names were rooted in observation, survival, and deep relationship with our Mother Earth.
When we speak these old moon names today, we are echoing voices from long ago. Each moon still offers us a chance to pause, notice the time of year, and reconnect with the slow turning of the Earth.
Below you’ll find the name, lore and seasonal magic of each full moon. Let’s walk through the year together.
🌕 January – Wolf Moon / Storm Moon
Midwinter was not gentle. Snow buried fields and forests, and icy winds swept across open land. Food had to be carefully rationed, firewood closely guarded, and travel was often dangerous. In the deep night, wolves howled beyond the edges of villages and camps, their cries carrying for miles in the cold air — a reminder that humans were not alone in their struggle to survive winter.
Life moved indoors as much as possible. Tools were repaired, clothes were mended, and stories were told by firelight. This was a time of endurance and inner strength.
Seasonal Magic: This Moon carries the energy of resilience, reflection, and the quiet strength that gets us through life’s storms.
🌕 February – Snow Moon / Hunger Moon
By now, winter felt long. Snow often fell in heavy blankets, and hunting could be scarce. Stored foods were running low, and people had to stretch what remained. This was a lean time in many regions — a month when careful planning truly mattered.
Yet even in hardship, there was community. Meals were shared, and survival depended on cooperation. Beneath the frozen ground, life was waiting, though few visible signs had appeared.
Seasonal Magic: This Moon reminds us of gratitude, resourcefulness, and honoring what sustains us, even in times of “not enough.”
🌕 March – Worm Moon / Crow Moon / Seed Moon
The land begins to soften. Snow melts into dark soil, and earthworms reappear, drawing birds back to fields and forests. The cawing of crows signals change in the air — winter is loosening its grip.
For farming communities, this was a hopeful time. Tools came back out. Fields were inspected. Seeds were counted and saved. The promise of planting season stirred in both the soil and the human heart.
Seasonal Magic: This Moon hums with new beginnings, gentle awakenings, and the first stirrings of growth.
🌕 April – Hare Moon / Pink Moon
Spring is no longer a whisper — it’s a song. Hares dash across fields, long associated with fertility and the wild, lively energy of the season. Early flowers, including pink ground phlox, spread soft color across the land.
Streams run fuller with melted snow, animals grow more active, and people spend longer hours outdoors preparing fields and tending early crops. Life feels quick, bright, and full of motion.
Seasonal Magic: This Moon carries creative spark, fresh energy, and the joy of life returning in full color.
🌕 May – Flower Moon / Milk Moon
Now the land is lush. Wildflowers and blossoms fill meadows and hedgerows. Gardens are planted, and animals graze on fresh pasture. Milk flowed more abundantly as livestock fed on rich spring growth.
This was a time of beauty and productivity, when long days allowed for steady work and evenings could be spent outdoors in mild air. The world felt generous again.
Seasonal Magic: This Moon radiates abundance, joy, and the pleasure of watching life flourish.
🌕 June – Strawberry Moon / Mead Moon
Early summer brings sweetness. Wild strawberries ripen, small but bursting with flavor. In many cultures, this was also a traditional wedding season, and honey mead was brewed and shared in celebration.
Fields were growing steadily, and the frantic rush of planting had eased into the patient tending of crops. Communities gathered more often, enjoying warmth, food, and one another’s company.
Seasonal Magic: This Moon glows with sweetness, connection, and the magic of shared happiness.
🌕 July – Buck Moon / Hay Moon / Wort Moon
Summer stands tall and strong. Deer grow new antlers, covered in soft velvet. Grasses are cut and dried for hay, and medicinal herbs are gathered at their peak potency.
This was a physically demanding time — long days of labor under the sun, preserving what would be needed for colder months. Strength, endurance, and knowledge of the land were essential.
Seasonal Magic: This Moon carries themes of personal strength, vitality, and gathering the gifts of the Earth.
🌕 August – Sturgeon Moon / Grain Moon
Lakes and rivers provided abundant fish, and the first grains were ready for harvest. The year’s hard work was beginning to show results. Gardens were full, and food preservation began in earnest.
People turned their attention to storing, drying, and preparing for the coming shift toward autumn. Gratitude and responsibility walked hand in hand.
Seasonal Magic: This Moon speaks of nourishment, thankfulness, and honoring the harvests of our efforts.
🌕 September – Harvest Moon / Corn Moon
The Full Moon closest to the Autumn Equinox rises bright and golden, lighting fields late into the evening so farmers could continue gathering crops. Corn, squash, beans, and other staples were brought in and stored.
This was one of the busiest — and most satisfying — times of the year. Communities worked together, knowing winter would depend on the success of this harvest.
Seasonal Magic: This Moon shines with completion, fulfillment, and deep appreciation for what has come to fruition.
🌕 October – Hunter’s Moon / Blood Moon
Leaves fall, revealing clearer sightlines through forests. Traditionally, this was a prime hunting season, when meat was gathered and preserved for winter.
There is a sharpness to this time of year — cool air, fading light, and a sense that the world is turning inward. Life and death are both visible parts of the cycle.
Seasonal Magic: This Moon holds the energy of preparation, release, and honoring the sacred cycles of life.
🌕 November – Beaver Moon / Oak Moon
Beavers reinforced their lodges, and humans did the same in their own ways — repairing homes, storing final supplies, and preparing for deep cold. The oak, sacred in many traditions, stood strong even as other trees lost their leaves.
This was a month of bracing for winter and drawing close to hearth and home.
Seasonal Magic: This Moon offers protection, stability, and the comfort of strong foundations.
🌕 December – Cold Moon / Long Night Moon
Darkness stretches long, and the world grows quiet under frost and snow. Work slows, and more time is spent indoors. It is a season of storytelling, reflection, and watching for the return of the light.
Though the nights are longest, the promise of renewal is already quietly growing.
Seasonal Magic: This Moon whispers of rest, deep reflection, and the gentle rebirth that follows stillness.
Blue Moon
A Blue Moon occurs when two Full Moons fall within one calendar month.
Magic of the Blue Moon: A rare moment for bold wishes and long-term goals. Tthis Moon favors the unusual.
🌑 Black Moon
A Black Moon is the second New Moon in a calendar month — a time of deep darkness and potent stillness.
Magic of the Black Moon: A powerful time for inner work and release. Trust the unseen seeds you are planting in the dark.
Using Nature’s Lunar Guide
By following the Moons, we remember that time is not just numbers on a calendar — it is a living cycle of growth, harvest, rest, and renewal. Each Full Moon is an invitation to pause, look up, and feel where we stand in the great turning of the year. 🌕