Introduction

It is also known as the Moon After Yule, Ice Moon, and Old Moon. Here’s the reason behind the widespread use of the term “Wolf Moon” for the full Moon in January.

The tradition of naming moons, such as January’s Wolf Moon, originates from diverse cultural traditions and indigenous practices that attribute unique names to each full Moon throughout the year. These names often mirror seasonal changes, natural phenomena, and the behaviors of plants and animals during different months.

Indigenous peoples and early civilizations utilized lunar cycles to measure time, guide agricultural activities, and navigate seasons, as exemplified by the Harvest Moon. The practice of naming moons not only served practical purposes but also established a cultural connection between celestial events and human activities, fostering a deeper understanding and reverence for the natural world.

The variety of names for the full Moons can be highly localized, reflecting specific regional traditions. Today, these lunar names endure as a combination of historical legacy and a means to acknowledge the rhythmic lunar cycles.

Why January 2024’s Full Moon is the Wolf Moon

January 2024’s full Moon is referred to as the Wolf Moon by certain European cultures because of the haunting calls of wolves as they hunt for food during the depths of winter. These evocative howls can travel up to 10km (6.2 miles) in open tundra, making them unmistakable in the surrounding area. In the extended, dark winter periods when food is scarce, wolves tend to howl more frequently.

“Wolves were hunted to extinction in the UK just 250 years ago, being Britain’s last apex predator to go extinct. But their presence is still remembered today through the oral tradition of the names of the Full Moon”.

Medieval Europeans and a few different Native American tribes all settled on the name Wolf Moon for January. However, it’s unclear as to who can lay claim to being the first.

Although there’s a lot that scientists still don’t know about wolf communication, this behavior likely stemmed from a combination of factors, including heightened hunger and increased socialization during, and just before, the breeding season. This haunting cry in the wintry landscape left a lasting impression on local communities, leading to the association between the January full Moon and the eerie, yet captivating, calls of these wild creatures.

The Many Names of January’s Full Moon

Other names for the January full Moon include the very literal Moon After Yule, Old Moon, and Ice Moon. The Algonquin peoples of North America also used the name “squochee kesos,” which means “the Sun has no strength to thaw.”

On this occasion, the Moon is fully illuminated by the Sun at 5:54pm GMT on Thursday 25 January, 2024.