January

Full Wolf Moon – Jan 12, 6:34 a.m.

This full Moon appeared when wolves howled in hunger outside the villages. It is also known as the Old Moon. To some Native American tribes, this was the Snow Moon, but most applied that name to the next full Moon, in February.

February

Full Snow Moon – Feb 10, 7:33 p.m.

Usually the heaviest snows fall in February. Hunting becomes very difficult, and hence to some Native American tribes this was the Hunger Moon.

  • Penumbral Lunar Eclipse visible in Nellysford on Feb 10
  • March

    Full Worm Moon – Mar 12, 10:54 a.m.

    At the time of this spring Moon, the ground begins to soften and earthworm casts reappear, inviting the return of robins. This is also known as the Sap Moon, as it marks the time when maple sap begins to flow and the annual tapping of maple trees begins.

    April

    Full Pink Moon – Apr 11, 2:08 a.m.

    This full Moon heralded the appearance of the grass pink, or wild ground phlox—one of the first spring flowers. It is also known as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and the Fish Moon.

    May

    Full Flower Moon – May 10, 5:43 p.m.

    Flowers spring forth in abundance this month. Some Algonquin tribes knew this full Moon as the Corn Planting Moon or the Milk Moon.

  • Super New Moon: May 25
  • June

    Full Strawberry Moon – June 9, 9:10 a.m.

    The Algonquin tribes knew this Moon as a time to gather ripening strawberries. It is also known as the Rose Moon and the Hot Moon.

  • Micro Full Moon: Jun 9
  • Super New Moon: Jun 23
  • July

    Full Buck Moon – July 9, 12:07 a.m.

    Bucks begin to grow new antlers at this time. This full Moon was also known as the Thunder Moon, because thunderstorms are so frequent during this month.

    August

    Full Sturgeon Moon – Aug 7, 2:11 p.m.

    Some Native American tribes knew that the sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this full Moon. Others called it the Green Corn Moon or the Grain Moon.

  • Black Moon: Aug 21 (third New Moon in a season with four New Moons)
  • September

    Full Harvest Moon – Sept 6, 3:03 a.m

    The Harvest Moon is the full Moon nearest the autumnal equinox and is bright enough to allow finishing all the harvest chores.

    October

    Full Hunter’s Moon – Oct 5, 2:40 p.m.

    This was the time to hunt in preparation for winter. This full Moon is also called the Travel Moon and the Dying Grass Moon.

    November

    Full Beaver Moon – Nov 4, 12:23 a.m.

    For both the colonists and the Algonquin tribes, this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. This full Moon was also called the Frost Moon.

    December

    Full Cold Moon – Dec 3, 10:47 a.m.

    This is the month when the winter cold fastens its grip and the nights become long and dark. This full Moon is also called the Long Nights Moon by some Native American tribes.

  • Super Full Moon: Dec 3
  • Micro New Moon: Dec 18
  • No Blue Moon in Nellysford in 2017 (third Full Moon in a season with four Full Moons)