|| algonquian moons ||

 

 

 

Humans and the astral bodies - a look at the Native Moons.

 

Hunting seasons, harvesting, spiritual wonders, myths, gods and goddesses,

are all products of the human connection to the cosmos. Ancient man looked to the sky

to observe and track the seasons of life on the earth. One of the closest and dearest, being our moon. 

Above are illustrations for twelve different interpretations of the year used by various Algonquian tribes, including the Arapaho, Blackfoot, Shawnee, Cherokee, Sauk and Fox and more. 

This naming system was used to culturally chart their year according to the seasons. 

Below are the descriptions of each moon by the Old Farmers Almanac,  1792.

 

January || Full Wolf Moon

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

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

March || Full Worm Moon

 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

This full Moon heralded the appearance of the moss 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

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

June || Full Strawberry Moon

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.

July || Full Buck Moon

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

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.

September || Full Corn Moon

This full Moon corresponds with the time of harvesting corn. It is also called the Barley Moon, because it is the time to harvest and thresh the ripened barley. The Harvest Moon is the full Moon nearest the autumnal equinox, which can occur in September or October and is bright enough to allow finishing all the harvest chores.

October || Full Hunter's Moon

This is the month when the leaves are falling and the game is fattened. Now is the time for hunting and laying in a store of provisions for the long winter ahead. October's Moon is also known as the Travel Moon and the Dying Moon.

November || Full Beaver Moon

 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

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.

|| Source: The Old Farmers Almanac, 1792 ||