Naming the Full Moon
In our Nature Links class, we take a special moment every full moon to delve into the names given to each month's full moon and explore their deep connection to the natural world and the changing seasons. These names, often rooted in ancient traditions, reflect the behaviors of animals, the growth of plants, and the rhythms of the Earth, helping us to understand how our ancestors perceived and interacted with the environment. By studying these moon names, we gain insights into the cyclical patterns of nature and the cultural significance of these celestial events.
Full moons have been given various names across different cultures, each reflecting the natural events, seasonal changes, or activities of that time of year. For example, the "Wolf Moon" in January is named after the howling of wolves during the winter months, while the "Harvest Moon" in September refers to the bright moonlight that allowed farmers to work late into the night during the harvest season. These names often originate from Native American tribes, European traditions, or other ancient cultures, each observing the natural world closely and naming the moons based on what they saw and experienced during each month.
August's full moon is known as the "Sturgeon Moon," a name that comes from the large fish that were once abundant in North America's Great Lakes and other major bodies of water during this time of year. Sturgeon are ancient creatures, having existed for over 200 million years, making them one of the oldest living species on Earth. However, despite their long history, sturgeon populations have become endangered due to overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution. The Sturgeon Moon serves as a reminder of this majestic species' resilience and the importance of protecting it, so future generations can continue to marvel at this living link to our planet's prehistoric past.
For the full moon in August, our students took this tradition a step further by creating their own names for the moon, inspired by their observations of the world around them. They carefully considered the natural phenomena occurring in their local environment—whether it be the late summer blooms, the sounds of crickets in the evening, or the rich harvests of the season—and crafted names that reflected these unique aspects of August. This exercise not only deepened their connection to the natural world but also encouraged them to be mindful observers of the changes happening in their surroundings.
Our list of new names for August’s full moon…
Deer moon
“Shuffle” moon (a reference to all the creatures shuffling around at night, gathering, exploring, and taking advantage of the abundance August provides
Coyote moon
Mildew moon
Owl moon
Loon moon
Turkey moon
Leo moon
Fawn moon
Rabbit moon
