Wolf Moon, Birth Moon or Old Moon?

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Birth Moon or Wolf Moon over Narita, Chiba, Japan. | Photo 02

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By, Uwe Paschen.

The name Wolf Moon finds its origine in Amerindian cultures, of what is now the northern and eastern United States. Those Amerindian tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full Moon and the name of each full moon applied to the entire following month.

The Wolf Moon is followed by the Ice moon, the Storm moon, the Growing moon, the Hare moon, the Flower moon, the Hay moon, the Corn moon, the Harvest moon, the Hunter's moon, the Snow moon and finally the Winter moon.

The reason for the name Wolf Moon is simply because in that month the wolf packs howled hungrily outside Amerindian villages. In Europe on the other hand, Januaries full moon is called “Old Moon” where as Februaries full moon is called “Wolf Moon.” In other areas, the First Full moon is also called "Ice Moon" or "Moon After Yule". In central Asia, its name is "Paush Poornima", meaning Fasting month, Hindus consider the day highly auspicious, where some communities fast in that period.

For the Buddhist in Sri Lanka it is called “Duruthu Poya” witch marks the first visit of Lord Buddha to that Island.

In Japan, this same first full moon of the year is called “Birth Moon.” It is also considered the official birthday for everyone over the age of sixteen. Divination, feasting, and rituals for luck and health are popular events.

 For the Chinese whom have arguably the oldest continuously used lunar calendar in existence. Their festive New Year's celebration begins on the first new moon after the sun enters the sign of Aquarius. The clearing of debt before this holiday is an important part of its observance.

Full Moons are filed with myth, folklore and tales of vampires, werwolf's and more. Depending on where you live or go, the stories change and so do the names of each full moon. In some cultures, the moon is feared and in others, that same full moon is seen as a good omen.

In Thailand for instance every full moon is celebrated with a party, called “Koh Pha Ngan.”

The moon has a great influence on human cultures, traditions, folklores, calendars and cycles and it does still fascinate us to this day.

Now this year we could argue wish was the first full moon of 2010 since December 31 of 2009 was the last full moon of the year and the first of 2010. According to the lunar calendar, though this is the last full moon of the past year and in accordance with the Gregorian system, this is the first full moon of 2010.

 http://www.ewpnet.com/full-moon.htm