Full Old Moon - January

First full moon of this New Year!  January 9th, 2:32 a.m.


Wolf Moon or Old Moon?

The stories and names of each full moon change depending on where you live....

"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, January's full moon is called “Old Moon” where as February's 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” which 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.

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

Continue reading at NowPublic.com 

This Django Reinhardt composition asks the musical question,
"How High the Moon"

illustration credit: watercolour