Hey, everyone. We’re nearing the end of this series on the Native American names for full moons. If you missed the others, just click the following links.
- The Wolf Moon (January)
- The Snow Moon (February)
- The Worm Moon (March)
- The Pink Moon (April)
- The Flower Moon (May)
- The Strawberry Moon (June)
- The Thunder Moon (July)
- The Sturgeon Moon (August)
- The Harvest Moon (September)
- The Hunter’s Moon (October)
The November full moon is aptly named the Beaver Moon. This is the time when beavers finish preparations for winter and retreat into their lodges.
Interesting Facts
- Other names for the November moon are Deer Rutting Moon, Digging/Scratching Moon, Freezing Moon, Frost Moon, and Whitefish Moon.
- It is sometimes claimed that surgeons used to refuse to operate during the full moon because of the increased risk of death to the patient through blood loss. A study carried out in Barcelona found a statistically significant correlation between the lunar phase and hospital admissions due to gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Each Native American tribe had its own naming preferences. For some, the year contained four seasons, others counted five seasons per year. Some tribes defined twelve moons as a year, others counted thirteen full moons. Certain tribes that used twelve moons to define a year added an extra moon every few years to keep in sync with the seasons.
- The full moon is often associated with temporal insomnia. In the past, the reason was obvious; people did not sleep well during the full moon due to the bright light it emitted. These days, however, with all the artificial lights around us, the full moon´s light can hardly be the cause of the sleep deprivation that many people still suffer from during this lunar phase.
- This year’s Beaver Moon is Friday, November 19.
- There will be a partial lunar eclipse this month. It is the longest lunar eclipse since February 18, 1440. The next time an eclipse of this length will occur will be February 8, 2669. For more details, click this link.
I’m in awe of how many unusual celestial events we’ve been privileged to see in our lifetimes–Halleys Comet in 1986 (although it was a bit disappointing), the Hale-Bopp Comet in the 1990s, a Super Blue Blood Moon in January 2018, and more.
Superstition
Ever wonder why people keep rabbit feet? It’s considered lucky, especially if the rabbit was killed in a cemetery by a cross-eyed person during the dark of the moon. (Is that not weird?)
What weird or strange superstitions have you heard about the moon? Please share in the comments.
33 Responses
I don’t have any new superstitions to add, but I did know there’s supposed to be a lunar eclipse visible from our area (Virginia) this weekend. The hubster is an amateur astronomer, so he’s hoping for no clouds that evening!
I’m hoping for that as well, Priscilla. It seems like most of the time these events occur, we have clouds. Keeping my fingers crossed.
When I worked as an RN at the hospital, there were more babies born, more health crises, and our patients who had emotional or mental issues acted out more during a full moon.
When I was a preteen I had a rabbit’s foot. I wonder what happened to it.
The nurses I work with say the same things about babies and patients with mental health issues. I’ve always heard a rabbit’s foot was good luck, but I’d never heard the other part of it.
I would love to know where the lucky rabbit foot thing came from, especially the crossed-eyed thing, lols. Great post. Thanks for sharing, Joan 🙂
Is that not crazy? Reading that gave me a laugh for sure. 🙂
Thanks for the heads up on the partial lunar eclipse this Friday, Joan. I hope to get a glimpse as I know I won’t be around for the next!
This is certainly a once in a lifetime chance, Jill.
I meant to tell you about the eclipse. Should have figured you’d have known. I hope I remember to look for it!
Great post, Joan.
I hope I don’t forget. With my luck, it will be cloudy.
Mine, too.
The night sky is remarkable in our area, and I’ve been watching the moon change. Now I have even more reasons to gaze into the heavens. Thank you, Joan, for this whole series — excellent! 😊
I’ll bet you have some amazing views of the moon, Gwen.
That rabbit’s foot superstition is bizarre! I didn’t know abut the partial lunar eclipse. Taking those dates (centuries) into account, that’s utterly amazing!
Is that rabbits foot story not crazy? And the lunar eclipse timeline is amazing!
Wow! What an informative post! I love all these moon facts and look forward to this long lunar eclipse! I agree with the masses about sleep deprivation on a full moon. That’s when I get out the Melatonin. 🙂 What a bizarre superstition about the rabbit’s foot.
Lots of people have trouble sleeping during a full moon. Fortunately, I’m not one of them. Unless my cat keeps me awake.
I can see the sign in the window. “Genuine cemetery cross-eyed dispatched rabbit feet.” Love the moon facts, Joan.
LOL. Love that scenario, John.
😁
I love your moon posts, Joan 🙂 I’m one who cantsleep during full moons. I feel their energy with the extra light, I guess. Werid about the rabbit’s foot. I never understood why it was lucky since yhe rabbit had to die for it…lol.
Good point. It’s certainly not lucky for the rabbit!
I love this mythology stuff! Bravo to writing a cool series. <3
Thank you, Colleen. I’ve certainly enjoyed writing this series.
I love mythology so this was fabulous. <3
Seriously weird about the rabbit’s foot – what are the odds of that happening? I’ve really enjoyed this series, Joan.
Is that not the craziest thing? I’ve enjoyed writing this series. Sort of hate to see it end.
I so enjoy this series. Like you, I hate to see it end. I hope we can see the eclipse. Our weather is not great and it’s almost always cloudy.
It’s clear here today. Keeping my fingers crossed that it stays that way tonight.
Hi Joan,
thanks a lot for the collection of all the superstitions concerning the full moon. Very much appreciated.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
I came accross some of them when writing my “Dictionary of Symbols”.
Glad you enjoyed the posts.
[…] is her informative and entertaining monthly blog posts about the Moon. If that interests you, click HERE to catch up on all of […]
[…] The Beaver Moon (November) […]