Moonlight And Beavers

Beavers build their winter dams in November in preparation for the cold season and so this is why the November full moon is often called the Beaver Moon, which in 2024 will rise on Friday 15 November.

Because beavers are mainly nocturnal they would keep busy building their dams under the light of the full moon.

Another reason for the name of Beaver Moon is that the Native American tribes used to set their traps at this time of year so that they would have plenty of fur to keep them warm in the winter months.

The November full moon is also known as the Frost Moon as during this month the weather normally starts to turn chilly and frosts are common at this time of year.

Tips for seeing a full moon

Moons rise in the east and set in the west
If viewing from inside your house it is best to turn off lights so as to view the night sky
If outside it is best to go somewhere high so you can see the moon rise above the horizon
Viewing outside is the best and away from street lights and light pollution

Why a full moon?

A full moon occurs when the moon's earth-facing side is completely illuminated by the sun. Scientists say that when you see the moon looking really large as it rises in the sky your brain is actually playing a trick on you.

There are many reasons as to why this is, but the main theory is that when the moon is low on the horizon it can be compared to earthly things, like buildings and trees, and this is why it seems huge.

Phases of the moon - Image by Syaibatul Hamdi from Pixabay

Full moons in 2024

Wolf Moon - 25 January
Snow Moon - 24 February
Pink Moon - 23 April
Flower Moon - 23 May
Strawberry Moon - 22 June
Buck Moon - 21 July
Sturgeon Moon - 19 August (Blue Moon and Supermoon)
Harvest Moon - 18 September (Supermoon)
Hunter's Moon - 17 October (Supermoon)
Beaver Moon - 15 November
Cold Moon - 15 December

Why different names for the full moons

Every month of the year there is a full moon which illuminates the sky, each of which is given a different name.

There are a total of 12 full moon phases during the annual lunar cycle plus the occasional Blue Moon and each full moon has a unique name, which are tied to the changing seasons, behaviour of the plants, animals, or weather during that month and reflects the landscape around us.

The names given to the full moons during the year are derived from the North American tribes who centuries ago kept track of the changing seasons by giving the full moons distinctive names depending on the time of year.

However the full moon names we now use also have Anglo-Saxon and Germanic roots.

Moon facts and folklore

The moon's diameter is 2,160 miles
The sun and moon are not the same size
The moon is a lot smaller than the sun
The moon's surface is dark
The moon has quakes
There is water on the moon
The moon has a very thin atmosphere
A person would weigh less on the moon
The dark side of the moon is a myth
We only see the near side of the moon, the other side is the far side
Earth's moon is the only place beyond earth where humans have set foot. 12 people have been on the moon.

Can a full moon affect your sleep?

Because the moon affects the tides, it is often said that full moons can also affect us. Issues with our immune system can be caused by lack of sleep or disturbed sleep.

Some people find falling asleep harder during a full moon along with less time spent in a deep sleep. This lack of sleep can sometimes cause people to have worse headaches often called 'moon migraines'.

Let’s hope that the sky stays clear for us so that we can see the Beaver Moon, but do not despair as the full moon will be visible in the night sky for a few days around this time.

The next full moon, the last of 2024, will rise on Sunday 15 December and is called the Cold Moon.