Since ancient times, people have tracked the movement and cycles of the full moon to live in harmony with the land.
European communities, Native American tribes and other cultures across the world have tracked the changing seasons and their impact on planting, hunting and harvesting activities. Whilst there are local variations, many of the moon names known by ancient cultures across the Northern Hemisphere have similar meanings and all mark the passing seasons.
English almanacs of the 17th - 19th Century have recorded the following popular moon names of the British Isles:
Old English Moon Names Calendar - collection available to shop online
Hay Moon- This moon marks the time of gathering, from hay in the fields to herbs for the winter months ahead. Male deer regrow their antlers, and thunderstorms are frequent.
Grain Moon- The first of the grain crops are now ready to harvest, and thoughts turn to the first preparations for the coming winter. This full moon can often appear red in the summer haze.
Fruit Moon- This moon marks the beginning of harvesting corn and the threshing of ripened barley. Many fruits are now almost ready to gather, and soon seeds will be ready to collect and store.
Harvest Moon- The harvest moon helped farmers gather their crops. As the sun’s light faded in the west, the moon would quickly rise in the east to illuminate the fields on clear nights.
Hunter’s Moon- This moon marks the time when animals were fattened and moonlit night hunting helps to prepare for the coming winter. Preserving meats, grains and seeds is well underway.
Moon Before Yule- Heralding in the cold winter season, Winter Solstice and Yule celebration, this moon rides above the horizon longer than at other times of the year. Cold and hardship return, and the wheel turns once again.
Moon After Yule- The moon following the ancient celebration of Yule and the Winter Solstice. Nights are slowly beginning to get shorter, winter is deepening but the rebirth of the sun is slowly underway.
Wolf Moon- A time of cold, hunger and the scarcity of food during Midwinter. Wolf packs prowled hungrily around villages blanketed in deep snow.
Lenten Moon- The moon that marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Whilst food and resources would still be scarce, this moon held the promise that the rebirth of the land was almost upon them.
Egg Moon- After a long and barren winter, life finally returns to the land. This moon shines above the renewal of nature - birds begin to lay their eggs, fish become more plentiful, and animals are breeding.
Milk Moon- This moon marks the beginning of abundance. Nature has returned to full bloom and cows are now being milked several times a day. Life is much easier, and food is becoming plentiful.
Flower Moon- The beginning of summer heat and a myriad colours now brighten the landscape. Wildflowers and fruit are bountiful, with strawberries ripening ready to harvest.
Old English Moon Names Calendar Collection - buy online