February brings with it three things that are synonymous with the month: snow, Valentine’s Day, and the Snow Moon.
If you love the moon and all things lunar or are interested in cultural interpretations of this full moon, you will love this article. We will investigate the folklore and myths that surround the full moon in February and how our forefathers felt about it. For this event that will take place at night, prepare your binoculars and telescopes. On Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 7:31 a.m. ET or 1:31 p.m. CET, we will have the Snow Moon, the full moon of February. Let’s find out where it came from and what it means.
Origin of the Snow Moon
Why the Snow Moon was named is a mystery to which no single explanation has been proposed. The most probable explanation is that February is a particularly snowy month in the Northern Hemisphere. The name “Snow Moon” wasn’t always universally recognized. The winter full moon is known by different names among Native American cultures. The Cherokee called it the “Hungry Moon” and the “Bony Moon” because hunting was challenging all month long in the cold.
For a long time, people assumed that the Native Americans gave names to the full moons of each month because they had no other way of telling the passage of time. Probably not. The Native Americans were much more knowledgeable than anyone gave them credit for, and that included time. One possible explanation for why January’s full moon is called the “Wolf Moon” is that at one point a tribe heard a great howl of wolves.
The “Storm Moon” was the name given to the moon by northwesterly tribes because of the frequent and severe snowstorms it brought to that area. As the full moon coincides with the birth of bear cubs, it has been called the “Bear Moon” by other indigenous communities. It is called the “Storm Moon” or the “Ice Moon” in Old English and Celtic literature.
February experiences an anomaly known as the “Black Moon” once every nineteen years in lieu of a full moon. Not everyone will be able to see the moon’s absence because of different time zones.
Lunar Traditions & Beliefs
Various communities and cultures around the world attribute different meanings to the Snow Moon. According to astronomers, the Snow Moon represents The Snow Moon has arrived in Leo this year. Fire, imagination, and a generous spirit are hallmarks of the Leo personality. A lot of people will feel a strong need to express themselves creatively, whether that’s through writing, singing, or dancing. For some, it may seem like their supply is diminishing. Until then, we must wait patiently and empty the old “pantry” in order to make room for what is to come.
The Native American belief that the Snow Moon is a time of great hunger and depletion before replenishment is closely related to this. At this time of year, we should welcome the darkness and solitude of winter with open arms, knowing that the days will get longer and that our lives will get busy again, replenishing the resources that were once depleted. On a mental level, it means savoring the calm before the storm as we get ready for what’s to come.
Celebration & Rituals
Pagans commemorate Imbolc, which happens on February 1, during the Snow Moon. Between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, we reach the midway point at Imbolc. Optimism and rebirth reign during this period. To help you let go of the past, try lighting some candles and soaking in the tub. This paves the way for a fresh start for you this year. Whatever it is that you wish to bring into existence, the color of the candles should reflect that. To make the bath even more relaxing, add a few drops of lavender.
Sage or Palo Santo is an excellent choice for smudging your house. Spend some time in each room and thoroughly inspect all of its surfaces. To let any negative energy out before you start, open a window in every room. Smudging your crystals is another way to welcome the new chapter while also clearing them of any residual harmful energy. Gather the crystals that will help you concentrate on your goals for the next half of the year. Get this done before you jump in the tub for a relaxing soak.
Worldwide Rituals & Ceremonies
By performing specific rituals, Native Americans were able to drive evil spirits away. Because of the high mortality rate in winter, some indigenous communities attribute a disproportionate number of souls to the Snow Moon. The dead needed to be acknowledged or else they would keep popping up in people’s lives. Since the Snow Moon is the final full moon of winter, they conducted rituals involving dancing and other forms of dance to drive the spirits from the land of the dead and make way for spring.
The arrival of the Snow Moon marks the start of planting season in Europe. After the long, cold winter was over, the ancient Persians would light bonfires to mark the beginning of spring and the return of life to the land. During the Snow Moon, the Celts believed that the barrier between the living and the dead was at its thinnest, so they would perform rituals to cleanse themselves of their sins. The ancient Romans honored the goddess Februa, who represents chastity and mortality, during this period with rituals.
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