Another month, another full moon!
This month’s moon is known by many names, but is most commonly referred to as the Beaver Moon.
It will reach its peak in the early morning hours on Monday, November 27th, but the view of the moon just after sunset on November 26th will be nearly as spectacular!
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the name symbolizes the beaver’s final preparations for winter—putting the finishing touches on their lodges after collecting a sufficient amount of food for the season.
During the fur trade in North America, this was also the time that hunters would trap beavers to sell their pelts.
Although the most common term is Beaver Moon, at its core, this moon is representative of animals getting ready to hibernate and a marker for the days to grow colder still, hence why it has a few other names too.
As described, it is also called the Digging (or Scratching) Moon, which is a Tlingit name, and evokes images of foraging animals and the digging of winter dens.
The Dakota and Lakota call it the Deer Rutting Moon—referring to the time when deer seek mates. The Algonquin Whitefish Moon describes the spawning time for this fish.
Cree and Assiniboine peoples had a slightly different approach to the name, focusing on the weather rather than animals, calling it the Frost Moon.
Similarly, the Anishinaabe peoples call it the Freezing Moon.
Grab yourself a bundle of blankets, warm clothing, and maybe a hot beverage and head away from the city lights for the best view!
According to the latest Vancouver Island forecast, skies are slated to be clear making it the perfect night to moon gaze.
If you’re in need of some viewing ideas, take a look at the article we wrote for the supermoon back in July—the Beaver Moon may not be a supermoon, but the spots are still excellent for moon watching.
