February Moon

Native Americans have long grown familiar with this moon.  Members of the Cherokee nation refer to this month’s full moon as the Bone Moon.  This was a consequence of depleted food stores and the necessity of cracking-open bones to access the marrow for survival food.  

Those of the Kalapuya nation referred to this as the Out of Food Moon.   For others it was the Little Famine Moon or the Hunger Moon.  For the Cherokee the association with hunger and starvation also included a brush with death.  And the people use this as an opportunity to communicate with dead ancestors during the Bone Moon.   

Indeed, these ancient native tribes named this moon after the way trees cracked in the cold, or how people had to huddle around a fire for warmth.  My own people – the ancient Celts – remember this as the Moon of Ice as it is associated with the coldest month of the year.  On a more upbeat note it is the Hopi tribe of the southwest who call this the Moon of Purification and Renewal. 

Photo - NASA.gov

 

This close association with the renewal that is marked by the arrival of spring is much more appealing to me than bones and death.   We have modern refrigeration, canning, grocers, central heat, wood stoves, Merlot and Netflix.   Starvation is rare.  And when I arise in the morning to take the dog out after breakfast I’m beginning to witness the return of the migratory songbirds. 

If you’ve scored a clear night tonight you will not want to miss this.  As February is the snowiest month of the year this is also known as a Snow Moon. 

Raising a toast to clear winter nights, a rising full moon and the coming return of spring.

Cheers!