AARP Eye Center
The first full moon of 2024 is upon us - rising. The time is nigh for howling โ and healing. It's the longest moon phase of the year!
In the zodiac sign of Leo, known as the 'Wolf Moon,' this lunar event gets its name from Native American tribes who said wolves would howl outside villages during the cold winter month.
After the new year begins, the skies will start to brighten as the days gradually lengthen. By the time the Wolf Moon rises, youโll have an extra half hour of daylight compared to early January. The increasing illumination means youโll have more opportunities to spot the moon rising in the east around sunset.
When the Wolf Moon becomes completely illuminated, it will shine brightly all through the night, casting shadows on the ground below. Gaze up at the glowing orb to appreciate its pearly radiance and striking craters. The sight is a peaceful respite during a month when temperatures are often at their lowest.
When will the Wolf Moon Appear?
[source: The Washington Post]
On Thursday night, the full moon will kick off the longest moon phase of the year. The moon will take 8 days, 5 hours and 24 minutes to transition from a full moon to the third quarter on Feb. 2, according to timeanddate.com. Typically, the moon takes about 7.4 days to transition from one phase to another.
The longer phase is due to the moonโs elliptical orbit around Earth, which means the moon is always traveling at slightly different distances from Earth and slightly different speeds (traveling slower when it is farther away). The shortest moon phase this year will occur in August, when the moon will swap from full to third quarter in 6 days and 15 hours.
Why is it called a Wolf Moon?
[source: The Washington Post]
Januaryโs full moon is commonly referred to as the 'Wolf Moon,' probably derived from the idea that wolves tend to howl more in the winter. Howling is four times more common in February than in May, according to the National Park Service. Wolves arenโt howling at the moon but are communicating with comrades. They typically breed from January to March in the northern United States, but are quieter in the spring so they donโt attract predators while they raise their pups.
The moon is also known as the ice moon, the moon after Yule and the old moon. The next full moon will be on Feb. 24 (2024), called the 'Snow Moon' because of the monthโs typically cold and snowy weather.
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Look up to the sky. The full 'Wolf Moon' beckons your undivided attention. Embrace it. Howling is optional, of course.
๐บ๐ ๐ถ Type O Negative - Wolf Moon ๐บ๐
3 ACCEPTED SOLUTIONS
Thought this was funny...
Hi Kelly @KellytheBelly
Your topic 'Wolf Moon'
reminded me of
Lon Chaney Jr. in the1941 Movie The Wolf Man
"Even a man who is pure in heart
and says his prayers by night /
can become a wolf when the wolfsbane blooms and the moon is full and bright "
Take care! โฎ๏ธ ๐ ~Allen ๐ ๐จ
Howlin'.
Hey Jason! @Jason2020LovesKelly)
[ฬฒฬ $ฬฒฬ (ฬฒฬ 5ฬฒฬ )ฬฒฬ $ฬฒฬ ] (โเฑช โ)
Your Howling Wolf
....reminded me of another:
Howlin' Wolf
Take care! โฎ๏ธ ๐~Allen ๐ ๐จ
