January 2025 Full Wolf Moon

The first full Moon of 2025, January’s Wolf Moon, rises on January 13 at 5:27PM EST.  There are differing opinions on the origins of this name. Some say it’s Native American in origin and others believe it has Celtic and Old English origins.  When early European settlers came to America gray wolves were widespread throughout the northern hemisphere.  The wolf’s ability to adapt to a wide range of habitats and prey animals allowed it to be a very successful apex predator.  Such an animal was bound to find its way into the stories told on cold winter nights. 

Folklore connecting wolves and the Moon has been around since ancient times.  As far back as the Neolithic Age we find wolves and the Moon together in images and later in literature. Wolves do not howl at the Moon.  But they do point their muzzles up toward the sky when they howl.  It’s all about acoustics – projecting their howl upwards carries the sound farther.  They howl more at night because they are nocturnal.  It’s this long history of connection that has evolved into today’s popular folklore belief that wolves howl at the Moon. However, there is no doubt that the howling of a lone wolf or pack of wolves in the dark of night could send a chill down the spine of anyone hearing it. 

Although Wolf Moon is the name traditionally given to the January full Moon there are others.  January has long cold nights and several names reflect this time in nature including the Arapaho name When Snow Blows Like Spirits in the Wind Moon and the Omaha name Moon When Snow Drifts Into Tipis.  Other names include the Sioux name The Time When Wolves Run Together, the Potawatomi name Bear Moon and the Haida name Bear Hunting Moon.

Put on a warm coat and enjoy the Wolf Moon of January.