January Wolf Moon

January Wolf Moon

Also known as: Hunger Moon, Bone Moon, Quiet Moon, Old Moon, Cold Moon, Ice Moon, Fog Moon, Full Snow Moon, Winter’s Moon, Little Famine Moon, Powamuya or Purification Moon
* Colors: Brilliant White, Blue-Violet, Black, Silver
* Scents: Musk, Mimosa
* Gemstones: Garnet, Onyx, Jet, Chrysoprase, Hematite
* Trees: Birch, Hazel
* Gods: Freyja, Inanna, Sarasvati, Hera, Ch'ang-O, Sinn, Janus, Fortuna, Baba-Yaga, Tsao-Wang, Tsai-Shen
* Herbs:, Marjoram, Holy Thistle, Snowdrop, Crocus, Nuts and Cones
* Foods: Nettles, Winter Squash, Pumpkins, Cabbage and Sauerkraut, Beans, Bread, Root Crops: Beets, Turnips, Potatoes, Carrots, Onions, Garlic
* Animals: Wolf, Fox, Coyote, Dog, Pheasant, Bluejay
* Element: Air

Now, we enter the month of January and a new calendar year. The name January comes from the Roman name for the month Janus, a God that had two faces looking in opposing directions; one looking toward the beginning and one looking toward the end. This is a perfect name and energy for this time of year and for this Moon. The January Full Moon comes at a strange, unformed time, when all is possible, yet only in its fetal stages. We have set our goals for the next year and we now need to begin working towards them with follow through and conviction.

Like Winter’s slow progression into Spring and the slow growth of daylight from the darkest night of the year January’s energy is sluggish and often just below the surface. You may wish that the continual the hub of activity, and social interactions that has occurred since October to continue; but try as you might the enthusiasm and energy just won’t be there. January is an introspective time to review the past year, to think of your accomplishments and failures, and the lessons that they teach. It is a time for forgive yourself and others and to clean and clear out our lives of anything that we are hanging onto. It is also a good time to clean and organize the house and home and to perform home blessings and protective spells. It is an excellent time to go through paperwork and files and to shred or delete any that are unwanted and unnecessary. January is also an excellent time to work on issues dealing with the self and family problems. It is a great time to get your health in order. Starting eating right, taking vitamins or supplements, or starting a cleanse or exercise program. It is also a good time to begin studying Herbalism, Reiki, Massage Therapy and other healing practices. January is a good time to relish in memories, to review one’s life, to contemplate and journal. It is also an excellent time to archive and back up important information. Do not fight the current of energy of the January Full Moon instead embrace it and spend some time in deep thought and mediation, write, remember, clean, and work towards what you would like to see in the coming year.

If the general energy of the month does not keep you inside, close to hearth and home and dealing with practical matters then the weather surely will. January is the month where we tend to feel the pure cruel, oppressive strength of Winter. By this Moon the glint and glamour of Winter may have begun to wear off and we may be looking to the frozen world with dread not wonder. Our yards, our gardens are covered in snow, snow that can fall in feet, not mere inches. The cold can be unbearable and can reach below zero. Even a slight wind can reach its icy finger round your heart and creep right into your very soul. If it is not snowing then it may be foggy or smoggy and air quality alone may keep you trapped inside. It is for this reason why this Moon is called the Snow Moon, the Fog Moon, and the Ice Moon to reflect the outside world.

The names Hunger Moon, and Bone Moon comes from the fact that at this dark and desolate time of the year food was very scarce, most of the vegetables and fruits that you had gathered in Autumn would have been mostly used up and now what you would be left with was dried meats, root crops and grains. Even game was scarce and the weather made hunting next to impossible. Because of this, the January Full Moon was called the Hunger Moon. There was a really good chance that if you had not planned ahead well, enough, if you had not conserved, or if your crops had not produced that you and your family would starve. It is at this time you may wish to deal with addictions and attitudes towards food and your relationship to it, it is also a time to ask yourself what indeed you really “hunger,” for. The Moon was called Bone Moon not only because the Earth around you appeared white and any vegetation around you became weather and Sun bleached but because people would often resort to eating stock made of boiled bones or eating bone marrow.

The name Wolf Moon comes from the fact that game was scarce and wolves and other predators would be forced by their hunger to move closer and closer to human populations. They may have stolen livestock or even attacked humans. Hearing them howl along with the relentless wind must have been rather frightening. Now is the time to think about the Wolf, Coyote, Fox and common canine and think upon their role in history, mythology and as a totem animal. Think about what lessons canines have taught man. Ted Andrews says that the lessons of Wolf are many, loyalty, family, communication, strength and confidence. Wolf can teach us how to properly govern and the balance between authority and democracy, how to establish order and harmony in your life and that true freedom requires discipline. Wolf’s have excellent senses, especially when it comes to their sense of smell and hearing, Wolf teaches us to become aware, to listen to the world around you and to your inner thoughts, words and intuition. It would be appropriate at this time to research the many myths about wolves, about wolves being the Gods companions, guardians and helpers, of Lup or Feronia the Great She Wolf of Early Rome and the foster Mother of Romulus and Remus; of fierce Fenrir a monstrous wolf that refused to be tethered and many others. At this time you may wish to support environmental organizations that protect and want to reintroduce the wolf back into the wild, or work with animal shelters and organizations. You may wish to spend some extra time and give extra attention and treats to the canines in your life. In the bustle of energy and in the coldness of Winter we may have neglected to spend as much time with them as we did on warmer days.

At this time of year you may be feeling the urge to become extra domestic and crafty, give into that urge and get down with your kitchen witch self! Spend some time cooking healthily filling and comforting foods, eat for your health and for luck. Some foods eaten at the beginning of the Year to bring forth a little extra luck are: noodles, pork, lentils, fish, green black eyed peas, pomegranate, citrus, grapes, and round cakes and bread, among others. Enjoy cooking and eating and make each meal a spell. At this time you may wish to try your hands at various crafts, soap and candle making and crafts dealing with yarn, and fabric are very appropriate, spinning, weaving, embroidery, crochet, knitting quilting and cord magick are appropriate and beneficial as the influence of the Fates and Norns can be seen at this time.

If the dark and cold has simply gotten you down an activity to bring your spirits up and to banish Spring and Cabin Fever is to look at seed catalogs and gardening books and to begin planning your future gardens. Or you can go into a nursery, the warmth, humidity and sight of millions of little seedlings and starts will remind yourself that there is still life in the darkness. Also, bringing potted plants home can help your revitalize your spirit. Forcing Crocus, Paperwhite or Narcissus bulbs can be a good way to welcome Spring ad bring color into this time of year. Another activity you may want is to begin looking into planning Summer trips and vacations, think about renting parks and campsites early as they usually start taking reservations around the first of the year and tend to fill up quickly. If there is a hot spring or a spa in your area, or if nothing else add some wonderfully scented salts to your bath, sit and relax in the warm water, feel the water warming an soothing your body, feel this water working its medicine, feel it cleanse and comfort you down to your very soul. Enjoy the contrast of the warm tub and the cold outside. Pamper yourself and simply enjoy.

This Wolf Moon do not fear the dark but embrace it, do not fear the cold and isolation of Winter but celebrate it. Hibernate, go within, meditate, learn, let go and enjoy the brief break before the activities of Spring and Summer.
Blessed Be!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Animal Speak Ted Andrews
Animal Magick DJ Conway
Grandmother Moon ZSuzsanna E. Budapest
Wheel of the Year Pauline Campanelli
Moon Magic DJ Conway
Everyday Moon Magic Dorothy Morrison
Full Moon Feast Jessica Prentice


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