Did you know that each full moon of the month has a Native American nickname? Early Americans didn't record time by using the months of the Julian or Gregorian calendar. Many tribes kept track of time by observing the seasons and lunar months.

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, some tribes defined a year as 12 Moons, while others assigned it 13. Certain tribes that used the lunar calendar added an extra Moon every few years, to keep it in sync with the seasons and each moon was given a "Native-American" nickname.

The next full moon, known as "The Flower Moon", will be Saturday, May 21st. Here's a list of each full moon names and what they mean.

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Ingram Publishing
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January - Full Wolf Moon: This full Moon appeared when wolves howled in hunger outside the villages.

 

 

 

February - Full Snow Moon: The heaviest snows usually fall in February. Hunting becomes very difficult, and because of this some Native American tribes also call this the Hunger Moon.

Earthworm on wood, macro photo
Henrik Larsson
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March - Full Worm Moon: With this spring Moon, the ground begins to soften and earthworm reappear, inviting the return of robins.

 

 

 

April - Full Pink Moon: This full Moon occurred during the appearance of the moss pink, or wild ground phlox—one of the first spring flowers.

hummingbird and flower
webguzs
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May - Full Flower Moon: Flowers spring forth in abundance this month. This moon also has several other nicknames. For more information click HERE.

 

 

June - Full Strawberry Moon: The Algonquin tribes knew this Moon as a time to gather ripening strawberries.

Whitetail Deer
SteveOehlenschlager
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July - Full Buck Moon: Contrary to what Bucky Doren from K-98.5's BnB Morning Show thinks, this full moon represents a time when bucks begin to grow new antlers. It's not a time for him to show off HIS "Big Ol' Moon". (eye roll)

 

August - Full Sturgeon Moon: Some Native American tribes knew that the sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most easily caught.

Sisters and a Corn Maze
Rich Koele
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September - Full Corn Moon: This full Moon corresponds with the time of harvesting corn. This is also when we are nearest the autumnal equinox, which can occur in September or October and it is bright enough to allow finishing all the harvest chores.

 

October - Full Hunter's Moon: This is the month when the leaves are falling and the game is fattened. Now is the time for hunting and storing up provisions for the long winter ahead.

North American Beaver
Anna39
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November - Full Beaver Moon: For both the colonists and the Algonquin tribes, this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs.

 

 

December - Full Cold Moon: This is the month when the winter cold fastens its grip and the nights become long and dark.

Fall Harvest Pumpkin Patch with ripe Pumpkins
AllenSphoto
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**The Harvest Moon: The Harvest Moon is the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox. It can occur in either September or October. For more information click HERE.

 

 

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