JACKSON, Wyo. — The final full moon of 2023 will rise over Jackson tonight, marking the thirteenth full moon of the year.
The moon should reach peak illumination between 7 and 8 p.m. this evening, although it has appeared full and bright for the past two nights. December’s full moon is known colloquially as the “Cold Moon,” reflecting its position as the first full moon after the official beginning of winter.
Overnight temperatures are expected to fall into the single digits, making it a “Cold Moon,” indeed.
According to The Almanac, the Cree people have called December’s full moon the “Drift Clearing Moon,” “Exploding Trees Moon” and “Hoar Frost Moon,” all in reference to the cold and snow. Cherokee and Haida nations called December’s moon the “Snow Moon.” Western Abenaki called it the “Winter Maker Moon.” The Algonquin tribes named December’s full moon the “Wolf Moon” after the wolf packs roaming through the snow this time of year.
The Mohican name, the “Long Night Moon,” refers to the long nights surrounding the winter solstice and the fact that this full moon hangs above the horizon for longer than other full moons. Ancient pagans called December’s full moon the “Moon Before Yule” referring to the Yuletide festival celebrating the winter solstice.
Learn about the astrological significance of this full moon here.
