JACKSON, Wyo. — February’s full moon is known as the “snow moon” due to the heavy snowfall that occurs this time of year. At peak fullness on Saturday, Feb. 24, there was no snow to be seen, and the bright moon in the clear sky illuminated the valley for several nights in a row.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, February’s full moon has also been called the Bald Eagle Moon or Eagle Moon by the Cree. The Ojibwe called it the Bear Moon and the Tlingit called it the Black Bear Moon, both referring to the time when bear cubs are born. The Dakota also call this the Raccoon Moon, certain Algonquin peoples named it the Groundhog Moon and the Haida named it Goose Moon.
For believers of astrology, the Snow Moon rose in the sign of Virgo, thought to illuminate the “shadow side” of human emotion.
The moon will reach fullness again on Monday, March 25, also the date of an expected penumbral lunar eclipse, when the moon will pass through the edge of the shadow cast by Earth.
