Snow Moon —by Míchealín Daugherty (Also known as the, Bony Moon, Chaste Moon, Hunger Moon, Mountain Ash Moon, Opening Buds Moon, Rowan Moon, Storm Moon) The February Moon is named for snow because snow usually falls more during this month than other months. This was especially true for northern Native American tribes from whom the title is derived. Some tribes also referred to this Moon as the Full Hunger Moon because harsh weather conditions meant less food and difficult hunting. Southern tribes called it the Opening Buds Moon because it is during this moon that buds begin to open. For the Celts, this is the Rowan, or Mountain Ash, Moon. Rowan sprigs collected during this moon are used for divination. Rowan is associated with the festival for Imbolc. It is a member of the apple family, and if you cut across the berries horizontally, a tiny, pentagram-shaped seed container will be revealed, much like a wee version of the one found inside an apple. Rowan�s qualities are protection, magic, intuition and as a guard of the sacred gateways into the Otherworld. Because this moon is most often associated with snow, we look upon it as a time for new beginnings, a time for renewal, youth, mending a broken heart or making way for a new love as the signs of winter begin to fade. This moon brings us the opportunity to toss out that which is old and useless both metaphorically and physically. Metaphorically, it�s time to let go of emotions or of people that bring stress and negativity to your life. Physically, this is a time for cleaning and discarding to make way for the spring (�Spring Cleaning� most likely derived from this tradition). If you are a pack rat, clean your closets and donate items and clothing. Your charity may give another a chance to make a new beginning. Or maybe it�s your body that needs cleaning. This is a good time to start a healthy diet or to lose weight. Snow symbolises the power of purity, innocence and joy as well. It speaks to the child within us � a reminder of a time when life was simple, a time when everything imaginable seemed possible. Beneath the light of this moon, we find solutions to messy situations and we receive confidence to embark on new adventures or bring dreams to reality. Barriers flex and give way, and our personal goals are suddenly attainable. Turn a new page in life�s book, and start a new chapter. Wear white and decorate altars with white flowers, such as narcissus; white or yellow candles; and burn sage or frankincense. Write down all that you wish to banish from your life. Say something like: Water
take these as your guests Toss them in the toilet to be flushed away. Or, spend some time alone outside, or at least near a window where you can see the moon and say something like: Purest
Moon of wondrous light This year the Snow Moon falls during the astrological sign Leo. A full moon in Leo is ideal for male virility and fertility spells. It also fosters confidence, courage, strength and leadership abilities, so if you feel lacking in any of these areas, then this is the optimum time to work on increasing them. Full moon in Leo is also a good time for money spells. *Note: The majority of sources, however, attribute the Full Snow Moon to February; a few attribute it to January; and one source attributed it to the November Moon. Sources:
See also: Page last updated 3 Feb 2008 Website Design and Myths & Magic logo by Míchealín Daugherty Copyright © 2008 Ireland's OWN All Rights Reserved.
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