Watch for January's Full Wolf Moon!
The first full Moon of 2024 occurs on the night of Thursday, January 25. Why do we call January’s Moon a “Wolf Moon”? (It’s not because wolves are hungry.) Find out what’s special about this month’s Moon—as well as folklore and best days by the Moon.
When to See January’s Full Moon
January’s full Wolf Moon reaches peak illumination on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 12:54 P.M. EST.
At a full Moon, the Moon is located on the opposite side of the Earth to the Sun, so the face of the Moon facing towards the Earth will be entirely illuminated by the Sun’s rays.
Look for the January Moon to rise from the eastern horizon around sunset that evening. By midnight, the Wolf Moon glows bright and round overhead. By sunrise, it will disappear into the western horizon.
Consult our Moonrise Calculator to see what time you can expect to catch a glimpse of the first full Moon of 2024!
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Look up at the full Moon on the 25th (or a day earlier or later)! What do you think?
The sunset embers smolder low,
The Moon climbs o’er the hill,
The peaks have caught the alpenglow,
The robin’s song is still.
–John L. Stoddard (1850–1931)
Why Is It Called the Full Wolf Moon?
The full Moon names used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac come from a number of places, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. Traditionally, each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred, not just to the full Moon itself.
The Wolf Moon
It’s thought that January’s full Moon came to be known as the Wolf Moon because wolves were more likely to be heard howling at this time. It was traditionally believed that wolves howled due to hunger during winter, but we know today that isn’t accurate.
Howling and other wolf vocalizations are heard in the wintertime to locate pack members, reinforce social bonds, define territory, and coordinate hunting.
Alternative January Moon Names
Another fitting name for this full Moon is the Center Moon. Used by the Assiniboine people of the Northern Great Plains, it refers to the idea that this Moon roughly marks the middle of the cold season.
Other traditional names for the January Moon emphasize the harsh coldness of the season: Cold Moon (Cree), Frost Exploding Moon (Cree), Freeze Up Moon (Algonquin), and Severe Moon (Dakota). Hard Moon (Dakota) highlights the phenomenon of the fallen snow developing a hard crust.
Canada Goose Moon (Tlingit), Great Moon (Cree), Greetings Moon (Western Abenaki), and Spirit Moon (Ojibwe) have also been recorded as Moon names for this month.
→ See all 12 months of Full Moon names and their meanings.
Moon Phases for January 2024
Below are the dates and times (in Eastern Time) of the Moon’s phases in January. See our Moon Phase Calendar for times in your city/state.
.png){kind=small} | Last Quarter: January 3, 10:30 P.M. |
.png){kind=small} | New Moon: January 11, 6:57 A.M. |
.png){kind=small} | First Quarter: January 17, 10:53 P.M. |
.png){kind=small} | Full Moon: January 25, 12:54 P.M. |
→ When is the next full Moon? See our Full Moon Dates chart.
January Full Wolf Moon Video
Each month, we will explain the traditional names of the full Moon along with some fascinating Moon facts. In this video, learn about January’s full Wolf Moon. Click below to watch the video.
Best Days in January 2024
For Planting…
…Aboveground crops: 14, 15, 23, 24
…Belowground crops: 5-7
For Setting Eggs
2, 3, 20, 21, 29, 30
For Fishing
11-25
→ See all our Best Days for various activities.
Moon Folklore
A bright first Moon promises rain and a bountiful harvest; a red-tinted Moon means a dry year.
A growing Moon and a flowing tide are lucky times to marry.
A halo around the Moon predicts wet or stormy weather.
Share your thoughts about this month’s full Moons below. Tell us if we’re missing anything that you would like to know!
Catherine Boeckmann
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Tonight I was blessed by the ripe Wolf Moon! At 1 am directly overhead the night sky was full of rolling grey rain clouds, small beams of light started pushing past the heavy clouds. The Wolf Moon opened fully to shine so brightly, the feelings of humility and passion flowed threw me. It was a gift to see the first full moon of 2024.
Great article, thank you!
Tonight around 1030pm as we topped a snow packed dirt road. We saw the moon like I have never seen it in 38 years of my life. My two boys and I were in awe. The color was so rich, It
It was not as dark as a candy apple red, but it was very close to it. I've never seen anything like it. Then within seconds it was gone and we did not see the moon again.
Would it make some difference astrologically with Sidereal rather than Tropical?
Good question! Here is my understanding: Yes, as far as the Best Days, which are based on astrology, the dates might differ if it were based on sidereal astrology rather than tropical, as the position of a sign currently differs between the two systems, with tropical currently being ahead of sidereal by about 24 or so degrees. In tropical, the names of the zodiac signs pertain to 30-degree segments along the ecliptic that were named for constellations present in those positions hundreds of years ago. In sidereal astrology, the signs relate to the actual positions of the constellations, which have shifted because of the slow wobble of Earth’s axis (precession) changing our perspective. The dates of the tropical signs basically do not change over the years, whereas those of sidereal signs will change over time. Therefore “Taurus,” for example, might occur on different days, depending on which system is used.
I am close to Columbus, Ohio and I have Never been able to see a moon this bright ! Wonderful !
Astrologically speaking, the wolf Full moon would be in the sign of Cancer ♋️ this time around.
Would you be able to tell me that you are completely positive the month it's a cancer 🦀♋ moon this time around.
With Sideral it is Gemini The Twins.
