November Full Moon

The November Full Moon is known as the Beaver Moon since beavers typically build their winter homes during this time of the year. Depending on the winter solstice, the November Full Moon is also known as the Frost Moon or Mourning Moon.

The ancients typically named the Full Moons based on what they observed, or what they would do in the respected period of time. Since beavers are nocturnal creatures during the November Full Moon, they would use the Moon’s light to build their homes.

So let us dwell into November’s Full Moon and see what it represents, and how it came to be named. Read on, and enjoy!

How Did November’s Full Moon Get its Name

Beavers build winter dams to prepare for the cold season during November. They use wood and mud, and in the middle they create a dome-shaped home called lodges. These homes have underwater entrances.

Truly a wonder to behold, the ancients observed how these little creatures worked tirelessly, even through the night. Thus the Full Moon in November became known as the Beaver Moon.

Other Names for the November Full Moon

The Full Moon in Novembers bears many names apart from the Beaver Moon name. It is also known as the Frost Moon, Trading Moon, Snow Moon (this is also the most common name for February’s Full Moon), Oak Moon, Mourning Moon, Dark Moon, Turkey Moon, Frosty Moon, Deer Rutting Moon, Digging/Scratching Moon, Freezing Moon, or Whitefish Moon among many others.

 

In the southern hemisphere, the November Full Moon is known as the Corn Moon, Milk Moon, Flower Moon, or Hare Moon, among other names.

November Full Moon Festivals

There are some festivals associated with the November Full Moon. For example, the Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs celebrate it as the Kartik Purnima.

In Laos, the November Full Moon sometimes corresponds with the Boun That Luang Festival, a three-day celebration of the oldest and most esteemed Buddhist temple in Laos, known as Pha That Luang. It is located in Vientiane.

In Sri Lanka, this Full Moon is the III or II Poya, which is a festival commemorating Buddha’s ordination of the sixty disciples as the first Buddhist missionaries.

What Date is the November Full Moon in 2020?

The Beaver Moon in 2020 will occur on November 30 at around 4:30 am / 04:30. It won’t be a Supermoon, but it is a great time to spy on the beavers.

What Date is the November Full Moon in 2021?

The November Full Moon in 2021 will occur on November 19, and it will begin at 11:59 am. This Moon is more appropriately named the Beaver Moon since it won’t be so cold then, and these little creatures will work throughout the night.

What Does the November Full Moon Symbolize?

Many animals prepare for winter during this month, especially the beaver. Since holidays are near, perhaps the November Full Moon symbolizes the time to prepare our homes for guests and loved ones.

This might seem like our last chance to rejoice before the real cold kicks in. It symbolizes patience, completion, peace, and satisfaction.

Winter brings with it some hard times, and thus it is essential to have our quarrels settled before it comes. We must be near one another when needed.

What is the Spiritual Meaning of the November Full Moon?

The spiritual meaning of the November Full Moon is related to completion and fulfillment. It is time to treat ourselves since all the hard work has already been done.

We must embrace nostalgia during this period, learn from past mistakes, and find peace within ourselves since a new year is approaching, and the last hard work of the current year is almost over.

What is the Moon Schedule for 2020?

In 2020 we will have 13 Full Moons, and some of them are Supermoons. Here is the list of when they will occur:

  • January 10 – 2:21 pm / 14:21 Wolf Moon Lunar Eclipse
  • February 9 – 2:33 am / 02:33 Full Snow Moon
  • March 9 – 1:48 pm / 13:48 Super Worm Moon
  • April 7 – 10:35 pm / 22:35 Super Pink Moon
  • May 7 – 6:45 am / 06:45 Flower Supermoon
  • June 5 – 3:12 pm / 15:12 Full Strawberry Moon
  • July 5 – 12:44 am / 12:44, Full Buck Moon
  • August 3 – 11:59 am / 11:59 Full Sturgeon Moon
  • September 2 – 1:22 am / 01:22 Full Corn Moon
  • October 1 – 5:05 pm / 17:05 Full Harvest Moon
  • October 31 – 9:49 am / 09:49 Full Hunter’s Moon
  • November 30 – 4:30 am / 04:30 Full Beaver Moon
  • December 29 – 10:28 pm / 22:28 Full Cold Moon

What is the Moon Schedule for 2021?

In 2021 we will have only 12 Full Moons, and here is when they will occur:

  • January 28 – Full Wolf Moon
  • February 27 – Full Snow moon
  • March 28 – Full worm moon
  • April 27 – Full Pink Moon
  • May 26 – Full Flower Moon
  • June 24 – Full Strawberry Moon
  • July 24 – Full Buck Moon
  • August 22 – Full Sturgeon Moon
  • September 21 – Full Corn moon
  • October 20 – Full Hunter’s Moon
  • November 19 – Full Beaver Moon
  • December 19 – Full Cold Moon

Did you know?

  • The Great Flood is speculated to have happened during a November month.
  • The majority of Muslims celebrate the birthday of their prophet, Muhammad, during this month. 
  • Around 60 million beavers used to roam in North America. However, since people began to hunt them for fur and their glands for medicine, and for other reasons, the beaver population sadly declined. Current estimations show that the beaver population has been reduced to around 12 million.
  • In some years, the Full Moon in November is known as the Mourning Moon, while December’s Full Moon takes this name in others.
  • The Oak Moon is also a name shared by both November’s and December’s Full Moons. 
  • The ancient Algonquin tribes of America were among the first who named November’s Moon as the Beaver Moon.

Sources:

  1. Space
  2. Almanac
  3. Timeanddate
  4. Moongiant
  5. Farmersalmanac
  6. NASA

Image Sources: