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If you have missed the first full moon of the year, the so-called “Wolf Moon”, don’t worry. Next Saturday, February 25, the second full moon will arrive, the so-called “Snow Moon”, which will illuminate our skies.
The curious name “Snow Moon” has its roots in winter wonders. At this time of year, many places in the world are covered in a white blanket of snow. The particularity of snow is its ability to reflect lunar light, giving the full moon an intense luminosity and a noticeably enlarged appearance.
This is not the only name that this magical full moon receives. Different cultures and traditions have given it names that capture the essence of February in their own perspectives. Some of these designations include the “Storm Moon”, the “Ice Moon”, the “Hunter’s Moon” and the “Healing Moon”. Each name resonates with the specific experiences and mythologies of the communities that have coined them.
In folklore, these full moons are not only astronomical events, but bearers of symbolic meanings. The “Storm Moon” can evoke the force of nature, while the “Hunter’s Moon” is linked to traditional hunting in some cultures. The diversity of names reflects the richness of our cultural connections with the cosmos.
Beyond its names, the full moon is a phenomenon that transcends borders and connects humanity. Its magical light invites contemplation and feeds our imagination. On full moon nights, the border between the mundane and the mysterious seems to blur, reminding us of the wonder and greatness of the universe.
So whether you call it the “Snow Moon,” the “Storm Moon,” or any other name, don’t miss this celestial spectacle. Get outdoors, look up and let yourself be enveloped by the silver light of the moon, because each full moon has its own story to tell and February offers us the enchanting narrative of the “Snow Moon”. Don’t miss it!
This series of photographs for Las Fotos de los Lectores de La Vanguardia show the sunrise of the full moon of the wolf over the Serralada de Marina in Sant Fost de Campsentelles, in Vallès Oriental.
