Wolf Moon on Southampton Common at 7.15am, yesterday early morning, Friday 26 January 2024. Photo by HRA HonSec Barbara Claridge

Howling Wolves in January

January’s full moon is known as the Wolf Moon, after active wolves during the early parts of the year.

The name is thought to have a Celtic and Old English origin, brought over to North America by European settlers. Other Celtic names for the Full Moon include Stay Home Moon and Quiet Moon, while in some native American cultures, it is called Severe Moon or Center Moon.

In Anglo Saxon culture, January’s full moon was also called the Moon after Yule. Pre-Christian Yule (or Juul) is the ancient winter soltice festival usually celebrated around December 21.