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The Moon in Jewish Tradition

A Marvelous Night for a Moondance Have you ever wondered why the Jewish holidays seem to wander all over the calendar? By way of example – this year, Hanukkah coincided with Christmas, while in 2013 we’ll be lighting candles on the menorah the week after Thanksgiving. There’s a reason for this seemingly random placement of the major festivals. Most of the world follows the Gregorian solar calendar. The Jewish, or Hebrew, calendar,… Read More

Category: Amy Meltzer, Contributing Writer, Suggested Activity Tags: hebrew calendar, Jewish, Lunar Customs, Massachusetts, Moon Lore, New England, western massachusetts

The Lunar Year: Names of the Full Moon

Can a Full Moon Have More Than One Name? In many cultures a folklore name is associated with each full moon of the year. January’s full moon was called the Wolf Moon by some Native Americans, as noted in Penny Pollock’s book, When the Moon is Full: A Lunar Year. The Farmer’s Almanac describes January’s moon lore, “Amid the cold and deep snows of midwinter, the wolf packs howled hungrily outside Indian villages…. Read More

Category: Books, History, Moon Lore Series, Outdoor Activities, Reading Lists Tags: Full Moon, Mary Azarian, Moon, Moon Lore, Penny Pollock

Maple Sugar Moon & Sugar Shacking

Thirteen Moons on Turtle’s Back: A Native American Year of Moons By J. Bruchac & J. London Illustrated by Thomas Locker “In many Native American cultures each of the thirteen moons of the year is said to hold its own story, and each is powered by the turtle who is believed to contain the mystery of the moon in the shell of its back.” Legend has it that North America is the… Read More