Amid the cold and deep snows of midwinter, the January full moon, also known as the “wolf moon” shines bright. This celestial event is a time for reflection, spiritual connection, and embracing nature's rhythms. In various cultures, it is believed to be a period of heightened energy and a time for setting intentions for the year ahead. Connecting with the wolf moon offers an opportunity to tap into the primal and instinctual aspects of our being, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world. In this article, we will explore the spiritual significance of the January full wolf moon and the ways in which it invites us to connect with nature and our inner selves.
January Full Wolf Moon
Full Moon names have their roots in the traditions of North American Native American tribes (Farmers Almanac 2024). The January full moon, also known as the "wolf moon," holds significant spiritual and cultural importance. In Native American and early colonial cultures, the name "Wolf Moon" originated from the increased vocalization of wolves during winter. Their crying song and howls symbolizing hunger and the scarcity of food.
The Farmer’s Almanac states: “Amid the cold and deep snows of midwinter, the wolf packs howled hungrily outside Indian villages. Thus, the name for January’s full Moon. Sometimes it was also referred to as the Old Moon, or the Moon After Yule. Some called it the Full Snow Moon, but most tribes applied that name to the next Moon.”
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The Full Moon: the power of the moon
The belief in the influence of the full moon has persisted throughout history, although modern thought on its correlation with human behavior is divided (Iosif, 2005). As recently as 1995, it was reported that as many as 81% of mental health professionals believed that the full moon alters individual behavior (Vance) and a study by Rotton and Kelly (1985) showed that 50% of university students believed that people act strangely during a full moon; however, Campbell and Beets (1978) found no relation between the full moon and human behavior.
The Spiritual Significance of the Moon
The moon holds significant spiritual importance across cultures and history. It is often associated with transformation, change, growth, and sensitivity, and is sometimes viewed as a feminine symbol representing the cyclic nature of life. Moon worship, adoration, or veneration has been a widespread phenomenon, appearing in various eras and cultures, and has engendered rich symbolism and mythology. The moon has been interpreted as a god, a planet, a timekeeper, and a calendar, and different cultures have their own historical, cultural, and religious relationships with the moon. Additionally, throughout history, the moon has inspired artists and has been a subject of various mythologies and religious beliefs, reflecting its enduring spiritual significance.
Connect with the January Full Wolf Moon
The January full wolf moon is associated with the strength and perseverance of wolves, symbolizing intuition, loyalty, and a strong connection to one's "pack. The Wolf Moon is also viewed as a positive symbol of hope and renewal, representing the light that persists even in the bitter cold darkness of Midwinter.
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Channel the spiritual significance of this event to deepen your connections to nature and yourself. Some practices to channel the energy of the January Full Wolf Moon include:
Wolf Moon Meditation: Take time to be quiet and listen to your inner thoughts and instincts, akin to the truths your inner wolf may be telling you.
Explore the concept of loyalty in your life. What does it mean to be loyal to yourself and others? Who is in your "pack"? How do they support you, and how do you support them? Who are you loyal to in your pack? Who is loyal to you within the pack?
Howling at the Moon: Embrace the opportunity to turn your face upward and howl at the beautiful January Full Wolf Moon, symbolically connecting with the untamed spirit and energy it represents.
Moonbathing: place yourself under the moon, either seated or lying down and absorb the energy under the moonlight. Moonbathing is an ancient wellness practice believed to have a calming and soothing effect on the nervous system, potentially helping to reduce stress and anxiety
Connecting with Nature: Take a moonlit walk in the woods or any natural setting, and try to tap into your primal senses by listening to the sounds of nature and feeling the environment around you. Can you notice your shadow from the light of the moon?Connect with the untamed essence of your inner spirit, in line with the symbolism of the Full Wolf Moon.
Moon Salutations: If you're a yogi, consider performing moon salutations to honor the moon. A powerful practice under the light of the full moon.
By engaging in these practices, you can honor the spiritual significance of the January full wolf moon and deepen your connection with nature and your own inner wisdom.
January Full Wolf Moon: Connecting with Nature
Connecting with nature offers a wide range of benefits for mental, physical, and spiritual health making it a valuable aspect of overall well-being. Attending to the moon cycles is one way to connect with nature.
Scientific benefits of nature connection:
reduced stress and feelings of anger & anxiety (Park, 2010)
Reduced feelings of isolation, promotes calm & lifts mood (Pieters, 2018)
Improved mental function (Won, 2011)
lower levels of rumination (meaning less worrying!) & decreased activity (Bratman, 2015)
Increase parasympathetic nervous system activity (meaning your rest and digest functions run better allowing you to calm down) (Lee, 2011)
Increased immune system functioning (Li, 2009, 2011)
Enhances expression of anti- cancer proteins (Li, 2006, 2007)
Decrease blood glucose levels (Ohtsuka, 1998)
Higher incidence of positive emotions (Park, 2011)
Reduction in blood pressure (Mao, 2012)
relaxing effects even with just short-term viewing of forests (Tsunetsugu, 2013)
Reduced symptoms of ADHD (Kuo, 2004)
Improved self esteem (Barton, 2010)
Promotes connection and interaction through peer support (Jimenez, 2021).
And more!
What is SEELEDU and what can SEELEDU do for you?
SEELEDU explores the journey of being human and nurtures nature connections for health and well-being. SEELEDU is based in science and grounded in nature. Practicing in ecopsychology combining traditional healing, ancient wisdom and recognizing the mutual compassion and nurturing ability between nature and humans, SEELEDU offers live and online programming, development and learning for holistic, whole-body well-being.
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