Moon, especially a full one, always had a special place in ethnic cultures. People referred to lunar cycles to mark the passage of time — one can say, they used it as a celestial clock hand to mark cyclic events, like the beginning of a harvest or hunting season.
And while some rites and traditions have passed into history, many old names survive to this day. In this post, we will tell you about the November phase, also called the Beaver Moon, explaining its cultural meaning and spiritual significance.
Beaver Moon Meaning in Ethnic Cultures
The name comes from a Native American tribe, Algonquin, ‘responsible’ for the many lunar names we use to this day. For them, November marked the time to set beaver traps since these animals were a precious source of fur for the winter. As European settlers arrived in America, they adopted the same name, which we use even now. And even though modern-day beavers have no reason to fear for their fur, this lunar phase will be something special, and below, you can find out why.
Beaver Moon 2024: Why it’s Special
In 2024, Beaver Moon enters its first stage on November 1 and ripens to the full phase on November 15, when it will be easiest to observe because it will also be a supermoon — the fourth in a row this year! A supermoon is a phase when our satellite is closest to Earth, so when the lunar disc rises, our celestial neighbour appears super huge in the night sky. But even that’s not all.
So, what is special about the beaver moon? In 2024, it coincides with a partial lunar eclipse — part of our satellite will be blocked by the Earth’s shadow, creating a dark spot on its surface. This will surely add another layer of mysticism to this year’s plenilune. And while a partial eclipse is not as impressive as a full one, often associated with a blood moon, it’s still an intriguing sight.
On this note, what is it called a blood moon? And why is this phenomenon associated with the eclipse? The thing is, when the lunar disc is fully blocked by our planet’s shadow, the Earth’s atmosphere scatters most light waves, allowing only the red shades to pass. So, our lunar neighbour acquires an alarming red shade.
Blood Mood Disambiguation
If our satellite only turns red during a total eclipse, and 2024 is only a partial one, why is it called a beaver blood moon? Will the partial lunar eclipse also give our satellite the red hue? No. Still, the ‘blood’ term is often mistakenly used for any lunar eclipse, partial or not. As space news resource explains, the next blood moon will occur on March 14, 2025 — and, in ethnic tradition, this phase will be under the Worm’s patronage.
The last total eclipse in November occurred relatively recently, in 2022, which may also explain some confusion in the terms. The next time a November full moon coincides with the total lunar eclipse will be in 2170, so we won’t have a chance to witness that. But blood shade our not, Beaver Moon’s spiritual meaning in ethnic tradition is still attention-worthy — and it’s worth noting even if you do not believe in omens or astrology. So, let’s have a quick look at those!
What Energy Does the Beaver Moon Bring?
Even though traditionally, people followed all lunar cycles, they’ve always assigned special meaning to the full phase. Beaver time is not an exception, marking the start of final preparations for winter.
And it’s not just about the fur-hunting season. Before the first frosts, beavers actively repair and strengthen their dams — pretty much like people prepare their own homes for winter. Consequently, this is the time to brace yourself for future challenges and ensure the affairs are in order.
At the same time, a full lunar cycle marks the end of something old and the beginning of something new. In November, the Beaver Moon symbolises the period of transition from activity to winter slumber of sorts — a time when most pressing matters are finished and the period of waiting out the cold begins.
But what about beaver moon astrology interpretation? In 2024, our lunar neighbour will be in the sign of Taurus, traditionally associated with a down-to-earth, practical nature, as well as a love for beauty and comfort. Consequently, this is a good time to finalise all practical matters, including financial ones, and prepare for a period of comfortable relaxation.
Of course, in today’s scientific age, one cannot fully rely on spiritual practices or astrological signs. Still, you can always see them as a tribute to our ancestors, a sort of spiritual heritage that gives special, if not entirely reasonable, meaning to our lives.
And no matter if you believe in astrology or not, one thing is quite certain — the 2024 Beaver Moon will be an exciting sight as the lunar disc, partially blurred by the Earth’s shadow, approaches our planet at its closest. So, don’t miss this special event on November 15 and double-check the rise time in your area because that’s when the disc will appear super huge!
This article was written by Emma Thorpe.
