The Beaver Moon is the informal name given to the full Moon that appears in November. It doesn’t represent an official astronomical term, but it has become popular in media and folklore for a couple of traditional reasons. Key origins and explanations
- Beavers and winter preparation: In November, beavers are particularly active as they prepare for winter, building and stockpiling food. Early observers noted this increased beaver activity and associated it with the Moon’s appearance in November, leading to the nickname. This folk attribution ties the month’s natural events to the behavior of beavers in the lead-up to winter.
- Fur-trade and trapping: Another common account links the name to the North American fur trade, when beaver pelts were highly valuable and trapping intensified in preparation for the winter market. This historical usage helped popularize “Beaver Moon” as a November full Moon label.
- Other November Moon names: The November full Moon has also been called Digging (or Scratching) Moon, Deer Rutting Moon, and Whitefish Moon in various cultural traditions, reflecting different natural indicators tied to the season. The diversity of names shows how different cultures used the Moon as a calendar reference.
Notes on terminology and viewing
- The nickname is informal: Some sources emphasize that “Beaver Moon” is not an official designation used by astronomers, but a traditional or cultural label that has endured in popular culture. Other names for the same Moon emphasize winter readiness or other natural signals observed in November.
- Visual impact: November’s Beaver Moon can be a prominent, close-to-Earth full Moon, sometimes described as a “supermoon” when its orbit brings it particularly near Earth. The exact perception can vary by year and local conditions, but the name itself remains a cultural reference rather than a precise astronomical category.
If you’d like, I can share a quick guide on the best times to view this Moon in your location, and how to differentiate a genuine supermoon from a typical full Moon.
