The Beaver Moon is the nickname given to the full Moon that occurs in November. The name has roots in both Indigenous and early colonial traditions and is tied to practical observations of beaver behavior as winter approaches. Key reasons behind the name:
- Beavers’ activity: In November, beavers are especially busy preparing for winter—building dams, gathering food, and storing supplies. This drew observers’ attention to the beaver’s industrious behavior and led to the association of the month’s full Moon with them.
- Fur-trade era trapping: Historically, the November full Moon was also a signal for beaver trapping for their winter pelts. The Moon’s timing aligned with periods when trapping and fur preparation were common, reinforcing the name in fur-trade communities.
- Calendar-Nature links: Many cultures gave distinct names to the monthly full Moons to reflect seasonal changes in nature and weather. The Beaver Moon is one of several such traditional names, with November’s Moon sometimes also known as the Digging Moon, Deer Utting Moon, or Frost Moon in different traditions.
Additional notes:
- In some modern astronomy and media usage, the November full Moon is also described as a Supermoon (or Beaver Supermoon) when the Moon’s orbit brings it close to Earth, making it appear larger and brighter than average.
- The exact origin of the term can vary by source: some attribute it to Native American naming practices; others point to European settler usage or to beaver activity during the month. The general consensus is that both beaver behavior and fur-trade activity contributed to the name.
