Novembers Full Moon – The Full Beaver or Frost Moon

Novembers Full Moon – Also known as the Full Beaver or Frost Moon in folklore, is the first Full Moon of winter. Most of the leaves have fallen, the air is crisp and the ground is damp and cold. Once full, the Full Moon will illuminate the early winters night time scene.

Why is it called a Beaver Moon or Frost Moon?

In native American folklore and old European traditions. November’s Full Moon is the Beaver Moon or Frost Moon.

This is due to the fact that at this time of year Beavers become active. Building their dams and preparing for winter. Being nocturnal animals, beavers do their construction projects at night in the light of the Full Moon – Hence the name given to it in folklore: A Beaver Moon.

It can also be referred to in some parts as a Frost Moon due to being the first Moon of winter. The Full Frost Moon heralds the start of cold nights and crisp frosty mornings.

Frost glistening in the moonlight is beautiful. If you can brave the cold, I thoroughly recommend standing outside during a Frost Moon. The light combined with glistening ice crystals is magical.

Beavers on the other hand can be quite tricky. So good luck with that one.

When is Novembers Full Moon

Full Moon occurs on November 23rd at 05:39 GMT. The Moon will appear full to the casual observer a day/ night either side of this time.

Apart from a close encounter earlier this month with Saturn and Full Moon occurring on Thanksgiving in the US, Novembers Full Moon will be quite unremarkable. It won’t be a Supermoon, Minimoon or anything else exciting and unusual apart from being close to the orange giant star Aldebaran. Aldebaran is the brightest star in the constellation of Taurus and is known as the “Eye of the Bull”.

Looking closer at the Moon

The moon is a beautiful object to watch at any time when it’s visible.

A pair of good binoculars will show exquisite detail bringing the moon closer.

A telescope will bring the moon closer still showing fine details of famous craters valleys and mountain ranges.

The exception to this can be for some when it is full. When the Moon is full, there are no shadows so it can be difficult picking out some details. Don’t let this put you off though, looking at the Moon full, gibbous, or as a crescent is all down to personal taste. I like to look at them all. A Moon Map will help.