by Sid Baglini
Monday, January 17, 2022, 7:00 PM
This walk under the Full Wolf Moon will mark two full years of nighttime strolls sponsored by Malvern Arts. Our loyal group of “moonatics” is always happy to welcome new participants. While walking in the winter may seem a bit extreme, for those who bundle up and venture out the reward is a sky so crisp and clear that the planets and stars seem to pop. The moon will reach its peak illumination at 6:51 p.m. so we will have maximum light for our stroll.
For the native tribes the long, moonlit nights of January brought the coldest temperatures and the most profound silence of the year. A starving time for all creatures, the wolves often came close to the tribal encampments and their howls must have been nerve wracking in the silence of the night. That is why the January full moon is most commonly called the Full Wolf Moon.
Not surprisingly, the other names our First Nations people gave to this full moon all have something to do with the fearsome temperatures. Just the names “Hard Moon”, “Severe Moon”, “Frost Exploding Moon”, “Freeze Up Moon” or “Cold Moon” will have you reaching for your Polartec. This single-minded focus indicates that the hardships of deep winter were a constant, universal obsession for the natives and for the early settlers. Names that do not refer to the intense cold are “The Old Moon” and “The Center Moon” which reflects the fact that this full moon occurs approximately in the middle of the winter season.
Please note: If conditions are such that walking may be hazardous, especially after dark when “freeze up” may quickly result in black ice or slick conditions, regretfully we will have to cancel the walk. If in doubt, please check www.malvernarts.org for cancellation notification. If snow or ice prevents our walk, take a few moments to step outside anyway, and enjoy the moonlight which combined with snow cover results in a dramatically illuminated landscape.
Whether you have been a moon walker since January 2020, or are just joining us now, I look forward to seeing you on the 17th for our monthly, moveable lunar appreciation fest. We meet at the entrance to Malvern Arts by the parking lot of the Baptist Church at 1st Ave. and Channing Ave.
hope to hear that you recover
quickly, Sid. While I am unable to join the group walking I enjoy your monthly comments and info on the lunar appearance and lore. Please keep them coming!
Thanks for the encouragement, Nancy. This too shall pass and rejoining the Moon walkers is great motivation to overcome this annoyance.
Thanks, Nancy! I’m hoping I’ll be fit by next month and am doing the PT exercises for a torn meniscus (self diagnosed since I’ve had two before). Slowly but surely I’ll be working to ensure I can get out with the Moon walkers again soon. I’m glad you like the monthly ads and I’ll keep writing them even if I can’t do the walk.
Oooh, this sounds so great!! I want to come along! Sorry I can’t walk to join you (too far)