The full Wolf Moon rises on Thursday, January 28, 2021. Learn more about when, where, and how to see the January full Moon!
When to See January’s Full Moon
January’s full Wolf Moon reaches peak illumination on Thursday, January 28, at 2:18 P.M. EST. However, the Moon won’t be visible until it rises above the horizon around sunset that evening.
Consult our Moonrise Calculator to see what time you can expect to catch a glimpse of the first full Moon of 2021!
The sunset embers smolder low,
The Moon climbs o’er the hill,
The peaks have caught the alpenglow,
The robin’s song is still.
–John L. Stoddard (1850–1931)
Why Is It Called the Full Wolf Moon?
The full Moon names used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac come from a number of places, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. Traditionally, each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred, not just to the full Moon itself.
It’s thought that January’s full Moon came to be known as the Wolf Moon because wolves were more often heard howling at this time. It was traditionally believed that wolves howled due to hunger during winter, but we know today that wolves howl for other reasons. Howling and other wolf vocalizations are generally used to define territory, locate pack members, reinforce social bonds, and coordinate hunting.
Alternative January Moon Names
Another fitting name for this full Moon is the Center Moon. Used by the Assiniboine people, it refers to the idea that this Moon roughly marks the middle of the winter season.
Other traditional names for the January Moon emphasize the harsh coldness of the season: Cold Moon (Cree), Frost Exploding Moon (Cree), Freeze Up Moon (Algonquin), Severe Moon (Dakota), and Hard Moon (Dakota).
See all 12 months of Full Moon names and their meanings.
Moon Phases for January 2021
Below are the dates and times (in Eastern Time) of the Moon’s phases in December. See our Moon Phase Calendar for times in your city/state.
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Last Quarter: January 6, 4:38 A.M. |
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New Moon: January 13, 12:02 A.M. |
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First Quarter: January 20, 4:03 P.M. |
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Full Moon: January 28, 2:18 P.M. |
When is the next full Moon? See our Full Moon Dates chart.
January Full Wolf Moon Video
Each month, we will explain the traditional names of the full Moon along with some fascinating Moon facts. In this video, learn about January’s full Wolf Moon. Click below to watch the video.
Best Days in January 2021
For Planting
Aboveground crops: 16, 17, 26, 27
Belowground crops: 7, 8
For Setting Eggs
5, 6, 22, 23
For Fishing
13–28
See all our Best Days for various activities.
Moon Folklore
A bright first Moon promises rain and a bountiful harvest; a red-tinted Moon means a dry year.
A growing Moon and a flowing tide are lucky times to marry.
A halo around the Moon predicts wet or stormy weather.
Share your thoughts about this month’s full Moons below. Tell us if we’re missing anything that you would like to know!
Reader Comments
Leave a Comment
Full moon wolf Aquarius
I am Aquarius also and have always loved the moon and thunderstorms. I want to say that God is amazing and I am so in love with his creation. As his child, I feel so thankful for eternal life through his son Jesus. One night after a prayer asking if he could hear me and if he could to show me a sign. I looked up and immediately saw a shooting star. What are the odds. Only God. Amazing the love I felt and will always feel.
Wolf Moon Aries
I also love the moon and my favorite animal is also the wolf! Your description could fit me as well, however my husband is an aquarius and he has no love of the moon, or nature, he pretty much just could sit in his basement for eternity in the dark with his music and be fine.
This is really really really
This is really really really koolzzz
4th quarter moon
When I was a kid, we always cut calves in the 4th quarter. A great Dr. we knew would only operate in the last quarter. When are the 4th quarters of 2016?
Moon Phase Calendar
Hi Jeanne, You can find all the Moon phases here: http://www.almanac.com/astronomy/moon/calendar
We also have a Best Days calendar here which speaks to lifestock: http://www.almanac.com/bestdays/timetable
Hope you find this helpful! –Your OFA Editors
Wolf Moon, Snow Moon
Wolf Moon, Snow Moon
I love the almanac xoxoxoxox
I love the almanac xoxoxoxox
Does the moon spin on an axis like earth does
I guess because my sign is cancer I've always had an interest in the moon and also beleive stages of the moon affects my mood.
Moon rotation
Yes, the Moon spins on its axis, completing one rotation about every 29.5 days, relative to Earth, which equals the time that it takes for it to complete one revolution (orbit) around Earth. This means that we always see essentially the same side of the Moon (except for a few factors, such as libration). The Moon used to rotate faster, but over billions of years, Earth’s gravity slowed it down so that it is now in synchronous rotation. This phenomenon is called tidal locking, and the process is not yet finished: Earth’s rotation is also slowing. If the aging Sun doesn’t interfere, Earth will eventually be tidally locked with the Moon: One side of Earth will always face the same side of the Moon.
Hello friend I seen something
Hello friend I seen something called a white smokey substance around the full moon what its called it seems amazing and I love to see more and more today I'm going to watch that but I can't see why ? Can you answer me what it is ?
A bright Moon covered by a
A bright Moon covered by a thin layer of high clouds can sometimes make the Moon appear wispy. The light from the Moon (actually, from the Sun that bounces to the Moon, then bounces to Earth) will reflect and refract through ice crystals in the clouds. Sometimes, this will just cause a filmy glow around the Moon; at other times, you might see a rainbow prism on the clouds or an actual lunar halo (circle of light) around the Moon. In rare cases, you might see two faded small white moons to either side of the Moon, as part of a lunar halo: these are called moon dogs (or mock moons or paraselenae), also caused by light passing through ice crystals in the atmosphere.
Hi, we are planning to move
Hi, we are planning to move to our new house by next year January, do you have any suggestions what's auspicious date?
I used to check the best days
I used to check the best days list for when to advertise to sell. I can't find it on the Best Days Timetable or anywhere on the site. Is it still available?
Thank-you.
Here is our Best Days
Here is our Best Days timetable: http://www.almanac.com/bestday... We haven't changed the activities in years, sorry. We update the dates every month.
Is there really any
Is there really any correlation with a female's monthly cycle and moon phases and/or the tides in the ocean? It seems mine IS, LIKE CLOCKWORK!
In many cultures, the Moon
In many cultures, the Moon has been a symbol of fertility. Scientific studies have been conducted to try to determine whether there is indeed a link between the lunar cycle and women's monthly cycles. A few studies have found it likely (at least in some aspect), while many others have found no correlation. You can find reports of some studies online--search site:.edu or site:.gov.
On one side of the argument, the lunar cycle is 29.5 days. The average length of a women's monthly cycle is 28 days; some individuals average longer or shorter than 28 days, so depending on one's biological clock, she may or may not be in sync with the lunar cycle. An individual's length of a cycle can also change each month depending on health, age, and other factors. Some also argue that if the Moon influenced human menstrual cycles, then it should influence the cycles of other mammals as well; so that all species would have the same length--about 29.5 days. But the average number of days in a cycle varies quite a bit between species.
On the other hand, many women find that their cycles are in sync with the lunar cycle and firmly believe that the Moon has a definite influence. They are backed by hundreds of years of cultural history.
Surely if the lunar cycle
Surely if the lunar cycle controlled the female menstrual cycle, all women would ovulate simultaneously and all women would have their period at the same time.
I noticed that the moon does
I noticed that the moon does affect my cycle, but when I am around other females that affects it too. I am always alone now so the moon has greater pull now.
I always heard that, playing
I always heard that, playing bingo, gambling, lottery is lucky around full moon, is that true?
According to age-old
According to age-old folklore, prosperity will increase as the Moon waxes. That said, we always advise:
Lucky men need no counsel.
what is the best day to
what is the best day to attend visa in january month ending or 1st week of feb
i love this
i love this !!!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you want your hair to grow
If you want your hair to grow faster, should you cut it on a new moon or a full moon?
To enhance hair growth, cut
To enhance hair growth, cut you hair on the new moon, this way, your hair grows better as the "moon grows"
A bit more detail...I
A bit more detail...I understand if you want your hair to grow, you cut it CLOSEST to the time of a full moon (but not past the minute). Same as stunting the growth - closest to the new moon (but not past - OR your in the next cycle).
I say on the full moon. I
I say on the full moon.
I trim my hair always on the full moon.I had short hair. So i started cutting it on the full moon each month.I only have 1/4 inch trimmed off. now my hair is about 5 inches away from my waist.I have been doing this for about 2 years now.True story.
See our Best Days to cut hair
See our Best Days to cut hair (to discourage OR encourage growth), based on the Moon signs here: http://www.almanac.com/bestday...
I LIKE THE MOON IT IS MY
I LIKE THE MOON IT IS MY FRIEND
AND IT LOOKS LIKE CHEESE TO ME.
ME AND MY DUCK SPEAK TO THE MOON
BUT IT NEVER ANSWERS....WHY?
probable because,the moon
probable because,the moon does not have a voice. Or because the moon is to far away to hear you.
My moon cool 2
You got mad moon rspC+ mydude. Iwant 2 Know why When theMoon so far and We so close WHY the sun got nuttin to do wit it? Answer me these FARMSALAMlnac
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