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March’s full moon, the third full moon of the calendar year, is known as the Full Worm Moon. This is a special moon, as it happens to be the final full moon of the winter season. It will appear on the nights of Monday, March 6, and Tuesday, March 7. Specifically, March’s full Moon reaches peak illumination at 7:42 A.M. ET on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
March’s full Moon will appear especially large to us when it’s near the horizon because of the “Moon illusion,” a phenomenon that occurs when objects near each other seem larger than they do when viewed alone.
The moon has long been an object of spiritual contemplation, and its phases are studied with reverence by many cultures, inspiring a sense of belonging to nature. The Moon’s gravitational pull on the Earth causes tides to rise and fall, affecting the rhythm of our lives and our surroundings.
Let’s find out more about this amazing celestial body.
WHAT IS A FULL MOON?
When the Moon is full, we see it as a complete circle in the sky. This is because the whole of the side of the Moon facing the Earth is lit up by the Sun’s rays. The Moon produces no visible light of its own, so we can only see the parts of the Moon that are lit up by other objects. A small amount of light comes from distant stars and the reflection of light from the Earth (known as ‘Earthshine’). However, the main source of light for the Moon is the Sun.
FULL MOON ENERGY
Ancient peoples used the Full Moon and the Lunar calendar to track the seasons. They named each Full Moon for an entire month, not just for the night of its fullest phase. Each Full Moon has its own energy, and this energy is magnified during a Full Moon. The Full Moon does not just affect us humans; it also affects animals and the Earth itself. A Full Moon causes bigger ocean tides and even extreme meteorological conditions.
Full moon – Two weeks after the new moon, it becomes wholly illuminated by the sun. Hence, we have a full moon, and its orbit is halfway completed.
How do I harness its energy? — During a Full Moon, our emotions are amplified and dreams are intensified. For some people, it is a time of balanced energies. The light of the full moon illuminates our world, allowing us to see the situations in our lives and in our relationships with other people more clearly. It allows us to see things we have ignored or repressed, but also allows us to let go of things or people we have outgrown. Full Moons are a good time to start a new ritual or project.
WHY IS IT CALLED THE Worm MOON?
The traditional name for the March’s full moon is the Worm Moon. There are a few theories circulating as to the origins of this name. One theory says that Native Americans called this last full moon of winter the worm moon after the worm trails that would appear in the newly thawed ground. This invites robins and other birds to feed—a true sign of spring!
Another theory points to Captain Jonathan Carver, who visited Native American tribes in the 1760s. He wrote that the name Worm Moon actually refers to beetle larvae—which emerges from the thawing bark of trees and other winter hideouts at this time.
Either way, March’s Full Moon serves as a reminder that winter is nearly over and Spring is almost here…finally! While this month is often still cold and sometimes even snowy, you might also get days that have a hint of spring to them. Let this moon remind you that warmer days are soon to come!
If you’re looking to learn more about the moons of the year, their names, and their meaning, here are a few articles to get you going:
- The 12 Full Moons: Their Names, Meaning, and Magical Influence
- All About The Full Wolf Moon: The First of the Year’s 13 Moons
- Exploring February’s Full Moon: A Night Under a Glowing Snow Moon
- Living By The Moon for Amazing Benefits and Nature Connection
- 6 Full Moon Rituals to Restore Your Sacred Femininity and Connect with Nature
Religious Meaning of March's Full Moon
People often associate March’s full Moon with religion. Specifically, in Christianity, this Moon is known as the Lenten Moon if it occurs before the spring equinox or as the Paschal Full Moon if it occurs after the equinox.
This year, March’s full Moon (March 7, 2023) occurs before the spring equinox (March 20, 2023), making it the Lenten Moon. April’s full Moon (April 6, 2023) will be the first full Moon to occur after the equinox and will therefore determine the date of Easter this year.
OTHER NAMES FOR March's FULL MOON
March’s Full Moon is known by a variety of names, which are associated with the animals or signs of springtime.
- Eagle Moon
- Goose Moon (Algonquin, Cree)
- Crow Moon (Mohican & Algonquian)
- Sugar Moon (Ojibwe)
- Sap Moon marks the time of year when the sap of sugar maples starts to flow.
- Full Crust Moon, because the snow cover becomes crusted from falling by day and freezing at night
- Wind Strong Moon (Pueblo) refers to strong winds that occur at this time of year.
- Sore Eyes Moon (Dakota, Lakota, Assiniboine) highlights blinding rays of sunlight reflected from melting snow late in winter.
- Melting Moon (Nipmuck, Algonquian)
- Lenten Moon (Old English word meaning Spring or longer days)
- Warming Moon (yu’a-mea’) Shoshone Native American origins referring to the days getting warmer.
- Wind Moon and Plough Moon (Celtic)
- Stormy Month (Hlyd-monath) or Rugged Month (hraed-monath) Anglo-Saxon origins
- Death Moon more recent Neo-Pagan origins, referring to the death of Winter
- Chaste Moon (Old English) referring to the purity of spring.
SPIRITUAL MEANING OF THE FULL Worm MOON
March’s full moon has been celebrated by many Indigenous tribes since long before the arrival of Europeans to North America. Many Eastern Woodland tribes called it the Melting Moon, because it’s the time of year when the snow finally starts melting for good. Other tribes call it the Worm Moon because it’s when the earthworms start to appear out of the ground.
The spiritual meaning behind the Full Worm Moon is a signifier for life, as the earth thaws, softens, and life emerges in the Northern Hemisphere. The bustling energy of newness that nature promises as it anticipates spring is also confirmation our lives will begin to warm up with more liveliness, hope, and direction.
Since March’s full moon is making its appearance during the sign of Virgo, you can prepare to feel motivated to clean out your closet and rearrange your room while focusing on creating a roadmap of success. March is a great time to do some early Spring cleaning and encourages you to bring order to your life by breaking up with bad habits such as procrastination or unhealthy eating patterns.
March's Full Moon & The Spring Equinox
The Spring Equinox, which often occurs in March, is also often associated with the Full Worm Moon. The days are getting gradually warmer and the bitter cold of winter is coming to an end. The Spring Equinox is about honoring balance, self-improvement, and new adventures.
FULL MOON CALENDAR 2023
January 6, 2023 (The Full Wolf Moon)
The January 2023 Full Moon will be on Friday, January 6, 2023 at 6:08 PM EST or 11:08 PM UTC. The January Full Moon will be the full moon in Cancer.
February 5, 2023 (Full Snow Moon)
The February 2023 Full Moon will be on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 1:29 PM EST or 6:29 PM UTC. The February Full Moon will be the full moon in Leo.
March 7, 2023 (Full Worm Moon)
The March 2023 Full Moon will be on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 7:40 AM EST or 12:40 PM UTC. This will be the last full moon of the Winter 2023 season, and occurs before the spring equinox 2023. The March Full Moon will be the full moon in Virgo.
April 6, 2023 (Full Pink Moon)
The April 2023 Full Moon will be on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 12:34 AM EDT or 5:34 AM UTC. This will be the first full moon of the Spring 2023 season and the first full moon after the spring equinox 2023. The April Full Moon will be the full moon in Libra.
May 5, 2023 (Full Flower Moon)
The May 2023 Full Moon will be on Friday, May 5, 2023 at 1:34 PM EDT or 6:34 PM UTC. It will be the second full moon of the Spring 2023 season and the second full moon after the spring equinox. The May Full Moon will be the full moon in Scorpio.
June 3, 2023 (Full Strawberry Moon)
The June 2023 Full Moon will be on June 3, 2023 at 11:42 PM EDT or June 4, 2023 at 4:42 AM UTC. This will be the third full moon of the Spring 2023 season, as it occurs about two weeks before the Summer Solstice. The June Full Moon will be the full moon in Sagittarius.
July 3, 2023 (Full Buck Moon)
The July 2023 Full Moon will be on Monday, July 3, 2023 at 7:39 AM EDT or 12:39 PM UTC. This will be the first full moon of the Summer 2023 season, as the first full moon after the Summer Solstice. The July Full Moon will be the full moon in Capricorn.
August 1, 2023 (Full Sturgeon Moon)
The August 2023 Full Moon will be on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at 2:31 PM EDT or 7:31 PM UTC. This will be the second full moon of the Summer 2023 season, and the second full moon after the Summer Solstice. It will be one of two supermoons in 2023. The first August Full Moon will be the full moon in Aquarius.
August 30, 2023 (Full Blue Moon)
There will be a full blue moon in August 2023 on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 9:35 PM EDT or August 31, 2023 at 2:35 AM UTC. This will be the third and last full moon of the Summer 2023 season. It will be the second of two supermoons in 2023. The second August Full Moon will be the full moon in Pisces.
This moon is called a full blue moon because it’s the second full moon in a calendar month. It could also be referred to as a super blue moon because it is the second August Full Moon will also be a supermoon.
September 29, 2023 (Full Harvest Moon)
The September 2023 Full Moon will be on Friday, September 29, 2023 at 5:57 AM EDT or 10:57 AM UTC. This will be the first full moon of the Autumn 2023 season. The September Full Moon will be the full moon in Aries.
October 28, 2023 (Full Hunter’s Moon)
The October 2023 Full Moon will be on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 4:24 PM EDT or 9:24 PM UTC. It will be the second full moon of the Autumn 2023 season. It is the second full moon after the Autumnal Equinox. The October Full Moon will be the full moon in Taurus.
November 27, 2023 (Full Beaver Moon)
The November 2023 Full Moon will be on Monday, November 27, 2023 at 4:16 AM EST or 9:16 AM UTC. It will be the third full moon of the Autumn 2023 season. The November Full Moon will be the full moon in Gemini.
December 26, 2023 (Full Cold Moon)
The December 2023 Full Moon will be on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at 7:33 PM EST or December 27, 2023 at12:33 AM UTC. It will be the first full moon of the Winter 2023-2024 season and the first full moon after the Winter Solstice. The December Full Moon will be the full moon in Cancer.
HONOR March's FULL MOON WITH A RITUAL
As we approach the full moon in March, I am reminded that we are not separate from these celestial wonders, but a part of them.
For centuries among every culture there have been full moon rituals, and yet they seem to be dying out. Herbalists, however, are great keepers of rituals, and most of us have our own celebrations to honor another month around the sun.
Developing and practicing a full moon ritual is one way to reconnect with the natural rhythms of the universe. Here is a wonderful full moon ritual that I have used to embrace the many gifts of this blessed time and restore my connection to Mother Earth.
According to renowned American herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, “Our inner balance comes to us from our relationship to the moon,” so developing a full moon ritual can help you center and care for yourself during each new or full moon cycle.
Spring Cleaning Ritual
Spring Cleaning Rituals can help you create space and renewal in your home, workplace, and life. By cleaning, decluttering and making space we transition from winter to spring. Your Spring Cleaning Ritual should be as personal as possible, so do what aligns with you and really make it your own.
1. Set Intentions:
To start a spring-cleaning ritual, set intentions for what you want to release from your life and make a plan to get organized, clear out the clutter, and embrace renewal in different areas of your life. Take a few moments to close your eyes and envision what renewal would look and feel like for you.
2. Organize & Clean Your Physical Space:
Think about how grateful you are for your home and everything in it. Think about cleaning and organizing as a way to show appreciation for your space by taking care of it. You may find that the energy you put into cleaning rituals are reflected in your home long after they’re complete.
3. Organize & Declutter Your Digital Life:
Take time to organize and declutter your digital space. Organize the apps on your phone, close open browsing tabs, unfollow social media accounts that don’t inspire or educate you, and maybe even delete social media apps that are no longer serving you. Remove old contacts that you’re never going to get in touch with again. Organize your computer desktop and downloads folder. Sort through your email inbox and unsubscribe from email lists that are cluttering up your inbox. Organize your notes by creating folders for them, if needed.
4. Address Emotional & Mental Clutter:
OTHER IDEAS FOR HONORING March's FULL MOON
Here are a few other ways to honor March’s full moon:
- Begin planning your herb garden for the year. What herbs do you want to grow? Consider whether you want specific plants for their healing properties or if you’re going for a variety of purposes.
- If you are thinking about making a change in your career, start by updating your resume. Research the companies you would like to work for and determine the steps necessary to land an interview. Contact people who work there and send in applications. Take control of your career reinvention.
- Light a candle, burn incense, or make a simmer pot out of sliced lemon and rosemary (both have spiritual cleansing properties) to make your home smell as fresh as it feels.
- Take a nighttime walk and use the full moon’s light as your guide.
- Spend some time journaling and reflecting on how the full moon’s energy affects you.
- Make some sacred moon tea.
In Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed learning some meaning, folklore, and tales surrounding March’s full moon. Keep in mind that there are many other full moons throughout the year, each one with its own unique history, meaning, and folklore. Check out some that may be of interest to you now!
