The Wolf Moon of January

The first full moon of the calendar year rises over the trees of a park in the village. Below the rising moon and slightly to the left, a favorite old red oak of imposing stature has kept most of last year's leaves - it will lose them in springtime as the new leaves come forth.

I am unlikely to forget this moon for quite some time, for I returned home from the latest hospital doings a day or two ago to learn that a good friend had just passed through the earthly veil into the next realm after a long and courageous battle with cancer. I attended her visitation yesterday, and we gave her back into the loving arms of Mother Earth this afternoon. That is why this post is late - I have been feeling rather down today, no, make that VERY very down.

My friend loved to walk, and on our slow potters around the village, we talked about everything there was to talk about with the exception of our treatments and how they were going along. I shall miss her strength, humor and courage more than words can express, but she is beyond pain now, and I am happy about that. There is a brand new star dancing up there in the winter sky now, and she is dazzling in her power and wild truth and grace. I am certain that she will continue to watch over her partner here on earth, and over her three beautiful daughters.

We also know this moon as the: Big Cold Moon, Buckeyes Ripe Moon, Carnation Moon, Center Moon, Ceremonial Initiate Moon, Cold and Ice Moon, Cold Meal Moon, Cold Moon, Cooking Moon, Turning Moon, Earth Renewal Moon, First Moon, Frost in the Tepee Moon, Frozen Ground Moon, Great Moon, Great Spirit Moon, Greetings Maker Moon, Her Cold Moon, Hibiscus Moon, Holiday Moon, Ice Moon, Lakes Frozen Moon, Little Winter Moon, Long Moon, Man Moon, Midwinter Moon, Moon After Yule, Moon of Darkness, Moon of Flying Ants, Moon of Life at It's Height, Moon of Much Cold, Moon of Strong Cold, Moon of the Bear, Moon of the Child, Moon of the Strong Cold, Moon of the Terrible, Moon of Whirling Snow, Moon When Animals Lose Their Fat, Moon When Limbs of Trees Are Broken by Snow, Moon When Snow Drifts into Tipis, Moon When the Snow Blows like Spirits in the Wind, Moon When the Sun Has Traveled South, Moon When the Old Fellow Spreads the Brush , Moon When Wolves Run Together, Ninene Moon, No Snow in Trails Moon, Old Moon, Pine Moon, Plum Blossom Moon, Quiet Moon, Rivros Moon, Rowan Moon, Severe Moon, Snow Blindness Moon, Snow Moon, Snow Thaws Moon, Snowdrop Moon, Snowy Path Moon, Strong Cold Moon, Sun Has Not Strength to Thaw Moon, Thumb Moon, Trail Squint Moon, Two Trails Moon, Weight Loss Moon, Whirling Wind Moon) White Waking Moon, Winter Moon, Winter's Younger Brother Moon.