February is the snowiest month where I live, and according to the National Weather Service it’s the snowiest month nationwide. According to the Farmer’s Almanac’s list, this month’s full moon is called the Snow Moon based on the report of Captain Jonathan Carver, a colonial expedition leader who claimed the Lakota people called it that. The translation of the Lakota name that I have found is substantially more poetic: When Trees Crack Because of Cold Moon. Similarly, the Abenaki people observe the Makes Branches Fall in Pieces Moon. The Arapaho call this the Frost Sparkling in the Sun Moon, and the Comanche call it the Sleet Moon. I have continued to call it the snow moon because it’s concise and easier to fit on graphics, but in my head I think about trees cracking and snow sparkling in the sun.
If this time of year is not snowy where you live, what else do you notice happening in nature? You can use my phenology tracker printable to record your nature observations and select a full name that makes sense for your area. Full moon names are a type of phenology, which is a way to record what is happening in nature. People often think there is only one “proper” name for each month, when in reality there are tons. Different tribes in the US have different names based on what is happening in nature in their area, and there are also names from Europe and beyond. Find a moon name that resonates for you!
Snow Moon Coloring Page
Click on the image below to get the free printable! Find more fun snow moon crafts, activities and recipes here.
These coloring pages are drawn by hand by me. They are for personal use only. No ai please.