Editor’s Note: Share your photos of the “mourning moon” tonight. Use hashtag #CNNSpace
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For many people and cultures, the full moon in November serves as a reminder of change
Rising of the "mourning moon" is a time to reflect, mourn the past, let go and start fresh
A full moon in November, the last before the winter solstice, has different names and traditions, but they all carry a meaning that signals a time for a change.
Depending on the culture or heritage, the full moon in November has been called “snow moon,” “fog moon” and “moon of storms” – but “mourning moon” and “beaver moon” are the most widely recognized.
In pagan traditions, the rise of the “mourning moon” symbolizes a time to reflect on the year and make personal changes by letting go of the past. If there is a bad habit, fears or emotions that are weighing you down, send them off as the moon rises Wednesday evening.
The position and the timing for the full moon during the month of November varies every year. According to NASA, the moon this time reaches its fullness at 5:44 pm ET.
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Using the hashtag, #mourningmoon, people posted their anticipation for the astrologically significant moon.
Others posted a list of things to get rid off, while others are looking forward to changes and new goals.
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Historically, different cultures saw the full moon as reminders of inevitable change in seasons and weather. In the Celtic calendar, the full moon marked the end of spring, as October, the month of “seed-fall” enters into November, the month of “darkest depths.”
Hunters knew the full moon as “beaver moon” because it meant they had to set traps to capture beavers and other animals for their fur.