Friday, October 16, 2009

Full Moon Names and Their Meanings

Full Moon names date back to Native Americans, of what is now the northern and eastern United States. The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full Moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred. There was some variation in the Moon names, but in general, the same ones were current throughout the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior. European settlers followed that custom and created some of their own names. Since the lunar month is only 29 days long on the average, the full Moon dates shift from year to year. Here is the Farmers Almanac's list of the full Moon names.

• Full Wolf Moon - January Amid the cold and deep snows of midwinter, the wolf packs howled hungrily outside Indian villages. Thus, the name for January's full Moon. Sometimes it was also referred to as the Old Moon, or the Moon After Yule. Some called it the Full Snow Moon, but most tribes applied that name to the next Moon.

• Full Snow Moon - February Since the heaviest snow usually falls during this month, native tribes of the north and east most often called February's full Moon the Full Snow Moon. Some tribes also referred to this Moon as the Full Hunger Moon, since harsh weather conditions in their areas made hunting very difficult.

• Full Worm Moon - March As the temperature begins to warm and the ground begins to thaw, earthworm casts appear, heralding the return of the robins. The more northern tribes knew this Moon as the Full Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signaled the end of winter; or the Full Crust Moon, because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. The Full Sap Moon, marking the time of tapping maple trees, is another variation. To the settlers, it was also known as the Lenten Moon, and was considered to be the last full Moon of winter.

• Full Pink Moon - April This name came from the herb moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring. Other names for this month's celestial body include the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and among coastal tribes the Full Fish Moon, because this was the time that the shad swam upstream to spawn.

• Full Flower Moon - May In most areas, flowers are abundant everywhere during this time. Thus, the name of this Moon. Other names include the Full Corn Planting Moon, or the Milk Moon.

• Full Strawberry Moon - June This name was universal to every Algonquin tribe. However, in Europe they called it the Rose Moon. Also because the relatively short season for harvesting strawberries comes each year during the month of June . . . so the full Moon that occurs during that month was christened for the strawberry!

• The Full Buck Moon - July July is normally the month when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. It was also often called the Full Thunder Moon, for the reason that thunderstorms are most frequent during this time. Another name for this month's Moon was the Full Hay Moon.

• Full Sturgeon Moon - August The fishing tribes are given credit for the naming of this Moon, since sturgeon, a large fish of the Great Lakes and other major bodies of water, were most readily caught during this month. A few tribes knew it as the Full Red Moon because, as the Moon rises, it appears reddish through any sultry haze. It was also called the Green Corn Moon or Grain Moon.

• Full Corn Moon - September This full moon's name is attributed to Native Americans because it marked when corn was supposed to be harvested. Most often, the September full moon is actually the Harvest Moon.

• Full Harvest Moon - October This is the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox. In two years out of three, the Harvest Moon comes in September, but in some years it occurs in October. At the peak of harvest, farmers can work late into the night by the light of this Moon. Usually the full Moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night, but for the few nights around the Harvest Moon, the Moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night: just 25 to 30 minutes later across the U.S., and only 10 to 20 minutes later for much of Canada and Europe. Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice the chief Indian staples are now ready for gathering.

• Full Beaver Moon - November This was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Full Beaver Moon comes from the fact that the beavers are now actively preparing for winter. It is sometimes also referred to as the Frosty Moon.

• The Full Cold Moon; or the Full Long Nights Moon - December During this month the winter cold fastens its grip, and nights are at their longest and darkest. It is also sometimes called the Moon before Yule. The term Long Night Moon is a doubly appropriate name because the midwinter night is indeed long, and because the Moon is above the horizon for a long time. The midwinter full Moon has a high trajectory across the sky because it is opposite a low Sun.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Harvest Moon

Moon Day 11

This day gives you an abundance of energy and favors moves and changes. It helps to get off the ground a business which was previously derailed. Make sure you put your excess energy into something useful, however, to avoid conflicts and bust-ups.
Next Full Moon Date: Sunday, October 4, 2009

Names Given to the Moon by Other Cultures:

* Colonial American: Hunter's Moon
* Chinese: Kindly Moon
* American Indian (Cherokee): Harvest Moon
* American Indian (Choctaw): Blackberry Moon
* American Indian (Dakotah Sioux): Moon When Quilling and Beading is Done
* Celtic: Harvest Moon
* English Medieval: Blood Moon
* Neo Pagan: Blood Moon

Full Harvest Moon (October)

The Harvest Moon is the full Moon nearest the autumnal equinox and is bright enough to allow finishing all the harvest chores.

This is the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox. In two years out of three, the Harvest Moon comes in September, but in some years it occurs in October. At the peak of harvest, farmers can work late into the night by the light of this Moon. Usually the full Moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night, but for the few nights around the Harvest Moon, the Moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night: just 25 to 30 minutes later across the U.S., and only 10 to 20 minutes later for much of Canada and Europe. Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice the chief Indian staples are now ready for gathering.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Halloween With the Wolves!

HALLOWEEN WITH THE WOLVES!

A full moon celebration of Halloween, featuring tours of the sanctuary, costumes, a bonfire, snacks, hot drinks and live music! For ages 16 and over.

Please wear a costume, we will have a costume competition. The other guests will be the judges so dress to impress! There will be a first, second and third prize.

• Full Beaver Moon - This was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Full Beaver Moon comes from the fact that the beavers are now actively preparing for winter. It is sometimes also referred to as the Frosty Moon.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Full Moon Tour

What is a full moon tour? Well....it's a tour we do once a month on the closest Saturday to the full moon. We say create your own experience. What we mean by that is -- instead of following a tour guide from pack to pack at a regulated pace that fits within a 45 minute to 60 minute time line, you get to go at your own pace from pack to pack talking to a tour guide who is stationed at each pack. You can listen to what they have to say about the wolves we have here. About the wolves at their station or you can ask questions. You move at your own pace. If you get tired and want to sit, you can go over and sit next to a roaring bond fire and just relax. When was the last time you did that? Just sit and relax, no worries. Plenty of time. The full moon tour starts at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 10:00 p.m.

Bring a blanket, a flashlight, a chair, maybe some hot dogs and marshmallows. We hope you will come. Sometimes we just sit around and talk, other times we have entertainment. We always have fun, and its always about the wolves.

Monday, June 22, 2009

It rained, so what...

6:30a.m., the sun is coming out -- YIPPPY!!!! 6:45a.m., it starts to rain, I start to cry. 7:01 a.m. the phone rings, I stop crying and pick up the phone -- Hello??? ...we can't come its raining, I am not coming I don't want to sit their with nothing to do...I may come later...is the fund raiser going rain or shine? Sigh,

Our second annual music and art went off with a, "but yesterday it was BEAUTIFUL!" Oh well the wolves are always here, and so are we. Let me tell you, we had some troopers. I big THANK YOU to the 238 plus folks who came out in the uncertain weather. Every one of us, wolves and staff alike thank you all for your support.

It rained, it shined, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00p.m. and we had fun.

A hardy thanks goes out to --

our musicians:

Boys from Innisfree, Eric Keepers, J.C. Fetlock

our Artists:(who greeted our guests with smiles)

Marlin Mann, Murals and fine art

Susan Afflerbach, Wildlife Painter

Chris Bryan of The North Star
www.thenorthstaroflititzstudioandgallery.com

Richard and Dee Tompkins, Scroll saw and wood work

Marlin Mann, Murals and fine art

Jeff Whimoyer, Nature and Abstract fine art and wildlife photographer

Katelin Smith, Artist - pen and ink or graphite


our Foodies:

The Chicken Man
My Amazing Chef - Bill Shuler
Rachel King, home made yummies!!!!!


Okay, I was at the gate for the most part and did not think this year to have my camera floating about -- sooooo -- if anyone happened to get pics of the event -- PLEASE send them to me and I will post them. You can send them too wolfsanctuary@gmail.com

See you next year under the big top, ya that's right, I figure if we get a tent it will not rain. NO, the wolves will not be under the tent...it won't be that big. :-)

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Wolf Sanctuary Fund Raiser

June 20th marks the date for the 2nd Annual Music and Art Event with the Wolves of Speedwell Forge. We have many a new face and some not so new to the event. We thought it was time to share!! In no particular order, ok the musicians are in a particular order, as follows:

Scott Galbraith 11:00 – 12:15
From Mr. Gretna featuring Acoustic Guitar and vocals, classic folk and rock

Brian Spangler 12:30 – 1:45
From Mr. Gretna featuring Acoustic Guitar and vocals, classic folk and rock

Boys from Innisfree 2:00 – 3:15
The Boys From Innisfree is an energetic Irish pub band who enjoy singing traditional songs of Ireland, Scotland, England & Newfoundland. They strongly encourage crowd participation. Remember, the better you sound, the better we sound. See you there!

Eric Keepers - 3:30 – 4:45
acoustic classics

J.C. Fetlock 5:00 – 6:30 or 7:00
See you there!

Our artists, gracious and talented, we hope you will thank them while touring the sanctuary....

Susan Afflerbach, Wildlife Painter
www.elmersrainbow.com

Kevin Bennett, Wildlife Photographer
www.BennettsVignettes.com

Chris Bryan of The North Star
www.thenorthstaroflititzstudioandgallery.com

Richard and Dee Tompkins, Scroll saw and wood work

Marlin Mann, Murals and fine art
mysite.verizon.net/scubamann

Lynn Campbell
My name is Lynn Campbell and I live in a small town in western PA. called Ellwood City. I am married and have 1 daughter and son-in- law and 5 grandchildren.( God has truely blessed me). I am a retired hairdresser. I did hair for 30 years and retired to help with daycare for my 5 grandchildren.After I retired I tried many things,stained glass, flower arranging,sewing, but , I started painting about 13 years ago and have barely put my brushes down. I traded a hair brush for a paint brush and couldn't be happier. I am a certified onestroke instructor and I also teach decorative painting ( or tole painting if you prefer).I recieved my teaching certificate in November of 2005. I am a member of the Society of Decorative Painters and was lucky enough to have 2 ornaments that I painted decorate the White House Christmas tree in December of 2005, and I was invited to a reception at the White House with Laura Bush. That was an honor I will not forget. I hope you all will stop by my booth and talk awhile, I love to make new friends and share my love of painting.

Lillie Fernback, Artist
Lillie is a local artist who exhibits at Michelle's Gallery in Ephrata, at Photographers Corner in Lititz and at shows such as the Lititz Outdcoor Art Show. My subjects are flowers, landscapes, birds and some animals. Mediums are watercolors, oils and photography.

Amy Queen, Artist
www.AmyQueenFineArt.com

Marie Brazeil, Artist
www.messinastudio.com

Melissa R. Kulbitsky, Artist
My name is Melissa Kulbitsky. I have been painting or drawing most of my life. That talent combined with my love of animals has made them my favorite subject to put on canvas or paper. I am endlessly fascinated by the world we live in and saddened by the plight of our animal friends. I am also a mother of a 9 year old child and worry about the legacy that we willl leave to her generation. I hope to be able to use my art to bring awareness to the many dangers and issues that we all face.

Jeff Whimoyer, Nature and Abstract fine art and wildlife photographer

Dustin Horne, Mosaic artist

Debra Tritt-Kreiger, Artist
www.debkreiger.com

Thom Glace
www.thomglacewatercolors.com

Linda Brown, Folk Art
www.egalley.com

J. Scott Wolf, Fine Art, Lancaster landscapes
www.egalley.com

Michael McNelley
www.michaelmcnelly.com
Michael has accumulated an impressive collection of awards and ribbons, such as The Philadelphia Academy of Natural Science’s Award of excellence and purchase awards including University of Pennsylvania. His work is represented by numerous galleries nationwide and can be found in private and corporate collections throughout the United States and overseas.


Katelin Smith, Artist - pen and ink or graphite

There will be food and fun!
The food! The Chicken Man will be there with the best barbecued chicken AND My Amazing Chef - Bill Shuler, chef extraordinary.
The fun!! See the WOLVES! What else? No there will also be games for the kids and face painters.

I am sure there is more, but my brain has stopped working for now. I will be back to blather on some more, but for now -- catch me on facebook.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Thank you!

This month brought Valentines, and many choose to spend their special day here at the sanctuary. We had a wonderful full moon tour with some lively guitar playing and a bit of singing. And a very nice warm fire. We even were blessed by a light blanket of lovely snow. A hearty THANK YOU!!! to all who attended, and all who volunteered. We look forward to what the new year will bring, as we blow into March. Stay warm and well.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Dog Food

We have had many folks ask about dog food as a donation. We appreciate every bag we get, so don't be shy. If you want to bring a bag of dog food, we are happy to accept it. Thank you for asking, and Thank you for sharing. See you here at the Sanctuary!

Snow in Lancaster

Snow!!!! Can you believe it! It actually snowed! The weather man keeps threatening it, and it finally happened. The wolves love this time of year, when we can hardly move about without freezing to the ground. This is the best time to visit the wolves. They thrive is the cold and they frolic in the now. Come share in their happiness.

"In Wildness Is The Preservation Of The World" Henry David Thoreau