Look for the Beaver Full Moon & Total Lunar Eclipse
Life on this planet is cyclical. Everything moves in a circular pattern through states of being that seem in opposition to each other.
On a Universal level, the Earth moves in roughly a circular orbit around the sun, creating the movement through the seasons. Winter becomes spring, spring becomes summer – you get the idea. We see the results of this cycle in what the Earth manifests - plants grow, die, birth new seeds, and sprout again.
Coming a little closer to home, the Moon is also cyclical. The Moon passes through its phases as it circles the earth. Fullness gives way to emptiness.
Here on Earth, each day we experience is cyclical. The sun rises and the earth is bathed in light and warmth, then disappears, leaving us in darkness.
By attuning ourselves to Nature’s rhythms, we realize we have something to learn by surrendering to a cyclical experience. We progress through the cycles, as all life does on this planet, growing in the process. We are born and we will die. In between, we are in a state of constant change.
If you trust the infinite wisdom of this system, you will be easily carried through the wheel. You can honor the highs and the lows, allowing your experiences to be guided by the natural forces working in balance with each other.
In the cycle of life, everything is connected. There is movement, a spiral in and out, a circle within a circle, with no beginning and never ending. Experiences are revisited again and again. The only constant is change. This movement allows us to experience. Change is what makes human experience possible.
There are great benefits to aligning with this natural cycle. When we change our perception of the world and view things from this cyclical lens, we see that nothing is separate. All things are connected, and we can become aware of the energy currents at play in each season, in each cycle, at each moment. We can ride these currents, like a boat on a river. Rather than trying to sail against the current, can learn to go with the flow.
This Awareness gives us power, clarity, and a sense of being grounded and balanced, even amid tragedy, loss, and confusion.
The Moon and Her Phases
The phases of the Moon serve as another glimpse into Nature’s intricate meanings and aid us as we synchronize ourselves to Nature’s rhythms. When we plan our meditations and set our intentions in tandem with the phases of the Moon, we begin to feel more at ease with the cyclical energy inherent in Nature and in life. We begin to understand that there is an intelligent and orderly plan behind the apparently random changes in life.
Staying “in tune” or in-sync with Moon phases is a great way to naturally balance your life activity. Once you become aligned with Moon phases, as lunar energy cycles through two-week phases of waxing and waning, you can rest assured and move forward confidently with your daily affairs. Not only is this a tried-and-true method for attaining balance and harmony in your emotional life, this is also a natural way to achieve success and fulfillment in your professional life.
Each full moon is a culmination of energy, as it’s the peak of the lunar cycle. The Full Moon brings to light what needs your attention. It’s often a highly emotional time where your intuition may be intensified. Notice situations that are triggering you and who or what is pushing your buttons. Identify what you are feeling so you can release and resolve it and reclaim your power.
This November’s full Beaver Moon reaches peak illumination in the morning hours of Tuesday, November 8—Election Day here in the U.S.! In addition, the Beaver Moon will also be plunged into a total lunar eclipse!
When to see November's Full Moon
The Beaver Moon reaches peak illumination in the morning hours of Tuesday, November 8, at 6:02 A.M. EST. Of course, it will be very close to full the night before, so plan to look for it starting on Monday, November 7, just after sunset!
Find out exactly what time the full Moon will appear above the horizon in your area with this handy Moonrise and Moonset Calculator.
A “Blood Moon” Total Lunar Eclipse
This year, November’s Beaver Moon is accompanied by a total lunar eclipse! (The last one for nearly 3 years!)
During a lunar eclipse, the Moon, Sun, and Earth align with the Earth in the middle, causing our moon to pass into our Earthly shadow. When the Moon falls into the darkest part of our shadow, called the UMBRA, the full Moon will turn a reddish, coppery hue – this is why lunar eclipses are sometimes called Blood Moons. The Moon turns read as the only sunlight reaching it passes Earth’s atmosphere, causing the light to scatter. The more dust or clouds in the Earth’s atmosphere during the eclipse, the redder the Moon will appear.
Learn more about our full moon rituals:
Why is it Called the Beaver Moon?
Full Moon names come from several places, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. Traditionally, each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred and through all of the Moon’s phases – not only the full Moon.
Why the “Beaver” Moon? This is the time of year when beavers begin to take shelter in their lodges, having laid up sufficient stores of food for the long winter ahead.
November’s Moon names highlight the actions of animals preparing for winter and the onset of the colder days ahead.
In reference to the seasonal change of November, the Cree and Assiniboine peoples called this Moon the Frost Moon; the Anishinaabe called it the Freezing Moon. Traditionally appropriate names, as winter is right around the corner and normally in the Northeast U.S., we’d experience overnight temps dipping into the upper 30s. These days, however, we’re starting to see more 80-degree days in November…
- Farmer's Almanac
The names of the Moon are most often related to natural signs of the season or to activities that were done at this time of year.
Other Moon names for this month highlight the actions of animals preparing for winter and the onset of the colder days ahead:
Digging (or Scratching) Moon, a Tlingit name, evokes the image of animals foraging for fallen nuts and shoots of green foliage, and of bears digging their winter dens.
The Dakota and Lakota term Deer Rutting Moon refers to the time when deer are seeking out mates
The Algonquin Whitefish Moon describes the spawning time for this fish.
How to Watch for the Total Lunar Eclipse
Back in May 2022 it was possible to see a jaw-dropping Blood Moon from North America for a magical 84 minutes. During that eclipse, the Moon traveled through the southern half of the Earth’s shadow. Consequently, the Moon’s northern limb—which was closest to the center of Earth’s shadow—became rather dark during totality.
The opposite happens this week when the Moon travels—for 85 minutes—through the northern half of Earth’s shadow. It should be a bit brighter this time. Either way, it means a very early start for many people in North America. Will it be worth it? Absolutely! Besides, the next visible total lunar eclipse isn’t until 2025.
Visible across North America, South America, the Pacific Ocean, Asia, New Zealand and Australia, this Blood Moon will be best seen during its long totality phase. That begins at 5:16am EST and ceases at 6:42am EST.
Those of us on the east coast of the U.S. will witness a totally eclipsed moonset in the western sky while everyone else in the country will be able to see the entirety of totality in the southwestern sky.
As a bonus, look slightly above the Blood Moon to glimpse the green-blue disk of the planet Uranus during the dark totality (though you’ll need binoculars or a small telescope.)
How the Zodiac Influences the Moon’s Energy
For many of us who live in concert with Nature’s rhythms, the Full Moon is one of the most magical of times -- an ideal occasion for becoming intentional and for creating change.
The Moon orbits one full turn around the Earth in 28 days. And as it does, it passes through each of the Zodiac signs for about 2 to 2 1/2 days.
The sign of the Moon on any given day broadcasts a subtle emotional undercurrent.
Just as our personalities can be described in terms of the position of the Sun and Moon at the time of birth, the changing moods and energies of our daily lives can be correlated with the passage of the Moon through the Zodiac each month.
Although any Full Moon can mark a time for manifestation, it is helpful to know which sign of the Zodiac the Full Moon is in, and how that effects the energies at work.
Like the mystery of the lunar pull, it's hard to put your finger on … it’s also not scientifically proven … yet it can serve as a good guideline in terms of whatever goal or intention we’ve set out for ourselves.
For example, if you’d like to increase prosperity, your Full Moon meditation would be enhanced by an earth-sign Moon (particularly Taurus); a Cancer Moon might also be appropriate. An air-sign Moon would be less effective, because of the emphasis on the mental rather than the tangible. You could, however, use the energy of an air-sign Moon to stimulate productive conversation with an employer, which might lead indirectly to monetary rewards.
Full Moon in Taurus
The Taurus Full Moon/Eclipse may be shaking things up.
The Eclipse will intensify emotions and shifting the ground beneath your feet. It may feel like an earthquake, completely moving you out of your old life and align you with a higher energy field.
Since Taurus rules your values, there may be a big Shake Up in what you find important and what you are willing to release. You may have a new perspective about your money, how you want to make money, and how you value money – which affects the money you receive.
As an earth sign, Taurus is typically grounding and helps you feel centered. Overall, this Full Moon is helping you create stability. To get there, there may be some chaos to break down the old and create space for the new.
The Taurus Full Moon takes place on the day of the mid-term elections for the United States. Some astrologers predict that there may be shift in power or unexpected results. On a personal level, this may be taking place within your own life, by standing up for something you believe in and speaking your truth.
Dynamic Balance
Each full moon is a reminder to find balance between opposing forces (the sun and moon).
Opposite the Taurus Moon is the Scorpio Sun. Scorpio helps you dive into deep emotional states so that you’re able to heal hidden elements of yourself such as fears, emotional wounds, and programming. As you heal past patterns, Scorpio represents the Phoenix rising from the ashes, so that as you release past programming and patterns, you open up space for new possibilities, live in a higher vibration and expand your growth. The Scorpio sun helps you tune into what you value most and speaking your truth – whether it’s better communication, setting healthy boundaries or letting go of relationships that no longer serve you, be mindful about what is coming to light and needs your attention.
Like every Full Moon, there is a balance between your personal needs (Taurus) and shared needs (Scorpio). The Taurus/Scorpio axis is helping you to discover what you value most, so that you align your focus and energy toward getting the results you want. It’s helping you identify your personal energy and how you’re interacting with others. As a result, you may set and maintain better boundaries so that you protect your energy and no longer feel depleted.
Want to join us for our next Full Moon ritual?
COME CELEBRATE with us!