27th November 2023

 

27^th November 2023

November full moon, 2009

Every full moon has a special name, and many have more than one. Full moons always rise at sunset while new moons rise at sunrise.

November’s full moon rises on Monday 27^th November. This moon is known as the Hunter’s Moon, as is October’s full moon. It is also called the Freezing Moon or the Frosty Moon, fittingly for a month in which toe and nose-nipping frosts can be expected.

Another name for it is the Beaver Moon, less appropriately in UK. The Beaver Moon is named for the time of year when beavers start sheltering in their lodges, having stocked their larders to feed themselves through the winter. They do not hibernate.

 Although beavers have been reintroduced to areas of the country after 400 years of extinction, they are only free-ranging in a few localities, the rest being kept in large fenced and protected areas. It is possible to see beavers in guided tours in the Scottish Highlands and other areas of Scotland or Cornwall, usually as part of a guided tour.

Full Moon  

One night as Dick lay fast asleep,

Into his drowsy eyes

A great still light began to creep

From out the silent skies.

It was the lovely moon’s, for when

He raised his drowsy head,

Her surge of silver filled the pane

And streamed across his bed.

So, for a while, each gazed at each –

Dick and the solemn moon –

Till, climbing slowly on her way,

She vanished, and was gone.

                                                                 Walter de la Mare 1873 - 1956

Walter de la Mare is best remembered for writing children's poems, though the majority of his work consisted of psychological horror stories.

He wrote another poem about the moon, ‘Silver’. I remember learning this one at school.

 

Slowly, silently, now the moon

Walks the night in her silver shoon;

This way, and that, she peers, and sees

Silver fruit upon silver trees;

One by one the casements catch

Her beams beneath the silvery thatch;

Couched in his kennel, like a log,

With paws of silver sleeps the dog;

From their shadowy cote the white breasts peep

Of doves in a silver-feathered sleep;

A harvest mouse goes scampering by,

With silver claws and a silver eye;

And moveless fish in the water gleam,

By silver reeds in a silver stream,.

 

Today is also my son’s birthday. He was blessed – or cursed – with three sisters, one older, two younger, and learnt early how to deal with feminine wiles and inconsistencies. He grew into a patient and empathetic man to whom children are drawn. He is fun but firm - children always listen to him, respect him and do not cross the invisible line.

Gareth, left, with big sister Gillian, 1972

 Now he has two sons and a daughter of his own. 

(It is also my niece's birthday and she likes to remind me that Jimi Hendrix was born on this day.)