Right then, gather ‘round, moon gazers and cosmic enthusiasts. Tomorrow morning at precisely 10:03am, our celestial neighbour is going to put on quite the show—though you’ll want to catch it at moonrise this evening when it’s actually, you know, dark and you can see the bloody thing properly.
What’s All This Wolf Business About?
January’s full moon has been dubbed the Wolf Moon for centuries, and not—contrary to popular belief—because wolves were particularly peckish in January. Turns out, wolves weren’t howling at the moon due to winter hunger pangs, but rather because they were essentially conducting team meetings. Territory marking, pack bonding, hunting coordination—all very professional, really. Though if I’d spent December eating nothing but the odd snowshoe hare, I might be having a good howl myself.
The name likely arrived in North America via European settlers who brought their Celtic and Old English traditions with them. Other cultures had their own takes: the Assiniboine people called it the Center Moon (middle of winter—quite sensible), whilst the Cree went with the rather ominous Frost Exploding Moon. The Dakota’s Hard Moon referred to the crusty snow, which sounds deeply unpleasant.
Super-Duper-Moon Alert
Now here’s where it gets properly interesting. Tomorrow’s Wolf Moon is also a supermoon—the moon reaches its full phase in Cancer whilst cosying up to Earth at perigee, its closest orbital point. We’re talking 362,312 kilometres away, which is about 22,000 kilometres closer than average. That translates to a moon that’s roughly 14% larger and 30% brighter than your standard full moon. Though to be perfectly honest, you’d need a side-by-side comparison to notice, as the naked eye isn’t terribly reliable at gauging lunar magnitude.
But wait, there’s more! (As they say on those dreadful shopping channels.) Tomorrow also sees Earth at perihelion—our closest approach to the Sun for the year, a mere 147 million kilometres away. This rare triple alignment of Earth, Moon, and Sun being simultaneously chummy hasn’t happened since 1912. Some overly enthusiastic scientists even suggested that event might have helped sink the Titanic by creating extreme tides that dislodged icebergs, though most proper astronomers remain diplomatically sceptical.
The upshot? Our Wolf Supermoon gets an extra brightness boost of about 6.5% from increased solar energy. It’s essentially a triple espresso of lunar luminosity.
Enter the Birch Moon
Now, if you’re of a Celtic persuasion—or at least enjoy dabbling in tree-based timekeeping—January’s full moon is also the Birch Moon. The Celtic Tree Calendar, popularised by poet Robert Graves in his 1948 work The White Goddess (a book that is either brilliant or barmy depending on whom you ask), divides the year into thirteen lunar months, each represented by a tree.
The Birch Moon runs from roughly 24th December to 20th January, marking the period after the winter solstice when daylight begins its slow creep back into our lives. Birch trees, with their distinctive silvery bark that gleams in moonlight, symbolise new beginnings and regeneration. They’re pioneer species—first to colonise cleared ground after a forest fire. Rather apt for January, when we’re all making hopeful resolutions we’ll abandon by February.
In Celtic tradition, the Birch Moon was a time for cleansing rituals and fresh starts. Homes were swept with birch brooms to banish evil spirits and welcome good fortune for the new year. The bark and leaves contain medicinal compounds that early peoples used as pain relievers and anti-inflammatories—basically prehistoric paracetamol growing on trees.
Astrology Gets a Look-In
For those who consult the stars for guidance (no judgement, though your horoscope writer definitely made it up after their third gin), the January Wolf Moon occurs in Gemini. According to astrological interpretations, this lunar placement supposedly encourages communication, curiosity, and adaptability. Perfect timing for those new year intentions, apparently. Though scientifically speaking, the moon’s position relative to distant star patterns has precisely zero influence on your life choices—that’s all you, I’m afraid.
Bonus Celestial Treats
As if a supermoon weren’t enough, Jupiter—the solar system’s corpulent gas giant—will be visible right next to the moon all night. Look for an exceptionally bright “star” near the lunar disc; that’s Jupiter, currently approaching opposition and shining at its most brilliant.
The Wolf Moon also coincides with the peak of the Quadrantid meteor shower (2nd-3rd January). Sadly, our bright supermoon will wash out most of the fainter meteors, but you might spot the occasional fireball if you’re lucky. The Quadrantids are known for producing exceptionally bright meteors, so there’s still hope for a shooting star or two.
How to Actually See This Spectacle
Moonrise occurs shortly after sunset tomorrow evening—around 4:55pm in London, 5:24pm in Los Angeles, for those playing along elsewhere. Find yourself a spot with an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon. The “moon illusion” makes it appear enormous when near the horizon, an optical trick your brain plays that makes nearby objects seem larger.
Unlike meteor showers or the northern lights, you don’t need pristine dark skies—the supermoon is perfectly visible from light-polluted cities. Though if you fancy a proper view, grab a pair of binoculars or a small telescope. You’ll see craters, maria (those dark “seas”), and bright ray systems from ancient impacts in spectacular detail.
The Last Hurrah
Enjoy this supermoon whilst you can—it’s the last full supermoon until 24th November 2026. After tomorrow, we won’t see another until late in the year. There will be new supermoons throughout 2026, but they’re rather pointless as you can’t actually *see* a new moon, being as it’s dark. Bit like celebrating invisible cake.
So tomorrow evening, step outside, look east, and appreciate our cosmic companion putting on a proper show. Wolf Moon, Birch Moon, Supermoon—call it what you will. Just don’t howl too loudly at it; the neighbours will talk.
Clear skies and happy moon gazing!
Fun Facts to Impress Your Mates:
- The moon’s average distance is 238,900 miles (384,472 km)—tomorrow it’ll be about 22,000 km closer
- Wolves don’t actually howl more during full moons; they’re just more noticeable at night because, well, they’re nocturnal
- The Birch tree’s Latin name Betula gives us betulin, a compound currently being studied for anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties
- Birch bark was used to make everything from canoes to roofing material—Vikings even used it for writing before parchment became common
- Tomorrow’s triple alignment (Moon-Earth-Sun proximity) won’t happen again until 3rd January 2045
- The term “supermoon” was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979—astronomers prefer “perigean full moon” but that’s far less catchy.
Silveness