Every month has at least one full moon, and each moon has a name. Early Native American tribes named the moons based on the seasons. This could include flora in bloom at that time of the year, animals that are active, or the tribe’s activities such as hunting or harvesting.
The Beaver Moon is also sometimes known as the Frost Moon, Trading Moon, Oak Moon, Mourning Moon, Turkey Moon, Dark Moon, Hare Moon, and Scratching Moon.
When Is the Beaver Moon?
The Beaver Moon falls in late November. It comes after the Hunter’s Moon when the game is fattened for winter and easier to hunt in the cleared fields and before the Cold Moon when winter has settled across the land.
This year, the Beaver Moon will reach its peak on November 8, 2022 at 6:02 a.m. EST.
The 2022 Beaver Moon is also a total lunar eclipse! Read more about the Beaver Blood Moon, which is the last total eclipse we’ll see until 2025.
Beaver Moon Meaning: Why Is It Called a Beaver Moon?
With winter quickly approaching, this full moon rose during the time of year when Native American tribes and European trappers set their beaver traps to collect the warm pelts before the swamps and ponds froze over.
Soon, the beavers would retreat into their lodges, which are their small, dome-shaped “houses” made by weaving sticks, grasses, and mosses together with mud. A lodge is not the same structure as a dam. Beavers build dams to create a safe pond where they can build their lodge, which has an underwater entrance and a dry, insulated room above the water line.
Beavers don’t actually hibernate, but they do slow down their activities in the winter. During the summer, they build up a cache of food and overeat to fatten up so they’re prepared to spend less time outside searching for food during the cold season. Their fur coat is made of two layers to provide maximum insulation, making it appealing to trappers for the fur trade. The outer layer of the coat is long, thick, and waterproof. The inner layer is oily and has finer fur to trap body heat.
Beaver Moon Spiritual Meaning
When the full moon arrives in November, the seasons are in transition. We are in the dark half of the year now. The trees have dropped most (if not all) of their leaves, the mornings are crisp with frost, and the smell of the first snow is in the air.
We are slipping deeper into the restful transition phase of the year. Like the beavers and other animals, we prepare to hunker down for winter after an intense period of hard work during the light half of the year.
The Beaver Moon is a time of reflection and gratefulness. The end of the year is a good time to look back on your journey and consider the goals you had set at the beginning of the year. Did you reach them? Even if you haven’t yet, did you progress in the right direction? Why or why not? What can you learn from your achievements and failures when you’re ready to set new intentions?
How to Honor the Beaver Moon: Altar Tips, Colors, Crystals, & Ritual Ideas
For this moon, find a quiet place to meditate and focus on your breathing. Think about the importance of rest so you feel recharged and ready to set new intentions soon with the new year. Take a little “me time” and do whatever helps you relax. You might consider taking a ritualistic bath to help with that.
(If so, I highly recommend the candles and bath sets from Hemlock Park. This amazing business is a certified carbon-neutral company that uses organic ingredients and plants a tree for every purchase.)
This is also a good time to clean your home. Your lodge should be comfortable as you prepare to settle in for winter. Decorate with things that make you happy. Burn candles to remember the power of warmth and light even when the days are short and cold. (Check out my guide to match candle colors to your intentions.)
The best crystals to tap into the energy of the Beaver Moon are tiger’s eye, moonstone, and jasper. The Beaver Moon has a close relationship with the element of water, so blue crystals such as chrysocolla would also fit well. Charging my crystal collection is always a part of my full moon rituals, and I find the power of the summer/fall full moons to be particularly powerful for cleansing and recharging.
WARNING: the eclipse brings intense, chaotic energy. If you are planning to charge your crystals or make moon water, do so at your own risk. This type of energy might not be what you want to harness.
You’re welcome to decorate your altar with anything that brings you peace and happiness, but if you really want to sync with the spiritual energy of the Beaver Moon, the best altar colors are black, navy, purple, and other dark colors to honor the upcoming period of rest for the Earth. Deep reds and burgundy would also fit well as we shift from fall to winter.
Appropriate altar decorations include anything you can scavenge from the end of the harvest, including root vegetables, husks, dried flowers, seed pods, nuts, leaves, and fall fruits. Please gather sparingly; leave enough for the animals to store for winter. Since the Beaver Moon is close to Samhain, you can also incorporate those themes into your altar display and add mementos from loved ones, both living and departed.
In the end, my most important advice is to listen to your mind, body, and soul and honor the full moon in whatever way feels most fitting to you. As long as you find your own way to connect with the Beaver Moon’s energy, you’re doing it right.
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A monthly subscription box is a great way to celebrate the full moon! Check out my top witchy/spiritual box recommendations.
For more information on full moons, see the 2022 full moon calendar with names, dates, and meanings here.
Award-winning fantasy author, freelance writer, spiritual explorer, and sole founder of Green Witch Lunar Witch. She created her first website in 2016 and published her first novel two years later. Sara spends most of her time writing, creating, and daydreaming.
I had so much fun doing a ritual with this moon! I’ve been slacking really badly lately, but here’s to manifesting your dreams 🖤
I can relate! It’s hard to consistently make time to unplug and meditate, but so worthwhile for your mental and spiritual wellbeing. Full moon blessings 🖤
I always love learning the lore and history behind stuff like this! I always thought it was so silly to give the moon so many different names until I started learning things like this.
Agreed! I never used to understand the names either, but the more research I did, the more I became intrigued by what the moons represented for each season.
That magickal earth subscription box looks AMAAAAZING. 😻
Yes! It’s a great starter subscription, especially because it comes at different levels with different price points. So you can start small and then invest in the bigger boxes if you love it.