Today’s Full Moon at 12.40pm is known mainly by the Farmers’ Almanac as the Worm Moon, referring to the earthworms that appear as the soil warms in spring, inviting robins and other birds to feed. Europeans may know March’s Full Moon as the Lenten Moon, according to NASA, after the Christian period of fasting before Easter, which coincides with this period in the lunar cycle.

There are other names for this particular Full Moon all of which herald the transition from Winter into Spring.  Such names include:

• Crow Comes Back Moon.
• Sugar Moon – marking the time of year when the sap of sugar maples trees starts to flow.
• Wind Strong Moon – referring to the strong windy days that come at this time of year.
• The Sore Eyes Moon – from North Dakota where the blinding rays of sunlight reflect off the melting snow of late winter.

Traditionally, each Full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred, not only to the Full Moon.

For Hindus, this March’s Full Moon marks the festival of Holi, a celebration of the love of the god Radha Krishna and the triumph of good over evil. During Holi, revellers light bonfires and douse each other with colourful powders or dyed water.

For many Buddhists, March’s Full Moon is the Full Moon of the third lunar month, the time of the festival Māgha Pūjā in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Sri Lanka. This festival celebrates an ancient gathering of disciples with Buddha.

 It’s a period of new beginnings. Look for the spectacularly bright Moon as it rises above the horizon this evening! Planets Venus and Jupiter, will continue to dominate the western sky.

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