Current Moon Phase

Waxing Gibbous
96% of full

Farmers Almanac
The 2013 Farmers Almanac
Farmers' Almanac

December’s Full Cold Moon

December’s Full Cold Moon

During December, the winter cold fastens its grip, and nights are at their longest and darkest, giving this month’s full moon the name “Cold Moon.” December’s full moon is also sometimes referred to as the Moon Before Yule. Yet another term, “Long Night Moon” is doubly appropriate because the midwinter night is indeed long, and because the moon is above the horizon for a long time. The midwinter full moon has a high trajectory across the sky because it is opposite a low sun.

Get all 12 months of full moon names here.

If you notice a hole in the upper left-hand corner of your Farmers' Almanac, don't return it to the store! That hole isn't a defect; it's a part of history. Starting with the first edition of the Farmers' Almanac in 1818, readers used to nail holes into the corners to hang it up in their homes, barns, and outhouses (to provide both reading material and toilet paper). In 1910, the Almanac's publishers began pre-drilling holes in the corners to make it even easier for readers to keep all of that invaluable information (and paper) handy.

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