“Wolf Moon” is an Indigenous Algonquin name for the January full moon.
The Algonquin Nation is mostly around the Great Lakes in Canada, but the Lenape of Manahatta also spoke an Algonquian language.
The famed Algonquin Hotel on Club Row on West 44th St was a reference to these Native Americans.
The Wolf Moon
Indigenous culture around the world is mostly based on the forces of nature. There were no books, radio, television, internet or social media. People were much more in tune with nature.
This full moon’s name refers to the fact that in mid-winter, the wolves are getting hungry so they come closer to the settlements. Hunger diminishes their fear.
There are no wolves in New York anymore, but once upon a time, under this moon was when you might see and hear wolves hanging around.
The next Wolf Moon reaches its fullness over New York City on Monday, January 17, 2022 at 2:18pm. If you hear them howling, just howl back.