March’s Full Worm Moon arrives Sunday, March 28! Here’s what you need to know about the perfect Worm Moon including why it has such an unusual name.

When To See The Worm Moon In March 2021?

The complete Worm Moon of March reaches its peak at 2:50 P.M. EDT Sunday, March 28, 2021. See the amazingly bright Moon as it rises above the horizon that night!

This year, as it is the first full moon to occur after the spring equinox on March 20, the full moon of March is Paschal Full Moon. This means that its date determines the day of the Passover (April 4, 2021)!

Why Is It Called The Worm Moom?

The full names of the Moon used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac come from many places, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. Traditionally, the full name of the moon was used throughout the lunar month, not just the full moon.

The Full Moon

The full moon of March goes by the name Worm Moon, which was originally thought to refer to the jaws that seem to warm the soil in spring. This invites robots and other birds to eat – a true symbol of spring! Another meaning of the word comes from Captain Jonathan Carver, an 18th-century explorer, who wrote that the name of the Moon refers to another type of “caterpillar” – beetle larvae – which begins to emerge from the melting bark of trees and other winter species.

Other Names For March Moon

There are a few words for the month of March that talk about the transition from winter to spring. Some refer to the emergence (or reincarnation) of certain animals, such as Eagle Moon, Goose Moon (Algonquin, Cree), or Crow Comes Back Moon (Northern Ojibwe), while others refer to seasonal signs:

• Sugar Moon (Ojibwe) marks the time of year when the dough of sugar cane begins to flow.
• Wind Strong Moon (Pueblo) refers to strong windy days coming this time of year.
• Sore Eyes Moon (Dakota, Lakota, Assiniboine) highlights the blinding rays of sunlight reflecting the melting snow of winter.

The full moon of March tends to participate in religion, too. Specifically, in Christianity, this Moon is known as Lent Moon when it is the last full moon of the winter season (i.e., when it occurs before the equinox of spring) or as Paschal Full Moon when it is the first full moon of spring (e.g., when after the spring equinox) .

In 2021, the full moon of March occurs after the equinox day of the spring (March 20), so it is also Paschal Full Moon.