Photo

Photo courtesy of David Johnson

Glowing like a candle flame, the March moon hovers over the Grand Marais lighthouse.

There are many names for the March moon. It is called the full “Worm” moon, as the temperature rises and the ground thaws, earthworm castings appear, heralding the return of robins. Thus, the origin of March’s full Moon name, the Full Worm Moon. Northern American Indian tribes know this Moon as the Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signals the end of winter. March’s Moon is also referred to as the Crust Moon. This is because snow cover melts by day and freezes at night, forming a crust. Another variation is the Sap Moon, marking the time to tap maple trees. Some just call it beautiful.