The wolf moon, full moon drumming in January

The very first full moon of the year is known in many cultures as the full wolf moon , which is entirely appropriate given the deep, ancient connection between wolves and the January full moon.

For example, the Gaelic word for January, faoilleach, comes from the term for wolves, faol-chù, although there have been no wolves in Scotland for centuries. The Saxon word for January is Wulf-monath, i.e. wolf-month. The festival of the Japanese wolf god Ooguchi Magami also takes place in January. The Seneca tribe associates the wolf so strongly with the moon that they believe that a wolf gave birth to the moon by singing it into the sky.

But why are wolves so strongly associated with the full moon in January?

The most obvious answer is that wolves are much louder and more conspicuous in January, when the rutting season begins. Wolves howl more frequently and aggressively to stake out their territory and threaten neighbors and enemies to keep them far away from their breeding grounds. A small pack of wolves may even try to create the impression of a larger pack by howling together. While a single wolf can sustain howling for the duration of a single breath, an entire pack sometimes howls together for more than two minutes during the mating season.

Do wolves really sing to the moon?

Everyone knows the iconic image of a wolf raising its head and howling at the full moon - but do wolves actually sing to the moon? They do lift their heads towards the sky so that their howls can reach their pack members over long distances. However, instead of singing to the moon, they actually sing to their friends. In fact, wolves are so well known for their close-knit communities that the Sioux tribe called the full moon in January "the moon where the wolves gather".

The wolf is seen as a symbol of loyalty and protection in many cultures. The wolf moon is the perfect time for you to reach out to your loved ones and reaffirm your bonds so that you can deepen your ties and face new challenges together in the coming year.

However, lone wolves are also quite capable of overcoming hostile conditions with their ingenuity. According to Celtic mythology, the wolf is imbued with the power of the moon, which refers to its ability to sniff out hidden insights or knowledge and detect unexpected sources of danger. In some legends, the wolf even swallows the sun so that it can bask in the moon's exuberant power!

The wolf full moon is a good time to plan clever ways to achieve your goals for the coming year. Trust your wolfish instincts when it comes to making decisions, but also be persistent in your search for useful knowledge that will help you realize your master plan.

(The information here comes from: moongiant.com, factsite.com, almanac.com, and timeanddate.com)

Full moon drumming as a ritual

Since 1997, we at feeltone have been drumming for 2.5 - 3 hours every month during the full moon. Either outside by the campfire or inside. Always in a circle and connected to the time quality of the moon.

For us, this is like meditation, which is also practiced worldwide. The purpose of both is similar: it's about pausing and stopping individuality for a moment. We create our realities through our thinking and get caught up in them all too quickly. That's why it's good to stop thinking from time to time. In this way, the brain waves experience new paths and solutions. Afterwards, we are refreshed, calmer and better connected.

Taking part is very simple

Take whatever instruments you can find (including your voice!) and simply make noises - either alone or with friends. It doesn't matter how well you play - all you need to do is create a groove and get into the rhythm of the world's heartbeat.

We are touched by the stories of many of you who have begun to participate in this monthly global community. Feel free to write a comment below this post about what your ritual was like.

Build your own ritual drum

If you want to unleash the power of your own drum, you can build and consecrate your own ritual drum with Martina in the drum making course. Or you can order adrum kit from our store and build your own drum at home.