March's Full Moon, traditionally known as the Worm Moon, carries with it a sense of mystery and the promise of spring's arrival. This celestial event has captivated observers for centuries, with its name and associated phenomena steeped in folklore and scientific intrigue. Let's delve into the details of this fascinating Full Moon and explore the reasons behind its unique moniker.
Why Is It Called the Worm Moon?
The Full Moon names used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac come from a number of places, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. Traditionally, each Full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred, not only to the Full Moon.
For many years, it was believed that the name "Worm Moon" referred to the earthworms that appear as the soil warms in spring. This invites robins and other birds to feed-a true sign of spring!
However, more research revealed another explanation. In the 1760s, Captain Jonathan Carver visited the Naudowessie (Dakota) and other Native American tribes and wrote that the name Worm Moon refers to a different sort of “worm”-beetle larvae-which begin to emerge from the thawing bark of trees and other winter hideouts at this time.
Alternative March Moon Names that speak to the transition from winter to spring include the Sugar Moon.
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The "Blood" Moon and Total Lunar Eclipse
This is more than just another Full Moon! There will also be a Total Lunar Eclipse, also called a Blood Moon. During a lunar eclipse, the Sun, Moon, and Earth all align so that the Earth comes between the Moon and the Sun. This means that the Earth will cast a shadow over the Moon (also known as the umbra). When the Moon is in the umbra of the Earth, the Earth casts a reddish shadow, hence the name Blood Moon.
This lunar eclipse is visible from all of North America.
The Elusive Moonbow
A moonbow is just like a solar rainbow, but is created by moonlight (rather than sunlight) when it is refracted through water droplets in the air. Moonbows only happen when the Full Moon is fairly low in the sky, so look for one in the hours after sunset when the sky is dark. Learn more about moonbows here!
This March Moon will look especially large to us when it’s near the horizon because of the “Moon illusion,” which is when it looks bigger when near comparative objects than it does when it’s high in the sky without any references.
Moon Phases for March 2026
All dates and times listed here are Eastern Time.
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→ When is the next Full Moon? Consult our Full Moon Calendar to find out!
Each month, we explain the traditional names of the Full Moon along with some fascinating Moon facts. In this video, learn about the Full Worm Moon, Moon illusions, and when and why the Moon rides high or low in the sky.
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