Eclipse of the Wolf Moon

What an extraordinary evening of beauty and mystery.

As the full Wolf Moon rose above the treetops, her appearance almost felt like a surprise given the bank of clouds that initially partially obscured her ascent.

The owls were silent yet again this evening, mesmerized, perhaps, by the exquisite majesty of the beacon climbing the sky and illuminating their nests. The air was still. There were barely any cars on the road at first, none the final mile.

Full Wolf Moonrise – Photo: L. Weikel

An unnaturally warm front arrived late this afternoon, making our walk far easier than last night’s, especially on Sheila. She didn’t drag her dainty little puppy feet quite as much as she does when it’s freezing out and we’re just getting started. She’s frequently reluctant to get her old bones moving, even more so when it’s frigid out, but she always – always! – rallies to the cause and motors through either the two or the four mile trek with ease.

Tonight, even the pups seemed entranced by the moon. What was it about this particular full moon? I wish I could say.

She was particularly photogenic; I’ll give her that.

Unlike last night, she shone with crystal clarity; no gauzy obscurity tonight.

This last photo looks, to me, like either a bear or a dog – probably a Golden Retriever – holding the full moon in its mouth. Or if you think it looks like a Golden, that’s almost certainly a glowing, cosmic tennis ball being proffered for play.

Bear Swallows Full Wolf Moon – Photo: L. Weikel

I know I’ve been relentlessly urging a walk outside with eyes lifted to the heavens. I’m not going to stop bugging you now. There’s something powerful about knowing that no matter where we are on Mother Earth, we’re all looking up at the same moon. Perhaps at different times, but she’s always there for all of us – and she’s always a unifying force.

What do we discover when we allow the moonlight to pick the locks of our deepest secrets?

(T-686)