Worm Moon: The Stunning Full Moon of March 2024

The Full Moon of March 2024 is called the Worm Moon, and it’s considered the final Moon of Winter. The Spring season is upon us, and with it, new life and excitement. The Worm Moon’s spiritual meaning reflects the fresh starts taking place everywhere you look!

Tiny buds are pushing their way up through the earth, filling your heart and soul with pure joy. Birds, squirrels, and other critters scurry about, and you wonder if they feel the same hope and anticipation you do.

Whether physically or metaphorically, it’s time to plant seeds you can harvest and reap the rewards of later this year. What hard work and energy can you do NOW to help out your future self? It’s time to get specific on your goals and focus your energy on your specific intention.

Every full moon has its own name based on the month or the season in which it appears. Creating a name for each full Moon allowed people to reflect on each season and how it affects them AND the natural world. There can be some variation on the Full Moon names due to the origins from whence they came.

Most Full Moon names are English translations of Native American names; others are rooted in Celtic, European (Anglo-Saxon and Germanic), and more recent Neo-Pagan origins. I created a guide to each Full Moon, complete with their meanings and how you can celebrate

Please note that I make every effort to ensure this information is correct and accurate through my own experiences and referencing sources throughout AND at the bottom of this article.

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When is the Full Moon in March 2024?

In 2024, the Worm Moon occurs on March 25th, reaching its peak at 3:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Why Is It Called the Worm Moon?

According to NASA, only Southern Native American tribes called March’s Moon the Worm Moon due to the emergence of earthworm manure (called vermicast) as the earth began to thaw.

The Full Moon of March was not called the Worm Moon in more northern areas of North America because they’d gone extinct thousands of years before!

When glaciers covered the northern part of North America they wiped out the native earthworms. After these glaciers melted about 12,000 years ago the more northern forests grew back without earthworms.

The earthworms in these areas now are mostly invasive species introduced from Europe and Asia.

NASA – March Worm Moon

The Old Farmer’s Almanac claims an alternative theory originates with Captain Jonathan Carver (18th-century author and early “explorer” of North America), who supposedly wrote about a “worm-like beetle larvae” appearing this time of year.

However, I’ve been unable to find any writings by Captain Carver, and The Old Farmer’s Almanac isn’t listing their sources. Due to these facts, I don’t believe this theory is very credible.

Worm Moon Spiritual Meaning

As the days continue to grow longer and brighter, earthworms appear as the soil warms and softens. Birds, enthralled with new feeding opportunities, descend upon them. More evidence Spring is close at hand.

These small signs indicate the dark cold days are ending and a new season is beginning. Earth is awakening from its deep Winter rest. During these spirited days, we celebrate the Full Moon of March.

The Worm Moon’s spiritual meaning is optimism, hope, and new beginnings.

Full Moon March 2024 Alternative Names

• Sap Moon (shkipiye kwiitha) Shawnee Native American origins (maple syrup is typically tapped from early to mid-March)
• Lenten Moon (Old English word meaning Spring or longer days) (Source)
• Warming Moon (yu’a-mea’) Shoshone Native American origins
• Wind Moon and Plough Moon (Celtic) (Source: Time and Date)
• Crow Moon Mohican (Algonquian) Native American origins
• Stormy Month (Hlyd-monath) or Rugged Month (hraed-monath) Anglo-Saxon origins (Source: The Guardian)
• Noisy Goose Moon (xitgáas kungáay) Haida Native American origins
• Death Moon (more recent Neo-Pagan origins referring to the death of Winter)

For a list of even more Native American Moon names, check out American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association’s article or Western Washington University’s article.

When is the Paschal Moon in 2024?

The Paschal (pronounced pass-kl) Full Moon helps to determine the date of the Christian celebration of Easter. The holiday celebration always occurs on the Sunday following the first Full Moon after the Spring Equinox.

In 2024, the Spring Equinox takes place on March 19th, which is BEFORE March’s Full Worm Moon on March 25th.

This makes Easter land on March 31st and makes March’s Full Moon the Paschal Moon!

Worm Moon Correspondences

The spiritual meaning of March’s Worm Full Moon is a powerful time for hopeful intentions, magic, and a lovely time for meditation. To get you started, here are some spiritual correspondences and intentions!

Worm Moon Spiritual Intentions

• Hopeful intentions
• Inspiration
• New growth
• Rebirth
• Fertility
• Motivation
• Good luck
• Optimism
• Idealism
• Purification (cleansing of stagnant and old energy)

March Full Moon Colors

• Green
• Pastel Pink
• Lilac Purple
• Yellow

How I Celebrate March’s Full Moon

Here are a few Worm Moon rituals, intentions, and magical ideas to help you celebrate March’s full Moon. For more ritual ideas, check out Full Moon Rituals: Manifest Insane Energy 

Journaling

Journaling during each full moon lets me observe short-term (monthly) goals and reflections. Take some time to ruminate on your life right now. What are you proud to have accomplished? What goals would you still like to achieve? These intentions can be big or small. What challenges are you facing, and what is your plan to overcome them?

Writing is a beautiful habit, and it’s fascinating to reflect back on. To see how your thoughts and opinions may have changed or stayed the same. It can also help you slow down and observe your current situation. To be fully present at this moment.

Storm Water

March’s Full Moon is also known as the Storm Moon due to the more frequent thunder, lightning, and rainstorms occurring during March.

Collect powerful and potent stormwater with any jars or bowls you prefer. You can use the stormwater to cleanse your crystals, tools, ritual work, on your altar, or use it to make Moon Water.

Contemplate the various uses of rainwater depending on the type of storm. A calm and serene drizzle carries an entirely different mood and energy than an intense lightning storm. How can you use rainwater differently for cleansing, meditation, rituals, or consumption?

Creating A Balance in Your Life

During March, we are very close to the Spring Equinox. Acknowledge and honor this by finding ways to incorporate balance into your life.

YouTuber Sunny Lenarduzzi has five F’s tattooed on her arm to symbolize her biggest values. They stand for Faith, Family, Finance, Friends, and Fitness.

I encourage you to ruminate on your biggest values and intentions. What can you do to incorporate more time focused on your biggest priorities? Better yet, what can you eliminate? Simplify, simplify, simplify! You can accomplish so much more by honing in on a few things rather than everything!

Start Seedlings or Seed Bombs

You’ve spent the Winter planning and preparing, now is your opportunity to begin! Depending on where you live, March can be a fantastic time to start some seedlings!

You could also create some seed bombs to place intentions into and give as a gift or place in your own garden. A popular choice is wildflowers, but feel free to pick your favorite! All you need is air-dry clay, potting soil, and seeds!

Optimistic Pursuits

The Full Worm Moon is a season of pure potential and enthusiasm! Right now is an outstanding time to pursue big goals, like a new job, starting a new business, financial intentions, etc.

Start the ball rolling on your big dreams, but don’t overdo it! You don’t want to burn out! Big life changes occur with a series of small steps; now is your opportunity to plant those seeds!

Have you been wanting to change your employment situation? Get your resume current and up to date, and get clear on what companies you’d prefer to work for.

What about starting your own business? What small steps can you take now that will really help you in the future? Maybe you should start a website for your business, apply for your EIN, or open your business checking account.

If you want to take control of your finances or learn a new skill, start educating yourself! Sign up for a class, read books by experts, or watch some YouTube videos! The list can go on and on! The point is, get out there and make your dreams come true!

Is the Full Moon of March 2024 a Supermoon?

No, the Full Moon of March will NOT be a supermoon.

However, there will be TWO Supermoons in September and October this year!

The astronomical term for this [supermoon] phenomenon is perigee-syzygy Moon. The alignment of the Sun, the Moon, and Earth that occurs at both new and full moon is known as syzygy.

Britannica – Supermoon

Will March’s Worm Moon Have A Lunar Eclipse in 2024?

Yes! March’s Worm Moon will have a Lunar Eclipse this year.

However, there will be two Lunar Eclipses AND two Solar Eclipses in 2024! (see chart below)

penumbra, (from Latin paene, “almost”; umbra, “shadow”), in astronomy, the outer part of a conical shadow, cast by a celestial body, where the light from the Sun [or other light source like the moon] is partially blocked—as compared to the umbra (q.v.), the shadow’s darkest, central part, where the light is totally excluded.

Britannica – Penumbra Eclipse

Is There a Black Moon in March 2024?

No, March doesn’t have a seasonal Black Moon in 2024.

However, there will be a calendrical Black Moon on November 30th, 2024.

A Black Moon is a modern phrase that is very similar to the definition of a Blue Moon. However, it involves two NEW MOONS inside a specified time period rather than two FULL MOONS. Since two New Moons take place in the month of November, it makes this a calendrical Black Moon.

A Black Moon brings success and good luck. While a Black Moon is not an astronomical phrase, it’s honored and celebrated by Pagans, witches, and other spiritual practitioners.

I hope you enjoy the Full Moon in March 2024! Lots of love to you, and remember, as always…