The first full moon of the spring season is set to appear on the nights of Sunday, March 24, and Monday, March 25. Known as the Worm Moon, this celestial spectacle will reach its peak illumination at 3:00 A.M. ET on Monday, March 25, 2024.
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When to See the Full Moon in March 2024
You don’t have to wait until the middle of the night to witness the beauty of the Moon. Keep your eyes on the sky as it rises above the horizon on Sunday evening. In case the weather doesn’t cooperate on Sunday night, give it another shot on Monday! To find out when the Moon will be visible in your area, check the local lunar calendar.
If you’re lucky enough to have a little rain on either of these nights, you might even catch a glimpse of a rare phenomenon called a moonbow. Similar to a solar rainbow, a moonbow is formed by the refraction of moonlight through water droplets in the air. Moonbows can only be seen when the full Moon is low in the sky, so be on the lookout during the hours after sunset when the sky is dark. Learn more about these magical moonbows here!
Additionally, this month’s Moon will appear larger than usual when it’s near the horizon due to the fascinating “Moon illusion.” The Moon illusion creates the illusion that the Moon looks bigger when it’s near comparative objects than when it’s high in the sky without any references. So get ready to be amazed by this optical trick of nature!
Why Is It Called the Worm Moon?
The full Moon names, as used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac, have origins in Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. The names were traditionally applied to the entire lunar month in which they occurred, not just the full Moon itself.
Interestingly, March’s full Moon is known as the Worm Moon. For a long time, it was believed that this name referred to the earthworms that appear as the soil warms in spring, attracting robins and other birds—a true sign of spring!
However, further research has revealed an alternative explanation. In the 1760s, Captain Jonathan Carver visited the Naudowessie (Dakota) and other Native American tribes. He wrote that the name Worm Moon actually refers to beetle larvae emerging from the thawing bark of trees and other winter hideouts during this time. Isn’t nature full of surprises?
Alternative March Moon Names
Apart from the Worm Moon, there are several other names for the March Moon that reflect the transition from winter to spring. Some names focus on the appearance or reappearance of specific animals, such as the Eagle Moon, Goose Moon (Algonquin, Cree), or Crow Comes Back Moon (Northern Ojibwe). Others signify signs of the changing season:
- The Sugar Moon (Ojibwe) marks the time when the sap of sugar maples starts to flow.
- The Wind Strong Moon (Pueblo) represents the strong, windy days that come during this time.
- The Sore Eyes Moon (Dakota, Lakota, Assiniboine) highlights the blinding rays of sunlight reflecting off the melting snow of late winter.
Another notable name associated with March’s full Moon is the Paschal Moon. In Christianity, this Moon is called the Lenten Moon if it is the last full Moon of the winter season (occurring before the spring equinox), or the Paschal Full Moon if it is the first full Moon of spring (occurring after the spring equinox).
This year, March’s full Moon, which falls on March 25, 2024, occurs after the spring equinox (March 19, 2024), making it the Paschal Moon. As the first full Moon of the spring season, it will determine the date of Easter this year. Curious to learn more about how Easter’s date is determined? Keep reading!
Moon Phases for March 2024
All dates and times listed here are in Eastern Time. Refer to our Moon Phase Calendar for local times.
- Last Quarter: March 3, 10:23 A.M. ET
- New Moon: March 10, 5:00 A.M. ET
- First Quarter: March 17, 12:11 A.M. ET
- Full Moon: March 25, 3:00 A.M. ET
If you want to know when the next full Moon will appear, consult our Full Moon Calendar—your guide to all upcoming lunar events!
March Worm Moon Video
Every month, we enjoy exploring the traditional names of the full Moon and sharing fascinating Moon facts. In this exclusive video, you’ll learn all about the full Worm Moon, the mesmerizing Moon illusions, and the reasons behind the Moon’s varying height in the sky. Click below to watch the video and enhance your lunar knowledge!
Best Days in March 2024
Here are the best days for various activities based on the Moon’s sign and phase in March:
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For Planting:
- Aboveground crops: 13, 14
- Belowground crops: 1, 27-29
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For Setting Eggs: 24, 25
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For Fishing: 10-25
For more information on the best days for other activities, explore our Best Days Calendar.
That’s it for the Worm Moon of March 2024! We hope you’re as excited as we are to witness this remarkable lunar event. Share your thoughts and impressions about this month’s Moon below!
