The Full Worm Moon
March 9, 2020
The month of March brings spring and promises of warmer temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere. (In the Southern Hemisphere, March is the beginning of autumn.) The warmer weather thaws earth frozen from a harsh winter, allowing roots to push up through the soil and begin the rebirth of spring. Earthworms also appear in March, attracting birds such as robins—a sure sign of spring—and giving name to the month’s full “Worm Moon.” In 2020, the full Worm Moon appears today, March 9. It is also a supermoon (the first of three in 2020) when the moon is at perigee, the point when it is nearest the Earth and appears slightly brighter and larger in the sky.
The full moon during March is known as the Worm Moon because of the reemergence of earthworms during the month. Credit: © Maryna Pleshkun, Shutterstock
March is the third month of the year according to the Gregorian calendar, which is used in most of the world today. It was the first month of the early Roman calendar. Later, the ancient Romans made January 1 the beginning of the year, and March became the third month. The Romans called this month Martius in honor of Mars, the Roman god of war. March has always had 31 days. Assassins killed the Roman emperor Julius Caesar on March 15, also known as the Ides of March, in 44 B.C.
The equinox which marks the start of spring or autumn occurs on March 19, 20, or 21. On this day, the sun shines directly on the equator, and the lengths of day and night are nearly equal all over the world. Equinox celebrations are widespread and varied. In Iran, Nowruz (Persian New Year) celebrations begin on the date of the March equinox and last for 13 days. Some people in other countries of central and southern Asia, including Afghanistan and Iraq, also celebrate the Persian New Year. Japanese Buddhists celebrate Higan on both the vernal equinox in March and the autumnal equinox in September. All businesses close for the celebrations. The Japanese use this time to honor their ancestors.
March 3 is Hina-Matsuri, a doll festival in Japan. On this day, kids display a set of dolls on a special stand in their homes. These dolls represent members of the royal court and are usually family heirlooms. Many countries celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8. This day honors women, especially working women. March is Women’s History Month in the United States. It is a time to recognize women’s achievements and contributions to society. March 17 is celebrated as St. Patrick’s Day in the United States and other countries where Irish immigrants have settled. Many people wear green clothing and eat traditional Irish foods, such as corned beef and cabbage. In Ireland, the celebrations are usually more solemn and religious in nature.
The Jewish festival of Purim usually falls in March. It occurs on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar. Purim marks Queen Esther’s rescue of the Jews of Persia from a plot to kill them. Jewish people celebrate this holiday by reading the Book of Esther in the Bible and with masquerade parties, charitable giving, and feasting.
