Now, that’s one Cold Moon

The December full moon, also known as the Cold Moon, rises above Woodstock Village on Tuesday evening. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Just after sunset on Tuesday, multiple people in downtown Woodstock, Vermont, were stopping to snap photos. The main attraction: the full moon which was boldly greeting the night sky, drifting ever higher above the ridgeline.

It was one of those special gifts nature provides to us every now and then, a spectacle we get to enjoy from way down here on Earth. The December full moon lived up to its name — Cold Moon — on Tuesday night, with temperatures dipping down into the mid-teens in Woodstock, and lower elsewhere in the region. But it’s also called the Long Night Moon, given its arrival close to the Winter Solstice and its extended stay. It remains full through Thursday morning, according to NASA, which makes it the longest full moon of the year.

Witnessing the three-night full moon was an enjoyable moment and one of the fruits an early-evening walk can yield. I treasure those times when nature makes us stop, look, and behold in awe the world around us. If you haven't had a look at the moon tonight, or on Wednesday night, bundle up and check it out. It's well worth it. As we take in that stunning view, it’s comforting to know we’re all united under the same moon, which uplifts us and sparks the creative principle in all of us.

— Gareth Henderson

Editor’s Note: Two moon names were incorrectly included in this post’s original text. The Wolf Moon, or Ice Moon, is in January.