❍ Beaver Moon
November Supermoon
Date: Tuesday 5 November
Moonrise: 4.22pm
Book an exclusive one hour night-time session at our WildSpa sauna and plunge for up to 6 people when you stay at Westerlands during a full moon.
November 2025
Beaver Moon
Why It’s Special
The Beaver Moon is the full moon of late November and this year it is also a supermoon, which means it will appear larger and brighter than average as it rises close to perigee, the Moon’s nearest point to Earth. The Beaver Moon marks the deepening of autumn and the slide towards winter. Nights are longer, the air is colder, and the Moon seems to shine with an extra intensity, both from its orbital position and from the crisp clarity of frosty skies. Traditionally, this moon was the last chance to make preparations before winter tightened its grip, and so it carried a sense of urgency as well as beauty.
What You’ll Notice
At Westerlands, around 4.20pm, the Beaver Moon will climb above the eastern horizon just after sunset. Low on the horizon, it will glow with amber and orange hues before brightening to white as it ascends. Because of the supermoon effect, it will appear noticeably larger, especially to the eye at moonrise when the Moon illusion amplifies its apparent size. The Moon’s light will be particularly useful at this time of year, when daylight is scarce and evenings fall swiftly into darkness. The Beaver Moon will hang high and luminous in the sky, casting long shadows across frosted fields and reflecting from ponds, streams, and rivers, linking it visually to the animal whose name it bears.
Folklore & Tradition
The Beaver Moon is named for the season when beavers are most active, building and repairing their lodges and dams ahead of the freezing of rivers and lakes. In North America, this was also the prime season for trapping, when beaver pelts were thick and valuable for warmth. Among early European settlers and Native American tribes alike, this moon symbolised industriousness, preparation, and the relationship between humans and the natural world. In Britain, the Beaver Moon coincided with the end of the farming year, when people looked to their stored grain, salted meat, and preserved fruit to sustain them through the cold. Some traditions also called it the Frost Moon, a name that reflects the chill that settles firmly by November.
Seasonal Connection
For farming communities, the Beaver Moon signalled the final shift from field work to winter living. By this time, ploughing was complete, animals were sheltered, and food stores were counted. The moonlight was a practical aid to completing these tasks, as well as to trapping or hunting small game. Just as beavers worked tirelessly to prepare their lodges, people mirrored that energy by securing their own households. The Beaver Moon thus symbolised diligence, foresight, and the understanding that survival depended on careful planning. It was a time to take stock, both literally and metaphorically, before the long winter months began.
Tips for Viewers
At Westerlands, look east just after 4:20 pm for the rising Moon. Because it coincides so closely with sunset, the sky will hold a deep twilight glow, making the Moon stand out dramatically in shades of gold and orange. The supermoon effect ensures it will look large and photogenic. This is an excellent opportunity for photography: frame the Moon alongside water features if you can, since its reflection ties beautifully with the beaver’s watery world. As it rises higher and brightens, take a few minutes to simply walk outside and notice how its light transforms the November night, illuminating fields, barns, and woods in a silver glow.