Salute to the Worm Moon

In his final book (1881), Charles Darwin documented that worms literally move the earth in the process of their meanderings. He noted that their passage through the earth aerates the soil and the natural chemistry of their guts renders soil and plant matter into fertile pellets. As a by-product of their movements, worms deposit new soil on the surface, causing whatever was on top to slowly submerge. Thus, whole monuments may be buried over a period of decades. It is estimated that for a single acre of cultivated land, earthworms move 8 tons of earth in a year, enough to produce a new layer of earth 2 inches thick, rich in nitrogen, phosphorous and calcium.

Tomorrow, on March 9, 2020 at precisely 1:48 p.m. the Worm Moon will reach it’s peak fullness.  But, weather permitting, we at Merry Mount will observe the full splendor of the Worm Moon tonight as we listen for earthworms as they excavate the soil.

Worm Moon?  Native Americans (and others who were aware) noticed that in the Northern Hemisphere, the month of March was a transitioning month between Winter and Spring, and that earthworms often begin to surface due to the thawing ground.  The full moon was an important occasion for them and its splendor whetted their imaginations.  Their mystical beliefs prompted numerous traditions long before scientific knowledge eclipsed their beliefs.

Whether you believe the full moon brings forth the worms, or you know that the tilt of the Earth changes seasons, we can observe the beauty of the quality of the moonlight tonight.

We will call him Mr Ow.

He smiles at a Spoon and a Cow.

At this time of year,

Squiggly objects appear.

The Earth wakes up, here and now.

CPW