Shine On Harvest Moon

Shine on...shine on Harvest Moon! Yep that's right folks...there are two very significant Autumnal happenings coming up this month to help us celebrate this wonderful time of year. First up is the Harvest Moon on Monday, September 15th. The full moon in September is often called the "Harvest Moon". The theory behind this particular moon is that it rises earlier in the evening so there is not such a long period of darkness between sunset and moonrise. This extra light in the early evening was a benefit to the farmers of old who needed a few extra hours to "harvest" their crops. The moon oft times looks fuller and more orangy in appearance as it rises in the Sept/Oct. skies. And it's the perfect time to take the family outdoors and have a Harvest Moon picnic complete with seasonal foods such as apples, squash, corn and pumpkin!

(Harvest Moon photo by Dan Bush)

The other major event happening is the Autumn Equinox on Monday, September 22nd. In agrarian times this solar event was celebrated as Mabon. This was celebrated at a Harvest festival where they prepared to bring in the second round of crops for the long winter months ahead. Equinox means equal, and so on the dates of the Autumn and Spring equinox....the day and the night are said to be of equal length. But also this time of the year marks the upcoming change when the sun begins to retreat and the night begins to dominate. We Autumn people call it the dark half of the year. We begin the transistion from warmth and abundance to the starkness of Winter. So tune into nature this year and observe the Autumn Equinox for the seasonal apsects it represents in our lives. Consider it a time of balance and a time for reflection on what was, and what will be. And consider removing things that no longer serve a purpose in your life. Enjoy the earth as she gets out her coat of many colors and adorns herself for the lovely season of Autumn. For it is one of Mother Nature's most spectacular gifts.