Harvest Moon Haven

Change is in the air~

Autumn leaves blow on the breeze

Harvest Moon is here!

Ah....yesterday the Autumn Equinox, tonight the Harvest Moon! Doesn't get much better than that does it? So I created a little 5-7-5 Haiku to honor the occasion. The Harvest Moon is my favorite moon of the year for no other great reason than I love its name the best. Something about the word harvest puts me in an Autumn frame of mind. I think the Chinese have the right idea by celebrating with a Mid-Autumn festival. But what I really love is their use of the lanterns on this most auspicious evening. For this is also a festival of light for them, where they march in a processional carrying candle lit lanterns to celebrate the Moon and the Moon Goddess.

I am so down with lantern lighting....for candle light and moon light are the most ambient lights of all in my opinion. And no one has to twist my arm to be outside under a full moon. In fact, I have a special area in my back yard that I like to call my 'Gypsy Camp'. It's a special nook in our 'fern grotto' that I created especially to be able to sit outside at night, soaking up the rays of the moon, counting the stars, lighting candles, and enjoying a fire when it's cool enough. This is a magical spot of respite from the daily grind. A place where I can put on a little Django Reinhardt, burn scented oils and just totally relax. A place where I let my fertile imagination run wild so it will bring to me new ideas and projects that are fused with creative lunar energy.

However at this time of year I ponder on more seasonally important decisions, like where I'm going to place my pumpkins, what autumn treats I'll serve at this year's Pumpkin Carving soiree, and whether or not we could feasibly hook up a small hayride wagon to the back of our electric golf cart without destroying the cart or killing any riders. Yes...we Floridians have to develop a REALLY keen sense of imagination, and be adept at channeling all things 'Fall-ish', in order to make ourselves believe that it really is Autumn even though all the leaves are still green and the temps are in the 80's. The images accompanying this post are shots of my little encampment all lit up in celebration of the coming Autumn Season and the Harvest Moon tonight! I encourage you all to go outside, play in the moonbeams and soak up some of that magical lunar energy. It's a marvelous night for a moondance don't you think? :o)All Images © Wendy A. (All Rights Reserved)