What is a Harvest Moon?

The Harvest Moon is the Full Moon that is closest to the autumn equinox. It is usually the September full moon that is the Harvest Moon and this normally occurs around the 23rd September. Once every three years the full moon closest to the autumn equinox occurs in October. This year the Harvest Moon will be earlier than usual, on September 16th.

Normally the full moon rises on average, 50 minutes later each night. The Harvest Moon is different to other full moons in the year, in that for up to three nights the full moon appears to rise at almost the same time each night. Due to the location of the Sun, Earth and Moon, this full moon appears to hang low in the sky and can seem very large and orange. This is, and has been for centuries, the time when farmers use the extra dose of light from this full moon to continue their harvest late into the night in preparation for the long winter ahead.

In ancient time, the Celts celebrated Mea'n Fo'mhair at the time of the Autumn Equinox. This was a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the spring and summer and a recognition of the need to share produce in order to receive the blessing of the Moon Goddess during the winter months. Druids would honor the Green Man, the God of the Forest by making offerings to the trees. For the Celts, this equinox reflected the waning sunlight and the coming of winter. At the time of the Autumn Equinox, day and night are equally divided: a celebration of balance and equality before the shorter days and long nights of winter. It was a time to honor the Aging Goddess and the Spirit World.

The Harvest Moon is a good time for us all to pause, relax and give thanks for all the good things that the spring and summer have provided. We should feel proud of the efforts of our past hard work. It is the time to tie-up loose-ends and complete work already begun in preparation for the winter months ahead. For as the year winds down, we too should wind down and start relaxing more.

September's full moon is also called the Barley Moon, the Full Corn Moon, the Chrysanthemum Moon, the Nut Moon, the Singing Moon and the Mulberry Moon