The Full Hunter's Moon - October - 2011

The full Hunter’s Moon, also known as Blood Moon or Sanguine Moon, is so named because plenty of moonlight is ideal for hunters shooting migrating birds in Northern Europe. The name was also used by Native Americans as they tracked and killed their prey by autumn moonlight, stockpiling food for the winters ahead.

At the peak of harvest, farmers can work late into the night by the light of this moon. Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice the chief Native American staples are now ready for gathering.

The ‘Three Sisters’ Garden is a method of planting used by the indigenous farming societies. The three sisters represent corn, beans and squash, three crops that should be planted together, enjoyed together, and shared among the community.

October is the month when the last of the harvest is taken in and stored for winter. Late-cropping berries are still ripening and are gathered in this month. This is a month when there is still plenty of daylight but there is more time to devote to such activities now that the harvest is taken care of.

October is the month that even the more temperate altitudes feel the chill of autumn and the coming of winter. Most animals have already grown out their winter coats and are finishing their winter stockpiles of food. Stocking up for the cold season is the main activity of both animals and humans at this time of year. The two squirrels that live in the tree in my garden seem to be in a frenzy burying chestnuts in my flower garden.

This moon is a northern hemisphere event. In the southern hemisphere around now, people are seeing a moon whose characteristics match those of our springtime full moons.

The cycle of the moon affects most people and often, for a few days around the Full Moon we can feel more completely exactly who we are and are less concerned with what others think and what others need from us. This can be a time of emotional and spiritual power; the Moon represents the heart of our being as well as our emotional heart.

Eyes up this evening and enjoy this gift of Nature.

peacesojourner

Full Harvest Moon - October 2009

October Full Harvest Moon

Lick Observatory Moonrise

(NASA) - Credit & Copyright: Rick Baldridge

The view from a well chosen location at sunset, October's gorgeous Full Moon rose behind Mount Hamilton, east of San Jose, California. Captured in this lovely telescopic view, historic Lick Observatory is perched on the mountain's 4,200 foot summit, observatory and rising Moon momentarily sharing the warm color of filtered sunlight.

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Scheduled to illuminate the landscape throughout the night October's bright Full Moon will also be called the Harvest Moon. Traditionally, the Harvest Moon is the Full Moon closest to the autumnal equinox.

In two years out of three, the Harvest Moon comes in September, but in some years it occurs in October. At the peak of harvest, farmers can work late into the night by the

light of this Moon.

The ‘Three Sisters’ Garden is a method of planting utilized by American Indian farming societies. The American Indian legends that tell the story of the three sisters vary from tribe to tribe, but some aspects are always the same. The three sisters represent corn, beans and squash, three crops that should be planted together, enjoyed together, and shared among the community.

Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice the chief Indian staples are

now ready for gathering.

October 6th-7th are good days for planting Beets, Carrots, Onions, Turnips, and other hardy Root Crops, where climate is suitable.

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Yesterday I was walking alongside the Niagara Falls and, as usual, I could feel the intense energy of the water then as I arrived home the Full Harvest Moon was visible. Mother Nature delivers a revitalizing energy while she shares her beauty with those who care to take the time to enjoy.

Priceless!