What you need to know about the upcoming Harvest Moon in September 🌙✨🍁🍂
Harvest Moon and the autumn equinox
Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we call the full moon closest to the autumn equinox the Harvest Moon. In 2021, the Northern Hemisphere autumn equinox comes on September 22. The full moon falls less than two days earlier, on September 20. Thus, for the Northern Hemisphere, this upcoming full moon – the full moon closest to our autumn equinox – is our Harvest Moon.
How did the Harvest Moon get its name?
The shorter-than-usual lag time between moonrises around the full Harvest Moon means no long period of darkness between sunset and moonrise for days in succession.
In the days before tractor lights, the lamp of the Harvest Moon helped farmers gather their crops despite the diminishing daylight hours. As the sun’s light faded in the west, the moon would soon rise in the east to illuminate the fields throughout the night.
What to do on a Harvest Moon?
Visit the farmer’s market and buy some local produce. You don’t need to be an expert to make a simple jam or apple sauce that will keep you eating healthy through the winter. Putting away some of the summer harvest is intensely satisfying and so easy to do.
If the sky will be clear where you are, make a cozy space outside where you can watch the moon rise. If you’re with your family, a blanket fort that the kids can enjoy is perfect. With your partner? Make it a romantic night out with a picnic and a bottle of something special. By yourself? Get all your favorite foods, some great tunes and watch that big old beautiful moon rise.
3. Sort out the unusable fruit 🪵🌾
It’s time to weed out the bad apples – take stock. What is no longer working for you in your life? What lessons have you learned this summer? What do you need? What gives you joy? What do you need to let go of? While you’re out enjoying your garden picnic (or at the window in a comfy chair) decide what deadwood you are letting go of as the seasons change. A good pruning will help you flourish.
(tip: write the answers to those questions in your journal!)
4. Celebrate the bounty ☕🍁🍂
Gather your nearest and dearest! Cook a feast to share, have a bonfire or meet in the park for coffee. Celebrate all the fun you had this summer and everything you accomplished. Make sure to eat lots of delicious, homemade food and dance by the light of the moon. These are the last warm evenings for a while.
5. Organize your "cave" 🧹
It’s natural to lament the coming of the cold, but you can also find ways to look forward to snuggling in for the winter. Get your knitting out, dig up the cozy blankets and wool sweaters. How about some new tea blends and slow cooker recipes? Make a list of fall books to read and movies to watch. Making your "cave" cozy will leave you comfortable and looking forward to the change.
Having an attitude of gratitude will leave you focusing on all that you’ve accomplished this summer, instead of dreading the ending of it. This is a wonderful time to get back to your morning meditation practice, taking daily walks and stretching! No more procrastinating!
7. Set new intentions 😌🌿🦋
The full moon is prime time for letting go and beginning anew. Lay out under the stars and dream/script about what you’d like to manifest this winter. Summer isn’t the end of fun, it’s the start of something new. Learning to play a new instrument? Writing a book? Whatever it is, let your mind wonder to wild and wonderful places.
Sincerely, Envylialla 🦋🍁✨
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