Please read on for some important information regarding the date of this year’s Harvest Moon:
The Harvest Moon is the name of the full moon closest to the Autumnal Equinox. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Harvest Moon usually falls in September, but about once every four years it occurs in October. This is one of those years!
Being English, I like to use the Old English names for the full moons, and I get my informations from the website of the University College London.
Thus, the summer moons are as follows:
- 9th July : Hay Moon
- 7th August : Grain Moon
- 6th September : Fruit Moon
The autumn moons:
- 5th October : Harvest Moon
- 4th November : Hunters Moon
- 3rd December : Moon Before Yule
The Harvest Moon is given the title, as it allowed the farm hands to continue to bring in their harvest by moonlight, when the sun had gone down. The Harvest Moon will often appear larger, brighter, and a warmer colour than other moons, due to the seasonal tilt of the earth.
Having said all that, some people name the September moon the Harvest Moon, whenever the full moon falls, so it’s entirely up to you how you choose to go about this. Due to the seasonal tilt of the earth, the moons at this time of year are all usually full and golden.
If you do choose to go with the October Harvest Moon, here’s how I suggest adapting ENCW (though as always, please do pay close attention to what is happening in nature where you live, and adapt as you see fit.)
September
- 4-10th September Week One: Seeds
- 11-17th September Week Two: Mini Beast Hunt
- 18-24th September Week Four: Autumnal Equinox (Equinox is on the 22nd)
- 25-1st October Week Two: Pond Study
October
- 2-8th September Week Three: The Harvest Moon (Harvest Moon is on the 5th)
- 9-15th October Week One: Autumn Leaves
- 16-22nd October Week Three: Tree Study
- 23-29th Either a break week or October Week Four: Pumpkins
- 30-5th Either a break week or October Week Four: Pumpkins
Happy exploring!