The last few nights I have watched the waxing gibbous moon grow fuller. The clear skies, and crisp nights speak of the years turning, and the reds and golds that dapple the trees, the thought of the new agrarian new year beginning soon, as it might have does for our ancestors, gives me time to reflect and fills me with hope. The veil between times and worlds grows thin and as our ancestors believed those on either side could pass messages more easily. Here is where the Hunters moon and the harvest Moon met in agrarian society, the woodshed and larder were hopefully full or nearing full. Also knowing that the dark and cold months when the earth was dormant, and daylight all to short could be very cruel, perhaps they tried to look forward. Perhaps they dared to plan, and hope for better times, and look for signs form across the veil that this would happen. October was the advent to the new year for them.

And inspired by the writings of Donna Henes I am thinking of this Harvest Moon in terms of harvesting what one lived and learned not just over this year but all the years . In this the autumnal days of a life, remembering that the wheel of the year is much like the wheel of a life, it is time to reap the harvest of that life, cash in the Hillbilly 401K of possessions and harvest the wealth of you life, be it spiritual, monetary or both and use it. And here again the Hunter's Moon and the Harvest Moon meet, because the harvest allows for the hunt. Most of us now live in a post agrarian world, where lives are longer and more options are available to us.

Over the last few years I have marked most full moons with a post. And I have to admit I have learned a lot from writing those posts. What is most dear to me is that each Full Moon marks the passage of time in a persons life.

Full Moon for October 2017

Old Farmer's Almanac |

When is the ? Did you know that this year, it’s also a Harvest Moon? See Moon phase dates, folklore, and more!

Moon Phases for October 2017

Here are Moon phase dates and times (EDT). See the Moon Phase Calendar for your city’s dates and times.

	Full Moon: October 5, 2:41 P.M.
	Last Quarter: October 12, 8:27 A.M.
	New Moon: October 19, 3:12 P.M.
	First Quarter: October 27, 6:23 P.M.

October Full Moon Names

October’s Moon rises just after sunset and sets around sunrise, so this is the only night in the month when the Moon is in the sky all night long.
Some Native American tribes referred to October’s Moon as the Full Hunter’s Moon,as it was the time to go hunting in preparation for winter. This full Moon is also called the “Travel Moon” and the “Dying Grass Moon.” Read more about Full Moon names and meaning.

Harvest Moon 2017

This year, the October Full Moon is also a Harvest Moon! This is because it falls closest to the autumnal equinox. Around the Harvest Moon, the moonrise happens soon after sunset for several evenings in a row, which traditionally allowed farmers to have much more light to finish their harvest! Read more in “What’s a Harvest Moon?”

October Full Moon Video

Each month, we will explain the traditional names of the full Moon along with some fascinating Moon facts. Click below to watch the video.

Best Days in October 2017

Below are the best days for activities, based on the Moon’s sign and phase in October.

For Harvesting:

Aboveground crops: 25, 26
Belowground crops: 15–17

For Setting Eggs:

9, 10, 28

For Fishing:

1–5, 19–31

Moon Facts and Folklore

Corn planted under a waning Moon grows slower but yields larger ears.
Babies born a day after the full Moon enjoy success and endurance.
A new Moon in your dreams promises increased wealth or a happy marriage.

Share your thoughts about this month’s Moon below!

Words and pictures

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Full Moon ramble for October