Full Corn Moon – Harvest Moon: September 16, 2016

full-corn-moonThe month of September brings the arrival of the Full Corn Moon or Green Corn Moon, the time of year when harvesting of corn crops takes place. As the staple food of North America aboriginal people, the cultivation of corn (maize) has been refined over thousands of years. This time of year is a celebration; harvest time represents abundance and having enough to eat. For the same reasons in other areas, this full moon can be called the Barley moon. Officially occurring at 3:05 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, the moon will appear full the night before as well.

The title ‘Harvest Moon’ is assigned to the full moon closest to the autumn equinox, occurring in either September or October. This year, the equinox occurs on September 22, six days after the full moon. So this year, September is both Corn Moon and Harvest Moon. From ancient days, Harvest Moon lights up the skies and allows the gathering of crops to continue into the night.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the full moon in September is called the Worm Moon (when frozen ground thaws and earthworms reappear), Crow Moon (when birds loudly announce their return, Chaste Moon (when the virgin earth is ready to be sowed), and Sap Moon or Sugar Moon (when trees are ready to be tapped for sap).

chrysanthemum2aIn China, this month sees the rising of the Chrysanthemum Moon, the season when chrysanthemums flourish. The chrysanthemum represents long life, cleansing of old energies and attraction of good luck. The petals of the flower are steeped in hot water to make Chrysanthemum Tea, or marinated in rice wine to flavor Chrysanthemum Sake.
  
    

September 16: Penumbral lunar eclipse

During this full moon, we will ALMOST experience a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. When these occur, the shading of the moon is barely affected as it passes through the edge of the Earth’s shadow. This year the outer edge of the shadow will just graze by the edge of the moon. This means that the Sun, Earth and Moon are aligned in a not-quite-perfect line, though it is only off by a few degrees. While not as strong as a full eclipse, a near-miss eclipse pumps up the energy of the full moon and its effect on our experiences.

So how does this change anything? The effects of eclipses have been studied throughout our history. Tides are highest during the full moon and we have witnessed flooding in many places this past week. Get ready for more. The planet is imbalanced and while some areas feel drought, others will experience flooding. Recognize that this is part of our planet’s healing process and keep anything valuable off the basement floors.

When the earth, sun and moon are aligned, the tides within the body are also affected. While some of this is perceived at a conscious level, the deepest effects are at a subconscious level. Raise your awareness of how you feel and what energies are awakened within you during this full moon. Step into your power.

This Month’s Guidance

Our most important opportunity this lunar month is to focus on gratitude. In the Northern hemisphere we are thankful for the abundance of harvest. In the Southern hemisphere we are thankful for the coming of spring and a new growing season. Either way, it is the FEELING created by gratitude that matters most.

When we find contentment with who we are, where we are, and what we have, a load is taken off our shoulders. Of course you can desire more, however dwelling on what you don’t have simply drains your energy. No matter what is going on in your life, there is something to be thankful for.

It is also another month of shifting energies. If you are grounded and content, you have the power to create more. Dream big dreams and move towards them. Look back at your life and how it has led you to be the person you are today. Then CELEBRATE! The gift of life is yours and you have incredible powers of creation. Have the courage to use them.

You can determine the times of moonrise and moonset for your location using this Moon Calculator

Full Wolf Moon: January 24, 2016 (Full Old Moon, Moon After Yule)
Full Snow Moon: February 22, 2016 (Full Hunger Moon, Bone Moon, Little Famine Moon)
Full Crow Moon: March 23, 2016 (Full Worm Moon, Crust Moon, Sap Moon)
Full Pink Moon: April 22, 2016 (Full Sprouting Grass Moon, Egg Moon, Full Fish Moon, Growing Moon)
Full Flower Moon: May 21, 2016 (Full Corn Planting Moon, Milk Moon)
Full Strawberry Moon: June 20, 2016 (Rose Moon. Thunder Moon, Mead Moon)
Full Buck Moon: July 19, 2016 (Full Thunder Moon, Full Hay Moon)
Full Sturgeon Moon: August 18, 2016 (Full Red Moon, Green Corn Moon, Grain Moon)
Full Corn Moon: September 16, 2016 (Full Harvest Moon)
Full Hunter’s Moon: October 16, 2016 (Full Blood Moon, Sanguine Moon, Travel Moon)
Full Beaver Moon: : November 14, 2016 (Frosty Moon, White Moon)
Full Cold Moon: December 29, 2016 (Full Long Nights Moon, Winter Moon)

 
©Copyright 2016 Glenn Stewart Coles
 
Neil Young: Harvest Moon

  

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