Hey, everyone. It’s time for the ninth in a series of posts about the names of full moons. If you missed the other posts of this series, you can click the following links.
- The Wolf Moon (January)
- The Snow Moon (February)
- The Worm Moon (March)
- The Pink Moon (April)
- The Flower Moon (May)
- The Strawberry Moon (June)
- The Thunder Moon (July)
- The Sturgeon Moon (August)
This year’s September full moon is the Harvest Moon. I say this year because the Harvest Moon sometimes occurs in October. Want to know why? Read on.
Interesting Facts
- The Harvest Moon is the name given to the full moon closest to the autumn equinox. Most years it falls in September, but every three years happens in October. When the Harvest Moon occurs in October, the September moon is usually known as the Corn Moon because it’s the time to harvest corn.
- The full moon is the brightest object in the night sky. It has an apparent magnitude (the measure of a space object´s brightness as seen by an observer on Earth) of -12.74 compared with the sun’s magnitude of -26.74.
- Folk-Rock singer Neil Young wrote and recorded a song titled “Harvest Moon.” If you’re interested in the video, click here.
- The September moon is sometimes called “The Leaves Turning Moon.”
- The Harvest Moon is today, September 20.
- This year’s autumn equinox is September 22
Superstition
The full moon has been thought to cause insanity and even more famously, lycanthropy. One of the most popular beliefs was that a man or woman could turn into a werewolf if he or she, on a certain Wednesday or Friday, slept outside on a summer night with the full moon shining directly on his or her face.
Do you have a favorite song about the moon? Please share in the comments.
32 Responses
I didn’t know that particular myth about sleeping out with the full moon on your face. Interesting. Thanks Joan.
I’ve learned all sorts of legends and lore while researching these posts, Robbie. The moon is fascinating to a lot of people. Thanks for stopping by.
Neil Yound was the first concert I ever went to. Harvest Moon is a great song. Am I too old fashioned if I say I like Blue Moon and That’s Amore?
I love the moon lore. But you knew that. Great post.
Not too old-fashioned at all. I also like those songs. There’s also a blue grass song that comes to mind, “Blue Moon of Kentucky.”
How cool that you got to see Neil Young!
Goodness, another reason not to sleep outside! And I worry about bugs and Javelinas! I love reading about the myths, Joan. 😊
I think I’d worry more about javelinas than werewolves! Thanks, Gwen.
I always enjoy these posts, Joan – so interesting. Looks like we’ll be missing the moon tonight – nothing but clouds and rain over the next few days. Hope you have better weather!
We had clear skies last night but probably the majority of this year it’s been cloudy on the night of the full moon.
I have loved every single one of your moon posts, Joan. I had not ever heard the superstition about sleeping under a full moon. Don’t think I’ll be trying it out. 🙂 Too many mosquitos in Texas. My favorite moon song is by Jamie Richards – The Man in the Neon Moon. 🙂 Not about a moon at all.
You’re right about the mosquitos. And I hadn’t thought of that song in years!
Love this post. Neil Young was always a favorite. Sooo many songs about the moon.
There are lots of songs. Neil Young is a favorite for me as well.
I am loving these posts. Don’t forget CCR’s Bad Moon Rising. One of my favorites.
A great song!
Harvest Moon is a good song 🙂 I’m feeling this full moon, I barely slept a couple hours last night. I can feel the energy of this full moon and I know it will get stronger tonight.
I slept right through it last night. Hopefully my cat will tonight and not keep me awake.
A full moon on a Sunday night makes for a cranky Jill come Monday morning. I can never sleep. Now I have the song from the 1970’s in my head Moonlight Feels Right. 🙂
Ooh, now I have that song in my head. Always liked it. Thanks, Jill.
😉So did!!
This moon is particularly bright in our neck of the woods. The skies are very clear. Super post, Joan. I love this series.
I’m hoping we have clear skies tonight.
Looks like it is going tobe cloudy.
Good thing I don’t sleep outside, lol. I knew it was a corn moon, but the superstitions surrounding the harvest moon are interesting 🙂
I’m with you on the outdoor sleeping, Jacquie! 🙂
Same comment as last time–LOVE this series.
Thank you, Rae. Hard to believe this year will soon be over and the series coming to an end. I’m debating on something new for next year.
[…] The Harvest Moon (September) […]
Many traditional Chinese holidays fall on the days of the full moon. As a child, the superstition was on the night of the 15th of the 7th month of the Lunar calendar (the full moon is on the 15th of each month in the Lunar calendar, so they’re different each year in the Gregorian calendar), if the girl lays on her back looking at the full moon with a white handkerchief covering the face, she could see the face of her future husband in the moon. I tried but only saw the handkerchief!!
I checked and it seems like none of my immediate family members were born on the full moon. Fascinating posts, Joan.
Thank you for sharing that, Miriam. It’s interesting to learn about these various legends and bits of folklore. I’m glad you’re enjoying these posts.
I enjoyed these posts, Joan. I was interested in the moon cycles when I taught that in my class. I also studied the legends but not systematically. It gave me chuckles when I thought about my childhood experience.
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