Moon Watcher

Moon Watcher

                I was mesmerized the first time I saw the moon's face. I had always heard of “the man on the moon” but thought people were referring to Neil Armstrong.  But there it was, outlined by the moonscape and smiling down at me.

                When I was younger, the moon was mostly a romantic symbol, something sung about in moving ballads and used for backdrops in movies. I admired it occasionally, when it swelled up and made itself known on clear nights, but even then it was hard to appreciate amidst the city lights.

                After leaving the city, I realized the practical benefits of a moonlit night. A person can actually see in the dark! I imagined how folks long ago likely scheduled events according to the moon so travelers could have extra light for moving around the countryside.

                When I first called my veterinarian to schedule goat castrations, she said she would first consult the almanac and see when the signs were “in.” I didn’t know what she was talking about until I opened up my own Farmer’s Almanac and realized there are recommended dates for doing certain things, such as weaning animals, planting gardens, and setting eggs.  Hocus Pocus? Maybe.  But if the moon can control the ocean tides, why not other things?

                My husband is an avid moon watcher. He loves it when the moon is waxing, building toward the one night when it is completely full. After all, there are only twelve occasions to see a full moon in the whole year, and that is if every night is clear. It really is quite an event. So we go outside and view it, admiring the beautiful aspects of the full moon, knowing it will be another month before we can see it in all its finery.

                Each moon has a name, sometimes more than one name, usually given by Native Americans.  

In January, it is the Wolf Moon, but some Sioux tribes call it the Moon of Frost in the Teepee. February is the Snow Moon and March is the Worm Moon.  The Pink Moon shines in April and May is the Flower Moon.  Strawberry Moon is fitting for June and the Buck Moon is for July. In August, we see the Sturgeon Moon and in September it is the Harvest Moon, also called the Corn Moon. The Hunter's Moon is in October, followed by the Beaver Moon in November and the appropriately named Cold Moon in December.

If I have piqued your interest in moon watching, mark your calendar for September 12.  Turn off the television and go outside with a mug of hot chocolate. Enjoy a moment only God can provide, because you won’t see another Harvest Moon for a whole year.