View from Hickory Heights: The full moon
If you live around this area, you certainly cannot have missed the beautiful full moon that has been present for the last few nights. Thanks to John Stehlin, the meteorologist for WICU television, I learned that this moon is called the “Hunter’s Moon”. It was actually a Super Moon this year. He has been a wealth of information about all things meteorological that are going on around here.
Just the week before we were able to see the northern lights. I did not know that you had to view them with your camera instead of the naked eye. We have been able to see them for several months off and on. My daughter posted a picture she took so I could see them.
The atmosphere has been conducive to viewing since May. That was after the big eclipse that we were all treated to.
How can you deny God when you see all that is going on? Our maker has provided a spectacular show for us this year. Couple that with the coloring of the leaves and we have had a beautiful season.
After hearing the name for the moon, I explored the Internet for information about the names of the full moons. I was not disappointed. There were several sources of the names for the full moons.
In some months there are alternate names. They date back to older times.
The January moon is called the Wolf Moon. In some areas the wolves run in packs searching for food. It is also known as the Moon after Yule since it follows the December holidays.
In February the moon is called the Snow Moon. In the northern hemisphere it is the time for the most snow. It is also called the Full Hunger Moon since food can be very scarce at this point.
The March moon is known as the Worm Moon. Worms are waking and coming to the surface. It is also called the Full Sap Moon with farmers tapping their trees to capture the sap to make maple syrup.
The April moon is called the Pink Moon. Flowers are beginning to grow. It is also called the Full Fish Moon or Full Sprouting Grass Moon.
In May we have the Flower Moon. More flowers begin to grow. It is also called the Corn Planting Moon since farmers plant their corn in the month of May.
The June moon is called the Strawberry Moon. That is when the strawberry patches are red with ripe berries. It is also called the Rose Moon for the flower that blooms.
That finishes the first half of the year. On to July. The July moon is known as the Buck Moon. The buck deer begin to grow their antlers. It is also called the Full Thunder Moon because of the frequent thunderstorms.
In August we have the Fruit and Barley Moon. Harvest time begins in the northern hemisphere. It is also called the Sturgeon Moon in honor of the fish.
September brings the Harvest Moon. Most of you have probably heard of the Harvest Moon. There are songs written about it. It is also called the full Corn Moon since there is still sweet corn around and also the field corn is still in the fields,
October, what we are now seeing, is called the Hunter’s Moon. It is said to be particularly close to the earth at this time. We have really had a big beautiful moon this year. This is the time our ancestors used to put away the food for the winter. They hunted and fished for food. Every farmer had a gun of some sort to be able to hunt. Now they have become methods of destruction, but not the way they used to be used. If youngsters are instructed in the proper use of a gun – to be used for hunting – maybe there would be less violence.
The November moon is called the Beaver Moon. It was the time that beavers were trapped. It is also called the Frosty Moon,
Lastly, the December moon is called the Cold or Long Nights Moon. The days keep getting shorter until the Winter Solstice. The shortest day of the year is in December. I look forward to that day because from that day on the days get longer.
If you want to read more go to thoughtco.com. I had no idea that all the full moons were named.
Nature is so fascinating!
Ann Swanson writes from her home in Russell. Contact her at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.