AMERICAN INDIAN MOONS

American Indians gave names to each of the full moons to keep track of the passing year.  The names are associated with the entire month until the next FULL MOON occurs   Since a lunar month averages 29 days, the dates of the moons change from year to year.  The titles of the months are in close association with the seasons and cycles of hunting, fishing, planting, harvesting, and when to prepare for winter. 

FULL MOON FOR SEPTEMBER 2017

September Moon corresponds with the time of harvesting Corn and appropriately called the FULL CORN MOON OR THE HARVEST MOON.   The Harvest Moon is the Full Moon nearest the autumnal equinox and can occur in either September or October.   It is the time of year to start to prepare for winter and finish all the chores for Harvesting.

Often, the September Moon is also called the Harvest Moon, but this year the Harvest Moon occurs in October.

Moon Names were somewhat different due to the contrast of nature, weather, landscape and seasons:

For example here the some of that variance of names for SEPTEMBER: 

ALGONQUIN -Northwest to Great Lakes   “Middle between Harvest and Eating Corn”

ARAPAHO -Great Plains- “Dying Grass”  

CHEROKEE – Carolinas, East Coast “Nut Moon” 

HAIDA-Alaska, “ICE MOON”

Some other traditional September Full Moon names used by Native Americans include:

• “Moon When the Plums Are Scarlet” by the Lakota Sioux Native Americans.
• “Moon When the Deer Paw the Earth” by the Omaha Native Americans.
• “Moon When the Calves Grow Hair” by the Sioux Native Americans

The early Colonists who settled on the East Coast began using the Indian Moon names also, which led to an understanding and commonality with the Indians.  

But, besides it being the Harvest Month, it is the month of VIRGO.   The Earthy, Feminine, and Pure sign.  This is the industrious energy needed to Harvest, store, prepare and to work with the earth to prepare for next season.    Everything needs to be meticulously done to provide food for the winter, feed the animals, let the earth rest and renew for next season.