Written by: Danielle Grant

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The Harvest, The Hunter, and The Equinox

For decades, the Almanac has referenced the monthly full Moons with names tied to early Native American, Colonial American, and European folklore. Traditionally, each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred and through all of the Moon’s phases, not only the full Moon.

The Harvest Moon and the Hunter’s Moon are unique in that they are tied to an astronomical event: the autumnal equinox!

The Harvest Moon is the full Moon which occurs nearest to the date of the autumnal equinox (September 22, 2021). This means that either September or October’s full Moon may take on the name “Harvest Moon” instead of its traditional name.

Similarly, the Hunter’s Moon is the first full Moon to follow the Harvest Moon, meaning that it can occur in either October or November.

This year, the Harvest Moon occurred on September 20, so the Hunter’s Moon will follow it one lunar cylce later, on October 20.

Why Is It Called The Hunter's Moon?

It is believed that this full Moon came to be called the full Hunter’s Moon because it signaled the time to go hunting in preparation for the cold winter ahead.

Animals are beginning to fatten up ahead of winter, and since the farmers had recently cleaned out their fields under the Harvest Moon, hunters could easily see the deer and other animals that had come out to root through the remaining scraps (as well as the foxes and wolves that had come out to prey on them).

Alternative Moon Names - October

The names of the Moon are most often related to natural signs of the season or to activities that were done at this time of year. Here are some other October Full Moon Names:

• Sanguine Moon
• Blood Moon
• Drying Rice Moon
• Falling Leaves Moon
• Freezing Moon
• Ice Moon
• Migrating Moon 

Additionally, to this being the Hunter's Moon, this is also a full moon in Aries.

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This week's Spiritual Show:

The October Harvest Full Moon in Aries

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The Full Moon in Aries On October 20 Is A Time Of Major Transformation 

The Full Moon in Aries will reach peak illumination at 10:57 A.M. Eastern Time on Wednesday, October 20, 2021

The Full Moon in Aries is arguably the boldest full moon of the year, arrives on October 20 to help us bust through any stagnant energy holding us back from our deepest magic.

This full moon comes almost immediately after four planets go direct (Pluto, Saturn, Jupiter and Mercury), igniting a period that allows us to integrate all the lessons their retrogrades taught us. Read on for the details on how to magnify the energy of this powerful Full Moon while you can!

Transformation is key at this time, both physically and psychologically. Physically, this time is when daylight becomes shorter; plants begin to wither and die, returning gracefully back to the earth.

Psychologically, our egos begin to recede, attempting to make room for others, often by first deepening our understanding of the important relationships in our lives.

This is necessary—how could we survive the coldest, darkest months without the teamwork and companionship that comes from others? We couldn’t then and still can’t now.

Above all else, the Full Moon in Aries asks us where we need to find balance between our personal ego desires and the desires of those around us. Compromise is needed to create room for true collaboration and evolution.

It is unnecessary for you to completely abandon your desires. You can nurture them so long as it doesn’t lead to the downfall of others. This is a time of finding creative solutions that allow you to honour both what is yours and what is not.

" The Full Moon in Aries asks us, where we need to find balance between our personal ego desires and the desires of those around us"

Share your thoughts:

What was your biggest takeaway from this article and The Spiritual Show this week?

Let us know in the comments below.  The community will enjoy reading your takeaway and a-has. 

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Join us for Novembers New Moon Ceremony: