The Harvest Moon is the name traditionally given to the full moon occurring closest to the autumn equinox. Unlike most full moons, there is relatively little delay between successive moonrises around this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Historically, this mattered enormously to farming communities. As daylight shortened at the end of summer, the bright moon rising soon after sunset provided additional natural light in which people could continue gathering and bringing in the harvest. This practical connection is where the name Harvest Moon comes from.

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“I give thanks for all that has grown.
I gather the wisdom of what has been.
I release what no longer needs to travel with me,
and carry my abundance into the season ahead.”