Moons
of the Year
As I approach middle age,
spending much of my time outdoors, I am drawn to thinking of dates in
relation to my age and the time of year.
Native Americans have used this
form of calendar for as long as can be remembered. To simplify this for
my readers, here is a way to turn these dates into modern dating
systems:
I was born the year that Watson and Crick first described the DNA Helix
and that Queen Elizabeth ascended to the British Throne. That
was 1953.
I was born during the planting moon - May.
The moons of the year, as I usually use them, are from a compilation of
Cherokee and other Native American sources, and are appropriate to the
Kentucky and Ohio outdoors I have lived in most of my life.
Snow Moon is during December - usually the first snow of the winter
begins this moon. It is the moon with the shortest days.
Cold Moon is during January - The coldest nights of the year
Bony Moon is during February - a reminder to be thankful for the many
provisions we now have that last through the winter.
Windy Moon is during March - with the blustery weather of early spring.
Grass Moon is during April - when the grass turns green and life comes
back into the ground
Planting Moon is during May - when it is safe to plant vegetables;
Long Day Moon - June, when the days are long and are first really warm
Corn Moon - during July when wonderful sweet corn and tomatoes are
available for the first time of the summer
Fruit Moon is during August when apples fall from the trees
Harvest Moon is during September when the full harvest comes in to be
stored for the winter
Hunter's
Moon - October - traditionally the month for hunting and saving meat
for the winter
Frost Moon is during November - with frost almost every night, but very
little snow