Other than being a sight to see to add aesthetic value to your Instagram grid, the Harvest Moon is the perfect time to visualize a better version of yourself and shift into a clear conscious before the holidays. The Harvest Moon is the first full moon of Autumn. This year it is predicted to fall on Monday, September 24. You do not need to be a spiritual guru or hippie healer of any sort to participate!
What Is The Harvest Moon?
The Harvest Moon is typically worshipped during the Mid-Autumn Festival which has been celebrated for over 3,000 years across many unique Asian cultures. This full moon has been a starting point for communities to gather, give thanks, pray and revisit resolutions. In Thailand, groups gather at their local temples and use this holiday as an opportunity to pay remembrance to their ancestors. Other Asian cultures hold festivals filled with gifts, candles, hanging lanterns, dancing and lots of music. For those of you thinking “But, where’s the food?” the Harvest Moon is typically celebrated with traditional dessert Mooncakes, which are round pastries filled with red bean or lotus seed paste. While some gift fruits like watermelon, apples, pears, peaches, grapes which represent unity.
Fun Fact: The Mid-Autumn festival is the second most important festival in China after the Chinese New Year.
What’s The Deal With The Name?
The moon appears shortly after sunset, allowing the sky to provide light for a longer period of time. Before electricity, this moon was utilized and relied on by farmers so that they could work later in the evenings to harvest their crops. The moon at this time also tends to be more colorful due to the tilt of earth and reflections in the atmosphere which sometimes give this moon a “pumpkin-like” appearance.
Fun Fact: If you are a wine lover, you might be surprised to know this moon is also known as the Wine Moon because it is responsible for signaling to farmers when grapes are plump enough to make your favorite Pinot Noir.
Why Is The Harvest Moon The Perfect Time To Reset?
Post Harvest Moon, the moon wanes. This process from a full to waning moon is symbolic of the opening and closing of chapters in your life. Simply getting outside and trying out this Harvest Moon ritual can help you reduce your stress, sleep better, and all together have a clearer mind. Taking time to connect to the earth and state your intentions freely is enough to ignite a powerful change to occur in your life.
So, How Does One Manifest A Moon?
The Harvest Moon moon represents a chance to embrace new opportunities, create goals for yourself, and manifest your own destiny. This moon allows you to carefully curate new beginnings by leaving behind any negative habits or practices that no longer serve you. This full moon has been a starting point for many individuals to amplify their energy, reclaim their callings, and release anything blocking their own inner light path from shining.
Here’s A Step By Step Guide On How To Tap Into All The Good Juju:
You will need a pen, paper, and a lighter (yeah, it’s about to get LIT). Try and get outside where the moon is visible to you. You can perform this ritual intimately or share this experience with loved ones.
If you’re feeling #extra spiritual, you may start by burning sage or incense to cleanse the space around you. This is also the perfect opportunity to bring along those healing crystals that have been on your bedside table for way too long. If you have a mood or vision board feel free to bring that too.
5 Steps To Follow:
- Close your eyes and recall what has been on your mind recently. If the word meditation scares you it is okay, just explore your thoughts for a few moments and try to relax.
- Identify the practices you want to begin or continue in your life and what burdens you want to release.
- Start to write down any behaviors that do not align with your highest self.
- You may chant, “I release myself from..” and visualize your life without these burdens.
- Burn the piece of paper. Inhale the good sh*t and exhale the bullsh*t.
We hope this Harvest Moon connects you back in touch with your highest self. Always remember, it is never too late to start fresh and ask of more from yourself.
With love and gratitude,
