The Hunter's Moon (also known as Blood Moon,
Sanguine Moon, Full Travel Moon, or Full Dying Grass) is the first full moon
after the Harvest moon, which is the full moon nearest the Autumnal equinox.
The Hunter’s Moon is the name for the full
moon that immediately follows the Harvest Moon. In the northern hemisphere, the
Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the September equinox.
The Harvest Moon ushers in the year’s
grandest procession of moon-filled nights. Farmers once relied on these several
nights of dusk-till-dawn moonlight to gather their crops. Tonight’s Hunter’s
Moon is similar to the Harvest Moon, except the effect is less pronounced.
Every full moon rises around sunset and shines all night long. On average, the
moon rises 50 minutes later daily. But the few days after the September and
October full moons, the moon rises farther north along the horizon for several
days in succession. In the northern hemisphere, this means earlier-than-usual
moonrises and longer moonlit nights.
Just remember, whether you live in the
northern or the southern hemisphere, the full moon tonight will shine from dusk
till dawn.
These names date back to the Native
Americans in the eastern and northern parts of North America, who had various
names for the Full Moon during each month of the year. European settlers
quickly adopted the Moon names used by the Native American groups, though most
people today are only aware of a few of those names. October's Full Moon is
called the "Hunter's Moon" or sometimes the "Blood Moon" or
"Sanguine Moon". It is the first Full Moon after the Harvest Moon
(the Full Moon nearest the Autumnal equinox) and it gets its name from hunters
who tracked and killed their prey by autumn moonlight, stockpiling food for the
winter ahead.
Feasts associated with the Hunter's Moon
have been going on since the seventh century.
October: Full "Hunters" or
"Blood" Moon (defined as the first full moon following the harvest
moon; from hunting practice of riding over the stubble of reaped grain fields
pursuing foxes by the light of the moon.); also Full Travel Moon, Full Dying
Grass Moon.
The Hunter's Moon
~~~~~by
Mathilde Blind
The Hunter's Moon rides high,
High o'er the close-cropped plain;
Across the desert sky
The herded clouds amain
Scamper tumultuously,
Chased by the hounding wind
That yelps behind.
The clamorous hunt is done,
Warm-housed the kennelled pack;
One huntsman rides alone
With dangling bridle slack;
He wakes a hollow tone,
Far echoing to his horn
In clefts forlorn.
The Hunter's Moon rides low,
Her course is nearly sped.
Where is the panting roe?
Where hath the wild deer fled?
Hunter and hunted now
Lie in oblivion deep:
Dead or asleep.
