The Hunters Moon

Good afternoon bloggers.

Today we're talking about the Hunters Moon! It is that time of year again when we look up into the night sky and see something amazing. A full bright Hunters Moon. The Hunters Moon also known as a sanguine or “blood” moon. The term “Hunters Moon” is used traditionally to refer to a full moon that appears during the month of October. 

The Hunters Moon is preceded by the appearance of a “Harvest Moon”, which is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox (which falls on the 22nd or 23rd of September). The Hunter’s Moon typically appears in October, except once every four years when it doesn’t appear until November. Tonight is the Hunters Moon this year so be sure to get out and enjoy the sight.

So where did the Hunters Moon get its name? Well, many of the names given to full moons date back hundreds of years to the Native Americans and were passed on to colonial Americans when they arrived in North America.

"The Algonquin Native American tribes referred to October’s moon as the full Hunter’s Moon because it signaled the time to go hunting in preparation for winter, the Old Farmer’s Almanac said." 

Hunters can easily see the fattened deer and other animals that have come out to search for food or whatever they may do. (and the foxes that have come out to prey on them). So it seems to make perfect since to have this bright full moon referred to as The Hunters Moon.

A cool little celebration that happened in my old home town was something called "The Feast Of The Hunters Moon". Here is a little description of what it is from their web site. "The Feast of the Hunters’ Moon is a re-creation of the annual fall gathering of the French and Native Americans which took place at Fort Ouiatenon, a fur-trading outpost in the mid – 1700s. It is held annually in early autumn on the banks of the Wabash River, four miles southwest of West Lafayette, Indiana."

I can remember going to this every year with my Dad. When I think about it now I can still smell all the wonderful food cooking in cast iron pots over open fires. The smoke smell, the Native American dances, the flutes being played etc. It's a happy memory I hang on too. Just another reason why this Hunters Moon tonight is special.

I do want to point out that this Hunters Moon will not look quite like the picture I have posted above. That is a zoomed in enhanced picture. It will look closer to this image I have posted below.

I hope you all get the chance to peak outside tonight and see this. Take in natures beauty and always remember how small we are.

Have a great Sunday!

Thank you for reading.