Illlustration by James Reads

Summer ends, and Autumn comes, and he who would have it otherwise would have high tide always and a full moon every night… October is the fallen leaf, but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. It is the distant hills once more in sight, and the enduring constellations above them once again.  – Hal Borland

This full moon is often referred to as the Full Hunter’s Moon, Blood Moon, or Sanguine Moon. Many moons ago, Native Americans named this bright moon for obvious reasons. The leaves are falling from trees, the deer are fattened, and it’s time to begin storing up meat for the long winter ahead. Because the fields were traditionally reaped in late September or early October, hunters could easily see fox and other animals that come out to glean from the fallen grains. Probably because of the threat of winter looming close, the Hunter’s Moon is generally accorded with special honor, historically serving as an important feast day in both Western Europe and among many Native American tribes.

♠ Collect your favorite fall bulbs to plant – my personal favorites are grape hyacinth (outdoors) and paperwhites (indoors)

♠ in-season food to buy (pumpkins, in case you were wondering)

♠ For me, personally, this moon will be all about transition. Packing away my summer clothes, purging all the things I no longer love, and things that don’t fit, to make room in my life for things I love, and things that make me fully happy. Bringing out the blankets, the flannel, and of course, the candles. I might even go crazy and get my hair mask on!