When summer gives way to autumn, a celestial event enchants the world: the Harvest Moon. It’s the fullmoon that’s closest to the autumnal equinox, a beacon of light that, in the Northern Hemisphere, rises right after sunset. Its golden glow has long guided farmers during their evening harvest, earning it the respect and the name of “Big Moon” from some Native American tribes.
But this moon is not just an astronomical phenomenon; it’s a bridge that connects cultures and celebrations in every corner of the planet.
Sweet Legends and Culinary Delights
The most famous tradition tied to this fullmoon is the Mid-Autumn Festival (or Mooncake Festival), celebrated with great fervor in Chinese communities. On the night of the full moon of the eighth lunar month, friends and families gather to gaze at the sky while enjoying the legendary mooncakes — filled pastries that symbolize fullness and reunion. Colorful lanterns illuminate the night, floating in the air or adorning streets, creating a magical and evocative atmosphere.
But the festival extends well beyond China:
- Tsukimi in Japan: Here, the moon is honored with offerings and tsukimi dango, rice dumplings that represent prosperity.
- Chuseok in Korea: Considered one of the most important holidays, similar to Thanksgiving. Families reunite in their hometowns, pay homage to their ancestors, and share songpyeon, a delicious crescent-shaped rice cake.
In all these cultures, food plays a central role, with sweets and dishes prepared from freshly harvested fruits, nuts, and grains. The Cherokee Native Americans also celebrated what they called the Nut Moon, by preparing nut bread as a sign of gratitude to Mother Earth.
The Legend of Chang’e: The Immortal on the Moon
Behind the majesty of the Harvest Moon lies one of the most touching Chinese legends: that of the moon goddess Chang’e. It is said that there were once ten suns, but an archer named Houyi shot down nine of them, saving the world. Rewarded with an elixir of immortality, Houyi became a tyrant. To protect humanity from his eternal cruelty, his wife Chang’e stole the pill from him.
Chased by Houyi, Chang’e swallowed the elixir, becoming a deity and flying away to the moon. There, in her Lunar Palace, she lives in the company of the Jade Rabbit, who pounds herbs to create the elixir. The story is so powerful that China’s lunar exploration program was named after her, a tribute that unites myth with science.
The Harvest Moon, then, is not just a moon. It is a symbol of gratitude, a chance to honor traditions, and a reminder of the stories that have continued to illuminate our nights for millennia.
Astrology and Feng Shui of the Full Moon
The full moon on September 7 is particularly special because it’s in conjunction with the lunar nodes (see first chart below). This means there will also be an eclipse, but one with very peculiar characteristics: the Moon will rise low on the horizon, already eclipsed and therefore very dark with a reddish color. This is why it’s also known as a Blood Moon.
For those who want to use this specific type of energy with Feng Shui in their homes, it’s recommended to use lunar crystals and stones in the southwest direction. In the Ba Gua, this corresponds to the Earth 2 sector. In the azimuthal horoscope (see second chart below), it is in a harmonious position, a sextile with the Moon and the North Node, and a trine with the Sun and the South Node.
