oldingwo wrote:
What other cultural significance does the Harvest Moon hold in different regions around the world?
Google is useful here. Various articles found, but here's a more informative one (assuming it's accurate!):
https://www.outdoorapothecary.com/septembers-full-moon/
THE FOLKLORE OF September’s FULL MOON
The folklore surrounding September’s full moon, known as the Harvest Moon, is a rich tapestry woven from the threads of diverse cultures and traditions. Across the globe, this celestial event has been celebrated and woven into the cultural fabric of various societies, each infusing it with their unique beliefs, rituals, and stories. Let’s embark on a journey through some of these captivating cultural celebrations:
1. Native American Traditions: In Native American cultures, the Harvest Moon held great significance, as communities depended on agricultural cycles for sustenance. Many tribes used the moon’s phases as a guide for planting, harvesting, and other activities. The full moon in September marked a time of communal harvest festivals, where gratitude was expressed through dances, feasts, and rituals. The Cree people referred to it as the “Barley Moon,” while the Lakota Sioux called it “the Moon When the Plums Are Scarlet.”
2. Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival: The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, typically falls around the time of the Harvest Moon. Families gather to celebrate the moon’s beauty and abundance, enjoying mooncakes (a traditional delicacy), lantern processions, and cultural performances. The festival is steeped in legends, including the tale of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess, and her connection to the moon’s enchanting glow.
3. Celtic Harvest Festivals: In Celtic traditions, the Harvest Moon was celebrated as part of the seasonal festivals of Lughnasadh (Lammas) and Mabon. These festivals marked the beginning of the harvest season and the transition from summer to autumn. Ceremonies involved bonfires, music, dancing, and offerings to honor deities associated with fertility and the harvest.
4. Japanese Tsukimi Festival: In Japan, the Tsukimi Festival (Moon Viewing Festival) coincides with the Harvest Moon. Families gather to admire the moon’s beauty and express gratitude for the autumn harvest. People offer rice dumplings (tsukimi dango) and other seasonal foods to the moon as a symbol of thanks and to seek blessings for a bountiful future.
5. Pueblo Harvest Dances: Pueblo Native American communities in the southwestern United States perform traditional harvest dances during the full moon in September. These dances honor the agricultural cycles and pay homage to the spirits believed to guide the growth of crops. The rituals include music, dance, and prayers for a successful harvest.
6. European Harvest Celebrations: In European folklore, the Harvest Moon was a time of celebration and feasting. Communities came together for gatherings featuring abundant harvest foods, music, and dancing. In some cultures, the moon was believed to possess magical powers, and rituals performed under its glow were thought to bring luck and blessings.
These are just a few glimpses into the rich tapestry of folklore surrounding September’s Harvest Moon. Across cultures, this luminous celestial event has inspired awe, gratitude, and a sense of connection to the cycles of nature. Whether celebrated through communal feasts, moonlit dances, or reflective rituals, the Harvest Moon continues to unite people in a shared reverence for the rhythms of the Earth and the cosmos.
A Hazy Harvest Moon