Page 26 - Discover Spring 2021
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Fisherman’s Almanac CONTINUED
F is he rma n ’ s Alma nac C O NTINUED
of the Great Lakes and other major bodies of generally accorded a special honor, historically
water, were most readily caught during this serving as an important feast day in both
month. A few tribes knew it as the “Full Red Western Europe and also among many Native
Moon” because, as the moon rises, it appears American tribes.
reddish through any sultry haze. It was also
called the “Green Corn Moon” or the “Grain • Full Beaver Moon-November
Moon”. This was the time to set beaver traps before
the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm
• Full Corn Moon or the Harvest Moon- winter furs. Another interpretation suggests
September that the name Full Beaver Moon comes from
This moon’s name is attributed to Native the fact that the beavers are now actively
Americans, because it marked the time when preparing for winter. It is sometimes referred to
corn was supposed to be harvested . Most as the “Frosty Moon”.
often, the September full moon is actually the
“Harvest Moon”, which is the full moon that • The Full Cold Moon; or the Full Long
occurs closest to the autumn equinox. In two Nights Moon-December
years out of the three, the Harvest Moon comes During this month the winter cold sets in, and
in September, but in some years it occurs in the nights are their longest and darkest. It is
October. At the peak of harvest farmers can also sometimes called the “Moon Before Yule”.
work late into the night, by the light of this The term “Long Night Moon” is also fitting,
moon. Usually the full moon rises an average because the midwinter night is long, and the
of 59 minutes later each night, but for the few moon is above the horizon for a long time.
nights around the Harvest Moon, the moon The midwinter full moon has a high trajectory
seems to rise at the same time each night, just across the sky because it faces a low sun.
20-25 minutes later across the U.S., And only
10-20 minutes later for much of Canada and
MOON PHASES for the
Europe. Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and
next three months:
wild rice, the chief Indian staples, are now ready
for gathering. March 13th - New Moon
• Full Hunters Moon or Full Harvest Moon- March 28th - Full Moon
October
April 12th - New Moon
This full moon is often referred to as the
“Full Hunter’s Moon”, the “Blood Moon”, or April 27th - Full Moon
“Sanguine Moon”. Many moons ago, Native
Americans named this bright moon for obvious May 11th - New Moon
reasons. The leaves are falling from trees, the
May 26th - Full Moon
deer are fattened, and it’s time for storing
up meat for the long winter ahead. Because
the fields were traditionally reaped in late Improve a kid’s life and your own,
September or early October, hunters could TAKE A KID FISHING!
easily see fox and other animals that come out Questions? Send me an Email! fishing@
to scavenge for fallen grains. Probably because discoversmithmountainlake.com
of the threat of winter, the Hunter’s Moon is
24 Discover Smith Mountain Lake SPRING 2021
