The Grain Moon: A Celebration of Bounty

The August Full Moon is a celebration of growth and a celebration of the bounty that the wheat harvests offer. It is known as the Grain Moon, Sturgeon Moon, due to the large amount of sturgeon caught during this month, the Green Corn Moon, and the Red Moon because of the atmospheric effects giving the moon a red haze.

Bread holds the high seat for the August Full Moon. It is known as the Grain Moon and thus all things created from grain are celebrated. Grain has been important to civilizations since nearly the beginning of time and has become associated with the cycle of death and rebirth. There are many legends and folklore surrounding this simple staple food. In Appalachia, the first slice can foretell a death and a loaf of bread placed with an infant can protect from disease. And for many cultures, the breaking of bread is symbolic of peace and hospitality.1

There are many other associations with this time of year. Chamomile, bay, St Johns wort, angelica, fennel, rue, and orange are all associated with this time. Sunflowers, marigolds, heliotrope and frankincense. Cedar, alder, and hazel trees. It is a time of yellows and golds, when the trees are beginning to show the approach to fall and the grasses are turning brown. It is a time of harvesting and gathering, of friendships and appreciation, of vitality and health.2 Many crops are at their peak of harvest while others are still drawing close to harvest. It is still a time of growth, but is also a time of ending as we begin to reap what we have sown.

Two other members of the Forests Edge joined us and we all celebrated the harvest together. we started the evening making dream catchers out of willow wreaths to welcome the harvest and bring some joy and to remind of us of the abundance of the harvest season as we enter the darker times of the year.

It was a windy cloudy night. Storms and rain have frequented the area for the past two weeks. We moved our gathering to the patio since the ground was so sodden and settled on a less lit and damp ritual. It was a very dark evening since the setting sun and rising moon were both blocked out by dark clouds. After lighting the candles that would stay lit, we called the energies and threw incense on the portable fire pit. Our incense for the night was a combination of sage, cedar, chamomile, sweet orange EO, fennel, a touch of cinnamon.

Part of the ritual involved making a mandala out of grains, beans, corn and rice as we sang a song to honor the harvest. Each of us picked out a bowl and started making the mandala and by the end of it we were passing the bowls around, each adding to the mandala. It was a wonderful experience all four of us making the mandala together and at times felt like we were actually in the fields bringing in the harvest.

After making the mandala, we all laid down and did some hedgeriding. There were several deep and interesting connections made and all of us felt like this was much needed and much enjoyed part of the night. After hedgeriding, we closed the ritual, said farewell to the energies and came back inside to enjoy some food. Silver made some of her amazing Challah bread and an apple cider with fresh cut apples. There was hummus and I made sauteed and braised onion and bok choy. It truly was a wonderful evening with some wonderful friends that had all of us looking forward to the next one.