Harvest Time

The fields they are a' golden, now the cycle will complete, in order to harvest the grain, you have to cut the wheat''. 
- Charles Manson, 
''Get on Home'' 
1969

The word ''harvest'', the process or period of gathering in crops comes from the Anglo-Saxon word haverfest, "Autumn". It refers to a time between seasons of reaping and gathering grain and other garden foods along with herbs and other plants. It is also the time of canning, preserving and drying what can be saved for the winter.

The full moon nearest the autumnal equinox is called the Harvest Moon.  In the traditions of our ancestors, Harvest Festivals were often traditionally held on or near the Harvest Moon. This year of 2011, the Harvest Moon will fall on September 12, with the Sun in Virgo and the Moon in Pisces.  

In the days before electricity, farmers counted on the lamp of the Harvest Moon to gather their crops. Making up for the autumn season’s waning daylight, the Harvest Moon faithfully provides several nights of dusk-till-dawn moonlight.

Harvest Moon is a magical time in the Order of ATWA, a time of reaping what has been sown, what has grown, a reward for hard work, a time to gather, prepare and share what will be needed for the dark inward seasons on the horizons.

- Hawk

September 2011