We talk a lot about how much we love the fall season — the cooler weather, the fall foliage, all the limited-edition sweets and treats (hello, pumpkin spice), and, of course, the holidays that come with it, like (and especially) Halloween and Thanksgiving. But it’s the Hunter’s Moon during the month of October that really gets us all in the spooky spirit. And this year, it’ll take place on the most appropriate date, Oct. 13.
What is the Hunter’s Moon?
What exactly is the Hunter’s Moon, you ask? A Hunter’s Moon isn’t rare; it’s a full moon that appears once a year in October, sometimes in November. But what makes it special is that it’s the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox and its orbit allows the moon to rise just after sunset, allowing farmers a little extra light (and time) to harvest the last of their fall crops.
When is the best time to see the Hunter’s Moon?
According to Farmer’s Almanac, the best time to see the Hunter’s Moon — which occurs during Libra season this year — is at 5:08 p.m. ET, around the time of sunset.
Why name it ‘Hunter’s Moon’?
Hunter’s Moon is also known as the Harvest Moon, Blood Moon, or Sanguine Moon. It was named after Native Americans who typically harvested in late September or early October. It was also the time of the year to store meat for the impending winter. And, according to Farmer’s Almanac, on the day of the Hunter’s Moon, Native American tribes and those in Western Europe would feast on this day.
When’s the next full moon?
If you can’t catch the Harvest Moon this year, don’t fret. Next month is the Full Beaver Moon. It’ll be visible at exactly 8:34 a.m. ET.
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