September 2024 Harvest Full Moon: Secrets to Seize Its Magic
As the season of Autumn begins, the 2024 Harvest Moon illuminates the way and guides us through this lovely season of reflection, spiritual meaning, and abundance.
Every Autumn, Nature displays a breathtaking transition as the colorful leaves of September and October begin to fall. Harvest Moons have been associated with harvest festivals for hundreds of years. Celebrations are held on the full moon closest to the harvest, which lands in September or October in North America.
Every full moon has its own name based on the month or the season in which it appears. Creating a name for each full Moon allowed people to reflect on each season and how it affects them AND the natural world. There can be some variation on the Full Moon names due to the origins from whence they came.
Most Full Moon names are English translations of Native American names; others are rooted in Celtic, European (Anglo-Saxon and Germanic), and more recent Neo-Pagan origins. I created a guide to each Full Moon, complete with their meanings and how you can celebrate
Please note that I make every effort to ensure this information is correct and accurate through my own experiences and referencing sources throughout AND at the bottom of this article.
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Table of Contents
What is a Harvest Moon?
September’s Harvest Moon can be a little tricky! Most Full Moons are associated with the month they land in. However, the full moon closest to the Autumn Equinox is considered the Harvest Moon. Typically, the Harvest Moon lands in September, but occasionally, it lands in October (about every three years).
The Harvest Moon rises just after the sun sets for a few nights in a row. Due to the atmosphere, the Harvest Moon has a pumpkin-orange glow! Perfect for bringing in the magical season of Autumn!
Many harvest-related customs have their origin in the animistic belief in a spirit such as the Corn Mother or Rice Mother, and the semiworship of the last sheaf was the great feature of the harvest home.
Britannica – Harvest Agricultural Season
Harvest Moon Video
When is the Harvest Full Moon in 2024?
In 2024, September’s Full Moon is called the Harvest Moon. It takes place on September 17th and peaks at 10:34 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Harvest Moon 2024 rises shortly after sunset. The bright moonbeams of September’s Full Moon were extremely helpful for busy farmers harvesting their crops and allowed them to work long hours into the night. This is how the Harvest Moon’s name came to be!
Near the time of the autumnal equinox, the angle of the moon’s orbit relative to the Earth’s horizon is at its minimum, causing the full moon to rise above the horizon much faster than usual.
Since the difference of the moon’s rising time on successive nights barely varies, the moon appears to rise at nearly the same hour for several nights in succession.
Because the harvest moon, like any full moon, must rise near the hour of sunset, harvest workers in the Northern Hemisphere may be aided by bright moonlight after sunset on several successive evenings.
Britannica – Harvest Moon
September Harvest Moon Spiritual Meaning
The September Harvest Moon’s spiritual meaning goes beyond its scientific explanation. Just as the falling Autumn leaves signal change, the Harvest Moon urges us to let go of situations no longer serving us and settle into a much slower pace and rhythm. Now is the time to think about what we’ve achieved internally and externally.
As the season changes and cooler months are ahead, we’re reminded of the circle of life and the importance of balance, abundance, honoring our homes, and learning from our experiences. We are beginning to turn inward, just like the natural world around us. We feel the coming of the darkness and are pulled toward our spiritual side in a new way.
Essentially, the September Harvest Moon encourages us to balance the outside world with what’s inside us so we can notice the beauty of achieving our goals and accepting change with an open heart. Immerse yourself and enjoy these last days of warmth so you can gladly enter the darkness of Winter.
As the days grow shorter, and the air becomes crisp, Nature seems to whisper secrets of change and transformation.
Amanda aka The Peculiar Brunette
September Harvest Moon Alternative Names
Many cultures around the world have beautiful names for September’s Full Moon. These names beautifully reflect the connection between humans, Nature, folklore, communities, and historical influences throughout time.
Remember, most of these names applied to the entire month, not just during the full moon!
- Barley Moon (Old English) (source: Time and Date)
- Fall Moon (Ukiuqsraq) Inupiat Language, Alaska
- Tvímánuður (Norse) means harvest month (source: Nordic Culture – Skjalden)
- Leaves Turning Moon (Waatebagaa-giizis) (Ojibwe) (source: Ojibwe.net)
- Nut Month (dulisdi) Cherokee, Carolinas
- Singing Moon (sometimes called Song Moon) Celtic
- Corn is Harvested (li’dekwakkwya ts’ana) Zuni Native American Origins
- Spring Moon (South African origins) (source: Centre for Astronomical Heritage)
For a list of even more Native American Moon names, check out American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association’s article here or Western Washington University’s article here.
For Abrahamic traditions the full moon of September can be important, as for Jewish people it’s the one that precedes the High Holy Day of Rosh Hashonah which starts on Sept. 25.
Muslims use a lunar calendar, so the full moon is in the middle of the month (in this case, called Safar).
Space – Harvest Moon 2022: When and how to see September’s full moon
Is the Full Moon of September 2024 a Supermoon?
Yes, the September full Moon is a Supermoon, and there will also be another Supermoon in October 2024!
Because the Moon’s orbit wobbles and differs depending on where the Sun and Earth are in their orbits, the exact distance of these closest and furthest points varies, and some supermoons are closer or farther than others.
‘Supermoon’ isn’t an official astronomical term, but typically it’s used to describe a full Moon that comes within at least 90 percent of perigee.
NASA – Supermoons
Will September’s Harvest Moon Have A Lunar Eclipse in 2024?
Yes, September’s Harvest Moon will have a Lunar Eclipse this year! In 2024, there will be two Lunar Eclipses AND two Solar Eclipses!
Lunar and Solar Eclipses in 2024
Penumbra, (from Latin paene, “almost”; umbra, “shadow”), in astronomy, the outer part of a conical shadow cast by a celestial body, in which the light from the source [the Sun] is partially blocked—as compared to the umbra (q.v.), the shadow’s darkest, central part, where the light is totally excluded.
Britannica – Penumbra Eclipse
September Moon Spiritual Correspondences
The Harvest Moon symbolizes the connection between life and death, decay, natural cycles, and seasonal times. To get you started, here are some spiritual correspondences and intentions!
Harvest Moon Spiritual Intentions
- Gratitude
- Abundance
- Harvesting and agriculture
- Transitions
- Balance
- Home and hearth
- Connection
Colors
- Brown
- Burnt Orange
- Deep Red
- Amber
- Dark Green
- Earth tones
Crystals
- Citrine
- Amber
- Quartz
- Aventurine
- Gold
- Ruby
- Tiger’s Eye
Sacred Space Decoration Ideas
- Apples
- Peaches
- Wheat/ Barley / Grains
- Corn – maize, blue, or gold
- Fallen leaves
- Pumpkins or gourds
- Flax seeds
Full Moon September 2024 Ritual Ideas
The Harvest Moon is a celebration of abundance and time to give thanks to Nature. Here are a few celebration ideas to get you started. If you’re looking for even more ideas, check out Full Moon Rituals You Need To Know!
September Full Moon Journal Prompts
These journal prompts touch upon themes of growth, balance, gratitude, and renewal. Let your thoughts flow, and may you discover the spiritual magic of the Harvest Moon.
Sharing a Harvest Feast
Host a cozy gathering with friends or family to celebrate the Harvest Moon’s energy. Use autumn-themed decor and soft lighting to create a welcoming space.
Prepare a feast using seasonal ingredients that evoke the flavors of Autumn. Think hearty soups, roasted vegetables, apple dishes, and pumpkin desserts. Consider incorporating elements from local farmers’ markets to honor the harvest spirit.
You can also ask everyone to bring a dish inspired by Autumn or anything holding personal significance to them. As you all enjoy the delicious food, encourage them to share the story behind their dish. What memories or feelings does it evoke? How does it connect to the theme of harvest and abundance? This lovely ritual weaves a tapestry of personal experiences into the meal.
After everyone is finished eating, take turns sharing how you’ve each succeeded this year. Then, set intentions for the Autumn season and align them with the Harvest Moon symbolism.
Try placing a central candle in the center of the table to symbolize the light from the Harvest Moon. As each person shares their intention, they can light a smaller candle from the central one. This simple ritual will illuminate their personal path and the group’s collective energy.
Bubble Release Ritual
This ritual is excellent for helping you embrace the themes of abundance and letting go during the Harvest Moon. It’s also an excellent manifestation technique.
Using bubbles as part of your Harvest Moon ritual infuses the celebration with lightness, playfulness, and the reminder that life’s moments are temporary.
Create Sacred Space
Gather your bubble-blowing materials and select an outdoor location with open space. Decorate the area with candles, lanterns, or natural elements like leaves and flowers. Ideally, perform the ritual when the Harvest Moon’s light is most prominent.
Setting Intentions
Take a moment to reflect on your intentions for the ritual.
What aspects of your life do you want to release? What abundance do you wish to invite?
Release Intention
Hold your bubble wand or tool and take a deep breath. As you exhale, blow a bubble into the air. Visualize the bubble carrying away the intentions you want to release.
Watch as the bubble rises and eventually pops, symbolizing the act of letting go.
Abundance Intention
Now, dip your wand into the bubble solution again. As you blow a bubble this time, visualize it representing abundance and blessings flowing into your life. Watch the bubble shimmer in the moonlight, representing the beauty of the abundance you invite into your life.
Repetition and Reflection
Continue blowing bubbles with released intentions and abundance intentions, alternating between the two. As you blow each bubble, let go of any attachment to the outcome and trust the flow of the universe.
After you’ve blown bubbles with your intentions and reflected on the symbolism, take a moment to stand in the moonlight. Close your eyes and feel the energy of the Harvest Moon surrounding you. Express gratitude for the release and abundance you’ve invited into your life.
Preparing Food For Winter
This ritual helps you connect with the Autumn season and Nature’s cycles. Autumn is a time to enjoy the fruits of your labor and prepare for the colder months ahead.
During harvest season, choose abundant seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Consider items that can be preserved, such as apples, root vegetables, and herbs like rosemary and thyme. Try canning or freezing summer produce and herbs!
As you prepare and store your ingredients, take a moment to reflect on how food nourishes your body and soul. Express gratitude for the harvest’s abundance, the moon’s energy, and the hands that nurtured the plants.
You can also harvest flowers, herbs, or leaves and incorporate them into a beautiful arrangement or bouquet. You could hang them to dry and use them later in oils, smoke cleansers, or Yule decor.
Set Intentions with Moon Water
September is a lovely time to meditate beneath the Moon because the evenings and nights are cooler. Sit with your hands on each side of your container and envision your gratitude, light, and intentions filling up the Moon Water.
Repeat the affirmation below, and then add what intention you’re trying to infuse into your Moon Water.
Harvest Moon, so full and bright, infuse this water with your light.
Alternatively, you can take a nighttime Nature Walk beneath the glow of the Harvest Moon. As you stroll, connect with the beauty of the moonlit landscape. Pay attention to the rustling leaves, the crispness in the air, and the soothing sounds of the night.
Use this time to let go of any worries and absorb the calming energy of the moon. You might also bring a journal to jot down any insights or thoughts during your walk.
Anointing Oils
If you created any herbal-infused oils over the summer, use them! Try adding dried/crushed lavender to Jojoba or Sweet Almond Oil. After a bath or before meditation, take a moment to be fully present and hydrate your body with your oils. Focus on your intentions or what you are grateful for. You can also add some of your Moon Water to it!
Try incorporating a bath ritual as well. Use oils, bath salts, herbs (like lavender), bubbles, candles, or music to help immerse you in this present moment and set intentions. Take a moment to relax and just be!
A favorite ritual of mine is to focus completely on each body part as you rub the oil into your skin. Think about at least one thing you appreciate about that part of your body. How does it help you each day?
You can also use anointing oils to Dress Your Spell Candles.
Is There a Black Moon in September 2024?
No, September doesn’t have a Black Moon in 2024.
However, there will be a calendrical Black Moon on November 30th, 2024.
A Black Moon is a modern phrase that is very similar to the definition of a Blue Moon. However, it involves two NEW MOONS inside a specified time period rather than two FULL MOONS. Since two New Moons take place in the month of November, this makes it a calendrical Black Moon.
A Black Moon brings success and good luck. While a Black Moon is not an astronomical phrase, it’s honored and celebrated by Pagans, witches, and other spiritual practitioners.
Full Moon Schedule 2024
I hope you found this article helpful!! Enjoy September’s Harvest Moon 2024, and remember as always…..
