Sunday, August 17, 2008

Happy August Moon (a little late)

Full August Moon was on the 16th. And a beautiful moon it was in this part of the world. Sherry at Q's corner celebrated Full Sturgeon Moon; according to Native American culture.

Other cultures know this month's full moon as Grain, Corn, (celebrating the harvest) or Red Moon, because of it's slightly reddish tinge.

According to the Celtic Tree calendar, the full moon in August is known as the Hazel Moon. At this time of year, hazelnuts appear on trees; signaling the early part of the harvest. It is believed that hazelnuts are associated with wisdom and protection.


In China, the August Moon Festival is a time for celebrating the end of the harvest. Chinese legends say that the moon is at its brightest and roundest at this time. People make special "moon cakes" to share with family and friends, as a way of giving thanks.


In my corner of the world - Summer's back! I open my door and breathe in the scents of a warm summer's evening. Fragrant flowers, a touch of freshly cut grass, and a slightly smoky smell conspire to lure me outside for a walk.


Ohhhhhh this is nice! Wrapping myself in the warm, slightly moist air, I step outside into the quiet night.

My mission was to see the moon. Since it was a clear night, I knew there would be no problem. Strolling leisurely around the dark streets of our neighbourhood, I looked around for fireflies. I saw none. Nor were any people about; walking their dogs, or walking themselves.


Rounding the next corner - there she was - in all her shining glory. As round and bright as well..... a full moon!

I basked in her light for a while, then turned to walk back home.
A blinking star swept across the sky.
Then another.

Are these the "falling stars" I'd read about in the paper? According to the article, there was to be a few nights of "falling stars" sometime around the full moon (I think).

Closing my eyes, I made a wish..

"I wish for World Peace - for ever and ever!" I whispered reverently to myself.

Nerrrrrrrrrrrr.
Opening my eyes, I looked up.
Drat!
That wasn't a falling star. It was an airplane.
And..... it was moving rather slowly..... I should have known... falling stars streak across the sky - and I don't think they blink.
I'd wished upon an airplane!
Eeeeeks!

16 comments:

peppylady (Dora) said...

Just looking at different blogs that posted about the full moon.
I thought it was just great.

It amazing how different people view the moon.

My blog is always open and when you get a chance stop on in.
The coffee is always on.

Beverly said...

I love looking at the night sky...it's o.k. if it was an airplane.

Wendy said...

Hi peppeylady - thanks for stopping by. Will check out your blog and help myself to a cup of java!

Hi Bev - well, I felt like a dork! But thanks for your support - I also like looking at the night sky.

Shammickite said...

There's nothing dorky about wishing on a star, even if that star turns out to be the midnight flight from london.
It's the wishing part that's important, and of course, the substance of the wish, and I think your wish was a good one, I echo your sentiments!

JeanMac said...

Too funny.

beckie said...

Wendy, I always learn something very interesting when I visit you. I have noticed the moon the last few nights and it has been beautiful. Our air has less humidity right now and we can see it and the stars very clearly. You never know about wishes, no matter what they were wished upon-it just might come true.

mj said...

Hi Wendy,

Just got back from camping up north for the weekend. We noticed the moon too! I loved watching it rise above the trees while sitting around the campfire at night.

Have you ever seen a satelite race across the sky? At first you think that it must be a shooting star, then you realize... No, it's clearly on a set course and not just falling from the sky. Just a satelite moving quickly across the night sky.

Rose said...

Sounds like a beautiful night for a walk. I've been looking at the moon the last few nights, too. I had read about the Chinese tradition of moon cakes before, but had forgotten the origins of it--thanks for reminding me.
Here's hoping your wish comes true, even if it was an airplane:)

Q said...

Dear Wendy,
Thank you for a delightful and funny story! I often wish upon a jet plane. My husband and I call them "Deltoilds" they also could be "Continentaloids or Mid-west-toids" very hard to tell the difference in the night sky.
I did not know about Moon Cakes! I love that idea. Thank you for sharing Moon traditions. They are very interesting.
Thank you also for linking Corner!
I am looking forward to our second new moon this month. I have named all the new moons since they were unnamed! (Someone had to do it). Having a special 2nd new moon this month is exciting...there is a chance a bug will be honored.
All Full Moons are available for wishes...as are all first stars. My jet wishes are always for safe travel! I am sending you a Full Moon wish and will be thinking of you on new moon, the 30th.
Namaste,
Sherry

Cheryl said...

I looked at the moon with Mr P....she always makes me feel so drawn to her.....I love my garden my moonlight......we have no lighting here, so she lights up the whole garden....

You always make me smile dear Wendy....only you would wish on an aeroplane but hey perhaps your wish will come true one day.....we all live in hope for peace on earth....

Abba's Girl said...

The full moon was beautiful this month. It was still shining Sunday morning too. Have a blessed week.

Annette

Wendy said...

Hi Shammickite - thanks for your support.

Hi Jeanmac - hope things have cooled down in your area.

Hi Becky - I hope you're right!

Wendy said...

Hi Mary - I hope you had a great time camping!

Hi Rose - I just googled full moon in august to see what names I could come up with. I knew some of them (grain, corn, sturgeon), but wanted to know if there were any more - and that's where I found the chinese customs and mooncakes. It is fun learning about other's traditions.

Wendy said...

Thank you Sherry for your kind wishes. I wondered why you name the new moons. I thought it was a tradition that I knew nothing about. I am glad you do!!

Hi Cheryl, your garden must look enchanting in the moonlight. Yes, I always wish for world peace - ever since I was a little girl. World peace, no sickness, no crime, no poverty - I'm an idealist, I guess.

Thank you Annette - I hope you have a blessed week too.

Marimoy said...

I have wished upon a few airplanes, satellites, and planets in my time. It's okay! :D I'm sure it will still work! Maybe we should just wish upon celestial objects visible in the night sky. That will help us non-astronomers!

Wendy said...

Hi BearNaked - always happy to oblige.

Hi Mimi - I like your idea.