As the last full month of summer, August has the distinction of being plentiful both in respect to the food, wealth of astronomical sights, and outdoor opportunities. The Pacific Northwest August is a great time to spend outdoors picking fruit or spending time exploring new areas. Also it is a great time to go fishing for fish such as Salmon and Sturgeon, which helps provide the name of Sturgeon Moon. Make sure to see the Perseid Meteor Shower either with a local group such as OMSI or at a dark sky sight as it will definitely be worth the view!
Meaning Behind The Name
The month of August has many names of the Full Moon, all of which are related to food. August is the last month of summer and an important month for determining crop growth and catching game for the winter. Names include the Full Green Corn Moon and the Sturgeon Moon.
Some Native American tribes named the August Moon the Sturgeon Moon because they knew that the sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this Full Moon period. Sturgeon are an important food source for the tribes in the Great Lakes area. The amount of Sturgeon caught would help keep food supply high during the rest of the summer until the crops were harvested.
They also called August’s Moon the Full Green Corn Moon, and Grain Moon. These refer to the fact that the corn and grain should be progressing well in growing. These crops should be ready to harvest in the coming months if everything went well.
Full Moon with an airplane flying through.
Full Moon Folklore:
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- Clothes washed for the first time in the full Moon will not last long.
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- If you glimpse the new Moon over your right shoulder, you will have good luck.
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- To have a project prosper, start it during the new Moon.
- Babies born a day after the full Moon enjoy success and endurance.
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