Once in a Blue Moon

Shades of Moon, 2024

The Hunter Moon, (October 17^th), found us still in St Lucia; Its size and brightness over 3 nights was just amazing to see.  I learned that the Hunter Moon traditionally announces the last opportunity for a night hunt as the depths of winter draws in.  Its bright light, usually sustained over 3 nights, allows hunters a last chance to fill larders before cold winter months. 

Of course, having lived mostly in the southern hemisphere where the full moon in October announces that summer is close (Dec to Feb), full moons have no names as far as I know.  And yes, I know it’s the one moon we are looking at regardless of location!  The closest we might come to full moon references is If someone tells you that you are “barking at the moon“.  Generally, that means you’re as mad as a hatter!  Anyway, back to the Hunter Moon.  Having discovered one named moon, I got to wondering if the other months had named moons too.  And they surely do, and have done, for a very, very long time!

Research on full moon names led me to my first “list” dilemma, naming choice.  Yes, there’s more than one set of names!  There's scientific and traditional.  Well, for me, traditional has more story to it.  So, the difficulty then, was deciding between essentially, agrarian or nomadic collections.  Currently popular is the North American Indian naming system, however, my interest lies more in the Celtic/Anlgo-Saxon names given family heritage and farming connections.  Anglo Saxons in essence, based moon names on many years of observing seasons and farming.  Fascinating reading in all and I’ll add some links below so that you can read up on it too! 

A (not-so-pink) Pink Moon, Trinidad 22 April 2024

As I read, I better understood the importance of the moon in life long ago. Stonehenge has a connection with seasons.  This made me think too, of church bells, tolling the time of day across village communities.  Also, shades of Jane Austin!  Mr Knightly announced to the community, his intention to marry Emma, at the end of Harvest Feast held in his ancestral pile.  If you’re curious too, the “English” moons are named:

o   January: Moon following Yule (Pre-Christian not Christmas)

o   February: Snow

o   March: Lenten

o   April: Egg

o   May: Milk

o   June: Flower

o   July: Hay

o   August: Grain

o   September: Harvest

o   October: Hunter

o   November: Blood

o   December: Moon before Yule

o   13^th Moon: Blue Moon (when a moon appears twice in a month and the second moon is so named.  This event occurs only every two to three years).

We've never yet seen the famous "Green Flash".  Setting sun, Grenada.
A Mead Moon was due, 10 days later, on 23 June 2024.

Now just what has this to do with textiles and quilting?  I’m sure there must be loads of traditional blocks that feature moons in some form or other.  Of course, quilting may not date back to Celtic times but certainly, the UK has a long history of textile production.  Making textiles for clothing, stitching quite humble bed coverings, fashioning artfully stitched quilts; it was a very real process of survival and making do.  I can image the women under candlelight, spinning, weaving and stitching by the fire, while the men were out hunting - by the light and good guidance of a Hunter moon.

Further Reading (by the light of the Moon!)

Perhaps the best reading is from Time and Date, with most bases covered.

Otherwise, Time Meddler has a clear & concise English Version as does the Maine Farmers’ Almanac.

Then, there is always reliable Wikipedia with lots of links and further sources.

And to meet a quilting astronaut, here's an article on Karen Nyberg and a 2025 exhibition at the Kennedy Centre.  

So, what sparks your creativity?  Try developing a few full moon ideas, here's another.  I know I will be...  And Have Fun!!

Just take a look at this wonderful Sindhi applique quilt.
Use traditional art to inspire you!  (Wiki Attribution)  Wiki Quilts