By MARY TURNER
With not much to report this week, I thought I’d share a few interesting facts about July’s full moon. This month’s full moon reached its peak on Wednesday, July 29. The July full moon is most commonly known as the Buck Moon and originates from the Algonquin tribes who lived in what is now the Northeastern United States. Naming the moons is one way that people of the land keep track of time and seasons. The Buck Moon gets its name because late July is generally the time when male deer begin to shed the velvety layer covering their antlers that covers the hard bone underneath. The days becoming shorter leads to drops in their testosterone levels, which causes the velvety layer to shed. Later, in the late fall/early winter, after the rutting season has ended, the bucks will begin to shed their antlers entirely. New antlers will start to grow in the spring and the cycle begins again.
Different cultures and religions around the world have different names for July’s full moon that reflect the season. In Hinduism, this specific moon is called Guru Purnima and is celebrated as a sacred day to honor spiritual and academic teachers. In China the full moon in the 7th month is called the Hungry Ghost Moon, marking the start of the Ghost Festival, when spirits are believed to visit the world. In England it was often known as the Hay Moon or Herb Moon, when hay was gathered and medicinal herbs were harvested. Celtic traditions also referred to it as the Mead Moon, celebrating the season’s fresh honey.
Here in North America, the Tlingit and Haida peoples of the Pacific Northwest called it the Salmon Moon due to the return of salmon to the rivers. The Ojibwe and Anishinaabe called it the Berry Moon, signaling the ripening of summer fruits. For the Cherokee it is the Ripe Corn Moon, the Cree the Feather Moulting Moon.
For centuries people have planned their gardens around the moon’s cycle. It is said that the full moon brings higher soil moisture and stronger sap flow, making it a perfect time to harvest above-ground crops. As the moon begins to wane in the days that follow, it’s traditionally considered one of the best times to plant root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, onions and beets. On the other hand, many gardeners avoid heavy pruning during the full moon, believing the increased sap flow can make plants more susceptible to pests and disease.
It’s truly fascinating to see how people across cultures have used the full moon to mark the rhythms of nature, the harvest, and the changing seasons. The moon is something we all have in common regardless of religion, ethnicity or political leanings. She connects us all and shines on us indiscriminately. If there’s one thing in life we can count on, it’s the changing of the moon, her beauty having stayed the same since the beginning of time.
The full moon is a good reminder to reach out to friends and loved ones, say a quick hello, check on your people. Especially that one friend who is most likely to say “Have you seen the moon tonight?!”
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Ongoing Events:
Odd Fellows Breakfast - 1st Sunday of the month @ The Odd Fellows Lodge
Free Market - 2nd Tuesday, 3:30pm @ The Odd Fellows Lodge
Taco Tuesday - 5pm-8pm @ Rick’s Saloon
Thankful Thursday - 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the month. Free meal with drink purchase 5pm-8pm @ Rick’s Saloon
Knights Ferry Community Church Services - Sundays 9:30am-10:30am
Upcoming Events:
Community Club Meeting - August 6, 6:30pm @ The Community Club
First Day of School - August 6, 8:10am @ Knights Ferry Elementary School
Miller’s Hall Meeting - August 11, 9am @ The Miller’s Hall
School Board Meeting - August 13, 5:30pm @ Knights Ferry Elementary School
Water Board Meeting - August 20, 7pm @ The Miller’s Hall
Odd Fellows Potluck Social - August 26, 6pm @ The Odd Fellows Lodge
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Do you have any exciting Knights Ferry local news, upcoming events, historical facts about the area, jokes or recipes to share? Contact Mary Turner at knightsferrynews@gmail.com
