The Autumn Equinox this year was on the 22nd September and the full moon closest to that was on September 18th. Insert these dates in your head and pay attention because I am going to tell you something else. The Autumn Equinox is the date that the length of the day and the night is equal and it is because of that that we call the full moon that we saw on the 18th a Harvest Moon. The things you learn eh!

I can hear you shouting already "Why, why, why? Tell us why it is called the Harvest Moon?

Well in olden days when we were very young, dear reader, and tractors, if there were any, did not have lights strong enough to facilitate night-time harvesting this particular full moon meant that work could continue into the night. Providing, of course, there was a clear sky.

Isn't it amazing how much you can learn from this website!