CORN MOON: August’s Full Moon – A Magickal Time to Feast on What We Have Sown.

The eighth Full Moon of the year is here! The month of August’s Full Moon is called the “Corn Moon”. Let’s embrace this moment to synchronize ourselves with our intentions and attune ourselves to the environment we live in. The month of August is an excellent time to reflect on your life. It’s time to start making plans for bringing in new and more fulfilling experiences, people and items. The Corn Full Moon is active for at least three days so let’s make the most of this time. As a practicing Witch, Wiccan or Pagan, now is a good time to allow yourself to really be with the Moon. When you allow yourself to bathe in the moonlight, whatever may present itself to you, embrace it! This will allow you to become better; you will make progress and you will take yourself a few more steps closer to emotional mastery.

NOTE: Other names for the Corn Moon are – Harvest Moon, Barley Moon, Sturgeon Moon, Dispute Moon, Ricing Moon, Black Cherries Moon.

WHY IS IT CALLED THE CORN MOON?

The full Moon names come from a number of places which include the Native American, Colonial American and multiple European sources. Each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month not just to the full moon specific day/night of the full Moon. This month’s Full Moon is called the Corn Moon because August is the month of the first harvests, when the farmers begin to reap the fruits of all their labor.

NOTE: According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac they like to refer to the full moon of August as the Sturgeon Moon because the giant sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were caught more frequently at this time of the summer months.

Did you know that the month of August was originally called “Sextilis” (interesting name lol) but was later changed to Augusts in honor of the Roman, Augustus Ceasar. This month is a time for harvest festivals starting with Lughnasahd/Lammas and ending with Ospeconsiva (a harvest festival of the goddess Ops) – a merry month of lots of flowing wine and freshly baked bread to eat and enjoy, as well as to use as altar offerings.

NOTE: In India the Hindu people honor Ganesha (the elephant-headed god) this deity removes obstacles for you and will bring in good luck! But be aware, it is considered unlucky to look at the Moon during this festival of Anant Chaturdashi on August 31st.

CORRESPONDENCES for the Month of the CORN MOON:

If you want to enhance your magickal connection with the Corn Moon of August here are some suggestions of ways in which you can achieve this. You can wear, decorate your altar or use the colors yellow and gold in your spell work. Add a jasper stone, a cat’s eye or fire agate to your altar or add to your outfit as a piece of jewelry. Incorporate the flowers marigold and the beautiful sunflower to your decor or magick, along with the scents of heliotrope and frankincense (one of my most favorite scents!). Hazel, cedar and alder are all trees associated with this month. If you are wanting to connect with deities or nature spirits you should focus on making connections with the Dryads as well as the following god and goddesses: Hecate, Diana, Nemesis, Hathor, Thoth, and Ganesha.

When working your magick, focus on your energy coming from deep within. This power flow is all about harvesting, gathering and appreciating. Focus should be directed toward your health, vitality and friendships. Corresponding herbs for this time are chamomile, St. Johns wort, bay, fennel, orange, rue and angelica. Incorporate into a tea fusion or magickally charge and add to meals.

As the saying goes – if a person is born on a full Moon they will have a lucky life! Is this you? Do you know somebody who was born on a full Moon …

WHAT MAGICKAL PRACTICES SHOULD YOU FOCUS ON DURING THE CORN FULL MOON?

Some of you might have your set rituals that you like to do the Corn Moon and that’s great! But, if you’re not one of those people or, you’re in the mood to shake things up a little, I have just the suggestion for you. For a Full Moon gathering or even if you just want to try this on your own, why not consider making a batch of Sandalwood. This drink is very popular in India and is quite easy to make. If you want to try this, just follow this easy recipe, step-by-step below:

Ingredients:

• 1.5 quarts of purified water
• 1 quart of tonic water
• 1 lemon – juiced
• 5 cloves
• 1 cup of plain yogurt
• 5 green cardamom pods
• 1 cup organic honey
• 4 drops of sandalwood

Step by Step Method:

1. Boil the water with the cloves and cardamom for 6 minutes
2. Add the honey and sandalwood
3. Boil until the syrup is thick
4. Once it is a tick consistency, remove form the heat
5. Stir in the lemon juice
6. Let it cool
7. Put the cooled syrup and plain yogurt in a blender and blend until the liquid mix is frothy
8. Pour into a glass bowl , add the tonic water and mix
9. Serve cold in glass vessels
10. ENJOY!

A Crafty Thing To Do During Your Corn Moon Activities:

Our sense of smell is very powerful and is connected to our minds and how we feel. This is a marvelously magickal tool we can certainly utilize during our full moon rituals or meditation session. If you want to make something that will attune you and your mind into the Corn Moon’s energy, I have just the suggestion for you to try!

Night of Arabia Hot Pot (Potpourri):

What you need:

• Rose petals – 2 oz or 57 grams
• Cedar shavings – 2 oz or 57 grams
• Sandalwood shavings – 1 oz or 28 grams
• Coffee blossoms – 1 oz or 28 grams
• Stick of cinnamon (broken) – 1
• Lilac essential oil – 1 drop
• Jasmine oil – 1 drop

Mix all the above together and then place in a clean glass or wood or copper dish/bowl. Place it somewhere where you can easily inhale the delicious aromas (your altar, bedroom, sacred space etc.) relax and enjoy. This should really help you during any kind of ritual or meditation you have planned during this Corn Moon night.

WHY DOES THE FULL MOON HAVE SUCH A STRONG EFFECT ON ME?

As a Witch, we understand that the full Moon holds a stronger pull over the waters of this Earth. Not only the oceans, rivers and lakes but also the waters which reside in us! During any full moon phase you will begin to notice changes in the behavior of the ocean. If you go down to the beach you should notice that the waves roll in much higher during a full moon than any other moon phase. And just as the tide rolls in higher, so do our emotions! If you pay close enough attention, you will notice a stir of emotions rising up within you, sometimes things may rise up that may startle you like unexpected emotions that you suddenly experience as if out of the blue.

We are all made up of approximately 70% water therefore, the Moon’s magickal force is affecting us the same way if affects the vast oceans, rivers and lakes. A Full Moon is a gifted moment where we can use this energy which is being stirred up within us and acknowledge whatever it is that may rise up. Now is the time to own your emotions! Master your feelings. Control the power that you have inside of you. Allow the full Moon to light and guide your way. Remember to be aware of what is happening and acknowledge this but try also not to be reactive. Embrace.

TIP: Try to be as aware as you can about your behavior and nay patterns you notice. Make a note of this. Stop yourself from slipping into unconscious behavioral and thought patterns.

NOTABLE FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS IN THE MONTH OF THE CORN MOON

August 1st: Laughnasadh/Lammas (Celtic/British)

August 1-3rd: Festival of the Dryads – honoring of the maiden spirits of the woodlands and water (Macedonia)

August 6th: The festival of Thoth (Egypt)

August 7th: Celebratory breaking of the Nile dedicated to Hathor (Egypt)

August 12th: Blessing of the Boats (Egypt)

August 13th & 15th: Diana of the Wildwood & Hecate the Dark Mother of the Moon (Greece & Rome)

August 23rd: The Festival of Nemesis (goddess of fate) – (Greece) & Volcanalia Festival (Rome)

August 25th: The Opseconsiva (Rome) – a fesitval for the goddes Ops

August 26th: The Feast Day of Ilmatar or Luonnatar (Finland)

August 29th: Birthday of Hathor (Egypt)

August 30th: Charisteria (Rome) – festival of thanksgiving

August 31st: Festival of Anant Chaturdashi – honoring the goddess Ananta and women’s purification (Hindu)

CONCLUSION:

The full moon is a precious moment in time where we can all feel the divine feminine energy and use it to understand, express, let go, receive and nourish. Allow yourself to let go and allow your mind to attune to the full Moon’s cosmic flow. It is important to be open to be able to receive any divine wisdom that you may be blessed to receive. The Corn Full Moon is a perfect time to tune into your intuition and appreciate this gift. Try to stay as mindful and grounded in all that you do and know that with every full moon comes a new opportunity to work with new and different energies. Honor the Moon and honor yourself and honor all living things in this world. Take nothing for granted and appreciate every blessing that you receive. Blessed be!