Once in a Harvest Moon

Superstitious folks are getting a double whammy as the full harvest moon happens tonight, Friday the 13th.

The Harvest Moon is the full moon that happens closest to the Fall Equinox, and was especially important to farmers during the harvest because it provided extra light to work by during the reaping season. This is an unusual time for the Harvest Moon to appear, because it usually occurs later in the month, closer to the 22nd of September.

The last time a full moon happened on the spooktacular day was in 2006, and won’t happen again until August of 2049.

Friday the 13th has had it’s long standing folklore, beginning back in the Middle Ages. Some believed that the superstition was rooted in Jesus’ last supper, in which there were 13 disciples present on the 13th of Nisan Maundy Thursday, the night before the crucifixion.

The superstition is so strong, that sometimes a number of high rises don’t have a 13th floor on the elevator, and some hotels don’t have a room 13.

There are people who have fun with the event, though. Wedding chapels offer fun Friday the 13th themed weddings, where the infamous character Jason is the officiant, several area theaters play “Rocky Horror Picture Show”, and other creative events to mark the occasion.

Combine the superstition of Friday the 13th with the lore of a full moon, and there’s a recipe for one wacky day.

Some believe that the full moon will make people crazy. The root for the word lunatic, is actually Luna, who is the Greek goddess of the moon. There’s several who believe that it is easier to become pregnant during a full moon. The ocean’s tides and gravitational pull are effected, and it has been proven that a full moon does effect some animal behavior.

A knock on wood, maybe some salt over the shoulder, and staying away from a camp near Crystal Lake is highly recommended today. Have a fun Friday the 13th!