Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Oh, Flower Moon of May

It's the very essence of springtime, this hopeful moon of flowers which rises serenely into the indigo night and resembles a great blossom glowing out there among the stars.

It is still cold in the north after dark, and it will be so for some time to come, but there is a softer edge to the air at nightfall in May, and there is a sense of waiting and expectation, a touch of restlessness. We are all waiting for that magical day three weeks hence when the danger of frost has passed away, and we can garden, often under the moon.

We also know this moon as:

Alewife Moon, Anagantios Moon, Beltane Moon, Blossom Moon, Bottlebrush Moon, Bright Moon, Budding Moon, Corn Planting Moon, Death Moon, Dragon Moon, Dyad Moon, Fawns Moon, Field Maker Moon, Fifth Moon, Fish Moon, Flower Moon, Flowering Moon, Fright Moon, Frog Moon, Frogs Return Moon, Geese Go North Moon, Geese Moon, Grass Moon, Hare Moon, Hoeing Corn Moon, Idle Moon, Iris Moon, Joy Moon, Leaf Tender Moon, Leaves Appear Moon, Lily of the Valley Moon, Little Corn Moon, Little Finger Moon, Magnolia Moon, Merry Moon, Milk Moon, Moon of Big Leaf, Moon of the Strawberry, Moon of the Camas Harvest, Moon of Possibility, Moon of Waiting, Moon To Plant, Moon When Corn is Planted, Moon When Ponies Shed Their Fur, Moon When the Buffalo Plant is in Flower, Moon When the Leaves Are Green, Moon When the Little Flowers Die, Moon When the Horses Get Fat, Moon When Women Weed Corn, Mulberry Moon, Mulberry Ripening Moon, New Waters Moon, Old Woman Moon, Panther Moon, Penawen Moon, Peony Moon, Planting Moon, Putting Seeds in the Hole Moon, Seeds Moon, Seeds Ripen Moon, Sprout Kale Moon, Staying Home Moon, Storing Moon, Strawberry Moon, Suckers Dried Moon Summer Moon, Thrice Milk Moon, When the Ponies Shed Their Shaggy Hair Moon, Wind Tossed Moon, Winnemon Moon

Of all the moon names, I think that "Moon of Possibility" is my favorite.

5 comments:

Suzie Ridler said...

Moon of the Strawberry is lovely too and so appropriate, strawberries are everywhere these days. What joy, spring is such a beautiful time of year. Amazing image, is it yours?!

Val said...

The full moon in May is known to some in the world as the Buddha's birthday - Wesak. She is gentle and serene tonight over southern England. The night air is warm and smelling sweetly of hidden climbing flowers. Ive just been meditating and eating birthday cake in honour of the day with some lovely girl friends. We watched the sky darken and heard the wind in the pine trees. Bliss.

Steve Emery said...

I also like Merry Moon! Puts me in mind of Holst's name on the movement from the Planets - "Jupiter, Bringer of Jollity." Grins and giggles seem unusually easy this time of year.

Rowan said...

A lovely photograph of the moon, my favourite name for this time of year is Hare Moon. Our nights are still chilly too even though the days are wsrm and bright. The world is so full of beauty now - belated Beltane greetings, may this moon be full of Possibility for you.

Michele said...

Moon of Possibility, I love that. I am inspired and hopeful.