“Are you ready?” the man asked.
The ending of one story. The beginning of another.
“Yes. I’m ready,” she said, then stepped inside.
The full moon in January:
According to lore, under this moon, wolves would howl in hunger outside Native American villages. When the moon is full in January, people tend to eat too much, drink too much, and play too much trying to fill a winter emptiness.
The full moon in February:
February is traditionally when the heaviest snow falls. People often dream of places they’d rather be when they sleep under a full Snow Moon.
The full moon in March:
In the spring, the ground softens and earthworms reappear… as do the robins who eat them. The lure of possibly getting caught while doing something daring or scandalous is hard to resist during the first full moon in March.
The full moon in April:
This full moon marks the appearance of pink ground phlox, an early spring flower. The amount of hope in the air during a full Pink Moon makes it the best time to ask someone to marry you.
The full moon in May:
The abundance of greenery to eat at this time of year gives cows and goats the potential to produce rich, fortified milk. People often think they are the most attractive under a full Milk Moon.
The full moon in June:
June is typically when strawberries ripen and are gathered. The best time to seek forgiveness is under the Strawberry Moon. Sweetness seems to linger during this time.
The full moon in July:
Bucks begin to grow new antlers at this time. Young men will butt heads and generally show themselves under this full July moon.
The full moon in August:
Native American lore says that the sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most easily caught during the full moon in August. This full moon tends to make people feel restless and overwhelmed.
The full moon in September:
This is the full moon nearest the autumnal equinox, bright enough to allow farmers to work late into the night, bringing in the last of their harvest. A time of introspection. People are often moody during this moon.
The full moon in October:
Historically, after the harvest, with leaves falling and fields bare, it was easier to see to hunt under this full moon. If you stare at a Hunters’ Moon with a question, it will become clear what has to be done.
The full moon in November:
Beaver traps were set during this time, before the waters froze, so furs would be in abundance for the cold months ahead. For some people, the full Beaver Moon is the last chance to do something they’ve wanted to do but put off, before the heaviness of winter settles over them.
The full moon in December:
The full moon heralding long, dark, cold nights ahead. Unquestionably the best sleeping moon of the year.
Acknowledgments
As always, my undying gratitude to my family and friends for their love, support, and patience. I’ll stop talking about barbecue now. I promise. And special thanks to Andrea Cirillo, Kelly Harms Wimmer, Shauna Summers, and Nita Taublib. This book would not have been possible without your input. I’d give you the moon, but you already gave it to me.
About the Author
SARAH A DDISON A LLEN is the New York Times bestselling author of Garden Spells and The Sugar Queen . She was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, where she is currently at work on her next novel. To learn more about Allen, visit her website at www.sarahaddisonallen.com.
