MOON PHASE FOLKLORE
July 20, 2017: The moon will be 12 percent illuminated in the Waning Crescent phase. According to moon phase folklore in the Farmer's Almanac, it might be a good time to castrate a bull. Here are some other things to do by moon phase:
New moon
Fishing is best between the new and full moon.
Full moon
Crabbing, shrimping and clamming are best when the moon is full. Dig your horseradish in the full moon for the best flavor.
Waxing (gaining) moon
Slaughter when the moon is waxing for juicier meat. Set eggs to hatch on the moon's increase, but not if a south wind blows.
Waning (lessening) moon
Castrate and dehorn animals when the moon is waning for less bleeding. The Farmer's Almanac has a list of full moon names from the Algonquin tribes. They were created to help tribes track the seasons.
FULL MOON MONTHS
January
Wolf Moon: Wolves howled in hunger outside the villages. It is also known as the Old Moon.
February
Snow Moon: Usually the heaviest snows fall in February. Also known as the Hunger Moon due to the difficulty for hunting.
March
Worm Moon: When the ground begins to soften and earthworms appear. Also known as the Sap Moon, because maple sap begins to flow.
April
Pink Moon: The wild ground phlox, one of the first spring flowers, begins to appear. Also known as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon and the Fish Moon.
May
Flower Moon: Named for the abundance of flowers. Also known as the Corn Planting Moon or the Milk Moon.
June
Strawberry Moon: The time they ripen. Also known as the Rose Moon and the Hot Moon.
July
Buck Moon: A buck's antlers are in full growth. Also known as the Thunder Moon.
August
Sturgeon Moon: A good fishing month. Others called it the Green Corn Moon.
September
Corn Moon: The time of harvesting corn. It is also called the Barley Moon.
October
Hunter's Moon. Time for hunting and the storing of provisions for winter.
November
Beaver Moon: Time to set beaver traps before the freeze. Also called the Frost Moon.
December
Cold Moon: Nights become long and dark.