Harvest Moon

“Life is a circle, from birth to death to rebirth.  Humans, like the seasons, pass through many phases during their lives.  The moon stones of the Medicine Wheel give us a way of understanding and celebrating these changes.  The moon during which you were born determines your starting point on the wheel.”[1]

Do you have a birthday that lies between August 23rd and September 22nd?

If you answered yes, you were born uner the the Harvest Moon! Your guardians include your totem animal, the great and mighty Bear, your Spirit Animal Guide, Shawnodese - the South Wind Spirit Keeper, Coyote - the South Wind Animal Spirit Guide, and lastly the Turtle Clan.

You who are born under this moon are the Bear of Life. Bears are individuals with a heart of gold that allows them to share freely within their circle of friends and family. They get along best with those born under the Earth Renewal Moon (Dec 22 – Jan 19) and the Frogs Return Moon (April 20 – May 20).

Bears have great empathy in friendships and relationships. If you are having a difficult time in a relationship, call upon a Bear you might know, or approach the Spirit of the Bear using a totem or crystal. The Bear Spirit will lend the energies you need to repair even the most torn bonds.

People born under this moon have a tendency to resist change, retreating to their homes to feel secure. You may find the best time to deal with change is on Wednesdays, between one o’clock and three o’clock, in the morning or afternoon.

The Native Americans see the Bear as the voice of reason. They understand the quality of patience and recognize the value of hard work. As a Bear, you have a unique ability to see the steps that are ahead of you and are capable of bringing solid results to any task. You will also find that Bears have an extraordinary imagination that plays into their vivid daydreams. Sometimes, they cannot distinguish the difference between dreams and physical reality. If people tend to disbelieve you, the Bear Spirit will give you the skills to distinguish between dreams and reality.

The bear's diet is primarily vegetarian, with the exception of fish, larvae or grubs. To obtain these delicacies he scavenges through fallen logs and stones. As a Bear you can relate, as you also sift through life's obstacles to find sustenance to benefit your well-being as a whole. You also prepare yourself during the winter season to listen more to your inner voice and feelings, similar to the bear who listens to his intuition in preparing for impending weather conditions.

 

There are two stones associated with the Harvest Moon. The first is Topaz, a stone of serenity and compassion. There are various uses for topaz, but commonly people use it to purify emotions, increase awareness, and promote truths. With the Bear’s energies, topaz enhances the characteristics of friendships and loyalty. When you use this stone on your Medicine Wheel you will feel a rush of happiness coursing through your veins. You will be ready to conquer obstacles, repair broken bonds, and distinguish reality and dreams.

The second stone associated with the harvest moon is the elegant purple stone, Amethyst. Throughout history, people used amethyst to protect themselves from black magic and enhance their spiritual energies. Others use the stone to allow themselves to feel at ease with their issues, so they can alleviate the physical tensions that exist. With your Medicine Wheel and amethyst crystal, channel your energies into a form of understanding. This will help you move on from any past occurrences to allow room for present decisions that will mold your future.

Amethyst's ability to expand the higher mind also enhances one’s creativity and passion. It strengthens the imagination and intuition, and refines the thinking processes. It helps in the assimilation of new ideas, putting thought into action, and brings projects to fruition. It is a talisman of focus and success.

Learn more about Amethyst in our Crystal Metaphysical Encyclopedia entry for Amethyst.