by Sid Baglini
Thursday, April 6, 2023, 8:30 P.M.
Spring arrived on the 20th of March and so this will be our first Moon walk of the spring. It is fittingly called the Full Pink Moon reflecting the prevalence of the native wildflower called creeping phlox but more commonly referred to as “pinks.” The warmer temperatures and longer days led to other flora based names like Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs and Moon of the Red Grass Appearing.
As always, we have other names to choose from which originated with the indigenous people or the European settlers. Thoughts of resuming travel by canoe naturally led to the Breaking Ice Moon and Moon When the Streams Are Again Navigable. After the starving months of winter, it’s natural that attention is paid to the return of wildlife with names like Moon When the Ducks Come Back and Moon When the Geese Lay Eggs or just the Egg Moon. Even amphibians get a mention with the Frog Moon. Not to be overlooked, the Sucker Moon refers to a fish that returns to the rivers to lay eggs.
This full Moon also plays an important role in the Christian celebration of Easter. Last month’s full Moon was the Lenten Moon because it was the last one before the spring equinox. The full Moon after the spring equinox is the Paschal Full Moon and the date for Easter is always the Sunday after that lunar event.
Just as the Harvest Moon provided enough light to allow farmers to bring in the crops well after sunset, the full Moon this time of year invites planting by moonlight. There are some farmers who swear by the benefits of planting certain crops under the light of the Moon. Just as the full and new Moons cause the highest and lowest tides due to gravitational pull, it is thought that water in the soil is drawn to the surface causing seeds to absorb it and swell more quickly encouraging germination and stronger plants.
We hope you can join us for our early spring lunar ramble. We’ll look for some “pinks,” listen for some frogs (spring peepers), and enjoy some good company. We will meet in the parking lot of the Baptist Church near the corner of First Avenue and Channing Avenue.