As The Harvest Moon Glows

🌕 Harvest Full Moon: A Season of Release, Reflection, and Reclamation

As the first full moon of autumn, the Harvest Moon glows with a warm, golden light — illuminating what we’ve sown, nurtured, and are now ready to gather. This moon calls us to slow down, honor the work behind our growth, and begin the sacred transition from outward expansion to inward reflection.

The Harvest Moon carries earth and water energy — steady, nourishing, and deeply emotional. It reminds us that harvest is not just physical; it’s also spiritual. What are you reaping in your emotional, creative, or relational gardens? What’s ready to be released into the soil for transformation?

🌾 Herbal Allies for the Harvest Moon

Each of these herbs supports release, grounding, and preparation for the darker months ahead:

1. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

A dream and divination herb, Mugwort opens the gates of intuition. Sip as a mild tea or burn as incense before journaling or moon rituals to enhance clarity and connection to ancestral wisdom.

2. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

A joyful, sun-soaked ally that helps us find inner strength and gratitude. Perfect for those who feel melancholy or burnt out after the busy summer season. Add to tea blends for confidence and vitality.

3. Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)

The heart’s protector. Use Hawthorn berry or leaf to release old grief and fortify emotional boundaries. A warming Hawthorn tonic or cordial is perfect for fall ritual work.

4. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

For remembrance, purification, and protection. Burn a sprig during your harvest ritual to clear stagnant energy and call in focus for the season ahead.

5. Apple (Malus domestica)

The sacred fruit of wisdom and cycles. Sip apple cider infused with cinnamon and clove while reflecting on what you’re ready to release and what you want to nourish through the winter.

🔥Harvest Full Moon Ritual

Theme: Release & Gratitude for the Growth Cycle

1. Prepare Your Space:

   
   

   Light a candle (gold, white, or amber). Burn rosemary or mugwort to clear the air.

2. Create an Offering:

   
   

   Place a small bowl of seasonal bounty (apple slices, corn kernels, or grains) on your altar as a gratitude offering for the year’s blessings.

3. Reflect + Release:

   
   

   Write down what you’ve harvested this year — lessons learned, relationships deepened, or boundaries set.

   
   

   On a separate paper, write what you’re ready to release. Burn it safely, letting the smoke rise as a prayer for transformation.

4. Anoint + Ground:

   
   

   Massage your hands or heart space with a grounding oil blend — such as cedarwood, patchouli, and orange — while repeating:

   
   

   “I honor what has come to fruition. I release what no longer serves. I prepare the soil for new beginnings.”

5. Sip a Harvest Tea:

   
   

   Steep hawthorn, goldenrod, and apple peel for a heart-opening cup that celebrates the season’s sweetness and closure.

🌙

Reflection Prompts

• What abundance am I grateful for — seen and unseen?

• What has reached completion in my life?

• Where am I being called to slow down, rest, or release control?

🌻

Closing Blessing

“Under this Harvest Moon, may I gather my blessings with gratitude and lay down my burdens with grace. May my roots rest deep in the earth as I prepare for the stillness ahead.”

In Light,

Lea Afia

Information offered on Rites of Wellness websites is for educational purposes only. Rites of Wellness LLC makes neither medical claim, nor intends to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Links to external sites are for informational purposes only. Rites of Wellness neither endorses them nor is in any way responsible for their content. Readers must do their own research concerning the safety, contraindications and usage of any herbs or supplements.