HARVEST TIME

Harvest time occurs around the autumnal equinox. Between the vernal equinox in March and the Autumnal equinox in September, the Sun spends more time illuminating the day in the northern hemisphere and therefore the days between March and September are longer than the nights.  It is during this season that crops grow and become ready for harvest.  Typically around September 22 or so the Sun focuses its rays on the equator of the earth so that days and nights are relatively equal.  Soon thereafter harvest begins in the North as the nights grow longer and days grow shorter.  The first full moon after the autumnal equinox has become known as the Harvest Moon.  Perhaps the Harvest Moon got its name because that particular full moon helped to illuminate the fields as farmers worked long days into the night to bring in the harvest.

In our modern society with powered lights in the fields and harvest performed mostly by workers driving combine type machines, the Harvest Moon seems largely irrelevant.  Indeed, harvest time is relatively unimportant to our diets, as crops grown around the world are imported so that every day of the year is a celebration of the bounty of the world’s harvest at our local grocery stores.  

Nevertheless, even though thriving on global agriculture, harvest time is still celebrated in our urbanized world. This month there will be county fairs and harvest festivals across America. I notice that a great many Anglican churches in England and a few Episcopal churches in America will be celebrating their Harvest Communions this Sunday October 14. 

Alice Waters, the famous chef from Berkley, California, has created a revival of celebrating the bounty of the local harvest.  Now chefs and restaurants across America have menus that feature locally harvested, seasonal, fresh picked fruits and vegetables. 

As the days grow cold in the distant north they find themselves with freeze warnings in South Bristol, Me. Autumn, harvest time, is short there with winter following quickly on its heels. Here in New Orleans we are experiencing the crisp weather of cool fronts. And for us in the American South its festival time.