Articles About Seasons (43)
![Deer in a grassy field at dawn.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/hunters-moon.jpg?1)
The Hunter's Moon
October’s Full Moon is the Hunter’s Moon. It's also called Travel Moon, Dying Grass Moon, Blood Moon, or Sanguine Moon.
![Illustration image](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/four-seasons.jpg?1)
Defining Seasons
When do seasons begin and end in the two hemispheres?
![The Full Moon behind three horses.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/farmers-almanac-horses.jpg?1)
Full Moon Names
Full Moons had given names in many ancient cultures. The Full Moon names we use today often reflect nature like Harvest Moon.
![Tourists visiting the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican City Rome, Italy - November 2015. Tourists visiting the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican City Rome, Italy - November 14, 2015](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/italy-rome-vatican-.jpg?1)
The Gregorian Calendar
The Gregorian calendar is the internationally accepted civil calendar that was first adopted in 1582.
![Houses and trees in the snow at dusk.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/winter-solstice-nothern-hemisphere.jpg?1)
December Solstice
The December solstice is the shortest day the Northern Hemisphere. South of the equator, it's the longest day.
![The Sun shining through a naked tree in winter.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/tree-winter-solstice.jpg?1)
When Is Winter 2021?
Winter starts at the winter solstice. When is the winter solstice this year?
![A tree changing through the four seasons. A tree changing through the four seasons.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/four-seasons-causes.jpg?1)
What Causes Seasons on Earth?
Seasons change because Earth's rotational axis tilts away or towards the Sun during the course of a year.
![September equinox illustration illustration of Earth's position in relation to the Sun's rays at the September equinox](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/september-equinox-dark.png?1)
September Equinox
The Sun shines directly on the Equator on the September equinox and the length of day and night is nearly equal, but not quite.
![June solstice illustration Earth's position in relation to the Sun's rays at the June solstice.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/june-solstice-dark.png?1)
June Solstice
The June solstice is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere & the shortest day in the Southern Hemisphere.
![Harvest Supermoon rises over the campus of West Virginia University in Morgantown WV on November 13, 2016.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/harvest-moon-supermoon.jpg?1)
Harvest Moon in September or October?
The Harvest Moon varies between September or October in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the Full Moon nearest the autumnal (fall) equinox.
![March equinox illustration March equinox illustration](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/march-equinox-dark.png?1)
March Equinox
March equinox marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the Southern Hemisphere's autumnal/fall equinox.
![Low angle view of fall forest.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/autumn-leaves-equinox.jpg?1)
When Does Fall Start?
North of the equator, fall begins in September; in the Southern Hemisphere, it starts in March. Find out exact dates and how the fall season is defined.
![A crocus in the spring Sun.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/crocus-spring-equinox.jpg?1)
When Is Spring Equinox?
The Vernal (Spring) Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere is in March. In the Southern Hemisphere, it's in September.
![A sundial casting a shadow.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/sun-dial-time-equation.jpg?1)
Equation of Time
Why doesn't the year's earliest sunset occur on the winter solstice, even though it is the shortest day of the year in terms of daylight?
![Sun peeking through trees with snow on the leaves and branches and snow on the ground.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/december-solstice-winter.jpg?1)
December Solstice Facts
10 things you may not know about the December Solstice, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
![Sun setting in the background with cloudy sky and trees in the foreground.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/sunset-in-valley.jpg?1)
Equinox: Equal Day & Night?
Equinoxes don't have exactly 12 hours of day and night all over the world, like many believe. Such days, called equilux, do occur, but depend on your location.
![A swimming beaver.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/beaver-moon.jpg?1)
November: Beaver Moon
The Full Moon in November is named after beavers. It is also called Frost Moon and Mourning Moon, depending on the winter solstice.
![The exterior of Ras Makkonen Selassie church in Harar, Ethiopia.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/ethiopian-church-calendar.jpg?1)
The Ethiopian Calendar
The Ethiopian calendar is quite similar to the Julian calendar, which was the predecessor to the Gregorian calendar most countries use today.
![Illustration showing Earth's axis drawn as a red line.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/axial-tilt.png?1)
Earth Is Tilted
When an object the size of Mars crashed into the newly formed planet Earth around 4.5 billion years ago, it knocked it over and left it tilted at an angle.
![The Sun shining through the Stonehenge ancient monument.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/stonehenge-solstice2.jpg?1)
When Is Summer Solstice?
The summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere is in June, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it's in December.
![A pathway in a park during fall (autumn). A pathway in a park during fall (autumn).](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/september-equinox-facts.jpg?1)
10 Sept Equinox Facts
10 things you may not know about the September Equinox.
![A howling lone gray wolf in snow-covered landscape.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/howling-wolf-snow.jpg?1)
January: Wolf Moon
The January Full Moon is named after howling wolves. In some cultures, it was known as Old Moon, Ice Moon, Snow Moon, and the Moon after Yule.
![Moonrise over alpine peaks in Utah.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/cold-moon.jpg?1)
December: Cold Moon
The December Full Moon is called the Cold Moon, Long Nights Moon, the Moon before Yule, Oak Moon, and Wolf Moon.
![A woman goes for a stand up paddleboard trip at night under a full moon on a small lake in Ontario, Canada.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/full-moon-lake-reflection-sup.jpg?1)
August: Sturgeon Moon
The Full Moon in August is named after the lake sturgeon. Other names for this Full Moon include Grain Moon, Green Corn Moon, Fruit Moon, and Barley Moon.
![Nordlys over en nordnorsk fjord i mørketiden. Nordlys over en nordnorsk fjord i mørketiden.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/nordlys-morketid.jpg?1)
What Are Polar Nights?
A Polar Night is a night that lasts for at least 24 hours. It's the opposite of Midnight Sun / Polar Day.
![Illustration image](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/tropical-year-illustration.png?1)
A Year Is Never 365 Days
The definition of a tropical year is the time it takes the Earth to complete a full orbit around the Sun. It is approximately 365.242189 days long.
![Parents playing with their young daughter in the evening sun](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/evening-family.jpg?1)
June Solstice Facts
11 things you may not know about the June Solstice.
![A spring robin pulling out a worm.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/worm-moon.jpg?1)
March: Worm Moon
The Full Moon in March is the Worm Moon. It is also called Lenten Moon, Crow Moon, Crust Moon, Chaste Moon, Sugar Moon, and Sap Moon.
![Snowdrops growing up trough the snow.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/snowdrops-snow-spring.jpg?1)
March Equinox Facts
On Sat, March 20, 2022, day and night will be of almost equal duration in most time zones in the world.
![A Full Moon shines over a field of corn ready to be harvested. Dark blue night sky in the background.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/full-moon-in-corn-field.jpg?1)
September: Harvest or Corn Moon
The September Full Moon is usually the Harvest Moon, but this depends on the equinox. It is also called Full Corn Moon or Barley Moon.
![Moon rising over snowy mountains.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/snow-moon.jpg?1)
February: Snow Moon
The February Full Moon is named after the snow on the ground. Some Native American tribes named this the Hunger Moon, others called it the Storm Moon.
![Pink wild ground phlox are a native flower to North America.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/pink-wild-phlox.jpg?1)
April: Pink Moon
Pink Moon comes from Pink Wild Ground Phlox which bloom in spring. Other names for this Full Moon are Sprouting Grass Moon, Fish Moon, Hare Moon, Egg Moon, and Paschal Moon.
![Illustration image](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/stonehenge-june-solstice.jpg?1)
June Solstice Traditions
In many Northern Hemisphere cultures, the June solstice is associated with holidays, feasts and celebrations.
![Paddleboarders below the strawberry moon at Barceloneta beach, Barcelona, Spain.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/strawberry-full-moon.jpg?1)
June: Strawberry Moon
The wild strawberries that start to ripen gave name to the Full Moon in June. Other names are Rose Moon, Hot Moon, and Mead Moon.
![Lupine wildflowers above Park City, Utah.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/lupone-wildflowers.jpg?1)
May: Flower Moon
The Full Moon in May is known as the Flower Moon. Other names include the Corn Planting Moon, and the Milk Moon, while some named it the Hare moon.
![Illustration image](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/chinese-calendar.jpg?1)
Chinese Leap Month
Instead of adding one leap day on February 29 nearly every four years, the Chinese add a leap month every three years to keep their calendar in line with the Earth's rotation.
![A herd of mule deer standing in tall grass in front of a blurry Full Moon.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/deer-full-moon.jpg?1)
July: Buck Moon
The Full Moon in July is the Buck Moon. It is also called Thunder Moon, Hay Moon, and Wort Moon.
![Blue grapes on the vine at sunset.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/ripe-grapes-harvest.jpg?1)
September Equinox Customs
Folklore, customs, traditions and holidays surrounding the September equinox.
![Lalibela, Ethiopia. January 18, 2014. The Church of St. George is carved out of stone and attracts visitors during the Timkat festival. The Church of St. George in Lalibela, Ethiopia.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/church-orthodox-lalibela-ethiopea.jpg?1)
The Ethiopian Leap Year
A leap year occurs every 4 years in the Ethiopian calendar when one extra day is added at the end of the year.
![Starry night sky in the background with desert in the foreground. White truck on the side and a triangular glow of zodiacal lights in the sky.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/starry-night-zodiacal-lights-morocco-desert.jpg?1)
Zodiacal Light
Also known as false dawn, zodiacal light is a rare optical phenomena that occur around sunset and sunrise in early spring and late fall.
![Easter Monday](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/easter-monday.jpg?1)
March Equinox Customs
Learn more about the customs, traditions and events surrounding the March equinox.
![Lotus Temple, in New Delhi, India. Lotus Temple, Bahai house of worship in New Delhi, India.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/lotus-temple-bahai.jpg?1)
Leap Year in the Bahá'í Calendar
The Bahá'í leap year occurs when five extra days are added between the last two months of the calendar. Leap years usually occur every four years.
![The Earth in space, as seen by the crew of Apollo 11.](http://webcf.waybackmachine.org/web/20211028095322im_/https://c.tadst.com/gfx/150x84/1599earth762.jpg?1)
Equinoxes and Solstices
Equinoxes and solstices are a result of Earth’s tilt and its orbit around the Sun.