Sept. 19-25, 2011 Here and there swamp maples are turning, the woods are lit up by these subtle changes, a single bright leaf here or there, the ferns beginning to pale, the bush-blueberries already bright-red in leaf. There is still goldenrod everywhere, and the asters are beginning. -May Sarton
Lunar phase and lore The Monarch Butterfly Moon wanes throughout the period, becoming the new Leafturn Moon at 6:09 a.m. Sept. 27. When the first stage of leafturn occurs under this moon, early fall embraces the land; when leaves are in full color, the season becomes middle fall; after major leafdrop, but before the last shrubs and most stubborn trees lose their leaves, comes the time of late fall.
Rising in the morning and setting in the afternoon, the dark crescent moon is overhead near the middle of the day, making lunchtime the worst period this week for dieting but one of the best for angling and scouting the woods for game.
The dark moon also favors harvest of all kinds under Virgo and Leo, Virgo and Libra (on Sept. 22-28) and the seeding of green manure crops for the field and garden in Scorpio on Sept. 29-30. New moon is, however, associated with higher-than-average tides, frost in the North and an increased possibility of a hurricane in the Gulf region.
As September wanes, the Milky Way moves across the center of the sky by 10 p.m. middle summer’s familiar constellation, Sagittarius, has now traveled to the far southwest. The less distinctive star group of Capricorn has taken its place due south, followed by lanky Aquarius.
On Sept. 23, the sun enters its middle fall sign of Libra. Equinox occurs on the same day at 4:05 a.m.
Weather patterns Chances for precipitation increase as the Sept. 24 front approaches from the west. After the high moves east, light frost occurs more often than at any other time up to this point in September.
Daybook
Sept. 19: The lengthening nights stir up all kind of reactions in humans as well as in livestock. Many people leave behind their Dog Day lethargy as their animals begin to cycle.
Sept. 20: The moon enters its final quarter today. Frame construction is favored at this time, since the moon’s fourth quarter is associated with a minimum of moisture in lumber. Lunar lore holds that moisture in grain also declines during the moon’s fourth quarter, favoring harvest.
Sept. 21: Wild asters and goldenrod reach their peak bloom as next year’s henbit comes up. Mint and watercress grow back in the streams. Woolly bear caterpillars could be running in front of your car.
Squirrels are cracking buckeyes and shredding Osage fruits. Puffball mushrooms swell in the night; these are the easiest of all mushrooms to find – they look like white soccer balls lost in the woods.
Sept. 22: Canada geese begin their migration season. Insects become less common; spiders weave fewer webs. Ruby-throated hummingbirds turn south.
Sept. 23: Today is autumn equinox, and the season of light frosts deepens. Sept. 24 and 27 even carry a 25 percent chance of a mild freeze in the northern half of the country – the greatest chance since May 10.
Sept. 24: Above the 40th Parallel (roughly speaking, a line between New York City and Denver) days in the 90s disappear now. Even 80s will be gone there by the middle of October. Highs only in the 50s or 60s become common in the North.
Sept. 25: Now, poison ivy, sumac and Virginia creeper turn the fencerows red and gold. The canopy of leaves is visibly thinning. Fallen leaves start to dominate the undergrowth.
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