THE BLACK MOON
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September's Full Moon
September is the month for the traditional o-tsukimi... or Moon Viewing Party. The tradition was started long ago when Royal Court elites would gather beneath the full moon of August to write poems and drink sake. Farmers also held religious observances to ensure good crops.
Time for a Moon Viewing Party!
Today the event is still held by the Lunar Calendar (August 15th), but moon viewing parties are more commonly held during the full Moon of September. People eat special dumplings called tsukimi-dango, and sprays of susuki (pampas grass) and hagi (bush clover) are placed by windows in the home as an offering to the Moon so as to help make wishes and prayers come true.