For 2018: Mary Oliver’s Twelve Moons as a Lunar Calendar

Earlier in the winter, when a blog follower expressed interest in an old project of mine, I pulled it out, dusted it off, and updated it for her. Now that it’s all set, I’ll post it for anyone else interested in a new project for 2018: reading Mary Oliver’s book of poems, Twelve Moons (paid link), as a lunar calendar.

Mary Oliver's Twelve Moons

(Image: Amazon.com)

I have done this myself twice, so far. The first time, in 2011, (see Mary Oliver’s Twelve Moons as Lunar Calendar) I blogged about most of the poems, sometimes dedicating a whole post to one, sometimes merely pointing out that it was time to read the next poem. In posting for 2018, I’ve added links to the corresponding posts that discuss a poem in some way, sharing with you whatever thoughts I had at that time. So, when you click on the linked titles, please don’t expect to find the poem itself posted on line!

Reading Mary Oliver’s Twelve Moons by the Lunar Calendar, 2018

Full Moon, Jan. 1: Wolf Moon, p. 67

Last Quarter Moon, Jan. 8: Neutralities, p. 69

New Moon, Jan. 16: The Night Traveler, p. 70

1st Quarter Moon, Jan. 24: Winter Trees, p. 72

Full Moon, Jan. 31: Snow Moon—Black Bear Gives Birth, p. 74 (this is a “Blue Moon!” second full moon in a month)

Last Quarter Moon, Feb. 7: no poem

New Moon, Feb. 15: A Blessing, p. 75

1st Quarter Moon, Feb 22: no poem

Full Moon, Mar. 1: Worm Moon, p. 76

Last Quarter Moon, Mar. 9: Sleeping in the Forest, p. 3

New Moon, Mar. 17: Mussels, p. 4

1st Quarter Moon, Mar. 24: The Lamb, p. 6

Full Moon, March 31: Pink Moon—The Pond, p. 7 (Another Blue Moon! The “pink” moon will blue!)

Last Quarter Moon, Apr. 7: The Black Snake, p. 9

New Moon, Apr. 15: Spring, p. 10

1st Quarter Moon, Apr. 22: no poem

Full Moon, April 29: Flower Moon—How She Travels, p. 11

Last Quarter Moon, May 7: Stone Poem, p. 12

New Moon, May 15: The Fawn, p. 13

1st Quarter Moon, May 21: The Fish, p. 14

Full Moon, May 29: Strawberry Moon, p. 16

Last Quarter Moon, Jun. 6: The Truro Bear, p. 19

Jun. 9: Raccoons, p. 20

New Moon, Jun. 13: Entering the Kingdom, p. 21

Jun. 16: Lil, p. 22

1st Quarter Moon, Jun. 20: Turtles, p. 24

Jun. 23: Music Lessons, p. 26

Full Moon, Jun. 27: Buck Moon—From the Field Guide to Insects, p. 27

Last Quarter Moon, Jul. 5: Dreams p. 28

New Moon, Jul. 12: Bats, p. 30

1st Quarter Moon, Jul. 19: Two Horses, p. 32

Full Moon, Jul. 27: no poem

Last Quarter Moon, Aug. 4: Sharks, p. 33

New Moon, Aug. 11: Swamp, p. 37

1st Quarter Moon, Aug. 17: The Lamps, p. 40

Full Moon, Aug. 26: Sturgeon Moon—The Death of Meriwether Lewis, p. 35

Aug. 29: Poem for My Father’s Ghost, p. 42

Last Quarter Moon, Sep. 2: Aerialists, p. 44

Sep. 5: Looking for Mushrooms, p. 45

New Moon, Sep. 9: Bone Poem, p. 46

Sep. 12: Aunt Leaf, p. 47

1st Quarter Moon, Sep. 16: At Blackwater Pond, p. 49

Full Moon, Sep. 24: Harvest Moon—The Mockingbird Sings in the Night, p. 38

Last Quarter Moon, Oct. 2: Last Days, p. 52

New Moon, Oct. 8: Sunday Morning, High Tide p. 54

1st Quarter Moon, Oct 16: The Black Walnut Tree, p. 56

Full Moon, Oct. 24: Hunter’s Moon—Eating the Bear, p. 50

Last Quarter Moon, Oct. 31: Winter Sleep p. 53

New Moon, Nov. 7: For Eleanor, p. 58

1st Quarter Moon, Nov. 15: Storm, p. 59

Full Moon, Nov. 22: Beaver Moon—The Suicide of a Friend, p. 55

Last Quarter Moon, Nov. 29: Stark County Holidays, p. 62

New Moon, Dec. 6: Snakes in Winter, p. 66

1st Quarter Moon, Dec. 15: Christmas Poem, p. 64

Full Moon, Dec. 22: Cold Moon—Hannah’s Children p. 61

An interesting aspect of the coming year came to light (if you will) in the process of updating the old schedule for the year: 2018 will have two “blue moons!”

Unfortunately, while very cool for moon watchers such as myself, this kind of makes 2018 a poor year for this project! It really works best in years when there’s only one full moon per month. One blue moon throws things off a bit; two blue moons really messes with the concept! It’s bad enough in a regular year, since, while Ms. Oliver wrote us poems for 12 moons, there are actually 13 full moons in an average year.

Even so, I crammed it all in. The requesting reader, and anyone else who cares to try this, will make it through the year with a lot of lovely poems.

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