The August full moon is frequently called the Sturgeon Moon. This is because sturgeon were often caught in the late summer in the Great Lakes. I don’t live in the Great Lakes area however, and sadly I have never even seen this cool fish. Instead I prefer to call this moon the Green Corn Moon because it better reflects what’s happening around me in August. Fields of corn are everywhere, and I can’t seem to eat enough of it. This name mirrors traditional names used by several tribes: (Green) Corn Moon is used by the Algonquin and Ojibwe, Harvest Moon is used by the Dakota, and Ricing Moon is used by some Anishinaabeg. All of these names make reference to gathering maturing crops. Several tribes in the southeast have Green Corn festivals and ceremonies this time of year.
“Green” corn is not corn that is the color green (although that’s a thing too), but simply sweet corn—that is, corn that is eaten fresh as opposed to mature corn that is dried and ground. It’s the same reason we call green beans green– it’s not because they are the color green, but because they are eaten in an immature stage instead of being dried. You will still find older recipes that refer to green (fresh) corn, as it’s actually a fairly recent development.
If this time of year is not full of green corn (or sturgeon) where you live, what else do you notice happening in nature? You can use my phenology tracker printable to record your nature observations and select a full name that makes sense for your area. Full moon names are a type of phenology, which is a way to record what is happening in nature. People often think there is only one “proper” name for each month, when in reality there are tons. Different tribes in the US have different names based on what is happening in nature in their area, and there are also names from Europe and beyond. Find a moon name that resonates for you!
Green Corn Moon Coloring Page
Click on the image below to get the free printable! Find more fun green corn moon crafts, activities and recipes here.
These coloring pages are drawn by hand by me. They are for personal use only. No ai or resale please.