The full moon closest to the equinox is called the
Harvest Moon, and in many cultures, this is the
beginning of harvest festivals. During these
events, bonfires and candles are lit, and such a
time in the year is considered a great opportunity
to release any negative energy or burdens that
one may be carrying. Throughout human history
and society, since civilization began, fire has
always been a symbol of destruction but also of
transformation and renewal.
Like other seasons, full of celebrations and
observances, autumn is a good time to bring
longstanding projects to completion, reward
oneself for the small and big victories along the
way, count the blessings of crops, harvests, and
livestock, pause, enjoy, and appreciate what the
divine power, nature, and people have to offer.
Prayers of thanks and special thanksgiving
ceremonies are common among most religions
after harvests and during the year.
In Europe, the annual harvesting of orchards and
vineyards is widely celebrated. Given regional
differences in geography and climate, numerous
harvest festivals in various countries are held at
different times throughout the world. In many
places, houses and churches are decorated with
fall foliage, wreaths, and autumn crops, and there
are lots of social gatherings, religious processions
or parades that bring in record crowds.
Perhaps the most famous and largely attended
seasonal event is Oktoberfest, held annually in
Munich, in the German region of Bavaria, from mid
or late September to the first Sunday in October.
This venue, featuring an expansive beer festival,
music, traditional food, and a traveling carnival,
attracts more than seven million international and
national visitors at its peak. The second biggest
Oktoberfest in Germany is in the city of Hannover,
with around 500,000 people participating each
year.
Ever since its inception, in 1810 as a celebration of a
royal wedding, Oktoberfest has grown into a large-
scale event attended by millions of tourists,
becoming a major symbol of Bavarian culture and a
way to maintain local traditions and heritage. Other
cities across the world also hold Oktoberfests,
modeled after the original Munich event, which
bring significant economic benefits to their
respective regions, with visitors boosting tourism
and related industries.