Harvest Moon Witches’ Feast

Party Planning
Written By Heather Smith

Celebrate the changing seasons and the nearing autumn equinox with a gathering of your coven in the woods Under the full harvest moon

candlelit table in the woods surrounded by flower petals

The September Full Moon is known as the Harvest Moon, a night when farmers could work later by moonlight. I endeavored to make a blog post for the occasion, but I discovered all the joy was stripped when I started to “create content” instead of throwing a party. I invited friends over at the last minute and requested they wear a pointy hat to partake in the festivity. The thought of people gathered at my table had me scurrying around in preparation. I repurposed items, carried the table into the woods, and found objects to build the scene. Along the way, I uncovered the joy of the season as I trimmed the dying hydrangeas away from the sidewalk, pulled invasive English ivy off my trees, and trimmed wild grapes off the fence line to decorate the hideaway. I repurposed wine bottles to hold candles which flickered in the night casting shadows in the woods. And then I covered the table end to end with a gluttonous number of treats for the curious few who gathered at the prompt of the invitation. This Harvest Moon, I hope you will find some time in the moonlight to reflect on the changing season, slow down, and savor all the frantic summer harvest time offered. Above all, remember that all this beauty and bounty is most rewarding when shared.

peeking through grape vines at a table lined with wind bottle candle holders

The Decor

Wild grapes were draped on a tree surrounding a dining table lined with wine bottle candlesticks. Beneath the table, a repurposed velvet curtain strewn with spent flower petals was used as a rug.

view of the table with cheese, crackers, pickles, and fruit

The Decor

The table was covered with a black tablecloth then lined with parchment paper allowing the food to sit directly on top. Springs of rosemary from the garden lined the table edges.

view of the table lined with charcuterie and wine bottle candleholders

The food

Harvest Moon Hand Pies were added to the menu for a sweet-savory addition to incorporate the brief season of figs and reflect the reason for the gathering.

A long table with black table cloths is covered in cheese wedges, grapes, bread, apple and pear slices, crackers, pita, hummus, and mustards. Three black wine bottle candlesticks line the center of the table. A tree covered in vines is in the back.

The food

Blocks of cheese were placed down the center of the table then various types of bread and crackers were added.

A close-up of a table filled with grape clusters, sliced rustic bread, cheese wedges, and sliced fruits. The table is lined with rosemary springs.

The food

Fresh fruit and pickled items were added next with the goal of every offered item reachable by guests regardless of their place along the tablescape.

A close-up of a small wheel of cheese, grapes, sliced apples, pitas, pickled green beans, and a black ramekin with orange-colored squash hummus with roasted pumpkin seeds on top.

The food

Ramekins were used to hold butternut squash dip, jam, and mustard to prevent soggy bread.

The foreground has stumps with hydrangea flowers draped across and candles in black bottles. Lanterns line up to the back of the photo. in the middle is a black table with a cauldron holding bottles of wine. Behind is a large table in front of trees.

The Decor

Wine and cider was available inside a cauldron.

candlelit table in the woods surrounded by flower petals

The decor

The perimeter of the space was lined with lanterns to illuminate the space and ward off bugs. The entrance to the area was lined with hydrangea draped stumps and candles to frame the area.

Heather Smith
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BUTTERNUT SQUASH DIP