Happy Wester!

Time to import a tradition from my LiveJournal.

Adapted from my original 2007 post: Happy Wester Everyone!

Yes, you read that correctly--I wish you all a happy Wester! What is Wester? Well, it's the mirror image of Easter, which is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first Full Moon after the Vernal Equinox. Therefore, Wester is the first Sunday after the first Full Moon after the Autumnal Equinox, which is today (or tomorrow if you're in the Rocky Mountain, Pacific, and Alaskan/Hawaiian Time Zones of North America).* In the northern states of the U.S. and the southern parts of the Canadian Provinces, it is usually one of the last days of pleasant weather before the full chill of Autumn descends. As such, it's a good excuse to enjoy summer activities outdoors one last time.

Although I'm probably the first person to wish any of you Wester (correct me if I'm wrong, as I'd like more documentation), I did not come up with the idea. It originated in Berkeley, California, during the 1980s, and the message was brought to Michigan by my colleague Tim Pearce. Tim invited me to a Wester party in 1991 and explained the holiday to me. The party was a blast, and I've been eternally grateful to him for introducing me to the concept. Therefore, I am sharing this meme with you.

One last time, Happy Wester!

Thanks to berkeleyfarm and etrangere for pointing out that Wester usually falls during Sukkot (The Feast of Tabernacles) and to popesnarky for claiming the holiday for Discordianism. Hail Eris!

*This timing assumes that the Eastern Hemisphere sets the date.  If it were set locally, last Sunday would have been Wester, as the Harvest Moon was on Saturday of last week.