Every month, a full moon illuminates the sky in magnificent fashion. The celestial spectacle has inspired a tonne of folklore, religious rituals and horror stories – and many people even claim it can disrupt their sleep and alter their mood.
The names given to each moon most commonly come from Native American tradition and usually reflect a specific natural process that happens during the month. The ‘worm moon’ in March refers to the earthworms that wriggle to the surface as soil temperatures gradually rise; April’s ‘pink moon’ is named after the pink blossoms that emerge in spring and October’s ‘hunter moon’ is said to refer to October being the peak time for deer and fox hunting.
June’s full moon is known as the ‘strawberry moon’ and it is on its way very, very soon. Here’s everything you need to know.
What is a strawberry moon?
You might assume that the name means the moon has a red glow, but that’s not true. While it may appear red when it sits on the horizon, June’s full moon is actually named after the fact that June is strawberry harvesting season in North America.
In Europe it has also been referred to as the ‘rose moon’. It is thought that this name comes from the roses that bloom during the month or the red hue that occurs when the moon sits low on the skyline. In other cultures, it has been dubbed the ‘hot moon’ in recognition of June being the start of the summer heat.
When is the full moon?
According to the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the strawberry moon will be at its fullest in the early hours of Sunday June 4 at 4.41am. Time to set those alarms.
When is the next full moon?
July’s full moon is known as the ‘buck moon’, referencing the fact that male deer start to regrow their antlers during this month. It will appear on July 3.
How often do strawberry moons occur?
You can see the strawberry moon every year in June. If you miss it this time, the good news is that you can try again in 12 months.
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