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Jan Harris
Deputy Group Editor
8:41 AM 4th June 2020
nature

Why A Strawberry Moon In June?

 
Every month of the year there is a full moon which illuminates the sky, each of which is given a different name.

Wild Strawberries
Wild Strawberries
The June full moon rises on Friday, 5 June this year and is called the Strawberry Moon.

The early Native Americans named the full moons according to the seasons and the June full moon was named because the wild strawberries were ready to be picked during the early summer. Other names are Rose Moon, Hot Moon and Mead Moon.

The myth that June’s full moon gets its name from the fact that it will have a pinkish tinge to it is unfortunately not true. Though according to Nasa as the moon will be low in the sky it sometimes gives the moon a rose colour, caused by atmospheric effects.

Around every 20 years, the Strawberry Moon coincides with the Summer Solstice, which is either on 20, 21 or 22 June.

Strawberry Moon - credit Rebecca O'Connor
Strawberry Moon - credit Rebecca O'Connor
Traditional Full Moon Names 2020

January 10 - Wolf Moon
February 9 - Snow Moon
March 9 - Worm Moon
April 7 - Pink Moon
May 7 - Flower Moon
June 5 - Strawberry Moon
July 5 - Buck Moon
August 3 - Sturgeon Moon
September 2 - Corn Moon
October 1 - Harvest Moon
October 31 - Blue Moon
November 30 - Beaver Moon
December 29 - Cold Moon

There are a total of 12 full moon phases during the annual lunar cycle plus the occasional Blue Moon and each full moon has a unique name.

The names given to the full moons during the year are derived from the North American traditions. Many of these ancient moon names have been given based on the behaviour of the plants, animals, or weather during that month.

However the full moon names we now use also have Anglo-Saxon and Germanic roots.

Obviously if the sky is cloudy on the 5 June we will not be able to see the full moon but it will be exceptionally large and bright for two to three days around the peak.

The next full moon will rise on 5 July 2020 and will be the Buck Moon.