Last Friday was a stunning night, with the Moon shining in a unique hue and appearing closer to the Earth on June 3rd. This full moon is called the Strawberry Moon, marking the beginning of summer. Why is it called Strawberry Moon?
June’s full Moon—typically the last full Moon of spring or the first of summer—has traditionally been called the Strawberry Moon. The name of a month does not necessarily reflect its physical characteristics. For example, “Honey Moon” is a traditional European name that refers to the end of June when honey was typically harvested. Another European name for June is “Rose Moon,” which is a nod to the blooming of roses during this time of year.
The names for full Moons used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac have multiple origins, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. In the past, these names were used to mark the seasons based on the phases of the Moon. Nowadays, these names are more like nicknames for the Moon. The names of full moons have their roots in early Native American tribes. For instance, the full moon of March is referred to as the worm moon, and the full moon of May is called the flower moon.
The full Moon in June, often viewed as the final one of spring or the first of summer, is known as the Strawberry Moon. Although strawberries are round and have a reddish-pink hue, the name “Strawberry Moon” does not relate to the Moon’s appearance. Despite the appealing imagery, a Moon appears red when it is near the horizon because the light must pass through the densest atmospheric layers.