There will be fireworks and firecrackers all over this weekend, but Mother Nature is doing her own show of glory and celebration in the Strawberry Moon this week.
June 30 is probably the evening when the full moon peaks and will appear at an unusually low path across the sky.
It’s called a Strawberry Moon not because of its color…though it some it might look a little pink when it’s close to the horizon. It got its name because it coincides with the month at strawberries generally are harvested.
This year’s Strawberry Moon, the first full moon of summer, will be at its lowest point until 2043, and it’s the low point that makes it appear to be larger than usual. It is always the lowest moon of the year, but this year it’s the lowest it’s been in almost 20 years.
The best time to see this gorgeous bright light in the sky is at sunset Tuesday, June 30, which is around 8:30. And while the days are getting shorter, the good news is that it will be August before the sun sets earlier than 8 p.m.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, which began publishing traditional full moon names in the 1930s, several Native American tribes used the name to mark the time of year when strawberries were ripe and ready to be gathered. According to the Almanac, in Europe it’s sometimes called the Honey Moon or the Mead Moon. NASA said the name “originated from the Algonquin tribes in the northeastern United States” and has continued to be passed down through the generations. T
Then there are those who think since June is named after Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and June is a month associated with marriages, some historians content the name may also be linked to the term “honeymoon.”
The zodiac sign affiliated with each full moon is based on the moon’s position in the night sky in relation to the astrological signs. This year’s strawberry moon falls in Capricorn, the 10th sign of the zodiac and the opposite sign of Cancer. T To some, that means that Capricorn, a Cardinal Earth sign, since it is associated with ambition, discipline and building toward long-term goals, aids in understanding the legacies we build, and how we build from tradition. Cancer is connected to home life, family, ancestry and emotions while Capricorn governs career, public image and professional success. All of which, to some, means “it mirrors the private and public life of each individual.”
Astrologers think this full moon is the perfect time to focus on goals, release what you don’t need and take advantage of its ability to channel energy in dreams.
