The next full moon, known as the Strawberry Moon, will grace the night sky on Friday, June 21, 2024. This enchanting lunar event, which appears opposite the Sun in Earth-based longitude at 9:08 PM EDT, offers a unique opportunity to witness one of nature’s most beautiful spectacles. The Strawberry Moon, also known by various other names across different cultures, will be visible for three days, from Thursday evening to Sunday morning.
Historically, the Strawberry Moon gets its name from the Maine Farmer’s Almanac, which started publishing “Indian” names for full moons in the 1930s. This particular name originates from the brief harvesting season for strawberries in the northeastern United States. Other seasonal names for the June full moon include the Flower Moon, Hot Moon, Hoe Moon, and Planting Moon, each reflecting different cultural traditions and natural events.
In Europe, this full moon is sometimes referred to as the Mead Moon or Honey Moon. Mead, a drink made from fermented honey, was often ready for harvesting around this time, giving the moon its sweet connotation. The term “honeymoon” is believed to be connected to this tradition, as June has historically been a popular month for weddings, and newlyweds were often gifted mead during their first month of marriage. Additionally, some sources suggest that the name Rose Moon comes from either the blooming roses during this period or the reddish hue of the moon due to its low position in the sky during the summer solstice.
For Hindus, this full moon is celebrated as Vat Purnima, a time when married women tie ceremonial threads around banyan trees to express their love for their husbands, based on the legend of Savitri and Satyavan. Buddhists in Sri Lanka observe Poson Poya during this time, marking the introduction of Buddhism to the island in 236 BCE.
Interestingly, a tribe dedicated to studying the moon, which once thrived in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, calls this full moon the LRO Moon. This name honours the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) launched by NASA on June 18, 2009, which continues to provide valuable insights about the moon and our planet.
As the full moon approaches, it aligns with various lunar and lunisolar calendars. It marks the middle of the fifth month of the Chinese year of the Dragon, Sivan in the Hebrew calendar, and Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar, the final sacred month during which fighting is forbidden.
In addition to the full moon, several other celestial events will occur. As summer begins, the period of daylight starts to shorten, with the summer solstice marking the longest day of the year just a day before the full moon. On June 21, morning twilight will begin at 4:30 AM, with sunrise at 5:43 AM, solar noon at 1:10 PM, and sunset at 8:37 PM EDT.
During this period, various celestial bodies will also be visible. On the evening of the full moon, the bright star Arcturus will be the most prominent object in the sky, and as the days progress, Mercury and Venus will become visible after sunset. In the morning sky, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn will make their appearances, with the bright star Deneb shining overhead.
The full moon on June 21 promises a spectacular display, not just for its visual beauty but also for its rich cultural and historical significance. Whether you’re watching for its low, reddish hue in the sky or celebrating one of the many traditions associated with this lunar event, the Strawberry Moon offers something for everyone to marvel at.
