The next full Moon is called the Strawberry Moon, and it will be visible on Friday evening, June 21, 2024. The Maine Farmer’s Almanac started the tradition of naming full Moons with “Indian” names in the 1930s, and the Strawberry Moon gets its name from the short strawberry harvesting season in the northeastern United States. Other seasonal names for this full Moon include the Flower Moon, Hot Moon, Hoe Moon, Planting Moon, Mead Moon, and Rose Moon.
The Mead or Honey Moon name comes from the drink made by fermenting honey with water and other ingredients. This full Moon was traditionally seen as the “sweetest” Moon of the year, which may have influenced the term “honeymoon” for the first month of marriage. The Rose Moon name may refer to the roses blooming during this time or the reddish color the Moon can have when it’s low in the sky.
For Hindus, this full Moon is Vat Purnima, a celebration where married women show love for their husbands by tying a ceremonial thread around a banyan tree. Buddhists in Sri Lanka celebrate Poson Poya during this full Moon, marking the introduction of Buddhism in 236 BCE.
A tribe from the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, known for their study of the Moon, named this June full Moon the LRO Moon in honor of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter launched towards the Moon 15 years ago. The LRO is still orbiting the Moon and providing valuable information about our celestial neighbor.
While the article mentions various celestial events and highlights for the upcoming months, it’s essential to remember to appreciate the beauty of the night sky and celebrate the Strawberry Moon with some strawberries, flowers, and honey during this “sweetest” time of the year. Whether you’re stargazing, observing the planets, or learning about lunar traditions, the night sky offers a vast array of wonders to explore and enjoy.