This coming Thursday, moon-gazers are in for a sweet lunar treat for the start of the summer. A full Strawberry Moon will light up the night — signaling the beginning of the summer solstice.
Despite what you may think, nicknames of the moon are typically given based on the season of that month and not necessarily on the color. This particular nickname comes from June’s abundance of fruits and flowers. According to The Farmers Almanac, “This [Strawberry Moon] name has been used by Algonquin, Ojibwe, Dakota, and Lakota peoples, among others, to mark the ripening of ‘June-bearing’ strawberries that are ready to be gathered.” Other traditional names include the Rose Moon, for similar reasons such as roses blooming at this time of year.
How To Catch June’s Strawberry Moon
This month’s moon will be visible from different parts of the U.S., and the Strawberry Moon is best viewed on Thursday at peak illumination. In Los Angeles, the moonrise is at 8:27 p.m. However, the moon will still appear incredibly large and bright through the weekend. Find your local moonrise on the Time & Date calendar here. Enjoy the lunar show all weekend long! 🌕🍓